By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Land use, weeds, and concrete were the main topics of the Tuesday, March 1, 2022, meeting of the Benton County Board of Supervisors in Vinton.

Land use

A land use hearing was held for HGP LLC for land in Section 34, Benton Township. They also approved a variance to the subdivision ordinance. They are looking at an eight-lot subdivision. They also submitted a preliminary plat. The land is 17 acres. The land has been in production in the past. The weight average corn suitability rating is 52. The county has a standard of preserving land with 70 CSR or higher.

Land Use Administrator Marc Greenlee also covered the driveway, septic systems and water wells, soil erosion and drainage control. Adjacent land use is crop land and other subdivisions. This is 2 ½ miles north Shellsburg. It is proposed to be called Sunset Estates.

A neighbor said she was concerned her property would no longer be secluded. Another neighbor objected to any more homes being built in the area, saying they moved to the country for the open space. The former owner of the property had a proposal approved in 2017 for a commercial lot for a wedding venue and five residential lots. The new owner is proposing eight residential lots with no commercial lot.

The land use change was approved, 3-0, as well as the variance on the open space requirement.

Other business

• A resolution was approved for a loan agreement and issuance of $5.02 million in general obligation bonds and the levy of taxes.
• The board approved a bid on the concrete project at the Benton County Service Center. Approved was a bid from Cedar Wide Construction for $171,593.12. Wirtanen Concrete had a bid of $175,250.
• Ben Bonar, weed commissioner, met with the board regarding a pay increase for George Haefner, seasonal hiring for spray season, approved a noxious weed resolution, and the purchase of a track loader
• Pay for township officials was discussed. They have not had a wage increase since 2007. It is currently $15 per hour and $25 for a minimum. At the Friday, March 4 meeting, the board approved $20 an hour and $40 minimum for meetings.
• The board approved a wage increase for Rodney Clark, transportation driver, for obtaining his Class C License with passenger endorsement.
• Mona Onken gave an update on the mental health budget.
• A Class C Liquor License was approved for Tara Hills Country Club.

LINK TO MEETING