Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Meeting Minutes February 12, 2025

February 12, 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 agenda. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

This morning's meeting consisted of more budget work.

Mona Onken presented the FY26 Mental Health and Access Hub budget, which is very minimal and uncertain. Onken also explained the need for a FY 25 Amendment due to the sunset date of the region's mental health on June 30, 2025. There has to be enough spending authority and funding to cover those expenses that trickle into FY 26. With so many current unknowns, the board tossed out the possibility of those existing contracts that can be honored for 6 months to one year after June 30. The Board agreed to put the spending authority in for a full time position into the Access Hub's Budget and wait and see what the ASO decides. If they don't come through with continued funding, then the Board has the choice of not pursuing it or further fund it through the county's general fund. Onken reported that Mae Hingtgen, Director of the MHDS of the East Central Region would be at a future board meeting to discuss more at length as they learn further about the transition plan.

Julia Biery presented the FY 26 Human Resources budget request. Biery explained the market analysis for a range of salaries. Biery left most of the budget the same as last FY. The discussion of full-time vs the part-time status, amount of work and when a transition to full could take place was had. The software expenses were also discussed and Biery would follow up with questions the board had along with researching some options.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn at 10:04 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor