Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes May 20, 2025

May 20, 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 and adding an additional parcel #010-32850 to the tax abatement for agenda item #12. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the minutes of May 13, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Erik Nelson and Michael Root as members to the EMS Advisory Council. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve cigarette permit for Kimm's Mini Mart effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for M & M Taphouse LLC. effective July 18-22, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Derek Marsh, Assistant County Attorney shared about an internship program that the Attorney's office would like to participate in and would only cost the county $5,000. This position would start in June through August.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To authorize the County Attorney's office to move forward with hiring Priyal Patel as the summer intern, more details will be approved next week in a resolution. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve and authorize signatures on the 28Es with the following cities: Atkins, annual amount of $60,840, not to exceed 936 hours per year. Garrison, annual amount of $10,140, not to exceed 156 hours per year. Luzerne, $1,690 a year, not to exceed 26 hours per year. Shellsburg, annual amount of $67,600 and not to exceed 1040 hours per year. Urbana, $40,560 annual amount, not to exceed 624 hours per year. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a land use hearing for Garrett Kotouc in part of the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ Section 27-85-12. Garrett Kotouc was present along with other family members. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Even stated the applicants would like to change the use of approximately one acre to allow for a single-family dwelling and garage to be relocated to the property. This site has a CSR of 90 and was recently removed from production to set up the building site area. This site was part of the original farmstead where previously had a dwelling and garage. There is an existing driveway but this site will need a new one to meet the requirements. There is a private water well, and this will need a private sewage disposal system installed. This site is surrounded by crops on all sides. Five notices were sent out to adjacent property owners and legal notices were published. No comments were heard regarding this request prior to today's hearing. This proposal should not have any negative impacts on surrounding farm operations. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the land use change for Garrett Kotouc in part of the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ Section 27-85-12. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-36, Bridge Embargo Removal on Bride TA-4509, 0.1 mile north of the SW corner of the SE ¼ of 2-85-10 on 26th Avenue Drive. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #25-37, Enter into a 28E with Linn County for project agreement along Benton-Linn Road. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve and authorize Chairman's signature on purchase agreement(s) with PCW Farm Land for $575.00, Kevin Miller for $2,505.00 and Larry Root Revocable Trust for $1,295.00 for permanent and temporary easements for bridge replacement project on 69th St. in Fremont Township. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve and authorize Chairman's signature on a purchase agreement with Vivian Cerney in the amount of $1,990 for permanent and temporary easement for a bridge replacement project on 16th Avenue in Cedar Township. Tippett, Seeman and Volz all voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #25-38,Qualifications for Non-Employed Employees to be allowed the Benton County Wellness Day. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #25-39, Abatement of Taxes for the City of Atkins on parcel(s) 010-32630 for $404.00 and 010-32850 for $34.00. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-40, Entering into 28 E Agreements for law enforcement services with Cities of Atkins, Blairstown, Garrison, Keystone, Luzerne, Mt. Auburn, Newhall, Norway, Shellsburg, Urbana and Van Horne. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Bruce Volz reported on his recent wellness meeting. The committee is hoping to get better participation, possible one person per department. There needs to be more encouragement to get more participation this year to help the county qualify for a bigger health insurance premium discount. Volz will have a historic preservation commission meeting this week also. Chairman Seeman reported on his ECICOG's policy meeting. Supervisor Tippett reported he has a busy week with meetings. Under new business, the discussion on the legislature's session ending and what it did or didn't affect so far. A current concern is the E-911 bill that affects funding at the local levels. The Board also discussed the courthouse waterproofing project.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn at 10:06 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor