Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes January 17, 2023

January 17, 2023

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. at the conference room at the Benton County Service Center. Members of the public were provided the zoom access capability to join in during open session and livestream at https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

( https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa)

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the minutes of January 12, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #23-3, Resolution Supporting "Sergeant Jim Smith Memorial Highway" located on a stretch of HWY 150 located from West Union to Vinton. Sergeant Smith died in the line of duty protecting citizens of Iowa and this is in honor of him. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-4, Employment status change for Katlyn Debrower, Sheriff Employee moved from part-time to full-time security officer effective February 25, 2023 at an hourly rate of $23.24. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Class C Alcohol License for Kacena Family Tree Farm effective February 4, 2023 through February 8, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve farm exemption application for Michael Wheeler in part of the SE ¼ NW ¼ SW ¼ of section 28-82-10. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To continue providing the Wellness premium discount of $15 a month to those employees who participated in the wellness requirements of the on-line assessment and the yearly physical. Motion carried.

Kirsten Nelson, Human Resource Director presented her budget with increase in wages and some education/training/mileage for a possible additional conference she would like to attend out of state in FY 24.

Sarah Wagner presented the Relief/General Assistance budget. She basically kept it the same. Discussion was also had regarding the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Fund. This a pass through that is funded from the state for Benton County to provide aid in necessity areas such as rent, food and utilities.

George Haefner presented the weed/road clearing budget. Discussion regarding the changes of obtaining and maintaining CDL licenses. Haefner also provided an update and most recently his department has been assisting the Engineer's with some tree clearing.

The Supervisors went over their budget and agreed to purchase some microphones out of current budget to be used in the livestreamed meetings to help the sound come off clearer.

Auditor Hayley Rippel presented her budget along with the Elections budget. Rippel explained some of the state's requirements regarding elections and how this would affect her budget. Current FY23 Budget may need an amendment or service area adjustment due to all the upcoming special elections. Rippel also went over the Supervisors budget with them and explained some of the other various areas of the budget she is required to do and will provide the board copies as well.

Mona Onken presented the Mental Health Budget along with the Rural Access Hub. This is the second year where the Mental Health has been levied at the state level, and the East Central Iowa Region will reimburse Benton County quarterly for our expenses incurred.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded; To enter into an exempt session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.9. Motion carried at 11:30 a.m.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To exit exempt session and go back into open session at 12:25 p.m. Motion carried.

Conservation Director Shelby Williams along with Park Ranger Layla Hagen presented their FY 23 Budget. Budget includes the new shop at Hannen Park. Fuel costs have increased along with sealcoating the park roads. Revenues that offset some of the expenses are a rough estimate based on some of the grants that are applied for vs what is actually received.

Kate Robertson, Benton Development Group (BDG) Director along with BDG Board member Dave Fish presented their FY 24 Budget request. They also provided 2022 highlight overview of their engagements and accomplishments along with upcoming goals that includes their new campaign moto "Life Made Well." Robertson is requesting a $10,000 overall increase from the past five fiscal years. Their focus has shifted over the past five years, keeping a keen eye on the community development and involved with multiple new business growth opportunities. Fish added that as a smaller rural county, we need a development to handle rural development and help us compete with the surrounding counties.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To adjourn. Motion carried.

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor