By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – Staff action was the main part of the Tuesday, May 14, 2024, meeting of the Benton County Board of Supervisors at the Benton County Service Center in Vinton. They also had an update on changes to how mental health services are provided.
Human Resources
Sue Wilber, Human Resources Director, had several items on the agenda.
A pay change and classification change were approved for Chad Galli, secondary roads. His new pay rate is $26.58 per hour.
A pay change was approved for Caleb Stieferman, secondary roads. His new pay rate is $26.45.
A pay change was approved for Ben Wood, secondary roads. His new pay is $27 per hour.
Wilber presented an offer letter for Benjamin Vierling, as assistant county engineer. The requested salary is $92,000. He will start May 28.
The board discussed a line item for fuel card expenses for a county pool car. Auditor Hayley Rippel expressed concerns about the card being abused, plus how many cards would be needed. There is also a question on who pays the insurance. Sheriff Ron Tippett said a fund would need to be set up for maintenance and repairs. He said work needs to be done before this is feasible. Tippett added mileage is now 68 cents per mile. Wilber said using a fuel card and pool vehicle will save the county money.
The board approved signed contingent offer letters that are subject to the board for final approval.
Supervisor Richard Primmer suggested reaching out to other counties who use pool cars, such has Hardin and Mahaska Counties. Tippett said they’d reach out to Hardin County on their policy. Action was tabled.
The board considered changing employment terms for transportation director. Rippel stressed this needs a resolution number so it can be tracked. This provides for two weeks of vacation. This was approved.
Cathy Clouse was offered an early retirement incentive. She is with food service at the sheriff’s office.
Mental health
Mae Hingtgen of the East Central Region gave a mental health regional update. The legislature has reduced the number of MHDS (Mental Health and Disability Service) regions from 13 to seven. There are 19 areas for substance abuse providers. These are also reduced into seven regions. They are behavioral health districts. The governor signed the legislation on May 15.
“A lot’s going to happen obviously in the next year,” Hingtgen said. Fiscal Year 2025 will be first of two transition years. A map has to be approved by Aug. 1. Public input may be given in July. She presented the first proposed map. This keeps seven legacy counties together on the map. Benton County’s region currently had nine counties. It adds 10 counties with social services to the west.
The new region has 17 counties.
Hingtgen said they are concerned that the proposed map takes Johnson and Iowa Counties away from the current region. This impacts the unique relationship between Linn and Johnson Counties through The Corridor. No other area in Iowa has urban counties like Linn and Johnson. She added Johnson County is also the fiscal agent. There is also a supportive relationship between Johnson and Iowa Counties. Hingtgen has sent input to Health and Human Services to have them stay with this region, and offered to give western counties in proposed region to the north-central region.
The new bill also sets up administrative services organizations. She said there are a lot of unknowns now in the structure and if services will be county based.
She also explained aging and disabilities services, as well as behavioral health. The region also has a plan to get input on this before Aug. 1.
Land use
A land use hearing was held for Jake and Brittney Matzen for land in Section 19, Benton Township. This is for a single house dwelling on two acres of land. The parcel has a low corn suitability rating.
A land use hearing was held for Carrie Petersen and Duane Wilson for land in Section 1, Benton Township. This is for one acre of land for a single family house. It has a low corn suitability rating. A new driveway will need to be installed.
Jim Magdefrau 