By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors approved a new emergency management director at their meeting Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at the Benton County Service Center in Vinton.

Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer followed the meeting by telephone. Supervisor Gary Bierschenk was absent. 

The board approved the resignation of Dean Vrba as transportation director. The position will be posted. They discussed a salary offer of $55,000 to $60,000. Scheduling and mechanical experience are preferred. 

Steve Meyer of Benton County Emergency Management Agency visited with the board on the EMA director position. He said the commission voted to hire Vrba as the new coordinator at their Monday, Feb. 18, meeting.  There were nine applications. They interviewed two of them. He will start April 1 as assistant coordinator. He will begin as director June 1, with a salary of $74,000. Meyer thanked the board for their support. 

Employee health insurance rates were discussed for singles and families. They have 78 family and 32 single participants. Employees contribute approximately 23 percent to their coverage. The board decided to absorb the rate increase, and hoped more participation in the wellness program would make up for that. 

Comp time for snow storm

The board discussed with Sue Wilber, of human resources, the January county weather closure day. They looked at how it related to staff that worked that day, such as secondary roads and sheriff’s employees. It was suggested the board approve eight hours of comp time for these employees. Primmer observed he was a little disappointed this wasn’t addressed years ago in the employee handbook. 

Supervisor Tracy Seeman preferred fours of comp time, saying these employees will still have work, no matter what. Wilber said this affects about 50-53 employees. Seeman suggested this be tabled for two weeks, when Bierschenk is back. Seeman pointed out this is one of those deals where one is not going to make everyone happy. No action was taken.

Primmer pointed out it had been since 1978 that snow shut down the county.