Benton County Supervisors discuss HIPAA agreement

VINTON — Benton County Supervisors discussed the county’s service agreement with Iowa State Association of Counties for its HIPAA program during their Sept. 2 meeting in Vinton.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act deals with handling of public records and defines is public record and what is not.

Benton County Auditor Hayley Rippel said the county has done this for quite some time. The county attorney’s office might lead the training in the future, she said.

The board acknowledged Steve Miller’s resignation from the transportation department and approved tax abatement for parcels 050-09000 and 830-01200.

The board discussed a donation of art from the Iowa Braille School which will be displayed in the courthouse.

The board discussed an all-employee meeting and closing county facilities to the public during that meeting, Monday, Sept. 15 from 8-10 a.m. A conservation visit will take place afterward.

The meeting will include harassment training, HIPPA and wellness information, recognition of years of service and flex spending.

The board approved payment of bills from the Emergency Medical Services fund, including $4,830 for North Benton Ambulance, $194.13 for Urbana/Polk Township for vehicle equipment, $25,877.45 to Atkins First Responders for a First Responder vehicle, and $5,611.43 for Belle Plaine Ambulance medical supplies.

Department reports addressed a juvenile detention lawsuit, HACAP, speed limits on gravel roads to reduce dust, Eastern Iowa Housing Trust Fund and East Central Iowa Council of Governments, which is working on a grant to check for lead in houses built before 1978.