Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor minutes 3/1/11

March 1, 2011

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

Moved by Sanders, seconded by Vermedahl, to set March 29, 2011, at 1:15 p.m., as the time and date for a public hearing on a land use change requested by David Powell on a parcel located in Parcel A of the NW1/4 of the SW1/4 of 1-86-11. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to adopt Resolution #11-12, ABATEMENT OF TAX. Voting aye were Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders. Nays none. Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to acknowledge the receipt of the annual manure management plan filed by G & R Feeders, Inc. for the facility located at 1179 52nd Street, La Porte City, Iowa. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Supervisor Buch spoke to the members about convening the zoning commission. Buch stated that the land use administrator had several items that he wished to discuss with the commission, as well as Supervisor Sanders has indicated he would like to address some concerns with the county’s current regulations. The board scheduled a March 22nd meeting with the zoning commission.

Mary Lou Erlacher of Workplace Learning Connection (WLC) updated the board on activities done by the WLC over the past year as well as upcoming events. The organization has provided learning resources to all three school districts in Benton County. Erlacher explained what some of the various programs provided to students in the area. Erlacher reviewed the various job shadowing and internship opportunities provided to students and the organizations hosting the those students. Erlacher spoke about group events that were organized by WLC including the Junior Mini Medial School hosted by the University of Iowa, being an FBI employee, and legal opportunities. Erlacher stated that she continues to apply and receive money from the Benton County Foundation.

The board continued their discussions on FY12 wages for non-union employees. The treasurer, recorder, county attorney, land use staff, and the media were present. Supervisor Vermedahl stated that he wanted to continue pursuing the establishment of salary ranges, but there wasn’t enough time right now. Supervisor Vermedahl questioned Treasurer Kelly Geater whether she would be compensating any employees an additional $3000 for the driver’s license examiner duties. Geater stated that she had removed the extra $3000 for driver’s license examiner from her budget in fiscal year 2011 and that she would not be requesting any extra compensation for any employees in FY12 for performing those duties. Supervisor Sanders agreed that salary ranges were something that the board should pursue but there wasn’t adequate time to accomplish that before the budget is adopted. Sanders stated he was not opposed to granting additional wages to some of the employees. Supervisor Buch agreed that additional compensation should be given to some employees, who he believed were underpaid. Comments were heard on the equalization of pay based on years of service versus job responsibilities from various persons present. The board continued to review the salaries of numerous employees.

Various officials and employees presented arguments to the board as to why they should be compensated at a greater level. Vermedahl presented recommendations for specific individuals stating that he was taking into consideration the position, time in the position, and whether the employee should be granted additional compensation. Supervisor Buch stated that setting wages was very difficult, as the supervisors were not given an opportunity to discuss them as a board prior to the meeting. Geater stated that she would leave the meeting if it made easier for the board and then subsequently left. Marc Greenlee requested that his office manager be compensated at $45,000 per year explaining the additional duties and responsibilities of his department. Supervisor Buch responded that he could not grant that large of an increase, but suggested an additional $3000 for each employee in the land use department.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to grant a 2.5% across the board increase for non-union employees, both part-time and full-time, whose wages are not associated with an elected official, for fiscal year 2012. The engineers’ department is not included in this action to allow further research into those salaries. The following salaries are set as stated and are not subject to the 2.5% across-the-board increase:

County Attorney’s Office:

No change in salaries for the administrative assistants or second assistant county attorney.

Auditor’s Office:

Gina Edler from $28,175 to $29,000

Treasurer’s Office:

Nancy Jorgensen – from $25,305 to $27,000

Rose Sackett – from $28,031.50 to $29,000

Joy McGowan – from $28,031.50 to $29,000

Maintenance:

Rick Bramow – from $37,310 to $38,810

Justin Birker – from $27,040 to $27,540 on July 1, 2011 and $28,040 on January 1, 2012

Social Services:

Carol Zander – from $30,908.80 to $31,808.80

Transportation:

Mary Halstead - from $41,000 to $42,500

Dana Burmeister – from $30,368 to $31,268.00

Land Use/Sanitarian:

Marc Greenlee – from $61,295 to $64,295

Barb Greenlee – from $41,000 to $44,000

Supervisor Sanders stated that he had difficulty with a 2.5% increase and would prefer to see a 2% increase instead. Sanders stated he understood that the conference board provided a 2.5% increase but was not in favor of that large of an increase for them either. Voting aye were Buch and Vermedahl. Voting nay was Sanders. Motion carried. The auditor is directed to make adjustments to reflect the above salaries in the FY12 budget documents.

Sheriff Forsyth and Chief Deputy Ferguson met with the board about creating a non-union office manager position in the sheriff’s department. Forsyth requested permission to fill the position at a wage equal to a first deputy in the auditor’s office. The board voiced concern on starting a new hire at the same salary being made by an employee with over ten years of experience. The board requested that the sheriff return with a salary range recommendation for the position for consideration by the board. No action was taken on the approval; however the board indicated that the position itself was acceptable.

The board toured the law enforcement facility to view the construction progress. No discussion or action was taken on issues with Design Dynamics.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to approve the minutes of February 22, 2011. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Mary Halstead, Transportation Director, met with the Board to request clarification on the wage schedules set this morning. The county attorney stated that Halstead was not on the agenda and that she should have been present during the discussion earlier. Halstead requested that she be placed on the next agenda to discuss the matter.

The county attorney and Assistant County Attorney Emily Nydle met with the board to discuss the performance and benefits of Emily Nydle. Nydle requested that the board go into go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i). Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to enter into closed session. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried at 2:05 p.m.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to return to open session. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried at 3:00 p.m.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to enter into the Employment Contract between Benton County, Iowa and Assistant County Attorney Emily Nydle, with the addition of a statement that unused vacation will not be paid in the event the contract is terminated. All members voting thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Sanders, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried at 4:15 p.m.

_______________________________

Ronald R. Buch, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Jill Marlow, Auditor