By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the service center in Vinton, They dealt with hiring, separation from contract, sale of county property and the five-year plan for secondary roads.

Staffing

The board discussed hiring part-time employment in the land use/health department. They approved a Martha Fey for 32 hours a week.  The hourly wage is $20.

Sheriff Dave Upah met with the board, discussing Resolution No. 26-22, acknowledging maximum age for peace officers and separation of employee employment. The maximum age is 66. 

The board also acknowledged the resignation of Whitney Amos, part-time sheriff employee. She worked in dispatch and communications. 

Five-year plan

Benton County Engineer Myron Parizek met with the board and presented the Iowa Department of Transportation secondary roads five-year construction plan. This is for 2027 to 2031. This includes bridges, culverts, grading and shoulders, pavement rehab, sealcoat and replacement. The plan is attached.

Land auction

Sealed bids were opened for county-owned property referred to as Cherveny Wildlife Area. An auction was held. Bidders were Benton Land Company (Tara Hills) and Randy Patten. The minimum bid was $2,000. After bids were raised, it was sold to Patten for $20,500. Assistant County Attorney Derek Marsh opened bids and conducted the auction. Daren Rinderknecht also submitted a bid but was not at the meeting.

A Class C Retail Alcohol License Renewal was approved for Watkins Community Athletic Association.

Budget talk

Former Benton County Supervisor Terry Hertle visited with the board about the budget, comparing budgets for public safety with surrounding counties of Tama, Iowa and Buchanan. This was based on his research with Iowans for Tax Relief. He stressed the budget is out of control and there is nothing wrong with freezing the budget. Sheriff Upah offered to meet with Hertle in private to go through the budget.

Further discussion was held on the proposed power plant to be built on the Benton/Linn County line. 

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