6th District Court praises Benton County

VINTON — Judge Lars Anderson and Kelly Cortez thanked the Benton County Board of Supervisors this month for all it does for the 6th Judicial District Court.

The court officials said during the Aug. 13 Board meeting that it has a good working relationship with Benton County.

Anderson thanked the supervisors for all they do for them and the courthouse. Benton County Courthouse is one of their favorite courthouses to come to, he said.

Benton County and Vinton have a lot of pride in their courthouse and their town, said Anderson. He also praised the staff as top notch.

Cortez, District Court administrator, said officials appreciate all the board does to support them. The only update was technology.

Cortez said there is a court reporter shortage, which means there is a need for recording equipment for some proceedings and some proceedings have to be conducted via Zoom.

Julie Hessenius, Benton County Clerk of Court praised the working relationship the office has with local staff, the sheriff’s office and the county attorney.

They keep each other updated so things run smoothly, said Hessenius.

Benton, Tama, Iowa, Linn, Johnson and Jones Counties make up the 6th Judicial District.

In other business, the Board of Supervisors approved a law enforcement contract with Urbana. The contract increases patrol hours from 2 1/2 a week to 12 hours, according to Sheriff Ron Tippett.

The total price will be $12,005 a year for a total of 625 hours.

Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer asked if they were getting closer to resolving things there. Tippett said he did not know. Attorneys are involved with what’s going on, Tippett said.

There is litigation.

Primmer said he didn’t want this to become a full-time Benton County responsibility.

Tippett said he did not know what their plan is for moving forward full-time, and he’s not sure if they know. Primmer said there is no doubt they need more law enforcement exposure there.

Historical Preservation members gave an update on grant work and outreach activity. Allison Hicks talked about plans this fall for a flea market in Vinton and about a program for restoring historic windows.

Historical Preservation is applying for a grant for next spring for $6,000, with a local match of $2,750.

Supervisors approved a wage and classification change for Donald Erger, secondary roads and for the Iowa Department of Transportation Federal-Aid Agreement for bridge replacement on 32nd Avenue Dr. in Florence Township.

County Supervisors approved a resolution to remove a bridge embargo for a bridge on 21st Avenue Dr. in Big Grove Township. The new bridge is open for traffic.

Supervisor Gary Bierschenk asked County Engineer Myron Parizek how many bridges Benton County has. Parizek said the county has 325 to 330 structures, including box culverts.

A bridge has an opening greater than 20 feet, by federal definition, Parizek said.

Lights at intersections

Parizek also talked about lighting intersections with county roads on Highway 30. He said the county took the initiative on this.

The State takes care of intersections with state roads, Parizek said. The Iowa Department of Transportation will pay half the cost.

Benton County has coordinated with the utility companies that supply power to the single intersection lighting that is currently at the paved intersections at 21st Avenue, 16th Avenue, 15th Avenue and 13th Avenue, Parizek said in an Aug. 14 email.

The full intersection lighting that is currently at 27th Avenue, 30th Avenue and 33rd Avenue were installed by the Iowa Department of Transportation because the intersecting side roads were state highways at that time.

The full intersection lighting that is currently at 26th Avenue was installed by Benton County, said Parizek. The IDOT determined that full lighting was warranted there and recommended requesting some special grant funding.

The county secured that funding and were reimbursed for 55% of the construction cost, said Parizek.

Since the intersections of 21st Avenue, 16th Avenue, 15th Avenue and 13th Avenue are all county roads now, Parizek has asked the IDOT to determine whether full lighting is warranted there and, if so, whether the same special funding would be available again to pay for 55% of the construction cost.

The IDOT does not look at lighting or propose lighting at side road intersections unless they are state roads, said Parizek. This makes any lighting interest solely the responsibility of the county, but IDOT permission is required.