Author: Kadie Johannson

The Henry County Board of Supervisors addressed several county facility and technology projects during its regular meeting Thursday evening at the Henry County Emergency Management Building in Mount Pleasant.

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss provided his weekly report, saying secondary roads crews are continuing to blade gravel roads following several weeks of rainfall and are wrapping up mowing along gravel roads before shifting back to paved roads next week. Construction projects continue to move forward as weather permits.

Hotchkiss also updated supervisors on the county’s annual fuel bid process. The county partners with the City of Mount Pleasant, the Mount Pleasant Community School District, Henry County Health Center and other entities to purchase fuel together, helping secure more competitive pricing. Fuel bids were opened this week, and Hotchkiss said he will review the proposals before bringing a recommendation to the board at next week’s meeting.

Supervisors approved repairs to the courthouse’s south entrance door after learning the automatic opening mechanism has reached the end of its service life. While repairs may still be possible, replacing the mechanism is estimated to cost approximately $3,900.

The board also continued discussions on courthouse space allocation, including office space for Veterans Affairs, the County Attorney’s Office and Juvenile Services. In addition, supervisors reviewed plans to improve the county’s IT server room by constructing a dividing wall and relocating staff workspaces. Chairman Chad White called the project “a need, not a want,” citing safety concerns, insurance requirements and the importance of protecting the county’s technology infrastructure. Officials said the county fire marshal will be consulted as plans move forward.

Supervisors approved a one-year renewal agreement with Solutions, the county’s current software vendor. The contract includes an approximately seven percent increase over last year. IT Director Gunner Sloan said the renewal is the best short-term option while the county continues evaluating a possible transition to Re-Gov software. Sloan noted additional planning is needed before all county departments would be prepared to implement a new system.

The board also spent considerable time discussing Historic Preservation Fund Resolution Number 9-2026. The resolution would have provided $11,000 in fiscal year 2026 funding to the Henry County Historic Preservation Commission but failed on a unanimous 3-0 vote.

Supervisor Steven Detrick said his concern was that the funding was originally intended as seed money to help the commission become self-sustaining through book sales, not as an ongoing annual appropriation. He also questioned the commission’s practice of awarding grants to other nonprofit organizations. Supervisor Marc Lindeen agreed, saying taxpayer dollars appropriated to the commission should remain with the organization to support its intended preservation projects rather than be distributed elsewhere.

No representatives from the Historic Preservation Commission were present to answer supervisors’ questions. With the fiscal year ending before the board’s next meeting, the resolution was not approved. The county’s fiscal year 2027 budget does include another $11,000 allocation for the commission, meaning the issue is expected to return for future discussion. Detrick indicated he is also opposed to approving that funding.

Following committee reports, the Henry County Board of Supervisors adjourned its regular meeting before convening a public discussion on potential commercial solar energy, battery energy storage systems and data center development in Henry County. That story is available here.

A few dozen Henry County residents gathered Thursday evening at the Henry County Emergency Management Building as the Henry County Board of Supervisors hosted a public discussion on commercial solar energy, battery energy storage systems (BESS), data centers and data mining facilities.

The meeting was held as Henry County continues to work on ordinances governing the development of commercial solar projects, battery energy storage systems, data centers and data mining facilities. A temporary moratorium remains in place through December 31, 2026, while county officials gather information and draft regulations.

Henry County currently has an ordinance regulating commercial wind energy but does not yet have ordinances governing commercial solar energy, battery energy storage systems, data centers or data mining facilities.

Board Chairman Chad White said the purpose of the meeting was to hear residents’ questions and concerns before the county begins drafting regulations. White noted the Henry County Planning and Zoning Commission has already received expressions of interest from companies regarding commercial solar development, and the Board of Supervisors wants regulations in place before projects are proposed.

Joining the discussion were Bruce Hudson of the Louisa County Rural Utility Service System (RUSS) and Kevin Wheeler of Access Energy Cooperative, who shared information and answered questions from the floor during public comment.

Hudson discussed Louisa County’s experience permitting utility-scale solar projects and explained how the county has navigated environmental reviews and project approvals. He said several large projects have been proposed there, including developments of approximately 500 and 800 acres, along with another nearing 3,600 acres. Hudson added that access to infrastructure—including electricity, water, energy transmission and energy generation—is a key consideration for large-scale development.

Wheeler spoke about the region’s growing demand for electricity, saying utilities must take an “all of the above” approach to future energy generation because few, if any, new coal-fired generating plants are expected to be built. He said data centers require significant electrical capacity, often between 400 and 500 megawatts, and developers must secure power supply agreements before construction can begin. Utilities can’t provide them with enough power in many cases while still serving their other commercial and residential customers with power.

Wheeler also explained that utilities across the country are experiencing long lead times for equipment and materials because of high demand, making expansion projects increasingly challenging.

Several residents shared questions and concerns during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Diana Burden questioned whether corporations should be required to obtain permits before approaching landowners with lease agreements, expressing concern about the potential loss of productive agricultural land.

Bob Byczek said he supports solar energy and has installed 28 solar panels at his home, but questioned locating utility-scale battery storage systems on productive farmland. He also raised concerns about emergency response to lithium-ion battery fires, including water use and the potential impacts on local water resources.

Melanie Patton said she was pleased the county enacted a moratorium to allow time for careful planning. She encouraged officials to coordinate any future solar ordinance with the county’s comprehensive plan and questioned whether multibillion-dollar corporations should receive tax incentives. Patton also stressed the importance of clearly defining data centers and related terminology within any future ordinance.

Bill Crawford questioned whether Planning and Zoning has already been contacted by developers interested in Henry County and encouraged transparency as the county moves through the ordinance process.

Brian Anderson discussed closed-loop energy systems and referenced renewable energy projects already operating in neighboring Lee County. He said those projects can broaden the local tax base and generate additional revenue without increasing property taxes. Drawing on his experience installing residential solar systems, Anderson also encouraged continued conversations with state lawmakers as counties adapt to emerging energy technologies.

Near the conclusion of the meeting, Kate Byczek summarized what she believed was the shared sentiment among many in attendance. She said technological advancement is inevitable and battery storage will be necessary as renewable energy expands but encouraged the county to move cautiously and allow the industry more time to improve battery storage, solar and data center technologies before permitting large-scale development.

No action was taken during the informational meeting. Planning and Zoning will continue gathering information before developing recommendations for ordinances governing commercial solar energy, battery energy storage systems, data centers and data mining facilities. Those recommendations will eventually be forwarded to the Henry County Board of Supervisors for consideration.

Acknowledging many of the concerns expressed during the evening, White concluded, “We all like technology and need it—we just don’t want to be the guinea pigs.”

A theft investigation in Henry County has resulted in a positive outcome after two stolen excavator buckets valued at approximately $15,000 were recovered and returned.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office had asked for the public’s assistance after the buckets were reported stolen from a job site in the 2500 block of Iowa Avenue, south of Mount Pleasant, sometime between June 6th and June 7th. The stolen equipment included a 60-inch ditching bucket and a 36-inch tooth bucket, both used on excavators.

Because of their size and weight, authorities believed whoever removed the buckets would have needed heavy equipment and substantial transportation capabilities.

During Thursday’s Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting, County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss publicly thanked Sheriff Rich McNamee and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office for their work on the case. Hotchkiss noted the recovery of the equipment saved the county roughly $15,000 in replacement costs.

Sheriff McNamee said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Authorities have not released additional details regarding how the buckets were recovered or whether any arrests have been made.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is still encouraged to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 319-385-2712 or submit an anonymous tip through the Henry County Sheriff’s Office mobile app.

The Mount Pleasant City Council met Wednesday evening, approving several infrastructure, traffic, and licensing items while also receiving updates on childcare, utilities, and city projects.

One of the meeting’s largest actions was approval of a resolution accepting a proposal to purchase a $1.235 million General Obligation Capital Loan Note. The financing will be used to purchase a new street sweeper and partially fund the Winfield Avenue 2026 street improvement project.

The council also approved the third and final reading of an ordinance increasing the city’s monthly solid waste fee from $4.25 to $5.25. City officials said the increase is needed to offset rising administrative expenses associated with solid waste collection, including payroll, health insurance, workers compensation insurance, information technology costs, and other operational expenses.

Council members approved the second reading of an ordinance making traffic-related changes along Winfield Avenue. The proposal would establish no-parking zones on portions of the street and replace a yield sign with a stop sign at the intersection of North Perry Street and Winfield Avenue.

The council also approved the second reading of an ordinance that would allow all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, to operate on city streets. Current regulations already permit golf carts and utility terrain vehicles. City officials noted that ATV safety features have improved since the original ordinance was adopted.

Several annual licenses and permits were approved, including cigarette and tobacco permits, alcohol license renewals and special event permits. The council also approved an outdoor amplified sound permit for Faith Christian Outreach Church for an event scheduled July 1.

During public comments, newly hired City Administrator Joe Taylor introduced himself and thanked city staff, elected officials, and community members for the warm welcome he and his family have received since arriving in Mount Pleasant. Taylor said they are excited to become part of the community and call Mount Pleasant home.

Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities General Manager Nate Lucas also addressed the council, providing information about an upcoming public hearing regarding a proposed transmission facility joint ownership agreement with Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois. The hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, in the Municipal Utilities Board Room at 509 North Adams Street.

Mayor Steve Brimhall updated the council on efforts to find a permanent location for the Mount Pleasant Childcare Center, saying discussions continue as city leaders explore long-term solutions. Brimhall also announced that the Public Works Department plans to remove the aging United Through Playground, commonly known as the “Wooden Park” near Saunders School, by the end of June. The city hopes to have a replacement playground installed before the end of the year.

In other business, the council approved Change Order Number One for the Winfield Avenue 2026 project and approved resolutions waiving the city’s right to review proposed subdivisions on South Logan Avenue and North Hickory Avenue following recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Council members also approved Change Order Number Five for the Airport T-Hangar and Taxilanes project, reducing the overall project cost by more than $22,700 due to lower-than-expected material usage.

The council further authorized Mayor Brimhall to sign a five-year master agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation outlining maintenance responsibilities for state highways that pass through Mount Pleasant.

The next regular meeting of the Mount Pleasant City Council will be held Wednesday, June 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Administrator’s Conference Room.