Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes April 8, 2025

April 8, 2025

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Tippett and Volz present. Chairman Seeman 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. Full Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve agenda. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve all three sets of minutes of April 1, 2025 including the Budget Work Session and EMS Advisory Council. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve payroll checks numbered 143753 through 143759, ACH Deposits 60709 through 60866, vendor checks 253270 through 253276, Handwrites 253277 and 253278 and claims numbered 253279 through 253445. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-20, Proclamation for April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #25-21, Gifting Local Option Sales and Service Tax (LOSST) to Luzerne Fire Department in the amount of $1,660.34 towards their purchase of a Polaris Ranger and associated equipment for this. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippet moved/Volz seconded: To approve the Sheriff's Quarterly Report ending March 31, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-22, Hiring Shelby Chekal, as the Law Enforcement Liaison at the Benton County Sheriff's Office with an annual salary of $72,000 effective April 8, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #25-23, Entering into a 28E agreement between Benton County, IA and Floyd County, IA effective July 1, 2025 to participate in the collection of delinquent court obligations on the county level. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Mae Hintgen, Chief Executive Officer of the MHDS of the East Central Region provided an update to the Board regarding the upcoming transitional plan that will go into effect after July 1, 2025. A service from Des Moines was chosen to cover the entire state for mental health and substance abuse. They will no longer be dividing that into regions as we currently are, but will now be the re-organized districts created. The priority will still be getting people the services they need and to make them accessible. They will be committed to be a good transitional partner and get information out during this time. Further discussion about the positions that will no longer be funded by the region was also had. This has been an emotional time for all involved.

Engineer Myron Parizek presented his proposed 2025 Dust Control Prices. He bases this on material and labor costs as best as possible. Last year it was $1500 for the first 400 feet and he is asking for that to increase to $1550. Parizek reported last year there were 140 different sites who participated in the dust control, but also mentioned that residents can also choose to hire outside contractors for their applications. Contractors will do it for profit while the county does it per cost. Benton County isn't required to offer this. The Board agreed as long as the equipment works for this to continue, although would revisit it if things start needing replaced. In years past, County also requested some roads that was recommended to seal coat and what we provide or continue to do so. We don't charge for administration costs such as permits.

Seeman moved/Volz seconded: To set the cost for the 2025 MC-70 Dust Control to be $1550.00 for the first 400 feet, with an additional $260 per 100 feet or $2.66 a foot with a minimum of 50 foot increments and can apply between April 14, 2025 through May 2, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the Auditor's Quarterly Report ending March 31, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Class C Retail Alcohol License for Bloomsbury Farm April 30, 2025 through April 29, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

More discussion on the tabled action from March 25, 2025 in regards to the quotes received for updating the Benton County, Iowa Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan was had.

Quotes received were as follows: Blue Umbrella, LLC-$36,500

MCM Consulting Group, Inc.-$87,510

Two Rivers Emergency Management, LLC-$24,000

Atchison Consulting Service (ACS)-$36,160 Approach A or Approach B for $27,200

Emergency Planning and Consulting, LLC-$16,642

Dean Vrba, Emergency Management Coordinator had recommended the Board go with Two Rivers Emergency Management. Although it was not the lowest quote, he has heard all good things about them when checking their references. Supervisor Seeman was leaning towards the lowest bid, and realizing they may lean on the EMA Director, Auditor and Assessor for obtaining information and data needed to compile their update.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To award the quote to Emergency Planning and Consulting, LLC. $16,642. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve $80,000 funding for the FY 25 Budget Request of Benton Development Group. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Committee Reports: Bruce Volz attended the ECICOG meeting last week. Also reminding the Board of their upcoming meeting with Farm Bureau on Thursday, April10, 2025.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn at 11:17 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor