Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes September 30, 2025

September 30, 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 23, 2025. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve EMS (Emergency Management Services Trust Fund) Checks 255165 through 255171 for the following entities:

North Benton Ambulance, $2,400.00 to DRSE for training and $1,204.13 to Geiger Repair for ambulance repairs. Garrison First Responders, $214.93 for medical supplies. Urbana First Responders, $208.00 for medical supplies, Belle Plaine Area Ambulance, $2,919.87 and $189.00 for medical supplies. Norway EMS, $2,781.08 for supplies and correction for Atkins First Responders, $26,199.07 paid to RACOM for first responder vehicle, and voided check #254901 previously issued to Atkins. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. for Dylan and Tiffany Niebes in a part of the W ½ of the SW ¼ of 4-82-12. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To set public hearing date of Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 9:05 a.m. for status on funded activities for the CDBG Grant regarding the Benton County Conservation Tree Planting Project. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Isaac Harthoorn, Pioneer Cemetery Board member came to discuss a budget amendment need. They had an invoice come through end of FY25 that didn’t get submitted to be paid until FY 26. With the plans and expense needs already in place for FY26, he asked that the board amend their spending authority accordingly.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve increasing the Pioneer Cemetery’s FY 26 Budget expenses by $602.95 to cover that accrued invoice from FY 25. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Anna DeMuth, North Benton Ambulance met with the board to discuss purchase of a new ambulance rebuild out of the EMS (Emergency Management Services Fund). This will be a remounted ambulance that they plan to pay half this fiscal year, then the rest in next fiscal year for a total cost of $112,000. They hope to get it picked up by November. DeMuth just wanted to explain the big purchase that would be coming and to note, this will be within North Benton Ambulance’s allotted spending authority out of the EMS Trust Fund.

Doug Kearns, member of the Safety Committee explained the need for the drafted safety foot and eyewear policy. The Safety Committee had recommended this in an effort to protect employees and avoid lawsuits. The Board discussed the types of safety shoes and who would be required to wear them. The eyeglass needs should have a capped dollar amount that is allowed for reimbursement also. The Board recommended this go back to the safety committee and department heads to further refine before adopting. No action was taken.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-79, Entering into a 28E agreement between Benton Community School District (BCSD) and Benton County Sheriff Department for law enforcement services related to the schools in the BCSD and repealing Resolution #20-39. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Auditor Hayley Rippel discussed the finished Arcasearch scanning project done by her office and the Recorders. It includes all of the real estate records in the Auditor’s Office, archived Supervisor minutes and other real estate and indexed documents in the Recorder’s office. Rippel demonstrated how this works and shared the links that are now on the County’s website at: https://www.bentoncountyia.gov/board_of_supervisors/property_records/ The employees have log ins but the general public can hit the access all Benton county Archive Site Public Documents. From there, it has searching capabilities. There is also a click here for a tutorial or about tab to help.

Auditor Rippel presented a proposed timeline in preparation in getting a head start on the FY 27 Budget work and to meet the required deadlines by law. Rippel recommended that the sooner they give goals

and guidelines to the department heads the better so that they can work on their departmental budget requests. Rippel also mentioned that it is still the Board of Supervisor’s decision if they want to retain the compensation board. They agreed to have the Compensation Board try and meet in November, and then get some department head budget work sessions set up as well.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn meeting at 11:00 a.m. Volz, Seeman and Tippett voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor