By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Budgets, staff hires, jail fees and land use were topics for the Benton County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at their meeting in Benton County Service Center in Vinton.

LOSST

The board amended a resolution regarding the LOSST (Local Option Sales and Service Tax) gift to the Garrison Fire Department. The dollar amount was changed from the original resolution from last October, since all of the invoices have come in for the fire department, according to Deputy Auditor Gina Edler. The new approved amount is $9,756, which is 10 percent of the total cost. 

Land use and health

The board discussed the credit card for environmental health and land use department. The card would be used for training and for promotional items. This also helps to pay for water samples. The limit is $2,500. Andrea Morris of the department also talked about the creation of a seasonal position within the department. The board approved adding a part-time position. She also gave the annual environmental  health and land use report.  They had 71 septic systems installed, 14 wells, and 67 animal reports on dog bites. They had 60 wells tested, 56 of which were paid with a grant. They had 12 well closures. For land use, the county had 16 applications, of which 15 were approved. One final plat was approved for subdivisions, and 14 farm exemptions were granted. One variance was also granted. Four permits were approved through the floodplain ordinance. 

Sheriff

Sheriff David Upah and Chief Deputy Josh Karsten discussed a jail fee restructuring plan that is effective on March 1. The fee is $75 a day. It’s currently $60 a day with $15 for monitoring. 

A resolution was amended that establishes jail administration and room and board fees. 

They also talked about collections, medical costs and work release program. 

The board also approved a resolution for hiring two full-time secretaries for the civil division. The new hires will be paid $58,000, which is $12,000 in savings for each current position. The current employees are retiring. The new staff  will start March 4. These are not new positions. They had 64 applications. 

Other business

Treasurer Melinda Schoettmer had taxes suspended on two parcels. 

The annual report for Benton County Historic Preservation was presented by Allison Hicks. She said a historic workshop in Van Horne was very successful. The report was approved. 

The DHS (Department of Human Services) presented its budget and update. Last year’s budget was $43,560. For Fiscal Year 2027 they are asking for $48,090. DHS officials pointed to increasing costs. No action was taken.

Jim Fleming was at the meeting to discuss a watershed pond issue. He was seeking the county’s approval work on the pond. He was concerned about leaks and presented his plan to fix it. The board will work on an agreement for this.