Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 10/28/25

October 28, 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

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

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the minutes from Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Saturday, October 25, 2025 and Monday, October 27, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve utility permit for Alliant Interstate Power and Light in Iowa Township to rebuild gas lines east of Belle Plaine. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To set Tuesday November 25, 2025 for a public hearing for FY 26 Budget Amendment. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. for Kyle and Alyce Lynch in a part of Parcel A in the SW ¼ SW ¼ of Section 27-86-10. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve farm exemption application for Matthew Wrage in part of the N ½ of the NE ¼ of Section 27-85-12. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Sheriff Upah and First Deputy Josh Karsten provided an update on the jail and the concern to be able to hire another full time jailer position. They have doubled the federal inmates and are currently working on increasing the rates from $50 a day to $75 a day with the federal contract. They are predicting $316,000 in revenue and would like to utilize some of that to help the current jail staff out. One will be on medical leave and one will be gone serving in the Guard.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve adding an additional jailer full-time position at the Sheriff’s office. 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 Dylan and Tiffany Niebes in part of the W1/2 of the SW ¼ Section 4-82-12. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Niebes would like to change the use of approximately two acres to allow for a single family dwelling. The property is located two miles north of Belle Plaine. This site has a CSR of 58. Access will continue through the existing driveway which was reviewed and approved by Secondary Roads Department. This dwelling will require a new septic system which will be permitted by the department and they hope to utilize the current well. Surrounding area is all agricultural row crops. Three notices were sent out and there have been no comments in regards. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the land use change for Dylan and Tiffany Niebes in part of the W1/2 of the SW ¼ Section 4-82-12. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Committee Reports: Ron Tippett had the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention meeting last week. They are currently re-working their fee schedules to have set rates for county members vs them being able to change the rates due to the juvenile’s behavior. They are also replacing the top administrative position and are hoping to have the applicants narrowed to two. Tippett also had a HACAP meeting and with the federal shut down they are still moving forward.

Bruce Volz attended the Heartland Insurance Risk Pool meeting last week. Benton County is listed in the top for the claims. We are at a 137.9% loss ratio for workman’s comp. This is something the county needs to work harder at reducing. Volz also will be attending the 6th Judicial Advisor Board meeting this week.

Tracy Seeman spoke with the food pantry workers who were concerned with Veteran’s Day being a county holiday and building being closed that day. They are going to be posting signs and have that distribution be on Wednesday, November 12 of that week. The Board will be meeting on Monday, November 10th and Wednesday. November 12th of that week.

Robert Spangler, Historic Preservation Commission thanked the Board for their new office space but voiced the need for more keys for other commission members along with some office chairs and table. Supervisor Seeman and Auditor Rippel will check on the keys and get ahold of the maintenance department for extra furniture that might be available.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn meeting at 9:49 a.m. Volz, Seeman and Tippett voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor