Benton County approves salaries

VINTON — The Benton County Board of Supervisors agreed last week to the recommendations of the compensation board for salaries for elected officials.

This came one week after the board approved salary increases for the auditor and attorney but kept the salaries the same for the sheriff, recorder, treasurer, and supervisors. That vote was 2-1 vote, with Ron Tippett and Bruce Volz in favor and Tracy Seeman opposed.

The compensation board recommended raises for all elected officials except the supervisors. This was approved 3-0.

Volz had asked Auditor Hayley Rippel to put the salaries on the agenda again this week so the board could reconsider them because he wasn’t aware of some of the details in the resolution.

“There were some things in the resolution that I seconded the motion and then voted aye on. There were some things in that I wasn’t aware of, and I should have been educated myself more prior to the meeting, which I did not. I apologize that I didn’t do that.”

Volz moved to accept the resolution, and not omit any departments as far as compensation.

Tippett said he was contacted by many departments about this. They have shown their work. He seconded the motion.

Sheriff Dave Upah said no one asked him to show his work and what his department has done. He detailed the department’s work since Jan. 1, 2025. They are trying to do what’s best for everybody, he said.

“Appreciate all your hard work,” Tippett told Upah.

Also visiting with the board were Recorder Lexa Speidel, Treasurer Melinda Schoettmer and Treasurer Deputy Joy Weiditz.

The new resolution called for the following raises: auditor, $3,000; treasurer and recorder, $2,800; attorney, $6,000; sheriff, $4,000; supervisors, no raise.

In other business, the board approved 40 hours of vacation carryover and clarification on wages for Mark Erickson, the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Plan and the Mental Health and Developmentally Disabled plan.

The board approved a fireworks permit for Iowa Pyrotechnics Association for April 26, June 7 and June 8. It is void if there is a burn ban.

The board talked with Dean Vrba about upgrading the Benton County Iowa Municipal Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Vrba recommended Two Rivers, based out of Texas. The board tabled the matter for two weeks.