News : Benton County Board of Supervisor Meeting Notes 7/9/24

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Supervisors Rick Primmer, Tracy Seeman and Gary Bierschenk were present.

The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. The agenda and minutes were approved. With a correction of claims concerning paint for the HR department, the claims were also approved.

ARPA Claims concerning Public Health with a total of $12,588.61. There were also funds earmarked for the Emergency Radio Project, and others. These were approved.

The Recorder's Quarterly Report was tabled until next week.

The Auditor's Quarterly Report was approved.

A Class E Retail Alcohol License for Beyonder Getaway at Lazy Acres was approved. A Class C License had been approved earlier for the business, for sales at a business site. However, they actually needed a Class E to serve off-site according to the State of Iowa.

Approval was given for a Fireworks Permit for Iowa Pyrotechnic Association on July 20, 2024.

A discussion was held concerning increasing the HR credit card limit by Sue Wilber. This is necessary for the approved computer software. Gina Edler, Deputy Auditor explained that if they would be made a vendor through the county, it would eliminate paying sales tax which is charged through every credit card transaction. She explained that because credit cards are easier to use, they are being overused in the county. Primmer expressed doubt that the county could force a monthly statement from the company, Edler assured the board that she has done that with every other entity.

Primmer then asked Sheriff Tippett if the Sheriff's office checks to see if they are being charged sales tax. Tippett said that they have to request a paper statement.

Edler explained that things that the county has to pay taxes on include things like hotel stays for those traveling. She said that the office has seen a lot of credit card use in the county, rather than set up a vendor account. She said that the county needs to be more proactive to create vendor accounts to avoid the additional tax charges and avoid auditing issues for the county.

In the case of the HR software, the total cost will be around $30,000 each year, and that would be taxed through a credit card charge. Wilber said that the background checks have been done via credit card charges for six months and she has heard nothing about the issue. She explained that the new company would require a credit card.

Gina explained that the State Auditors do not like to see credit card use in the county. She explained that any business who has a monthly fee should be a registered vendor of the county.

Edler then explained how increasing the limits works. The increase is not instantaneous because the bank requires a signed copy of the minutes, so it would be another week before the increase would go through. Wilber said that she had already talked to the bank and they just require something in writing, and Edler explained that yes, it would be the signed copy of the minutes.

The supervisors discussed the amount that the increase would need to be, and Wilber reminded them that she also has background checks going through each month.

Seeman made a motion to temporarily increase the limit on the credit card to $6,000 through the end of September, with the understanding that Wilber would make both the software company and background check company vendors. The motion carried.

Under Reports/Committee Meetings

Seeman reported that Conservation will be working on sending in grant applications. The department is also working on getting an engineer for the shower house at Wildcat.

Primmer said he has a meeting with Heartland this week.

Sheriff Tippett reported on the radio project in Benton County. Radios are all installed and working very well. They will be doing more testing. The radios are working better than expected. Seeman said that they will be testing every mile and in every town with over 500 in population. They will also be testing on every other block in the towns to make sure everything is working with reception and transmission and testing the decibels.

David Sires (R) spoke to the council. He is running for Senate District 38 against Democrat Eric Giddens. He has served on the Cedar Falls Council and has lived there all his life. He said that Democrats hate him and Republicans are afraid of him because he wants to get things done that should be taken care of.

The meeting was then adjourned.