Emmetsburg, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — The Palo Alto County Board of Supervisors had a packed agenda during their regular session at the Courthouse in Emmetsburg this Tuesday.

The Board officially scheduled a public hearing for the proposed property tax rate, set for March 31, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. in the Courthouse Boardroom. This hearing will give residents a chance to weigh in on the county’s fiscal direction for the upcoming year.

In environmental news, a date has been set for the Marcellus wetland site project. Bids for this site will be opened on April 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m..

Perhaps the most significant development from the meeting was the passage of Resolution No. 3-10-2026. This resolution extends a temporary moratorium on the development and construction of cryptocurrency and data mining facilities within the county’s unincorporated areas.

The Board noted that while they are aware of companies interested in building these facilities, they believe current ordinances must be reviewed to ensure the protection of county roads, natural resources, and property rights. The extension gives the Planning and Zoning Commission until April 1, 2027, or until a formal ordinance is passed, to finalize safe and reasonable regulations for these high-energy operations.