The Greene County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Monday.
County Auditor Billie Jo Hoskins updated the Board that after they tried for a second time to randomly draw an individual who was tied for write-in votes for the at-large Rippey City Council seat, Chesi Lawrence declined the position. Hoskins said the reason that Lawrence gave was that she currently serves on the Rippey Library Board of Trustees, which could create a conflict of interest. She added that the seat would become vacant in January and the Rippey City Council could choose to appointment someone or have a special election.
During a county jail update, Sheriff Jack Williams said that they are now anticipating the project to be completed by June of 2026 instead of next November.
The Board then held a public hearing to amend the zoning ordinance to establish data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations for issuance of a conditional use permit. One proposed change was presented by Midland Power Cooperative, who is working with bitcoin company Simple Mining, which is based out of Cedar Falls, which was saying that the power supply is under the tariff rate, which is required by the Iowa Utilities Commission.
Simple Mining is looking to have modular units to house computer servers and they would hire 8-10 employees, which they ideally want locally.
A few people voiced concerns about the noise level, which would be the equivalent of an air conditioning unit; the required electricity that would be needed for the project, and it was mentioned by Simple Mining and Midland Power that there is adequate amounts of electricity on the grid to handle their capacity. Other concerns were about the modular units not being taxed because they are not permanent structures, which Simple Mining said they would pay an annual $50,000, adjustable to the rate of inflation, to compensate for that.
Following the public hearing, the Board approved the first reading of the ordinance, with the one change that was presented by Midland Power.
Next, the Board heard the 2027 fiscal year funding request for $24,000 by the Greene County Fair Association, which the Board took no action on and they approved a contract to Jasper Construction Services for $762,599 to replace a bridge on Parkland Avenue over Hardin Creek next year. The Board also approved the Weed Commission’s Report for 2025, as well as the certification of County Engineer Wade Weiss as the Weed Commissioner for 2026. Finally, they also approved an alcohol license for the Paton Pit Stop as presented.