Supervisors look to clarify their job status

VINTON — The Benton County Board of Supervisors will look into the employment status of board members after fielding questions about hours and retirement benefits.

Benton County Attorney Ray Lough presented a resolution clarifying the Benton County Board of Supervisors employment terms during the Dec. 17 meeting. Lough said the resolution doesn’t change anything but puts the county’s current practice in writing.

The resolution addresses the number of hours supervisors are to work and what insurance benefits they will receive. This are not specified in the current handbook.

Lough read the resolution at the request of former Auditor Jill Marlow. She asked, if this resolution doesn’t change anything, why are supervisors passing a resolution?

Supervisors also discussed whether the position is full-time or part-time.

Ron Tippett, retiring sheriff and incoming supervisor, said he requested clarification on this and its impact on Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System benefits.

Some counties see this the supervisor position as full-time. Other counties see it as a part-time position. Though the board has one meeting a week for the supervisors, supervisors take phone calls all week and serve on other related boards.

Supervisors tabled a vote on the resolution so they can look into the impact of IPERS and workmen’s compensation.

The board approved the purchase of two tandem-axle Freightliner dump trucks for secondary roads from Truck Center Companies, of Waterloo. The cost is $557,408 for the two trucks and equipment. This will come from the next fiscal year’s budget.

The board set the interest rate on installment payments for the seal coat improvement project to 74th Street at 3%.

Engineer Myron Parizek requested approval for out-of-state travel for the NACE Conference in April 2025 in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Sheriff’s Deputy David Upah asked the board to allow him to donate sick leave hours to Bonnie Ehlinger, office administrator for the sheriff’s office.

Mona Onken of Social Services asked the board to limit Michelle Sutton’s hours at a maximum of 30 hours a week. She also gave a Wellness update.

John Elwick met with the board regarding a wildlife refuge next to his property which is up for auction by the conservation department.