By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Staffing and other action for the start of a new calendar year were on the agenda of the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Vinton.

28E agreement

The board approved adding three landfill employees to Auxiant insurance as covered by 28E agreement. Auditor Hayley Rippel explained that they now pay full premium because they are not technically county employees. The 28E agreement allows them to be on the county’s insurance.

Sheriff’s office

The board discussed appointments in the sheriff’s office and position changes. They sought approval to appoint Josh Karsten to chief deputy, Kyle Lynch to patrol division captain and second deputy. Jail administrator, captain and second deputy is to be determined. They are in the process of hiring deputies. Deputy hiring is expected to be completed in February. In civil service, they would like two sergeants in promotable positions. They also want to create a new mental health liaison  position. This is a new position needed due to redistricting. The county, Vinton, Belle Plaine and Urbana pay for this now. 

Supervisor Tracy Seeman had several questions about accreditation, certification and the budget. The resolution was approved on a motion by Seeman and Supervisor Gary Bierschenk.

Auditor’s deputies

The board also approved changing the amount of deputies in the auditor’s office. Rippel explained that her office currently has three deputies and a clerk, who is fairly new. She wants to appoint that clerk to the fourth deputy next year when the clerk ready. 

Sick leave

They discussed Resolution #24-80, rescinding action on sick leave conversion in Section 4.3 in the handbook. This is something the supervisors and the former human resources director had approved, but it was not followed up on. Rippel said this is costly to the taxpayers and difficult to budget. It needs to be thought out with a better explanation, she said. 

Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer said that when this was approved in September, he saw it as “one hell of a benefit” for hiring people. 

He addressed his fellow supervisors, “Do what you two want to do. I’m not going to vote for doing this at this time.” He observed, “I’m not going to be that guy doing this as I go out the door.”

Primmer said there is a person who has already stated he is going to retire. “This looks like a lawsuit happening to me.” He recommended tabling the Jan. 1 start date on the handbook until this is “hashed out.” 

Rippel stressed she was looking at this from a financial standpoint, adding, “Currently it’s not in our budget to make it work.”

Primmer made the motion to table this until the following week with the new board. Seeman seconded this. It was approved, 3-0.

Other business

The board approved a Class B Retail Alcohol License for Kimm’s Sunoco Corp.

Meeting video