[{"_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",6266391,"mediaKeyId","3087180-76572c2116bae24b3cbbacbeacd62541","parentId",3087180,"title","Vendor warns courthouse rising-moisture risk, offers free inspection","audioSeconds",325,"startMs",577000,"endMs",902000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087180-76572c2116bae24b3cbbacbeacd62541&start=577&end=902","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087180-76572c2116bae24b3cbbacbeacd62541/thumbnail_577000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6266391/Benton-County/Iowa/Vendor-warns-courthouse-rising-moisture-risk-offers-free-inspection","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266391-d687176a848d738fe892f1ba08806653/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951743&Signature=LngM2Yk1glWP-PoPoPAgZnBEfAxRDQvO247~kT2MTuyS33CKSD3j-c3mipC1nO9ngixaTQvZwA-TAV~AZ3KYHqy5tnlhYU5z4R43GPvPoNeAPj5syiKmZr-hs3StzJ3V1~LhaYIt6uWE7Z~b~R0pa9l-Kk~tZCRut5Vq1swFJ3Fvk3WRcPxuWmtZNGmWXWi1XHQx60CExO0eBkhTp1Ua45Y4Z~oq6BD~Rc4GnWeVyLQm~uoV8h13b867NkWMXLZIfUpLh3H7JF4ta~YDIny303dgS8G4lBY-pleJrBrUPQbnk0XD3S-lD~btBdDd45Oj~ICH7WpDchjRMH5hrJYjrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Benton County, Iowa","date","2025-04-23T00:33:04.45Z","article","During public comment at the Benton County Board of Supervisors meeting, a vendor who installs rising-moisture control systems for historic buildings described how capillary action and salts can damage masonry and offered a no-cost inspection of the courthouse foundation and walls.

The presenter demonstrated a hand-held hydrometer-style instrument and explained readings: “Any read that we get that's below 70, the wall is dry. Anything above a hundred, you've got excess water in the walls,” he said while holding the meter to masonry during the meeting.

The vendor said his company has installed systems in more than 100 buildings across neighboring states and about 15 percent of courthouses in Iowa, offered to provide a written inspection report with photos at no cost and said the system requires no electricity or routine maintenance. “If I can have your permission to go with this gentleman over to the building to do a inspection, I'll do that,” he said, adding the inspection would be free.

County staff present noted the maintenance contact in the room and said they would coordinate the referral. The item was a public comment and not a county procurement or authorization; the board did not take formal action beyond acknowledging the offer and saying staff should follow up if a site visit is appropriate.

Why this matters: Older masonry buildings can sustain progressive damage from rising moisture that leads to salt migration and erosion of mortar and stone faces. A free inspection could help the county identify moisture issues before repair costs grow, but any remedial work would still require staff review and formal procurement if the county proceeds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/22/25 Board of Supervisors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A vendor specializing in rising damp and masonry moisture control described risks to older courthouses and offered Benton County a free inspection after demonstrating a moisture meter at the meeting.","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},6266396,"Supervisors appoint Ray as point person; county plans clock reinstallation and June 19 start",419,1277000,1696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087180-76572c2116bae24b3cbbacbeacd62541&start=1277&end=1696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087180-76572c2116bae24b3cbbacbeacd62541/thumbnail_1277000.jpg","/articles/6266396/Benton-County/Iowa/Supervisors-appoint-Ray-as-point-person-county-plans-clock-reinstallation-and-June-19-start","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266396-2bd6e87ebf5a62f1d422de608231adc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951743&Signature=n6~AoRo6tSBdnu5jBda~N5AjggjA9KZWaMdjpIldDhFXeTzs2rbDCeWnhg8t7e2fnOWMl4sHKarXYdBWs8ok9~nvcTX3ZbBKlMyb3E57vZibHv1YGUxu2gVN1JtfvAK1g80QAOzVqoysxBUfWD0OQj3huD-a2-hPvm4wjzu2yuqjPkHgQ3ynRMU4-lAfsXuREpQB1UtBr3t5qjA6IZr~ux7lG6y-DtQNUOP-zDsTfqo2o9PBPN5UsfbS3osDiuZlT6wyghw30TTDqrH48nk48E6-vTGImhJrmAgKf4Lm0CMASdzNGuNNV3CneKwIUXxW5Wu74u8AD030yZM2ltyOFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Benton County Board of Supervisors appointed Ray as the county’s point person for the courthouse clock-tower project and discussed a short public timeline for reinstallation and celebration.

A presenter on the project told the board that the clock’s parts will be finished by a supplier (Mechanical Watch Supply) and that the plan is to display the clock in the courthouse on Sunday, June 8, then transport and reassemble the mechanism in the tower and start it on June 19 — the anniversary of the clock’s donation in 1906. “He wants to have it on display and then take it up to the tower and then start it on the day of its anniversary,” the presenter said.

Board members debated whether to maintain a standing committee or only appoint a small point team; given the project’s near-completion status and that several earlier committee members have died or moved on, supervisors agreed to appoint Ray as the board’s point of contact. One supervisor moved to put Ray in charge of the project and the motion passed unanimously; Ray accepted the appointment.

Supervisors and staff said the maintenance team and historic-preservation volunteers will coordinate a short public display period in the courthouse before reassembly in the tower. The board discussed whether a larger committee was needed; members agreed the short timeline and volunteers made a smaller point-person arrangement appropriate for completion.

Why this matters: The clock is an historic courthouse artifact; finishing and re-starting the mechanism on its donation anniversary has cultural and preservation significance for the community. The appointment centralizes communication about logistics and public outreach so volunteers and maintenance staff can proceed on the established schedule.","The board appointed Ray to lead a reconstituted clock-tower committee. County volunteers plan to display the clock on June 8 and to reinstall and start it in the tower on June 19, the anniversary of the 1906 donation.",{"_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},6266401,"Votes at a glance: board approves event permit, utility permit, contract award and routine renewals",2827,541000,3368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087180-76572c2116bae24b3cbbacbeacd62541&start=541&end=3368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087180-76572c2116bae24b3cbbacbeacd62541/thumbnail_541000.jpg","/articles/6266401/Benton-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-board-approves-event-permit-utility-permit-contract-award-and-routine-renewals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266401-9fd6e944ce10dfac0f3c67e9b069731a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951743&Signature=W269TN2r0UderDWWckv3V4AqqsurCNkvAYSgiwq6744lhOHqKqUEVC~DLoMXAYhl1BWfifLifprD1SQyanIsMHer~SCmRZnoWEU4wrZqfevRH2Wg755rvA8PPBnJCgpskS0fKHYOH8m8arCqcAJOO6dwkn~hafCDDCOTnxQ0aWcg2~O6953o-gxKVhTWeFq7Zz~xlyGkRdDXRhp0VMNSG4h6qwn3MZmpsa-vBJilobTOZIFRmbKnmJHKwbbAJSi-B5DsGK1K52qlOqRcv7uW7W2NmT2~3c4iBvMvgNk9-OczTxuK~fTQgf3ZGcKPUE9veS2eX5mFSfRkS-hy~8XYog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Benton County Board of Supervisors approved a set of routine items during Tuesday’s meeting, voting unanimously on an event permit for a courthouse event during Boom Fest, a utility permit for a farm operation’s sewer connection, a DOT contract award and several administrative renewals.

Votes at a glance

- Event permit: The board approved an application allowing use of courthouse funds for the Boom Fest event. Date and exact permit details were discussed in the meeting; the board moved and seconded the motion and approved it by recorded voice vote.

- Utility permit: The board granted a utility permit to Gino Source, Blairstown, to bore a sewer connection under 20 Second Avenue (Saint Clair Township). The permit was approved by vote.

- Bridge contract (DOT project): The board accepted the low bid from Iowa Bridge & Culvert (Washington, Iowa) for a twin-box culvert/replacement project on 30 Second Avenue Drive and adopted Resolution No. 25-25 to designate the county engineer to sign the DOT contract. The bid amount shown in meeting materials was $362,083.50.

- Liquor license: The board approved a liquor-license application for a Bluerstown event (application name recorded as Northtown Sauerkrapes in meeting materials).

- Flood insurance renewal: The board approved the county’s flood insurance renewal package; the line item discussed included a premium referenced in the materials.

All roll-call votes recorded in the meeting were unanimous: Tippett, aye; Seaman, aye; Rules, aye. Several items were moved and seconded on the floor; movers and seconders were not consistently named in the minutes.

Why this matters: The approvals clear the way for planned community events, needed utility work and road-project contracts to proceed and finalize required administrative sign-offs. The bridge contract award includes a resolution designating the county engineer to execute DOT paperwork, a standard step for federally- or state-funded road projects.","The Benton County Board of Supervisors approved several routine items including an event permit for Boom Fest, a utility permit for a sewer connection, an Iowa DOT bridge contract award and insurance and liquor-license renewals; the board also appointed a point person for the clock-tower project.",{"_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},6266406,"Benton County supervisors table budget adoption after public hearing on rising property taxes",1855,1747000,3602000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3087180-76572c2116bae24b3cbbacbeacd62541&start=1747&end=3602","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3087180-76572c2116bae24b3cbbacbeacd62541/thumbnail_1747000.jpg","/articles/6266406/Benton-County/Iowa/Benton-County-supervisors-table-budget-adoption-after-public-hearing-on-rising-property-taxes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266406-d10702a6f822eeba27ac0532184823bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951743&Signature=AVtH1W1pdicIq-Z0x9vd2rIJ4Jof3yAoYRsgqnZ5wmwYdFXjFfwAAssNBwIn80eWpe-bjjwZo-xCkhOJT0d29JFjR7Bt-NXrkadswJLflWFZ8FoREoVB3yy7IVVPAxXGnnanyOxC23hWkPh~BqNmpOD0hyidiLlfE72Yl574pm8nKo3rpVc11XKpQpLT3dsPLKVi-ViC6OYynjOlhKCVzcJQOLW~2EPErwbkolpK1p1J9~Cumief4QViIFsU2YijJOdJMuRUZVNjqYMF2tbQM64IoBqJbbaHwAQMZBsEgze1QXgEOUnkl-BRjPqLmO603te~kC7B6Lifldy5cbl26Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Benton County supervisors on Tuesday opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, heard an extended public critique of levy increases and reestimated figures, and voted unanimously to table formal adoption until next week.

A resident who identified herself as Jill urged the board not to adopt the budget that day and urged supervisors to lower levies, tighten reestimated figures and consider a hiring moratorium to control rising property-tax burdens on fixed-income residents. “I don't think you should adopt a budget today,” Jill said during public comment.

The board’s action came after extensive discussion of fund balances, transfers into the secondary roads fund and the county’s reestimated revenue figures. The resident cited comparative figures for Boone County and Benton County’s fiscal-year ending fund balance and said Benton County’s proposed levies and administration spending had risen sharply in recent years. She recommended delaying adoption, reworking reestimated beginning balances, reducing appropriations where possible and using appropriation limits to control spending.

County staff and the auditor explained constraints related to transfers to secondary roads and the statutory minimum transfer threshold that affects eligibility for certain state road-use and farm-to-market funds. Auditor Hailey (auditor) described how transfers are set and warned that lowering transfers could reduce state funding for road projects; staff said the county submitted the secondary roads levy at 92.5% of the maximum and that dropping close to 75% could trigger reductions in state road-use payments.

After public comment and board discussion, the board adopted a motion to table final approval of the budget for one week with an addendum that the board would not increase the already-published expenditure amounts. The motion passed on a roll call of Tippett, aye; Seaman, aye; Rules, aye.

The delay gives staff and supervisors time to update reestimated figures, examine department-level reestimates and consider targeted appropriation reductions rather than raising the published levy ceiling. Board members and staff said they will circulate revised departmental reestimates before the next meeting so the board can review specific options for lowering levies without risking state funding for road programs.

The board closed the public hearing at the end of the meeting and scheduled the budget vote for the following week.

Why this matters: The board’s decision to delay formal adoption leaves the published levy amounts intact for now but signals supervisors will revisit department reestimates and fund balances before finalizing the tax levy. Residents who testified warned that continuing property-tax increases could strain households on fixed incomes and urged the board to use appropriation controls and hiring freezes to limit growth.","After a lengthy public hearing and detailed citizen critique of the proposed levy and reestimated figures, the Benton County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to table final approval of the fiscal 2026 budget until next week and to avoid raising published expenditure amounts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Vendor warns courthouse rising-moisture risk, offers free inspection

Supervisors appoint Ray as point person; county plans clock reinstallation and June 19 start

Votes at a glance: board approves event permit, utility permit, contract award and routine renewals

Benton County supervisors table budget adoption after public hearing on rising property taxes