(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday), held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the County’s Wind Energy Conversion System Ordinance (WECS) amendments, pertaining to wind turbines. The current Ordinance was established in 2007. The county has previously extended a moratorium on commercial wind energy conversion systems.

Barb Allen, a member of the County’s Planning and Zoning Commission today (Tuesday), said the commission met in April and held a public hearing at that time to gain input before coming up with updates to the Ordinance. The Commission, she said, addressed several concerns in creating the revised Ordinance. Including proximity to a Wind Energy Conversion System.

The Commission ultimately recommended the Supervisors adopt the amended ordinance as proposed.

Montgomery County BOS 5-27-25

Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna read several letters, ranging from those who didn’t clearly specify their stance on the ordinance,and those who were in favor of the ordinance. The Board then received numerous spoken comments from the public. After considering all of the comments, written and spoken, Supervisor Mike Olsen read a summary of the amended ordinance as proposed. Here’s a portion of the summary…

During Board discussion, Olsen said he has a problem infringing on property owners’ rights, and the potential loss of revenue due to “walking away” from the chance to erect new turbines.

A roll-call vote showed all Supervisors voting to approve the 1st reading of the ordinance. After a motion to waive the second and third reading was proposed and passed, the Ordinance was adopted as proposed. The Board also approved FY 25/26 Library Contracts for financial support, as presented. The Board also approved FY 25/26 Library Contracts for financial support, as presented. In other business, Jill Ozuna announced the Montgomery County VA Commission will resume a search for its new director, after the previously approved Director Bret Sherkenbach declined the appointment after the Supervisor’s earlier meeting.