Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 7/15/25 - 9:00 a.m.

July 15, 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.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve both sets of minutes from July 8, 2025. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve engagement letter with Eide Bailly for FY 25 Audit. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the Veteran’s Affairs Quarterly Report ending June 30, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the General Assistance Quarterly Report ending June 30, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippet moved/Volz seconded: To approve the Auditor’s Quarterly Report ending June 30, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippet moved/Volz seconded: To approve Recorder’s Report ending June 30, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. for William Hines in part of the NW ¼ SW ¼ of 25-85-10. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To re-appoint Dale Henry to the Veteran’s Affairs Commission with term ending June 30, 2029. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/ Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution # 25-60, Adopting Benton County EMS Trust Fund Policy pursuant to Iowa Code Section 422D.1. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Contract between Benton County and I& S Group Inc. for county inspection of MidAmerican Energy Company pipeline known as the ICCR618 Natural Gas Pipeline Project. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Matt Betterton met with the board to follow up with concerns he brought to their attention in January regarding the assessment of his chiropractic clinic. Betterton stated that he reached out to Andreesen prior to the letter he sent to the board and was appreciative for the 33% reduction adjustment made for his 2023 taxes. Betterton agreed with the fair market value on his property, but was referring to the improper classification/possible clerical error since 2012. Assistant County Attorney Derek Marsh explained the review process and time limits involved and how the authority for adjustments would be addressed with the Board of Review not the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Review can only look at properties that have been petitioned within the deadline to do so. Betterton said he was told by Andreesen there was nothing more he could do. Assessor Larry Andreesen explained how buildings are graded and the discussed the differences between dental/medical and office/businesses and how there is some grey area. The Benton County Assessor contracts with Vanguard Appraisals who serves the State of Iowa and creates the manuals they follow. Supervisor Tippett stated he has met with both Andreesen and Betterton at separate times. It was suggested that Betterton reach out to the Iowa Department of Revenue and no action was taken.

Supervisors reported on recent committee meetings they attended. Tippett had a Board of Health meeting, reported that they have been busy with various activities and also have a few interns helping out. They will be coming to an upcoming supervisors meeting with an update on some of the short funding on a grant. Volz attended Heartland Insurance meeting and shared some handouts he received, one table showing Benton County coming in at the top for claims with vehicle damage mainly from deer and some workman’s comp claims. Heartland will be hosting their fall seminar on September 11. Volz also added that there will be mock OSHA audits this fall also and some required training due to House File 706. Seeman had conservation Board meeting, ECIDOG transit and visited the new Frontier expansion celebration in Belle Plaine.

The time of 10:00 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for the first consideration of Ordinance #80, Animal Protection and Control. The chair declared the first consideration open for public

comment. Auditor Rippel stated that this would be repealing Ordinance #37, since Ordinance #80, is titled differently and not just amending the prior animal one. A lengthy discussion was had regarding the proposed ordinance, comments and questions were allowed by the public along with the Supervisors. Issues such as what is considered a dangerous animal, dog bites and when and how quarantined is enforced and at who’s discretion. This led to the talk about possible need for an animal control officer. Supervisor Tippett referred to Chapter 351 in the code regarding vaccination requirements. Supervisor Seeman questioned if there would need to be permits for those people in the county who raise foxes and minks or when would variances be granted. Sheriff Upah and First Deputy Josh Karsten were also present to provide input and also answer questions about how these calls are reported and tracked. The Sheriff employees are all doing their due diligence with these animal cases, no different than if it were humans. The “calls for service” all have a logged history from every call that comes in and dispatchers enter it into the system. It was agreed that this is just a start for making changes, and it might need to be slowed down and done correctly to allow for more input and time to research additional concerns. The 2nd reading is being held next week, so the Attorney’s office will make some changes and make the new draft available. It was agreed that the protection of people is the number one goal and priority of the ordinance, although their needs to be responsibility stressed to be on the pet owners as well.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To acknowledge the first consideration of Ordinance #80, Animal Protection and Control, repealing Ordinance #37, Vicious Animals in Benton County, Iowa and to authorize the County Attorney’s office to do some research for things in question along with changing some verbiage. All three members voting aye thereon. Motion carried at 11:13 a.m. .

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To adjourn meeting at 11:15 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor