Supervisor Lee Dimmitt expressed interest in establishing guidelines, especially for the removal of turbines that have become defunct.

As a follow-up to last week's meeting with Maharishi University of Management officials, the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors discussed wind turbine installation and removal guidelines Monday.

At this time, supervisor Steve Burgmeier said, "There are none."

Supervisor Lee Dimmitt expressed interest in establishing guidelines, especially for the removal of turbines that have become defunct.

Jefferson County Assessor Sheri Blough Neff has been following the issue at board meetings. Her concern also regards abandoned wind turbines. Because 99 percent of turbines are constructed on leased land, she said they become hard to tax.

Burgmeier wasn't sure what authority the county has over turbines, but said, "I think we need to find out what we can do."

At the July 21 board meeting, M.U.M. officials shared their plans to build three 900 kilowatt, 210 foot tall towers - not including the length of the blades - on leased land west of Pleasant Plain Road and north of 185th Street. That conversation raised the question of responsibility for such towers.

No action was taken Monday.

In other business, the supervisors appointed Judy Diehl to fill an opening on the Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Multi-County Appeals Board.

Before making the appointment, the supervisors discussed the new Iowa law regarding gender balance on boards and commissions.