Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes 8/17/21

August 17, 2021

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Bierschenk, and Primmer present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. at the conference room at the Benton County Service Center. Members of the public were provided the zoom access capability to join in during open session and livestream at https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov ( https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa)

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve minutes of August 10, 2021. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/ Bierschenk seconded: Enter into closed session at 9:05 a.m. pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5 (1)(i). Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: Exit out of closed session.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution#21-65, hiring of Megan Hall and approving her employment contract for the County Attorney's Office. Hall will have a starting salary of $45,000 as a paralegal, and after passing the bar exam, increase to $75,000 as an assistant county attorney. Hall will be awarded two weeks of vacation and 40 hours of sick leave effective immediately. Motion carried.

Mona Krugger Onken, Mental Health Director for Benton County discussed the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) position and if it would be possible to house in Benton County. The county would be reimbursed by the region for this. Further discussion on the need for another vehicle, office space and when the employee would start. The hope is to have the employee start on September 1. Although the Board was in favor of housing this position, no action was taken. There was other details that need to be worked out before taking action on this.

Bids were received as follows for a new sign truck with body and crane for secondary roads:

Mack Granite- $233,729

Freightliner M2-$213,083

Peterbilt Model 537-$261,491

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve lowest bid from Freightliner for the M2106 for $213,083. Motion carried.

Katie Cox, Benton County Public Health Director, gave an update on how Benton County is dealing with Covid-19. The past few weeks has seen an update in cases. The biggest is the Delta Variant, which is more aggressive and spreads faster. They are continuing to get the vaccines out and available. Cox also explained how the booster shots work. The health department is working closely with schools as they being a new school year, with the no mask mandate by the Governor, they continue to work on other measures to encourage them. They have begun contract tracing again. Cox anticipates a rise in cases as people all come back together again. Benton County is just under the 50% mark for people who are fully vaccinated.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To adjourn. Motion carried.

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor