The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday, voted to extend for another 90 days, an Engineering Agreement with Union County. The two counties will continue to share the services of Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman, while Union County looks to get their own Engineer in-place. Kauffman has been serving as the Adair-Union County Engineer since mid-September, 2020, following the resignation of Union County Engineer Zack Gunsolley at the end of August, 2020. The original agreement was set to have expired March 3^rd.

Kauffman said also, he has received driveway applications from MidAmerican Energy for a Solar Farm. The driveway/culvert for the proposed farm would be at southeast of Stuart, near the intersection of Walnut and 130^th Street.

Discussion was once again held with regard to Solar Farms in Adair County. Supervisor Steve Shelley said he wanted to specifically learn about any health benefits the farms might cause, and not any gripes about MidAmerican Energy or questions regarding a perceived conflict of interest he may have. He gave each person who wanted to speak, five minutes – in order to say on time for the next agenda item.

As with their meeting on March 9^th, the Board heard from Adair County residents Curt Beane and Tammy Baier on the matter of Solar Farms. Tammy Baier sent each board member a copy of the Madison County Ordinance on those devices, prior to their meeting. She said her main concern goes back to the days when the Wind Turbines were introduced to Adair County.

She said the Supervisors should know and understand the extent of the project, the size and what kind of project it is.

Tammy Baier said also, Adair County was one of the largest producers of cattle in Iowa. The foot imprint for solar, she said, takes up a lot of land, and will affect ag farm production in the county. She said Solar will take away a lot of jobs if it becomes expansive, like the turbines.

She said concluded by saying she doesn’t want Adair County to become “A dumping ground” for Solar, farms, and she questioned if the County residents would realize a decrease in energy costs, as well as a reduction in taxes. Baier also doesn’t want Solar farms to get tax abatements, like the turbines did. They should have to start paying taxes, she said, just like any other big business coming into the county.

No action was taken. In other business, the Board voted to re-open the Adair County Courthouse to the public April 5^th, with the caveat that each department may set it own rules with regard to COVID-19 safety. The Supervisors will continue to hold their meetings by telephone conference call, until further notice.