Votes at a glance: Benton County approves EMS claims, federal inmate contract, suspended taxes and noxious-weed notice; schedules Burr land-use hearing

Benton County board members cleared a series of routine but consequential items in a single session, voting to approve claims, contracts and notices and to set a land‑use hearing.

Claims and payments: The board approved EMS claims after the clerk read payment lines for multiple first‑responder agencies, listing Urbana Polk Township ($1,097.25 and $214.77), Walford First Responders ($1,188.63 and $6,300), Belle Plaine Area Ambulance ($1,090.28 and $41,325), and Garrison First Responders ($1,127.58 and $3,718) for a total of $56,061.51. The motion to approve the claims passed by voice vote.

Suspended taxes to DHS: Acting under Iowa Code 427.9, the board voted to suspend taxes for several parcels to send to the Department of Human Services for continued eligibility review. The clerk read the parcel numbers into the record: 170-13200; 170-13240; 120-02700; 870-39800; 240-22500; 240-30852; 030-44025. The motion passed.

Property inactivation — resolution 26‑34: Lorna reported two leased‑land building parcels where the owners are deceased and the cabins torn down; the county cannot collect building taxes and staff recommended inactivation of the building entries. The board approved resolution 26‑34 to process those parcels.

Noxious weeds and roadside spraying — resolution 2635: Eric presented the annual public notice listing noxious weeds (copied from the Iowa Code) and outlined a roadside spraying plan beginning May 4, noting a new spray truck with two chemical mixes (one targeted at woody plants). The board approved resolution 2635 (destruction of noxious weeds) by vote.

Federal inmate housing contract: A county staff member reported that the federal inmate housing contract rate "moves from 50 to 86.52," effective May 1, and clarified local transport and reimbursement practices (the county covers in‑county transports and up to eight hours before marshal relief for long trips). The board acknowledged and approved the contract.

Land‑use hearing set: Matt asked the board to set a public hearing on a non‑agricultural‑use request for Theodore and Laurie Burr (legal description given in the record); the board set the hearing for 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19.

What’s next: Several items require follow‑up by staff, including providing the chair’s signatures where requested and coordinating DOT invoicing for future road work. The meeting adjourned after routine closing remarks.