Supervisors hear kitchen update, discuss wind turbines

John Bushong, Bushong Design Group, was first up for the Iowa County Supervisors at their May 26 meeting to give an update on the construction progress of the new kitchen building.

There was a problem with the garage door on the front of the building. The original design was for a 10 foot tall door, but the construction company framed in for an eight foot door because that was what was on the plan. The door they ordered was a 10 foot door and Bushong was told they couldn't just remove a panel to make it work so they had to order a new door. He explained to the board that he would pay for it since it was his mistake, and he thinks he can make his money back by selling it.

The board also approved a bad weather canopy for a little over $2,700 for the building to help keep the snow and rain off the employees. Bushong says they should be starting on the Iowa County Engineers office across the street in July and estimated the whole project would be done in November.

Transportation Director Becky Fry brought the Fiscal Year 24 ECICOG contract to the board for signatures. Updates for her department include taking credit/debit cards, and ECICOG is increasing their rate to $3,262. Fry said she can use it on bus repairs.

There was a bid to purchase the General Obligation Capital Loan Notes for the $1,300,000 that will pay for the two new buildings being constructed. The resolution to accept them was approved by the board with only Supervisor Abby Maas voting “Nay.” Supervisor Alan Schumacher paused before voting and said, “It has to be done,” and voted yes.

Wind turbines

During the meeting, William Dougherty, project manager for the Diamond Trail Wind Farm came in and sat down. After some confusion about who he was and why he was there, he explained that they had been contacted so he wanted to come and answer any questions they had. The board gave him time at the end of the meeting.

Dougherty explained to the board that they had not heard of the TransAlta company and had no intention of selling their easements, and have never done so. He also explained that no other company can tap into their underground lines.

Initially he stated any new project would have to go by the most recent ordinance, but Maas told him the Diamond Trail project had its own ordinance. He told the board he was unaware of that and would have to look. The current Iowa County Ordinance limits the total number of turbines in the county to 200 and has a non-participating residence setback of 1800 feet for the larger turbines. There are currently 77 turbines in the county.