Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 3/19/19

March 19, 2019

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. Primmer called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor’s office and at: www.bentoncountyiowa.org

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes from March 12, 2019. Motion carried.

The Auditor brought up Senate File 2227 that was approved on May 4, 2018. This is an act relating to the publication of county resolutions. It allows the Auditor to summarizing resolutions for publication cost savings, but would still be available on the county website or in the printed minute records maintained in the Auditor’s office. Rippel just wanted to know what their thoughts were in regards to this. They agreed certain times this can definitely be utilized.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve fireworks permits for Chuck Yedlik for the dates of 4/6/2019, 5/25/2019-5/26/2019, 10/26/2019. Motion carried.

Discussion has been ongoing regarding the county handbook for certain areas: mileage and expense reimbursement 2.7, credit card policy 6.9 & claim processes and procedures 2.13 and 2.14. The sub-committee came up with broad coverage and logic in making these changes. The County Attorney said he is comfortable with the changes that have been made.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve amendments to the Mileage and Expense reimbursement 2.7, Credit Card Policy 6.9 and adopt the new Claim Processes and Procedures 2.13 and 2.14. Motion carried.

FY20 Budget Hearing was opened to the public. Al Schafbuch was a member of the public present. He was concerned with the big increase in Service Area 6 but otherwise felt like things seemed appropriate. Auditor Rippel explained that Benton County is the Middle Cedar WMA fiscal agent, therefore Benton County has to show the ins and outs of the grant funding within their budget. They are starting to get into projects and this reflects that. The Conservation land acquisition was also a big topic. Karen Phelps, Conservation Director and Adam Rodenberg, WMA Coordinator explained their plan of a possible purchase of land that could help improve the watershed. Some of this would be reimbursable, and Phelps plans to apply for grants, but would need some county funding to make this all possible. The Board was concerned about the $100,000 in the current FY 19 Budget if that wasn’t spent in this fiscal year, if moving forward, the committing of that into the FY20 Budget for a total of $200,000 spending authority out of Land Acquisition. Other topics discussed was the county’s land use policy, and if there was a policy for wind towers. Primmer explained there was some money put in the FY 20 budget to possibly amend the current county comprehensive plan for the land use ordinance to move forward in the future. The Board can further discuss the appropriations for spending authority as the new fiscal year gets closer. Hearing no more comments, the public hearing was closed.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To Approve Resolution #19-12, Adopting FY 20 Budget. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #19-12

ADOPTION OF THE FY20 COUNTY BUDGET

BE IT REMEMBERED that on this, the 19th day of March 2019, the Board of Supervisors of Benton County, Iowa, met in session for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2019-20 as filed with the Board. There was present a quorum as required by law. The notice and place of hearing had, according to law and as directed by the Board, been published in the Star Press Union, Cedar Valley Times, and Vinton Eagle, the official newspapers published in Benton County.

The budget was then taken up and considered. The public was provided an opportunity to speak.

The County Compensation Board recommendation for FY20 salaries for elected officials and as set forth and adopted in Resolution #19-8 is included in the FY20 budget.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a committed fund balance designation of the ending fiscal year fund balance be established for the following purposes:

General Fund-$548,500 equipment/vehicle replacement, Emergency response, infrastructure

Rural Services Fund - $16,000 land use administrator vehicle replacement

EMS Revolving Loan Fund – $119,353 for emergency services loans

LOSST Fund - $50,000 for technology upgrades and infrastructure;

$170,000 GIS aerial flight;

FURTHER the commitment of fund balances indicates that Benton County prefers to use available financial resources for the specific purposes set forth above, and although committed, the funds are to remain an integral part of the spendable or appropriable resources of Benton County.

The budget as adopted will approve the following property taxes for fiscal year 2019-20 (without gas and electric):

General Basic $5,165,208

General Supplemental $2,171,468

Mental Health Services $ 0

Rural Services Basic $2,806,796

Debt Service $ 0

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED, by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that the FY20 budget is hereby adopted.

Dated this 19th day of March 2019.

_____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

_____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

______________________________________

Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Auditor

The Engineer updated the board on his claims for approval while he is gone on vacation and wanted them to be aware that his office staff will be handling them getting turned into the Auditor’s office on time.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #19-13, Opposing Senate Study Bill 1045 And Senate File184 Passed by the Senate Committee on Transportation. Motion carried.

Resolution Summary: the Transportation Committee in the Iowa Senate has passed Senate Study Bill 1045 (SF 184) which would amend and make changes to Iowa Code Chapter 321 related to transportation of indivisible loads and raw forestry products on primary and non-primary highways. The Benton County Board of Supervisors strongly urges all Iowa lawmakers to vote in opposition to this legislation.

Judy Breja, Community Treatment Coordinator for the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services provided some handouts regarding Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). Breja along with representation from Foundation 2 provided the idea of a co-responder unit to be housed inside the Benton County Service Center. Foundation 2 will be provide the staffing for this along with working with local law enforcement. The goal is to be able to provide the help needed when someone is in a mental health crisis. This will be a project for bridging committals into the mental health system. The group was also previously approved for CIT Training but are now asking for approval to travel out of state for it. The funding for both will come from the County’s Mental Health Fund Balance.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the use of Benton County’s Mental Health Fund Balance to start work with the co-responder unit to be housed inside the Benton County Service Center and to allow for local law enforcement agencies to travel out of state to attend the (CIT) Training. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve using mental health’s fund balance for out of state (Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for Benton County and also costs with moving forward with the law enforcement co-responder unit to be housed in the Benton County Service Center.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the Iowa Department of Transportation FY 20 Secondary road Budget. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/ Seeman seconded: To approve the Iowa Department of Transportation FY20-24 Secondary Road Construction Program. Motion carried. The program reflects secondary road bridges and road upgrades over the next five years.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To adjourn. Motion carried.

_______________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor