Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 11/25/25

November 25, 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. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the minutes from Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the following: 11/20/25 payroll checks numbered 143911 through 143968, ACH Deposits 63336 through 63490, handwrite 255644, payroll vendor checks 255645 through 255652 and claims 255653 through 255804. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve fireworks permit from Iowa Pyrotechnic Association and Daniel Marovets to display fireworks on January 3, 2026 pending approval of the Fire Chief. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-96, Approving Memorandum of Agreement with the Sheriff’s Union Contract, Creating new Article 28-Promotable Position Differential-$1.00 an hour additional pay. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve out of state conference training for Auditor Hayley Rippel February 20-25, 2026 in Washington D.C. 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 Kyle and Alyce Lynch in part of the SW1/4 of the SW ¼ Section 27-86-10. Kyle and Alyce Lynch were present. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Lynch’s would like to change the use of one acre to allow for a single family dwelling by adding on to the existing shed to convert it into a dwelling. The property is currently used as pumpkin fields and agritourism activities. This site has a CSR of 25 and 45. The access is along Hwy 150 (55th Street) a paved state road and was previously approved by the Iowa Department of Transportation. The existing shed utilizes a septic system installed in 2022 and is large enough to accommodate a three-bedroom dwelling. The existing private water well was installed in 2001 and will be utilized. The surrounding area generally consists of agricultural uses with some scattered residences. Proper notices were sent out and published in the official newspapers with 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 Kyle and Alyce Lynch in part of the SW1/4 of the SW ¼ Section 27-86-10. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The Board discussed replacing Sarah Wagner on the Heritage Aea on Aging Council. Supervisor Volz was interested but it would interfere with his bus route. Supervisor Seeman will talk to Grace Schmidt to see if she would be interested. No action taken.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #25-97, Adopting Benton County Safety Footwear Policy due to Occupation Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) Standards. 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 Kyle and Alyce Lynch in part of the SW1/4 of the SW ¼ Section 27-86-10. Kyle and Alyce Lynch were present. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Lynch’s would like to change the use of one acre to allow for a single family dwelling by adding on to the existing shed to convert it into a dwelling. The property is currently used as pumpkin fields and agritourism activities. This site has a CSR of 25 and 45. The access is along Hwy 150 (55th Street) a paved state road and was previously approved by the Iowa Department of Transportation. The existing shed utilizes a septic system installed in 2022 and is large enough to accommodate a three-bedroom dwelling. The existing private water well was installed in 2001 and will be utilized. The surrounding area generally consists of agricultural uses with some scattered residences. Proper notices were sent out and published in the official newspapers with 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 Kyle and Alyce Lynch in part of the SW1/4 of the SW ¼ Section 27-86-10. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The time of 9:30 a.m. was set for a Public Hearing on Amending the FY 26 Budget. The board opened up the hearing. Auditor Rippel explained the various areas where the additional spending authority was needed along with some offsetting revenues. Rippel handed out spreadsheet that reflects the journal entries to be made after all was approved. Various entities such as EMS, ARPA and OPIOID funds needed the spending authority from added revenues or carryover from prior FY. Sheriff’s added position to the jail and IPERS Rate changes was also reflected. The Juvenile Detention Budget continues to be costly to the county along with juvenile transports and also Pioneer cemetery had previously been granted an amendment so this reflects that amount as well. The public was able to ask questions and look at the reports as well. After no further discussion, the public hearing was closed.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-98, Second Amendment to the FY 26 Budget. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #25-98

BE IT REMEMBERED on this, the 25th day of November, 2025, the Board of Supervisors of Benton County, Iowa, met in session for the purpose of hearing on an amendment to the current operating budget adopted on April 29, 2025. There was a quorum present as required by law. Thereupon, the Board found that the notice of time and place of the hearing had been published. Thereafter, and on said date the amendment was taken up and considered. Thereafter, the Board took up the amendment to the budget for final consideration and determined that said budget be amended as follows:

Expenditures Amendment

Public Safety $ 951,200

Physical Health & Social Services $ 10,000

Mental Health $ 0

County Environment & Education $ 1,000

Roads & Transportation $ 0

Government Services to Residents $ 0

Administration $ 85,000

Non-Program $ 0

Debt Service $ 0

Capital Projects $ 0

Operating Transfers Out $ 0

REVENUES Amount

Intergovernmental $ 0

Licenses & Permits $ 0

Charges for Services $56,000

Use of Money & Property $ 0

Miscellaneous $200,000

General Long-Term Debt Proceeds $ 0

Operating Transfers – In $ 0

Proceeds of Fixed Assets $ 0

Operating Transfers In $ 0

Dated this 25th day of November, 2025.

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Tracy Seeman, Chairman

_____________________________________

Ronald Tippett

______________________________________

Bruce Volz

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Supervisors Committee reports were had: Tippett attended the EMS meeting last night, they discussed the NEX Era and how funding will offset the county’s share next fiscal year. Volz attended the Iowa Workforce Development meeting held at Kirkwood. Seeman had a safety committee meeting and he also attended the EMA meeting.

Supervisor Seeman wanted to clarify something he had said at the Compensation’s Board meeting held a few weeks ago in regards to departments who have their own boards who decide on wages. He apologized to the Conservation Department.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn meeting at 9:57 a.m. Volz, Seeman and Tippett voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor