By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Wages, a fire truck and a liquor license were the main items on the agenda for the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, at the service center in Vinton.

The board approved Tricia LaGrange and Michele Stainbrook to Senior Communications specialist effective Nov. 23. They are moving to senior positions in the sheriff’s office.

Florence Township trustees met with the board on funding for a new fire truck. They bought a truck for $403,797.66. The county plans to pay 10 percent of this through Local Sales and Service Tax (LOSST). They also plan to borrow money from the EMS revolving fund. It was ordered in September with a build time of 13 months. It will be on the agenda for the Nov. 30 meeting.

The board acknowledged Brad Allyn’s wage change for Benton County Transportation. He now has a Class C license. The wage is $15.40. Due to wages, fuel and maintenance, transportation is increasing its rates. This is effective Jan. 1, 2022.

A Class C Liquor License was approved for Bar Candy. This is for a wedding at Kacena Farms.

The board approved a contract for services with Northeast Iowa RC&D of Northeast Iowa. This is for work with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Jennifer Zahradnik was appointed to represent the supervisors on the compensation board.

Wage and classification changes were approved for Gabe McGowan, Grant Wittmer and Grant Vesely.

The board approved Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as an essential service.

An update was given on the landfill. A new cell might be started in six to eight months. The derecho of last summer had an impact on the volume of trash put into the landfill, according to Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman.