Government : Absentee ballot, condition of the county and losses due to the storm

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor mentioned in the Supervisor's meeting on Tuesday that she's received around 600 absentee ballot requests in just Monday's mail alone.

Among other discussions held Tax Assessor, Larry Andreesen discussed with the Supervisors the damage caused throughout the county and the process that will go into figuring the damage and tax revenue. He will notify the public at a later date of steps that his office will be taking in the process.

Because of the CARES Act, (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security), the county will have to compile data of all of the expenses incurred due to COVID-19, another project that County Auditor Hayley Rippel will have to create a report to submit for reimbursement.

Steve Meyer reported that there are 9 communities without power, and it is estimated that it will be a week to two weeks before they receive power. The biggest concern is water and food supply as well as temporary housing. He summed up the damage best when he said, "When you're driving, the damage just never ends. Unlike a tornado, with that you have a defined area. With this, it just never ends." He said that there were no significant injuries reported. Right now he said that half of Garrison is without power. Communications are also down in these towns and it may require driving there to assess the needs of the communities, Meyer said.

Sheriff Tippett reported that two of the county cars were damaged in the storm, one when a grain bin rolled over the car during the storm while a deputy was inside. The deputy finished his shift and then went to the hospital to receive treatment to his arm from flying glass. The other vehicle suffered a broken windshield.

Other county damage included a county road vehicle, air conditioners shifting on the roof of the service center, radio equipment damage at the Sheriff's office, making communications difficult. Right now the Sheriff's office has an AT&T portable communications tower which they are using for communications.