Government : Benton County Supervisors: Grand Jury, Replacing 1 employee with 2 and Taxes

The Benton County met on Tuesday for their weekly meeting.

Barb Greenlee brought an exception application by Otto Nobis to build a pole building and it was approved.

The director of Human Resources, Kirsten Nelson submitted her resignation effective on April 14. Supervisor, Rick Primmer, suggested not only keeping the recently created position but to double the staffing.

Benton County Auditor, Hayley Rippel pointed out that her office could handle the duties of the office, and had been before. She also did not feel that it was necessary to further burden the taxpayers with two new hires. However, Primmer pushed back that he felt like it would be "too much" for her office. Rippel reiterated that the Auditor's Office could handle the duties.

Supervisor Gary Bierschenk suggested hiring first and then see if someone else was needed.

The matter will be on the agenda for the upcoming week.

Supervisor Tracy Seeman talked about the progress with the towers for the new communications project. A new tower is being installed near Norway, and near Rodgers Park. Improvements are also being made to the already standing towers. He said the work should be completed by January of 2024. He said that they are coordinating with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to have a Benton County channel with its own name.

During the meeting, the Grand Jury stopped by led by Benton County Attorney Ray Lough. Lough explained the duties and work that the supervisors do to the Grand Jury. He shared that in addition to the weekly meeting, the supervisors attend several meetings, deal with land use change requests, budget issues and hiring. Supervisor Tracy Seeman shared that serving on the boards in the county is part of what they do. He cited the Conservation Board, the Iowa Housing Trust Fund, the Landfill Board, East Central Iowa Council of Governments Board, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund committee, E911, and several, other boards.

The supervisor also updated them on several things happening in the county. Primmer explained that Benton County Conservation is planning to expand the Wildcat Park area. Seeman also shared that Benton County Conservation is making upgrades in some of their facilities.

They shared that the regular Supervisor meetings are each Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.

Rippel, explained that she takes minutes for the supervisors, and schedules the meetings for the supervisors. She also took some time to explain the American Rescue Plan Act and the ways that it is being used in the county. Rippel said that her department is also constantly looking for grants to help save the taxpayers money.

County Attorney Lough also shared with the jury about the opioid settlement money and how it can be used in the county.

In other business, the supervisors read a proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The proclamation was presented by the Riverside Center.

Benton County Engineer, Myron Parizek updated the Supervisors on several issues.

USA Communications was seeking a utility permit and it was granted.

A wage and classification change was granted for Cody Mattison increasing his pay to $25.30 per hour, changing his classification from 5A to 5B as of April 10.

He also mentioned the Urbana roundabout and how it should be completed in two weeks from April 17.

It's time for dust control on the country roads, so his crew is getting ready for that.

In the April 11th meeting he will present his five-year plan for the county, which he will present to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

There was a brief discussion held about the budget, which is due April 30 and the concerns with changes coming down from Des Moines. Other counties are supporting an option sales tax for the county to counter the tax cuts from the state. The tax would help with property tax relief, fire, ambulance and emergency services, secondary roads, libraries and parks. The supervisors are in favor of the tax and will discuss it at the next meeting.