Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 3/10/26

March 10, 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

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

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the minutes of March 3, 2026. Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the following claims numbered 256687 through 256814, 3/12/2026 payroll checks numbered 144031 through 144052, ACH Deposits 64574 through 64732, handwrite 256815 and vendor checks 256816 through 256822. Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To adopt Resolution #26-16, Appointing Derek Marsh as Deputy Attorney effective March 15, 2026 with a salary of $109,900.88 Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #26-17, Amending Resolution #25-13, FY26 Elected Officials Salaries needs amounts corrected. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To acknowledge and file the 2025 Fiscal Year Audit with the State Auditor’s Office. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To set the date of Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. for FY26 Budget Amendment #3. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 9:15 a.m. for Melissa and Brendan Rule in a part of the NW1/4 SE ¼ of Section 22-85-10. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. for Tim and Jaime Whitehead in a part of the SE1/4 NE ¼ of Section 12-85-9. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Farm Exemption application for Tom Stueck in a part of the NE ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 36-86-11. 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 Cassandra Patava in part of the SE ¼ SE ¼ of Section 13-84-9. Patava was present. Andrea Morris presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Patava would like to change the use of approximately one acres to allow for building a single family dwelling with a shop. This site has a CSR of an average below 70, which is not considered high-quality farmland. This site will require a new septic system and private water well both permitted by the department. The property will need a new driveway which was reviewed and approved by Secondary Roads Department. This request will also require the installation of a new septic system and private well which will be permitted by the department. Official notices were sent out and published in the newspaper. The surrounding area is primarily agricultural with scattered farmstead and rural residential developments, and this request should not alter the stability of the overall land use pattern in the area. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Tippet moved/Volz seconded: To approve land use change for Cassandra Patava in part of the SE ¼ SE ¼ of Section 13-84-9. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The time of 9:30 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for reconvening on a tabled land use hearing for Cameron Erickson in part of the NE ¼ NE ¼ of Section 36-84-9 from March 3, 2026. Cameron Erickson was present. Andrea Morris gave a brief summary of the technical information presented last week. The CSR reflects high qualify farm land and it is likely to interfere with farm operations in the area. This request was found to be inconsistent with the county’s land use policy. Erickson stressed that no farmland was being put out of production. Supervisor Seeman pointed out that as an elected official, he has to follow the rules in our county’s ordinance. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Tippet moved/Volz seconded: To deny the land use change for Cameron Erickson in part of the NE ¼ NE ¼ of Section 36-84-9 because it is below 21 Acres to qualify for a farm exemption and regardless how the ground is split, the CSR is above the listing in the County Ordinance. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To rescind action from earlier in the meeting regarding Approving Resolution #26-17, Amending Resolution #25-13, Elected Officials FY26 Salaries, Auditor Rippel found where it was amended with Resolution #25-14. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Engineer Myron Parizek explained the failed right of way acquisition on bridge replacement project BROS-CO06-(126)—8J-06 along 16th Ave. in Cedar Township. No action was taken for condemnation proceedings, Supervisor Seeman wanted to speak with the property owner in person.

Julie Davidson, CEO of MHDS of the East Central Region Disability Access Point (DAP) provided an update regarding Benton County’s employee serving the DAP. As of July 1, 2026 Benton County will no longer be the employer of record for Sarah Wagner. The Central Iowa Juvenile Detention has already been serving the role for other DAP employees and will take on more this upcoming fiscal year including Wagner.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the following FY 27 Budget Allocations: $1,500- Riverview, $5,986-Eastern Iowa Housing Trust Fund, $$81,138- HACAP, $ 2,575- Kirkwood Community Workplace Learning, $20,000-Benton County Volunteers, $6,000-Belle Plaine Community Center, $90,000 Benton Development Group, $2000-Middle Cedar WMA. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Supervisor Volz reported on the Iowa Workforce Development meeting held last week, and they want all aspects in the state to serve on this board. Supervisor Seeman had conservation meeting.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn meeting at 10:45 a.m. Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel Benton County Auditor