Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 1/19/21

January 19, 2021

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. at the conference room at the Benton County Service Center. Members of the public were provided the zoom access capability to join in during open session and livestream at https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve minutes of January 12, 2021. Motion carried.

The following Departments presented their FY 22 Budgets at various times throughout the meeting: Sanitarian/Land Use, Department of Human Services (DHS), Mental Health, Relief, rural Access Center, Sheriff, Attorney, Transportation, Maintenance, IT/GIS, Conservation and Auditor/Elections.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To set land use hearing date for Robert and Karen Walsh for Tuesday February 16, 2021 at 9:15 a.m. for part of NW ¼ SE ¼ 25-85-10. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Recorder's Quarterly Report ending December 31, 2020. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve General Assistance Quarterly Report ending December 31, 2020. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To re-appoint Nancy Jensen, Denise Schwab, Bryce Brecht, Amy Boddicker, Terry Hertle, Jennifer Zahradnik and Tracy Seeman. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #21-10, Approve Hiring Matthew J. Even for Health and Land Use Technician at a salary of $70,000 effective March 1, 2021. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve farm exemption for Daniel and Monica Friedman in the W ½ NE ¼ 17-82-12. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve and authorize signature on Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) wellness agreement with Benton County. Motion carried.

Adam Rodenberg, Watershed Coordinator for the Middle Cedar WMA provided the project summary for the upcoming Bid Packet 6.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and authorize signatures on both: The National Disaster Recovery Project Intent to Obligate Construction Funds for Contract #13-NDRI-002 and The Affirmation of Duplication of Benefits and Subrogation & Assignment for the National Disaster Resiliency Infrastructure/Watershed CDBG Grant. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve notice to publish the bid notice for packet #6. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #21-11, Elected Official's Salaries for FY 22. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #21-11

ELECTED OFFICIALS' SALARIES

WHEREAS, the Benton County Compensation Board met on January 13, 2021, and recommended increases in the salaries of the elected officials pursuant to Iowa Code Sections 331.905 and 331.907; and

WHEREAS, said recommended increases are as follows:

Official Current Salary Recommended Salary for FY21

Auditor (3%) $78,836.47. $81,201.56

Treasurer (3%) $74,556.43 $76,793.12

Recorder (3%) $74,556.43 $76,793.12

Attorney (3%) $112,546.52 $115,922.92

Sheriff (3%) $93,433.73 $96,236.74

Supervisor (3%) $42,616.66 $43,895.16

Chairman $43,616.66 $44,895.16

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Benton County Board of Supervisors adopts the salary recommendations for elected officials for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, as recommended by the Benton County Compensation Board.

Dated this 19th day of January, 2021.

____________________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

____________________________________

Rick Primmer

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To grant a 3% across-the-board increase to all employees who are not covered by a bargaining agreement or who are not deputies of elected officials. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To renew the county's health insurance through Group Partners Benefits and change from the Alliance Select Plan 11E to Option 1, Plan 17 with Blue Choice and keep employee's share the same rate at $72.50 for single and $322.50 for family and keep the dental and eye as is. Motion carried.

Discussion was had about adopting a COVID related sick leave policy. The Auditor shared an example that Clinton County is using and would like Benton County to draft something similar. The County Attorney is looking over the example and will make some changes for approval next week. The Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act and Division E Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act expired on December 31, 2020.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor