Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Notes 7/29/25

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. All three members were present, Ron Tippett, Tracy Seeman and Bruce Volz.

The board moved quickly through the agenda. The meeting can be seen here. https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa

With a call to order at 9:00 A.M.the agenda and minutes were approved. EMS Claims were approved:

- Klocke's Emergency Vehicle, North Benton Ambulance $204,235

-Chase Decals, Blairstown EMS, $2,061.64

-Stryker Sales LLC, Norway, Medical Supplies $17,100

-Belle Plaine Area Ambulance, $1,120.42

-Urbana-Polk Township Fire Department EMS, Urbana First Responders, Vehicle $277.98

-Belle Plaine Area Ambulance, EMS, Belle Plaine Ambulance $216.15

-Norway Area Firefighters EMS First Responders, $248.00

-Karl Chevrolet Inc. EMS, Blairstown Tahoe, $77,847.74

-Belle Plaine Area Ambulance, $393.42

Total of $303,500.35

A vacation carryover for Grace Schmidt in the amount of 3 hours was approved. The vacation carryover for Rick Wood was approved in the amount of 80 hours, but it must be used within four months.

Resolution #25-61 was approved to designate a voting representatives for the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC).

Resolution #25-62 for Local Option Sales and Service Tax (LOSST Funds) Gifting/Loan and 10% matching funds, which repeals the old version. It removes funding for departments that have a money stream coming in. This would be for departments like EMS who, with the latest vote now has income via taxes. The LOSST fund is funded by the sale for money collected in Benton County through sales taxes and given to the county to use as needed. It is divided into various accounts.

Approval was given for the hiring of Cheyanne Packer a Full-time Communications Specialist at the Sheriff's Office.

A Fireworks permit was granted for Karen Petersen, Bloomsbury Farms on August 2, 2025

Under Reports, Tippett shared that he had two meetings last week, one was the Mental Health Region meeting, which is still open as it transitions to a District 2. Last week he and Auditor, Hayley Rippel, worked on transferring the vehicles. The Jeep Renegade is in Buchanan County, two Dodge Journeys are here, the 2014 that we are keeping has an issue with starting. Titles have been mailed to the Region for transfer. Derek Marsh, reported that the county finally received an MOU from the District. His second visit was in Aurora for detention services.

Seeman reported that his week was spent troubleshooting various issues in the county.

Rippel reported that she certified the tax list for the Treasurer.

Ray Lough reported that the hearing on the animal shelter was on Friday.

At 9:25 A.M. Barb Fetzer, Deputy Administrator of the Land Use-Health Department entered into a closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)i:

"to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation and the individual requests a closed session."

The board returned with a motion to enter a verbal warning and take no further action on Fetzer's evaluation.

A question was asked from the public about the county obtaining outside counsel and legal fees. Derek Marsh, Benton County Attorney assistant directed the citizen to the Auditor's Office for information. Marsh explained that ethics prevent them from participating in some of the legal cases.

A second question was asked about utility bills paid for some of the cities in Benton County. The supervisors explained that this covers lights along Highway 30, and various other roads. Rippel explained that sometimes there are payments under the Veterans Assistance program.

Seeman is still dealing with the State concerning an intersection on Highway 30.