November 16, 2010

                The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders present.  Chairman Sanders called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

                Marc Greenlee, Land Use Administrator, presented an application for a farm exemption filed by Craig Walker for a parcel located in the SW ¼ of 14-86-10 located in Harrison Township.  Walker is currently helping with the family farm operation consisting of row cropping, dairy, and beef.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a farm exemption as provided under Benton County’s Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance requested by Craig Walker on a parcel located in the SW1/4 of 14-86-10 to allow for a single residential purpose as the applicant is involved in a farming operation as defined in the county’s ordinance, contingent upon approval by secondary roads as to an entrance.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the minutes of November 9, 2010.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to acknowledge the receipt of the annual manure management plan filed by C and S Pork for the facility located at 5056 18th Avenue, La Porte City, Iowa.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Funeral Directors Dave Hrabak and Mike Phillips met with the Board and Mary Williams, Social Services Director, regarding final services for indigent county residents.  The county has an ordinance in place that provides for funeral/burial services for qualifying Benton County residents with costs paid by Benton County.  The costs that the county currently provides was established in 2005 and due to rising costs, the issue is being revisited.  Williams had initially recommended that the county limit county paid services to cremation only with no burial costs.  Supervisor Sanders stated that he was concerned about a contingent of people who wanted government to provide for them through the entire life and that costs needed to be controlled.  Supervisor Buch stated he was concerned about the bad economy and continuing to dump on the taxpayers.  Moved by Vermedahl to continue with the current payment schedule and level of services with an increase in the director’s fees from $700 to $950 for casket burials and from $700 to $750 for cremation services.  There was no immediate second and the chair declared the motion died.  Moved by Buch to limit the services to cremation only with the funeral director fee set at $750.00.  Sanders immediately seconded said motion and called for a vote.  Sanders and Buch voting aye.  Vermedahl voting nay.  Motion carried.

                The county attorney met with the board to request an increase in his clerical staff from one to two. Supervisor Buch questioned if the part-time position would be eliminated if the staff was increased.  Thompson advised no that a part-time position would still be maintained to cover vacations and sick leave only.  Thompson stated he did not want to advertise to hire a part-time position at this time but that it would be drastically reduced from it was in the past.  Supervisors Sanders stated that with Blumer taking part in the early retirement incentive and questioned if that was being factored into the county’s budget.  Thompson responded that he has figured in the extra costs for two family plans, IPERS increases, and that he will be under the current budget.  Thompson stated that if the current employees applied for the position that it would be difficult to tell them they would be making less per hour even though they would be eligible for benefits.  Sanders questioned if the department could hire one full-time now and see how things worked out over the next few months.  Thompson stated that there was enough work for two full-time clerical persons.  Thompson stated that he would not ask for a pay increase in July for the new full-time positions since the employees would technically begin January 1st.  Vermedahl stated it sounded as though the part-time position was being eliminated and that he didn’t have problems with that.  Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the increase from one to two full-time clerical positions in the county’s attorney’s office.  Buch and Vermedahl voting aye.  Sanders voting nay.  Motion carried.

                Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve a utility permit requested by Alliant Energy to place utility lines in the county’s right-of-way in Kane Township.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a utility permit requested by Windstream Communications, Inc. to place utility lines in the county’s right-of-way in Harrison Township.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                The engineer and the county attorney spoke about the Department of Natural Resources and the county’s landfill.  The county attorney suggested that the board go into closed session.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to go into closed session at the direction of the county attorney.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried at 11:25 a.m.

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to return to open session.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried at 11:35 a.m.

                The board discussed the purchase of mechanical equipment for a landfill cover that is being negotiated with Fayette County.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to authorize the engineer to negotiate the purchase of the roller apparatus.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.  The goal is to have the cover operational within two months.

                The board discussed the possible creation of a landfill manager position, the duties, the hierarchy structure, and the budget impact.  The board agreed that there was a clear need for a management position, but made no final decisions as to the position other than it should be in place no later than July 1, 2011.  The board asked the engineer to return with a plan to restructure the landfill operations, including recycling.

                The engineer spoke to the board regarding labor negotiations.  This discussion is exempt from open meeting laws.

                The engineer spoke to the board about the need for a budget for sanitary disposal in the next several months.  The auditor stated she has not been contacted about the need for budget amendments from any other departments at this time.

The board exchanged initial opening labor proposals for 2011-2012 with TEAMSTERS representing the sheriff’s department employees.

The auditor requested direction on the FY12 budget relative to the information technology budget expenses.  The board stated that the budget was still be maintained as in the past.  The auditor questioned the status of the wellness coordinator for the county as Recorder Lexa Speidel had resigned the position.  The auditor advised that she had spoken with ISAC regarding the program and that they were not willing to change their directives relative to the administration of the wellness program.  The auditor stated that she would attend the meeting being conducted by ISAC regarding the program and return with any additional information.  The auditor also spoke about the next employee meeting, which is set for December 17th. 

                The board toured the law enforcement center to observe construction progress.

                Moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to adjourn.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                                                                                                __________________________________

                                                                                                Jason Sanders, Chairman

ATTEST: ___________________________________

               Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor