By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – It was routine business for the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, at the Benton County Service Center Conference Room in Vinton.
A land hearing was set for Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, at 9:15 a.m., for Korinda Eastwood, for land in Section 29, Benton Township.
Local Options Sales And Services Tax (LOSST) funds were approved for a fire truck for the City of Atkins. The supervisors will pay for 10 percent of the fire truck through LOSST funds, as it does for other communities and rural departments.
Tax abatement was approved for Parcel No. 240-86150. The abatement is $458 for the City of Vinton.
Taxes were also abated on Parcel No. 390-08050. This is for land donated to conservation.
A public hearing was set for Sept. 13 at 9:05 a.m. for adopting a Code of Ordinances. The second is consideration Sept. 20. The third consideration will likely be waived.
A Class B Liquor License was approved for the Blairstown Sauerkraut Days beer tent.
A class C Liquor License was approved for Bar Candy.
Kirsten Nelson of human resources discussed the weed commissioner’s resignation and a hiring committee. Ben Bonar has been hired in Buchanan County, with the conservation department. A committee will be put together. Supervisor Gary Bierschenk will serve on the committee.
A resolution was approved to hire two sheriff’s deputies, Victor Rohrbach and Dmitry Nikolaev. They are from LaPorte City and Dyersville respectively.
Law enforcement contracts were approved for Shellsburg, Van Horne and Atkins. Shellsburg’s contract is for a total yearly sum of $33,800 with an average of 1,040 hours a year. Van Horne’s is for a total yearly sum of $25,350 with an average of 780 hours a year. Atkins’ contract is for a total yearly sum of $30,420 with an average of 936 hours in a year.
Sheriff Ron Tippett discussed maintenance issues with air conditioning at the law enforcement center.
Jennifer Fencl of East Central Iowa Council of Governments met with the board on a Watershed Management Authority change order. The board signed up on the change order.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were approved for Elert and Associates for the radio project, and McDowell’s for conservation parking.
Benton County Engineer Myron Parizek met with the board on a resolution for a temporary speed limit on 74th Avenue and 24th Street, south of Highway 30. Parizek added that tree sap has been put down on 24th Avenue and 74th Street for dust control. Traffic has increased on these rock roads due to construction on Highway 30.
Dean Verba of Benton County Transportation met with the board on hiring of a transportation scheduler/assistant. The board went into closed session.
Jim Magdefrau 