A petition calling for zoning setbacks in rural areas was presented to the Wright County Board of Supervisors March 11. Over 100 county residents, including some emergency management personnel, signed the petition.
“We probably could have had even more signatures,” Julie Glade said. The petitioners say they are concerned about the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines, damage to county roads, and massive water consumption. Glade asked the supervisors to pass zoning setbacks to protect people who live near the proposed pipeline route. “We feel like our lives and livelihoods are hanging in the balance,” Glade said. “Are we kicking the can down the road until it is too late?”
A decision by the Iowa Utilities Board on the use of eminent domain by Summit Carbon Solutions is expected next month.
Jeremy Abbas, administrator for the Planning and Zoning Commission, said P&Z will meet Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The agenda includes a discussion on the proposed pipeline. Abbas said there will be no decision on recommending setbacks since the agenda item only calls for discussion. Abbas assured the people at the supervisors meeting that the P&Z members have received all the information about the pipeline that Abbas has been given, and he will have copies of the petition available on Thursday.
Supervisor Dean Kluss said he is open to suggestions about the setback distance. “Should it be 750 feet, one-half mile, a mile?” he asked. “I think there needs to a concensus from the (petitioning) group,” he said.
“Anything at this point is better than nothing,” Glade replied.
One of the reasons the county supervisors have not pushed for setback restrictions is that an attorney has recommended holding off due to threatened litigation by Summit. The company has already sued several counties that have passed setbacks. Board President Karl Helgevold said he does not think that’s much of a threat any longer since Summit is already suing several counties. “At the end of the day, the courts are going to decide how this will go,” Helgevold said. “But at least we can have our ducks in a row.”
In the first budget decision for the coming fiscal year, the supervisors approved a three percent pay increase for elected officials. The proposals were approved by the county compensation board Dec. 20.
The new salaries for county officials will include: auditor -$87,704; attorney – $117,828; recorder – $87,704; sheriff -$131,197; supervisor – $45,065; and treasurer – $87,704.
In other business, the board:
– approved a bid from Joey Harrah for drainage ditch brush and weed control. The costs will be capped at $47,200 for 2024, and $47,350 for 2025. He was the only bidder;
– approved the $256.51 property tax refund to Clarmond Country Club;
– heard that the sheriff’s office had monthly revenue totalling $3,682 for mileage, weapons permits and copies;
– and heard that brush pick-up was completed by the secondary roads department, and shed inventory was started.
