By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Salaries for deputies of elected officials were approved by the Benton County Board of Supervisors and a letter intervention was approved regarding a proposed power plant, at their meeting Tuesday, June 23, at the Service Center in Vinton.

The board approved Benton County’s petition to intervene in the Iowa Utilities Commission, docket number GCU-2026-0002. This deals with a neighboring new power plant. Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman said he was pleased with the letter written by Assistant County Attorney Derek Marsh, observing, “I’m glad you did it because I probably would have dirty language in it. You did perfect.” Marsh explained the letter focuses on emission concerns.

The letter.

Page 1 of 3
BEFORE THE IOWA UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN RE: DOCKET NO. GCU-2026-0002
PETITION TO INTERVENE
INTERSTATE POWER AND LIGHT
COMPANY
COMES NOW, Benton County, Iowa, by and through the Benton County Board of
Supervisors and petitions to the Iowa Utilities Commission for leave to intervene in Docket No.
GCU-2026-0002 pursuant under Iowa Administrative Code Rule 199-7.13 and other applicable
laws for the following reasons:

1. Benton County is a political subdivision of the State of Iowa where the Benton County Board of Supervisors are the elected governing body of Benton County.
2. The proposed application submitted by Interstate Power and Light Company (“Applicant”) includes a proposed site location directly along the Benton and Linn County line. See Exhibit B of Applicant’s Application. Though the proposed site location is located wholly within Linn County, only the Linn-Benton Road separates the proposed site location of Applicant’s facility.
3. Additionally, the Applicant’s application states that, “[w]astes produced by the Project are primarily gas phase air emissions…[Applicant] will implement any air emission control measures that may be required by IDNR and Linn County Public Health.” See Applicant’s Application, pg. 12.
4. This is concerning that no representative of Applicant has approached the Benton County
   Board of Supervisors, or Benton County Public Health regarding this proposed site location or the air emissions that will trespass onto Benton County.
5. Benton County has an interest in protecting the health, safety, welfare, comfort, and convenience of its residents. See Iowa Code §331.301(1) (“A county may…exercise any power and perform any function it deems appropriate to protect and preserve the rights, privileges, and property of the county or of its residents, and to preserve and improve the peace, safety, health, welfare, comfort, and convenience of its residents.”). Such interest is directly impacted by Applicant’s facility that will at the very least emit air pollution that will trespass upon Benton County which will have a direct impact on the health and safety of its’ residents.
6. Benton County has an interest in its infrastructure that will be impacted by the Applicant’s facility. Secondary roads and the public health departments are the primary departments that will be impacted by this project.
7. No other entity or representative can represent Benton County’s interest. Benton County is a governmental subdivision that is granted certain powers that only Benton County can utilize as prescribed by the laws of Iowa.
8. Benton County’s involvement will assist in the development of a sound record concerning matters affecting Benton County’s interests, infrastructure impacts, public safety, and coordination between state and local regulatory authorities.
9. No other means are available to Benton County in protecting their interests.
   
   WHEREFORE, Benton County respectfully requests that the Iowa Utilities Commission grant this Petition to Intervene for the foregoing reasons pursuant under Iowa Administrative Code Rule 199-7.13.
   Respectfully Submitted,
   Tracy Seeman, Chairman
   Benton County Board of Supervisors
   111 East 4th Street
   
   Vinton, Iowa 52349
   Ronald Tippett, Vice-Chairman
   Benton County Board of Supervisors
   111 East 4th Street
   Vinton, Iowa 52349
   
   Bruce Volz
   Benton County Board of Supervisors
   111 East 4th Street
   Vinton, Iowa 52349
   

Other business

A public hearing was set for July 21 at 9:15 a.m.  for Farmtastic 3 LLC for land in Section 12, Cedar Township.

The board approved the FY27 Salary Certifications for deputies in the Auditor’s, Recorder’s, Treasurer’s, Sheriff’s and Assistant County Attorney’s office (Resolution #26-56). Wages were kept the same to honor the supervisors’ wishes, said Auditor Hayley Rippel. Wages are based on a percentage of the elected officials’ salaries. 

Steve Scott discussed a variance to the Sub-Division Ordinance (Resolution #26-57).

Fireworks permit was approved for Jerry Kelchen.

Fireworks permit was approved for Chris Herr, for Watkins Community Athletic Association.

The board approved designation of the Official Physical Location for Posting Public Meeting Notices Pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 21 and House File 2490. (Resolution #26-58)

Officials with Global Life Liberty discussed employee benefits.