Government : Benton County Supervisor Minutes May 6. 2025

May 6, 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 after striking the purchase agreements for engineer on item #14. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the minutes of April 29, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To correct a prior motion for appointing Roni Frye as the Monroe Township trustee, Frye is appointed as the Monroe Township Clerk. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To set land use hearing date for Kevin and Susan Hagen for Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. for part of Parcel A in NE ¼ of the SE ¼ of 9-83-12. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Rick Wood, county maintenance director provided a quote from Schminke Equipment for replacing the water line at the Service Center in the amount of $17,350. Supervisor Seeman provided the history with the couple times the county has already repaired and patched some things with this known problem and a permanent fix is needed. The Board gave verbal approval for Wood to get more information or quotes and it will be put on next week's agenda for formal approval.

Wood also presented quotes for replacing the air conditioner in the recorders office as follows:

Edwards Plumbing and Heating-$8,335

Rabe Hardware-$7,681

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the quote from Rabe Hardware in the amount of $7,681 to replace the air conditioning in the Recorder's office. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #25-32, Approving and Accepting final plat for Carver Road Addition to Benton County located in Section 30-85-9. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Opioid Committee members, Hayley Rippel and Shelby Chekal provided an update on recent activity from their recent meeting. There is a great need for transportation when someone is in a mental health crisis or drug addiction programs and recently released from jail. They sometimes have nobody to help them get transportation to and from appointments. Or when a person is released from the jail, they have no vehicle or funds to get them somewhere. This is an approved use, not from tax dollars, but funding the county has received through the opioid litigation. Chekal would like a way to secure transportation for these individuals when there are no other options available. They would provide receipts for the card activity to the Auditor's office.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To authorize a county credit card under the Opioid Task Force with a credit limit of $1,000 to be overseen by the Jail administration and Shelby Chekal, Sheriff Liaison. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-33, Abatement of Taxes on Parcel #280-01390 in the amount of $20 pursuant to Iowa Code 445.16(3). Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Eric Franzenburg met with the board to discuss how he would like to start a shrimp farm. He currently has a diversified farm operation, growing different crops like fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs. The past five years they have started a agri-tourism project called the "Sunflower Experience." This farm is located off HWY 30. Regarding the County's land use ordinance and what is defined as agricultural activity was discussed in depth. Franzenburg said there is a concern that shrimp is not considered an animal of agricultural activity. He presented information about this and that it is a viable operation being developed in the state. People will be able to just eat shrimp that is produced locally instead of coming from another state or China. Franzenburg also emphasized tourism, and how he plans tours of the facility to educate people on why to buy shrimp from a farm.

Supervisor Seeman asked if they would be able to use Poweshiek water, and they can but would need to add salt to make the environment ready. It takes about 3 months before they would be ready to sell.

Supervisor Volz asked if there would be any bi-product to dispose of. There would be about 10 gallons of water a day, but no manure management plan needed in this type of operation. There is already an existing driveway. Barb Fetzer, Benton County Land Use office explained that if Franzenburg wanted to split this area off like he has expressed, if it is less than 21 acres, it would not meet the definition of a farm. She agreed that this is an ag use, but stressed the definition of farm under the ordinance.

Steven Beck, Belle Plaine City Manager, spoke how Franzenburg's are an asset to the community. Beck inquired about getting a new 911 address for this area and wants to be sure there is a pathway for this going forward.

There was no action taken.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #25-34, Hiring Aaron Cronk as full-time correction officer at an hourly rate of $26.08 effective May 6, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve hiring Terry Ehlinger for part-time cook/custodian position at the rate of $19.51 an hour effective May 14, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve hiring Johnie Blanchett as a part-time utility deputy at an hourly rate of $28.32 effective May 14, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Sheriff Upah updated the board regarding his father, David Upah volunteering the duties for the jail Chaplain.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve and authorize signatures on the following purchase agreement(s) for permanent and temporary easements for the bridge replacement project on 52nd Street in Polk Township. Richard and Jennifer Sweeney for $1,665 and Kelly Family Farms in the amount of $1,515. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve modifying the IDOT 5 year construction program to put off the HMA Re-surfacing project from FY 28 to FY 29 or FY 30. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve a utility permit for USA Communications to place fiberoptic cable in the county's right of way in Union Township on 74th Street and 21st Ave. near Van Horne and Blairstown corners. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Judi Hamaker, Quality Insurance on behalf of Heartland Insurance and Mary Griffin, Holmes Murphy, presented the FY 26 Insurance Renewal Schedules. They explained the rate study done by actuarial associates and how they are using those rates for the 24/25 and 25/26 years and will have that re-evaluated in the coming year or so. The county's mod factor has decreased consecutively over the last two years. They have encouraged to look these over again one more time and get any changes needed to them by May 31st. Chairman Seeman will receive the docu sign for the bonding of coverage document.

Volz moved/Tippet seconded: To authorize Chairman Seeman to approve and sign the insurance bonding document for the FY 26 renewals electronically. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

With May being mental health awareness month, it was brought up by Julie Hessenius, Clerk of Court for a chalk the walk night. She had seen an advertisement for an activity to bring awareness to mental health. She would like permission to be able to conduct this activity at the courthouse sidewalks at an upcoming Thursday night. Hessenius was also going to talk with the City of Vinton in regards.

The Board had no problem, other than suggesting that it stay more towards the west side and not to get close to the entrances, to eliminate tracking of the chalk inside the courthouse.

Supervisor Tippett reported that he attended a town hall meeting regarding the future coverage for the mental health services and if the county wanted to opt out of the current regions agreements. This should be discussed further with the county attorney.

The Auditor brought up a concern from Belle Plaine School District in regards to parcel #030-15410. The school had bought a parcel that had some old dwelling removed. There are delinquent taxes on the parcels and they were inquiring if they could be abated. Supervisor Seeman was going to discuss with the Assessor on this. The School constructed a home that they intend to sell.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn at 10:56 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor