Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 12/15/15

December 15, 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 Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to approve the minutes of December 8, 2015. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Veterans Affairs Director Toni Parizek requested that her position be made full-time. Parizek stated that more hours were needed to provide the needed services. Supervisor Hertle questioned if Parizek had hired someone part-time as funds were budgeted for that purpose. Parizek stated that she had not. Supervisor Wiley questioned if Parizek had found additional grants or monies to cover the increased costs. Parizek stated that she would use $5,000 of the $10,000 grant already being received by the county. No action was taken.

The board discussed creation of a Veterans Affairs Donation Fund. However, the Veterans Affairs Commission need to determine the various uses of the donated funds before action is taken by the supervisors.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle to adopt Resolution #15-89. Voting aye were Frese, Hertle, and Wiley. Nays none. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #15-89

WHEREAS, the Benton County Treasurer has determined that it is impractical to pursue collection of the total amount of tax due through the tax sale and the personal judgment remedies and has recommended that the board of supervisors abate the tax on parcel 270-12501,

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED that the delinquent tax in the amount of $1,868.00, penalty in the amount of $1,152.00.00, and costs in the amount of $28.00, assessed on parcel 270-12501 unpaid through the 2014 assessment year, are hereby abated pursuant to Iowa Code 445.16. The treasurer is directed to strike the amount due from the county system.

Dated this 15TH day of December 2015.

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Donald H. Frese, Chairman

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Terry L. Hertle

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Todd Wiley

ATTEST:

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Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor

The board discussed leasing property to house the Department of Human Services. The county attorney presented a draft agreement for consideration. Moved by Hertle, seconded by Frese, to proceed with entering into a lease agreement for offices at 811 D Avenue, Vinton, Iowa, subject to finalization of a lease agreement. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried,

The board discussed adopting an Open Records Policy. A sample policy was drafted by the Iowa State Association of Counties. Discussion included the removal of names from the county’s Beacon website. The county attorney is to draft a proposed policy establishing specific criteria for the removal of information from the county’s real estate website.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to adopt Resolution #15-90. Voting aye were Frese, Hertle, and Wiley. Nays none. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #15-90

REPEALING RESOLUTION #14-67 and

ADOPTING BENTON COUNTY GENERAL ASSISTANCE

CREMATION SERVICE RATES

WHEREAS, the Benton County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution establishing cremation service rates through the county general assistance on November 25, 2014; and

WHEREAS, the Board desires to change the rates approved for said services through the repeal of the existing resolution and the adopting of new rates in lieu thereof,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that Resolution #14-67, Benton County General Assistance Establishing Cremation Service Rates Price List Effective 11-1-14, adopted on November 25, 2014, is HEREBY REPEALED in its entirety, effective December 1, 2015,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following cremation service rates are HEREBY ADOPTED effective January 1, 2016.

Cremation Service

Crematory Expense $285.00

Cremation Tray 39.00

Medical Examiners Permit 75.00

Funeral Home Director’s Fee 750.00

Optional Expenses:

Grave Opening @ cost, not to exceed 225.00

(Family must pay opening charges above $225.00)

Minister Stipend (if used) 25.00

Signed this 15th day of December 2015.

_____________________________________

Donald H. Frese, Chairman

_____________________________________

Terry Hertle

______________________________________

Todd Wiley

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor

The board received an update on activities and projects undertaken by the Benton Development Group, as well as a request for FY17 funding.

Therese Foth and Brian Parr met with the board regarding displaying art on the first floor of the courthouse. The artwork was created by Parr. The board agreed to display any of the artwork presented, but depending on space the number of pieces may be limited to two.

Brian Parr also viewed the restoration needed to the third floor murals. Parr advised that he could do the repairs and would also inspect the other murals for restoration needs.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve a utility permit requested by Windstream Communications to place utility lines in the county’s right-of-way in section 29 of Iowa Township, along 11th Avenue Trail. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve the Plan Document and Summary of Plan Description prepared by Employee Benefit Services for the county’s IRS Section 125 plan for calendar year 2016. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

The board discussed the “Donated Leave” policy being considered for county employees as a part of the new county employee handbook. No action was taken.

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

____________________________________

Donald H. Frese, Chairman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor