By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Land use, salaries and sale of county property were the main items of business for the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The meeting was at the service center.

Land Use

Andrea Morris, Benton County Land Use Office, met with the board to discuss and further clarify the board’s decision on March 10 to deny a land use change request for Cameron Erickson. The land is in Section 36 of Canton Township. 

Morris said in a written statement:

To further clarify the board’s denial of land use ruling for Cameron Erickson The land use was denied based on the following information presented:

1. The property subject to the request has a Corn Suitability Rating {CSR) greater than 70, which is considered high-quality agricultural land under the county’s ordinance and land preservation policies.

2. Approval of the request would remove approximately 2.2 acres of high-quality farmland from row crop production.

3. Approval of the request may establish a precedent that could encourage the removal of additional high-quality agricultural land from production elsewhere in the county.

4. The establishment of a non-agricultural residential use in this location would likely interfere with or create conflicts with existing agricultural operations in the surrounding area.

Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman said Erickson is getting a letter from the board on why the request was denied. The board approved sending the letter.

The board granted a variance to the subdivision ordinance for Rich Kundel and Ben Grant. The land is northwest of Shellsburg. 

Salaries

A resolution was approved regarding salaries for elected officials, as set by the county’s compensation board. The compensation board recommended zero increases. 

They also approved a resolution on zero increases for non-elected and non-union wages for next fiscal year. Auditor Hayley Rippel stated the secondary roads and sheriff’s department unions are already locked in and the county has to honor those. 

The salaries are as follows:

• Auditor $101,441.46
• Treasurer $95,897.07
• Recorder $95,897.07
• Attorney $146,534.51
• Sheriff  $140,292.32
• Supervisor $51,664.61

Other business

They approved posting a public notice and sealed bid packet for the sale of county property. This is the Cherveny Wildlife Area. Bids will be opened on April 7.

The board approved a fireworks permit for Iowa Pyrotechnic Association. They plan events in Benton County for March 21,  April 16, May 23, June 20, July 18, Aug. 21, Aug. 22, Sept. 19, Oct. 17, and Nov. 21.

A Special Class C Retail Alcohol License was renewed for Bloomsbury Farm Inc.