Decision is delayed on appointment of new health board

VINTON — The Benton County Board of Supervisors delayed approval of a new board of health to this week during the Nov. 14 board meeting.

The supervisors terminated the previous board in October. The five new board members will be Lori Mott, Tai Burkhart, Karl Holmes, Jessica Fairbanks and Mike Barnes.

Doug Cook asked, from the audience, that approval be delayed until after hearing regarding the dismissal of the previous board.

The board agreed to delay approval until it can meet with counsel. The issue was added to the agenda for Nov. 21 when legal counsel would be available.

Supervisor Richard Primmer stressed that Benton County still has public health and a public health director.

The board approved use of the courthouse Nov. 16 for a Vinton Unlimited holiday event.

Law enforcement contracts were approved for Mount Auburn and Shellsburg.

The board approved a new speaker system for the service center.

The board approved the first canvass of the city/school election held Nov. 7 and acknowledged the postelection audit held Monday, Nov. 13.

The board also approved a recount for the City of Vinton City Council Ward II.

The board approved hiring Chad Galli as an equipment operator for secondary roads.

Supervisors received quotes for the purchase of a new tandem dump truck. This will come out of next year’s budget because of the time needed to order a truck.

The automotive strike also had an impact on the delay.

The total cost for the truck is $225,851.

Engineer Myron Parizek gave an update on Highway 30 work.

Supervisors asked questions about rumble strips and lighting for the Blairstown corner. The last email Parizek received suggested it would be done about the 21st of this month.

The Department of Transportation has had ideal weather to get work done, Parizek said. Current DOT standards call for two panels of rumble strips, he said.

“I hope I don’t see accidents there. It’s a bad corner,” Supervisor Gary Bierschenk said. Parizek said more lighting will be a future contract.

Supervisors said the test of communications towers has been postponed.

The budget is set for next year already for conservation. The Hannen Park shop is almost done, awaiting some wiring work.