Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes 1/6/26

January 6, 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 January 2, 2026 minutes. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Dean Vrba and Dawn Markland to the Rural Addressing Board. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To set Tuesday, February 3, 2026 as a land use hearing date for Ethan Henry in part of the NW ¼ NE ¼ 36-86-11. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippet moved/Volz seconded: To acknowledge Barb Fetzer’s retirement from the Benton County Health and Land Use Department effective January 23, 2026. Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Tippett seconded: To appoint Tai Burkhart and Tracy Bruns to the Benton County Board of Health. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint the following for East Central Iowa Council of Government (ECICOG) BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Kate Roberts, Doug Boddicke and Tracy Seeman, Ronald Tippett and Bruce Volz as alternates

REGION 10 TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Myron Parizek, Ben Vierling and Dan Mckenna as an alternate

REGION 10 TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Randy Scheel and Cecilia Dirks

REGION 10 PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Mark Erickson and Jessica Meyer-two-year term

REGION 10 TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE

Tracy Seeman and Ronald Tippett (alternate) one vacancy

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To table appointing members to the Benton County Historical Preservation Commission. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Deanna Robinson, East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund (ECIHTF) presented the FY 27 Budget Request. Thie amount of $5,986 is the same as last year. Their overall budget combined with other entities allocation is $110,042. ECIHTF is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to offer funding assistance for housing opportunities within Benton, Iowa, Jones and Washington Counties. In 2025 they assisted 4 households in Benton County for a total amount of $65,700.

Karen Kurt, East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) was also present to speak up on the FY 2027 county assessment. ECICOG consists of members from Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington Counties. Benton County’s assessment increased by $365 from last year. FY 27 assessment is $18,625. Kurt provide a report on all the projects that they assisted with including a resurfacing county road improvement on E22 from HWY 218 to Garrison. ECICOG helps write grants for cities and also can provide technical assistance to entities like the Benton County Landfill. Kurt also said that she will be retiring at the end of the month and thanked the Board for partnering over the years.

Melinda Schoettmer, Benton County Treasurer presented her departments FY27 Budget. It was lower asking than last fiscal year. The Board didn’t have any questions or concerns.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #26-3, Hiring Two Full-time Correctional Officers in the Sheriff’s Office effective January 7, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To adjourn meeting at 10:03 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor