Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Notes from 6/3/25

The Benton County Board of Supervisors opened Tuesday's meeting promptly at 9:00 a.m. with the pledge of allegiance Present were all three supervisors, Tracy Seeman, Ron Tippett and Bruce Volz.

The meeting can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa

The agenda was approved.

Derek Marsh, Benton County Assistant Attorney introduced Kelley DeLong who spoke on the topic of County Ordinance 37 -concerning vicious animals.A story about that can be seen here. County Dog Ordinance under discussion again in Benton County

Marsh said that the office would look at the Linn County ordinance for direction on amending the Benton County ordinance.

Next, Matt Even addressed the supervisors next concerning a Land Use Hearing for Kevin and Susan Hagen part of Parcel A in NE ¼ of the SE ¼ Section 9 T83N-R9W, The couple would like to use approximately 1 acre to make an addition to their residence create a shop building. Located about 2 miles west northwest of Keystone in Kane Township. The land use change was granted.

Minutes were approved.

A donation of Sick Time of 750 hours by Nancy Jorgenson upon her retirement to another county employee was approved.

Approval for the use of courthouse lawn for Vinton Parks & Recreation for 7/11/2025 and 10/25/2025 was granted.

Sheriff, Dave Upah and Chief Deputy Josh Karston presented for approval the promotion of two Correctional Officers to Sergeant. The supervisors also acknowledged the resignation of Crystal Northup part-time custodian, effective 5/31/25

There was discussion and approval of annual Law Contracts with the City of Van Horne in the amount of $50,700, City of Blairstown $33,800, City of Norway $33,800, and the City of Newhall $50,700. Keystone has also submitted a request and Mt. Auburn has decided to opt out. Urbana and Vinton requested more time before submitting contracts.

A discussion concerning the closing of the HR Department began when it was interrupted by a resident questioning the wisdom. Tippett and Seeman explained that there is a way to outsource any issues. Marsh said that he and the county attorney had discussed this and said that usually in issues that have complaints are outsourced through the insurance company. Tippett made a motion to close the HR Department June 30, 2025 returning the responsibility to the Auditor's office. A second by Volz and all approved. Interrupted again, the resident questioned the Auditor's ability. It was explained that the Auditor's office starts the process, and forwards the information to the next department.

Deb Seymour-Guard Mental Health Disabilites Services of the East Central Region Governing Board, discussed the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for DAP (Disability Access Points) and Asset Transfer in District 7. She began by thanking the ladies in the Auditor's office whom she's worked with over the years, specifically, Hayley, Gina and Nancy.

She explained that the District began in 2014 with funding from county taxes. Office space use was reimbursed from this fund. In FY2022 funding changed to property tax and state funding and in FY2023 all funding came through the state. In May 2024 law changed the program to begin June 30, 2025 putting counties into 7 Districts.

Guard requested that the county continue to employ Sarah Wagner through 2026 with wages and benefits to be reimbursed through DAP. She would work out of Johnson County, though she won't be serving Benton County. Benton will be in District 6.

Seeman questioned why Wagner should remain on the payroll in Benton County while working in Johnson County. Guard said it was just because there wasn't time to move everyone to one employee of record. Seeman wants the County Attorney to look over this and will still come out of the same fund. Gina Edler had a question is funds that remain in the account for care. Substance use would be covered by that fund Guard said that mental health would not. Edler also discussed the spending authority which she said is $17,500 for the FY2026. This covers transports and miscellaeous care.

Edler said she would have to figure out what Wagner's portion would be for wages and etc. Edler asked if she was working in Johnson County would she still follow Benton County employee guidelines. Guard said she would be with DAP which would cover liability. The attorney's office will be checking into this situation. The decision was made to table the discussion until the June 17th meeting.

Guard then discussed the transfer of assets to ECR that had been reimbursed and identified as:

Jeep Renegade

Dodge Journey

Portable Printer

Cell Phone

3 Desks (possibly)

There was some discussion of the desks.

Engineer Myron Parizek sought approval and signatures for an Iowa DOT Agreement Number 2025-C-088 for a Deck Joint Repair project on the 54th St Trail bridge over I-380.

Parizek said that oil treatments have begun, however equipment failure sent them back to the shop before they can continue, but they are about halfway done.

The meeting was adjourned.