At last week's Benton County Supervisors' meeting, all members were present, Ron Tippett, Tracy Seeman and Bruce Volz along with assistant county attorney Derek Marsh and County Auditor Hayley Rippell. The typical things were approved including the agenda, minutes, and claims.

An item on the agenda was the dumping that is taking place at the recycle bins next to the courthouse. 

Cameras are now on the site and are able to read the license plates of those who are illegally dumping. Clean up of the area has involved removing brush, mattresses, trash and it could prevent the use of the recycle bins in the future if it's not stopped. 

A motion was made to hand the footage over to the Vinton Police Department to cite those who are littering or illegally dumping at the site.

Caleb Stewart was promoted to sergeant in the corrections division at the Sheriff's department via Resolution #26-64, increasing his pay by $1.00 per hour.

Next the board discussed the need to update the witness chair in the courtroom. The arms on the chair interfere with officers who need to testify in court. Their duty belts cannot be accommodated by the arms on the chair. The current chair as well as the jury chairs are all bolted to the floor and are solid wood. 

Seeman mentioned the historical designation of the courthouse and questioning whether or not it can be changed. Tippett made a motion to table a decision to allow the Clerk of Court to work with maintenance to find a solution. 

Andrea Morris held a public hearing to approve the non-agricultural use for Farmtastic 3 LLC to construct a new storage building.

The property is located in Cedar Township, 1.5 miles NW of Mt. Auburn, at 5141 22nd Ave. within the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 and the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 12, Township 86 North, Range 11 West. 

Don Peterson addressed the Board of Supervisors concerning the change of use, as it's zoned for agricultural use and not commercial use. He said for the last two years it's been advertised for commercial use. He asked if there was a need for the zoning of the property and how would they know if the property was brought up to commercial compliance and if a business plan has been shared with the board. He was also concerned that a commercial use could open it up to the construction of a data center. He asked if it should be in writing what the owners can store assuring that it's not used as a waste or disposal site.

Morris explained that there wouldn't be a change of use, but just adding the storage use and it will not be rezoned.

Approval was granted.

Reports

Tippett took a tour with the Weed Department on 63rd St. from Shellburg to the Keystone blacktop to learn about the chemicals that go into the truck and various invasive weeds that they treat including the Canadian Thistle, Bull Thistle and Morning Glory.

Volz mentioned the presentation by the Historical Society last week and that it was well received. 

Seeman reported that he sat in on the WMA zoom meeting he said they were pushing for farmers to use covercrops in the winter.

Tippett said there would be a zoom meeting with HACAP Thursday.

Wednesday, there was a meeting concerning taxes that the members, auditor and assistant county attorney will be attending. 

The meeting was adjourned.