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Benton County supervisors approve permit requests, adopt three resolutions including notice to sell Cherveny Wildlife Area
Summary
The Benton County Board of Supervisors on March 17 adopted three resolutions — a subdivision variance, acceptance of zero salary increases for elected officials, and authorization to post sealed bids for the Cherveny Wildlife Area — and approved permits and a license renewal. The board also authorized mailing its land-use denial to an applicant.
The Benton County Board of Supervisors on March 17, 2026, approved a slate of routine permits and adopted three resolutions, including authorization to post public notice and accept sealed bids for the sale of the Cherveny Wildlife Area.
Chairman Tracy Seeman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Supervisors Ronald J. Tippett and Bruce Volz joined the session; Volz participated by phone. The board approved the meeting agenda and the minutes of March 10, 2026.
The board approved multiple fireworks-permit applications submitted by the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association for dates in 2026 (March 21; April 16; May 23; June 20; July 18; Aug. 21'22; Sept. 19; Oct. 17; Nov. 21). It also approved renewal of a Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Bloomsbury Farm Inc., effective April 30, 2026, through April 30, 2027.
Andrea Morris read a letter explaining the board's denial of a recent land-use request by Cameron Erickson. The record states the parcel had a Corn Suitability Rating above 70 and that the request would remove about 2.2 acres of high-quality row-crop ground from production; the board said approval could set a precedent encouraging removal of productive agricultural land and could interfere with surrounding agricultural operations. The supervisors unanimously authorized mailing a letter to Erickson explaining the denial.
The board adopted Resolution #26-17 to grant a variance to the Benton County Subdivision Ordinance for Rich Kundel and Ben Grant to allow a single residential parcel in the NE corner, SE 1/4, NE 1/4 of Section 4, Township 84 North, Range 9 West. The resolution notes a prior 2012 split for cemetery purposes that the board determined should not count against the owners for the current request.
By adopting Resolution #26-18, the board approved the Compensation Board's recommendation of zero increases to elected officials' salaries for fiscal year 2027. The resolution lists current and recommended FY27 salaries as follows: Auditor $101,441.46 (recommended $101,441.46), Treasurer $95,897.07, Recorder $95,897.07, Attorney $146,534.51, Sheriff $140,292.32, and Supervisor $51,664.61 (no increases recommended).
The board also approved Resolution #26-19 to post public notice and a sealed-bid packet for sale of county property known as the Cherveny Wildlife Area. The materials describe the parcel as approximately 7.15 acres (legal description in county records). Sealed bids will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. on April 2, 2026; bids will be opened at the public meeting on April 7, 2026. The board reserved the right to reject any and all bids.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
Next steps: sealed bids for the Cherveny Wildlife Area must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on April 2, 2026; they will be opened at the board's April 7 public meeting.
