By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – It was the first meeting of the new year for the Benton County Board of Supervisors, as they met at the Benton County Service Center in Vinton on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. The meeting followed the swearing-in ceremony at the courthouse for newly elected officials.

The first order of business was choosing a chairman. Incumbent Chair Tracy Seeman was nominated by Supervisor Gary Bierschenk. Supervisor Richard Primmer said Seeman had asked him if he would take it, and he will if Seeman wants him to.

“I’ll give it one more year, I guess,” Seeman said of being chairman. Primmer seconded Bierschenk’s motion, and Seeman was chosen to be chairman again on a 3-0 vote.

Other business

Primmer was chosen as vice chairman.

The board declined adopting the Construction Evaluation Resolution for 2023.

The schedule for supervisors’ meetings was approved. The schedule will remain the same.

The board approved having the chairman sign a new statement of Non-Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy.

John Lindaman was appointed as civil rights coordinator.

People were appointed to the eminent domain commission for 2023. Members were also appointed to the Pioneer Cemetery Commission.

In establishing the official newspapers for 2023, the board approved going with the Cedar Valley Times, The Vinton Eagle and The Gazette.

The board gave a clarification on holiday pay for sheriff’s employees for Dec. 23, 2022. Eight hours of vacation were added to those who worked on that day.

Board embers and public members were appointed to various commissions and boards, including the health board, conservation board, Benton Development Group, Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Committee, benefited fire districts, Heartland Insurance Risk Group, Benton County Historic Preservation Commission, and the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) boards and committees.