News : Supervisors set wage for new hire

The Benton County Supervisors met in another special session to approve a new hire for the Benton County Attorney's Office in the collections department.

The meeting opened with an attempt to go into a closed session, by Supervisor Rick Primmer citing Iowa Code 21.5 i. "To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation and that individual requests a closed session."

Because the new hire did not request it, the meeting remained an open session.

County Attorney Ray Lough presented Allaina Bennett-Casali again for wage approval by the supervisors.

Lough was approached by Supervisor Chair Tracy Seeman and the two agreed on setting the wages for Bennett-Casali at $34,000, ten thousand under the previous ask of $44,000.

Maternity leave was part of the discussion, which is something that the county does not offer but this part of the hire was tabled until later. Director of Human Resources, Kristen Nelson said that maternity leave is a gray area in government.

Suggestions were made for possible "training" that Bennett-Casali might be able to take to make her worthy of higher wages. But there is no available training for this position. Other ideas like adding to her education were also suggested that might warrant a higher wage.

After more discussion, the hiring was approved.