MONROE - A proposed water study previously shot down by committee was given new life by a different county committee this week.
Green County board chairman Arthur Carter, a member of the Finance and Accounting Committee, said the group unanimously approved a countywide water study to be included in the 2017 budget recommended to the Green County Board.
"We'd received information, but we wanted to quiz (the Land and Water Conservation Committee) a bit because they had spent more time on it," Carter said. "We knew it was a split vote, so we wanted to find out what the products would be."
The learning process included a presentation by Green County Conservationist Todd Jenson with help from conservation committee member Kristi Leonard. The study would identify geological formations, groundwater conditions and where groundwater may be most susceptible to contamination.
At the Land and Water Conservation Committee meeting on Sept. 8, members discussed two bids: a $53,700 offer from professional groundwater and environmental engineering service Leggette, Brashears and Graham Inc. of Madison, and a $74,200 bid from Madison engineering and environmental construction and consulting firm TRC Environmental. Members voted 3-3, with supervisors Oscar Olson, Ken Hodgson and Leonard in favor of the plan while Keith Hobson, Russ Torkelson and Jeff Williams voting against. The tie vote kept the water study from being added on to the department's special projects budget allocation.
The Finance Committee selected the TRC Environmental contract after hearing more services provided, including work to show what structures make up the lower levels of the ground throughout Green County. Two additional weeks of fieldwork to establish the information will be provided for the extra cost. The details will provide a clear picture for anyone looking to dig wells, Carter said.
"We gained the information and the committee felt this bid was the best route to take," Carter said.
Jen Riemer, a co-founder of the group Green County Defending our Farmland, was happy to see the Finance Committee support the water study. The organization was formed in response to concerns that a proposed large-scale dairy operation in Sylvester Township could endanger groundwater in the area.
"I was just really excited to hear it went through," Riemer said. "I was optimistic and really pleased that the finance committee had done what constituents had asked of the county."
The Finance Committee's recommendation does not guarantee approval of the water study. A presentation to the county board is expected on Oct. 18.
Green County board chairman Arthur Carter, a member of the Finance and Accounting Committee, said the group unanimously approved a countywide water study to be included in the 2017 budget recommended to the Green County Board.
"We'd received information, but we wanted to quiz (the Land and Water Conservation Committee) a bit because they had spent more time on it," Carter said. "We knew it was a split vote, so we wanted to find out what the products would be."
The learning process included a presentation by Green County Conservationist Todd Jenson with help from conservation committee member Kristi Leonard. The study would identify geological formations, groundwater conditions and where groundwater may be most susceptible to contamination.
At the Land and Water Conservation Committee meeting on Sept. 8, members discussed two bids: a $53,700 offer from professional groundwater and environmental engineering service Leggette, Brashears and Graham Inc. of Madison, and a $74,200 bid from Madison engineering and environmental construction and consulting firm TRC Environmental. Members voted 3-3, with supervisors Oscar Olson, Ken Hodgson and Leonard in favor of the plan while Keith Hobson, Russ Torkelson and Jeff Williams voting against. The tie vote kept the water study from being added on to the department's special projects budget allocation.
The Finance Committee selected the TRC Environmental contract after hearing more services provided, including work to show what structures make up the lower levels of the ground throughout Green County. Two additional weeks of fieldwork to establish the information will be provided for the extra cost. The details will provide a clear picture for anyone looking to dig wells, Carter said.
"We gained the information and the committee felt this bid was the best route to take," Carter said.
Jen Riemer, a co-founder of the group Green County Defending our Farmland, was happy to see the Finance Committee support the water study. The organization was formed in response to concerns that a proposed large-scale dairy operation in Sylvester Township could endanger groundwater in the area.
"I was just really excited to hear it went through," Riemer said. "I was optimistic and really pleased that the finance committee had done what constituents had asked of the county."
The Finance Committee's recommendation does not guarantee approval of the water study. A presentation to the county board is expected on Oct. 18.