By JIM MAGDEFRAU
VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors focused on mental health and disability services and other projects at their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the service center conference room in Vinton.
At the meeting, the board dealt with the following items.
A land use hearing was set for Tuesday, Dec. 6, 9:15 a.m., for Shawnee Lines, for land in Section 32, Eden Township.
Change orders were approved for the Belle Plaine and Norway sites in the Racom project.
Mae Hingtgen, CEO for Mental Health and Disabilities Services (MH/DS) of East Central Region, met with the board and gave a regional update. She gave the priorities for the new fiscal year. They have a five-year plan of priorities. Priorities include being responsible with the taxpayers’ dollars and being good partners with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). They are also working to reduce their fund balance. The budget is $29 million. They are also working to be more data driven. They are also working on innovative use of technology and use of the workforce.
Kristymarie Shipley met with the board regarding pending litigation. The board went into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)c.
The board discussed security recommendations. Action on a camera was tabled until they have more information. They also approved the recommendation that all department heads be on the committee, as well as designees for the heads if they can’t attend a meeting.
The board discussed the lease with Cedar Valley Ranch. They met with Benton County Attorney David Thompson. They also discussed the new boiler at the courthouse.
Engineer
In business with Benton County Engineer Myron Parizek, the board dealt with:
– Chris Sojka, new hire, mechanic in secondary roads. The hourly wage is $24.89.
– Resolution No. 22-103, approved at the Nov. 1 meeting, was rescinded. This is regarding the classification of a historic bridge in Shellsburg. They hope to keep this for pedestrians and bicycles, while the new bridge is built parallel to it. A new resolution was approved.
– Parizek updated the board on the Highway 30 project, as well as the Urbana project.
Jim Magdefrau 