May  12,  2026  

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors  Seeman,  Tippet 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 the minutes of Tuesday,  May 5, 2026  adding date for the Liquor License. All members voting aye. Motion carried.    

Tippett  moved/Volz  seconded:  To approve the following  claims  handwritten 257233 and 257234, EMS    numbered 257235  through 257238,  5/7/2026  payrollchecks  numbered  144072  through  144078, ACH  Deposits  65210  through 65375  and vendor checks 257239  through 257244 and claims numbered  257245 through  257416.  Seeman and Volz  both  voting aye. Motion carried.    

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #26-41, Gifting LOSST funds  in the amount of  $52,179.76  to the Van Horne Fire Department  for a new fire truck. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.  

Volz moved/Tippett  seconded: To approve contract renewal with Cost Advisory Services, Inc. for FY2026-2028 for the cost allocation plans for obtaining reimbursements for indirect costs expended on behalf of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.  

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve farm exemption application for Bradley Rick in part of the NE ¼   of SE ¼ of Section 1-85-9. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.    

Supervisor Volz spoke about his recent Heartland Insurance meeting. His big take away on that was that the county’s policy for using county grounds and facilities may need verbiage to have them provide liability insurance coverage.   Judi Hamaker would be at next week’s meeting to go over the renewals which increased about 4.2%. Volz also attended Linn County’s Supervisors meeting on Monday and publicly spoke on the disappointment Benton County has with their lack of communication in regards to the proposed project for the energy center. Volz stressed about their ordinance having the 2.5 mile buffer and thought they would honor the same for Benton County residents also.      

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a land use hearing for  Nathaniel and Grace Holub  in part of the  N ½ of the  SW   ¼NW ¼  of Section 2-84-12.  Andrea Morris  presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use  Preservation  Ordinance.  Holub’swould like to change  2.5  acres  for a single family dwelling and  renovation of an existing barn.  This site has a  CSR of 42.  The current driveway was reviewed and approved by Secondary Roads Department. This request will need a new septic system  that  will be permitted by the department  and will utilize the existing private well.    Official notices were sent out and published in the newspaper, the department received  nothing in advance and nobody else was present at the hearing to speak on the matter.  This request has been found to be consistent with the applicable policies of the Benton County Land Use Preservation and Use Plan. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.  

Tippett  moved/Volz  seconded: To approve the land use change for  Nathaniel and Grace Holub in part of the N ½ of the SW ¼ NW ¼ of Section 2-84-12.  Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.  

Supervisor Seeman  reported on his Conservation Board meeting and also that he did give the tour to Jim Stephenson, who we mentioned before having a systems navigator at the Service Center a couple days a week and that they would be willing to pay $150 a month toward utilities. They were to get an MOU drafted up and then we can share with the county attorney before proceeding any further.    

The time of 9:30 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a land use hearing for  Nick  and Kaylee McQuilkin within the NE ¼   of the SW ¼ of Section 3-86-12.    Andrea Morris presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance.  McQuilkin’s  would like to  do commercial breeding and dog boarding and would like to change .018 acres of use for a 20X40 building.  This site has a CSR  of  70howerver it has not been used for agricultural production since 1963.   The existing driveway  was reviewed and approved by Secondary Roads Department. This request will  require the installation of a holding tank which will be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR.  Official notices were sent out and published in the newspaper.  The existing  private well will be utilized. This request should not alter the stability of the overall land use pattern in the area.    

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the land use change  for Nick and Kaylee McQuilkin within the NE ¼   of the SW ¼ of Section 3-86-12.  Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.  

Under public comments:  Kelly Goodwin-Ackerman  wanted to thank Supervisor Volz for attending the Linn County meeting.    

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To enter closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)c. To discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudiced or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation. Tippet, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried at 10:00a.m.    

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To exit closed session at 11:00 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.  

No action needed to be taken.    

Tippett  moved/Volz  seconded:  To adjourn  the  meeting at  11:01  a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.  

_____________________________  

 

 Tracy Seeman, Chairman  

ATTEST: _________________________________  

Hayley Rippel, Benton County  Auditor