Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes 1/20/26

January 20, 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 13, 2026 minutes. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Pam Keel to the Benton County Board of Health term ending December 31, 2028. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To Appoint BJ Wayson to the Integrated Roadside Management Board to replace Shelby Williams. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve FY27 Health, Dental and Visions Insurance rates. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippet seconded: To accept resignations Mindy Icenbice and Amanda Seiler as Medical Examiner Investigators. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To appoint Richard Loy as Medical Examiner Investigator, term ending December 31, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To give permission for the Sheriff’s Department to hire in the civil division. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Sheriff Dave Upah and Josh Karsten presented the Sheriff FY27 Budget. Overall budget is increasing by $500,000, they are estimating bringing in over $1,000,000, that is estimated on the low end. Asking more money for Federal inmates for room and board. Also looking at switching companies for food in the jail for saving money.

Andrea Morris and Barbara Fetzer presented the FY27 Land Use and Health Department Budget. Morris stated she is looking at part-time seasonal person for in the office during their busier season and seeing if they will need a 3rd person full-time. Overall budget is staying the same.

Grace Schmidt presented the Public Health’s FY27 Budget. Overall budget went down a little bit.

Mark Erickson presented the Transportation FY27 Budget. Erickson discussed vehicle replacement. He is wanting to start setting money aside in committing funds for when vehicles need to be replaced. Overall budget is increasing not quite $1,000.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To acknowledge the resignation of Rodney Clark, part-time transportation driver effective January 5, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #26-5, Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #26-5

APPROVAL TO POST PUBLIC NOTICE AND SEALED BID PACKET FOR REAL ESTATE SALE OF COUNTY PROPERTY

RE: ANIMAL SHELTER

WHEREAS, on or about October 14, 2025, after the conclusion of a public hearing regarding the sale of county property, the Benton County Board of Supervisors determined that such county property shall be sold; and

WHEREAS, the county property at issue is commonly known as the Animal Shelter located within Benton County, Iowa, with the following legal description,

One acre in the Southeast corner of the Southwest Quarter (SW¼) of the Southeast Quarter (SE¼), all in the West Half (W½) of the Southeast Quarter (SE¼) of Section Twenty-Two (22), Township Eighty-Five (85) North, Range Ten (10) West of the 5th P.M.,

and WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors approved the accepting of sealed bids for the sale of the Animal Shelter on December 9, 2025; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors will start accepting sealed bids after the public notice is published. Such public notice is attached hereto; and

WHEREAS, no sealed bid will be accepted after 12:00 pm on February 6, 2026. All sealed bids will be opened in the public meeting occurring on February 10, 2026; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors reviewed the public notice and sealed bid packet RE: Animal Shelter; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors hereby approve the public notice for the sale of the Animal Shelter and hereby approve the sealed bid packet RE: Animal Shelter.

Signed this 20th day of January, 2026.

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Tracy Seeman, Chairman

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Ronald J. Tippett

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Bruce Volz

ATTEST:

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Gina Edler, Deputy Benton County Auditor

Committee Reports: Supervisor Seeman reported that WMA is requesting approximately $8,000. Seeman toured the Sheriff’s office to look at the heating/cooling and see what can be done to save money on utility bills. There is over 80 motors running 24/7. Each individual room has their own heating/cooling unit. Dispatch they are looking at putting a mini-split in since dispatch is so warm.

Supervisor Seeman asked for a motion to adjourn, motion failed.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To recess at 10:21 until 11:00. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To re-enter into session and out of recess at 11:00. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

At 11:00 a.m. the board entered into exempt Session 20.17(3) where a strategy meeting of public employers is exempted from the provisions of Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code.

The board exited exempt session at 12:00 p.m.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn meeting at 12:00 p.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST:

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