Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes June 27, 2025

June 27, 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 3:00 p.m. at the Benton County Courthouse, Auditor's Office. Full Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the agenda. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The Board took up the tabled action item regarding requested verbiage change to the MOU for the Mental Health Regional changes. The Regional Board met Thursday of this week and looked over Benton County's proposed changes. Julie Davidson explained that the regional board took out the housing part and Assistant County Attorney, Derek Marsh took out the duties in Benton County verbiage. Marsh also stated the attorney's office stands with their previous opinion because of liability. Volz stated he reached out to the county's insurance company, Heartland, and they had not seen anything like this before. Volz' main concern was liability, especially if there was a work comp claim. Tippett stated liability insurance for DAB was approved at the regional meeting. Volz stated there was no incentive for Benton County and questioned why one of the other counties the employee, Sarah Wagner, would be covering didn't take on her pay. Julie Davidson stated it takes time for the region to get established as an IPERS covered employer and get the health insurances to cover employees. Davidson also stated there were other counties doing this to get by and the only one that hadn't was Jones County. The Region is asking for the MOU to cover a year but hoping they can get things done sooner. Tippett stated he wants to see the wages and benefits stay the same, but sees why the county would be concerned.

Public comment was made by Doug Cook, that as a citizen and tax payer of Benton County he was not in favor of this. as there was no incentive and could become a liability.

Tippett moved/ Seeman seconded: To approve and authorize signature on the MOU for Disability Access Point (DAP) and transferring effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, Seeman and Tippett voting aye, Volz voting nay. Motion carried.

Volz moved/ Tippett seconded: To adjourn meeting at 3:38 p.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Alisha Burmeister, Deputy Benton County Auditor