November 21, 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
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes of November 14, 2023. Motion carried.
Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve claims numbered 248033 through 248211, payroll checks numbered 143027 through 143083, ACH Deposits 55128 through 55276 and vendor checks numbered 248212 through 248219. Motion carried.
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve claim for Don's Cabinetry for work in the collections office in the amount of $3,150 to be paid out of the ARPA fund. Motion carried.
The time of 9:05 a.m. having arrived, Deputy Auditor, Courtney Long and the board proceeded with canvassing the 2nd tier of the November 7, 2023, regular City/School Election.
The following School Board Directors were elected:
Belle Plaine: Benjamin Reineke, Alicia Jacobi and Tylar Gallagher
Belle Plaine Public Measure BI-Passed
Benton Community: District 1-Jason Schanbacher
District 2-Theresa Thompson
District 3-Matt Nolte
District 4-Vacancy-Scott Shaw
District 7-Emily Kaiser
Vinton-Shellsburg: At Large-Le Cox
District 1-Thomas Burke and Rebecca S. Williams
District 2-Jake Fish
The following City Mayor and Council Members were elected:
City of Walford: Mayor-Todd Gibbs, Council-Randy Bauer, Matt Greiner and Katheryn Jones
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To declare the 2nd tier canvass of the City/School Election to be complete and the votes cast to be official. The official results are to be recorded in the office of the County Auditor. Motion carried
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the change with a new flex spending account and authorize signature on a new contract with Health Equity Partners effective January 1, 2024. Motion carried. This will be a cost saving to the county.
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and authorize signature on the Auxiant renewal with a fee increase from $7.50 to $8.00. This is for the broker fees for administration of the insurance buy down. Motion carried.
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To acknowledge the retirement of Marc Obrien effective December 29, 2023. Motion carried.
Sue Wilber discussed the need for a new line item in her Human Resources Budget for outside legal fees. Auditor Rippel said there wouldn't be another formal budget amendment until later in the fiscal year since we just did one in October. The Board agreed to pay for this out of the supervisors budget for time being and approve her amendment for a later date.
Wilber also discussed the holiday schedule with the Board. With Christmas falling on a Monday this year and the State offices are allowing Tuesday the 26th to be closed for the holiday also. Supervisors will decide at their December 5, 2023 meeting if they will grant additional paid holiday time.
Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To adopt Resolution #23-83, Wage and classification change for Chris Moessner effective November 21, 2023 he will be at the hourly rate of $27.92. Motion carried.
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To adopt Resolution #23-84, Approve hiring Patricia Lipski, as an Assistant County Attorney with a starting salary of $80,000 effective December 4, 2023. Motion carried.
The time of 9:30 A.M. being the time and date set for opening bids for the sale of sheriff's vehicles that were advertised. The bids were due to the Auditor's office by Monday, November 20, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Auditor Rippel opened the one sealed bid received and read as follows:
2009 Impala-$100 above highest bid not to exceed $1,200
2015 Impala Limited-$100 above highest bid not to exceed $3,500
2016 Impala Limited (VIN583)-$100 above highest bid not to exceed $4,000
2016 Impala Limited (VIN984)-$100 above highest bid not to exceed $4,000
2016 Ford Explorer-$100 above highest bid not to exceed $1,500
2006 Ford F150-$100 above highest bid not to exceed $2,500
Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To accept the bid from James Primmer for a total amount of $16,700 for all 6 vehicles listed. Voting aye were Seeman and Bierschenk. Primmer abstained. Motion carried.
Jerry Greif, County resident discussed code enforcement for someone who was illegal dumping. He said he has contacted the county 39 times and questions why it is taking so long when he has proof and a witness who saw it. Sheriff Tippett said they were given the opportunity to clean up, some objects still remain and they were given a citation.
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To authorize chairman to sign the final IDOT Bridge Replacement Project BRS-SWAP-CO06(114)-FF-06 with the retainage cost of $30,000. Motion carried.
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the law enforcement contracts with the City of Garrison for a yearly sum of $5070.00 to be paid quarterly not to exceed 3 hours a week. City of Luzerne for a yearly sum of $845.00 to be paid quarterly not to exceed 26 hours in a twelve month period and the City of Van Horne for a yearly sum of $25,350.00 to be paid quarterly and not to exceed 15 hours a week. Motion carried.
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Veterans Affairs Quarterly Report ending September 30, 2023. Motion carried.
Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve 25.5 hours of vacation carryover for Ben Turnis to be used by April 30, 2024. Motion carried.
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: Per the County Attorney's advice, to table action on appointing members to the Board of Health to Tuesday November 28, 2023 after the 1:00 p.m. hearing. Motion carried.
Committee Reports were given, Primmer attended the Shellsburg bridge open house last week. Seeman missed the radio tower meeting and asked the sheriff to report about it. The Sheriff said that there would be no activity in regards to replacement of equipment between the holidays.
During public comments: Vinton resident Doug Cook asked about the dirt being hauled into the Benton County Landfill from Cedar Rapids. Supervisor Seeman suggested checking with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and also checking with Eric, the landfill manager.
Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To adjourn. Motion carried.
_____________________________
Tracy Seeman, Chairman
ATTEST: _________________________________
Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor
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