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The Union County Board of Supervisors approved the proposed Union County Ordinance No. 73 regulating the placement of wind energy conversion systems on property located in the unincorporated areas of Union County at the third public hearing Monday at the Union County Courthouse.
Several Adair County residents spoke tin opposition of wind turbines in Union County. Union County residents Elaine Gordon, Jesse Giza and Randy Miller spoke in favor.
Loretta Harvey, who said she is against wind turbines, questioned the board on the liability section of the ordinance, the large amount of work for Union County’s secondary roads department and the decommissioning plan. She also stated the easement contracts she has seen have been one-sided in favor of the wind companies.
The board members closed the public hearing with their comments.
Dennis Brown spoke of the board’s intention to balance the rights of property owners with the rights of other residents and the interests of the county. He spoke of the benefits for the county and the residents — road improvements, tax revenue and income for the participating landowners — and the downside of wind turbines.
“Some folks are going to have to live among them,” Brown remarked. “I can’t imagine what that would be like.”
Rick Friday talked about putting personal feeling aside to represent the interests of the county. He stated the calls he has received about wind farming have been about 2-to-1 in favor.
“I have a lot of landowners who really want this project,” Friday said
Ron Riley said he supports the development and ongoing process of renewable energy while striking a balance to protect the county and its residents including participants and non-participants.
“It’s been kind of a tough go, but I felt like our plan is well written.” Riley said.
County Attorney Tim Kenyon amended his previous analogy comparing the wind turbine ordinance to speed limits.
“We may be looking at more of a comparison to when the horseless carriage snuck into Iowa, and whether or not they’re going to regulate those noisy gasoline things on the roadways that scare the horses.”
Kenyon addressed some of the questions and comments brought up by the attendees. He reiterated that it is up to the landowners to negotiate any contract they sign.
Kenyon said the decommissioning plan states the bond will be reviewed by the board at least every five years.
The board approved the third reading of the ordinance with a unanimous vote. The ordinance will become effective upon publication.
Other business
Friday asked Jennifer Mitchell to come talk to the board about the possibility of writing a grant to supplement or substitute for some of the money that has been appropriated for an emergency communications systems project. Mitchell has grant writing experience as mayor of Thayer and as supervisor for Parents as Teachers programs in Clarke and Decatur counties.
The board agreed to hire Mitchell to look into grant opportunities with a unanimous vote. Mitchell will contact Jo Duckworth, Union County Emergency Management director to coordinate this effort.
Shawn Lauer discussed the difficulties the county is having with its current vendor for mops, Aramark, and suggested a change to City Laundering. The change would save the county $18 a month.
Lauer would like to add changing out the mats in the Union County Courthouse entrances to the contract.
The secondary roads department is also looking to make the change to another vender when its contract ends in September.
The board asked Lauer to talk to other counties that use City Laundering before it would commit to a multi-year contract.
Secondary Roads
Union County Engineer Zach Gunsolley reported on the Secondary Roads Department’s weekly maintenance activity. Friday questioned the change from five 8-hour days to four 10-hour days during this time of a greater workload due to spring rains and flooding.
Friday said he received comments from residents who cannot get to work. One individual contacted Friday to say the school bus was unable to reach his house due to road conditions. The residents questioned why no one was hauling gravel to fix these issues last Friday when the weather was optimal.
Friday suggested a split shift where some workers have a Monday through Thursday schedule, while others have a Tuesday through Friday schedule.
Gunsolley replied that the current arrangement of four 10-hour days, which started last week is policy for the summer. However, the start date is not specified. He mentioned that individuals also complain when crews end their work at 3:00 p.m. in order to return to Creston by 3:30.
Riley suggested Gunsolley ask the workers for their preferred solution: a split shift, returning to five 8-hour days, or authorizing overtime to allow work on Fridays.
Gunsolley reminded the board that authorizing overtime would increase either the amount of a proposed budget amendment or dip into the secondary roads reserves. He explained the cost and the amount of gravel being used to repair roads is already more than was budgeted.
Gunsolley said the board has the option to purchase rock directly for specific projects, which could alleviate some of the pressure on the secondary road budget.