By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – It was routine business for the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting Tuesday, May 2, at the Benton County Service Center, Vinton.

After a public hearing, the board approved an amendment to the current budget.

The amendment is for General Obligation Bond Redemption and unplanned revenue, unpredicted expenses throughout the fiscal year along with finishing up the Middle Cedar Watershed Projects and dissolving of the Mental Health Fund. The amendment is for $3.9 million.

Other business

The board approved vacation carryover for Cara Martin, Veterans Affairs Director.

The board approved quote options for audit services from Eide Bailly. The board approved a five-year agreement.

Ben Bonar, weed commissioner, discussed hiring Luke Hennings as seasonal spray truck driver. He was hired for $23 per hour.

Taxes were abated on parcels 691-34020 and 691-30430 pursuant to Iowa Code.

The board approved a resolution allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Benton County Attorney David Thompson discussed a consent order for the City of Garrison regarding parcel 070-02700. This is for an abandoned home. Garrison would like to set a hearing on this. It has since been burned by arson. The city wants to get title to it and get use out of it. The county will be waiving the past taxes, of which there are not many, nor are there any special assessments.

The board authorized signatures on a site access agreement between Benton County and Constance Barnes.

Benton County Engineer Myron Parizek received approval for wage and classification change for James Kane.

A hearing was set for a road classification change from Level B to Level C on 11th Ave. in Kane Township. The hearing is Tuesday, May 24 at 10 a.m.

Doug Kozik, rural Belle Plaine, thanked the supervisors for putting up speed limit signs in his area, for gravel roads impacted by the highway work at Highways 21 and 30. He said there is still a lot of truck traffic on those roads. He asked for law enforcement in the area and was concerned about when the roads get dry.