By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement at their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, to have the conservation department take over the weed commission.
The meeting was at the Benton County Service Center, Vinton.
Shelby Williams of Benton County Conservation said the conservation board approved a departmental agreement regarding the weed commissioner. Supervisor Gary Bierschenk asked for reports to the supervisors three times a year. Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer pointed to Williams’ management skills. Action on integrated roadside vegetation management is planned for the next fiscal year.
Primmer made the motion to approve the agreement. Bierschenk seconded it. Supervisor Tracy Seeman wanted this to be reviewed every year. Williams pointed out where this is included in the agreement.
Engineer
Engineer Myron Parizek and the supervisors opened bids for Bridge Replacement Project for L-CE-0028—73-06 on 16th Ave. in Cedar Township. Five contractors submitted bids for this bridge. The board will approve the winning bid next week after Parizek can go through the numbers on all of the bids. All of the bids were accepted.
They approved and signed the title sheet for the following projects.
– FM-C006(130)–55-06 – HMA Resurfacing on E24 – from ECL Vinton to W26
– FM-C006(131)–55-06 – HMA Resurfacing on W26 – from NCL Shellsburg to near 58th St.
-FM-C006(132)—55-06 – HMA Surfacing on E24 – from W26 to Linn Co line.
Human Resources
Sue Wilber had an addendum revision approved for the handbook section 4.1 (handbook sub-committee update), regarding the county’s holiday schedule and what to do when Christmas falls on a weekend.
The board also approved awarding employees four hours of floating holiday pay to be used by June 30.
Other business
Primmer joined the meeting by telephone.
A fireworks permit was approved for Daniel Marovets on April 6, 2024.
A Class C Retail Alcohol License was approved for Tara Hills Country Club.
Mona Onken, Utilization Review Coordinator, Vinton, met with the board for a memorandum of understanding on reimbursement from MH/DS of the East Central Region for county employees. The memorandum was signed digitally by Primmer.
Land use administrator Matt Even presented a land use change request from Steven and Lexa Speidel, for land in Section 5, Eden Township. This is about two miles south of Vinton on Highway 218. A new driveway will need to be built due to site distance. Action was tabled. They are getting more information and will act on this on March 5 at 9:30 a.m.
An amendment hearing was held for the current budget. This is the second amendment for the budget. Service areas affected are public safety, physical health and social services, county environment and education, roads and transportation, government services to residents, administration and non-program. It was adopted by resolution after a public hearing.
Law enforcement contracts were approved for Urbana and Atkins. Sheriff Ron Tippett said he sent a letter to several mayors regarding costs for law enforcement. The rate is $32.50 per hour. Urbana’s contract is for 130 hours a year, at a cost of $4,225, to be paid quarterly. They will be billed at $45 per hour if they exceed 2.5 hours. Atkins’ contract is 18 hours a week, an average of 936 hours a year, at a yearly sum of $30,420.
In reports, Bierschenk said he went to the board of health meeting. They are set up and plan to meet the second Thursday of each month at 7 a.m. Bierschenk is the alternate on the board.
Jim Magdefrau 