Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 3/24/26

March 24, 2026

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman and Tippett present, Volz called in. 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.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the minutes of March 17, 2026. Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the following claims numbered 256823 through 256947, voided check number 256845, 3/26/2026 payroll checks numbered 144053 through 144058, ACH Deposits 64733 through 64888 and vendor checks 256948 through 256955.Tippett, Seeman and Volz all voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To acknowledge Mark Phippen's resignation on the civil service commission and the County Attorney appointed Lori Christy to fill the position with term ending July 15, 2029. Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Andrea Morris and Matt Even, Environmental Health and Land Use department along with Ryan Smith with Schneider Geospatial presented an add on to our software called Geo-permitting. This would allow for contractors and land owners to apply for things such as septic systems, wells, land use and farm exemption applications all on line. All this would take place on the familiar Beacon website now for most all aspects of real estate. The applications and records will also be a back-up to the paper documents and 
would allow for scanning of older ones on file and attach to parcel records. Payments for these permits can also all be done through the application. This would also help improve the communication back and forth between contractors, home owners and the land use office. Morris mentioned she has applied for a grant to possibly fund this added expense and is waiting to hear back from it.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve and authorize signature on the Geo-Permits contract with the initial amount of $18,612 through Schneider Geospatial. 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 Jeff Geiger in part of the NW ¼ SE ¼ of Section 28-86-10. Geiger was present. Andrea Morris presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Geiger 
would like to sell federal firearms licenses. This will take place inside existing structures on the site. This site has a CSR below 70, which is not considered high-quality farmland. The current driveway was reviewed and approved by Secondary Roads Department. This request will not need a new septic system or well. Official notices were sent out and published in the newspaper. This request has been found to be consistent with the applicable policies of the Benton County Land Use Preservation and Use Plan. 

Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the land use change for Jeff Geiger in a part of the NW ¼ SE ¼ of Section 28-86-10. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

Derek Marsh, Assistant County Attorney presented the secondary roads union contract with PPME (Public Professional and Maintenance Employees)Local Union 2003. It calls for 2.6 % increase over the next three years. Marsh mentioned it was similar in all other aspects as the past contract other than 
adding in a "me too clause". He felt this was best for the county and avoid going through arbitration.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve and authorize Chairmans's signature on the contract with Public Professional and Maintenance Employees Local Union 2003, representing secondary roads to be effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Allison Hicks, Historic Preservation commission member presented paperwork for a community outreach project for 2026. With the Nation's 250th birthday, this proposed contest celebrates creativity, reflection and the unique perspectives of the young people across our county. The Benton County Historic Preservation.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To have the Historic Preservation Commission proceed with the community outreach project celebrating the Nation's 250th birthday. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye.

Motion carried.Engineer Myron Parizek presented his proposed 2026 Dust Control Prices. He bases this on material and labor costs as best as possible and took into consideration the increased of wages for his employees work. Last year it was $1550 for the first 400 feet and he is asking for that to increase to $1625.00.

Parizek agreed to continue doing the seal coating within his department as long as the equipment works and he is the Engineer. In the future, things could change.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To set the cost for the 2026 MC-70 Dust Control to be $1,625.00 for the first 400 feet, with an additional $2.60 per foot or $2.66 a foot plus an additional $100/1000' area when greater than 1,000 feet. Sign up period is between March 30, 2026 through May 1,, 2026. Tippett,

Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tracy Seeman discussed sidewalks in Luzerne over the viaduct over the railroad tracks with the Engineer. Seeman met with Polyfix for an estimate and also provided pictures of the concerned area.

There was also a part on the south side that they could also fix for an additional cost. They also talked about small barricade or flashing light for safety purposes until it gets fixed. The Engineer is going to look at the proposed fix options.

The increased cost of diesel and fuel prices was also discussed and how that is impacting budgets.

Committee Reports were heard from Supervisor Volz, he had the Central Iowa Workforce Development Board. With them still not having a CEO, there was talk of combining with the North Iowa Region.

Supervisor Seeman had landfill meeting. They are keeping their prices the same for FY27. Supervisor Tippett shared that he forwarded an email to the attorney's office with a new proposed 28E with Central Iowa Juvenile Detention for possible upcoming Board action.

Tippett moved/Seeman seconded: To adjourn meeting at 10:24 a.m. Seeman and Volz voting aye.

Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel Benton County Auditor