By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors approved the 2022-2023 budget after a hearing was held Tuesday, March 15, at the Benton County Service Center in Vinton.
The budget has revenues of $31.3 million, down from $37.9 this current year. Spending is expected to be $36.7 million, up from the figure of $34.1 million this year. The county expects to have an ending fund balance of $17.3 million. Next year this is expected to be $11.95 million.
Taxes are expected to be $6.25612 for urban areas per $1,000 of taxable property, and $10.20612 for rural areas.
The largest spending area is roads and transportation at $9.8 million, up from $9.2 million this year. Public safety and legal services are set at $7.5 million next year, down from $7.7 million this year.
Property tax levies for 2022-23 are as follows, without gas and electric.
General Basic $5,865,661
General Supplemental $3,838,639
Mental Health Services $0
Rural Services Basic $4,208,181
Debt Service $800,101
It was adopted after a hearing was held, with no one making comments at the meeting.
Other business
The board canvassed the special city election results in Atkins.
A land use hearing was set for Tuesday, April 12, 9:15 a.m., for Ryan and Karlee Kasal, regarding land in Section 30, Jackson Township.
A land use hearing was held for Jill and Brian Kuhn, for land in Section 12, Canton Township on 33rd Avenue Drive. This is for a family dwelling. Marc Greenlee, land use administrator, gave the technical review on corn suitability rating, driveway, soil, highway, well, septic system, area land use patterns, and notification of neighbors. This is on family land and has not been in production. There are several other houses in the area. The request was approved.
The board approved hiring Deputy Sheriff Hunter Mast, who has a four-year degree. A second deputy will be hired in May, when that candidate finishes his four-year degree. They have to attend law enforcement academies.
Ben Bonar, weed commissioner, discussed chemical bids for the 2022 spray season. They went with pre-mixing chemicals with Nutrien.
A penalty and interest were discussed on Parcel 38003900. There was discussion. This was tabled, so the board may investigate it.
A resolution was approved authorizing adoption of policies and procedures regarding municipal securities disclosure.
Wayne Siela met with the board on the status of the 61st Street project, which is a dirt road south of Vinton. Siela has concerns about school traffic in the area. Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman was at a meeting where he heard Vinton felt it was a good idea, but they didn’t have enough money in their budget. Siela urged the county to sit down with the city and work it out. Supervisor Richard Primmer said his concern was the cost to the Benton County taxpayers, plus the taxpayers might lose the road as it might be annexed to the city. County Engineer Myron Parizek pointed out that in the past, when dirt roads are improved, people who came forth and wanted to improve it have participated in the costs. They also talked about who would pay for the survey. Seeman stressed that the county taxpayers should not have to pay for 100 percent of the bill. Siela stressed it is the responsibility of the county to maintain roads.
Siela also had questions about Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management advisory committee. Bonar later explained how the system works and the benefits of it.
A rural resident talked about the quality of roads, road improvement plans, gravel on his property from snow plows and dead deer in his yard.
In reports, supervisors talked about damage to the Old Creamery Trail, as well as working with Vinton Unlimited on Christmas lights.
Jim Magdefrau 