Supervisors deny request for legal representation

VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors voted during its Nov. 7 meeting, to deny providing legal representation for terminated members of the board of health.

The supervisors voted to terminate members of the health board in October.

Maggie Mangold, former chair of the board of health, requested approval for outside legal representation for terminated board members.

Mangold said a hearing about the board members’ removal is coming up, and the former board members don’t feel the county engineer could represent their best interests.

Board members also think having the county attorney represent them would be a conflict of interest because the county attorney represents the supervisors who dismissed them, Mangold said.

A hearing has been set for Nov. 28 at 1 p.m.

Tim Dille, assistant county attorney, met with the board by phone and said there the board of supervisors is not required to appoint an attorney to represent the former board of health.

Dille said the former board members are not a county entity at this point. They are citizens of the county. There is nothing requiring that this be done, Dille said.

If they were still a sitting board, the supervisors would have an obligation.

“Who is your current board of health then?” Mangold asked. Supervisor Richard Primmer said this is on the agenda for next week for discussion and approval.

Mangold asked if the supervisors were allowed to appoint a board of health pending the hearing.

“Some of the hoopla has been that we haven’t had a board and we need to get one appointed,” Primmer observed.

“You have a capable board of health,” Mangold said. She accused supervisors of changing their reason for termination three different times.

Dille said this matter is not on the agenda and shouldn’t be considered by the board at that time.

Mangold responded that the former board of health felt they were not terminated legally. “We feel as though we are entitled to some legal counsel,” she said.

“That’s your request,” Primmer said. “Based on our advice, from Heartland as well as our county attorney’s office, we’re going to deny that request.”

Other business

The board approved the purchase of a replacement vehicle for a detective, as recommended by Sheriff Ron Tippett.

Supervisors approved a quote from 3D Kitchens to remodel the treasurer’s office. They are working on the counter space and motor vehicle side of the office.

Treasurer Melinda Schoettmer said the space has needed updating for a while. Schoettmer had money in her budget set aside to do this.

The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to hire a full-time equipment operator for secondary roads. Caleb Stieferman was hired at $25.25 per hour, starting Nov. 13.