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Benton County supervisors approve LOSST gift to Garrison Fire, staff hires and routine business
Summary
The board approved a $9,705.56 LOSST gift to the Garrison Fire Department, authorized a $2,500 credit card for Environmental Health, approved seasonal staffing, hired two sheriff's office secretaries at $58,000 each, and approved tax-suspension and historic-preservation reports; DHS staff presented a $4,500 FY27 budget increase and a landowner raised a watershed-pond leak.
At its Feb. 24 meeting, the Benton County Board of Supervisors approved several administrative and program items, including a Local Option Sales and Services Tax (LOSST) gift to a rural fire department, staffing actions in county departments, and routine fiscal approvals.
The board adopted Resolution #26-9 to amend a prior gift program and approved an Emergency Services Gift to the Garrison Fire Department not to exceed $9,705.56, which represents ten percent of documented new gear and equipment purchases submitted by the department. The resolution states the gear obtained with the proceeds shall be used for rural fire protection and life-support operations consistent with LOSST intent.
Andrea Morris requested a county credit card for the Environmental Health and Land Use Department to be used mainly for training, promotional supplies and water testing (costs to be reimbursed by grants). The board authorized a $2,500 credit limit, approved creating a seasonal position for April through October, and later approved the department's annual report.
The board also approved Resolution #26-11 to hire Rebekah Cripe and Michelle Wirtz as full-time Office Secretaries in the Sheriff's Office Civil Division at an annual salary of $58,000 each, effective March 4, 2026.
Other routine actions included approval of claims, payroll and ACH deposits, and the board approved tax suspensions for Parcel #s 170-13200 and 170-13250 and authorized signature on the Historic Preservation Commission's Annual Report.
Mindy Druschel and Kari Chamberlain representing the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services presented the county FY27 budget for DHS, which the transcript records as increasing by $4,500. Property owners Jim Fleming and Scott Fleming raised a watershed pond leak at Jim's property and asked for a legal document clarifying what repairs he may undertake; the minutes record the request but show no formal board action on it.
Supervisors reported on meetings they attended: Volz on Historic Preservation and creating a standalone website with a possible county link, Tippett on Duane Arnold planning, and Seeman on safety and solid-waste planning for a new cell expected within about 18 months. The board adjourned at 10:53 a.m.