Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 2/8/22

February 8, 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)

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes of January 31, 2022 and February 7, 2022. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday March 8, 2022 at 9:15 a.m. Luke and Stephanie Cross in part of NE ¼ SE ¼ of 25-83-9. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve payroll checks numbered 142133 through 142139, ACH Deposits 48143 through 48283, vendor checks 241461 through 241467 and claims numbered 241468 through 241600. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve paying the RACOM bill in the amount of $6,922.00 using the ARPA Fund for the installation of the phone integration between the courthouse and Sheriff's office. Motion carried.

There was a discussion regarding what the county currently pays for medical examiner fees. Current rates are $250 per case, $500 an extreme case and $100 for jurisdiction declined cases. The case fees have not been increased since 2013. This is one of those jobs, that has to be done, but these individuals are on call 24/7 to be able to get to scenes when needed asap. The Board didn't act on this, would like to compare to other counties and see what the Medical Examiner fees are.

Braxton Morrison, Critical Incidence Stress Management (CISM) President and Coordinator, presented a list of items for funding requests that would like the mental health fund dollars to help pay for. CISM is a non-profit organization and can be utilized county side. The items purchased will help the team members be more utilized in the county for various groups, not just EMS. Mona Onken explained how these items would need to be purchased, or the training registration done before the end of June when the Region takes over. Items on the list would qualify for using fund balance and if the Board approves at the county level, then this would go to the Region for further approval as well.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To use mental health fund balance for funding Benton County's CISM training and supplies not to exceed $4,309.93. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #22-14, Hiring Rodney Schmuecker as an Equipment Operator at $21.25 an hour effective February 22, 2022. Motion carried.

The Board discussed tree damage to a tree in a road right of way. According to Engineer Myron Parizek, trees were trimmed and being loaded onto a truck and they hit the branch of the said tree. The property owner is looking for restitution for the damage done. There are four other trees on this property that are also in the right of way. Primmer questioned compensating the owner if they were within the county's right of way. Parizek saw the tree as a possible hazard. Supervisor Seeman said he would talk with the property owner again, no action was taken.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve purchase agreement(s) for the following permanent and temporary easements for box culver replacement project in Florence Township on 75th Street:

1) Marcel and Suzanne Sebetka - $4,161.19

2) Robert - $2,555.00

3) Russel and Kimberly Marcus-$1,716.01

4) Victor Sebetka Trust-$1,639.48

Motion carried.

Fairboard members: Nicole McKenna, Dale Seeck and Kirk Steinford came back to the supervisors for help with their renovation project for fairgrounds grandstands. The renovation includes new seating, replacing all the old wooden seats with aluminum. They presented their financial information and how they plan to get the project going. They are looking for $120,000 and asking for a $40,000 commitment spread out over 3 years from the Local Option Sales and Service Tax (LOSST) Fund. They are also working on fund-raising, and meeting with different people and companies throughout the county. They did check with City of Vinton's LOSST options, and looking for the Benton County Community Foundation for help there. Nicole McKenna reported they have already been pre-approved for a loan but were hoping to have the county's support and anything raised in fundraising would lessen that financial burden on the county. Discussion also led to how members get on the fair board and the areas the members represent. Benton County Attorney David Thompson suggested having the supervisors appoint three members to the fair board. Continued conversations back and forth regarding how to propose dollar matching with the LOSST, or having the Fairboard borrow from the county with intentions of paying back over a possible five-year loan. The fair officials and supervisors will meet again on Thursday, February 10.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve moving forward with the clock repair from Mechanical Watch Supply LLC and if they need a deposit, to pay it out of the courthouse grounds budget. Motion carried.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor