By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Land use, taxes on an empty lot in Belle Plaine and hiring of a new corrections officer were approved at the Tuesday, June 18, 2024, meeting of the Benton County Board of Supervisors.

The meeting was at the service center in Vinton.

Property

Benton County Treasurer Melinda Schoettmer met with the board about the empty lot between the Lincoln Cafe and Grieder Standard Service on 13th Street in Belle Plaine. Since the hotel that used to be on that lot has been torn down, no one has really paid taxes on it since before 2013, Schoettmer said. The people who planned to buy it at a tax sale decided they didn’t want it, so a tax sale wasn’t held. There’s over $30,000 owed on this in taxes. It has a valuation of $8,100.

The city of Belle Plaine wants the county to sign the tax certificate over to them. 

Schoettmer said the property needs to get back on the tax rolls. 

The property is now in TF56. 

The resolution was approved to sign it over to the City of Belle Plaine. 

Other business

The board approved hiring Dylan Ryder as a new corrections officer. He starts on July 1, with an hourly wage of $21.93.

The board approved temporary construction closure on 16th Ave in Bruce and Cedar Townships for bridge replacement.

Benton County Sheriff Ron Tippett said he has two employees who want to donate 200 hours each in sick time to another employee. The county will research this and the cap on donated hours. No action was taken. Action tabled until the June 25 meeting.

A farm exemption was approved for Paul Erger and Jess Andrew for land in Section 12, Eldorado Township.

A Class C Retail Alcohol License was approved for Traveling Tapster LLC.

The board approved amending Resolution No. 17-29 and adopting Ordinance No. 73.