Government : Benton County Supervisor Minutes 3/17/26

March 17, 2026

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman and Tippett present, Volz called in. 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. 

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the minutes of March 10, 2026. Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve firework permit applications for Iowa Pyrotechnic Association for the following dates: March 21, 2026, April 16, 2026, May 23, 2026, June 20, 2026. July 18, 2026, August 21 and 22, 2026, September 19, 2026, October 17, 2026 and November 21, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz all voting aye. Motion carried. 

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the Special Class C Retail Alcohol License Renewal for Bloomsbury Farm Inc. effective April 30, 2026 through April 30, 2027.  Seeman, Tippett and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

Andrea Morris read a letter aloud to clarify the board’s denial on the ruling for Cameron Erickon’s land use hearing last week. The property subject to the request had a CSR greater than 70. It would remover 2.2 acres of high quality farm ground out of row crop production. Approval of such request may set precedent that could encourage other removal of high-quality ag land from production elsewhere in the county. This non-agricultural use would likely interfere with existing ag operations in the surrounding area. 

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To authorize a letter to be mailed to Cameron Erickson why his land use was denied. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To adopt Resolution #26-17, Granting variance to the subdivision ordinance for Rich Kundel and Ben Grant for a new residential parcel in the NE corner of the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 4, Township 84, Range 9.  Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #26-18, Acting on the Compensation Board’s recommendation for the FY 27 Elected Officials Salaries. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

RESOLUTION #26-18

ELECTED OFFICIALS’ SALARIES

WHEREAS, the Benton County Compensation Board met on November 13, 2025, and recommended the following increases in the salaries of all the elected officials pursuant to Iowa Code Sections 331.905 and 331.907; and

WHEREAS, the Benton County Compensation Board recommended zero increases for FY 27;

WHEREAS, The Board of Supervisors approved the following:

Official Current Salary Increase     Recommended Salary for FY27

Auditor $101,441.46 $0     $101,441.46

Treasurer $95,897.07 $0 $95,897.07

Recorder $95,897.07 $0 $95,897.07

Attorney $146,534.51 $0 $146,534.51

Sheriff $140,292.32 $0 $140,292.32

Supervisor $51,664.61 $0 $51,664.61

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Benton County Board of Supervisors adopts the salary recommendations for elected officials for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as recommended by the Benton County Compensation Board and this resolution replaces the previous one. 

Dated this 17th day of March, 2026.

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Tracy Seeman, Chairman

____________________________________

Ronald J. Tippett

____________________________________

Bruce Volz

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #26-19, Approval to post public notice for sealed bids for real estate sale of county property known as the Cherveny Wildlife Area described as old railroad right of way 100 foot wide located in the NW ¼ of the NE ¼ and the NE 1/4 .  Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Seeman seconded: To adjourn meeting at 9:45 a.m. Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel Benton County Auditor