The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Tippet 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. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve both sets of minutes from Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve tax suspension on parcel #270-21700, and amend the HHS tax suspension list that was previously approved on April 28, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve hiring Ryan Aarhus as part-time utility deputy at the Sheriff’s office with an hourly rate of $29.17 effective May 26, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #26-43, Enter into a 28E agreement with Dubuque County and Benton County Collections effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a land use hearing for Theodore and Lori Burr in Parcel A in the SE ¼ of the NW ¼ and the SW ¼ NE ¼ of Section 28-82-12. Theodore Burr was present. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Burr’s would like to add living quarters to an existing barn. This site has a CSR of 85, which is considered high-quality farmland, however it has not been in production since the 1930s. The current driveway was reviewed and approved by Secondary Roads Department. This request will need a new septic system and well that will be permitted by the department. They will continue to utilizing the rural water. Official notices were sent out and published in the newspaper, nothing was heard before or during the meeting today. This request has been found to be consistent with the applicable policies of the Benton County Land Use Preservation and Use Plan. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the land use change for Theodore and Lori Burr in Parcel A in the SE ¼ of the NW ¼ and the SW ¼ NE ¼ of Section 28-82-12. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Supervisor Seeman reported on his most recent EMA meeting. There was talk about the Duane Arnold Energy Center wanting Benton County to house some equipment for them. They felt it would be best to have it all in one location. This discussion led to where that could possibly be since it would need to be temperature controlled.

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To recess at 9:35 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To come out of recess at 10:34 a.m. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Judi Hamaker, Quality Insurance on behalf of Heartland Insurance and Mary Griffin, Holmes Murphy, presented the FY 27 Insurance Renewal Schedules. They explained the rate study done by actuarial associates prior to 2023 that implemented increases July 1, 2024. They will again be getting a new rate study again and later discussed at the October Heartland meeting. The county’s mod factor has increased over the last year. Judi Hamaker explained the new system medcore they want to have counties have the choice to opt in with. This will allow tri-age over the phone before an ER visit is made. They will provide posters and phone numbers for this along with a brief overview in June. Benton County continues to get their discount for have 4 safety committee meetings a year. There may be a mock OSHA visit as well this year. September 10, 2026 will be the annual employment seminar and November 13, 2026 will be the elected officials training for open meetings. Chairman Seeman will receive the docu sign for the bonding of coverage document that will take effect July 1, 2026.

Volz moved/Tippet seconded: To authorize Chairman Seeman to approve and sign the insurance bonding document for the FY 27 renewals electronically. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn meeting at 11:09 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor