Government : County Supervisors Notes 4/9/24

Tuesday morning the supervisors met to conduct business.

Following the approval of the agenda, minutes and claims, a Class C Alcohol License for Bloomsbury Farm was granted.

The meeting moved on to approval of the Sheriff's quarterly report.

Amy Buckley of the Riverview Center, read Resolution 24-29, a proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The supervisors agreed and approved.

The proclamation reads:

Whereas, sexual assault affects, women, children and men of all racial, cultural and economic backgrounds, and;

Whereas, in addition to the immediate physical and emotional costs sexual assault may also have associated consequences of post traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, depression, homelessness, eating disorders, and suicide; and

Whereas, sexual assault can be devastating not only to the survivor, but also for the family and friends, and community of the survivor, and

Whereas,since no one person or organization, agency or community can eliminate sexual assault on their own, we must work, together to educate our entire population about what can be done to prevent sexual assault, support victims/survivors and their significant others and support those agencies providing support to victims/survivors

Now therefore be it resolved we the Benton County Board of Supervisors in and for Benton County, on behalf of all staff and citizens of Benton County declare that the month of April 2024 is hereby proclaimed as:

"SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH"

In Iowa and encourage all citizens to learn more about preventing sexual violence.

Signed this 9th day of April 2024"

The Recorder's quarterly report was also approved.

Shelby Williams, of the Benton County Conservation Department was given approval by the Security Committee for the approval of security cameras for Hannen Lake and the Nature Center. As part of the agreement, there is a 10-year warranty/license on the equipment.

Approval was given for the appointment of Eric Shares as Weed Commissioner.

Members for the IRVM Commission including Zach Parmater, Wayne Siela and Jeff Schadle were mentioned, but had not been contacted, so this will be on next week's agenda.

County Engineer, Myron Parizek presented MC-70 dust control prices for approval to the Board of $1500 for the first 400 feet and $250 for each additional 100 feet or $2.50 per foot broken down into 50-foot increments. Costs have increased significantly for the products used Parizek explained. Before costs increased, there used to be 200 residents using the product. Last year the cost increased and there were about 35 locations across the county during the first round. He explained that the tree sap product previously used is now harder to come by. Approval was given.

Budget work for Secondary Roads was discussed. Parizek explained that the IDOT FY25 Secondary Road Budget must be submitted by April 15th while the county budget has until the end of April. The county he explained controls all activity. He said that the county and IDOT budgets function pretty closely the same. Parizek explained how the various taxes, road tax, gas tax and etc. affect his budget. It's worth a listen to better understand how the road budget works.

A certain amount of the Road Use Tax Fund used to go to Mt. Auburn, Luxerne, Garrison and Norway. However, because their population dropped below 500, it now goes to Benton County. The County contracts with Luxerne, Garrison and Norway to maintain the roads identified in those small towns. Parizek went on to explain other programs and how they will work for Benton County. Budget approval was granted.

Administrative and Engineering costs are grouped together and are slightly less this year, the Construction Program and those under contract will be about $2,810,000 this year. Approximately $283,000 is budgeted for maintenance of county roads/bridges/culverts this year. Costs for blading roads, hauling, leveling and everything to do with rock roads, will be about $5.5 million. Snow and ice has been pretty light the last couple of years, but just in case, the budget will be set for $521,850 discussed. Several other projects that the department covers were discussed as well. Approval was granted.

IDOT FY25-29 Secondary Road Construction Program: There are eight bridges on the list of projects there are two bridges on 17th Ave. near Keystone. The bridge on pavement west of Mt. Auburn will need work along with seven other bridges in the county. 61st St. south of Vinton is on the radar to be addressed. Right of ways are sometimes an issue on these projects, so that will be addressed as needed.

Resurfacing projects include, north and west of Newhall as well as north of Belle Plaine, which took heavy traffic due to the detour. Looking forward to FY2025 he mentioned that 13th Ave. will need some attention. He believes that Hwy. 21 is on the IDOT's radar for some improvement.

Supervisor Bierschenk inquired about improving a road in southern Benton County due to traffic from a dairy. Parizek explained that when it was done for the ethanol plant the county had acquired some ground-up asphalt and reused it for the road. He explained that now there isn't anything available but that possibly something could be done.

Hayley Rippel, Auditor also gave a quarterly report and announced the hiring of a new clerk in her office. With around 25 applicants, the decision was made to hire Jon Martin in the clerk's position of the Auditor's office. Martin will be transferring from the Assessor's office. He will begin there on Monday, April 15.

Under reports Supervisor Seeman reported that he had a Conservation meeting this week. He also had a call about the flag pole snapping at the Service Center due to the wind, so he came up and repaired it.

Supervisor Primmer reported that there was a Security meeting and it will be added to the agenda for next week's meeting.

There were no public interest comments.