Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes September 5, 2023

September 5, 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 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: ( https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa)

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve new dispatch software contract for Transportation Department called Tripmaster with an initial fee of $36,000. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the minutes of August 28, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-62, Proclamation of April being Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Motion carried.

Sue Wilber, Human Resources director explained a new format to the board for employee performance evaluations, and how the form includes feedback from both employee and employer. The department heads all recently met and came up with one everyone agreed upon. Wilber also talked about purchasing an addition to our current payroll software to utilize paperless time sheets. She also discussed outsourcing background checks and driving records since the Sheriff's office is busy, and this would also help with out of state information when needed. There is a fee charged with each investigation. The Board felt this was a good idea, but wanted more options to look at. Depending on where these items get paid out of, they could be included in the FY 24 Budget amendment. These topics will get brought up at the all employee meeting being held Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the policy for Benton County Employee Performance Evaluations. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve purchasing the additional software from Tyler Technologies and utilize paperless timesheets known as time and attendance. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Resolution #23-63, Amending Resolution #23-59, Correction on hiring date and rate of pay for Paige Rambo to be $21.08 an hour. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To increase the Veterans Affairs credit card limit to $2500, to approve Public Health Department to obtain their own card with a $2500 limit and to temporarily increase the Conservation's limit to $6000 until the Hannen project is done and then will reduce it back down to $2500. Motion carried.

Rick Wood, Maintenance Director discussed the need to repair the courthouse basement floor. He was estimating $10,000 to have the paint chips ground down and repainted. He has funds to do so in his budget. The Board agreed to have him pursue getting this taken care of.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Fireworks permit for Bloomsbury Farm, Inc for Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Motion carried.

Sheriff Tippett reported that he was not ready to hire the part-time security officers until after September 9, cut off date.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve purchasing 2 used replacement vehicles; Ervin Motor-$27,300 for a 2017 GMC Acadia, and Thys, Belle Plaine-$35,873 for a 2021 Dodge Durango. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To enter into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)c: To discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To exit closed session at 10:20 a.m. Motion carried.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor