Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 10/31/23

October 31, 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 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

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve both sets of minutes for October 24, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To grant approval for Mona Onken, MHDS Coordinator to attend out of state training in January, 2024. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a land use hearing for Cody and Jessica Randall in part of the SE ¼ of the NW ¼ of 36-85-9. Charles Overby, the landowner was present. His daughter is wanting to change the use of approximately one acre for a new single-family dwelling. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. The site is currently in hay production with an average CSR of 66. There is an existing driveway that was found non-compliant with the driveway policy. A private water well and septic system will need to be installed. Three notices were sent to the adjacent landowner's and was published in the official newspapers. There was no public comments before today, and no comments made today in the hearing. This proposal should not have any negative impacts on surrounding farm operations. The only perceived issue with this request is the driveway. Overby was in a past meeting along with the Engineer and was told he could be granted a temporary variance to widen the driveway to allow for the manufactured home to be brought in. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the land use change for Cody and Jessica Randall in part of the SE ¼ of the NW ¼ of 36-85-9 and allow for the temporary driveway changes to accommodate the home to be brought in with the understanding it has to go back to its original state afterwards. Motion carried.

There was some committee reports from various boards the supervisors attended over the last week.

Sue Wilber spoke up for Ray Lough, County Attorney who wasn't able to attend today's meeting. Wilber provided a rough draft of a contract with Virginia Gay Hospital to the board regarding Public Health Services. The Board has scheduled a future meeting for Thursday so that they have more time to look this over and have VGH representation present. When asked if the public could see the proposed agreement, Supervisor Primmer said it is not signed, therefore it is not available to the public. No action was taken.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-79, Hiring Equipment Operator, William Beranek for Secondary Roads at an hourly rate of $26.35 effective November 20, 2023. Motion carried.

Sue Wilber, Human Resource Director wanted to discuss the future of the weed department with the most recent resignation from the commissioner last week. They will hold off on posting this and have the department's current employee help out with secondary roads with winter coming. The action was tabled until next year.

The Board had about 10 minutes for public comments before the next timed item. Former Board of Health member Maggie Mangold read a timeline regarding the board of health and its budget. She also touched on the relationship between the county, board of health and Virginia Hay and who has the authority to enter into contract regarding public Health. Supervisor Seeman asked that Mangold attend Thursday's upcoming meeting as they were out of time, or stating they were welcome to stick around for after the upcoming closed session.

Sue Wilber requested the board go into closed session to do her employee evaluation. Supervisor Primmer directed Auditor Rippel to also exit the room for this portion of the meeting.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To enter into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)i: To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation and that individual requests a closed session. Motion carried at 10:05 a.m.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To exit closed session at 11:00 a.m. Motion carried.

The public was welcomed back into the meeting along with Auditor Rippel.

The supervisors were tasked with numerous questions from the public regarding their actions regarding the public health board. Other topics arrived such as the dirt brought into the landfill, minutes being public and closed sessions. Primmer stressed the county was not without public health people and Seeman added that what it came down to, was trying to save the taxpayer's money.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor