Competing interests sparred during Monday’s (06.30) Board of Supervisors meeting regarding a report on possible recommendations for a new ordinance regulating the development of wind farms in Floyd County.
In November 2024, a workshop group was formed to seek compromises to various proposed amendments to the County’s wind farm ordinance that, if approved, would make it almost impossible to erect new wind turbines in the county. A report on the mediation team’s effort was released last week, but several issues were unresolved, such as some setback distances and limiting the total number of wind turbines that could be erected in the county, including the 50 already operated by MidAmerican Energy south of Charles City.
The workshop group included Supervisor Boyd Campbell.
Supervisor Gloria Carr, a proponent of wind energy development, expressed concern that those unresolved ordinance issues could result in litigation against Floyd County, much like the lawsuit that went against Worth County which allowed a wind farm there to move forward.
Floyd County Attorney Todd Prichard was also a member of the workshop group, but did not vote on any aspects of the proposed ordinance changes.
John Robbins with NIACOG was also on the mediation team and did not vote. He notes that outside forces may play a role in the wind ordinance.
Prichard says federal factors could also come into play for the future of wind farms in general.
If any of those were to happen, Carr says that would leave the County back to square one.
Carr also noted that all three Supervisors who started the process to update the County’s wind ordinance are no longer on the Board, with former Supervisors Mark Kuhn and Jim Jorgensen opting not to seek re-election last November and Supervisor Dennis Keifer passing away on June 10th.
Both Carr and Campbell agreed that no third reading of the ordinance, which would make any changes official, will be considered until Keifer’s District 2 supervisor seat has been filled.
Those interested in the position have until 4 pm Thursday (07.03) to submit their application to the Floyd County Auditor’s office. Applicants must be 18-or-older, be a U.S. citizen, and reside within District 2 for at least 60 days within the date of appointment.
A committee of County Auditor Morrigan Miller, County Recorder Amy Assink, and County Treasurer Jessie Holm are scheduled to meet Monday, July 7, to review candidates, with the expectation they will appoint Keifer’s replacement.
Even if they appoint someone, eligible voters in District 2 could petition the County to force a special election. That petition would require at least 257 signatures and must be filed within 14 days of the appointment..
