Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 2/2/24

February 2, 2024

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in special session with Supervisors Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk present. The meeting was called to order at 8:15 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. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the Agenda as listed with moving approving the minutes until next week. Voting aye were Seeman, Bierschenk and Primmer. Motion carried.

Public Health Director, Grace Schmidt, wanted to address her discussion of a nurse position she put in her FY25 budget. Grace wanted to make sure there were no underlying questions about the position and why it was needed. Supervisor Primmer stated they haven't worked on individual budgets yet, so they had not discussed it. Grace went on to explain what the position would entail and once the new Board of Health met, they could approve the job description. She stated it was a needed position so the Public Health Department could implement their vaccination program, as a nurse would have to administer them. Grace addressed why this position would have to be available on nights and weekends as well and this was alternate the person on-call, as Grace could not always be the only one available. Supervisor Seeman asked who would cover this position if the nurse would to be off of work. Schmidt stated that most cases would not be an emergency and if there would happen to be she did budget for disease control. In the past the Public Health Department had a contract with Virginia Gay Hospital to cover these instances. This has been revoked since there was no Board of Health, so hopefully that will be recovered now that the Board of Supervisors have appointed a Public Health Board.

Grace also addressed the issue with her office not having enough space or the confidentiality of it. Both Supervisor Seeman and Supervisor Primmer stated they had ideas on this but did not want to say right now. Supervisor Seeman did state the weed department building had been brought up, but he did not like the idea and Supervisor Primmer agreed.

Land Use Technician/Sanitarian, Matt Even, addressed concern on the appointees of the Board of Health that were made at Tuesday's meeting, stating it wasn't gender balanced. Supervisor Primmer read a statement from the County Attorney's office on why this wasn't followed and stated there were four women and 1 man appointed, which was the same as the last board. The one applicant, Mike Barnes, already served on the Compensation Board so legally he could not serve on both. Matt Even questioned why this wasn't discussed on Tuesday and why they hadn't decided which terms each appointee was to take. Supervisor Primmer stated they would get this taken care of.

Supervisor Primmer reported on his Benton Development Group meeting. He would bring more information on Tuesday, but stated they are creating a QR code for community events.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To adjourn. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Richard Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Alisha Burmeister, Benton County Deputy Auditor