Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor's Weekly Meeting

At Tuesday's meeting, the Benton County Supervisors appointed Jeff Holmes as a VA Commissioner.

Eric Schares of the Conservation Department, was granted approval to publish the Weed Commissioner Spray Notice.

Melinda Schoettmer,  Benton County Treasurer sought approval to abate mobile home taxes for IV701FFFR24437 per Ia. Code 435.23 (3) in the amount of $772. Approval was granted so that the home can be removed and a new home moved in. 

A Fireworks permit for Iowa Pyrotechnics Association on May 25 and 26, 2024 for 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. was granted. A second permit was requested August 23rd and 24th. 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and another time slot for three hours not past 11:00 p.m. There was some confusion on the start time. The permit was tabled and was put on the agenda for the meeting on May 1, 2024 at 11:15. a.m. 

Under Reports, Tracy Seeman reported that he met with East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund and that applications are coming in for several projects. He also met with ECICOG. He reported that the board also received a letter from Belle Plaine asking for a letter of endorsement so that the city can apply for federal assistance for a new well addressing the letter to Congressman Ashley Hinson. The board will approve sending this letter at the meeting tomorrow as well. 

Gary Bierschenk, reported he attended the Mental Health Disability East Central Region meeting and there was nothing much to report. 

Rick Primmer reported on his meeting with Central Iowa Juvenile Detention and reported that the county is upside down on the budget for this department. Currently the county owes $50,920 and budgeted only $26,000. Right now an outstanding bill of $25,578.90 is waiting for approval. There are several reasons that the county is holding off on paying this bill including overlapping billing dates. Hayley Rippel, reported that her office has already begun to look into this. 

Minutes were approved. 

Under Public Comments Sheriff Ron Tippett spoke addressing comments made in last week's budget hearing. He said that he had gone back through the budget for the Sheriff's office and reported that the department has always been under the budget estimate. This year he also consulted with the Auditor to consider moving some things around, but decided that this wouldn't need to be done.

He clarified that he had removed as much cushion as he could in his budget while still maintaining enough should something happen. He explained that the large increase in the Administrative budget is due to the Back the Blue bill that affects three employees in the office.

The budget for 2025 went down. He added that he's not an end of the year spender and it is important for him as a taxpayer to "be vigilant with the county's money and return as much as I can."

Al Schaufbach addressed the board concerning the budget meeting last week. He said that the budget increased 12%. He said that Farm Bureau looks at the entire county budget who mentioned a few things. When looking at the budget, several departments have overestimated. Under Rural Services he believes that the 3.9 can be used, but because the evaluation is higher, he suggest that the levy could be lowered.

He addressed the public meeting procedural rules concerning meetings and talked about how Tama County added rules of conduct. He said the rules changed because it was requested by the insurance company. 

Sue WIlber reminded county employees that open enrollment benefits are open from May 1 through May 15th and that changes will be made online this year. Watch your email. The accident insurance with Reliance has been terminated so if you had that it will go away but there is another option available to register with. 

The meeting was adjourned.