for the
Dan & Dena Arens Family

DATE: Friday, February 3rd
TIME: 4:30 – 7pm
LOCATION: First Lutheran Church, Belle Plaine, IA

• Proceeds to help with Medical Expenses

• Monetary Donations can be made at MidWestOne Bank in Belle Plaine

Photo Compliments of Your Memories Photography by Abbi Garling

For more information about the Soup Supper Benefit, donations or how you can help, please contact Sara Johnson at 319.721.0951.

For Bake Sale donations, please contact Lisa Garling at 319.521.3637.

Volunteers certified in tax preparation will again be available to assist Tax Payers with tax returns free of charge. The returns are electronically filed thanks to the IRS tax counselors program coordinated with American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). The client is responsible for providing all pertinent information and supporting documents to the appointment including the previous year’s tax return.

Appointments are now being taken for those who are interested in receiving assistance or for more information, may phone the Vinton Library at 319.472.4208 or the Belle Plaien Library at 319.444.2902.

The dates are now established to be the “second Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in August.”

“We struggled with establishing this formula for our dates, due to all the early August activities, but are convinced this will please the most shoppers and communities.” “To make the event more successful, people or groups interested in participating on an individual basis or as group effort for fundraising should contact Deb Rothmeyer as soon as possible. This way information can be distributed as planning continues, and listings of sales can be made available for shoppers to plan their stops.”

A Guide will be distributed to businesses along the corridor for pick-up by shoppers in late July.

“This event has not only introduced hundreds of thousands to the history of America’s first coast-to-coast paved road, but it provides an economic boost to the hundreds of communities that participate, and it serves the “thrifty” side of us all who shop.

Deb Rothmeyer
Iowa Lincoln Highway Buy Way Yard sale Coordinator
712-263-835

1.

2. The Jr. High Girls Basketball game that was postponed @ BGM will be on Tuesday, December 20, 2011.

That is why – like teachers and administrators, United Way is encouraged by the new Connect to Complete Initiative – which will afford low-income children internet access from home. This initiative will offer these children new pathways to learning and opportunities to utilize online learning tools they wouldn’t normally have access to. Ultimately, it will help better prepare them with the 21st century skills they need to be successful in college, work, and life.

Saturday’s Palo Holiday Express that took families from Palo to Vinton for a holiday get-away raised more than $20,000 that will go toward improving our community.

More than 2,200 people took the train and enjoyed visiting with Santa, doing crafts and visiting shops in Vinton. (Santa and crafts were in Palo and shopping in Vinton).

The ride, organized by NextEra Energy Duane Arnold and Iowa Northern, raised $23,213.

Of the total, $3,000 will go to the Benton County Historical Society and $20,213 will be donated to United Way of East Central Iowa, for Children’s Outreach Programs.

“We very much appreciate this gift,” said Nancy Craig, VP of Resource Development at United Way. “This will help us improve the community.”

Some examples of what $20,000 can do through United Way:
15 of our most vulnerable youth can be mentored by a positive adult role model
117 of our most vulnerable youth can participate in leadership development programs.
40 of our most vulnerable youth can participate in quality out of school time programming.
109 of our most vulnerable youth can receive homework and academic supports.

 
“As you can see this donation will make an impact,” Craig said. “We appreciate the support.”

The number of people whose needs can’t be met through a call to 211 has almost doubled, a review of call center data showed earlier this week.

Most people call 211 for assistance in these areas:

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders present.  Chairman Buch called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Moved by Sanders, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the minutes of November 29, 2011.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to adopt Resolution #11-79, ABATEMENT OF TAX.  Voting aye were Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

Moved by Sanders, seconded by Vermedahl, to change the dates for the considerations on Ordinance #65 Amending Ordinance #24, Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation, to December 8, 2011, December 12, 2011, and December 13, 2011 at 9:15 a.m.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to approve the change in the employment status of LaDonna Fairbanks from part-time to full-time food service/custodian in the sheriff’s department, effective December 1, 2011, at $15.17 per hour.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to adopt Resolution #11-80, TRANSFER OF FUNDS.  Voting aye were Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

Moved by Sanders, seconded by Vermedahl, to adopt Resolution #11-81, AMEND FY12 BUDGET WITHIN SERVICE AREA.  Voting aye were Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

Moved by Sanders, seconded by Vermedahl, to acknowledge the receipt of the annual manure management plan filed by the Cedar Valley Farms, LLC for the facility located at 2188 78^th Street, Blairstown, Iowa.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

Julie Havran and Donita Casey, representatives of Friends of the Shelter, met with the board to discuss various issues relative to the animal shelter.  They provided a copy of the current management/lease agreement between their organization and the City of Vinton; however they believed that a new agreement should be written with both the city and the county since the county owns the facility.  They also asked about the current resolution establishing an abandoned animal fee.  Havran and Casey stated that it is difficult to collect fees to cover their costs without adding an additional fee by the county.  They asked that the county consider trying to collect the fee after the animal has been re-claimed versus before.  A meeting was scheduled on December 15^th to meet with representatives of their organization and city representatives to begin work on a management and lease agreement.

Don and Virginia Becker met with the Board to discuss the county’s land use ordinance.  The Beckers are losing their residence due to the Highway 30 relocation.  D. Becker stated he would like to relocate to an abandoned farmstead and questioned if that would be possible under the county’s ordinances.  The farmstead has had the buildings removed; however there is evidence of its existence.  Marc Greenlee explained that the county’s comprehensive plan encouraged development on abandoned farmsteads.  The board encouraged Becker to work with Greenlee and the current landowner about changing the use on the property.

Librarians representing Keystone, Atkins, Belle Plaine, Vinton, Newhall, Blairstown, and Van Horne met with the Board regarding future county funding for libraries.  The representatives also proposed that a new contract be entered into between the county and libraries, stating that the only agreement in existence was twenty years old.  The representatives asked that the board consider applying any extra local option sales tax revenue to the distribution to the libraries, if possible, adding that the extra revenue would allow for increased materials and services.   The board discussed the proposed contract and if there was a need for a written contract.  The auditor stated that there may be a statutory requirement for a written contract and stated she would ask the county attorney for an opinion.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Sanders, to adjourn.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

__________________________________

Ronald R. Buch, Chairman

ATTEST: ___________________________________

Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor

December 8, 2011

                The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in special session with Supervisors Buch and Vermedahl present.  Supervisor Sanders was absent.  Chairman Buch called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.

Supervisor Buch attended the meeting by telephone.  Attendance in person was impractical as the only item on the agenda was the first consideration of amending an ordinance.  There had been previous agenda items concerning the same and there had been no public input.  Buch was on a speaker phone during the entire meeting allowing for the public to listen and participate.  Supervisor Buch’s attendance in person would have resulted in an unnecessary expense to the county.

                The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived and this being the time and date for a public hearing on the first consideration of Ordinance #65 Amending Ordinance #24, Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation, the board took up the matter for discussion.  Chairman Buch opened the public hearings with no members of the public or media present.   The Board briefly discussed the changes with Marc Greenlee, Sanitarian.   Hearing no comment, the Chair declared the public hearings closed.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the first consideration of Ordinance #65 Amending Ordinance #24, Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation, as presented.  Both members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to adjourn.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                                                                                                __________________________________

Ronald R. Buch, Chairman

ATTEST: ___________________________________

Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor

December 12, 2011

AMENDING BENTON COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 24, BENTON COUNTY, IOWA, AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION ORDINANCE, AND AMENDING ORDINANCE #63, BENTON COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 4, SECTION 4.1

SECTION 1.  Purpose.   The purpose of this ordinance is to amend Ordinance No. 24, Benton County, Iowa, Agricultural Land Preservation Ordinance, to add to Article II, Section 2. Definitions and to amend Article VI, Section 2, Paragraph 2.1 Permission Approval Procedures Required.  It is also the purpose of this ordinance to amendOrdinance #63, the Benton County Code of Ordinances, to include Ordinance #65 in Chapter 4, Section 4.1.

SECTION 2.  Ordinance Number 24, Article II, Section 2. Definitions.  is amended by adding the following definitions:

2.2.1        Agricultural Feed, Seed, and Fertilizer Business.  An establishment engaged in retail sale of supplies directly related to the day-to-day activities of agricultural production.

2.2.2        Agricultural Building Sales and Construction Business.  An establishment that builds or erects structures or buildings used for agricultural purposes.

2.2.3        Agricultural Implement and Equipment Sales and Service Business.  An

establishment that sells, rents, or repairs agricultural machinery, equipment, and supplies for use in soil preparation and maintenance, the planting and harvesting of agricultural products, and other operations and processes pertaining to agricultural production of food and fiber.

2.3.1        Agricultural Product(s) Processing and Storage Facility.  A building or land area used for processing or storage of products produced on a farm.

2.3.2        Agricultural Research and Development Facility.  A facility, including associated cultivated areas, whose primary purpose is research in food and agricultural sciences.

2.26.1      Veterinary Medicine Facility.  A facility built and designed for the purpose of providing medical care to agricultural livestock.

SECTION 3.  Ordinance Number 24, Article VI, Section 2. Permission Approval Procedures Required is amended by striking Paragraph 2.1 and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

2.1       The enlargement or extending of a nonconforming use of land to occupy additional lot or parcel area must be approved unless the use is determined by the Administrative Officer to be a service essential to the agricultural production of food and fiber.  Uses that may be enlarged or extended to additional lot(s) or parcels of land, regardless of CSR ratings, include an agricultural implement and equipment sales and service business, an agricultural feed, seed and fertilizer business, an agricultural building sales and construction business, an agricultural product(s) processing and storage facility, a veterinary medicine facility, and an agricultural research and development facility.

SECTION 4.  Ordinance #63, BENTON COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, Chapter 4, Section 4.1, is amended to include Ordinance #65.

SECTION 5.  WHEN EFFECTIVE.  This ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval and publication as provided by law.

Passed and adopted by the Benton County Board of Supervisors on this 13th day of December 2011.

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Ronald R. Buch, Chairman

David Vermedahl

Jason Sanders

ATTEST:   Jill Marlow, Benton  County Auditor