Minutes
Benton County Conservation Board Meeting
Monday, December 8th, 2025 at 5:30pm
Benton County Nature Center, 5718 20th Ave Drive, Vinton, IA
Board Members Present: Becky Van Wey, Sam Hunter, Mike LaGrange, Dan Hill, Randy Scheel – virtually
Board of Supervisors Present: Tracy Seeman
Staff Present: Shelby Williams, Cecilia Dirks

1. Call to Order at 5:29pm by Van Wey
2. Discuss/Action Consent Agenda — Motion to approve by LaGrange, seconded by Hill. All aye, motion passed.
3. Guests or public participation (kept to a maximum of 3 minutes, the Board will not take any action on public comments at this meeting but may do so in future meetings). – Celebration of LaGrange’s service on the board
4. Discuss/Action Consent Agenda — Motion to approve by LaGrange, seconded by Hill. All aye, motion passed.
   a. Approve minutes from last regular meeting
   b. Approve Conservation and IRM expenditures and revenues
   c. Receive and file activity report
   d. Tabled Items
   e. City of Atkins – Atkins Roundhouse: Lease
5. Business
   a. Discuss/Approve WRAC Project #26-682 – Motion to approve by LaGrange, seconded by Hunter. All aye, motion passed.
   b. Discuss/Action Firewood Permits Resolution #2025-03 – Motion to approve firewood permits resolution #2025-03 by LaGrange, Seconded by Hill. Roll call vote – Hill – aye, LaGrange – aye, Hunter – aye, Scheel – aye, Van Wey – aye. Motion passed.
   c. Discuss Animal Shelter and Cherveny Properties – Williams gave update
   d. Discuss/Action Reserve Account Resolution #2025-04 – LaGrange moves accept reserve account resolution #2025-04 Hunter seconded. Roll call vote – Hill -aye, LaGrange – aye, Hunter – aye, Scheel – aye, Van Wey – aye. Motion passed.
   e. Discuss/Action Benton County Conservation Handbook Update – LaGrange moved to approve, seconded by Hill. All aye, motion passed.
   f. Discuss/Action Benton County Conservation LE Performance Policy Update – LaGrange moved to approve, seconded by Hunter. All aye, motion passed.
   g. Discuss/Action Budget FY27 – tabled
6. Board Member/Staff Reports
   a. IRM Update – Williams gave update – January 12th, 2026 meeting will be the annual steering committee meeting
   b. Education Update – Williams gave update
   c. Law Enforcement Update – Williams gave update
   d. Director Update – Williams gave update
7. Other discussion – Hill gave update on Veteran on hunting and fishing license, Brag & Tag will be opened back up for the month of January
8. Set next regular meeting on January 12, 2026 at 5:30pm, Nature Center 5718 20th Ave Drive, Vinton, IA.
9. Adjourn – LaGrange moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 pm, Hill seconded. All aye, motion passed.
   Minutes Submitted by: Cecilia Dirks

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