Benton County approves mental health liaison

VINTON — Benton County Supervisors hired a mental health liaison for its sheriff’s office last week.

Sheriff Dave Upah asked the board to approve Shelby Chekal. “I hope you guys approve this. Honestly, I don’t know how we survived or how we did our job without her before she came along,” Upah said.

Chekal will coordinate follow-up care for people in crisis, County Attorney Ray Lough said.

“I believe this is a key position. It’s greatly needed in the community,” Supervisor Ron Tippett said.

A citizen who didn’t give a name asked by telephone about the position and why the county needed this. She said her taxes keep going higher and higher.

Belle Plaine, Urbana and Vinton are helping pay for the liaison, but she will be a county employee.

Supervisors approved a Class C retail alcohol license for Bloomsbury Farm.

Lough talked with the board about a collections contract with Floyd County. Lough estimated that this can generate $22,000 to $25,000 for Benton County.

Mae Hintgen of the East Central Mental Health Region met with the board regarding the mental health district transition plan. A service from Des Moines was chosen to administer mental health and substance abuse services for every mental health region.

The regions will prioritize getting people to services they need and to make sure services are accessible.

The board talked about awarding the quote for updating the Benton County, Iowa Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This is done every five years.

The board chose Robyn Reese and Emergency Planning and Consulting of Anamosa for $16,642.

The board approved a resolution on Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation, presented by Riverview Center.

Local Sales and Services Tax funds were approved for the Luzerne Fire Department for an ATV to fight fires.

The board talked with County Engineer Myron Parizek about the price for dust control. The program charges $1,500 for the first 400 feet. The county is increasing this by $50.

The cost is $260 for the next 100 feet, or $2.60 for each additional foot. The program is a two-application process which runs from April 15 into early May.

Parizek said Benton County doesn’t have to offer the service, but there seem to be many people who expect it.

Parizek said he is thinking about working with the REC and a contractor on the intersection light at the Blairstown corner. He is also researching rumble strips in South Dakota and how much noise they make.

In budget work, the board talked about funding for Benton Development Group, reducing county’s funding from $100,000 to $80,000. The board approved $80,000 for next fiscal year.