Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes February 3, 2026

February 3, 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 26, 2026 and February 27, 2026 minutes with one spelling of a name corrected. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the following EMS Trust Fund claims numbered 256409 through 256416 as follows:

Garrison First Responders-$238.97

North Benton Ambulance to Klocke Emergency Vehicle-$105,117.50

Blairstown EMS-$1,305.00

Walford First Responders-$3,371.08

Atkins First Responders-$4,141.81

Van Horne First Responders-$2,354.72

Cedar-Mt. Auburn Fire Department-$432.25

Belle Plaine Ambulance-$1,946.32

Total of $118,907.65

Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a land use hearing for Ethan Henry in part of the NW ¼ NE ¼ of Section 36-86-11. Andrea Morris presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Henry would like to change the use of approximately one acre to allow for building a single family dwelling and welding shop. The property is owned by Steven and Karyl Henry. This site has a CSR of an average of 70. This site will require a new septic system and private water well both permitted by the department. The property will continue to use the existing driveway which has been reviewed and approved. Official notices were sent out and published in the newspaper and there have been no comments in regards. This request will not likely interfere with farm operations in the area. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Tippet moved/Volz seconded: To approve land use change for Ethan Henry in part of the NW ¼ NE ¼ of Section 36-86-11. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Utility Permit for Windstream Communications in Iowa Township. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Class C Alcohol License for Tara Hills Country Club effective through April 1, 2027. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Mark Erickson presented a request to increase his current salary to $70,000 which was a follow-up to last year’s budget request for this 14% increase. He asked that they revisit it. Supervisor Tippett mentioned that he would love to give everyone a raise, but wants to see a decrease in the budget and with all the state legislative proposals regarding taxes is unknown. Supervisor Volz was not comfortable at this time to increase either, as we are juggling a bunch of stuff and not sure what kind of money we will have. You are doing a fantastic job and we just can’t commit to an increase at this time. Erickson stressed he wanted to be treated consistently with other department heads, and referring to action at last week’s meeting. Erickson felt there were discrepancies who they say yes to and who they say no to. Erickson then asked more about the pay increase to an employee in last week’s meeting, and Auditor Rippel explained the situation. Supervisor Seeman added that he gets where he was coming from, and hopes down the road they can make it better. No action was taken.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the 36 new FY 26 family farm applications and denying one application that didn’t qualify. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Allison Hicks presented the FY 27 Historic Preservation’s budget asking. They would like $10,200 which is just a slight increase from last year of $10,135.

Committee Reports, Supervisors Volz and Tippett didn’t have anything to report. Supervisor Seeman had ECICOG meetings along with the Eastern Iowa Housing Trust Fund. ECICOG is continuing the process for replacing the director and are narrowing down the candidates.

In new business, Chairman Seeman reported about a concern with one of the WMA ponds having some issues. Seeman then proceeded to give a quick background on the past watershed and how Benton County was the fiscal agent. The owner of this pond has complained in the past regarding issues that have come up before and now its leaking and going under the state HWY. Supervisor Volz, Seeman and Auditor Rippel took a tour of the site after the meeting. Rippel asked that they all attend a joint meeting Monday night with the Conservation Board at 5:30 p.m. and that she would get an agenda posted.

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