Government : Supervisor Meeting 3/5/24

With the agenda and minutes approved, the Supervisors moved into the agenda.

The farmland lease between Benton County and Green Acres Ranch was discussed, with a note to be added for next year's lease. The signature was authorized for the lease. 

The Supervisors approved the check for a mailing from the Auditor's office for Handwrite for Master's Touch, LLC.

Sue Wilber, Benton County HR Director, brought the resignations from the following employees, Courtney Long from the Auditor's Office, who will be moving to the Veteran's Affairs Department, and from the Sheriff's Office, Baylie Grubi, and Tricia LaGrange. Part-time dispatcher Erica Novak's hiring at $21.08 was approved for the Sheriff's Office. 

A discussion was held concerning those that had to work during the January blizzard which included the whole Seconday Roads Department which would be 32 employees, Maintenance Department and 12-15 in the Sheriff's Department. The County Handbook says that those who cannot work because of a closure are paid for a regular eight-hour day. Those that serve the public during severe weather providing snow removal and law enforcement, are required to report for work. Compensation was requested by Secondary Roads for those who had to work during the snow storm.

Tracy Seeman, suggested that the county reimburse the workers for four hours and Rick Primmer suggested eight hours to keep it equal between all employees. The Supervisors agreed to the latter. 

Amend the FY 25 Proposed Tax Budget Hearing and the Budget Adoption Hearing dates to March 26 at 10:00 a.m. and April 16 at 9:30 a.m.respectively.

Matt Even and Batb Greenlee presented land-use change requests to the board for discussion and approval for the two properties below:

Zeb & Tamara Reardon property, part of SW 1⁄4 NW 1⁄4 Section 7-T85N-R10W, located approximately one mile northwest of Vinton south of 5775 22nd Ave. Dr. in section seven of Taylor Township to build a home. They are trying to find a place to build an ADA compliant home for Zeb's mother and are looking to change two acres.

Several of the neighbors expressed concern about water runoff and the septic system. One neightbor said that runoff from the septic from previous owners had killed some of his shrubs, and also Mark Greenlee had told him that there could never be a home placed there because the land is so saturated and there are also  springs located in that location. Two other neighbors talked about their own septic system ending 50 feet from the well because it's now treated water and another asked where the dirt will come from for the project. Water running off was the biggest concern as it's a very saturated area. 

The decision for this property was tabled. 

Steve and Lexa Speidel request a change of 1.25 acres on their property, a part of the NE1/4 NE 1⁄4 of Section 5-T84N-R10W, located approximately two miles south of Vinton on Highway 218. They want to install a new driveway off of 62nd St. which is a dirt road so the county would need to bring it up to specifications, about 200 feet. Speidel feels that he can maintain it in the winter. 

Approval was granted.

Wayne Shannon and Greg Walston came before the board to update the lease agreement between Benton County and the Benton County Agricultural Extension d/b/a Old School Produce. The old lease says that they will cover "all utilities"but there is no electric meter, and they need just water for the gardens which is metered. The County Attorney, Ray Lough, drew up a new annual renewable lease rather than a five-year commitment. This lease can be ended if either party sees a need for that.

The volunteer organization grew about 16,000 pounds of produce last year for all of the food pantries in Benton County. They also produced so much that they donated it to HACAP and the Linn County Food Pantry, as well as the NE Iowa Food Pantry, 

The organization would like to place a structure approximately 16' X 48' so that they can extend their growing season to produce later into the fall. It is a hoop within a hoop insulating itself in the colder temperatures. They are asking in the lease that the supervisors would agree not to move that section for five years after placing the structure. The group needs that to qualify for a NRCS FSA grant monies.

The Supervisors accepted the resignation of the Veteran Affairs Commissioner and appointed Courtney Long as the Director of Veterans Affairs/General Assistance with a salary of $60,000 effective as of  March 11 and will increase to $62,500 after receiving accreditation.