By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – It was a routine meeting for the Benton County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 9, at the service center, as they prepared for spring with a new weed commissioner, dust control and road work.
Gary Bierschenk chaired the meeting, with Chairman Richard Primmer participating by telephone.
The board approved a Class C Alcohol License for Bloomsbury Farm.
Shelby Williams of Benton County Conservation sought approval for security cameras at Hannen Park and the Nature Center, which had approval from the county’s security committee. They are looking at a 10-year license for the cameras. Approval was pending on getting the exact cost. When the board received the numbers, approval was given. $26,967 was approved for both sites.
A new clerk, John Martin, was approved as a clerk in the auditor’s office. Martin was in the assessor’s office. He will start at $63,000 on April 15. There were 25 applicants.
Amy Buckley with Riverview had a proclamation read and signed regarding sexual assault awareness month.
The board approved Eric Schares as weed commissioner.
Action was tabled on appointments to the IRVM (Iowa Roadside Vegetation Management Commission).
Engineer
The MC-70 dust control program for 2024 was approved. Looking at labor and material, costs are $1,500 for the first 400 feet. Anything after that is $2.50 per additional foot. Signup iends May 3. They do this in about 125 areas throughout the county.
The board approved IDOT (Iowa Department of Transportation) FY25-29 Secondary Road Construction Program. Engineer Myron Parizek explained how farm to market funds are handled by the county for communities of under 500 people.
The board approved the IDOT FY25 Secondary Road Budget. Bridge work plans were explained, as well as the impact on county roads from the detours used for Highway 30 work. Parizek said old Highway 131 north of Belle Plaine will need attention very soon.
Maps are included on the page for each of the five fiscal years.
Fiscal year 2026 includes six bridges for replacement. There are also deck overlay plans for bridges, the main one being a 1,030-foot bridge north of Mount Auburn, plus a bridge near Belle Plaine. He is looking for additional grant money. An overlay will add life for the bridge. He is looking for wider roadway and shoulders on Westside road near Atkins. It’s been resurfaced several times, but it needs to be widened. It can also help with snow removal. Right turn lanes are planned on Highway 30, near Atkins, by the DOT, Parizek said. They are also looking at resurfacing north and south of Blairstown.
Jim Magdefrau 