By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors had its weekly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the service center conference room in Vinton.

Dates were set for the consideration of Emergency Medical Services as an essential service in Benton County. The first meeting is April 25. The second is May 2 and approval is planned on May 9. The proposed essential service resolution states that ensuring efficient and effective EMS coverage is essential for maintaining the health and welfare of its residents.

By declaring this essential allows a property tax and creation of a county emergency medical services system advisory council to assist in researching and assessing the service needs of the county and guiding implementation of the same. This is based on Iowa Code Section 422D.1.

Other business

Benton County Attorney Ray Lough and Mona Onken of social services met with the board on supervision of the mental health patient advocate. Onken is seeking accountability and wants to see people of Benton County are getting services. Supervisor Richard Primmer said he’d like to hear from the advocate.

The board approved Change Order No. 2 for the LEC tower at the sheriff’s office. There was a talk on insurance for the new towers in the communication system.