Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 3/7/23

March 7, 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 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. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov ( https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa)

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve minutes of February 28, 2023 and March 2, 2023. Motion carried.

Members of the Benton County Conversation Board along with Director Shelby Williams and department employees met with the board to share their opportunity to expand the Wildcat Bluff area. The land is about two and a half miles south of Urbana. The Heritage Foundation helped with negotiations with Wendling Quarry who was the one that approached them. This is 184 acres and combining with currently owned 134 acres would put this at a level similar to the state. Conservation Board members saw this as a once in a lifetime opportunity that will bring opportunities for the future. The overall cost of this would be 1.2 million with $125,000 already committed from grants and support already. They would have two years to purchase, but would need the commitment to help them apply for the REAP Grant this fall that would be up to $900,000. Plans included developing trails, and removing interior fences. Supervisor Primmer didn't have a problem if it is going to be funded from grants and donations, but he had a problem committing tax dollars. When asked if they would need additional staff to help with this project, the answer was No. Coe College and other organizations are interested. No action was taken. Randy Scheel of Conservation board said the confidence they have to pay this back in two years is extremely high and they wanted to keep the supervisors up to date on what they are doing.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Class C Liquor License for Tara Hills Country Club. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To Accept Mindy Fisher's resignation to the Board of Health and appoint Kaitlin Emrich as her replacement with term ending December 31, 2025. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve payroll checks numbered 142745 through 142779, ACH Deposits 52265 through 52410, vendor checks 245457 through 245463 and claims numbered 245464 through 245574. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Utility Permit for USA Communications to place fiber in the right of way in Iowa Township for the Belle Plaine Exchange. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-13, Bridge Embargo on CE-0047, 3 ton 0.3 mile north of the SW Corner of section 30 of Cedar Township on 16th Avenue and LE-1025, 10ton/15ton/15ton 0.5 mile south of the NW Corner of Section 17 of Leroy Township on 17th Avenue. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/ Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-14, Bridge Embargo on BG-1046, 23/37/40 ton 0.4 mile north of the SW Corner of Section 29 of Big Grove Township on 17th Avenue and FR-5052, 22/37/37 ton 0.2 mile south of the NW corner of Section 36 of Fremont Township on 33rd Avenue. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-15, Temporary Road Closure for construction from 75th Street thence north 1 mile to 74th Street along 32nd Avenue, and from 32nd Avenue thence west 2 miles to 30th Avenue along 75th Street and from 32nd Avenue thence east 0.5 miles to 32nd Avenue Drive along 75th Street all in Florence Township. Motion carried.

County Attorney Ray Lough and Sheriff Deputy John Lindaman spoke with the board regarding their concern with privacy and confidentiality regarding Victim Witness Abuse/Sexual Awareness and how they are planning an upcoming meeting with Riverview Center regarding the privacy and confidentiality concerns. No action taken.

The time of 9:35 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for the public hearing on the Maximum Property tax levy for FY 24 Budget. No members of the public were present. The Auditor presented the information and explained that even after valuations have been amended due to SF181, and neither the levy or valuations can be higher than what was published. There was no further discussion.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To close the public hearing. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-16, Maximum Property Tax Levy for FY 24 Budget. Voting aye were Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman. Motion carried.

Resolution #23-16

Approval of FY 2024 Maximum Property Tax Dollars

WHEREAS, the Benton County Board of Supervisors have considered the proposed FY 2024 county maximum property tax dollars for both General County Services and Rural County Services, and

WHEREAS, a notice concerning the proposed county maximum property tax dollars was published as required and posted on county website, and

WHEREAS, a public hearing concerning the proposed county maximum property tax dollars was held on March 7, 2023.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Benton County that the maximum property tax dollars for General County Services and Rural County Services for FY 2024 shall not exceed the following:

General County Services - $10,067,421

Rural County Services - $4,426,256

The Maximum Property Tax dollars requested in either General County Services or Rural County Services for FY 2024 does represent an increase of more than 102% from the Maximum Property Tax dollars requested for FY 2023.

By Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Primmer Nays:

Seeman

Bierschenk

Passed and adopted the 7th day of March, 2023.

_________________________ __________________________________

Attest: Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor Tracy Seeman, Chairman

Benton County Board of Supervisors

Mae Hingtgen, Chief Officer of the Mental Health/Disability Services (MH/DS) of the East Central Region and Mona Onken discussed a memorandum of understanding regarding reimbursement from the Region for county employees for FY 2024. There are clarifications and consistency throughout the region for duties of advocates They also discussed supervisory responsibilities for Bethany Wheaton, Judicial Mental Health Advocate and also discusses the Crisis Support Management (CSM). It was pointed out that the advocate was supposed to be neutral and also referring to the duties outlined in Iowa Code 229.19.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-17, Memorandum Of Understanding Regarding Reimbursement from the Region, including Exhibit A listing how the Benton County Employees % of wages are appropriated to the Region, and excluding Exhibit B (Mental Health Advocate Responsibilities. Motion carried.

Further discussion regarding Exhibit B which was part of the MOU, and who was to supervise the Mental Health Advocate was had.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Exhibit B and appoint the Sheriff to oversee the Mental Health Advocate. Motion carried.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor