By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors decided to stick with its manual in determining which day will be taken for Christmas vacation, at their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the service center.

At the past two meetings, the supervisors had considered taking off the Tuesday after Christmas, Dec. 26, since this is what the state is doing. 

No formal action was taken since this is being done according to the county’s handbook. Next year, employees will get a half day off on Christmas Eve.

Other business

Vacation carryover of 10 days was approved for Barb Greenlee of the sanitarian and land use office.

The board accepted the resignation of Larry Moody as Cedar Township clerk. Jerry Krug was appointed as Cedar Township Clerk, and Ben Lutz was appointed as trustee.

The board accepted the resignation of Justin Bierschenk from the Pioneer Cemetery Commission. John Kreider was appointed to the commission.

The board approved having Mona Onken, social services, attend out-of-state training in St. Louis. 

The board approved resolutions and authorized signatures on documents

pertaining to a community development block grant for Benton County Conservation.

Dogs

Elana Janss met with the board regarding her dogs. Last week she received a notice to remove dangerous and vicious animals off her property. She has wolf dog hybrids, with low wolf content. She stressed she is a very responsible owner and has a six-foot chain link fence on her property, along with a floor and hog panels. The gate is padlocked and her dogs are all vaccinated and have microchips.

She said she has one troublemaker who gets out and runs. They display more dog traits than wolf traits. She has had wolf dog hybrids since 1997. There have also been no filings of human or animal attacks.

She has not been able to find out who signed the complaint. She said she does dog rescue.

Sheriff Ron Tippett said he has had complaints about the impact on cats, chickens and sheep in the area. She said she has had one problem dog, and is looking for another home for this animal. She didn’t feel all of her animals needed to be removed from the property because of one animal. 

Tippett suggested postponing this issue for a week so the board can read over the papers regarding this and get a report from the sheriff.

Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman added that he didn’t want the problem dog to go somewhere else and cause problems. 

It is on the agenda for 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19.