By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – With little comment, the Benton County Board of Supervisor approved an agreement with the IPIB (Iowa Public Information Board), at the supervisors’ meeting Tuesday, April 16 2024, in the conference room of the Benton County Service Center, Vinton.
The agreement dealt with complaints about the Benton County Board of Supervisors meetings last year.
Explaining the agreement was Attorney Brent Hinders. He asked that there be a vote and that this be adopted. The terms are to be enforced by IPIB itself, Hinders said, rather any other entity. He said he was sure county attorney Ray Lough would be sure there is a plan and compliance.
On behalf of the board, Hinders also read a part of the resolution aloud, stating, “The Board acknowledges that under Iowa Code § 21.6(3) continued violations of Iowa’s Open Meetings Law can result in fines assessed to individual members of the Board, in addition to removal from office.”
Hinders said of the agreement, “I think we’re on a good road here, and in a fair agreement with a good government agency.”
The resolution was approved by all three board members.
The resolution follows.
RESOLUTION NO. 24-31
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE IOWA PUBLIC INFORMATION BOARD INFORMAL RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Between, October 22 and November 20, 2023, Braxton Morrison, Maggie Mangold, Dana Sanders, Kurt Karr, Valerie Close, Kaitlin Emrich, Lu Karr, Molly Rach, and Alex Carros filed formal complaints, alleging that Benton County Board of Supervisors (collectively as “the Parties”) violated Iowa Code chapters 21 and 22.
WHEREAS, On February 15, 2024, the IPIB accepted formal complaints 23FC:0107, 23FC:0109, 23FC:0112, 23FC:0113 and 23FC:0121 (“the Complaints”) against the Benton County Board of Supervisors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors agree to enter into an Informal Resolution to resolve the Complaints which states in part as follows:
Pursuant to Iowa Code § 23.9, the parties have agreed upon the following terms for an informal resolution of this matter:
1. The Board acknowledges sufficient evidence exists regarding the closed sessions and failure to follow specific procedures for closed sessions presented in these complaints that a violation of chapter 21 could potentially be found in a contested case proceeding.
2. The Board will provide a transparent timeline of events and actions that occurred during or as a result of the closed sessions at issue. This timeline will include full transparency of any non-confidential facts or matters and will be provided to all parties and retain status as a public document.
3. The Board will work with counsel to develop a checklist for all procedural requirements in holding a closed session and the limitations of deliberation within a closed session to avoid any deficiencies in the future.
4. The Board acknowledges that under Iowa Code § 21.6(3) continued violations of Iowa’s Open Meetings Law can result in fines assessed to individual members of the Board, in addition to removal from office.
5. The Board and other county officials and staff will participate in training on Iowa Code chapters 21 and 22 in an open meeting. The IPIB will conduct the training and all elected officials from Benton County will attend. The heads of boards and commissions within the county will be invited.
6. The Council will approve this resolution during an open meeting and include the full text in the minutes of the meeting. A copy of the minutes will be provided to the IPIB.
All terms of this Informal Resolution shall be completed within 60 days of the date of approval of this Informal Resolution by all parties. Upon showing proof of compliance, the IPIB will dismiss this complaint as successfully resolved.
The agreement with IPIB is in this link.
Human resources
Human Resources Director Sue Wilber discussed voluntary retirement incentive, or pre-retirement county paid leave. This was offered a few years ago, she said. A resolution was approved with a time window ending June 30.
The board accepted the resignation of Assistant County Attorney Tim Dilley.
Insurance was discussed for landfill employees.
An update was given by Wilber on a training conference she attended, which was the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association conference. She learned about job advertisements, job descriptions, interviews and dealing with someone expressing a concern or a complaint. They also covered artificial intelligence, handbooks, leadership teams and employee benefits.
Other business
The security committee gave an update and recommendations. Sheriff Ron Tippett recommended keeping the security camera in the conference room, and putting that camera on a switch so it can be turned off by security during a closed session session. There will be a simple policy for when it needs to be turned off by security when requested by the auditor or the auditor’s designee. They also talked about three more exterior cameras. They also talked about security cameras for the Hannen Lake shop and nature center.
A land use hearing was set for Tuesday, May 14, 9:15 a.m. for Jake and Brittney Matzen for land in Section 19, Benton Township.
A land use hearing was set for Tuesday, May 14, 9:25 a.m. for Carrie Petersen and Duane Wilson for land in Section 1, Benton Township.
Wayne Siela, Jeff Schadle and Zach Parmenter were reappointed to the Integrated Roadside Vegetation board.
The board approved Temporary Construction Closure on 21st Ave Dr in Big Grove Township for bridge replacement. Construction begins April 22.
Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer participated in the meeting over the telephone.
LINKS
Jim Magdefrau 