By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – Hiring of a liaison and mental health were the main topics for the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on April 8, 2025, at the service center in Vinton.
Liaison
A sheriff’s office liaison was hired. Shelby Chekal was approved, according to Sheriff Dave Upah. She works to coordinate followup care for people in crisis, County Attorney Ray Lough explained. Upah added, “I hope you guys approve this. Honestly I don’t know how we survived or how we did our job without her before she came along.” Supervisor Ron Tippett added, “I believe this is a key position. It’s greatly needed in the community.”
A citizen, who didn’t give a name, asked by telephone about the position and why the county needed this, complaining that her taxes keep going higher and higher.
Belle Plaine, Urbana and Vinton are also helping to pay for this position. She is a county employee.
Other business
A Class C Retail Alcohol License for Bloomsbury Farm was approved.
Lough talked with the board about a collections contract with Floyd County. Lough estimated this can generate $22,000 to $25,000 for Benton County. They also work with Tama County and Dubuque County.
Mae Hintgen of the East Central Region met with the board regarding the MH/DS of the East Central Region transition plan. A service from Des Moines was chosen to cover the entire state for mental health and substance abuse, instead of dividing this into regions. They have revised their priorities. The priority will also be people getting services they need and to make sure services are accessible to people. They are committed to be a good transition partner and to get information to people during the transition.
The board talked about awarding the quote for updating the Benton County, Iowa Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This is done every five years. They went with Robyn Reese and Emergency Planning and Consulting of Anamosa for $16,642.
The board approved a resolution on Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation, presented by Riverview Center.
Local Sales and Services Tax funds were approved for the Luzerne Fire Department for an ATV to fight fires.
The board talked about the price for dust control with the Engineer Myron Parizek. The program charges $1,500 for the first 400 feet. The county is increasing this by $50. It is $260 for the next 100 feet, or $2.60 for each additional foot. The program goes from April 15 into early May. It is a two-application process. He observed this is a program Benton County does not have to offer, but there seems to be a fair amount of people that feel it’s an expectation.
Parizek said he is thinking about working with the REC and a contractor on the intersection light at the Blairstown corner. He is also researching rumble strips in South Dakota and how much noise they make.
In budget work, the board talked about funding for Benton Development Group and reducing county’s funding from $100,000 to $80,000. The board approved $80,000 for next fiscal year.
Jim Magdefrau 