Greene County Supervisors (not pictured, Pete Bardole and Dan Benitz). Photo by Coltrane Carlson/Raccoon Valley Radio

The Greene County Board met for their organizational meeting after the New Year holiday.

The meeting started with the appointment of Board Chair. Supervisor Dan Benitz nominated John Muir to remain in that position, but it failed after not getting a second. Supervisor Pete Bardole nominated Vice Chair Dawn Rudolph to become the Chair. After a second and Rudolph accepting the nominations, all other nominations ceased and Rudolph was approved as the Chair. Benitz then nominated Bardole for Vice Chair, and after a second and Bardole accepting the nomination, all other nominations ceased and Bardole was approved.

Next, County Tax Coordinator Pam Olreich presented the 2025 property valuations. She said the overall county valuations increased by 4.49 percent from the previous year. She pointed out that Highland Township saw one of the largest increases of 25.66 percent, due to NEW Cooperative’s site. Conversely, Olreich noted that Washington Township had a 4.12 percent decrease because of a few parcels being given to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which is tax exempt. 

The Board then approved all organizational items including continuing their regular meetings the same, as well as making minor changes to the board committee assignments, official newspapers and depositories as presented. They also approved 28E agreements with each of the incorporated towns in the county for law enforcement coverage by the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Jack Williams mentioned that there was a ten percent increase in fees for each town, on a per capita basis, due to not raising the fees since 2017. 

Additionally, the Board approved the December 31st cash county as presented and a resolution for construction evaluation for confined animal feeding operations by using the DNR’s Master Matrix process for February 1, 2026-January 31, 2027.