Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 7/22/25

July 22, 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.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve minutes from July 15, 2025 and two sets for July 16, 2025. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve payroll checks numbered 143818 through 143831, ACH Deposits 61873 through 62037, claim 254424, vendor checks 254425 through 254431, claims 254432 through 254575. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve ARPA claims to Nick Johnson Concrete, LLC in the amount of $26,912.00 and Mechanical Watch Supply, L.L.C. in the amount of $39,000. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Grace Schmidt, Public Health Director provided an update regarding grant funding. Their anticipated funding has been reduced. They will continue to be conservative with spending and have no large purchases planned. Schmidt also reported that there were seven confirmed measles cases in Iowa. Local health departments have been well trained by Iowa Health and Human Services for this. They have protocols and procedures the county would follow.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Amy VanWechel to the Civil Service Commission to fill the vacancy with term ending December 31, 2027. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Auditor Rippel asked for clarification on the Local option sales and service tax (LOSST) gifting in regards to Resolution #13-11. The Board has discretion of gifting 10% for purchase costs of emergency services equipment. This resolution was passed before the EMS tax levy was implemented and prior to the EMS Trust Fund Policy.

Tippet moved/Volz seconded: To table Amending Resolution #13-11, Regarding LOSST gifting. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To deny gifting LOSST funds for North Benton Ambulance and Blairstown EMS for their purchases, but to utilize the EMS Trust Fund for the purchase amount. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Auditor Rippel addressed the Board on how they want to proceed with the all employee meeting and required training this year. Rippel will try and line up some things and get in touch with others and report back before set date and times.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To recess at 9:49 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To enter back into open session at 10:00 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The time of 10:00 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for the second consideration of Ordinance #80, Animal Protection and Control. There was a new draft of the ordinance provided after changes had been made from the first reading's input last week. Attorney Ray Lough said he added more language to provide more protection for dog owners and protecting property owners a bit better than before. Lough also worked on the definition of at-large, tried to simplify it more. Work also continues on the rabies and other factors covered were if a dog was provoked or not, private property rights. Lough doesn't feel they can have all these things worked out and drafted in time for the third reading.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To acknowledge the second consideration of Ordinance #80, Animal Protection and Control, repealing Ordinance #37, Vicious Animals in Benton County, Iowa and to table the 3rd reading that was scheduled on July 29, 2025 and allow the Attorney's office more time to make requested changes. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Rick Wood, Maintenance Director requested his employee evaluation be done in closed session.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To enter closed session 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 the individual requests a closed session. Motion carried at 11:08 a.m.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To exit closed session at 11:35 a.m. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To adjourn meeting at 11:36 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor