Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 10/3/23

October 3, 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:

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the minutes of September 26, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To accept resignation with reluctancy from Megan Hall, Assistant County Attorney effective November 10, 2023. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To set land use hearing date for Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. for Cody & Jessica Randall in a part of Parel A, in the SE ¼ of the NW ¼ of Sec 36-85-9. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Class C Retail Alcohol License for Tipsy Travelers LLC for October 28, 2023, November 1, 2023, November 4, 2023 and November 8, 2023. Motion carried.

Mattt Simon representing Genosource came to discuss road conditions on 78th Street south on 22ndd and about 2600 feet of concern with the increased traffic. They were inquiring on possibly paving it. The Board would like to discuss this further with the Engineer so no action was taken, but they told Simon they would get back to him on this matter.

Anna Demuth presented a letter from the EMS Advisory Council met to discuss a scrivener's error on the language, which doesn't change the intent of the question just the year of tax collections.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-70, Amending Resolution #23-54, changing the fiscal year date on the EMS proposition language to ready 2025 instead of 2024. Motion carried.

Committee reports were had about the Eastern Iowa Trust Fund, ECICOG and their remodeling project along with some WMA talk and tower project discussion.

With the time set for 9:30 A.M. for FY 24 Budget Amendment, the chairman declared the hearing open. Auditor Rippel summarized some of the specifics included in the amendment. There were no members of the public present. Hearing no further comments or discussion, the public hearing was declared closed.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Resolution #23-71, Amending FY 24 Budget. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #23-71

BE IT REMEMBERED on this, the 3rd day of October, 2023, the Board of Supervisors of Benton County, Iowa, met in session for the purpose of hearing on an amendment to the current operating budget adopted on April 18, 2023. There was a quorum present as required by law. Thereupon, the Board found that the notice of time and place of the hearing had been published. Thereafter, and on said date the amendment was taken up and considered. Thereafter, the Board took up the amendment to the budget for final consideration and determined that said budget be amended as follows:

Expenditures Amendment

Public Safety $ 78,948

Physical Health & Social Services $ 208,062

Mental Health $ 0

County Environment & Education $ 65,009

Roads & Transportation $ 0

Government Services to Residents $ 15,000

Administration $ 123,164

Non-Program $ 18,784

Debt Service $ 0

Capital Projects $ 125,000

Operating Transfers Out $ 260,932

REVENUES Amount

Intergovernmental $ 60,000

Licenses & Permits $ 0

Charges for Services $ 0

Use of Money & Property $ 0

Miscellaneous $ 125,000

General Long-Term Debt Proceeds $ 0

Operating Transfers - In $ 260,932

Proceeds of Fixed Assets $ 0

Dated this 3rd day of October, 2023.

_____________________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

_____________________________________

Rick Primmer

______________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Sue Wilber explained a change she would like to see made on the evaluation policy. Those department heads that are governed by another board such as Veterans Affairs, Assessor, Public Health and Conservation would be exempt from this policy along with the Elected Officials.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the revised Employee Evaluation Policy making that one change regarding what department heads are exempt as discussed. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-72, Wage and Classification Change for Cody Mattison to be set at $27.73 per hour effective October 10, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and authorize signature on the Project FM-CO06(121)-55-06-Bridge Replacement on 63rd St. In Big Grove Township. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve and authorize signature on permanent & temporary easement(s) for bridge project on 17th Ave in the amount of $2,683.00. Motion carried.

The Board spoke to Myron on a few things to look into such as signs for new lots/cabins. Also concerns about signage that where HWY 30 /218 and highway ends, there have been some bad accidents. Also check into parcel #590-16800 and if we still need that ground. Tracy will follow up with Myron on these issues in a few days.

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. Motion carried at 10:16 a.m.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To exit closed session at 11:15 a.m. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To act on matters proposed with Human Resource Director in closed session and to grant authority to Sue Wilber to implement that with appropriate timeline. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To enter closed session at 11:18 a.m. 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.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To exit closed session.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor