By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Shoes. Glasses. Trees. EMS. Budgets. These were the main topics for the Benton County Board of Supervisors when they met Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at the Benton County Service Center.

Benton County Auditor Hayley Rippel presented a proposed timeline for work on next year’s budget and goals and deadlines. She recommended giving guidelines on what the supervisors want for wages and departmental budgets. They might also have the compensation board meet in November. Rippel pointed out the supervisors may dissolve the compensation board at any time and make the decisions themselves on elected officials’ salaries.

The board plans a workshop with department heads in November. 

Other business

A land use hearing was set for Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 9:15 a.m. for Dylan and Tiffany Niebes, for land in Section 4, Iowa Township.

Issac Harthoorn discussed the Pioneer Cemetery budget for Fiscal Year 2025. An expense intended for last year ended up in this year’s fiscal budget. This will be reimbursed through a budget amendment. 

The board set a public hearing date for the status on funded activities for Benton County Conservation Tree Planting Project. It will be Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at 9:05 a.m. 

The board discussed a safety foot and eyewear policy. This involves reimbursement for safety equipment. This came from a county safety committee meeting in an effort to protect employees and avoid lawsuits. There was discussion on the types of safety shoes and who are required to wear them. They are focused on secondary roads and conservation workers. The board recommended this go back to the safety committee and department heads to further refine this. 

Auditor Hayley Rippel discussed the Arcasearch finished scanning project update and demonstrated how it works. This makes digital images of the county’s records and files. These will be searchable online. Property search. Supervisor records.

Anna DeMuth, North Benton Ambulance, met with the board on money from the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) Fund purchase for a remounted ambulance. They plan to pay half this fiscal year, then the rest the next fiscal year. They plan to pick it up in November. The cost is $112,000. 

They also approved EMS claims for North Benton Ambulance Service of $2,400 for training, Garrison First Responders for $214.93 for medical expenses, Urbana First Responders for $208 for medical expenses, Belle Plaine Ambulance for $2,919.87 for medical expenses, Norway for $2,781.80 for medical supplies, Belle Plaine Ambulance for $189, North Benton for $1,204.13, and Atkins for payment on their First Responder vehicle for $26,199.07. The total is $36,116.08.

The board approved a 28E agreement for a resource officer between Benton Community School and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. 

MEETING VIDEO