Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes December 9, 2025

December 9, 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 the minutes from Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz second: To approve the following: 12/4/25 payroll checks numbered 143969 through 143974, ACH Deposits 63491 through 63646, EMS Claims 255805 through 255812, payroll vendor checks 255813 through 255818 and claims 255819 through 255941.Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve out of state training for Monica Cox, Public Health Nurse to attend the NACCHO preparedness Summitt in Baltimore, MD April 12-16, 2025. This is grant reimbursable. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Supervisors reported on recent meetings they attended. Bruce Volz had the Heartland Insurance meeting. He explained how the pool plans to have every county within 3 years to have a $250,000 threshold and the county is currently at around $65,000. Then after those three years, they may increase it to $400,000. So this is something to keep in mind as we start budgeting, how much extra over the next three years we will pay in.

Ron Tippett attended the Supervisors District 6 meeting in Dubuque where they discussed their legislative proposals. Tippett also had the E911 Public Safety meeting, and talked about their fund balance and how if it stays too high, the state could request some back.

Supervisor Seeman had ECICO meeting and most recently the Conservation Board last night where they had started their budget work.

Derek Marsh, Assistant County Attorney presented the board with a resolution pertaining to setting the public hearing date to take bids on the animal shelter. He also shared a public notice and a sealed bid packet. The date he would like is February 10, 2026 so the notice will be published accordingly.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #25-100, Approval to accept Sealed Bids for Real Estate Property (animal shelter) and set the public hearing date to open bids for Tuesday, February 10, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

SupervisorTippett presented the Iowa State Association of Counties amicus curiae brief request that they all received by email. He explained how it is related to the eminent domain and other issues that will come up, such as solar that utilities are working with. This can affect county zoning ordinances according to Derek Marsh. This deals with Supreme Court action in Shelby and Story County regarding pipelines. They are asking $500 from each county, the board chose to not take action at this time.

Alyssa Comer and Mary Beth Stevenson East Central Iowa Council of Government (ECICOG) met with the Board on their FY 27 Middle Cedar WMA Budget. They are asking for a minimum of $5,000, or $8,360 which is based on land and population. Last year the county gave $5,000. The FY25 Annual report was handed out along with their project overview and how they want to grow resilience in the Middle Cedar Watershed. Paola Trujillo with Black Hawk Soil and Water Conservation also was there to talk about current program led by Black Hawk Soil and Water Conservation District to support small-scale and urban farmers with gardening. They offer learning sessions and support that will help small scale growers and gardeners in the area.

Paige Everly and Coral Smart with Riverview Center presented their FY 27 Budget Request of $1,500 which is $500 more than last year’s allocation. They gave an overview of the services they provide to county residents and how they help out local law enforcement, hospitals and schools for sexual abuse survivors.

Auditor Rippel reported that she has provided budget worksheets to all the departments and is recommending that the Board should give some guidance with Department heads as they are starting to work on getting budges submitted efficiently. Chairman Seeman said he was leaning on zero raises as was recommended by the Benton County Compensation Board. Supervisor Volz said he was on board

with that also. Supervisor Tippett said that the county has big expenses coming up as Volz mentioned earlier about our insurance premiums. Volz added there are so many things we can’t control, so for the things that we can, we have to look at that tight. Supervisor Seeman would like the budget to stay the same until we know the growth and money coming in. The Supervisors asked Assistant attorney Derek Marsh to draft letters to the two unions asking them to not honor their contract with pay raises this year, that in years past we’ve bent over backwards and gave them more than their contract.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To adjourn meeting at 10:25 a.m. Volz, Seeman and Tippett voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor