Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes February 11, 2025

February 11, 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

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve agenda. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the minutes of February 4, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve January 30, 2025 Payroll checks numbered 143668 through 143679, ACH Deposits 59945 through 60096, vendor checks 252637 through 252642, and claims numbered 252643 through 252831. February 13, 2025 payroll checks numbered 143680 through 143692, ACH Deposits 60097 through 60246 and vendor checks 252832 through 252838. Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the claim to R C Tech in the amount of $6005.54 using ARPA Funds. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint John Becker as Homer Township trustee. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the flood insurance renewals with Holmes Murphy leaving the amounts the same. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve farm exemption application for Brian Miller in a part of Parcel B in the SE ¼ of Section 10-85-9. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve hiring of Tess Ware, part-time cleaning at the Service Center at $20.08 an hour effective February 12, 2025 for a total of 5 hours a week. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Maintenance presented their FY 26 Budget. Nothing too major changed, other than the Auditor did have to increase a line item in there for the hazard mitigation plan update that needs to be done every five years.

Supervisor Seeman reported on the recent Conservation Board meeting. Shelby Williams will be on KGAN for the Atkins Roundhouse project. Supervisor Seeman and Supervisor Tippett reported on the radio tower project and recent tour they took.

Grace Schmidt presented the FY 26 Public Health Budget request including some of the pass through grants obtained in the department. Schmidt also reminded the Board of her open house currently going on today and hoped they would stop by.

Kate Robertson, Benton Development Group Director along with board member president, Lyle Morrow presented the budget request. Robertson explained how they work with all communities on any project and they helped to secure $2 million for projects. The county puts $100,000 towards their budget and REC gives $6,000. Robertson explained that 75-80% was towards wages and travel costs and the other goes toward marketing in the communities and other day to day operational costs. Supervisor Volz asked if any cities contributed funds and he was told they do not. Supervisor Seeman asked about any projects currently and learned of two possible ones.

Jane Drapeaux, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) gave an overview of their services along with their FY 26 Budget Request. Drapeaux explained the three different areas that are funded. Fourth Street Dining and Senior Center in Vinton, Belle Plaine Senior Dining, and also a housing program in Belle Plaine. Top needs are housing and food assistance, along with some energy assistance. They also help provide food to local food pantries and helps with program at Head Start. Their asking is the same as last year-$78,700.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve and authorize chairman's signature on purchase agreement(s) with Russell and Kimberly Marcus in the amount of $2,900 and Kent and Jolene Groff in the amount of $1,440.00 for bridge project on 32nd Ave. Dr. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Iowa DOT Agreement #2025-C-015 for HWY 30 and W28 intersection lighting. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #25-8, Temporary Construction Closure effective February 19, 2025 along 26th Ave. Drive in Sections 11 and 2 of Taylor Township. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The Engineer explained his FY26 Budget and how all the DOT codes work. The Union contract has in for 4% wage increases and he asked for the same for the others with the exception of Deb Cummings he is asking for $5,000 comparing her position to other office management positions.

Ben Turnis presented the IT and GIS Budget for FY 26. With taken on the Sheriff Department's IT areas, it did increase overall for software contracts and hardware upgrades. Turnis has been working to make the IT/Software contracts and maintenance fees all streamlined into one budget.

The sheriff reported on the one quotes obtained for new vehicle(s) were as follows:

Thys Motor Company-$44,564 each for 2025 Durango Pursuit Vehicle AWD Package 22Z

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve quote from Thys Motor Company for (3) 2025 Dodge Durango AWD for a total of $133,692. Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To acknowledge resignation of Justin Coshow, Sheriff Deputy effective February 7, 2025. Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The Sheriff presented their 26 Budget Request. Sheriff Upah explained the changes and how he wants to get the vehicles back into a purchase rotation. The IT needs have been re-assessed between the County IT department and Sheriff. The talk about the new hires, and other department needs were also had and they have the 31 candidates for the new hires narrowed down to 10.

Reminder that the Board has another meeting tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. also for a few more department budgets.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn at 12:58 p.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor