By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Land use and staffing were the main agenda items for the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the Benton County Service Center, Vinton.

Attorney

Benton County Attorney Ray Lough met with the board. They approved Resolution No. 26-45 regarding permanent appointment of Kelsey Robbins, and hiring a full-time collections officer and salary increases for collections paralegals.

The resolution reads:

RESOLUTION # 26-4

Appointment of Collections Manager and Collections Officer and establishing salaries

WHEREAS:  Benton County Attorney’s Office has openings to fill for a Collections Manager and a Collections Officer; and

WHEREAS:  Applications were accepted for these positions and

WHEREAS:  These applications have been reviewed and evaluated and

WHEREAS:  The salaries of these positions and those of the paralegals within the office need to be established.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY The Benton County Board of Supervisors that the following items be effective immediately:

1. Kelsey Robbins be hired to fill the position of Collections Manager at a salary of $60,00 starting June 2, 2026.

2. That Carly Schlarbaum be hired to fill the position of Collections Officer with a starting salary of $45,900.  Her official start date will be June 22, 2026.

3. That based on reorganization within the department, paralegals Allaina Bennet Casali and Angela Becker will be paid at the rate of $46,900 effective July 1, 2026.

4. That upon achieving the title of paralegal Carly Schlarbaum’s salary will be increased to match those of the other paralegals in the office.  

EMS

The board approved EMS (Emergency Medical Services) claims for North Benton Ambulance, Garrison First Responders and Belle Plaine Ambulance. Total claims were $45,444.85.

Sheriff

The board met with the sheriff’s department.

The board acknowledged  statutory maximum age for peace officers and approved change in employment status for Richard Stallman. The department is reducing his hours to 32 hours a week with a cut in pay. He will be a part-time utility deputy. 

The board promoted Richard Dvorsky to investigator in the sheriff’s office (Resolution #26-47).

The board acknowledged employment separation with Jasira Prasasouk in the sheriff’s office.

Land use

The board held a public hearing for approval of non-agricultural use for Mark and Kimberly Noe within Section 7, Cedar Township. This is for a shed and “barndominium” two miles east of Mount Auburn. It is an abandoned farmstead. 

A public hearing was held for non-agricultural use for Jordon and Jana Haerther in Section 22, Fremont Township. This is for a dog grooming business about one mile west of Atkins. 

A public hearing was held for a land use change for Ben Grant in Section 4, Canton Township. This is for a single family dwelling. This is about 1.5 miles north of Shellsburg. It is not on high quality farm land. 

All of the requests were approved. 

Historical Preservation 

Benton County Supervisor Bruce Volz gave an update on Benton County Historical Preservation. He explained since they are not a county office, they can’t have a website on Benton County’s website. They discussed creating their own website. They are also working on e-mail.  

Chairman Tracy Seeman gave an update on the Eastern Iowa Trust Fund.