By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Routine land use business took place at the Tuesday, May 17, meeting of the Benton County Board of Supervisors at the Benton County Service Center, Vinton.

A land use hearing was set for June 14 at 9:15 a.m. for Nutrien Ag Solutions for land in Section 13, Leroy Township.

A hearing was held for a land use change for Amana Farms Inc., for land in Section 26, Canton Township. This is for a commercial fertilizer storage facility near Shellsburg. The existing driveway will be used. The Corn Suitability Rating is 35 on a scale of 100. It is off a hard-surfaced road. The supervisors asked about the location and its impact on neighboring residents, particularly the potential odor, as well as traffic. The residents of the nearby acreage were notified, according to Land Use Administrator Marc Greenlee. They received no response from the neighbors. Action was tabled for two weeks in an effort to get a response from the neighbors. The meeting is May 31.

The board approved handwrite for partial payment to City Wide Construction for service center concrete work.

They approved a Class B Liquor License for Blairstown Sauerkraut Days Beer Tent pending insurance approval.

The board approved a cigarette permit for Kimm’s Mini-Mart.

The board tabled action on Change Order No. 1, for Middle Cedar Watershed Bid Package. The supervisors felt this should be dealt with first by the Watershed Management Authority.

In business with the sheriff’s office, the board approved hiring Jasira Prasasouk, for full-time corrections officer and Eric Recker as a deputy sheriff. Sheriff Ron Tippett said that leaves one vacancy.

In reports, Chairman Tracy Seeman said they are looking to name one of the county’s communication towers on the east side of the county by the end of this week.

The board heard a presentation from Judi Hamaker regarding Heartland Insurance Renewal. The premium credit is $41,156. Covered was insurance on property, equipment, errors and omissions, townships, general liability, law enforcement, automobiles, crime, workmen’s compensation, special vehicle equipment and cyber.