Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes January 27, 2025

January 27, 2025

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Tippett and Volz present. Chairman Seeman 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. Full Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

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

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the minutes of January 21, 2025. Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To table action on approving the Flood insurance renewals with Holmes Murphy and Associates. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Ben Turnis, IT Director provided a quick update on the Sheriff Office's. Turnis explained the dire need for a new server, and the cost he was quoted was $67,000. He ordered that Friday so that it could speed up the process to get here and installed. How this all was budgeted was discussed and going forward in FY 26, all IT software and hardware will all be out of one area.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-5, Abatement of Taxes on Parcel #030-41150, pursuant to Iowa Code 445.16, the 2014 through 2023 taxes and penalties are waived in the total amount of $4,221. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Kristine Bullock, Kirkwood Workplace Learning Center presented an overview of the services they provide in Benton County. They have been recognized in the Top 10 for work bases learning ECO system. They have had 39% increase in job shadows also. The FY 26 asking is the same as last year $2,575.50 based on the 10cents per capita based on the 2020 census data.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To table action on the purchase agreement. The engineer didn't receive the documentation in time for today's meeting. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Committee reports:

Supervisor Volz attended a Heartland Risk Insurance Meeting last week. Said it was very interesting and that we would be getting the property renewals in February.

Supervisor Tippett attended the mental health region meeting. They went over the phasing out program and how this will affect our districts come July 1st. This led to budget discussions how we are still left with unknown answers regarding how to proceed with FY 26 Budget.

Supervisor Seeman reported that the contractors work at Conservation's Atkins roundhouse has just started.

Julia Biery requested a closed session.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To enter into closed session at 9:49 a.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation and that individual requests a closed session. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To Exit closed session at 10:24 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

No action taken after the closed session.

The Board agreed on having another meeting this week strictly for a budget work session set for Friday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn at 10:51 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor