Budget work continues for Benton County

By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors presented plaques to the former board of health members and then appointed new members at their meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, at the service center in Vinton.

The supervisors had terminated the board last fall, and later expressed regret for the process taken which did not comply with the Iowa Code.

At the meeting were Maggie Mangold and Braxton Morrison, who accepted the plaques for their service to the health board. The three other members of the former board were not at the meeting.

The board appointed Lori Mott, Shellsburg, Tai Burkhart, Walker/Urbana, Jean Ohlen, Blairstown, Karl Holmes, PA-C, Belle Plaine, and Jessica Fairbanks, Vinton, to the health board. The board discussed how they will stagger the terms. 

Budget work

Most of the meeting was spent discussing the budgets for the county departments next fiscal year.

A key part of the budget is salaries. Last month, the Benton County Compensation Board recommended an increase of 3 percent for elected officials. Most departments are also looking at 3 percent increases also for non-elected officials’ pay.

The supervisors can go with the recommendation. They can’t go above that, and if it is reduced, it has to be by the same amount across the board.

Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer asked for input from his fellow supervisors.

Supervisor Tracy Seeman said he is leaning towards 3 percent, but he has to look at other departments that are getting more than that. He said the supervisors have no say on the negotiated union contracts. Those contracts have 4 percent increases.

Richard Primmer said he personally had no problem with this. The 3 percent increase is what others have been using as a guideline. 

The board voted to table action on this. It needs to be approved by the time the county’s budget is presented. The board also tabled action on non-elected, non-union and non-commissioned, non-contracted employees.

Human Resources

The human resources budget was presented by Sue Wilber. She is looking at part-time help. The proposed budget also includes money for employee recognition awards, education and training with department heads, background checks and health insurance. 

From the audience, Emergency Management Services Director Scott Hanson questioned the request for part-time help, observing Wilber has not been here for a year yet, and is already asking for part-time help. Hanson said he found it interesting that she needs help. In his 25 years, he said he always tried to find ways to save money. He added he was turned down for part-time help in the past.

Wilber said this came up in her employee evaluation and it was suggested by the supervisors. There is a lot of work to do for something that hasn’t been updated or done for a long time, she explained. Instead of a part-time position, she is considering an internship. 

Also from the audience, former Benton County Auditor Jill Marlow also questioned the need for part-time help. She looked at increases in taxes. She also said the budget had grown by 72 percent from fiscal year 2023 to 2025. She stressed they need to keep the budget as low as possible. She said the supervisors need to start looking at what the end result is. “We just need to slow down,” Marlow told the board. 

Also in human resources, discussion was held on the proposal for a new automated time and attendance system, as well as payroll and applicant tracking. Wilber said she has researched this with other counties. Auditor Hayley Rippel expressed concerns about outsourcing payroll to another vendor. She added outside legal counsel had found that it’s part of her office duties, and she has a say in this, according to Iowa Code. 

Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer stressed they need to get this “hammered out” between departments. A meeting was planned for that afternoon.

HACAP budget

Jane Drapeaux presented the budget for HACAP. They are asking for what they have asked in the past, $78,776. This pays for senior dining in Belle Plaine and Vinton, food assistance, housing services, utility assistance, food pantries, Head Start, maternal child health and WIC.  She said they feel they are an important part of making life better for low-income people in Benton County.

Public health

Grace Schmidt presented the public health budget request and gave an update. She had space concerns and confidentiality about her current office. She explained medical health services, mental health services, salaries, general office supplies, new registered nurse, disease investigation, postage, mileage, travel, phone services, education and training, dues and memberships, education, promotional outreach and insurance. So far, she has audited daycare centers and schools. The Safe Sitter reading program has been going well at the Vinton Library. She is looking to expand this to other libraries. 

Collections

The Benton County Attorney Ray Lough presented the budget for the collections department. The collections department works with Dubuque, Bremer and Tama Counties and is doing very well, Lough said. He is looking for the spending authority to have an incentive fund for his employees above the recommended raise of 3 percent. 

Engineer

Engineer Myron Parizek met with the board on his budget. He covered bridges, box culverts, rock and vehicles. Revenues come from the road use tax, federal aid for bridges, fees, general basic and rural services. They also discussed the location for a maintainer shed to replace the Blairstown shed. 

There was also engineering business with the board. 

Bids were accepted for the Iowa Department of Transportation January letting for Bridge Replacement Project on 63rd St (FM-C006(121)—55-06). The project was awarded to the lowest bidder. The board designated Parizek to execute the contract on this.

The board also dealt with another bridge replacement project on 21st Ave Dr (BROS-C006(122)—8J-06).

A 28E agreement was approved with Linn County for a project on Benton-Linn road.

An agreement was approved for permanent and temporary easement for a bridge project on 17th Ave.

Parizek asked about consideration for secondary roads workers who had to work on Jan. 12, 2024, during the snowstorm, while other county employees were advised to stay home. This would also affect sheriff’s department employees who worked that day. Parizek wanted all departments to be treated equally. This will be looked at as the county works on its handbook. 

Other business

Kyle Helland received approval for a variance to the subdivision ordinance for Ed Hensley of Hensley Innovations, Elberon. A land use change had previously been approved in July 2020. They are splitting the property. It is not for building purposes, so the ordinance does not apply.

A Class C Liquor License was tabled for Tara Hills Country Club, pending approval from the state. 

Jim Wheeler was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission.

The board approved hiring Robert Johansson as a part-time dispatcher at the sheriff’s office.

The board discussed a human resources, public relations, applicant tracking and an automated time system with Sue Wilber of human resources.

Meeting video.