By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – Further budget work was done by the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Vinton.
Budgets for next year were presented for public health, Benton Development Group, HACAP, maintenance, engineer, IT/GIS, and sheriff.
Public health: Grants were explained, as well as travel. An update was also given on Influenza A and RSV in the county.
Benton Development Group: BDG is the economic development organization for the county. They work with all communities on any project and helped to secure $2 million for community projects. They host a downtown walk around with state officials. The latest was held in Blairstown. An overview of the past four months included housing and new businesses. The supervisors put in $100,000 for the budget. The REC also contributes. As for “what’s in the wind,” they are working on two large projects for Benton County. Kate Robertson represented BDG at the meeting.
HACAP: They have three areas that are funded, which are Fourth Street Dining and Senior Center in Vinton, as well as the Belle Plaine Senior Dining program with about 40 meals a day, with congregate and home delivery meals. They have a housing program in Belle Plaine. They have two apartments and one home at below market rate rent for homeless families. The North Benton Site serves 90 meals a day. Top needs are housing and food assistance. They also help with energy assistance. Four households have been weatherized through HACAP. They helped with nine furnace replacements. In food assistance, over 37,000 meals were served in Vinton and 20,000 in Belle Plaine. They help with local food pantries. The program also helps Head Start. They are asking for $78,700.
Maintenance and grounds: Discussion included the bell tower, roof, squeaky fan in the courthouse, heating, trip hazards, and sidewalk repair. In a related matter, the board approved hiring Tess Ware as a custodian at the service center.
Engineer: A breakdown was given of the budget for the engineer. They looked at salaries, non-union pay increases and farm-to-market funds. Revenues were also explained.
IT/GIS: Information Technology/Global Information System projects include updates and computer replacements.
Sheriff: The sheriff reviewed the budget for the next fiscal year, including vehicles, mileage, and rotation of the vehicles. Sheriff Dave Upah said they’d like to be on a three-vehicle rotation each year. Supervisor Ron Tippett said he heard concerns from the public on the purchase of nine vehicles in six months. “That one the public’s not liking,” Tippett observed. Tippett is the former sheriff.
“I know It sounds like a lot,” Upah said, “but we went years without buying anything. So we’re kind of in a pickle.” Upah pointed out he does not have a vehicle. He said the department got out of rotation and it all came to a head now.
They also looked at overtime pay and shift pay, meals, training, grounds maintenance and radios.
Other business
The board approved renewing flood insurance with Holmes Murphy.
Invoices were discussed from Central Iowa Detention, with one client costing the county $400 a day. The county is looking at other spaces in the area while questioning the increase in fees. The original cost was $250 a day. The supervisors will draft a letter to Central Iowa Detention.
A farm exemption was approved for Brian Miller for land in Parcel B, Section 10, Benton Township, for a new house.
Doug Becker was appointed as Homer Township Trustee.
The board approved permanent and temporary easements for the bridge project on 32nd Ave Dr.
The board approved Iowa DOT Agreement #2025-C-015 for Highway 30 and W28 intersection lighting. These are for right turn lanes at 32nd and 33rd Ave. Engineer Myron Parizek said the at 33rd Ave they have five lights. Two of the lights will be impacted. The IDOT (Iowa Department of Transportation) asked the county if would willing to eliminate those lights. Parizek sad the county was not interested in doing that. The IDOT has incorporated moving these lights into their plan. Moving these lights will be at the county’s expense. The IDOT estimated this will cost $22,207.23 to remove lights and footing, reinstall the lights and put new LED lights on all five of the poles. This is for the Atkins corner.
Temporary construction closure was approved on 26th Ave. Dr. in Taylor Township for bridge replacement.
Parizek gave an update on the Blairstown/Van Horne corner with Highway 30. They are working on lighting of signs at the corner. Removal of rubble strips is a county decision.
One bid was received for the sheriff’s office vehicles. There was one bid from Thys for three vehicles at $44,564 each. The total is $133,692 for three vehicles. The board looked at a list of vehicles in use and ones to be decommissioned. They are done interviewing applicants. Civil Service narrowed the pool down from 31 to 10. They are choosing three. The board approved purchasing the three 2025 Durangos.
The board acknowledged the resignation of Justin Coshow, sheriff’s deputy, effective Feb. 7.
Feb. 4, 2025 meeting
Supervisors work on current and next year’s budget
By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – Immediate needs and funding for next year were dealt with by the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at the Service Center in Vinton.
Amendement
The board approved a budget amendment for the current fiscal year budget after a public hearing was held. The amendment involved public health, juvenile detention, fair board, employee split position, software needs at the sheriff’s office, conservation grant, outside legal fees for the county attorney’s office, salary increases for the sheriff’s office, jail food provisions, training academy, sheriff’s vehicles, and vacation payouts.
Sheriff Dave Upah updated the board on its immediate needs for this fiscal year for salaries, training, weapons, vehicles, equipment, camera system, lap top computers and service agreements. The amendment helps give spending authority for these needs. Upah stressed that upcoming new hires will need vehicles and equipment.
Engineer
The board approved a wage/classification change for Jakob Long.
An utility permit was approved for ITC Midwest across southern Benton County.
Quotes were approved for purchase of a 2025 motor grader.
Other business
Grace Schmidt of the Wellness committee met with the board. She discussed physicals and benefits for part-time employees.
Department of Human Services presented its budget for the next fiscal year. Also presenting budget requests were the treasurer, recorder, transportation, conservation, weed department, veterans affairs, general assistance, auditor/election, land use, environmental health and county attorney
A land use hearing was held for Paige and Brandon Dullia in Section 32, Fremont Township. This is for two acres of land for a single family dwelling. The land has a Corn Suitability Rating of 62. The request was approved. The proposal will have no impact on surrounding farming operations.
The board approved a Class C Alcohol license for Tara Hills Country Club.
They appointed members to the fill the vacancies for Monroe and Union Township and for Van Horne Benefitted Fire District. Don Tiedeman was approved as Union Township Trustee. Larry Hlas was approved for the fire district. They also appointed Tim Kapucian and Todd Hennings as Kane township trustees. Ron Fry was approved to fill the vacancy on the Monroe Township Trustee.
A gift was approved from Local Option Sales and Service Tax for the Belle Plaine Ambulance Service, which will be used for the replacement of an ambulance.
Jim Magdefrau 