The Henry County Board of Supervisors tackled a wide range of issues during their meeting Thursday, April 30, including staffing updates, budget planning, and future energy regulations.
County Attorney Becky Wilson reported her office is nearing full staffing, with several recent hires filling key roles. Officials expect the office to be fully staffed by early May, improving overall operations. New hires include Deputy Assistant County Attorney Terri Quartucci at an annual salary of $100,000 starting May 6, Assistant County Attorney Ed Harvey at $97,000 who began April 24, and Office Manager Kelly Patterson at $45,000. Cheynne Patterson has started as Victim Witness Coordinator at $45,000, and an administrative assistant is set to begin May 4 at $65,000 annually.
Supervisors also reviewed progress on the fiscal year 2026–2027 budget, which was approved following a second public hearing earlier in the week. Supervisor Steve Detrick presented charts and graphs to illustrate how tax dollars are distributed across services such as schools and hospitals. He noted those visuals will help guide future decisions, especially as the county may face potential budget cuts. He also thanked County Treasurer Kellie Sloan and Auditor Robin Detrick for their hard work and assistance on the budget.
In unfinished business, the board began early discussions on possible regulations for battery energy storage systems, data mining operations, and solar energy projects. Officials say more coordination with local partners and energy cooperatives is needed before any ordinances or moratorium decisions are finalized. The county’s current energy moratorium is set to expire July 31, 2026, and supervisors are considering expanding or extending it while working with planning and zoning, the county attorney’s office, and IT staff to develop regulations.
The board also received updates on federal reporting tied to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) or “Covid” funds. The Recorder’s Office is requesting about $9,000 in remaining funds, while the Auditor’s Office continues required annual reporting for ARPA funds.
In other business, supervisors approved routine items including meeting minutes, financial claims, and liquor license renewals for the Mount Pleasant Moose Lodge and Deerwood Golf and Country Club.
Safety improvements at county facilities were also highlighted following a mid-April incident involving malfunctioning panic buttons at the courthouse. After testing, officials identified and replaced batteries in four devices. The system is now fully operational, reducing emergency response times from 10-15 minutes to under one minute. Moving forward, the county will conduct nightly system checks and quarterly live tests.
Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss reported steady progress on secondary roads as favorable weather allows crews to move quickly on multiple projects. Hotchkiss says several culvert replacements and extensions are currently underway and nearing completion. In addition, contract rock is being delivered and graded across the county, with nearly $500,000 worth expected to be spread within the next two weeks.
This week, crews are hauling rock from the Coppock quarry to service roads in the Wayland area. Work will then shift to the River Products Quarry to address gravel roads in and around Winfield.
Meanwhile, construction on the 235th Street bridge just west of Mount Pleasant is progressing well. Crews are currently pouring pier stems, with bridge beams expected to be installed soon.
In other action, the Board of Supervisors approved a road haul agreement with ITC Midwest as the company continues transmission line construction from Ottumwa to just west of Mount Pleasant.
The Henry County Board of Supervisors will continue discussions on several of these topics in upcoming meetings. Public comments were made and the meeting adjourned.