Benton County approves hiring of 5 sheriff’s deputies

VINTON — The Benton County Board of Supervisors approved the hiring of five sheriff’s deputies during its Feb. 24 meeting in Vinton.

Sheriff Dave Upah told the board he’d selected five deputies for the department. Their salaries are based on their years of experience, according to the resolution passed by the Board of Supervisors.

Tiffany DeBoer will start Feb. 28 at $35.18. After July 1 her pay will increase to $36.59.

Jordan Hoeppner will start March 10 at $34.24. After July 1, Hoeppner’s salary will increase to $35.61.

Joshua Jones will start March 17 at $34.24 and after July 1 will make $35.61 an hour.

Logan Garwood will start at $32.42 March 19 and will earn $33.71 an hour after July 1.

Augustus Joyce will start at $30.42 March 24 and will earn $31.64 after July 1.

The board also approved the promotion of Russell “Rusty” Denison to jail administrator.

Auditor Hayley Rippel said some counties are moving the expense for some of their deputies from general basic funds into the rural levy. Supervisor Chairman Tracy Seeman said that two deputies’ salaries could be moved into the rural levy.

Upah also talked about the cities’ reactions to the increase of law enforcement contracts. The rate has been doubled to $65 per hour. Upah said everyone was receptive about it, realizing the can had been kicked down the road for several years.

Other business

ICIT Tech Team gave its preliminary report in closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(k). They discussed information contained in records in the custody of a governmental body that are confidential records pursuant to Section 22.7, subsection 50.

Courtney Long, Veterans Affairs director, discussed the care of graves. Benton County pays $5 per grave each year, Long said. She provided a list of veterans buried in Benton County and copies of invoices paid.

There is no law requiring the county pay for this, as that code section has been repealed, said Long. She has received one invoice this year.

Supervisors suggested doubling the budget for the care of graves from $1,500 to $3,000. Seeman suggested having a form for providing care.

Myron Parizek, county engineer, discussed interest rates for the 32nd Avenue sealcoat project. He plans to have it in the 2026 budget.

Parizek also asked about the terms of the project. The county is looking at 3% but haven’t decided how long they have to pay this. The Code allows it go up to 10 years, said Parizek.

Benton County usually goes with five years on these projects, Parizek said. It would be just under $10,000 per property owner for the project, he said.

With 41 participants, this would be the largest type of project the county has done. The county is paying for half the project.

The board approved 3% for seven years.

Phil Borleske and Allison Hicks, with Benton County Historical Preservation Commission, discussed their group’s annual report. They stress education and public outreach in their report to the state, and they are always looking for properties to add to the National Register of Historic Place.

Borleske and Hicks also talked about putting up signs for historical sites.