Government : Supervisor notes for 4/2/24 (Part 1)

This week's Supervisor began with approval of the agenda. Approval of three sets of minutes of March 26, 2024 was given. Revised minutes of March 19th were also approved.

Moving on, a budget hearing for Fiscal year 2025 was set for April 23, 2024, at 9:15.

$6,010 had been paid for the last required mailing by the Auditor's Office, another bill came in for that, totaling $15,136.09 and along with outside legal fees, the Auditor requested permission to move $12,000 spending authority from the general basic fund to the Supervisor's budget. This was approved.

Larry Hlas of the Van Horne Fire Department, addressed the supervisors to request the use of LOSST funds (sales tax) for the breathing air compressor system for the Van Horne Fire Department. The department will be changing from a low-pressure system which allows 20 minutes of air, to a high-pressure one allowing 40 minutes for firefighters to get in and out of situations that need the apparatus. Hlas said that the cost of the equipment has gone up about $9,000 in the last two years Hlas said. Some of the equipment that they are replacing is 37 years old. All of the equipment needs to be updated. The department did qualify for a grant of $10,000 toward the project. The county provides 10% of the cost typically, so they will approve this amount at a later date.

Benton County Engineer, Myron Parizek brought a contract before the Supervisors with Peterson Contractors, Inc. for a bridge replacement on 16th Ave in Cedar Township. The contract was approved for $559,457.50.

Shelby Williams brought before the Supervisors a request for authorization and the release of funds for CDBG 20-DRI-025, a housing grant in Atkins, both were granted.

Williams gave an update on Conservation. The department is still accepting bids for another week for a water distribution system at Wildcat Bluff to get waterlines and a well set up. Fundraising for Wildcat, since the one-to-one matching funds program began, there has been $23,000 raised. Clickstop donated $1,000, Isaac Walton donated $2,500, and the remaining donations are from the generosity of the public. Conservation and Integrated Roadside Management have hired a new employee Eric Schares the former Arborist from Waverly.

A request for a Class C Retail Alcohol License for Hy-Vee Inc. to run from August 30-September 3, 2024 for a wedding at the Spiedel Wedding Venue.

Approval was given for the hiring in the Benton County Attorney's office Derek Marsh as a paralegal at $50,00 to operate under County Attorney's license. When he passes the bar, he will be brought for review and promoted to an Assistant County Attorney. Marsh will be graduating in Virginia and then beginning here on June 1.

Approval given for the ISAC Wellness program agreement.

Resignation for Rick McNamara from Secondary roads was granted.

Reports

Supervisor Tracy Seeman reported on a meeting he attended with the Eastern Iowa Trust Fund, they will helping with new homes for low income in Vinton. He also attended an ECICOG meeting. 

Gary Bierschenk reported on a meeting with Regional Mental Health and he believes that in a couple of years it will probably be going away. Two of the county directors were let go and two others were hired. He believes that Benton County is in the best shape. There is a plan to move counties around into different districts, but unsure how it will come out.

Primmer reported on Benton County Development, they are looking for a location to set up. He also attended a meeting with Heartland (Insurance), and attended one for EMS.

(To be continued)