By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors heard about the volunteer program and historic preservation at their meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2026, at the service center in Vinton.
Budget
Budget work dealt with Benton County Volunteer – United Way of East Central Iowa and historic preservation.
The United Way has absorbed the Benton County Volunteer Program, and it is now the Benton County Volunteer Center, according to Karey Chase. She explained how the center helps with transportation and aging individuals. She said 24,000 miles were provided by drivers for medical transportation for 63 residents. They have a steadily growing number of volunteers. They are working to serve Benton County instead of just the Belle Plaine area. They are now serving 80 percent of Benton County instead of just 50 percent. They have piloted an errand program, with visits to the bank, grocery store and other areas. She also talked about partnering with HACAP, new volunteer projects and a volunteer income tax program.
Allison Hicks presented the budget request for historic preservation. They are asking for $10,200. The current budget is $10,135.
The board closed the meeting with Auditor Hayley Rippel looking at fund balances, revenues and expenditures for the proposed budget so far, and impact of the state legislature.
Transportation
A salary adjustment was requested by Mark Erickson, Benton County Transportation Director. He is asking for a salary of $70,000. His current salary is $61,456. He said it is a 14-percent increase. Supervisor Ron Tippett said he’d like to see everyone get raises, but he’d also like to see property taxes go down or at least stay the same. He said there are proposals now in the state legislature on property taxes. Tippett said he’d like to see where they are at this before they do anything.
Supervisor Bruce Volz said the board is juggling a lot of stuff and they’d like to know where they land and what kind of money the county will have. He said Erickson is doing a fantastic job, but he can’t commit to an increase right now, because they don’t know where they are going to be.
Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman pointed to raises Erickson has received since 2024.
Erickson stressed he wanted to be treated consistently with other department heads. He asked about pay for the auditor’s office, which Auditor Hayley Rippel explained.
Erickson said he felt there were discrepancies in who they say yes to and who they say no to.
Seeman said he gets where Erickson is coming from, but hopes down the road they can make it better.
Other business
Emergency Medical Services claims were approved. They are as follows.
EMS Trust Fund claims
- Garrison First Responders-$238.97
- North Benton Ambulance to Klocke Emergency Vehicle-$105,117.50
- Blairstown EMS-$1,305.00
- Walford First Responders-$3,371.08
- Atkins First Responders-$4,141.81
- Van Horne First Responders-$2,354.72
- Cedar-Mt. Auburn Fire Department-$432.25
- Belle Plaine Ambulance-$1,946.32
- Total of $118,907.65
A Class C Alcohol License was approved for Tara Hills Country Club.
Family Farm Credits for 2026 were approved.
A utility permit was approved for Windstream Communications in Iowa Township. Benton County Engineer Myron Parizek explained this is for fiber beginning at the east end of Belle Plaine.
A hearing for a land use change was held for Ethan Henry, for land in Section 36, Cedar Township. The land use change was approved. It was presented by Andrea Morris, administrator.
The board toured a pond after the meeting, which is part of a Watershed Management Authority project.
Jim Magdefrau 