Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 1/2/26

January 2, 2026 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 December 30, 2025 minutes. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Tracy Seeman as Chairman for 2026. Tippett and Volz voting aye, Seeman abstained. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Ronald J. Tippett as Vice-Chairman for 2026. Seeman and Volz voting aye. Tippett abstained. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #26-1, Authorizing the Auditor to Issue Checks and Sign ACH Agreements for 2026. Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #26-1 AUTHORIZING THE BENTON COUNTY AUDITOR TO ISSUE CHECKS AND SIGN ACH AGREEMENTS FOR 2026

WHEREAS: Iowa Code §331.506 sets forth the auditor’s duties relative to the issuance of checks; and WHEREAS: Iowa Code §331.506(3) allows the auditor to issue checks under the authority of the Board of Supervisors without prior approval, and

WHEREAS: Benton County conducts part of this activity through the use of ACH deposits and other electronic means; and

WHEREAS: It is necessary for the auditor to have the authority to execute agreements on behalf of Benton County when necessary to allow for the use of electronic banking, including but not limited to ACH deposits, and other financial activities, and

NOW BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors hereby authorizes the auditor and/or her designee to issue checks in accordance with Iowa Code Section 331.506 and specifically Iowa Code Section 331.506(3).

IT IS RESOLVED that the Benton County Auditor and/or her designee is hereby authorized to execute all necessary agreements on behalf of Benton County for the purposes of ACH deposits and other financial activities of Benton County.

IT IS RESOLVED that this authority may be amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

IT IS RESOLVED that this authority is granted beginning this date and shall remain in effect until revoked by the Board of Supervisors. Signed this 2nd day of January, 2026. _____________________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

_____________________________________

Ronald J. Tippett

______________________________________

 Bruce Volz

ATTEST: _____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

The Land Use Office wanted to have a discussion on the Senate File 592 that went into effect in July 2025. This is relating to county and city regulation of accessory dwelling units. Current county ordinances do not address this, they regulate the use of the land not the structures. There needs to be a better definition of accessory dwelling and possibly have a separate permitting practice for this. Seeman moved/Tippett seconded: To deny participating in the Construction Evaluation Resolution for 2026 and allow Department of Natural Resources to handle these. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #26-2, Authorizing the Treasurer to Issue Checks and Sign ACH Agreements for 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #26-2

AUTHORIZING THE BENTON COUNTY TREASURER TO SIGN ACH AGREEMENTS FOR 2026

Whereas: Iowa Code 331.552(29) sets forth the treasurer’s duties relative to the issuance of direct deposits of tax revenue, special assessments, and other moneys collected for each tax-certifying or tax levying public agency in the county; and

Whereas: Benton County conducts part of this activity through the use of ACH deposits and other electronic means; and

Whereas: It is necessary for the treasurer to have the authority to execute agreements on behalf of Benton County when necessary to allow the use of electronic banking, including but not limited to ACH deposits, and other financial activities; and

IT IS RESOLVED that the Benton County Treasurer and/or her designee is hereby authorized to execute all necessary agreements on behalf of Benton County for the purpose of ACH deposits and other financial activities of Benton County.

IT IS RESOLVED that this authority may be amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

IT IS RESOLVED that the authority is granted beginning this date and shall remain in effect until revoked by the Benton County Board of Supervisors. Signed this 2nd day of January, 2026.

Attest: ___________________________________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman _________________________________________________

Ronald J. Tippet

  __________________________________________________

Bruce Volz ___________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: That the general schedule for regular meetings of the board of supervisors for 2026 will remain the same and be each Tuesday throughout the year at 9:00 a.m. This schedule is general in nature and may be altered at any time throughout the year, including but not limited to the lack of agenda items, courthouse closings, meeting conflicts, or for any reason. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To authorize signatures on the Statement of Non-Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy for 2026. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To re-appoint Greg Walston, Jay Herman, Marlyn Jorgensen, Janelle Jack and Tracy Papesh for a one-year term to Benton Development Group.Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint the following members to the respective boards for 2026. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

North Benton Family Resource Center (HACAP) - Supervisor Tippett

Regional HACAP –Supervisor Tippett

Emergency Management Commission - Supervisor Seeman,  Supervisor Tippett, Alternate

Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP) - Supervisor Seeman and Shelby Williams

Solid Waste Disposal Commission Advisory Board - Supervisor Seeman,  Supervisor Tippett, Alternate Supervisor Volz, Alternate

County Conference Board - Supervisor Seeman,  Supervisor Tippett,  Supervisor Volz

6th Judicial District Department of Corrections – Supervisor Tippett

Workforce Development - Supervisor Volz

Eastern Iowa Tourism – Supervisor Volz,  Supervisor Tippett, Alternate Supervisor Seeman Alternate

North Central Iowa Juvenile Detention – Supervisor Tippett, Supervisor Volz, Alternate

Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) – Supervisor Tippett

Benton County Conservation – Supervisor Seeman, Ex-Officio

East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund-Supervisor Seeman

Public Health Board-Supervisor Tippett

Regional Mental Health-Supervisor Tippett

Decat-Supervisor Tippett

Heritage Area Agency on Aging-Grace Schmidt

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To appoint Derrick Parker to the Benton County Conservation Board for a five-year term ending 12/31/2030. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To table appointments to the East Central Iowa Council of Governments’ Boards. Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To appoint the following persons to the Benton County Eminent Domain for 2026. Motion carried.

Licensed Real Estate Sales Person or Real Estate Broker

Danny Kaestner

Tami Timm

Shannon Feuerbach

Alan Michael

Dave Wessling

Scott Schlarbaum

Melissa Lennie Persons

Having Knowledge of Property Values by Reason of Occupation

Brian Bierschenk

Dave Coulter

Melissa McBride

Denise Weeda

Gary McKenna

Harold Knaack Jr.

Owner-Operator Agricultural Property

Elaine Harrington

John David Rhinehart

John Elwick

Todd Hennings

Brenda Schanbacher

Wayne Seila

Connie Barnes

Owners of City or Town Property

Darold Sindt

Jeff Kelly

Kathy Van Steenhuyse

Janice Eldred

Larry Weeda

Connie Ogier

Gary Benson

Seeman moved/Volz seconded: To re-appoint

Mark Kuch, Van Horne Benefitted Fire District #1

Dan Busch, Keystone Benefitted Fire District #2

Mike Deklotz, Benton-Linn Fire District #3

Roy Becker, Newhall Benefitted Fire District #4

terms ending December 31, 2028. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To table appointment to the Board of Health. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Tippett seconded: To table appointments to the Benton County Historic Preservation Commission, those that were up for re-appointment were not interested. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Volz seconded: To appoint John Frazier to the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Committee. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To table appointments to the Benton County Land Use Adjustment Board. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To re-appoint Ilene Kreider, Kim Kuch and Wayne Shannon to the Pioneer Cemetery Commission three year term. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To appoint Tracy Seeman to the Solid Waste Commission and Brian McNulty. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Hayley Rippel, Myron Parizek and Ray Lough as the 2026 ADA Coordinators. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Myron Parizek as the 2026 County Engineer pursuant to Iowa Code 309.17. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Tippett seconded: To appoint Josh Karsten Civil Rights Coordinator for 2026.

Seeman moved/Tippett seconded: To appoint Bruce Volz as the Trustee to Heartland Insurance Risk Group and Hayley Rippel as the alternate for 2026.Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Tippett seconded: To appoint Myron Parizek and Doug Kearns as the 2026 Safety Coordinators. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To have Vinton Newspapers, Vinton Eagle and The Gazette as the Official Newspapers for 2026. Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To authorize Tracy Seeman to sign USDA FSA Documents on behalf of Benton County. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Eric Schares as the Benton County Weed Commissioner for 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Kim Kuch to replace Matt Gorkow as the Big Grove Township Clerk term ending December 31, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Mark Kuch as the Big Grove Township Trustee filling the vacancy term ending December 31, 2028. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Under FY 27 Budget Work, Auditor Rippel reminded the Board about the Budget Work session Monday morning with the Department Heads. The Supervisors asked Rippel to send some YTD budget reports ahead of time. Rippel also reported on the 2025 Valuations filed so she would hope to have some estimates of the budget dollars available if held to the restricted growth available.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To adjourn meeting at 10:43 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________ Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST:

_________________________________ Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor