Harrison County Supervisors Meeting March 25, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife and Member Wilkerson attended the Safety Action Plan Workshop. A general discussion about County issues was held. No action was taken. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman March 27, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order with members Tony Smtih and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Thad Pothast, Scott Thomas, David Sherer, Jack Jones, Tina Fagan, Rashelle Wohlers, Paul Rhoten, Don Stanley, Peggy Hansen, Laura Soetmelk, Teresa Crosgrove, Jay Heim, Sharon Heim, John Straight, Debra Straight, Michele Stirtz, Jack Jones Zoning Public Hearing Chairman Rife opened the Zoning public hearings as advertised. Request for approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 3-1-25 Crypto Currency ORDINANCE No. 4-1-25 158. Digital Currency Mining and/or Modular Data Center Facility: Also known as a crypto mining center, that uses computers to solve problems and generate digital currency (cryptocurrency, bitcoin or cybercash). A data center is a physical location that stores computing machines and their related hardware equipment that processes or stores data. ARTICLE XXVIII DIGITAL CURRENCIES AND MODULAR DATA CENTER FACILITY 28.1 The intent of the regulations of this Article is to balance the need for the digital currency needs with the need to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Harrison County, and to avoid unintended impacts on resources and adjacent uses. No operation may be developed without site plan review and verification by the Planning & Zoning Department that all requirements within this ordinance have been met. 28.2 All structures use for the facility shall meet the following standards: A. The use of cargo containers is permissible; the container needs to be in good condition. The use of railroad cars and semi-truck trailers are prohibited. B. All structures shall be on a permanent foundation and anchored. C. Exchanges will be allowed with a Special Exception Use permit in the A-1 Agricultural District, I-1 Industrial Service District and I-2 Planned Mixed Use Area Development District D. The required setbacks shall be: 10’ side yard; 25’ rear and front yard 28.3 The noise generated from the facility, components and equipment shall not exceed a daytime continuous sound level of sixty decibels (60dBA) or a nighttime continuous sound level of fifty decibels (50 dBA) from any occupied agricultural or residential dwelling. A report from a professional engineer shall state that the exchange/center will meet or exceed these requirements. 28.4 All plans for these facilities will include, but are not limited to these: A. Harrison County Special Exception Use Permit B. A letter from the local power provider that the applicant has verified the utility supply and they can safely accommodate the proposed use during the power provider’s peak consumption hours. C. All servers, computers, processors, materials and equipment must be enclosed within the structure. D. Each exchange/center shall have a 24-hour emergency contact signage that contains the Company name, phone number and Power Company name that is visible at the access entrance. E. An emergency response plan will be submitted with the permit application. There shall be an emergency termination switch installed outside of any containment structure and appropriately signed so that responding public safety officials can quickly identify it. Structures shall have some type of fire detection/suppression system. F. A decommission plan for the project will be submitted with the permit application. Request for Zoning Map Amendment 3-2-25 John Wohlers to rezone 9.4 acres A-1 to R-1 in part of the SE SW 32-78-43. Request for Zoning Map amendment 3-3-25 David Finken to rezone 2 acres from A-1 to R -1 in part of the SW SE 23-78-43. Chairman Rife asked for comments. Shad Blum gave information on the proposed Crypto Currency Ordinance. Member Wilkerson asked questions regarding power supply, noise, and ownership. Smith made the motion to close zoning public hearing, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Request for approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 3-1-25 Crypto Currency. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Request for Zoning Map Amendment 3-2-25 John Wohlers to rezone 9.4 acres A-1 to R-1 in part of the SE SW 32-78-43. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Request for Zoning Map amendment 3-3-25 David Finken to rezone 2 acres from A-1 to R -1 in part of the SW SE 23-78-43. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brain Rife, Chairman March 27, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order with members Tony Smtih and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Thad Pothast, Scott Thomas, David Sherer, Jack Jones, Tina Fagan, Rashelle Wohlers, Paul Rhoten, Don Stanley, Peggy Hansen, Laura Soetmelk, Teresa Crosgrove, Jay Heim, Sharon Heim, John Straight, Debra Straight, Michele Stirtz, Jack Jones Proposed Levy Rate Public Hearing Chairman Rife opened the Zoning public hearings as advertised. Citizens provided comments regarding the proposed levy rates. Smith made the motion to close zoning public hearing, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. March 27, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order with members Tony Smtih and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Motion to approve minutes from March 20th by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Thad Pothast, Scott Thomas, David Sherer, Jack Jones, Tina Fagan, Rashelle Wohlers, Paul Rhoten, Don Stanley, Peggy Hansen, Laura Soetmelk, Teresa Crosgrove, Jay Heim, Sharon Heim, John Straight, Debra Straight, Michele Stirtz, Jack Jones Approval of Bolton & Menk, Inc Invoice The Board met as Trustees for the South Nobles Lake Drainage District including Brian Rife, Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson. Michelle Kersten, Drainage Clerk, presented the Board with information and after discussion the following were approved: Pay invoice in the amount of $1,665.00 to Bolton & Menk, Inc was unanimously approved on motion by Tony Smith and second by Rebecca Wilkerson. Discussion on Assessment Notices Assessor Emily Allmon presented to the board information on the assessment notices that will be sent on April 1st. She also provided information on new legislation that could be passed for next year and how it may impact the County. Consulting Agreement with HUB Auditor Megan Reffett presented the 3-year consulting agreement with HUB. The agreement provides consulting services with a 3% cost increase each year. Member Wilkerson brought up concerns about locking into a 3-year contract and requested to get information from ISAC regarding their services before moving forward. The board requested to revisit this next week. Payment on care of soldier graves The board discussed the use and need for additional payment for cemeteries who provide care to soldier graves. The current funds are used to care for the cemetery as a whole and the County pays $5 for each grave. Motion to increase payment to $7.50 by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Lawn care and Snow Removal Bids The board discussed the current lawn care and snow removal for the Courthouse, Law Enforcement Center, and Public Health building. The board discussed the option of having the Conservation Department provide the service and Director Thad Pothast advised that this would require additional time from his staff. The board agreed to take bids for the services. The board will be accepting sealed bids until 9:00am on May 1st. General Safety Manual Safety Coordinator Rashelle Wohlers presented the General Safety Manual that was drafted by the Safety Committee. The Board requested additional time to review the manual and discuss it next week. Letter of Support for the Regional Performing Arts Center The board reviewed the Letter of Support for the Regional Performing Arts Center. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Jail Employee Raises Chairman Rife presented the idea of providing the Jailers an additional $.45 per hour on July 1, 2025, and $.45 per hour on January 1, 2026. This will be added to the $.55 per hour on July 1 and $.55 per hour on January 1 that was approved at the last meeting. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. FY26 Budget Member Wilkerson questioned if Conservation would be paying back more than the required $100,000 payment on the loan. Director Thad Pothast advised that they could try to pay back $125,000 like past year but couldn’t guarantee because the money comes from donations, grants, and cabin income. Member Wilkerson discussed that she had talked to most department heads about their proposed budgets. Discussion on budget director pay and Elected Official performance pay was held. Board members requested to see the budget with performance pay remaining the same budget director pay at $5,000. Set Public Hearing on FY26 Budget Member Smith made a motion to set the public hearing for April 24th at 9:00 in the Boardroom, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Discussion on County Engineer Hiring The board discussed the open Engineer position. The board has set the salary range and reviewed the job description. The job opening will be posted this week. Public Comment Scott Thomas – Provided comments on the County’s roadside park on Hwy 30 that Union Pacific has damaged. Also, gave comments on the County’s obligation to maintain road ditches. Tina Fagan – gave comments on the County IT position. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned motion to adjourn by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brain Rife, Chairman NOTE: These minutes are as recorded by the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors and are subject to Board approval at the next regular meeting. MVTN 4-2-25 TDR 4-3-25
