The Jefferson City Council met Tuesday night in regular session.

The meeting started with a public hearing on the current fiscal year budget amendment that the Council approved after the hearing, as presented. The Council also approved the first reading to amend an ordinance to increase water rates by two percent and increase the solid waste and recycling fees from $3.50 per month per household to $6.10. It was mentioned that the reason for the solid waste increase was due to Metro Waste Authority increasing its fees by 53 percent. 

Additionally, the Council approved a resolution to hire Jon Koch as the new Water Superintendent, with an annual salary of $90,000. Then, they also approved increasing the other department heads with their salaries, including Streets Superintendent Dave Teeples up to $85,000, Wastewater Superintendent Danny Moranville to $90,000 and Public Works Director Dave Morlan up to $102,000. 

The Council also approved a resolution to hire Caleb Alamina as a sanitation and streets worker for $25.50 per hour wage and the first pay estimate to Evora Energy for work done at the fuel farm project at the Municipal Airport. The Council also approved a resolution to submit a grant application to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) for $315,000, with a 15 percent match to remove the current fuel farm facility and install new concrete.

The Council then heard a report from Greene County Development Corporation (GCDC). Director Greg Piklapp announced that following a meeting with stakeholders, the Iowa DOT has made an agreement with the city to give three access points off of US Highway 30 to allow for future development. He also mentioned that GCDC received two Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation grants of $100,000 for the renewal of their special projects fund and $100,000 for housing projects. The Council then approved the GCDC quarterly funding request.