Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. at the conference room 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. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov ( https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa)

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the minutes of June 20, 2023. Motion carried.

Discussion for a meeting next week with the 4th of July holiday falling on a normal meeting day. The Board agreed to skip next week and have a meeting on Friday June 30, 2023 instead.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve payroll checks numbered 142890 through 142905, ACH Deposits 53456 through 53609, handwrite 24556 on 6/20/23, vendor checks numbered 246557 through 246564 and claims numbered 246565 through 246714. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-41, Approve hiring of Darren Stien, Roadside Manger for the Weed Department effective July 1, 2023 with an annual salary of $56,000. Motion carried.

Hayley Rippel, Auditor and Commissioner of Elections along with her Elections Deputy Gina Edler explained the need for new Election Equipment. The current optical scan readers can no longer receive upgrades. Edler presented a hand out explaining we currently have 22 machines they will take in on trade, but with the reduction of precincts do to the re-districting, we are only looking at 20 new machines. The voters shouldn't see much difference when they vote at the polls, but just like any computers or electronic devices, they all become outdated over time and need upgraded. Rippel asked for a verbal approval so that her office could let the vendor know and possibly receive the new equipment in time to use at the upcoming November Election. This would allow them along with election workers to get familiar with it before the 2024 Elections. Supervisor Primmer agreed that made sense before the large General Election and also questioned what warranty the machines would come with. The estimated cost is $99,000 and there would still be an annual maintenance fee as usual. Rippel asked if it was necessary, they could get an ARPA committee meeting scheduled in the upcoming weeks to see about using ARPA Funds for payment or she has inquired with the vendor about dividing the cost over three fiscal years interest free. The Board agreed to pursue, and bring back the contract agreement for formal approval which would also explain the warranty and maintenance portion.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-42, Certification of the FY 24 Deputy Salaries and Assisstants of the County Attorney, Auditor, Recorder, Sheriff and Treasurer. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-43, FY 24 Departmental Appropriations beginning July 1, 2023, in accordance with Section 331.434, Subsection 6, Code of Iowa. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-44, FY 24 Bank Depositories and the designated depository amounts. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-45, FY 24 Official Bank Depositories with named county officers and authorized deposits. Motion carried.

Ann Jorgensen, Commission member of the Integrated Vegetation Roadside Management (IVRM) came to discuss the program with the Supervisors. Jorgensen gave a brief history how the program got its start in Benton County about 10 years ago and what the benefits are for. However she felt the program has not been functioning appropriately lately. It is critical to pay attention to our environment and why the program was established was to help cut down on herbicides and keep a safe and healthy roadside. Jorgensen said if they can't keep it going doing what it was designed to do, she would rather see doing away with it. Primmer said it was hard to keep everyone happy, but they can do what's best for the county environment. Chairman Seeman explained how they just hired a new Weed Commissioner, who would start work next week and allow him time to get familiar with the program and get a meeting set up. Jorgensen asked about what the county's long term objectives are and asked to be provided a copy of the revised job description of the weed commissioner. She thanked the board for her time and would look forward to an upcoming IRVM meeting soon.

Sheriff Tippett provided an update that the sheriff Union Memorandum of Understanding was voted and approved and he would come back with the official signed copy for a later meeting for formal action.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Resolution #23-46, Hiring Ronald James Parmenter and Kelsey Robbins as full-time positions in the Benton County Attorney's Collection Office effective July 10, 2023 at a starting salary of $35,750. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-47, Amending Resolution #16-52, Enter into a new 28E Agreement with Bremer County for delinquent court debt collections effective July 1, 2023. Motion carried.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor