Government : Benton County Supervisor Minutes 1/25/2022

January 25, 2022

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Bierschenk and Primmer were present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 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. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov ( https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa)

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Treasurer's Semi-Annual Report ending December 31, 2021. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Joe Wehage pay increase for obtaining his class CDL with passenger endorsement. The new hourly wage will be $15.40 an hour effective January 24, 2022. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes of January 18, 2022. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve payroll checks numbered 142125 through 142132, ACH Deposits 48000 through 48142, handwrite 241332, vendor checks 241333 through 241340 and claims numbered 241341 through 241460. Motion carried.

Discussion regarding the Mental Health's budget was had. Due to the passage of SF 619, eliminating the MHDS funding to be done by property taxes at the county level will start being state appropriated in FY 23. Any leftover fund balance in the current fiscal year budget has to be paid out to the mental health region.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #22-9, Creating new Sub-Fund (0006) for Mental Health Administration due to the passage of SF 619, the funding will now be state appropriated effective FY 23 instead of the county's levy. Motion carried.

Jeremy Sills, representing Benton County Soil and Water District came to ask the board to continue funding for watershed purposes. Currently the county is fiscal agent for the middle cedar watershed which will be ending within the current year. ECICOG is willing to continue looking for grants available to continue working towards future watershed projects in our area. They have asked other entities to fund according to the participation amount.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve funding to East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) for FY 23 in the amount of $8,360 for watershed allocation for future projects and grant searching.

Ben Bonar and Wes Haefner, Weed Department presented a slide show in regards to a new track loader/sprayer. Bonar also mentioned a need for another full-time employee.

Historic Preservation was unable to attend the meeting today, so it will be rescheduled until next week.

Nathan Summers, D.A. Davison & Co. called in to the meeting to help answer questions and go over the required paperwork to get moving with the tax-exempt bonds for the Racom Radio Project.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #22-10, Authorizing the use of a preliminary official statement for entering into General Obligation Emergency Communications Loan Agreement to facilitate the sale of $5,200,000. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #22-11, Adopting and approving tax compliance procedures relating to Tax-Exempt Bonds. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve dissemination agent agreement with D.A. Davidson and authorize chairman's signature. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve obtaining a bond rating and decided on final net amount of $5,200,000. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and increase to Option B on the flood insurance renewal notices from AJ Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #22-12, Elected Officials Salary for FY23. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #22-12

ELECTED OFFICIALS' SALARIES

WHEREAS, the Benton County Compensation Board met on January 5, 2022, 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 FY23

Auditor (10%) $81,201.56. $89,321.71

Treasurer (10%) $76,793.12 $84,472.43

Recorder (10%) $76,793.12 $84,472.43

Attorney (10%) $115,922.92 $127,515.21

Sheriff (28.5%) $96,236.74 $123,664.21

Supervisor (10%) $43,895.16 $48,284.68

Chairman $44,895.16 $49,284.68

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, 2022, as recommended by the Benton County Compensation Board.

Dated this 25th day of January, 2022.

____________________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

____________________________________

Rick Primmer

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve 10% increases for the non-elected, non-union, non-commissioned employees for FY 23, except for the Mental Health Regions recommendation for Mona Onkken, Veterans Affairs Director Cara Martin will get a $10,000 increase, Justin Birker, assistant Maintenance director will be paid at 85% of the director's salary, and Human Resource Director Kirsten Nelson will get 10% instead of the 5% listed in her contract. Motion carried.

Continued discussion regarding the parking lot for the service center was had. Still would like to obtain quotes for concrete compared to asphalt, so no action was taken.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor