Shawn Bryant Boone County Supervisor

10/07/2026

📋 **Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary**

Here’s a look at the key actions and updates from this week’s Board meeting:

🏡 **Scenic Valley Subdivision** The Board approved the final plat for Scenic Valley Acreage LLC, including a minor change adding an access easement.

🏠 **Ordinance 174-2026 — Radon Mitigation** The Board approved the second reading of an ordinance requiring active radon mitigation systems in new residential construction in unincorporated areas.

👥 **Planning & Zoning Commission** Supervisor Longhorn recommended Steve Farnes to fill the vacant Planning and Zoning Commission position. A formal appointment is scheduled for next week.

💬 **Public Comment** Beginning next week, the Board plans to add a public-comment period to the meeting agenda, tentatively scheduled for **9:05 a.m.**

📰 **Public Hearings** The Board discussed ways to reduce newspaper publication costs by limiting the number of public hearings advertised for ordinances.

09/30/2026

Boone County Board of Supervisors weekly update

Major decisions

Landfill hours: Weekday opening time will change to 7:30 AM, effective October 12.

Holiday landfill hours: The landfill will open 7:00–11:00 AM on Saturday, December 26, 2026, and in future years when Christmas falls on a Friday.

Landfill safety: The Board approved a safety turnout lane, costing approximately $12,000, to be paid from landfill funds.

Radon ordinance: The Board approved the first reading of Ordinance 174-2026, requiring active radon mitigation systems for new single- and two-family homes in unincorporated areas.

Burkhart Farms: Final plat approved through Resolution 26-40.

Fareway Stores: The development agreement was tabled indefinitely while the agreement is reworked and additional research is conducted.

Liquor license: A conditional 5-day and 8-month Class C license was approved for Adix Country and Venues, subject to dram-shop insurance and a fire-watch contract.

Fuel surcharge: The Board denied Leroy and Sons' $11,100 fuel-surcharge request.

Notable operational and financial issues

- Motorola tower: The tower and microwave backhaul project is complete, including all punch-list work.

-Website hosting: Annual hosting costs increased from $1,500 to $4,000.

- Dispatch consoles: Existing consoles are obsolete and unsupported; replacement costs have increased from about $175,000 to more than $300,000 per unit.

- Radio fleet: Handheld and mobile radios are approaching end-of-life, with replacements estimated at $12,000–$13,000 each.

- Landfill compliance: The landfill received a final-warning letter from the Iowa DNR concerning leachate and daily-cover management.

- ADA compliance: County website updates are needed, particularly concerning accessibility of PDFs.

Bottom line

The meeting combined several routine operational approvals with a few issues requiring continued attention: landfill regulatory compliance, aging emergency communications equipment, website accessibility, and the unresolved Fareway Stores development agreement. The most immediate compliance concern appears to be the DNR's final-warning letter, while the communications equipment represents a potentially substantial future capital expense.

09/23/2026

📋 Board Meeting Update

Here’s a look at the key items discussed and decisions made by the Board:

✅ Decisions Made
Alcohol License: Approved a 14-day Class C retail alcohol license for Adix Country Inn and Venue, effective September 24 through October 7, 2026.

New Equipment: Authorized the purchase of a BOMAG BG1173RB5 compactor.

Extended Warranty: Approved the Premier 72-month extended warranty at a cost of $111,550.

Existing Compactor: The current 11-year-old compactor will be sold rather than used as a trade-in.

🦷 Public Health
iSmile provided 2025–26 school-year dental screening updates.

🏡 Other Updates
Radon Ordinance: Corrections have been made based on Planning & Zoning feedback, and a revised copy has been distributed for review.

Data Center Petition: An additional page containing 15 signatures was received regarding the temporary data center moratorium.

🚧 Landfill Operations & Safety
The Board discussed several potential changes following a recent accident:

A proposed turnout lane to improve safety.

Adding Saturday morning hours from 7:00–11:00 AM when Christmas falls on a Friday.

📌 Coming Up Next
The Board is expected to:

Review the corrected radon mitigation ordinance and hold a public hearing next week.

Decide on the proposed landfill hours and Saturday holiday schedule.

Provide contractors with a final answer regarding fuel.

Thank you to everyone who continues to stay informed and engaged in local government!

09/17/2026

Boone County Supervisor Meeting – September 16, 2026
Here are a few topics of interest from today’s Board of Supervisors meeting:

🏛️ Courthouse Air Chiller
The Board approved the purchase of a new air chiller for the large courtroom. The previous unit was approximately 25 years old and had reached the end of its service life. The new unit will operate more quietly and provide more efficient cooling.

♻️ Landfill Update
Landfill Director John Roosa provided an update on the leachate pumping system and construction of the new landfill cell. Both projects have been slowed by recent rainfall and less-than-ideal construction conditions. Despite the delays, both projects are still expected to be completed on schedule.

🚜 Landfill Compactor
The Board considered a quote for a new landfill compactor. No action was taken because additional information is needed before the Board can make a decision.

🍻 Adix Country Inn & Venue
The Board approved a 14-day Class C retail alcohol license for Adix Country Inn & Venue, pending approval from the Fire Chief.

🌉 Bridge #1 Replacement
The Supervisors also approved a contract with Gus Construction for the replacement of Bridge #1.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to serve Boone County and keep our residents informed about the work being done by the Board of Supervisors.

09/10/2026

09/09/2026

Boone County Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

The Boone County Board of Supervisors covered several significant issues during Wednesday’s meeting.

Radon mitigation: A public hearing was set for Ordinance #174, which would require active radon mitigation systems in new residential construction within the unincorporated areas of Boone County. Public hearings are scheduled for September 30, October 7, and October 14.

Veterans Administrator pay: The Board approved a 2% pay increase for the Veterans Administrator following a request from the Boone County Veterans Affairs Board.

Data center moratorium: The Board passed Resolution 26-36, adopting a moratorium of up to one year on the establishment, construction, or permitting of new data centers in Boone County. The moratorium will allow time for the county to study, create, and adopt a comprehensive data center zoning ordinance.

Anhydrous ammonia storage: The Board approved Landus Cooperative's request to replace the existing 26,000-gallon anhydrous ammonia tank at its Perry facility with a 90,000-gallon tank.

Economic development urban renewal area: A public hearing was held on a proposed amendment to the Boone County 2022 Economic Development Urban Renewal Area. The Board passed Resolution 26-34, declaring the necessity of and establishing the urban renewal area.

Tax increment financing: Ordinance #175 was passed, providing for the division of taxes levied on taxable property included in the September 2026 addition to the Boone County 2022 Economic Development Urban Renewal Area.

Fareway development agreement: Resolution 26-35 set September 30 at 9:30 a.m. as the date and time for a meeting at which the Board proposes to approve a development agreement with Fareway Stores, Inc., including tax increment payments.

Several of these actions—particularly the data center moratorium, radon mitigation requirements, and economic development agreements—could have significant impacts on Boone County as the Board moves forward with planning and development.

09/02/2026

📋 Boone County Board Meeting Update

Several important issues were discussed and acted on during the recent Boone County Board of Supervisors meetings.

💧 Drainage District Easement
The joint drainage district meeting between Boone County District 140 and Story County District 7 approved an easement for Lutheran Investments to construct an unpaved parking lot over district facilities. The boards also approved an agreement addressing liability and future responsibilities.

💜 September is Recovery Month
The Board approved a proclamation recognizing September 2026 as Recovery Month, highlighting the importance of recovery from substance use and mental health disorders and encouraging greater support while reducing stigma for individuals and families.

🏗️ Construction & Facility Updates
The Board received updates on Cell Phase 9R construction, at the landfill with most mass excavation completed and groundwater diversion systems in place. Weather delays have led to Saturday work, while staff continue coordinating truck traffic with upcoming yard waste activities. Updates were also provided on leachate management, odor concerns, rock and sand hauling, mulch production, and an upcoming household hazardous waste collection event.

🏢 Data Center Development
A major topic of discussion was a petition signed by more than 300 residents requesting a moratorium on data center development. The Board agreed to move forward with a resolution establishing a moratorium while developing clear, county-specific regulations for data centers.

After discussion, the Board of Supervisors favored creating a standalone data center ordinance rather than relying solely on comprehensive plan updates. The moratorium resolution development was approved by roll call vote, giving the county time to study environmental, infrastructure, and other community concerns and establish appropriate standards. The actual moratorium resolution will be voted at a later date.

🏡 Land Division
The Board also approved a preliminary plat for a land division on 285th Lane, following a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The proposal creates two parcels and includes two driveways off 285th Lane.

🚑 Rural Emergency Services
Scott Longhorn for Boone County Supervisor also shared information from an AMOS event highlighting concerns about emergency response times in rural areas.

Overall, the meetings focused on infrastructure, responsible development, public health, and planning for Boone County’s future.

08/26/2026

Boone County Board of Supervisors — August 26, 2026

Data center petition: The board reviewed a petition with 333 signatures seeking consideration of regulations or a potential one-year moratorium on new data center applications, rather than an outright ban. The board agreed to consider the issue at a future meeting while potential regulations are developed.

VA director compensation: The VA Commission proposed increasing Steve Cunningham’s salary from $57,000 to $62,000 and potentially increasing his schedule from 35 to 40 hours per week. The commission said it had identified $5,000 in other budget reductions to offset the increase. Comparative county salaries and Cunningham’s management of more than $11 million in annual veterans’ compensation claims were discussed.

Drainage District No. 71: Tyler Conley of Bolton & Mink presented a repair request involving the main tile outlet and downstream channel, which is buried under roughly four feet of silt and sediment. The board approved proceeding with the repair.
Fairway corporate expansion: The board discussed an urban-renewal joint agreement with the City of Boone related to the Fairway corporate expansion.

Downtown renovation: The board considered a challenge-grant letter of support for a renovation project at 705 Story Street in Boone.

Housing incentive program: Andrea Elmquist presented the City of Boone’s housing incentive program, established in 2018. It has helped produce 32 homes, with an average valuation of about $8.8 million. Incentives include $10,000 grants for custom homes and $5,000 for developers, with county reimbursement to the city tied to property taxes.

Jail improvements: Sheriff Godzicki requested a $75,000 budget amendment from jail-rent funds for facility improvements, including generator work, epoxy flooring, workstation replacement, welding, and painting. The board approved the request.
Alcohol license: The board approved a five-day Class C alcohol license for Adix Country Inn and Venue, subject to state approval.

08/19/2026

Boone County Board Meeting Recap

A busy meeting with updates on roads, bridges, the landfill, zoning, county property, and upcoming projects.

🚧 Roads & Bridges: County crews continue maintenance work, while wet weather has slowed the 195th Street grading project. The Farm Progress Show is coming September 1–3, with preparations underway on 220th Street. Several bridge and culvert projects are also moving forward.

⚠️ Work-Zone Safety: The Board approved Resolution 26-32, making temporary 35-mph work-zone speed limits enforceable in designated county work zones.

🏠 Zoning: Ordinances 172 and 173 were approved. One addresses verification of property lines and setbacks for new construction, while the other allows a property owner to rebuild a home on property previously zoned industrial.

♻️ Landfill: Recent rain continues to create challenges, particularly with leachate levels and construction schedules. The county is increasing leachate hauling and exploring additional wastewater treatment options. The Board also discussed the growing concern over lithium battery fires in landfills and the need for better public education and battery disposal options.

🌱 County Property: The Board discussed upcoming lease renewals and plans for an open bidding process for several county-owned properties.

💰 Economic Development: The Board discussed upcoming changes involving TIFs and a joint urban-renewal agreement related to the Fairway freezer expansion.

📡 Fairgrounds Cell Tower: The Board decided not to pursue selling the county's existing cell-tower lease, preferring to continue receiving the ongoing lease payments.

The Board also approved the consent agenda and several other routine items before adjourning.