Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes 9/19/23

September 19, 2023

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman and Primmer and Bierschenk present. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. at the Vinton Skate and Activity 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:

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes of September 12, 2023. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To accept Lindsey Upah's resignation effective September 8, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #23-65, September designation as National Voter Registration Month and Day being September 19, 2023. Proclamation. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To set land use hearing date for Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. for Ryan and Jennifer Rozek in a part of the NE ¼ SE ¼ of Sec 16-85-9. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Class C Retail Alcohol License for Textile Brewery, LLC for October 13-17, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the utility permit for GenoSource in Leroy Township. Motion carried.

Mona Onken and Sarah Wagner provided an update to the board regarding the temporary changes and the regional approach to social services department. Sarah is helping fill in at Johnson County a few days a week to help handle caseloads. They wanted to be transparent and explain how she will balance the duties between there and Benton County. The region will provide the vehicle and everything is reimbursable.

Grace Petrezelka, Public Health Director for Benton County talked to the board about importance of cross-coverage for public health and environmental health, focusing on what to do if she is ever gone. Long term, goal is to get another additional person hired and also plan on contracting with Virginia Gay Hospital and disease investigations. The Board was in agreement to get the sub contract with Virginia Gay Hospital worked out and go from there. This discussion also included the need to amend FY 24 Budget's spending authority for the department. With so many changes happening last minute after FY 24 Budget was adopted. Petrezelka provided a spread sheet detailing out those additional needs.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the Canvass of the Special City of Newhall Election read as follows:

Newhall City Public Measure A:

Shall the terms of office for the City Council Members of the City of Newhall, Iowa be changed from a term of two (2) years to a term of four (4) years, and the Council members terms be staggered in accordance with the provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 376.2?

Yes-27

No-28

Public Measure A failed. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer 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 or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation. Voting aye were Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman. Motion carried at 10:02 a.m.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To exit closed session at 10:50 a.m. Motion carried.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor