Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes 6/13/23

June 13, 2023

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman and Bierschenk present. Primmer was absent. 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 are invited to join in during open session or watch the 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/Seeman seconded: To approve the minutes of June 6, 2023. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve payroll checks numbered 142878 voided, 142879 replacement check and 142880 through 142889, ACH Deposits 53304 through 53455, vendor checks numbered 246366 through 246372 and claims numbered 246373 through 246555. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To set land use hearing date for Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. for Jennifer & Bryan Bearbower in part of the SE ¼ of the SE ¼ of 25-85-10. Motion carried.

Treasurer Melinda Schoettmer reported that her office on Tuesday July 18, 2023 will be closed to the public so that everyone can attend their District 6 training in Cedar Rapids.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve special Class C Retail Alcohol License for the Belle Plaine 4th of July Committee. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a land use hearing for Joseph and Emily Damaro in part of Parcel A the SE ¼ SE ¼ of 7-85-11. Jeremy Sills was present to represent the Damaro's. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Damaro's would like to change 1 Acre of land to allow for a new single-family dwelling and pole building. This site is not in production, CSR ranges from 60-68. The applicants proposed widening an existing field driveway and that has been reviewed and approved. A private water well and septic system will be needed. The required notifications were sent to five adjacent landowner's and published in the official newspapers. There were two comments received prior to today's meeting. James Fleming stated that he was not in support of disturbing the timber area, but was not in opposition to the proposal. Daniel Bathurst called stating he was in support. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the land use change for Joseph and Emily Damaro in part of Parcel A the SE ¼ SE ¼ of 7-85-11. Motion carried.

Chairman Seeman gave an update from his recent Conservation meeting. They have raised around $210,000 towards the Wildcat project.

Cara Martin, Veterans Affairs Director along with Dale Henry, Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Commission discussed revising the VA office hours. The VA Commission voted unanimously for modifying from full-time to part-time hours with a minimum of 20 hours per week. Martin explained how efficiently she works and wants to be fiscally responsible. If there is work to keep her more than 20 hours she will accommodate, but would probably work from 8-noon and be flexible for other needed times also. Her FY 24 salary was approved at $58,850 so hourly that would be $28.29. The two board members who were present were on board. There will need to be an agenda item to change Martin's employment status at a future meeting.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor