By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – A question if a sheriff’s deputy is resigning or retiring raised legal concerns at the Benton County Board of Supervisors meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at the service center in Vinton.

The board acknowledged the retirement of Bonnie Ehlinger, office manager for the sheriff’s office, effective Feb. 27, 2026. She was thanked for years of service with the county.

They also discussed the resignation of Deputy John Lindaman. There was debate if it was a resignation or retirement for Lindaman. Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman said he read it as a retirement. Sheriff David Upah stated it is a resignation. 

Before action on this, Seeman said he was told by legal counsel that they should call this a retirement. “What the reason?” Upah asked. “It’s got to be a game.” Upah said he didn’t see “retirement” in the papers that were to be signed. 

Seeman later said he couldn’t find it right off hand. He recommended coming back to this later in the meeting, when legal counsel had come back. Later, Seeman asked Upah if it was OK to change this to retirement. In the document, Upah stressed it states 52 times that Lindaman resigned.  

“I guess I disagree when it comes right down to it,” Seeman said. 

“Tracy, we are not going to do this. This is wrong,” Upah stressed, stating the document doesn’t say anything about retirement.

When Derek Marsh, assistant county attorney, arrived at the meeting, Seeman said they have two different opinions in the contract. Marsh explained it comes down to a retirement application with IPERS.  Marsh said he wants what’s best for the county. 

Upah said the county just can’t change the verbiage in the contract. He added the deal was done back in December. One can’t change it because it doesn’t fit what somebody else wants to do. 

There are certain things legally that have to be done in performing a deal, Marsh said. If someone disagrees with that, they get to litigate it, Marsh stated. He stressed, “If you want to call it resignation, then do it. If you want to call it retirement, then do it.” He said all he had given his opinions and recommendations.

Supervisor Ron Tippett motioned to take the legal advice and change it to “retirement.” 

Upah asked if it was OK to back out of this.  He wanted to get a different opinion. “This is wrong. This is absolutely wrong,” Upah said.

Seeman said, “It’s just one word.” 

“Then why change it?” Upah asked. 

Seeman said he just doesn’t want any more litigations. 

The board voted, 3-0, to change it from resignation to retirement. 

Other business

Discussion was held on replacing the secondary roads credit card. The name on the card was changed, taking off the name of Deb Cummings and replacing it was Secondary Roads Shop. Cummings has retired as office manager for secondary roads. 

A land use hearing was set for 9:15 a.m. for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, for Cassandra Patava for land in Section 13, Canton Township.

March 24 at 6 p.m. was set as the time for proposed maximum tax levy public hearing for the budget mailing statement.

The board discussed the flood insurance renewals and increased values for 205 Second Avenue and 111 East Third Street properties. The building on Second Avenue used for storage of sheriff’s office documents was increased from $143,000 to $158,000. 

The value of a smaller garage at Third Street is $24,000. 

This led to a discussion on storage needs, insulation and heating. The board then approved dropping the insurance on the building on Third Street.

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