Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 3/27/23

March 27, 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)

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the minutes of March 21, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and authorize Auditor Rippel to certify the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) annual report. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-18, Authorizing Benton County to enter into settlement agreements with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Allergen Finance, LLC, Walgreen Co., Walmart, Inc., and CVS Health Corporation. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve and sign letter of support to the Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to qualify for broadband intervention zone. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Class C Liquor Licenses for Traveling Tapster LLC for April 20, 2023 through May 3, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and authorize Chairman's signature on the annual Historic Preservation Report pending areas for review. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the bid from Graham Tree Service in the amount of $1100 to remove an Ash tree on the Service Center Property. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a land use hearing for Austin and Jenna Schulte in part of the NW ¼ NW ¼ of 32-82-9. The Schulte's were present. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Schulte's would like to change .25 Acres of their 6.98 Acre parcel to build a new building that would be used to process milk and cheese. A portion of the building would extend to adjoining property which is owned by Austin's parents. There is an existing driveway that meets the requirements. This location has access to rural water, but would need its own private sewage disposal. The Schulte's are also working with the DNR for additional waste processing. The required notifications were sent to the five adjacent landowner's and published in the official newspapers. No comments were heard prior to today's meeting. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the land use change for Austin and Jenna Schulte in part of the NW ¼ NW ¼ of 32-82-9. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve farm exemption application for Timothy Scheurs in part of the NW ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 31-82-11. Motion carried.

There was discussion on the sanitarian/land use coordinator position that was held by Marc Greenlee for the past 40 plus years. Marc recently passed away unexpectedly and will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Greenlee was very knowledgeable and truly dedicated to his position at the county. Barb Greenlee said she assumes she will fill that role until somebody could get hired to fill this position. The county will advertise for the position after further discussion and a job description of what all the position would entail.

Dr. Maggie Mangold met with the board regarding the board of health and upcoming changes and keeping transparency moving forward. Benton County is currently providing public health under contract with Virginia Gay Hospital. VGH recently provided notice to terminate the contract with Benton County effective June 30, 2023. Mangold explained the Board of Health's role and how they have started a few sub-committees to do some research on different options whether that be fully sub-contracting with another county, or providing those services fully county based and the county would employ and house their own individuals to do the work. Included in the discussion was historical funding, home health versus public health services, wages compared to other counties in our district, environmental health, subcontracts, nurses and staffing. The Board of Health has another meeting on April 14th and would come back to the supervisors with their official recommendation at the Supervisor's April 18th meeting. No action was taken today, although the supervisors felt strongly about pursuing all county-based services but would also be interested in hearing all other options as well.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor