Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 1/28/2020

January 28, 2020

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. The meeting was called 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 of January 21, 2020 and amend the minutes of January 2, 2020 regarding the Benefitted Fire district appointments to be as follows: Mike Deklotz to Benton-Linn Benefitted Fire and Roy Becker to the Newhall Benefitted #4 Fire Board. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To set land use hearing date for William and Kelsey Bird for Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 9:05 a.m. for part of the SW ¼ SE ¼ of 31-82-11. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set Tuesday February 11, 2020 at 9:45 a.m. for the public hearing for the maximum property tax dollars for FY 21. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set Tuesday Febraruy 11, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. for a public bid opening regarding the Cedar Valley Ranch land rent lease that is up in March, 2020. Motion carried.

Abby Michael and Melissa Hill with Riverview Center provided an overview of what services they are continuing to do that will ensure survivors of sexual assault in Benton County have confidential advocacy and therapy services available free of cost. Tina Eden with Virginia Gay Hospital also present, stated that they have recently trained nurses locally to be able to do the forensic testing necessary after sexual assault. Riverview Center also does community education programs and will also provide transportation to those in need. Jerry Michael, Urbana Police spoke on what a tremendous asset this group is to the Sexual Assaut Response (SAR) team. Riverview is requesting $6,000 for FY 21 and thanked the Board for their time.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #20-8, Wage Changes for the following employees in Treasurer's office effective February 1, 2020. Motion carried.

Joy McGowan-increase of $4,984.99, Jodi Bonar -$3,000 and Denise Westerhoff .50/hour.

Conservation Director couldn't attend meeting today, but the Board took time to go over the budget sheets from what has been presented so far.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the low bid recommendations from Bid Packet 3B for the Middle Cedar WMA as follows: Schedule 1 is awarded to Peterson Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $431,291.50 and Schedule 2 is awarded to Hatch Grading and Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $530,130.00. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve and authorize chairman to sign the MC-INV-005 Tier II and MC-INV-010 Tier II Review for the site specific projects for the WMA. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve utility permit for East Central Iowa REC in Section 19 of Leroy township. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve and sign DOT progress voucher for Project FM-CO06(113)-55-06 for a credit in the amount of $24,355.54 for overpayment on a resurfacing project on D65. Motion carried.

The Supervisors and Engineer would like to add a reminder to rural county residents and their snow removal, to please be courteous where you put your snow piles and be courteous for oncoming traffic. There has been a lot of complaints!!

Jade Ewoldt and Jasmine Gaston, sisters of Baylee Hess along with other representatives presented the House File 2004, which they have been lobbying to state representatives to support, which if passed will be called "Baylee's Bill." They were seeking a letter of support from the supervisors. The bill stems from a fatal accident of Baylee at the intersection of Hwy 30 and 21st Ave., between Van Horne and Blairstown. They are seeking rumble strips at all county paved roads that intersect with state highways with a speed limit of 55 mph or more outside of city limits. This would include the intersection of Baylee's accident. The family felt that the strips would give one more startling point to realize there is an upcoming stop. They would appreciate the support in getting this bill passed. Supervisors all three agreed how Highway 30 is very busy and there are dangerous intersections. Primmer suggested adding permanent flashing lights, which led to costs involved to install and maintain lights and put in rumble strips. County Engineer stated he has been looking at criteria needed for rumble strip destinations and would need to put together proposals for cost estimates. Primmer would like the DOT to put in the strips when the two new lanes are added, but in the meantime, he'd like to see the county put the strips in. After hashing out more details, it was agreed a letter would be drafted up to show Benton County's support.

Recessed for lunch and reconvened at 1:30 p.m.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and sign the drafted letter stating Benton County supports House File 2004 and adding the possibility of adding the flashing lights and allowing for Engineer's discretion of what intersections have priority. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #20-9, Approving FY 21 Comp Board Salary Recommendations. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #20-9

ELECTED OFFICIALS' SALARIES

WHEREAS, the Benton County Compensation Board met on December 10, 2019, and recommended increases in the salaries of the elected officials pursuant to Iowa Code Sections 331.905 and 331.907; and

WHEREAS, said recommended increases are as follows:

Official Current Salary Recommended Salary for FY21

Auditor (3%) $76,540.26. $78,836.47

Treasurer (3%) $72,384.88 $74,556.43

Recorder (3%) $72,384.88 $74,556.43

Attorney (3%) $109,268.47 $112,546.52

Sheriff (3%) $90,712.36 $93,433.73

Supervisor (3%) $41,375.40 $42,616.66

(Chairman) $42,375.40 $43,616.66

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Benton County Board of Supervisors adopts the salary recommendations for elected officials for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, as recommended by the Benton County Compensation Board.

Dated this 28th day of January, 2020.

____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

____________________________________

Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To grant a 3% across-the-board increase to all employees who are not covered by a bargaining agreement or who are deputies of elected officials, except for the following employees who will be granted additional equalization as otherwise noted: Alisha Burmeister-4% and Katelyn Welper-$18.50/hour. Motion carried.

Other FY 21 Budget work was done along with committee reports.

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

_______________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor