September 10, 2024

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. Supervisor Primmer called the 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

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the agenda. Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes from September 3, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Law Enforcement Contract with the City of Norway for a yearly amount of $16,900 to be paid quarterly and not to exceed 10 hours a week. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve using ARPA Funds to pay the following claims: True North Consulting Group-$4,428.00, Wirtanen Concrete, Inc.-$5,490.00, Trevor Seeman-$575 and Tracy Seeman-$8,663.70. Primmer and Bierschenk voting aye, Seeman abstained. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To authorize a new card for Human Resources Department with a reduced credit limit of $1,500. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the 2024 Urban Renewal Report and authorized Auditor to submit on line. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set FY25 Budget Amendment hearing date for Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Class C Retail Alcohol License for Apres Bar Co. effective October 1 through October 5, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve fireworks permit for Daniel Marovets for October 26, 2024. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Benton County Attorney Ray Lough wanted to address the status of Julia Biery, in the HR Department with the Board. She was hired as an intern to former HR Director Sue Wilber, who resigned last month. Lough said Biery is doing a good job and that a scenario has been worked out. The duties have been divided up between the Auditor's Office and Julia, but Lough would ask that her pay be increased along with granting more hours from what she was hired on at in June.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve employment changes for part-time Human Resource employee Julia Biery with a wage change to $21 an hour and not to exceed 28 hours a week effective September 16, 2024. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Mae Hingtgen updated the Board regarding the HHS (Health and Human Services) Behavioral Health Districts. There are currently 13 mental health and behavioral districts in the state of Iowa. The governor's proposal reduced this down to 7. Hingtgen gave a handout reflecting these changes and pointing out that the geographical boundaries are for administration, and that the services will remain the same. Hingtgen also went over the list of priorities for the year and how this will include the realignment and continuing to provide the same services. The Funding formula will also change, and the procurement process has started. There are still some things that are uncertain, but as of now, things will stay as is until July 1, 2025 and she will continue to provide updates.

Ray Lough discussed a one acre parcel in Eden Township that had been used for an old school house. The property was deeded to the Benton County Game and Fish back in 1948. In 2011 the derecho wiped it out, and the estimated cost to clean up was over 10 thousand dollars. This property isn't suitable for Conservation and they would like to get it put back on the tax role and quit claim back to the original owners.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To authorize moving forward to quit claiming the county's interest in this parcel back to Heitshusen Farm, LLC. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Attorney Lough also discussed the dismissal of the Kirsten Nelson lawsuit and Heartland Insurance had a settlement agreement in the amount of $30,000.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To authorize signatures acknowledging the settlement agreement and dismissing Kirsten Nelson's lawsuit on the County. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-83, Employment status change for Derek Marsh in the County Attorney's Office, he will be promoted from paralegal to assistant county attorney effective September 16, 2024 with a salary of $85,000 a year. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To Adjourn at 10:13 a.m. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

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