[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6353930,"mediaKeyId","2220818-618525b205ef2d072b425f7f6985b598","parentId",2220818,"title","Board grants utility permit for ITC Midwest transmission-line work across southern Benton County","audioSeconds",300,"startMs",7200000,"endMs",7500000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220818-618525b205ef2d072b425f7f6985b598&start=7200&end=7500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220818-618525b205ef2d072b425f7f6985b598/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6353930/Benton-County/Iowa/Board-grants-utility-permit-for-ITC-Midwest-transmission-line-work-across-southern-Benton-County","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353930-1c6d945cab51f9a7ff4941503c8a6baa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775414280&Signature=K5Xb-c6VlLL5lZPCNh6MMd72CwvRR64UvvoXeADOk-c4hd00FFsd5E3JIllhU3Xgayw2B~lCfg6h66Ntpp-Ke~fBjqsmdr~KQCZZ0usVudVk7N-l-yhi2gsoF5hI421StbBYqJgCxrIeHKYpBInnc-JcVx2sNyhoiAHetd9UdpxFMWpU-njvYvGHTibsXRSM90BP8BUHTlbUkK83hmc~7zV3zywFnF0XKkqWzMbAB8SfEG2HEkSljVafmlZABFWhJL8wC32YIyePQmA7kay9eoe9IUf2c5oewtq40Ox4pAM2ed53RHd2NEcXnmEafFv-DgRwcCMmNxenvgotjwOZtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Benton County, Iowa","date","2025-02-03T15:53:45Z","article","Benton County supervisors voted to accept a utility permit from ITC Midwest for work on a high-voltage transmission line that crosses the southern portion of the county.

County secondary-roads staff briefed the board: the project will largely follow an existing transmission easement and replace poles and conductors along a corridor that crosses county roads. Staff said the work will affect easement areas during construction and will require temporary construction driveways at several highway and private road crossings; the county’s right-of-way itself is minimally affected because the line sits sufficiently above typical clearance heights.

Staff asked if the company could shift one pole about 30 feet east near a county road north of Blairstown to avoid future road work conflicts; ITC Midwest indicated willingness to coordinate location adjustments. Supervisors approved the permit with a roll-call vote; staff said they would process standard permit conditions and continue to coordinate access and restoration with ITC Midwest.

Why it matters: Transmission-line replacement can require temporary construction access across private property and nearby public roads; supervisors and staff sought to limit impacts on planned future road projects.

Votes at a glance: Motion to accept ITC Midwest utility permit — approved by roll call.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/04/25 Board of Supervisors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Supervisors accepted a utility permit allowing ITC Midwest to access existing transmission-line easements for pole and conductor replacement; staff said most crossings are on private easements and county impacts are limited.","taxTitle","taxId",45756,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6353936,"Wellness committee proposes county paid day off for full-time employees not on county insurance",169,70000,239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220818-618525b205ef2d072b425f7f6985b598&start=70&end=239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220818-618525b205ef2d072b425f7f6985b598/thumbnail_70000.jpg","/articles/6353936/Benton-County/Iowa/Wellness-committee-proposes-county-paid-day-off-for-full-time-employees-not-on-county-insurance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353936-ce34cd12d0f22e676d33792a56316f27/orig.mp4?Expires=1775414280&Signature=QzTth08NzrxwluO7LqpZPBNI6s3T0W3ojRWdB~lhZ4te4nt15cYWgt~GFV5267c1eull4iye4SU3aBionqGe4ZkG9Tp51cH34nmv2e1PHVNn0oLP~75gl-YRmbmY-lTTS-y4dcIxnD7fdYgU7nBQbIGGsRyvDO1YT45Sgstvm3iUnRUa0ckZXAVPztbKJl9U-IYZuDv-H4UQ9AfO9jfPDY3q-ZgDg7b3qHDCsWNEUNYuXD9A~G405wPNAJzWRN8Vu4wqjm0OBURBlESjZ4y0LZw4x6W1vjhgtvPG4mEqJxtJ6mS9DbXOhKbdiU8jIsuzoiAlJVX-mfwZSOgXC-t~fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A member of Benton County’s wellness committee told supervisors the group wants to extend a single paid wellness day to full-time employees who are not on the county’s health insurance, provided the employee submits a provider’s note confirming they received a physical exam.

The committee representative said the proposal would not add the other incentives available to employees who participate in the county insurance program; it would simply make one wellness day off available to non-enrolled full-time employees who show, on provider letterhead, that they completed a physical. The committee proposed making the change effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Supervisors discussed eligibility (the committee confirmed the proposal applies only to full-time employees not covered by county insurance, not part-time staff), recordkeeping (provider note limited to confirmation of visit, no private health information) and whether the board needed a formal motion to authorize the program change. A motion was made and a roll-call vote was recorded in favor.

Why it matters: County staff said the change is intended to “even the playing field” for full-time employees who do not take county coverage but still complete preventive care. Records will be administered by county human resources and payroll as needed.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve offering a wellness day off to eligible non-insured full-time employees — approved by roll call.","The county wellness committee asked supervisors to allow full-time employees who are not enrolled in county insurance to receive one wellness day off if they submit a signed doctor's confirmation of a completed physical; supervisors approved the concept to be effective Jan. 1, 2026.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6353940,"Supervisors select Caterpillar motor grader after dealer offers premium circle at no extra cost",1680,4320000,6000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220818-618525b205ef2d072b425f7f6985b598&start=4320&end=6000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220818-618525b205ef2d072b425f7f6985b598/thumbnail_4320000.jpg","/articles/6353940/Benton-County/Iowa/Supervisors-select-Caterpillar-motor-grader-after-dealer-offers-premium-circle-at-no-extra-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353940-b904259e8406f43ba5d02335870b1cc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775414280&Signature=AWgT49DQ6NEYfk1ML-tMqeAsVOsh6X7tVAEFlqknX8sHPI2AcAoC-ST~zqD2tzcAupNnhVjYAmQNZLScLb-ycZbCo~bJ9N3LTvA7loYW4TUctqf7ErrYDRr54j4bs~pMe35lrVPhTJlyGGkr~s-vw2uBHsytnJftl9o3VgTWW8twTpInYYfGCohvTC1YV2pai9gvZyBYtmy5r24nx3q0GzJad03uKopaB1kc72wTZYE-ggVKkW53E1veV4dYe8xif6P2aRDLshOYlpjqJI59qKX1xMlzxAV3whmFvDDlMTMfwZDm4oHaSF5GO2J~e2yPQUezvKPTavTpPkc0nKARWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Benton County’s board of supervisors on April 5 voted to accept county engineer staff’s recommendation to purchase a Caterpillar 150 motor grader to replace an aging rear-wheel-drive unit.

Roads staff solicited bids from two dealers offering John Deere and Caterpillar machines and asked for comparable configurations. John Deere offered an optional \"premium circle\" for additional cost; on Friday prior to the meeting the Caterpillar dealer told county staff it could provide a comparable premium circle at no additional charge and include a seven-year (7,500 hours) warranty. With those options included, the Caterpillar 150 quote netted about $4,400 more than the John Deere with premium circle but offered a slightly larger cab and other operator-preferred features.

County staff noted advantages on both makes—drivers cited John Deere’s steering-wheel option while Caterpillar cabs provide more interior space—and recommended the Caterpillar 150 for the Keystone shed because of cab size and the dealer’s offer to include the premium circle and warranty.

Supervisors approved the engineer’s recommendation by roll-call vote. Staff said delivery would likely be 22–25 weeks and that the purchase is included in the county’s multi-year equipment plan.

Why it matters: A motor grader is a heavy-maintenance capital piece for secondary roads; the choice affects operator comfort, long-term maintenance and fleet diversity. The board’s approval begins procurement and scheduling for replacement of older equipment.

Votes at a glance: Motion to accept engineer recommendation for Caterpillar motor grader — approved by roll call.","After reviewing quotes for John Deere and Caterpillar motor graders, county staff recommended the Caterpillar 150 with a seven-year warranty plus a premium circle; supervisors approved the recommendation by roll call.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6353944,"Benton County supervisors approve extra spending authority as sheriff outlines urgent vehicle, camera and equipment needs",510,720000,1230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220818-618525b205ef2d072b425f7f6985b598&start=720&end=1230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220818-618525b205ef2d072b425f7f6985b598/thumbnail_720000.jpg","/articles/6353944/Benton-County/Iowa/Benton-County-supervisors-approve-extra-spending-authority-as-sheriff-outlines-urgent-vehicle-camera-and-equipment-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353944-b5278ba936d4de53ef587aaee22ec72f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775414280&Signature=bm~Dq09gGa-~VA7JRyKadN5e~b4GQxv3TmsYa4BIROsJzl6WwBjJQ43e-GRuxtGxpCtgEID5PfxH~MjkgTl9cSiMiMbELwqcfpaxioN3sokCfjG00xsP9fC8BDYKcKPgdx3QyuHdHU6mZIh~1EEQhVy3f7rwxabrws0kR7PZvEsbur95b~ks4hzo-OKlIzfwmS~iqxWhn4dFAricLiqN1VJ2cAHzJBU3YJA15wCXpN6HL1nksPZfzBT3bApRNcHj~k8J9HpF6NoQMVwdNZbvuY0UXvPgaOF4zm8s8q9WEUg2am9u8muNgk17-KfNm-9D194ddF34MHa1zhmet-Gq6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Benton County supervisors on April 5 approved an amendment to spending authority and heard a lengthy presentation from sheriff’s staff about urgent fleet and equipment needs, including new patrol vehicles, in-car and body camera systems, ruggedized laptops, weapons and other outfitting costs.

Sheriff’s office staff described a near-term shortfall of patrol vehicles and equipment as the department finishes recruitment and prepares to add new deputies. The presentation listed current bids and estimates for vehicles (about $120,000–$216,000 per vehicle depending on configuration), outfitting per vehicle ($17,000–$21,000 for some units), body cameras and in-car camera packages (vendor quotes ranged from about $90,000/year for a five-year contract to a pricier Axon option), laptops and docking systems, tasers and weapons. Staff said lead times for many items were four to eight weeks and noted some vehicles had recently failed in service.

The sheriff’s office told the board it also needs immediate funding for recruitment-related salaries and outfitting for several new hires (uniforms, body armor, holsters and weapon optics), and requested authority to spend on weapons and safety equipment to put deputies into service. The department said some existing equipment is obsolete or approaching software/hardware end of life, and that replacing laptops and camera systems now would remove the need for separate desktop computers in the office.

Board members pressed the sheriff and staff on prioritization and timing, asking which purchases were most time-sensitive and whether local vendors and procurement timelines had been confirmed. The sheriff’s staff said they would return with finalized vendor quotes and a prioritized list; supervisors agreed to approve targeted spending authority to allow purchasing to proceed while formal bids and resolutions return for final approval.

Why it matters: The sheriff described staffing and equipment shortfalls that could limit the department’s ability to put newly hired deputies on the road. Supervisors and staff emphasized lead times for vehicles and technology mean decisions and purchases must proceed quickly to avoid further operational gaps.

Votes at a glance: Supervisors approved a county-wide budget amendment (see Votes below) that increased spending authority in several offices, including amounts the sheriff said were needed for vehicles and equipment procurement. Supervisors also separately discussed a future resolution for matching funds for an ambulance (see separate article on ambulance matching funds).","Supervisors approved a budget amendment and discussed a multi-part request from the sheriff for vehicles, in-car and body cameras, rugged laptops and weapons to outfit new hires and replace aging equipment. The sheriff described immediate shortages and multi-week lead times for key items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board grants utility permit for ITC Midwest transmission-line work across southern Benton County

Wellness committee proposes county paid day off for full-time employees not on county insurance

Supervisors select Caterpillar motor grader after dealer offers premium circle at no extra cost

Benton County supervisors approve extra spending authority as sheriff outlines urgent vehicle, camera and equipment needs