By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – A proclamation was approved for Suicide Awareness Month at the Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, meeting of the Benton County Board of Supervisors in Vinton.

The proclamation reads as follows.

RESOLUTION #23-62

PROCLAMATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

WHEREAS, suicide has the ability to affect anyone of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the immediate physical and emotional costs, suicide may have ripple effects on family and community members contributing to substance use disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and future suicidality; and

WHEREAS, suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among Iowans and has been elevated in Benton County in recent years; and

WHEREAS, deaths by suicide are preventable with awareness, recognition, training, and outreach.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED we, the Benton County Board of Supervisors in and for Benton County, on behalf of all staff and citizens of Benton County, that the Month of September 2023 is hereby proclaimed as: “SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH”

Signed this 5th day of September, 2023.

Other business

The board approved a fireworks permit for Bloomsbury Farm Inc. for Sept. 27.

Sue Wilber of human resources explained a format for employee performance evaluations. They wanted a format that includes feedback. The format was approved.

Wilber also talked about new attendance software for paperless time sheets. The software was approved after they talked about how this affects different departments.

She discussed outsourcing background checks and driving records. This will help with getting out-of-state information. A fee is charged for each investigation. The board also approved this.

The board approved raising credit limits for Veterans Affairs and conservation, and approved a credit card for public health. Conservation’s increase will be only for the Hannen Park project, then it will go back to its usual limit.

The board went into closed session with County Attorney Ray Lough, pursuant to Iowa Code 21. 5(1)c: To discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.

The board met with Dean Vrba of Benton County Transportation about a new dispatch service for his department. He recommended going with TripMaster out of Nebraska. They are looking at a five-year contract. The software was approved.

Sheriff Ron Tippett is working to get used vehicles for his investigators. These are not patrol vehicles. They approved the purchase of two vehicles, which will be used undercover.

Meeting video