Supervisors: Potential mental health cuts could come to Jefferson County

FAIRFIELD - The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors approved their 2019-2020 county budget at their weekly meeting Monday, March 9, in the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The budget is about 1.8 percent larger than last year, and will not include any levy increases. In fact, rural residents will see a slight - 2 cents per $1,000 - cut to their levy. The supervisors talked about how the budget sessions went very well, and how 'we took the wrapping off everything,” said Supervisor Lee Dimmitt about how every discretionary item was closely scrutinized, and that $400,000 worth of spending was cut.

In other news, the supervisors learned the city of Fairfield is amenable to lowering its speed limit sign on the east side of Fairfield going out of town on Burlington Avenue. The supervisors have discussed lowering the speed limit from 55 to 45 near the driveway to Parkview Care Center, where there was a double fatality from a car accident in October 2019.

To lower the speed, however, the county needed the cooperation of the city. Now that the city is on board, the supervisors will reconsider the matter at an upcoming meeting.

Supervisor Dee Sandquist told the board there is a bill in the Iowa Legislature that would cut about $700,000 from Jefferson County's mental health region. She talked about how the state needs a long-term, consistent plan to provide mental health services. She also talked about how there is funding available for those who need it locally. For instance, she mentioned the county funds free programs at providers such as Optimae, and that residents can seek services at Optimae and the third floor of the Jefferson County Courthouse, where the mental health office is.

The supervisors then talked about how the county might assess a tax on the Amish for the damage their vehicles may cause to the roads. For instance, Supervisor Lee Dimmitt talked about how Amish use metal tires instead of rubber ones, and said it harms the roads. He thought it was unfair that the Amish do not pay taxes to repair these and other road problems.

Jefferson County Assistant Attorney Pat McAvan said the Supreme Court has already heard cases along these lines, where governments have attempted a special assessment on the Amish to make them pay for the county-owned roads they use. He said the court has struck down such measures as a violation of the Amish's freedom of religion.

Dimmitt said he failed to see the logic behind this.

'No group can compel another group to pay for their religious beliefs,” he said.

McAvan said the court didn't see it that way, that it believes the county has a responsibility to provide roads for public use, and the Amish have a right to practice their beliefs.

'So an Amish farmer can tear up [a road] with metal wheels, and we can't do anything about it?” Dimmitt asked.

'Yes, because you have to uphold the Constitution,” McAvan replied.

McAvan said forcing the Amish to pay a special assessment or ban their use of metal tires was 'off the table.”

Dimmitt asked if his religious belief required him to use studded tires, would the county have to allow that, too? McAvan said the court doesn't give carte blanche to anyone who claims to be following a religion. The court researched the Amish and how long they have held certain beliefs before making its ruling.

Dimmitt didn't understand why owners of electric and hybrid vehicles are being forced to pay a special fee to keep up the roads - because they don't contribute as much to the road use fund through the gas tax - as gasoline-powered vehicles. He thought that if electric and hybrid vehicle owners could be given a special assessment, the Amish could, too.