By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Benton County will have a new system for driver’s licenses and exams. 

Melinda Schoettmer, treasurer, gave an update on driver’s license and scheduling program with the new IDOT (Iowa Department of Transportation) operating system at the Benton County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the service center in Vinton. 

The county now operates on a 20-year-old ARTS system for driver’s licenses and motor vehicles. They are going to use MBD 360. Come January, the state will allow county stations to be on the state’s scheduling system. This affects the driver’s license station, which citizens can access from the state’s website. They can schedule written tests and driver’s exams and physical appointments. The office issued 6,600 licenses last year.  They collected $19,250 in out-of-county fees. She stressed they do not make money on this. This is a service the county provides for people. 

She added the state has gone to parent-taught driver’s education, which is a great program for people who can’t afford driver’s education. Parent-taught driver’s education has increased over the past four years. 

Other business

A land use hearing was held for Ryan and Jennifer Rozek, for land in Section 16 of Benton Township. This is six miles east of Vinton and three miles south of Urbana. They are looking to turn an existing garage into an accessory dwelling unit. They built a home on the property in 2023. This was approved unanimously.

The board went into closed session pursuant to section 21.5(1)(C.) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent and its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation. 

Claims were approved, as well as claims for ARPA (American Rescue Program Action). The claim was for $100,000 to RACOM Corporation. 

MEETING VIDEO