Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes December 23, 2025

December 23, 2025

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Tippett 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 from Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz second: To approve the following: 12/18/25 payroll checks numbered 143975 through 143981, ACH Deposits 63647 through 63798, handwrite 255942, payroll vendor checks 255943 through 255949 and claims 255950 through 256094.Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To acknowledge Deb Cummings retirement from Secondary Roads Department effective January 30, 2026. Tippet, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Auditor Rippel wanted to discuss the upcoming payroll date on January 1, 2026 and how that would affect direct deposit with it being on a holiday. The earnings are all in December, although if we changed the pay date to December 31, 2025 it would also affect IPERS/withholding’s reports and her department recommended leaving the pay date as originally scheduled for January 1, 2026. The Board agreed.

Anna Demuth, North Benton Ambulance wanted to provide an update regarding a prior approved ambulance purchase from the Board for up to $220,000. Demuth explained that half of the payment would be in January of 2026 and the other half in January of 2027 with 0% interest. She would ask that they revise that original asking and have it be $80,000 to go towards administrative costs and $120,000 towards the vehicle. Demuth also provided a report representing the Benton County EMS (Emergency Medical Services). The report had statistics from the EMS trust fund usage from FY 24 -FY26 and also for ongoing collaborative EMS Efforts going forward in FY 27. There are 13 services in Benton County. She dissected the 2024 call data of the transporting services. North Benton Ambulance carries the largest call volume, with Belle Plaine and Blairstown second. Atkins, Urbana and Norway are the busiest first responder services, with Van Horne and Shellsburg closely following. The EMS Advisory Council plans to have a meeting January 6, 2026. The EMS Association and Services Directors are working on clinical guidelines and carried medications by first responders to align with a county-wide Medical Director, Dr. Dan Kinker, DO. Currently 9 of the 13 services affiliated or will become affiliated. The ongoing efforts to standardize medical equipment and supplies while working together to provide training and education opportunities will continue to strengthen the EMS System in Benton County.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the excess flood insurance policy for the Sheriff’s Office with a $300 premium increase for the year. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve 61.75 vacation hours to be carried over for Sarah Wagner to be used by June 30, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Bruce Volz attended the Iowa Workforce Development meeting last week which brought up a request he had. He would like to see how much the county has paid in 2025 to employees who were out of work on workmen’s comp injury, and what was paid over and above compensation from the insurance company. He will share that information when he receives it. Volz thought it was something to look at for budgeting purposes or changing the policy on when an employee can report back to work also.

Tracy Seeman reported on the landfill meeting, last week during all that wind they were forced to shut down and not accept any loads.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To adjourn meeting at 9:56 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor