Conservation takes over weed commission

VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors agreed Feb. 13 to have the conservation department take over the weed commission.

Shelby Williams of Benton County Conservation said the conservation board approved a departmental agreement regarding the weed commissioner.

Supervisor Gary Bierschenk asked that County Conservation present a weed commission report to the supervisors three times a year.

Action on integrated roadside vegetation management is planned for the next fiscal year.

Supervisor Tracy Seeman suggested the agreement be reviewed every year. Williams pointed out where this is included in the agreement.

Engineer

Engineer Myron Parizek and the supervisors opened bids for a bridge replacement project on 16th Avenue in Cedar Township. Five contractors submitted bids.

The board will approve the winning bid during its next meeting after Parizek reviews all of the bids.

Supervisors approved resurfacing on E24 from ECL Vinton to W26, resurfacing W26 from NCL Shellsburg to near 58th Street and surfacing on E24 from W26 to the Linn County line.

Supervisors approved a fireworks permit for Daniel Marovets for April 6.

Land use administrator Matt Even presented a land use change request from Steven and Lexa Speidel, for land in Section 5, Eden Township, about two miles south of Vinton on Highway 218. A new driveway will need to be built due to site distance.

Supervisors tabled the item until they get more information. They’ll address the request during the March 5 meeting.

Law enforcement contracts were approved for Urbana and Atkins.

Sheriff Ron Tippett said he sent letters to several mayors regarding costs for law enforcement. The rate is $32.50 per hour.

Urbana’s contract is for 130 hours a year, at a cost of $4,225 to be paid quarterly. The city will be billed at $45 per hour if it exceeds 2.5 hours.

Atkins’ contract is 18 hours a week, an average of 936 hours a year, at a yearly sum of $30,420.