Bill Faircloth.

After reading the article in the newspaper the weekend of March 29, I would say the Tama County Board of Supervisors should rethink their position on wind and solar instead of trying to dictate to farmers what they can and can’t do on land they OWN. With what they say we have for a budget shortfall, I would think they would welcome new tax revenue, but they think we can get by on just our tax revenue.

I know they feel TCAT (Tama County Against Turbines) represent the only people they should have to listen to but farmers should have the right to do what they feel is best for their operation. The Board will tell you they want to redo the ordinance but what they and TCAT want to do is make the setbacks so large that no investor will look at Tama County for wind and solar. Three of the supervisors ran for office telling people they will stop wind and solar, so they shouldn’t even be able to vote on the issue. Conflict of interest? But this Board pretty much does what they want. Oh, looks like Chairman Mark Doland already has a ‘Good OLE Boys Club.’ Didn’t take long.

Found out on Monday, March 31, Safety Director’s budget was cut so much that only if the County Engineer could put him in his department, can he continue working for Tama County. Hello? There is no way that can happen with as much as they have cut the Engineer’s budget and they know that. They are trying to put the blame on the Engineer for getting rid of a county employee. This all happened before Doland said during the Tuesday, March 25 [Proposed Property Tax Levy for FY2025/26] meeting that they didn’t get rid of anyone. Also, the Engineer will be expected to do all the safety for the county which he does not have time to do but this board does not care about this as long as they look good on TV.

There was a meeting on Monday, March 24, after the regular board meeting with three supervisors present but not with a person recording the meeting. It was stated during that meeting that the last [three-member] Board of Supervisors did not do anything wrong. I just questioned them today during the Monday, March 31 board meeting about what was said at the extra (March 24) meeting and they denied that they said that.

Enough for this week and wishing you all the best.

Bill Faircloth is a rural Toledo resident and former Tama County Supervisor (2021-2024). Prior to public service, he spent nearly four decades working for Fisher Controls in Marshalltown before retiring in 2012; he then worked part-time for Tama County for eight years.