Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes 12/17/19

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December 17, 2019

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. Primmer called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the minutes of December 10, 2019 and December 12, 2019 Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve 44 hours of vacation carryover for Sarah Wagner to be used by April 30, 2020. Motion carried.

Kelly Geater along with Michele Sauer were both present to explain and answer questions.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the Treasurer's accounting report through November 30, 2019 when Kelly Geater finalized her position with Benton County. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #19-64, tax abatement on parcel #270-23550. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #19-64

WHEREAS, the Benton County Treasurer has reported that there was a building on leased land that has appeared to been torn down and of no value; and

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED that the delinquent tax, penalty, interest and costs assessed on the below listed parcels and unpaid through the 2019 assessment year, are hereby abated pursuant to Iowa Code 445.16. The treasurer is directed to strike the amount due from the county system.

Parcel #270-23550 - $4,432.00 in tax, penalty and interest

Dated this 17th day of December, 2019.

____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

____________________________________

Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #19-65, Appointing Michele Sauer as the interim Benton County Treasurer. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #19-65

WHEREAS, the Benton County Treasurer, Kelly Geater resigned effective December 1, 2019, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 69.14A The Board of Supervisors has the authority to fill a vacancy in the office of county treasurer by appointing a successor or by calling a special election, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 69.14A(2)(a)(2) a petition may be filed by the public within fourteen days of the notice of publication or within fourteen days after the appointment is made to call a special election to fill said vacancy by appointment.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that they have appointed Michele Sauer as the successor to fill in as the Benton County Treasurer until an elected candidate takes office after the November, 2020 Election.

Dated this 17th day of December, 2019.

____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

____________________________________

Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

December 17, 2019

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. Primmer called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the minutes of December 10, 2019 and December 12, 2019 Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve 44 hours of vacation carryover for Sarah Wagner to be used by April 30, 2020. Motion carried.

Kelly Geater along with Michele Sauer were both present to explain and answer questions.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the Treasurer's accounting report through November 30, 2019 when Kelly Geater finalized her position with Benton County. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #19-64, tax abatement on parcel #270-23550. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #19-64

WHEREAS, the Benton County Treasurer has reported that there was a building on leased land that has appeared to been torn down and of no value; and

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED that the delinquent tax, penalty, interest and costs assessed on the below listed parcels and unpaid through the 2019 assessment year, are hereby abated pursuant to Iowa Code 445.16. The treasurer is directed to strike the amount due from the county system.

Parcel #270-23550 - $4,432.00 in tax, penalty and interest

Dated this 17th day of December, 2019.

____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

____________________________________

Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #19-65, Appointing Michele Sauer as the interim Benton County Treasurer. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #19-65

WHEREAS, the Benton County Treasurer, Kelly Geater resigned effective December 1, 2019, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 69.14A The Board of Supervisors has the authority to fill a vacancy in the office of county treasurer by appointing a successor or by calling a special election, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 69.14A(2)(a)(2) a petition may be filed by the public within fourteen days of the notice of publication or within fourteen days after the appointment is made to call a special election to fill said vacancy by appointment.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that they have appointed Michele Sauer as the successor to fill in as the Benton County Treasurer until an elected candidate takes office after the November, 2020 Election.

Dated this 17th day of December, 2019.

____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

____________________________________

Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Laurie Worden, Director of Kirkwood Workplace Learning Connection presented a powerpoint to the Board on recent activities and those served using their services. The Budget request for FY 21 is the same as it was in FY 20 based on per capita. This is the 22nd year of serving 96 schools in Area 10 through Kirkwood. The Learning Connection is a self-funded department under Kirkwood.

Benton County Sheriff Ron Tippett along with representatives for Foundation 2 and Lindsey Upah, manager of the Rural Access Center provided an update on FY 21 budget and current statistics. Benton County is a part of a multi-county region for this service. Needs include better housing, homelessness, insurance, and support for people who were just released out of jail. They have already served 42 people since August when this first opened, and numbers are expected to increase. They are working to hire more part-time positions as well as working with Unity Point and area schools. Meetings have also been had regarding another access center location in Belle Plaine, space has been found that will accommodate all the providers in one location. The City of Belle Plaine also has a big interest in this project. They will continue to keep the Board updated. Tippett also presented the budget for this, including a wage breakdown. Upah has been previously approved leaving a part-time to full-time position and it was also recommended for a wage increase.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve wage increase for Lindsey Upah, Rural Access Manager of 21.34 an hour to 24.04 an hour effective immediately. Motion carried.

Jerry Petermeier brought in some quotes he was asked to present regarding the repairs discussed in a previous meeting for the Cedar Valley Ranch. Supervisor Bierschenk is going to present this information to the Regional Board meeting and if it can be possible to use some of the Mental Health Fund Balance spend down to cover all or partial costs.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To Approve Resolution #19-66, Wage and Classification change for Grant Wittmer. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #19-66

WHEREAS: Benton County has an employee that has been employed by Benton County for six months, and

WHEREAS: Upon the completion of the probationary period the base wage is to be increased leaving the starting wage

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that the hourly base wage of Grant Wittmer

be adjusted to $20.55 effective December 24, 2019. This position carries a Labor Grade VB classification .

Dated this 17th day of December 2019.

____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

____________________________________

Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve utility permit for East Central Iowa REC in sections 22 and 27 of Taylor Township. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To adjourn. Motion carried.

_____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor