June 2,  2026 

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 8:45 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.  

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve the minutes of Tuesday, May 26, 2026. All members voting aye. Motion carried.  

Attorney Ray Lough discussed the temporary promotion of Kelsey Robbins, and she has been doing the duties well and he would like to make that permanent. They interviewed numerous applicants and is hiring Carly Schlarbaum for the vacancy position. There will be some salary adjustments to keep it consistent within the collections department. Ray presented a resolution combining all the mentioned action items. 

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #26-45, Appointment of Collections office manager Kelsey Robbins with a salary of $60,000 effective June 2, 2026, new collections officer Carly Schlarbaum with starting salary of $45,900 effective June 22, 2026 and increasing the salaries of Allaina Bennet Casali and Angela Becker to $46,900 effective July 1, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the following EMS claims numbered 257550 through 257555 totaling $ 45,444.85 out of the EMS Trust Fund for the following entities: 

North Benton Ambulance-$20,000 towards payroll,  $4,000 - DRSE LLC, $4,310.14-Master Medical Equipment, $3,280 -Timeclock Plus 

Garrison First Responders-$72.17 

Belle Plaine Area Ambulance-$13,782.44 for reimbursement for various expenses. 

Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

Committee Reports: 

Volz had a historical preservation meeting. They would like to obtain a website domain and be able to share posts, pictures and other information regarding to them.  

Seeman had an Eastern Iowa Housing Trust Fund meeting, they have started receiving applications. He also had a landfill meeting. Seeman also mentioned that ASAC would like to get their own network hooked up for their office space.  

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve Resolution #26-46. Acknowledging Statutory Maximum Age for Peace Officers and approving change in employment status for Richard Stallman from full-time to part-time with an hourly rate of $29.17 effective June 12, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

Volz moved/Tippett seconded: To approve Resolution #26-47, Promotion of Deputy Richard Dvorsky to Detective in the Sheriff’s Office effective June 3, 2026. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To acknowledge employment separation with Jasira Prasasouk in the Sheriff’s office effective May 31, 2026.  Tippett, Seeman and Volz both 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 Mark and Kimberly Noe within the SW ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 7-86-10. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Noe’s would like to change 5.47 acres for non-agricultural use. They would like to clean up the property  and remove multiple dilapidated old buildings. They want to build a shed and install a concrete pad for an RV and potentially build a barn dominium down the road. This site has a CSR of 73, however this parcel has not been in ag production since 1930s.  The existing 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. An existing private water well will be utilized. Official notices were sent out and published in the newspaper, the department didn’t hear anything before today. This request has been found to be consistent with the applicable polices of Benton County Land 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 Mark and Kimberly Noe within the SW ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 7-86-10. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

The time of 9:30 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a land use hearing for Jordan and Jana Haerther within the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 22-83-9. William Haerther along with Jordan and Jana were present. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Haerther’s would like change an acre to be able to put up a dog grooming shop. The entire area of this request has a CSR of 90, which is considered high-quality farmland. Historically only approximately ¼ of the area was ever utilized for crops. This site will need a new driveway that was reviewed and approved by Secondary Roads Department. This new dwelling will require installation of a new private well which will be permitted by the department. The waste generated from the dog grooming activities is not considered domestic waste and wastewater permitting, if applicable that will be under the jurisdiction of the Iowa DNR.  Official notices were sent out and published in the newspaper. Surrounding area is primarily agricultural with scattered farmsteads and single-family dwellings. This request show not materially alter the stability of the overall land use pattern in the area. No comments were heard for or against.  

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the land use change for Jordan and Jana Haerther within the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 22-83-9. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

Auditor Rippel brought up a few items that needed to be followed up with. Supervisor Tippett was handling the letter of recommendation per email received. Chairman Seeman will attend Thursday night’s meeting regarding the Morgan Valley Energy Center. There is also an invite to a District REAP meeting to be held on July 8th, if two or more attend, there needs to be an agenda posted.  

The time of 9:45 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a land use hearing for Ben Grant within the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 4-84-9.Grant was present. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Grant would like to change the use of 2.5 acres for a single family dwelling. This site has a CSR of 62.  There will be a new driveway installed which has been reviewed and approved by Secondary Roads Department. This request will need a new septic system and private water well, both will be permitted by the Department. Official notices were sent out and published in the newspaper. This request has been found to be consistent with the applicable policies of Benton County. 

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To approve the land use change for Ben Grant within the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 4-84-9. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

Tippett moved/Volz seconded: To adjourn meeting at 9:47 a.m. Tippett, Seeman and Volz voting aye. Motion carried. 

_____________________________ 

 Tracy Seeman, Chairman 

ATTEST: _________________________________ 

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor