Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes 1/27/26

January 27, 2026

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

Volz moved/ Tippett seconded: To approve the agenda. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the January 20, 2026 minutes. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the following claims numbered 256274 through 256401, 1/29/2026 payroll checks numbered 143994 through 14397, ACH Deposits 64108 through 64261, vendor checks 256402 through 256408. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Larry Andreesen, Benton County Assessor presented some quotes obtained for Pictometry imagery flights. There are a few different options in related to contracted year’s and the flight resolutions etc. Pictometry has allowed the county to pay the amount broken out over Fiscal Years by how many years we locked into the contract. In year’s past the cost has been split multiple ways between the Assessor/E911/Engineer and GIS Budgets. Auditor Rippel reported this has been paid for with Local Option Sales and Services Tax(LOSST) by classifying it as our required tax relief. This imagery is used for multiple uses in the county such as real estate purposes in the Assessor, septic information for the Land Use, E-911 dispatch and many other reasons. The Board agreed this is a good use and would look further into it. Andreesen pointed out that he prefers the imagery to be flown with leaf off for clearer views. The board didn’t take action but would at a future meeting.

Myron Parizek, Benton County Engineer discussed a proposed road improvement project along a half-mile stretch on 30th Avenue with the City of Urbana. One side belongs to the city and the other belongs to the county. The city engineer estimated the cost of the project to be $363,000 for asphalt. It currently is seal-coated. This was tabled and no action at this time, but to be discussed in a few weeks.

The Engineer also presented his FY27 Budget Request. There will also be a future presentation for the Department of Transportation (DOT) five year plan but the county budget reflects that as well. The Engineer proposed budget has stayed the same as last fiscal year.

Kelly Henkle, representing the County Library Association came to present an update and tell stories about how the funds have helped out the local libraries. They are grateful for the funding received from Benton County and the Local Option Sales and Services Taxes (LOSST) and asked that they receive the same for FY27. The one fun thing they are all doing jointly is a passport program for kids, and it has helped strengthen all of them as one organization.

Hayley Rippel, County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections presented the FY 27 proposed Auditor and Elections Budget. Rippel explained the upcoming primary/general election and how the primary falls in current FY but will need a little carryover for those invoices occurred in FY 27 but won’t get paid until FY 27. There is also a need to always have spending authority in the special city/school elections budget departments in the county as well. Her overall Auditor Budget is less than last FY.

Rippel also wanted to bring up storage issues. With Rick Wood, Maintenance director present, Rippel presented a quote obtained from Kurts Enterprises. In years past they moved files from above the Benton County Title Company after the nearby fire and the county pays $50 a month to Kurt’s Enterprises for the old FS office space. In addition to that, we pay rent at the old Lincoln School from records moved due to flooding. Most of these files are Clerk of Court related. There are records in the Auditor’s basement and Clerk’s office, and with the combined effort along with Kurt’s Enterprises, we would like to put all these documents in one location and try and organize them in the process. Kurts quote was not to exceed $2,000.

Maintenance Director Rick Wood presented the grounds and maintenance budget. Wood also shared a quote for a new John Deere mower that can use the 2012’s accessories. The quote was $18,249.00 with the trade in for the old at $5,300. Part of the maintenance’s budget is for repairs and physical needs to the county owned buildings along with utilities, elevator and other items such as foundation work that is a concern that will need address. Auditor Rippel mentioned the funds currently in the capital project fund for restricted items that could be utilized as well.

Ray Lough, County Attorney presented his budget which also includes the collections department. Lough pointed out that there were not that many changes in his budget, although he did advocate to give his collections department staff a raise to be more in line with other county employees. Also adding that he would like to change his assistant attorney Derek Marsh to a deputy paid position with an increase. The collections office is currently helping get restitution from five counties.

Ben Turnis presented the IT/GIS Budget. Most of the budget stays the same. The Board did ask questions and discussed the sheriff’s department project and how all that takes place. This discussion led to talking about the radio system and Duane Arnold Energy Center opening back up and what that can potentially effect.

Derek Marsh presented the board with the collective bargaining contract negotiations.

Auditor Rippel asked for clarification to last week’s agenda item to act on the Health, Dental and Vision Rates. A few weeks ago Ryan Berven with Assured Partners presented the renewals and suggested that we move from Plan 17 to Plan 2. We currently split the Dental and Vision 50/50 with the employees and the County also pays the premium for a $25,000 life insurance policy on all full-time employees. In order to get these renewal forms filled out and back to Assured Partners, we need to specify rates in our minutes. She cautioned an increase to the employee’s share the same year as a budget freeze could make their overall take home pay less than it currently is. The Board did not have any intention to do so. Supervisor Volz pointing out how good of a rate that Benton County employees do pay for great insurance coverage and they are very fortunate we can participate in a pool and also have a great Wellness Program that also saved the county 4% this year.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To switch the Health Plan from Plan 17 to Plan 2, leave all else the same with Assured Partners and to set the following rates:

Single Health Insurance Plan: Employee pays- $99.44/month, county-$842.97

Family Health plan: employee -$389.55/month, county share- $1715.45

(Keeping the costs of Dental and Vision split 50/50)

Single Dental Plan: employee- $11.75/month, county-$11.75

Family Dental Plan: employee-$28.00/month, county-$28.00

Single Vision Plan: employee-$1.54/month, county-$1.55

Family Vision Pan employee-$3.94/month, county-$3.95

To also continue paying on $25,000 life insurance policies for all full-time county employees. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #26-6, Authorizing wage increase and duty classification for Alyce Lynch with a salary of $50,000 a year effective February 16, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #26-7, Finalizing the MidAmerican Energy Company Natural Gas Pipeline Project Inspection ICCR618 with the final amount of $167,270.39 which has been fully reimbursed to the county. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Tippett seconded: To appoint Jon Kaestner, Nancy Jensen, Terry Hertle, Mike Seeck, Coretta Cronbaugh and Amy Boddicker to the Solid Waste Commission. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the General Assistance Quarterly Report ending December 31, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippet seconded: To approve the Veteran’s Affairs Quarterly Budget ending December 31, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Committee Reports:

Supervisor Volz participated in the OSHA Training online that was put on by Heartland Insurance. He also attended the Heartland Insurance Metting which led to discussion about the workman’s compensation claims. Supervisor Tippett had a DECAT meeting where they discussed re-organization. He also attended the HACAP meeting and Central Iowa Juvenile Detention. The detention center is working on new by-laws and will allow non-member county’s to ask to join in the revised 28E agreement.

Auditor Rippel went over other budgeting items that still need addressed or are currently scheduled for upcoming meetings. Rippel felt like they were doing good, staying ahead of the game and keeping to her timeline she provided earlier in the process. The Supervisors Budget was also discussed at this time, and she would need to know if they want to continue to budget for the yearly wellness, required trainings and employee recognition. The Board agreed to continue and also mentioned to have scheduled department head meetings and thought March would be great for another budget work session.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn meeting at 11:41 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor