At their July 31, 2025, meeting, the Henry County Board of Supervisors tackled a wide-ranging agenda that included updates on landfill operations, changes to facility hours, designation of county voting representatives for ISAC, and a newly approved moratorium on commercial solar and battery energy storage development.
Landfill Usage Report and Hour Change Discussion
Lynn Whaley delivered the monthly landfill usage report, detailing tonnage and visitor numbers through July. While the number of users appears steady or slightly down, total landfill tonnage is up compared to previous years. Whaley attributed the increase—403.33 tons through July—to heavy rainfall, which has led to more water-heavy waste being compacted and hauled.
Recyclables accounted for 39.47 tons, while other materials such as scrap metal, tires, and CRTs were also tracked. A year-over-year comparison showed higher tonnage than in 2023 and 2024, despite similar or slightly lower foot traffic.
Whaley also proposed adjusting facility hours to reflect actual usage. He suggested shifting weekday hours from the current noon–6:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and possibly opening Saturdays earlier, around 7:30 a.m., to manage high-volume morning traffic.
Resolution 21-2025: ISAC Voting Representatives
The supervisors unanimously approved Resolution 21-2025, designating county voting representatives to the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC). The move ensures compliance with IRS requirements, as ISAC operates under 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and mandates formal designation of voting representatives.
Final Reading of Standard Penalty Ordinance
The board completed the third and final reading of the updated standard penalty ordinance, which includes a clarified section on FEMA penalties. No further changes were proposed. The ordinance was unanimously approved.
Resolution 22-2025: Moratorium on Commercial Solar and Battery Projects
The board also approved Resolution 22-2025, placing a 12-month moratorium on rezoning land for commercial solar and battery energy storage systems within unincorporated Henry County. The action is intended to give the county time to update its zoning ordinance and align regulations with ongoing revisions to the 2017 comprehensive plan.
Supervisors cited concerns over the impact of large-scale energy projects on infrastructure, the environment, and neighboring landowners. The moratorium pauses any new rezoning requests for alternative energy overlay districts until July 31, 2026, unless lifted earlier by board action.
During discussion, it was clarified that a reference to the comprehensive plan was removed from the final resolution text, but planning efforts involving public input will continue. A second work session on the issue is expected soon, and the moratorium ensures consistency as discussions evolve.
The meeting concluded with subcommittee updates and general board business. The next major item will involve revisiting the county’s wind energy moratorium in the coming weeks.
