Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 12/31/24

December 31, 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, Bierschenk and Primmer voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the December 27, 2024 minutes. Seeman, Bierschenk and Primmer voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve allowing the Landfill employees on our Auxiant Insurance Coverage per 28E agreement. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Class B Retail Alcohol License for Kimm's Sunoco Corp effective February 19, 2024 through February 18, 2026. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-111, Creating and Appointment changes in the Sheriff's Office. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION # 24-111

Creating and Appointment Changes in the Sheriff's Office

WHEREAS, the Newly Elected Benton County Sheriff has requested to make administrative changes;

WHEREAS, The Newly Elected Sheriff appoints the following positions;

Josh Karsten - Chief Deputy / 1st Deputy at 85% of the principal officer.

Kyle Lynch - Patrol Division Captain / 2nd Deputy at 80% of the principal officer.

Jail Administrator Captain / 2nd Deputy at 80% of the principal officer. As per Iowa Code 331.903, the Sheriff would like to appoint this position after the civil service hiring process is completed for deputy sheriffs in February 2025.

WHEREAS, Applications have been accepted, and interviews and testing have been completed by the civil service commission for said positions;

Deputy Sheriffs, number determined by vacancies; and

Two (2) Sergeant promotional positions. Pay rates for promoted positions determined after union agreement.

WHEREAS, The creation of a new Mental Health Liaison position;

After applications and interviews have been completed, the liaison to be shared with other departments after contract agreements and pay rates are determined with shared agencies.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that these administrative changes and appointments are approved effective January 1, 2025, and that any applicable formal hiring processes can occur.

Signed this 31st day of December, 2024.

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Rick Primmer, Chairman

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Gary Bierschenk

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Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

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Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-112, Increasing the number of deputies in the Auditor's Office from three to four pursuant to Iowa Code 331.904. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Auditor Rippel shared some of the recent changes put into the new handbook, including her concern about the Resolution #24-80 passed this fall regarding sick leave conversion in Section 4.3. The former Human Resource director presented this to the board and they approved it but never been explained how this is going to work. Supervisor Primmer said that when it was approved, he saw it as "one hell of a benefit" for hiring people. He addressed his fellow supervisors, "do what you want to do, I'm not going to vote for doing this at this time, I'm not going to be that guy doing this as I go out the door." Rippel stressed that she was looking at this from a financial standpoint, she didn't want to take away employee benefits either, but currently it is not in our budget to make it work. She has it scheduled to have our representative from Assured Partners come next week to discuss our insurance renewals and they could hear more about it then.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded To table action regarding rescinding action on Resolution #24-80, pertaining to Section 4.3, Sick Leave Conversion and no action on the new handbook that was to go into effect January 1, 2025. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Class B Retail Alcohol License for Kimm's Sunoco Corp.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To Adjourn at 9:40 a.m. Seeman, Bierschenk and Primmer voting aye. Motion carried.

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Rick Primmer Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor