Benton County approves fire-truck match, renews cost-allocation contract and signs off on several land-use requests
May 13, 2026 | Benton County, Iowa
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The Benton County Board of Supervisors approved several routine and project-specific actions Wednesday, including a local 10% match for a new fire truck for the Van Horn Fire Department, renewal of a cost-allocation contract and multiple land-use approvals.
Committee member (Speaker 1) moved to approve the agenda at the start of the meeting; the motion passed after Chair (Speaker 4) called the vote. The board also approved prior meeting minutes with a correction related to a cigarette license, and approved claims in the meeting's claims run.
The board approved Resolution 26-41, authorizing a local match for the Van Horn Fire Department's new apparatus. Chair (Speaker 4) introduced the item, describing the truck price as $521,007.97 and the requested 10% local-option sales tax match of $52,001.79. Committee member (Speaker 1) moved to approve the gift/match; Board member (Speaker 5) seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
Supervisors also renewed a three-year contract for cost allocation plans and cost advisory services covering fiscal years 2026'28. Staff (Speaker 3) explained the contractor prepares yearly allocations after the end of each fiscal year to support reimbursement of indirect costs for departments including DHS and HHS; Board member (Speaker 5) moved to renew the contract and Committee member (Speaker 1) seconded.
On land-use matters the board approved a farm-exemption application for Bradley Rake (183 acres in production), a land-use change to allow a single-family dwelling and barn renovation for Nathaniel and Grace Hollow (approximately 2.5 acres), and a nonagricultural use request allowing a commercial breeding/boarding dog kennel for Nick Matulkin on a parcel that had not been farmed since 1963. Agency staff (Speaker 6) described required notifications and permitting steps in each case; motions to approve were seconded and carried by the board.
The meeting recessed for a short break and subsequently moved into closed session at 10:00 a.m. under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) to discuss litigation strategy with counsel. The board returned to open session without announcing decisions related to the closed-session items and then adjourned.
Votes at a glance: approve agenda (unanimous voice), approve corrected minutes (unanimous voice), approve claims (unanimous voice), Resolution 26-41 (10% match for Van Horn Fire Department; moved by Committee member (Speaker 1), seconded by Board member (Speaker 5); passed), renewal of three-year cost-allocation contract (passed), farm exemption for Bradley Rake (passed), land-use change for Nathaniel and Grace Hollow (passed), commercial kennel nonagricultural use for Nick Matulkin (passed), motion into closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) (passed), meeting adjourned (passed).
The board did not specify implementation dates for the land-use changes beyond the usual permitting steps; the resolution and contract renewals contain no stated amendments beyond the text read into the record. The board indicated staff will circulate any relevant documents and follow-up items as needed.
Committee member (Speaker 1) moved to approve the agenda at the start of the meeting; the motion passed after Chair (Speaker 4) called the vote. The board also approved prior meeting minutes with a correction related to a cigarette license, and approved claims in the meeting's claims run.
The board approved Resolution 26-41, authorizing a local match for the Van Horn Fire Department's new apparatus. Chair (Speaker 4) introduced the item, describing the truck price as $521,007.97 and the requested 10% local-option sales tax match of $52,001.79. Committee member (Speaker 1) moved to approve the gift/match; Board member (Speaker 5) seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
Supervisors also renewed a three-year contract for cost allocation plans and cost advisory services covering fiscal years 2026'28. Staff (Speaker 3) explained the contractor prepares yearly allocations after the end of each fiscal year to support reimbursement of indirect costs for departments including DHS and HHS; Board member (Speaker 5) moved to renew the contract and Committee member (Speaker 1) seconded.
On land-use matters the board approved a farm-exemption application for Bradley Rake (183 acres in production), a land-use change to allow a single-family dwelling and barn renovation for Nathaniel and Grace Hollow (approximately 2.5 acres), and a nonagricultural use request allowing a commercial breeding/boarding dog kennel for Nick Matulkin on a parcel that had not been farmed since 1963. Agency staff (Speaker 6) described required notifications and permitting steps in each case; motions to approve were seconded and carried by the board.
The meeting recessed for a short break and subsequently moved into closed session at 10:00 a.m. under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) to discuss litigation strategy with counsel. The board returned to open session without announcing decisions related to the closed-session items and then adjourned.
Votes at a glance: approve agenda (unanimous voice), approve corrected minutes (unanimous voice), approve claims (unanimous voice), Resolution 26-41 (10% match for Van Horn Fire Department; moved by Committee member (Speaker 1), seconded by Board member (Speaker 5); passed), renewal of three-year cost-allocation contract (passed), farm exemption for Bradley Rake (passed), land-use change for Nathaniel and Grace Hollow (passed), commercial kennel nonagricultural use for Nick Matulkin (passed), motion into closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) (passed), meeting adjourned (passed).
The board did not specify implementation dates for the land-use changes beyond the usual permitting steps; the resolution and contract renewals contain no stated amendments beyond the text read into the record. The board indicated staff will circulate any relevant documents and follow-up items as needed.
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