Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 2/22/24

February 22, 2024

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in special session with Supervisors Seeman present, and Supervisor Primmer called in, Bierschenk was absent. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.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/Primmer seconded: To approve the agenda as listed. Seeman and Primmer voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Sue Wilber explained she had sent out the county's insurance rates for health, dental and eye. The Board recently acted on the renewal at the earlier meeting this week.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To continue to keep the employee's share of the insurance rates the same as last year: $99.44 single/ $389.55 for family and to encourage participation in the Wellness program so that Benton County qualifies for the higher discounted premiums next year. Voting aye were Primmer and Seeman. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To continue splitting the dental and vision premiums 50/50 with employees. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Steve Meyer of Benton County Emergency Management Agency visited with the Board regarding filling the EMA director position. He said the commission voted to hire Dean Vrba as the new coordinator at their recent February 18th meeting. There were nine applications and they interviewed two of them. Vrba will start April 1 as the assistant under Scott Hansen and then transfer to Director July 1st with a starting salary of $74,000. Vrba has already taken some of the required classes. Meyer thanked the Board for their support.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To acknowledge Dean Vrba's resignation as Benton County Transportation Director effective April 19, 2024. Primmer and Seeman voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Kelly Van Ree asked about DOT requiring CDL Permits when you get hired, they can be pretty expensive to obtain, it might be something to think about.

Seeman Moved/Primmer seconded: To authorize posting of the vacant transportation director position and to change some of the language to include Class CDL license or to obtain within 6 months, preferred Salary range $55-$60,000 and to have skills in scheduling and mechanical experience. Both members voting aye there. Motion carried.

Sue Wilber brought up the January county weather closure day and how it related to staff that worked that day. Employees have been reaching out to her such as secondary roads and sheriff's employees. It was suggested that the Board approve 8 hours of comp time for these employees. Primmer said he was a little disappointed this wasn't addressed years ago in the employee handbook. Supervisor Seeman preferred allowing 4 hours of comp time, saying these employees would still be working no matter what. Wilber said it affected approximately 50-53 employees. Seeman suggested it be tabled for two weeks. He would prefer to have Bierschenk present in the discussion also. No action was taken.

Seeman moved/Primmer Seconded: To Adjourn. Voting aye were Primmer and Seeman. Motion carried.

*A quick report on the EMS Advisory Council that the Board was to attend at 6:00 p.m. on February 22, 2024 at the EOC office. Supervisor Seeman and Auditor Rippel were the only ones in attendance so no quorum by the Board of Supervisors was had. Anna DeMuth was voted the Chairman, and Mindy Fisher as secretary to the EMS Advisory Council. They will continue to work on the EMS Advisory by-laws and discussing ideas how funding will be paid out of using the EMS Trust Fund once the .68 levy goes into effect.

_____________________________

Richard Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor