Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 2/21/23

February 21, 2023

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk 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 February 14, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve payroll checks numbered 142736 through 142744, ACH Deposits 52115 through 52264, vendor checks 245343 through 245350 and claims numbered 245351 through 245456. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve claim in the amount of $4,428.00 for True North using the ARPA funds. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Change order #2 from Racom for the LEC tower at Sheriff's office in the amount of $34,810.23. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set the dates for consideration for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to be an essential service in Benton County for the following: First reading-Aprill 25, 2023 at 9:30 a.m., Second Ready-May 2, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. and Final Reading and Adopting Resolution- May 9, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. Motion carried.

Tabled action regarding the witness abuse/sexual awareness shared employee.

Mona Onken, Mental Health Director and Ray Lough, County Attorney met with the board to discuss the supervision over the mental health patient advocate. In the past, prior attorney David Thompson was signing off on the timesheets. Currently it has been going through the HR Director. Lough didn't think he needed to oversee it, he doesn't want to supervisor another department's employee. Onken agreed that it would be a better fit for the people of Benton County to have the supervision go back under her department so that she can make sure things are budgeted properly and the people get the correct advocate service they need. Supervisor Primmer asked to reach out to have the advocate come and discuss in a joint meeting before any action is taken.

Supervisor Seeman reported on recent attended meetings including the Conservation ones regarding the bids received and accepted for the upcoming project at Hannen. Also mentioned the meeting he and Auditor Rippel attended last week regarding the EMS as Essential Service in Benton County. By declaring this essential would allow for a property tax and creation of a county emergency medical services system advisory council who would assist in researching and assessing the services needs of the county and guiding implementation. This is based on Iowa Code Section 422D.1.

FY 24 Budget work included discussion about insurance coverage and areas we need to maybe increase or decrease.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor