The Henry County Board of Supervisors tackled several major topics during Thursday morning’s meeting, including a temporary moratorium on utility-scale solar projects and data mining, ongoing road and bridge work across the county, courthouse security changes, and funding transfers.
One of the biggest discussions centered around solar development and data mining in Henry County. Supervisors approved a temporary moratorium beginning May 14th at noon and lasting through December 31st, 2026. The pause is intended to give county officials more time to research and develop possible ordinance language regulating future projects.
During discussion, officials noted Henry County currently does not have a solar ordinance in place. Supervisors referenced Louisa County, where officials are already working through ordinance-related questions and using a data mining application. Henry County Planning and Zoning officials said they are continuing conversations with other counties as they explore what regulations could eventually look like locally.
The board also heard several updates from Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss regarding road and bridge projects underway throughout the county.
Maintenance crews recently replaced an entrance along 170th Street and completed crossroad pipe work near Lexington Avenue. Territory operators continue blading roads and applying rock, while county crews have moved equipment back to J-20 to finish shoulder widening work that began earlier this year.
Work also continues on the new 235th Street bridge project. Contractors poured the final east pier Monday on the approximately 440-foot-long bridge and are now preparing for beam installation. A quick fun fact is the beams used in the project were fabricated in Henry County.
In other business, supervisors approved an inter-fund transfer of more than $1.57 million to Secondary Roads. However, a proposed $11,000 transfer to Historic Preservation was tabled and will return for discussion at a future meeting.
The board also approved discontinuing the live courthouse camera feed previously available in the Auditor’s Office from the Supervisors Office. Officials clarified that all cameras will continue recording, and Henry County Dispatch will now have access to monitor cameras if needed during emergency situations involving law enforcement. Supervisors also noted alarm buttons remain installed throughout the courthouse.
Supervisors additionally discussed an Iowa Public Information Board, or IPIB, inquiry connected to a Freedom of Information Act request submitted to Henry County. During discussion, the board reviewed a roughly $1,900 bill submitted by now employee Ed Harvey for services prior to his hiring related to the request and debated where the funding should come from.
Supervisors ultimately agreed the payment will come from the county attorney’s budget, while also planning a future budget amendment so the expense does not reduce the attorney’s overall budget allocation.
The next Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for May 21st at 6 p.m. The Supervisors are having this evening meeting to allow Henry County Residents unable to attend the 9 am meetings the opportunity to be present in person.