Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes May 7, 2024

May 7, 2024

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular sessionwith Supervisors Bierschenk and Seeman present. Supervisor Primmer attended via phone and Supervisor Bierschenk calledthe meeting 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. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To strike #6 from the Agenda. Blairstown handles their own vicious animal citations. Voting aye were Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the agenda with item # 6 struck out. Voting aye were: Seeman, Bierschenk and Primmer. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the minutes from April 30, 2024 and both sets from May 1, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday, June 4, 2024 for Paul and Susan Phillips for a part of the NW ¼ of NW ¼ of Section 4-84-9. Seeman, Bierschenk and Primmer voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Payroll checksnumbered 143229 through 143237, ACH Deposits 56898 through 57051, claims numbered 249754 through 249899 and vendor checks numbered 249900 through 249905. Bierschenk, Seeman and Primmer voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve claim to the Gazette using ARPA Funds in the amount of $15.93 for Conservation project bid notice. Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Class C Liquor License for Tipsy Travelers for June 8-12, 2024 and June 29- July 3-2024. Voting aye were Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Class C Liquor License for Traveling Tapster LLC for June 21-25, 2024. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Karen Kurt, Executive Director for East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) gave an update and handed out some documentation that summarized Benton County's $17,551 amount invested and where all it went. Kurt sees the mission as planning for the future, leveraging state government resources for grants along with providing technical services where there is a need. They have helped communities such as Van Horne, Shellsburg and Newhall recently. They also do the building inspections for Shellsburg. ECICOT plays a role when there is a disaster and state and federal funds need accessed. Last year they helped Benton County manage $4 million in grants. Kurt also recognized Kathy Van Steenhuyse with a plaque for her years of service serving on the ECICOG Board. Van Steenhuyse gave a brief talk about her time spent and how Eastern Iowa Trust Fund helped by aiding $30,000 for families displaced by emergencies such as the Vinton tornado. Kurt also thanked Supervisor Seeman for his continuity and willingness to continue serving on these boards as well.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the change of address and name to reflect c/o Deb Cummings at PO Box 759, Vinton, IA on the Secondary Roads credit card statement. Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To authorize a credit limit of $10,000 for the Benton County Public Health department to allow for timely grant-funded expenditures through June 30, 2024 and then it would be reduced back to the $2,000 limit. Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Auditor Rippel mentioned she would like to see the Credit Card policy amended, so that it can reflect wording for when a department head changes, or someone retires, she would like to see the credit card cancelled and a total new one re-issued for security purposed. This could be brought back up at a different time.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Resolution #24-41, LOSST Funds gift in the amount of $5,766.10 to Van Horne Fire Department for purchase of equipment that will provide emergency services to the areas in Union and Eldorado Township along with the City of Van Horne. Voting aye were Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Fireworks Permit for Iowa Pyrotechnics Association for May 25 and 26th, 2024 Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To table theFireworks Permit for Iowa Pyrotechnics Association for Boomtown 2024 awaiting signature on the application. Voting aye were Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve use of the courthouse lawn for Vinton Park and Rec Department for June 27, 2024 and October 26, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To acknowledge the filing of the yearly American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) reports filed. Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Committee Reports:

Tracy Seeman reported that Polyfix came to look at the west side of the courthouse and cement settling and causing trip hazards. The quote was for $500 to raise it up and another area to the south by the steps that has a divot that will also get fixed for that amount. Supervisor Seeman also reported that he sat in on the recent Safety Committee Meeting.

Sue Wilber, HR wanted to clarify some of the budget concerns brought up regards to increases in her department from a previous meeting. Wilber explained that the training increase was for the entire leadership team to have 7 sessions with an outside consultant. She also brought up awards and recognition for employees she would like to do more of along with the change in personnel benefits was because she needed the family plan vs the single plan that was in place. The software amount of $45,000 was hopefully on the higher side.

Sheriff Ron Tippett reported that the E911 Radio project is up and working well. They recently had training on the hand-held radios that were issued out to several departments. They hope to have a full scale deployment of all the radios the first part of June. Everything seems to be performing exceptionally well.
Doug Cook, Benton County Resident asked the Board what, if any outstanding litigations were still against the county. Supervisor Seeman responded he wasn't aware of any.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To amend an earlier motion for LOSST gift to Van Horne Fire Department to reflect it as being done by a resolution, correction noted. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To Adjourn at 9:35 a.m. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

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​​​​​​​ Richard Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

​Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

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