Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes April 23, 2024

April 23, 2024

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Bierschenk, Seeman and Primmer present. Supervisor Primmer 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. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the agenda. Voting aye were Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the minutes from April 16, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Payroll checks numbered 143219 through 143228, ACH Deposits 56743 through 56897, claims numbered 249602 through 249746 and vendor checks numbered 249747 through 249753. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve claims to True North Consulting Group for $5,904.00, Three-D Kitchens for $3,839.00, and Premier Portable Buildings in the amount of $7,095.00 using ARPA Funds. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-34 Destruction of Noxious Weeds pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 317, Code of Iowa. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Gina Edler asked for clarification on Election Workers Pay starting FY25. Motion was made in March setting the wages for Chairman to be $375/day and Election workers $250/day. Edler questioned if it was the intent of the board to increase both wages since they only increased the Chairman's wage by $50. The current wages for Chairman is $325/day and $250/day. Seeman stated he thought they were increasing both wages by $25.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set Precinct Chairman wages to $350 and $275 for Election workers along with $25 training rate and mileage at the current federal rate effective July 1, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Class C Alcohol License for Watkins Community Athletic Association effective May 29, 2024 through May 28, 2025. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

The time being 9:15 a.m. and that being the set time for the FY25 Budget Hearing was opened up for discussion. Brad Havran had questions regarding 2023 increased property valuations, EMS tax levy and tax credits. Edler discussed the 2023 assessment notice that was sent to all residents, explained tax credits that were available and how the budget was figured up as a worst case scenario. All the revenues aren't always put into the budget because they sometimes don't know if or when they will receive that money. Jill Marlow questioned the board on several areas of the budget, ARPA fund, legal and court related costs, public health, Human Resources IT software, and increasing Fund balances. Marlow requested the Board to reduce the levies today to $3. Seeman responded he is wanting to wait till next year to back off the levies.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To close budget hearing at 9:46 a.m. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-35, Adoption of the FY25 County Budget. Voting aye were Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #24-35

ADOPTION OF THE FY25 COUNTY BUDGET

BE IT REMEMBERED that on this, the 23rd day of April 2024, 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 2024-25 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 Gazette, 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 FY25 salaries for elected officials and as set forth and adopted in Resolution #24-22 is included in the FY25 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-$622,000 equipment/vehicle replacement, Emergency response, infrastructure

Rural Services Fund - $37,000 land use administrator vehicle replacement

EMS Revolving Loan Fund - $125,000 for emergency services loans

LOSST Fund - $115,000 for technology upgrades and GIS re-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 2024-25 (without gas and electric):

General Basic $6,181,864

General Supplemental $4,220,978

Rural Services Basic $4,516,393

Debt Service $800,170

Voted Emergency Medical Services $1,225,070

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED, by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that the FY25 budget is hereby adopted.

Dated this 23rd day of April, 2024.

_____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

_____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

______________________________________

Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Gina Edler, Deputy Benton County Auditor

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Resolution #24-36 Amending Resolution #24-3, Benton County Early Retirement Incentive making a correction to paragraph #7 to reflect 75% instead of $75%. Voting aye were Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman. Motion carried

At 9:51 the Public Hearing was opened for vacating part of 24th Ave in Harrison Township-Pursuant to Chapter 306 for discussion. Myron Parizek, Engineer, stated he published in the paper and he has heard no feedback for opposition.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To close public hearing at 9:53 a.m. Voting aye were Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To accept bids from IDOT April 16th letting for Bridge Replacement Project on 17st Ave. (BROS-CO06(127 &128)-8J-06 as follows: Voting aye were Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman. Motion carried.

Taylor Construction, Inc. - $727,665.00

Jim Schroeder Construction, Inc. - $743,488.39

Iowa Bridge & Culvert, L.C. - $813,495.01

Peterson Contractors Inc. - $816,070.19

Boulder Contracting, LLC. -$906,558.26

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To award the lowest bid to Taylor Construction, Inc. In the amount of $727,665.00. Voting aye was Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #24-38, designating the County Engineer to sign and authorize executions on behalf of the Board of Supervisors on Projects: 06-C006-128 [BROS-C006(127)--8J-06 and BROS-C006(128)--8J-06]. Voting aye was Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To Adjourn at 10:21 a.m. Voting aye were Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Richard Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Gina Edler, Deputy Benton County Auditor