By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – Action was tabled by the Benton County Board of Supervisors on the addition of new payroll software. The supervisors heard from Auditor Hayley Rippel and Sue Wilber of human resources about the software at Tuesday’s meeting at the service center in Vinton.
The special meeting is Friday at 10 a.m.
At Friday’s meeting, the board approved the software, 3-0. This will be detailed in a separate story.
A quote was read from Tyler Technologies for the time and attendance software. It is an add-on to the current financial software. Auditor Hayley Rippel said it features paperless time and attendance. The first year is $15,870 up front. After that, it has an annual licensing fee of $14,505. Fifty-nine counties in Iowa use this program. It ties into the county’s current program. The deadline on the price guarantee is June 30.
Wilber said she didn’t want the board to rush into this since there are other components her office is looking into. She recommended the board look into this a little closer. She said there are basic questions that have not been answered yet. If they don’t vet out their concerns, it will not be an improvement. She wants to make sure it is a system that does all the things the county wants.
Wilber suggested this be dealt with at a special meeting on Friday. She said she apologized because she didn’t know this was coming, otherwise she could have had these answers.
Rippel replied to Wilber, “I apologize. I didn’t know I needed your permission to put it on the agenda.”
Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer said it would be nice to get questions answered.
Rippel pointed out she couldn’t be at the Friday meeting. “What’s it matter? You don’t listen to my side anyway,” she told the board.
Action was tabled until Friday at 10 a.m. In the meantime, questions can be answered, Primmer said. It was also suggested there be a conference call on this.
Other business
A farm exemption was approved for Karen Fountain for land in Section 6, Eden Township. She plans to build a house.
A class C Retail Alcohol License was approved for Beyond Resort at Lazy Acres LLC.
The board acknowledged Eide Bailley’s annual arrangement for fiscal year audit and statements.
Resolutions were approved for FY25 departmental appropriations, FY25 bank depositories and FY25 officials’ bank depository amounts.
The board acknowledged the resignation of Ann Stephens in the treasurer’s office. July 5 is her last day. The job has been posted.
Barb Greenlee of the land use/sanitarian office asked that five days be added to her vacation, effective July 1, 2024. She also discussed sick time conversion. This is being worked on by the handbook committee, who plans to meet on July 10. It was suggested the board deal with this after the handbook meeting. The next meeting for this is July 16.
Discussion was held on Section 2.7 of the employee handbook.
FY25 salary certifications were approved for deputies in the offices for auditor, recorder, treasurer, sheriff and assistant county attorney.
Discussion with two residents was held at the close of the meeting about the condition of gravel roads.
They also talked about space for the Benton County Historical Society.
Jim Magdefrau 