By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – A meeting is planned Thursday at 10 a.m. regarding public health services in Benton County, as the Benton County Board of Supervisors reviewed a new contract with Virginia Gay Hospital, Vinton.
The supervisors met Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. Earlier this year the supervisors dismissed the five members of the Benton County Board of Health, who had given options for health services.
At Tuesday’s meeting Sue Wilber, human resources, reviewed the new proposed contract. She asked that action be tabled until Thursday morning, so hospital representation could be present. This also gives the supervisors more time to review the draft.
When asked if the public could see the proposed agreement, Supervisor Richard Primmer said this is not a signed agreement, so it is not available to the public. This is based on advice from the county attorney, who was not at the meeting Tuesday. “Our hands are tied,” Primmer said.
The supervisors quietly read the proposal. No action was taken.
Former board of health member Maggie Mangold talked about a timeline regarding the board of health and its budget, as well as the relationship between the county, board of health and Virginia Gay, and who has the authority to enter into contract on public health.
Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman asked that Mangold come to the meeting Thursday morning.
Kurt Karr, Vinton, stated the supervisors are tasked with the responsibility of keeping the well being and safety of all of the residents of Benton County. The county had a highly qualified volunteer board of health. He asked why 77 percent of the money the county was providing for public health going to non-public health expenditures. The result of pursuing this question had the board of health terminated, not as employees, but as volunteers. Now they have a contract to enter in that same arrangement with the entity that was expending funds the way that they were.
There were also questions on when the closed session was held regarding the board of health terminations.
Primmer stressed the county is not without public health people.
As the meeting ended, Seeman stated, “What it comes down to, we’re trying to save the taxpayers’ money.”
Other business
A land use hearing was held for Cody and Jessica Randall for land in Parcel A, Section 36, Benton Township. A temporary variance is planned for the driveway so they can move in a manufactured house. The application was approved with the use of a temporary wider driveway, which will be removed once the new home is installed.
Mona Onken, social services, discussed attending out-of-state training. The training is in January in Rochester, MN.
William Beranek was approved as an equipment operator at secondary roads at an hourly wage of $26.35.
The board also discussed the future of the weed department. The most recent commissioner resigned earlier last week. Primmer said the board will have to get their heads together on this. They will hold off on posting the position and have the department’s current employee help with secondary roads. Since winter is coming, action was tabled until next year.
There were questions from the public regarding the landfill. The questions focused on the dirt that is brought in to cover the landfill. Seeman said the dirt comes in from Linn County.
A closed session was held with Wilber.
Jim Magdefrau 