Land use hearings were held with Benton supervisors

VINTON — The Benton County Board of Supervisors approved two land use changes Tuesday, Sept. 16.

A land use change was approved for Jonathan Kaine and Tasha Ritchart, for land in Section 28, Canton Township. Kaine and Ritchard plan to construct a single dwelling and shop near Shellsburg.

The dwelling will need a new septic system and water well. The land has a low corn suitable rating of 50.

A land use change was granted for Dennis and Barbara Garling for one acre of land in Section 21, Iowa Township for an additional single family dwelling on their property. Matt Even of the land use office said the property is just east of Belle Plaine.

This is part of a 10.4 acre parcel that is owned by the applicants. It is high quality farmland with a CSR of 85. However, this has not been used for production since the adoption of the agricultural land preservation ordinance.

Due to its size and topography, this land is not well suited for farming. The Garlings will use the existing driveway and will need a new septic system. They will use the existing water well.

The board approved a resolution promoting lead communication specialists at the sheriff’s office. The resolution says the Benton County Sheriff has elected to promote two telecommunicators to the rank of Lead Communication Specialist in the Communications Division at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Applications have been accepted, and interviews have been completed for said positions, and the Sheriff recommended Kyla Buttikofer, who has been employed with Benton County since May of 1999, and Alyssa McAtee, who has been employed with Benton County since February of 2022 for the positions.

In other business, the board approved the filing of the Urban Renewal Report with the Department of Management and the use of the courthouse for Vinton Unlimited Nov. 20.

The board held employee evaluations Ben Turnis of Information Technology and Engineer Myron Parizek during a closed session.

Supervisors and the auditor talked about the all-employee training meeting held the day before. They also had a tour of conservation sites in the county Monday, Sept. 15. Most discussion centered on the roundhouse in Atkins.