Benton County Supervisors make appointments for 2024

VINTON -- The Benton County Board of Supervisors approved several appointments during its first meeting of the new year last week.

Supervisor Richard Primmer was appointed chairman for 2024. He pointed out he will miss a few meetings, but he usually calls into the meeting. “I have no problem taking it on,” he told his fellow board members.

Vice chairman is Gary Bierschenk for this calendar year.

Other business

Grace Schmidt, public health director, talked with the board about out-of-state training, a convention for health care March 25-28. The cost is reimbursable through a grant.

The board approved an amended early retirement policy dealing with health insurance, approved hiring Angie Beck as collections officer at $35,750 a year and approved a Wellness Day and Health Insurance incentive, raising the savings from $15 to $20.

The board acknowledged the retirement of Scott Hansen, director of emergency management and approved out-of-state training for Sue Wilber in labor relations and human resources April 7-10 in Savannah, Georgia.

The board opted out of the Construction Evaluation Resolution for 2024 and set meetings for Tuesdays at 9 a.m. for the year.

ADA Coordinators for 2024 are Auditor Hayley Rippel and Engineer Myron Parizek. The board appointed Doug Stein to a five-year term on the Benton County Land Use Adjustment Board and appointed Samanatha Hunto to the Conservation Board.

Bruce Visser, Atkins mayor, was appointed to replace former Belle Plaine Mayor Dave Fish on the ECICOG board.

Brenda and Clint Sandburg were appointed to the Pioneer Cemetery Commission. Mike Seeck, Keystone, was appointed as a member at-large for the Solid Waste Commission.

John Stiegelmeier and Parizek were appointed to the Airport Eastern Iowa Zoning Board. Deb Christiansen and Dave Cornell were appointed to Airport Vinton Adjustment Board.

John Stiegelmeier was reappointed to the Airport Vinton Zoning Board, and Sheriff’s Deputy John Lindaman was appointed Civil Rights Coordinator for 2024.

The Cedar Valley Times, Vinton Eagle and Cedar Rapids Gazette were selected as the county’s official publications.

Primmer and Rippel were appointed trustees for Heartland Insurance Risk Group. Heartland Safety Coordinators for 2024 are Parizek and Doug Kearns.

Parizek was appointed county engineer pursuant to Iowa Code 309.17

The board approved the FY 24 Second Budget Amendment Hearing Date for Feb. 13.