Benton County signs letter of support for Belle Plaine drought effort

VINTON — The Benton County Board of Supervisors signed a letter of support for the City of Belle Plaine during a special meeting May 1.

The letter to Congresswoman Ashley Hinson advocated for Community Project Funding for the Belle Plaine Strategic Drought Resilience Program project.

The City of Belle Plaine has been struggling through the extreme drought situation for several years, the letter says. The drought has had a significant impact on the residents and local business.

“The innovative approach Belle Plaine is taking to solve this emerging long-term drought crisis has our attention and we believe the practices they are looking to develop will be adaptable and scalable to any size community potentially,” the letter says.

“Receiving CPF funding will have profound regional impacts on agricultural sustainability, natural resource management, expansion of economic development and tourism.

“The comprehensive plan the City is working on will save taxpayers money by utilizing as many existing resources as possible, adding upgrades where needed, and also building new critical infrastructure. With the level of improvements that are required to create a more drought resilient water system, the assistance from the CPF program would lessen the potential hardship on our region.”

The project will improve water quality, quantity and long-term sustainability, Benton County Supervisors say in the letter.

Other business

Supervisors took no action on a fireworks permit for Boomtown in Vinton for Aug. 23-24 because the fairgrounds where the event is to held is in the city limits of Vinton.

Sheriff Ron Tippett discussed getting pool cars for the county. He sees it as a money-saving move for the county, with mileage at 68 cents per mile, he said.

Supervisors asked about insurance, maintenance, liability and fuel cards. Tippett said he’d work with the auditor on the costs of pool cars vs. mileage.

They will also check with other counties who have pool cars.

Supervisors discussed health insurance rates and the amount the county pays. They looked at Cobra rates for retirees.

The rates were approved by the board.

The board approved hiring an assistant county attorney. County Attorney Ray Lough and Human Resources Director Sue Wilber recommended Alisha Stach-Lorang, from Black Hawk County.

Stach-Lorang will start June 3 with a salary of $122,797.20. She has 25 years experience.