WASHINGTON

Following a 42-minute discussion of the revised January 2021 Wind Ordinance draft that mostly centered on a half-mile wind turbine setback from any form of habitable structure, property value prior to and after turbine installation, individual vs. wind farm company ownership, and future decommissioning, the board agreed to hold more discussion next week. Depending on recommendations or more revisions, approval could follow; however, the board earlier agreed it would hold at least one public meeting and three full readings of the ordinance prior to its enactment.

During the discussion, a key concern was the impact on property valuation, the need for a licensed appraiser to do the evaluations and who would pay for them. Regarding setbacks, there is a noted difference between a single farm-owned one and a complete wind farm operation. However, the ordinance contains a provision allowing it to be waived by the property owner and those neighboring an operation. A tangential concern was the impact the heavy turbine equipment could have on county roads during delivery and possible replacement.

Supervisor Jack Seward Jr. noted that currently there is one company that indicated interest in a possible wind farm operation in the county, adding it was in “very early stages.” There are wind energy conversion operations in other counties that have enacted ordinances which were reviewed by the board members in preparing the original draft.

In other business, the board approved a resolution for a Quit Claim Deed to Robert W. and Carole B. Winkleback for a tract of land lying north of the Iowa River in Section 2, Township 17 of Washington County.

The board approved a pay change for Tonia Rebing, Washington County Ambulance Department, from $28.38 to $30.33 hourly, effective January 25.

The board approved a pay change for Maxine Hervey, Public Health Department, HH Program Assistant from $21.59 to $23.79 hourly, effective January 25; for Emily Tokheim, Public Health Administrator, from $3,319 to $3,529 bi-weekly, effective January 25; for Bonnie Lins, Public Health HCA, from $21.99 to S22.69 hourly, effective April 8; and for Irene McDowell, Public Health HCA, from $21.59 to $22.69 hourly, effective January 25. All were previously approved by the Board of Health.

The board approved a Class C retail alcohol license for Wooden Wheel Vineyards, Keota, effective February 15, 2024, to February 14, 2025.

Finally, the board approved a resolution for a paving project for G36 (220th Street) to provide four feet of asphalt shoulders from Iowa Highway 1 to US Highway 218. Funding involves federal Highway Safety Improvement money. In a related action, the board approved the low bid of $2,200,839 from Norris Asphalt of Ottumwa, as recommended by county engineer Jacob Thorius, who noted that all bids reflected an 8% increase from a year ago. Work will start July 22, to be completed within 50 working days, and will involve traffic control for residents along the road.