By Jim Magdefrau
VINTON – It was routine business for the Benton County Board of Supervisors for their meeting Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at the Benton County Service Center in Vinton.
The board approved EMS (Emergency Medical Services) claims.
The board approved an exception to the EMS Policy in regard to paying a claim for medical director. The director will get a monthly fee from each entity.
The board approved partial abatement of taxes on Parcel #030-15410 (Resolution #26-78). This is for a property in Belle Plaine, which was a school project built by students. An agreement was reached between the school and new owner. The abatement to the school is $3,974.
The board reviewed changes to safety eyeglass policy and discussed reimbursement to Gabe McGowan of secondary roads. Policy changes were approved in the package with Safe Vision. The reimbursement of $540 was approved for McGowan for his regular pair of glasses and tinted glasses.
Reports were given on HACAP, Head Start and Linn County Zoning Commission. Action was tabled by the commission for a new power plant at the Benton and Linn County line. According to Supervisor Bruce Volz, the commission wasn’t concerned about Benton County or Atkins, since they are over the county line. “Right now, they don’t care about Benton County at all,” Volz observed. “And I don’t know what we can do to get that changed.” There was also talk about raising the decibel level from 75 to 85. He said 75 is the sound of dump trucks driving by.
Chairman Tracy Seeman gave an update on the housing trust fund. Benton County has 16 houses in the program. He also gave an update on emergency management, which included reopening of the Duane Arnold Energy Center. The supervisors also discussed emergency management putting alarms on cell phones instead of sirens in the area communities. He also updated work on pipes at the sheriff’s office.
