[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6198960,"mediaKeyId","3841925-14c431b3572058c0e70f1442c31fabc1","parentId",3841925,"title","Votes at a glance: Muscatine County Board of Supervisors, June 16, 2025","audioSeconds",2166,"startMs",2312000,"endMs",4478000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3841925-14c431b3572058c0e70f1442c31fabc1&start=2312&end=4478","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3841925-14c431b3572058c0e70f1442c31fabc1/thumbnail_2312000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198960/Muscatine-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Muscatine-County-Board-of-Supervisors-June-16-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198960-917af44b37f7dade4fa51901d85f7f19/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757556&Signature=JUg6~anTL7~U6ljs~-ayCW-yPHIHGZu00h5W4rDLAFenLz1j5IiDIyD95~CmBX~cs~tj8r7ZSR1ESICDyEeoS6tv2GQhl1ZiEm7oWeKK8K79SBdDrAEHVceUW8-GGkB1dDtKO8IfkyFTbs0KHyU3rj4-CDwtfZjo8YxhpaTxP-tysAz34wkccIavuOPnRynKyc6QgAayUGFNGAketP~qDB4fSR9F3D9rZzuDJ6XTd8pqCrWzgMrt6y21wYMs8W0gEdeBHibkz-kUmqI36s6UTylDFL9MQz2X~Vt0bHOWK9DfrIewi7HPSfeJbRloSzaryOTiza192xfhrTliltE48A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Muscatine County, Iowa","date","2025-06-16T13:20:09Z","article","The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors voted on a range of administrative and project items during its June 16 meeting. Key actions approved by the board were summarized by staff and moved/seconded on the record; most passed by voice vote or roll call where noted.

Votes taken (summary):

- Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust grant agreement — Muscatine County Drug Task Force: Approved. The board approved a grant agreement to provide protective equipment to the county drug task force in the amount of $22,670. (Motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion passed.)

- Admin building exterior repairs — Change Authorization Request No. 1: Approved. Supervisors approved a change authorization in the amount of $3,795 to reseal building perimeters discovered during exterior work. (Motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion passed.)

- Procter’s Ridge Subdivision — Resolution No. 06162501 (combined preliminary and final plat): Approved. The board approved a combined preliminary and final plat for a one-lot agricultural subdivision along Moscow Road. The item was approved by roll call at the meeting.

- Zoning variance for 1983 Geneva Hills Road: Approved. The Board of Supervisors approved a Board of Adjustment variance that allows a 40-by-20 pole building in the front yard area of the property, subject to setbacks and other conditions determined by the Board of Adjustment. (Motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion passed.)

- Utility permit — Eastern Iowa Light and Power (Marks Lane bore): Approved. The board approved a utility permit to bore under Marks Lane for a new service at 3289 Marks Lane. (Motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion passed.)

- Minutes approval — June 9, 2025 regular meeting: Approved. (Motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion passed.)

- Contract authorization — Mississippi Valley Workforce Development Board: Approved. The board authorized the chair to sign a contract to provide employer-of-record services, with a 3% administrative fee noted by staff. (Motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion passed.)

- FY 2025–26 salary schedule and one-time 1% payments: Approved. The board approved the fiscal-year 2025–26 salary schedule and authorized one-time 1% payments to employees at the maximum step for their grade. (Motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion passed.)

- Implementation of MRA compensation study recommendations: Approved. The board approved a plan to implement the remaining recommendations from the county’s compensation study, phased with partial step increases on July 1 and the remainder on anniversary dates; the county estimated an additional $12,321 would be needed beyond previously budgeted funds. (Motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion passed.)

Several other items were discussed as updates or reviews (for example, the jail HVAC balancing report and a presentation on a proposed biochar facility) but did not require board votes at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 16th, 2025 Muscatine County Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved several routine and project-related items including a charitable grant for the drug task force, a small change order to an administration building project, subdivision plat approval, zoning variance approvals, a utility permit and personnel compensation actions.","taxTitle","taxId",52308,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6198965,"County consultant: jail HVAC needs targeted repairs before larger geothermal upgrades",1263,2352000,3615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3841925-14c431b3572058c0e70f1442c31fabc1&start=2352&end=3615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3841925-14c431b3572058c0e70f1442c31fabc1/thumbnail_2352000.jpg","/articles/6198965/Muscatine-County/Iowa/County-consultant-jail-HVAC-needs-targeted-repairs-before-larger-geothermal-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198965-52319586c9876e210eb1ceb67ccf3e05/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757556&Signature=RPWvaFbEAomKE0kYxPscyi4iGknhB5YYRZZvnPaK0MlfDwI1yZnBz~Onr4x-pMLdj4g4JuYzxLTy~hGT7EHJcwK~-ymt7gdHo1DIGkc3DAE0uNGpF838bs3eCSj62N6yImwaLPkVXxwoLdd4UajgSWr6cvWfAqJ2Md7mYhNzacZMiZIIyh3~OzFC8BJp5QfJZWrusZFxBiEnpXrGANBS-LSy7~XtyQfLBq5eW9pfpEN1EeVg3GbyUYNzkI4vmNUHqZyXvBdHRyj7S~LHd8N9ffGrUdAnCdcmiXDNFAOmEZlKp61ZMScvU7SqStNyByJuyjaReDVy5FIUktJ5DfylxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Development Director Eric Furness and HVAC consultant Vic Amoroso told the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors on June 16 that a recently completed test-and-balance study of the jail’s HVAC system shows the facility is not meeting original design airflow and has broken or malfunctioning components that must be repaired or replaced.

Amoroso, who oversaw the diagnostic work, said parts of the campus geothermal and building air-handling systems are aging and that the jail — a 24/7 facility with code-mandated ventilation — is the system’s largest driver of demand. He said balancing found the return flow at some benchmarks was operating at 53–68% of the original design figures and that minimum ventilation CFM and heating flows were similarly reduced in places. The balancer reported the system could not develop the designed static pressure and that several terminal devices and control valves are likely inoperative.

The consultant and county staff recommended bringing the balancing contractor together with the controls and mechanical contractors to jointly troubleshoot the causes of low flow, identify broken dampers and valves, and prioritize repairs. Amoroso warned that a multi-month balancing effort can vary with changing loads and that the county should resolve building-side defects before spending on additional geothermal capacity; county staff said a previous contractor’s departure left the county with limited local maintenance support and unknowns.

Staff said the balancing work was paid for by the sheriff’s office and that they were prioritizing a list of repairs and cost estimates. Supervisors were briefed on temperature and humidity problems reported in past summers; the deputy/jail staff emphasized humidity control as the principal driver of summer discomfort even when temperatures were acceptable. The board asked staff to return with recommended next steps, a prioritized repair list and cost estimates; no immediate appropriation was approved at the meeting.

Amoroso suggested the county consider a high-level technical services contract to keep an expert available for troubleshooting and coordination while staff lines up repairs.","Consultants and county staff briefed supervisors on a completed HVAC balancing study at the jail that identified underperformance, broken control components and humidity issues; they recommended coordinating the balancer and control contractor to prioritize repairs before investing in geothermal capacity expansion.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6198971,"Entrepreneur pitches LifeRaft biochar plant near Atalissa; promises odor reduction, jobs, and research ties",2049,238000,2287000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3841925-14c431b3572058c0e70f1442c31fabc1&start=238&end=2287","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3841925-14c431b3572058c0e70f1442c31fabc1/thumbnail_238000.jpg","/articles/6198971/Muscatine-County/Iowa/Entrepreneur-pitches-LifeRaft-biochar-plant-near-Atalissa-promises-odor-reduction-jobs-and-research-ties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198971-8b1e5f5f911a6314601d5bb1e96b763d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757556&Signature=n0rAiOvmskL1boGgXsJrllOh7SnWASkgeqlIg3PxEfcYHE94XUs0POBs6lyD6~uv8mKoifobda-hF07s9u91jhq2SYRr0cdcyadMjU2SoLSu9cIZwZwcYca96F9IPhTJl9y6OlEr2VNGGqpiZSMt7K6rUu9SQkiA~qxQKjGwdH4OISEQSMLRRTeADu411ojoToP6pvKNRoMZxGa8lMnzoAKECQTwDTOtbhj4Uwa7xxlxqHWoHubnTy7hDL9jcMJG3rnMWtYcYYmhpaFe1WF4wRzrWXg1Alkz1BoDohwXkugDqhL5nyxeGNCh4x5bc0qwHiLUxZ53i~TfytePoSh79Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","William “Will” Cowell, founder of LifeRaft, presented plans on June 16 to the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors for a proposed biochar production facility along U.S. Highway 6 about 4 miles outside of Atalissa.

Cowell described biochar as a porous, carbon-rich soil amendment made by pyrolyzing organic waste and said his company would convert municipal and industrial wood waste and other plant-based residues into biochar and compost additives. He said the facility would operate two reactors at full scale, produce roughly 18,000–20,000 tons of biochar a year and consume about 100,000 tons of feedstock annually; LifeRaft has not submitted rezoning applications and is seeking local feedback before doing so.

Cowell said LifeRaft plans to source material from municipal brush piles and industrial wood waste within roughly a 50-mile radius; he described potential arrangements in which municipalities and contractors would avoid tipping fees while LifeRaft receives ground or baled material. He said each reactor would process about 5 tons of feedstock per hour and that the company initially expects to install two reactors. He also described company-produced byproducts — a synthetic gas and oil — that would be used to fuel the process, reducing outside fuel needs.

On employment, Cowell estimated about 55 direct jobs at full scale, including entry-level driver and maintenance roles paying about $30–$35 per hour and supervisory positions above $100,000 annually; he said LifeRaft will provide on-site training and a ‘train-the-trainer’ model. Cowell said the company has secured roughly $7 million in initial investment for the site and has investor commitments to fund additional buildout if needed.

Neighbors asked about odor, noise and truck traffic. Cowell said the biochar process is intended to reduce ammonia and odor when blended into composting operations and that the reactors operate at roughly 80 decibels at the machine — but would be enclosed in a building. He estimated daily inbound tonnage of roughly 120 tons per day to serve two reactors and suggested 5–10 semi truck deliveries per day; he said grinding operations would occur off-site at municipal facilities when possible.

On permits and regulation, Cowell said the project would need Iowa DNR emissions permits and follow state rules about landfill disposal of biological materials; he also mentioned that the USDA has a federal initiative recognizing biochar as a soil amendment and that he had spoken last year with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) about the topic. Cowell said he is not requesting county funding or tax relief and plans to work with local contractors, farmers and Iowa State University on a proposed $2.4 million, six-year research program tied to the site if it proceeds.

Cowell repeatedly emphasized that LifeRaft would only take waste material and would not divert material from existing agronomic uses. He said the company had canvassed residents within a 700-foot radius and would involve neighbors in planning for lighting, traffic routing and other operational concerns.

The board took no formal action. Supervisors and residents asked technical and operational questions; Cowell provided contact information and said he would not submit rezoning or building applications until he had gauged local reaction.","William \"Will\" Cowell of LifeRaft presented a proposal to build a biochar production facility on U.S. Highway 6 near Atalissa, describing feedstock sources, production capacity, estimated jobs and local partnerships; he said the company would seek a rezoning to industrial and has not yet submitted zoning paperwork.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6198977,"Muscatine Power and Water says ARPA-funded rural fiber buildout complete in targeted area",150,79000,229000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3841925-14c431b3572058c0e70f1442c31fabc1&start=79&end=229","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3841925-14c431b3572058c0e70f1442c31fabc1/thumbnail_79000.jpg","/articles/6198977/Muscatine-County/Iowa/Muscatine-Power-and-Water-says-ARPA-funded-rural-fiber-buildout-complete-in-targeted-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198977-91887ed4db10efbe50925ea9e18acc7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757556&Signature=nZZAZan6ETboZ7uRUeX3sn2sx0Cbf~~axofZwNvXCVjKs9iQCYkjlHE8yZqKTIpYYBDSde0ufcfzYeAEikTh9pJg3zieRoEdSvbdN7SQArONYWOZr1tuPiGuJulAQVux10DhPtLTzCCzBcNrUH4p55YZRBJpSBsO3vQ5Hlzd0u~I~qNrGQSjq5mMYANNdaAKUW7lDAlxSmgBj0fuX8LT-9T5Wet4i~5L45L7t4lqql5PV3NwBacx7Kd2~2tSZZlaEUBdKoRH8o-W0sWtgygDFbWuvz98kJ0-zxI44oAwIDi7V7c8GuyrVy3Jrbz~RIz6eFb9FgniYFZYLOdxE5rGDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Muscatine Power and Water Communications Department Manager Tom Lewis told the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors on June 16 that construction and activation of an ARPA-funded rural fiber buildout in a targeted area is complete.

The project covers a roughly rectangular area from Isaac to Salisbury Road and from Highway 22 north to about 170th Street, Lewis said, and can serve about 77 customers in the Grama and Grant area. Lewis said the network is capable of residential service up to one gigabit and can be configured for higher-capacity business links.

County officials said the system went live and the utility is now in a customer sign-up phase. Lewis said the build’s customer penetration is lower than earlier phases of the program: when the utility did its NoFA 6 round it averaged about 76% take-rate; for this new area he estimated penetration is about 40% so far. He asked board members and residents to encourage neighbors to sign up.

Board members asked for the project footprint and confirmed it runs along Lucas Road/Highway 22 to South Marys Road and north from there, not farther east toward Mediapolis, which Lewis said had been part of an earlier phase. Supervisors thanked Lewis for the presentation and had no further substantive requests at the time.

The board did not take action on the presentation; Lewis provided the update and answered questions for the record.","Muscatine Power and Water told the county board its ARPA-funded rural fiber project is complete in a limited service area, covering roughly 77 customers; initial subscription rates are lower than expected, officials said.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Muscatine County Board of Supervisors, June 16, 2025

County consultant: jail HVAC needs targeted repairs before larger geothermal upgrades

Entrepreneur pitches LifeRaft biochar plant near Atalissa; promises odor reduction, jobs, and research ties

Muscatine Power and Water says ARPA-funded rural fiber buildout complete in targeted area