By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Dust control, sidewalks, safety glasses and Mary Ingalls Wilder were among the topics for the Benton County Board of Supervisors at their meeting Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at the service center in Vinton.

The board met with Henry Bratten of Cedar Valley Ranch about sidewalk extensions. They will get bids for the work. This replaces segments of cowpath around the facility.

A quote was approved for a new courtroom chair. This is for the witness chair. The maintenance department will install it to the platform.

The board acknowledged the resignation of Larry Andreesen, Benton County Assessor. It is effective on Sept. 18.

A 3×4 foot display in the courthouse for the Mary Ingalls Society was explained to the board. They will look for a place on the first floor with work beginning after the election. No formal action was taken.

A safety glasses policy was discussed. Benton County Attorney Ray Lough said this is something the county’s insurance company wants. The policy was approved. Benton County Safety Eyewear Policy

Section 1. Purpose

Benton County is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of all employees. This policy establishes minimum requirements for safety eyewear. It is intended to reduce the risk of workplace injuries, ensure compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, and support employees in performing their duties effectively.

Section 2. OSHA References

This policy is adopted in consideration of the following OSHA standards:
1. General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act – Employers shall provide employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
2. 29 CFR 1910.132(a) – General Requirements for PPE – Employers shall provide and require the use of appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) wherever hazards exist that could cause injury or impairment.
3. 29 CFR 1910.133(a) – Eye and Face Protection – Employers shall ensure that employees use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to hazards such as flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, or harmful light radiation.
4. 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(2) – Eye and Face Protection –The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses eye protection that provides side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects or liquid splash. Detachable side protectors (e.g. clip-on or slide-on side shields) meeting the pertinent requirements of this section are acceptable.

Section 3. Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:
1. Department Head: The elected official or appointed supervisor responsible for managing a Benton County department and enforcing workplace safety policies.
2. Eligible Employee: Any full-time, part-time, or seasonal Benton County employee whose job duties expose them to hazards that require safety eyewear.
3. Prescription Safety Eyewear: Eyeglasses with corrective lenses that meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard for occupational eye and face protection devices.
4. Reusable Frames: ANSI Z87.1 rated frames that are structurally intact and capable of accommodating new prescription safety lenses.

Section 4. Safety Eyewear

Benton County recognizes that vision protection is essential for employee safety and efficiency.
1. Initial Provision:
a) Prescription Safety Eyewear: At the time of hire, eligible employees shall be reimbursed for two pairs of prescription safety glasses: one clear and one tinted prescription sunglasses.
b) Non-prescription Safety Eyewear: At the time of orientation employees will be issued two pairs of safety glasses: one pair of clear safety glasses and one pair of tinted safety sunglasses. If the employee has a brand or style preference and chooses to purchase their own, it shall be done at the employee expense.
2. Annual Benefit:
a) Prescription Safety Eyewear: Employees may be reimbursed for one additional pair per year. The Employee can request either clear or tinted sunglasses each year, but not both.
b) Non-prescription Safety Eyewear: Employees may receive a replacement pair quarterly as needed.
3. Cost Limit: Benton County will cover the cost of each pair of prescription safety eyewear up to $250, which shall include necessary side protection equipment.
4. Frames and Lenses (up to $250):
a) If replacement lenses are needed and frames are reusable, Benton County will cover lenses only.
b) If frames are outdated and replacement lenses unavailable, Benton County will cover both frames and lenses.
c) In the event an employees’ prescription changes during the year, or their glasses are damaged while performing their duties, the employees’ supervisor can approve the purchase of eyewear prior to the anniversary of the initial or last eyewear purchase.

Section 5. Enforcement

1. Employees are required to comply with this policy as a condition of employment.
2. Department heads and supervisors are responsible for monitoring compliance.
3. Violations may result in corrective action consistent with Benton County personnel policies as set out in the Benton County employee handbook.
4. A department head, if deemed necessary, can direct that an employee leave work to retrieve safety eyewear if essential for the safe performance of the employees’ assigned tasks. If an employee is directed to retrieve safety eyewear and must leave the job site, the employee shall not be compensated for the time it takes to retrieve the safety eyewear, and this person shall not be considered within the scope of their employment while retrieving the eyewear.
5. Tracking of eligibility and reimbursement for new safety eyewear will be handled by each individual department.

Section 6. Rationale
Benton County’s investment in quality protective eyewear:
1. Promotes workplace safety and reduces the risk of preventable injuries.
2. Ensures compliance with OSHA regulations and minimizes liability.
3. Supports efficiency by enabling employees to perform duties without interruption caused by injury or unsafe equipment.
4. Demonstrates Benton County’s ongoing commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of its workforce.

Dust control was discussed by the board with Engineer Myron Parizek. He presented a map of sealcoat segments in the county. The county seal coats 14.7 miles for 160 people. It takes about 14 days to put down each application. There was also talk about the vehicles needed to do this. They also talked about how this might be contracted. Supervisor Ron Tippett said he’d like to see a cost analysis on the county doing the work, compared to a private contractor. Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman saw this as a good service to have. If the county was to continue offering the service, they would need new equipment. Supervisor Bruce Volz added he’d like to keep the program going. The supervisors advised Parizek to continue the program for another season.

In business with the sheriff’s office, the board acknowledged the retirement of Dennis Eden. They approved changing two part-time cook/custodian positions into one full-time position.

Closed sessions were held to discuss courthouse security and to produce strategy with counsel on litigation. After the first closed session, the board approved the amended security policy and eliminate the security at the Benton County Service Center immediately.

Emergency Medical Service claims were approved.

Vendor Name Payable Number Post Date Description (Item) Account Number
Fund: 0022 – EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TRUST FUND 60,000.00 EMS North Benton Ambulanc 09/01/2026 EMS082026
NORTH BENTON AMBULANNCD 0022-99-1200-000-100000-0… 2,387.37 EMS Belle Plaine Amb Vehicle…
09/01/2026 EMS082026
BELLE PLAINE AREA AMBUL… 0022-99-1200-000-291000-0… 137.98 EMS Urbana 1st Resp Med S… 09/01/2026 EMS082026
URBANA POLK TOWNSHIP FI… 0022-99-1200-000-291000-0… 3,830.48 EMS Urbana 1st Resp Med S…
09/01/2026 EMS082026
URBANA POLK TOWNSHIP FI… 0022-99-1200-000-291000-0… 300.00 EMS Urbana 1st Resp Med S… 09/01/2026. EMS082026
URBANA POLK TOWNSHIP FI… 0022-99-1200-000-422000-0… 188.09 EMS Belle Plaine Amb Vehicle…
09/01/2026 EMS082026
BELLE PLAINE AREA AMBUL… 0022-99-1200-000-440000-0… 486.53 EMS Garrison First Resp Equi…
09/01/2026 EMS082026
GARRISON FIRST RESPONDE… 0022-99-1200-000-440000-0… 74.50 EMS Urbana 1st Resp Med S… 09/01/2026 EMS082026
URBANA POLK TOWNSHIP FI… 0022-99-1200-000-440000-0…
8,615.00
Van Horne 1st Resp Building… 09/01/2026 EMS082026 VAN HORNE FIRST RESPOND… 0022-99-1200-000-441000-0… 2,296.96
EMS North Benton Amb Train… 09/01/2026 PS-INV126654 IMAGETREND, LLC 0022-99-1200-000-422000-0…
Fund 0022 – EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TRUST FUND Total: 78,316.91
Grand Total: 78,316.91

In reports, board members reported on HACAP, Head Start, Central Iowa Juvenile Detention and a program for lead mitigation.

The meeting closed with discussion on the design of a box culvert project.

A resident also met with the board about the condition of former Highway 131, between Highway 30 and Belle Plaine. Engineer Myron Parizek said they will be addressing the surface. Tearing it out and starting over is more costly than what Benton County can afford. The county’s five-year plan shows work coming next year.

Meeting video