Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes September 23, 2025

September 23, 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 the agenda. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/ Tippett seconded: To approve minutes from September 15, 2025 and September 16, 2025. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve payroll checks numbered 143873 through 143884, ACH Deposits 62695 through 62854, claims 255036 through 255154, and payroll vendor checks 255155 through 255163. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve paying $20,000 out of the ARPA fund for 2NSystems, LLC for part of a new IT server. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Larry Hlas, Representing Van Horne Benefitted Fire met with the Board to get pre-approved for Local Option Sales and Service Tax (LOSST) 10% gift matches. The department is looking for around $35,000 in total for some new fire gear that is lighter weight and better to help battle grass fires and vehicle extractions. The other purchase is a new fire truck, rough estimate of $500,000. Hlas understands they need to have full invoices of the purchase prices and will present to the Auditor before the Board can take formal action on the Resolutions. The Board unanimously were in favor for these purchases.

The Board discussed room space for the Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) in the Benton County Service Center. Supervisor Seeman explained how they were looking for two small rooms and a conference room. The only thing accommodating would be the old Human Resources office space. No action was taken. ASAC will visit the board at a later date with their long-range plans.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #25-76, Temporary Road Closure due to construction effective September 29, 2025 from 29th Avenue, East 1 mile to 30th Avenue along 69th Street in Fremont Township. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. for Scott Schulte for a part of the SE ¼ of SW ¼ of 17-82-9. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve hiring Christine DeVore for a part-time driver for Transportation at an hourly rate of $16.52 effective September 29, 2025 pending pre-employment drug screen. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve and authorize signature on 28E for liability agreement with the various counties participating in the East Central Iowa Workforce Development Group. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a land use hearing for Jearid Merchant in part of the SW ¼ of the NE ¼ Section 30-85-9. Jearid Merchant was present. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Merchant would like to change the use of approximately one acre to allow for a single family dwelling. This site has a CSR of 20, and has not been used for ag production. Access to the property will continue via an existing easement from John and Melea Merchant. For the driveway to be compliant, a 72” culvert will be required with dirt added to the backslope. This site will require a new septic system and private water well. Surrounding area is timber with a few other single family dwellings to the south and east. Five notices were sent out and there have been no comments in regards. This site is not expected to negatively impact nearby agricultural operations. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the land use change for Jearid Merchant in part of the SW ¼ of the NE ¼ Section 30-85-9. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Derek Marsh, Assistant County Attorney met with the board regarding future sales of conservation properties. Marsh also addressed the need for an open records policy for the County. Marsh stressed the importance of tracking the requests processes with all departments and stressed that is should be uniformly and all be treated the same.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-77, Set Public Hearing Date of Tuesday, October 11, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. for Proposal for Conservation’s Animal Shelter Property pursuant to Iowa Code 350.4(2). Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-78, Set Public Hearing Date of Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 12:45 p.m. for Proposal for Conservation’s property referred to as the Cherveny Wildlife Area pursuant to Iowa Code Section 350.4(2). Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-79, Establishing a Benton County Open Records Policy that is regulated under Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-80, Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center Compromise Agreement that acknowledges the membership of counties that have joined in 28 E agreements in response to Hardin County Case No. CVCV102247. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Supervisor Reports:

Ron Tippett reported on his recent trou of HACAP and how they put together weekend lunches for those students who qualify. He said this is one of those great resources that the county gets great benefits from helping fund.

Bruce Volz had an East Central Iowa Workforce Development Board meeting. He reported that those who asking for assistance now have to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.

Tracy Seeman had a county safety meeting. They are currently working on getting a policy for safety glass and shoes and setting limits for reimbursement amounts. Seeman also reported that the landfill lagoon is now 99 percent done and the DNR approved a chain link fence to go around it.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To enter recess at 10:12 a.m. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To reconvene the meeting at 11:28 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To enter closed session at 11:30 a.m. pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(a.): to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a condition for that governmental body’s possession or continued receipt of federal funds.

Tippett Moved/Volz seconded: To exit closed session at 12:22 p.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn meeting at 12:23 p.m. Volz, Seeman and Tippett voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor