Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 2/20/24

February 20, 2024

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in special session with Supervisors Seeman present. Primmer called in and called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at the Benton County Service Center. Bierschenk reported at 9:10 a.m. Members of the public are invited to join in during open session or watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To table the item listed under Sue Wilber in regards to the discussion on the electronic payroll/time system. Primmer and Seeman voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the Agenda as listed minus the discussion for the payroll/time system. Voting aye were Primmer and Seeman. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the minutes of Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Voting aye were Primmer and Seeman. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To set the FY 25 Budget Hearing for Tax Proposal for Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Primmer and Seeman voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the Veteran's Affair's Quarterly Report for period ending January 31, 2024. Primmer and Seeman voting aye. Motion carried.

Bierschenk joined the meeting.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 9:15 a.m. for Dave and Paula Weber in part of the SE ¼ of the SE ¼ of 10-85-10.Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set the terms for the new Board of Health Members as follows:

Karl Holmes term ending 12/31/2025

Tai Burkhart term ending 12/31/2025

Jessica Fairbanks term ending 12/31/2025

Lori Mott term ending 12/31/2024

Jean Ohlen term ending 12/31/2024

Voting aye were Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve and authorize vice chairman to sign law enforcement contract with City of Newhall for a total yearly sum of $25,350 to be paid quarterly and not to exceed 15 hours a week. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-18, Hiring Chris Wagner in the IT Department at a salary of $70,000 effective March 4, 2024. Voting aye were Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Sue Wilber, Human Resources Director explained the renewal rates with Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) and the Group Benefits Insurance Renewal Forms.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve and authorize vice chairman to sign all the insurance renewal forms with the following rates:

Dental is $42.95 single, $122 Family

Vision-$6.18 single, $15.78 Family

Health-$777 single, $1746 Family

Voting aye were: Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion Carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a land use hearing for Jeremy and Brooke Higgins in part of the SE ¼ SE ¼ of Section 10-85-10. Higgins would like to change approximately two acres of land to allow for a single-family dwelling. The land is currently owned by Birker, Inc. The Higgins were present along with the Birkers. Matt Even presented some of the technical information. This ground is mainly used for cattle pasture with an average CSR of 43. There is an existing driveway to access this site off of 27th Ave. Drive but the applicant desires to install a new driveway off of Iowa HWY 150. Higgins will have to seek approval for this from the DOT. If they are not successful in securing a permit, Randy Sherwood with Secondary Roads has reviewed the existing drive and found it to be complaint. A private sewage disposal system has already been permitted, and a private water will need to be installed. Seven notices were sent out to adjacent property owners along with legal notices published. Benton County Land Use office did not receive any public input regarding this prior to today's hearing. This proposal should not have any negative impacts on the area. No other comments were heard, so the hearing was closed.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the land use hearing for Jeremy and Brooke Higgins in part of the SE ¼ SE ¼ of Section 10-85-10. Voting aye were Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve and authorize the chairman's signature on the C.D. B. G. funding for Contract Number: 13-NDRI-002 in regards to certify that there is a single audit required. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the Flood Insurance Renewal Policies with Holmes Murphy & Associates, LLC. For property at 111 E 3rd Street, 205 2nd Ave. and 111 E 4th Street all located in Vinton, Iowa. Choosing Option A for a total combined amount of $9,215. Voting aye were: Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-19, General Assistance Policies and Procedures Manual. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried. *See Website and Minute Book for full policy and procedures manual.

Auditor Rippel explained the needs for two Service Area Amendments. Realizing we just did a FY 24 Budget Amendment, these are things she felt that could be moved around within the various line items within the budgeted amounts. The areas that need adjustments are service area 1: Re-arranging spending authority within the Sheriff's budgeted line items. Service Area 9 needs adjustments for the Supervisors and HR department. There is continued bills coming in for outside legal council that if we don't shift the spending authority around, they won't have enough spending authority to cover the costs.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-20, Service Area Amendment to FY 2024 Budget to Service Area 1- in the amount of $77,000 and Service Area 9 in the amount of $17,700. Voting aye were: Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Auditor Rippel discussed the scheduled flight from Pictometry to do the aerial imagery on the county. We had originally mentioned wanting the HWY 30 project all done. The original contract was approved in March of 2021 with a plan to do it again after three years. Rippel had talked with the Assessor and he felt strongly about moving forward with it so that the change-finder can clean up all the areas from the last improvements done from the most recent derecho. Rippel explained in the past we have transferred funds from Local Option Sales and Service Tax Fund into the GIS budget to cover this. Rippel will talk with Ben Turnis.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve budgeting for the new flight from Eagleview/Pictometry for a spring flight in 2024. Per total contract amount of $182,070 will be split out over three years with a payment amount of $60,690. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman Moved/Bierschenk seconded: To confirm the bids received from February 13, 2024 letting for Bridge Replacement Project on 16th Ave. (L-CE-0028-73-06) and award the lowest bid to Peterson Contractors, Inc.in the amount of $559,457.50. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To table hearing an update from Steve Meyer regarding the EMA Director Position. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

The Board decided to have another meeting for Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. The Auditor also reminded them of the EMS Advisory Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. that same night at the EOC.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk Seconded: To Adjourn at 9:51 a.m. Voting aye were Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Richard Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor