Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes, Feb. 3, 2015

February 3, 2015

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Frese, Hertle and Wiley present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve the minutes of January 27, 2015. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

The board met with Veterans Affairs Director Toni Parizek to discuss her departments FY16 budget request. Parizek stated that the commissioners had voted for a $50.00 per meeting fee, an increase of $25.00. However, the commission’s fee is set by the supervisors. Parizek also discussed having a Thanksgiving dinner for veterans and using funds from the $10,000 grant from the state. It was questioned if the grant funds could be used for that purpose. The board instructed Parizek to check on the use of the funds prior to the February 10, 2015, board meeting. Parizek also stated that she was not requesting an increase in salary as she believed she had not been in the position long enough to warrant an increase.

The time of 9:15 .m. having arrived, the board opened the public hearing on a land use change requested by Michael and Melinda Fall. Marc Greenlee presented the technical information in accordance with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. The change in use is for approximately 1 acre located in the SW1/4 of the NE1/4 of 23-85-9. The request is to change the classification to a single residential use. A new septic would be needed for the residence. Hearing no further comment, it was moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve the request for a land use change from agricultural to non-agricultural on approximately 1 acre for a residential purpose on a parcel generally described as being located in the Sw1/4 of the NE1/4 of Sec. 23-85-9. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

County Attorney David Thompson met with the board to request the approval of the hire of Lori Strong as paralegal in his office. The hire would be effective February 4, 2015, at an annual salary of $33,000. The county attorney requested that the board approve an employment agreement with Strong. The agreement provides that Strong is given two weeks of vacation time in her first year instead of the one week after six months and two weeks after one year of full-time employment as is current policy. Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve the hire of Lori Strong, effective February 4, 2015, at $33,000 annually, and to further enter into an employment agreement with Strong providing for two weeks of vacation time in her first year of her employment, to be used at the discretion of the Benton County Attorney. Strong’s employment is governed by all other applicable parts of the Benton County Employee Handbook as well as the vacation policy set out in the Handbook after one year of employment. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Representatives of the Shellsburg library board met with the supervisors to request an increase in funding for FY16. The request was for an additional $2,000.00 over current funding. Deb Harrison and Brad Osborn provided information in support of the request, citing that the population in Shellsburg and adjoining townships has increased and that the library supports more population than some towns in the county. They stated that the costs to provide library materials continue to increase and that additional funding is needed. The board stated that they would take the request under consideration when determining the FY16 budget.

Representatives of the Benton County Solid Waste Commission met with the board to request that the county issue debt to fund the new cell at the landfill. Commissioner Jennifer Zahradnik advised that the commission is the process of working with engineers to construct a new cell, but currently they do not have a cost estimate. Zahradnik stated that the Commission has hired a financial advisor to assist them with the financial matters in the future and that the Commission plans to begin setting funds aside for future construction costs. However, the Commission is less than one year old and the current landfill will run out of room without a new cell being constructed this summer. The Commission requested that the county take the appropriate measures to issue up to $750,000 dollars in general obligation bonds to pay for the infrastructure needs of the landfill. Supervisor Frese questioned the life expectancy of a new cell. Zahradnik responded that the estimated life is five years, but Commissioner John Watson interjected that the life of the new cell may depend on storms and disasters that may hit the county as well as the effect of Fiberright, if they become operational. Watson also stated that it would depend on recycling efforts and that there needs to be increased citizen involvement. Supervisor Hertle stated that the county needs to make sure that the landfill and the commission succeed and that the county should assist with the funding. Supervisor Wiley questioned the length of time to pay off the debt. The auditor stated that the time would be dependent upon the amount of issue, but that five years was a reasonable estimate. Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to proceed with issuing up to $750,000 of general obligation bonds for the construction of a new landfill cell. It is the intent that the Solid Waste Commission will not be required to repay the funds. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to approve the treasurer’s semi-annual report for the period ending December 31, 2014. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

The board discussed the wages and salaries of county employees not covered by a bargaining unit or deputies of elected officials. Supervisor Hertle started the discussion stating that he believed the supervisors should take their lead from the compensation board and give a two percent across-the-board (ATB) increase, except for the county attorney who would receive a three percent increase. Supervisor Frese commented that everyone should receive the same percentage increase with the exception of few that are due to job duties and agreements. Supervisor Wiley stated that he would struggle with granting a wage increase to persons newly hired. County Attorney Thompson stated that he had two employees whom he wanted to have four percent increases and that his budget for FY16 for salaries was less than his current budget even with a new hire and the four percent increase. Supervisor Wiley stated that elevating pay to reflect loyalty and longevity too aggressively was not good to do. Thompson replied that the increase was not a loyalty bump but a quality bump. Treasurer Geater stated that she had three employees that she had budgeted for five percent increases – stating that they were some of the lowest paid positions in the county and that without a larger increase they would continually fall further behind other employees in compensation. The board heard comments relative to granting increases for newly hired employees and that it would be another year and half before those employees would get raises if none were granted on July 1st. Supervisor Hertle reiterated that he believed a two percent ATB increase was appropriate with the county attorney’s employees receiving a three percent increase. The board discussed some individual employees’ salaries and reasons for considering their salaries outside of the ATB increase.

Supervisor Wiley moved to grant a 2.5% across-the-board increase to all employees who are not covered by a bargaining agreement or who are deputies of elected officials, except for the following who are granted the increase stated:

Toni Parizek – no increase (at employee’s request)

Justin Birker - $18.00 per hour

Carol Zander- $41,000.00

Myron Parizek – pending further discussion

Supervisor Hertle questioned that lack of three percent increases for the county attorney’s staff. Wiley stated that his motion stood as stated. Chairman Frese called for a second. Hearing none – the chair declared the motion died for lack of a second.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Frese, to grant a 2.5% across-the-board increase to all employees who are not covered by a bargaining agreement or who are deputies of elected officials, except for the following who are granted the increase stated:

Jo Kuennen and Deb Fleming –3.0%

Toni Parizek – no increase (at employee’s request)

Justin Birker - $18.00 per hour

Carol Zander- $41,000.00

Lori Strong – 0% (just hired this date)

Myron Parizek – pending further discussion

All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to accept the resignation of James Ludden from Benton County Transportation, effective February 6, 2015, and further to authorize the department to advertise for part-time drivers. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to approve a Class C Liquor License submitted by Tara Hills. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to adopt Resolution #15-7, Classification and Wage Change. Voting aye were Frese, Hertle, and Wiley. Nays none. Motion carried.

R E S O L U T I O N #15-7

WHEREAS: The Benton County Secondary Road Department has an employee that has been employed for a year, and

WHEREAS: This employee as part of the original hire is entitled to a wage increase

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that the Labor Grade classification of Alan Jackson will be VD (mechanic.) VD base wage for Alan Jackson will be $19.47 per hour. Alan Jackson rate change will be effective February 10, 2015.

Signed this 3rd day of February, 2015.

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Chairman, Board of Supervisors

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ATTEST: ____________________________

Benton County Auditor

Supervisor Wiley updated the board on his research into animal control matters. Wiley stated that entering into an agreement with Cedar Bend in Black Hawk County was not option due to restrictions on their service area. Wiley stated that he has a draft agreement from Cedar Valley Humane Society (CVHS), which is similar to the City of Vinton’s agreement with CVHS except for the fees. Wiley stated that CVHS will not take cats under the agreement, but that they would but the costs are prohibitive. Wiley stated that option of contracting with an animal warden is not viable. Wiley stated that the agreement with CVHS has a thirty day termination clause, which would be advantageous in the event the arrangement didn’t work. Wiley stated that he is still researching the issue.

The board worked on the FY16 budget as time allowed throughout the meeting.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

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Donald H. Frese, Chairman

ATTEST:

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Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor