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All right, I do have 10 o'clock here.
Uh, we'll call the meeting to order and

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we'll rise for the pledge.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

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United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands,

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» one nation under God, indivisible with
all.

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» Is JJ remote?
>> Apparently.

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All right. Uh,
thanks everybody for showing up today.

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Um, got a nice day out there and, uh, we
did finally get a little rain. I don't

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know if you guys did up north much, but
I did get a fair amount, but uh,

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obviously we need more. Um, at this
moment, we'll start with public forum.

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Anybody want to talk at public forum?
Yep.

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» Hi, my name is Kevin Peterson living.
Just curious if um the commissioners

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have any consideration on not signing
NDAs for companies.

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» I don't know if that's an answer today
or something that you guys are are you

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discussing or
>> so typically in public form we don't

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talk back and forth or not.
>> Okay.

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» Yep.

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» Anybody else in public form?

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Okay. Nobody here. Anybody online? Ryan.
>> Okay.

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» All right. We will uh move on to the
agenda. Any additions of the listings?

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» Um yes, Mr. Chair. There's just
additional information for consent

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agenda number four. Um just the the s
the information regarding the the bids

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that were received in the bid
tabulation. Okay.

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» All right.
Uh, anybody want to entertain a motion?

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» I'll move it's amended. Okay,
>> I'll second amended.

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» Okay. Uh, got a motion by Lewig, second
by, uh, Nelson. Any discussion?

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» Okay. Uh, hearing none. Go ahead, Deb,
and call the role.

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» Chair Moore.
>> Hi.

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» Commissioner Nelson,
>> yes.

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» Commissioner Waldham,
>> yes.

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» Commissioner Lewig,
>> hi. Commissioner Holland.

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» Yes.
>> Thank you.

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» All right. Approve the minutes of the
August 18th, 2026 regular county board

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meeting and summary for publication and
August 25th, 2026 special uh meeting.

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» I'll move that.
>> Okay. Motion by Holland.

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» I'll second.
>> Second by Lewig. Any discussion?

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» Hearing none. Go ahead and call the
role.

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» Commissioner Nelson. Yes,
>> Commissioner Holland.

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» Yes,
>> Commissioner Waldam.

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» Yes,
>> Commissioner Lewig.

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» Hi,
>> Chair Moore.

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» I
All right. Minutes of boards,

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committees, and correspondents. The 2026
state primary election canvasing board

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minutes, August 14, 2026. And the Pine
County Land Surveyor Monthly Report,

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August 2026.

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» I'll move it, Mr. Sure.
>> Okay.

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» Second
>> motion by Lwig, second by Nelson. Any

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discussion on them?
>> Hearing none. Uh, go ahead.

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» Commissioner Waldam,

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» yes.
>> Commissioner Lewig,

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» I.
>> Commissioner Holland,

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» yes.
>> Chair Moore,

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» I.
>> Commissioner Nelson,

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» yes.
>> Thank you.

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» All right. Consent agenda with the
numbers on the contract. Uh, we'll

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entertain a motion for that.
>> I'll move the consent agenda.

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» Okay.
Motion by Holland. Got a second.

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» I'll second that.
>> Second by Nelson. Uh, any discussion?

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» I'd just like to make a comment on the
the bids. Obviously, they're coming in

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decent yet. Um are the rest of the road
projects they've been coming in pretty

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decent too, right?
>> Yeah. Uh been fortunate to get multiple

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bids
and it get right for some reason. So

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good.
>> Okay. Do you know when construction is

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going to start or
>> they're going to start fairly quickly?

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» Okay. Okay.

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Okay. Perfect.
Anybody else got discussion?

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All right. Uh, go ahead, Devon. Call the
RO.

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» Commissioner Ledwig.
>> I.

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» Commissioner Holland.
>> Yes.

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» Chair Moore.
>> Hi.

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» Commissioner Nelson.
>> Yes.

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» Commissioner Waldam.
>> Yes.

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» Thank you.
>> All right. On the regular agenda, we'll

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move to number one, health insurance
committee report. Uh,

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one of you guys want to take it or

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» Sure.
Um,

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so we did talk about we the committee
met and um, you know, lots of good

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information with our our new but or
returning consultant and uh,

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I don't I don't have a lot to add other
than we did have a good discussion

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amongst the the whole committee and kind
of worked out you know there was there

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was there was a a bit of a range of of
what we should do. and and uh I think

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our consultant
um probably emphasized at the beginning

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of the meeting the fact of you know we
we all maybe have personal positions you

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know but he emphasized the fact that um
we need to be looking at a a fund

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management position and we need to that
hat probably needs to be foremost you

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know making sure that that the because
we self-insure, making sure that that

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fund is in in in good condition and that
we're looking out for the

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the the well-being of the plan. So So
with that, I think we're recommending a

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a 4% increase.
>> Okay.

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» Anything else to add? I can I just want
to add one thing.

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» Yeah.
>> Um I agree with Roger. the the

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discussion at the beginning I think it
kind of settled in more as the meeting

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went on too. the whole thing is this
isn't it's just a separate fund from

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everything in the county just so we can
manage our insurance and I thought that

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was really um pretty well understood by
the group by the way they were

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discussing things you know up and down
and where we go and the other thing that

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amazed me was the growth that happens
that we learn in in the medical field is

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not consistent with the growth like we
see in colas or whatever you know the

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inflation it's just entirely different
in that. So, it's a it's a different

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beast to kind of stay ahead of too. And
most of the recommendations were high

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again and we're we're still managing
quite low on on our growth. So, that's

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all I'd add.
>> How is our fund balance doing? Is it

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growing? So,
>> it's good.

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» And it's still going up.
>> Um leveled off.

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» Leveled off. Okay. Not as much.
>> And this should keep it level. This will

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probably draw it down a little bit but
not a lot.

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» Okay.
>> One observation. I wasn't there of

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course but I've listened and read this
and and I I caution

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subsequent boards
to really think and and I was part of it

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00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:18,960
to to keep us have a 0% for a couple of
years in a row. it really um

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doesn't do us any favors in the long run
because inflation is inflation and

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especially in the in what we've seen in
in the insurance rates and and so um we

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can get behind in a real hurry and we've
been there and when we talk to some of

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our colleagues around even east central
Minnesota they're looking at

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at 8 to 16%
increases in their insurance. And so I

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think uh four, five, six is a is a
pretty um awesome number if if

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[clears throat] you think that's going
to stayain.

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» Do you need a motion to
>> um and then do we speak to the other two

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changes or do you want me to speak to
those? Um and then the there was two

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other changes that the committee
recommended. Um the first one is just

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changing the out-ofpocket maximum um for
the healthc care savings plan savings um

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insurance plan. So the IRS sets what
those those out-of-pocket maximums need

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to be and they change every single year.
And so for 2027 they need to increase to

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$3,500 for individuals and $7,000 for
families. Um and so that change just

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allows us to to keep that beneficial tax
classification of that HSA plan. Um so

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that is something that we've routinely
done each year. Um so that is not any

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different. And then the other change
that the um the committee recommended is

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um you know we we have the three health
care plans and on the viva plan

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um the out of pocket maximum that it any
any

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um any insurance person or any of our
employees would ever pay um is different

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on the VIA plan whether they're going
using an in network provider or an

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out-of network provider. if they use an
outof network provider, their

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outofpocket maximum is a is a little bit
more. Um, and but but that's not true

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when you look at our other two plans.
And that's a little concerning because

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right now there's not a lot of steerage
to for people to use in network

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providers. But yet when someone is using
an out of network provider like the plan

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pays more because there's no contractual
rate. um the plan is just paying

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whatever that out of network provider
says is the cost of the service. So by

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having a higher outofpocket
um maximum for out of network providers

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on the two plans that currently don't
have it, it would hopefully steer people

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to use that in network provider.
Um and and the hope is that um you know

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again it it there should be some cost
savings to the plan because then people

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would not be they they'd be more
inclined to use the inet providers.

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00:11:10,959 --> 00:11:21,440
» My Mr. Chair Yeah. My only question and
I think I

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00:11:17,279 --> 00:11:26,240
deciphered the answer but um most of the
major medical facilities are in network

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right if you go to Abbott you go to the
University of Minnesota you go to the

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Mayo Clinic that they're considered in
network

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00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:39,040
» correct in in Minnesota um Bluec Cross
Blue Shield is in network in most places

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the places that people run into the out
of network is a lot of times with mental

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health and chiropractor
>> [clears throat]

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» care.
So any of the regular medical things is

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are typically in network.
>> Thank you.

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» All right.
>> I'll make a motion to

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» You made a motion. Okay.
>> I'll second the motion.

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» Okay. Um so just as a little bit more
discussion, how long have we been on

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self- insurance?
>> We started in 2021 or 2022.

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» Okay. And I think it was I think it was
a broad or we

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our intentions were this exactly and and
every year we kind of talk about this

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when we set the rates that typically I
remember before we were just told you

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00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:34,480
got a 12% increase this year. Um and uh
you're like okay well we deal with that

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00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:37,600
12% increase and I mean did we even have
a 14 I think one time.

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» Yeah. Big numbers. Yeah.
>> Yeah. and we decided to go down this

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road of self insurance. Um, and it was a
big bite to take off, but you guys that

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have been on the insurance committee and
and really work through that the last

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couple years. I just thank you for that.
>> Yeah. And I think we should remember the

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last two years we did a zero.
>> Yeah.

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» Yep.
>> And you know where now it kind of caught

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up with us a little bit, you know.
>> Yep.

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00:12:59,920 --> 00:13:05,279
» Because we didn't do any growth in the
system really. So

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00:13:02,639 --> 00:13:09,760
» Yep. But them the last two years that's
what we need to do

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00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:15,440
» at that time you know and I I always
think that's we try to do what we need

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00:13:12,560 --> 00:13:22,720
to do that specific year and and it is
what it is. So uh but yeah so I just

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00:13:19,680 --> 00:13:27,600
thank you guys and uh yeah we we've come
a long ways with this and it seems like

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it's working out. So
>> share.

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00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:33,040
» Yeah.
>> Well, there's there's two components,

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you know, of the of the whole cost and
we think about insurance because we're

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self-insured. It's it's our the actual
expenses, you know, people when people,

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00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:51,920
you know, use that that's we we pay
those things. Uh so that's one of the

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00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:58,639
drivers is how much do our employees
use, you know, medical care? Um and then

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the other point component is the
reinsurance in a sense for the major

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00:14:01,839 --> 00:14:10,880
things and even though that's probably a
minor component

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00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:16,320
there is significant increases in that
portion. So, it's not like when we're

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00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:21,839
self-insured that, you know, you know,
we think we can keep these low rates

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because we still have uh the reinsurance
that is um following what everything

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00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:34,880
else is going on. And that's that's a
well an eight depends on whose numbers

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00:14:31,279 --> 00:14:41,920
you use. 8 to 14, you know, percent
increase. And so to Steve's point, you

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00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:47,519
know, it's um those things we don't
really have control over, but we do have

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00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:54,720
control somewhat over, you know, our
own. Uh so I guess that's

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00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:59,920
that's why we've been able to keep in
that zero for a couple years and just

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00:14:56,639 --> 00:15:04,000
and four this year is is because of how
those two fit together.

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00:15:02,399 --> 00:15:10,079
Well, and I think it's important to
remember too back when we had the the

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00:15:06,639 --> 00:15:17,680
big increases and then the next year we
didn't have any decreases. So if if the

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00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:24,079
» if if we're if we have an increase now
and we have a good year, we kind of take

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00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:28,160
that and put it in the bank to offset
the next year, which we've done. And

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00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:33,199
that's [clears throat] why with like our
insurance is increasing a lot more than

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00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:39,920
4%. But we're kind of padding it with
that. So that's important. When we

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00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:46,399
weren't self-insured, we we were just
giving them the the extra and then the

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00:15:43,279 --> 00:15:50,399
next year they again hit us with more,
you know. So we have it's it's in our

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00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:53,920
court. We can, you know,
>> we the thing like we can't control

199
00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:58,800
though was the cost of the stop loss,
the reinsurance that that's been going

200
00:15:56,639 --> 00:16:02,320
up the last two years. No.
>> Yep.

201
00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:08,240
» Yeah. There's a lot more than just
setting 4% increase on insurance. I

202
00:16:05,199 --> 00:16:12,720
That's what people don't understand. So,
uh I just thank you guys. So, we have a

203
00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:16,800
motion and a second. Uh is there any
other discussion?

204
00:16:15,279 --> 00:16:19,040
Hearing none. Go ahead, Deb.
>> Commissioner Holland,

205
00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:21,040
» yes.
>> Chair Moore,

206
00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:23,040
» I.
>> Commissioner Nelson,

207
00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:26,480
» yes.
>> Commissioner Waldham,

208
00:16:24,959 --> 00:16:28,639
» yes.
Commissioner Lewick.

209
00:16:27,519 --> 00:16:34,720
» Hi.
>> Thank you.

210
00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:37,360
» All right. Uh, road exchange with Kegma
Township.

211
00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:43,040
» Yeah. So, I'm recommending we do a road
exchange with the township. Um, they

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00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:48,056
would take our county state 12 out near
Henriette and then we would take their

213
00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:52,320
homestead road. Uh, it's in the
[clears throat] freeway corridor. Makes

214
00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:56,959
a nice connection between our state 811,
our state 814.

215
00:16:54,399 --> 00:16:59,920
Uh we've kind of kicked it around this
summer. We talked about it at our

216
00:16:58,240 --> 00:17:04,160
committee of the whole meeting in May.
Um

217
00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:07,919
and just looking at we got some traffic
counts. It's about the rough counts are

218
00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:11,919
about 225
and that's you know I I tried looking

219
00:17:10,079 --> 00:17:16,240
around at our other gravel roads and
it's it's hard to find a gravel road

220
00:17:14,559 --> 00:17:20,480
with more than 100 out there that we've
got. And so most of our higher volume

221
00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:23,760
gravel roads we've paved, you know, we
paved quite a few back in the early

222
00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:28,960
2000s.
And then it it's comparable with County

223
00:17:25,839 --> 00:17:36,160
Road 124, which we're paving here this
fall. So, um, the township has been kind

224
00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:40,480
of kicked that around to us over the
years. And the biggest, we've done a

225
00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:43,919
number of these across the the county.
The biggest challenge is finding

226
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something that makes sense to trade
with. It's got to be similar mileage.

227
00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:52,400
It's got to be something that would make
sense for us to take and for them to

228
00:17:49,679 --> 00:17:57,679
take. So, um I think this makes a lot of
sense for the long term. And uh it's

229
00:17:56,320 --> 00:18:00,400
something that will, you know, we need
to do an improvement at that

230
00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:06,080
intersection. It's pretty dangerous
intersection at at 11. And uh this would

231
00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:12,559
just be an extension of our state aid
53. So, um, so I think it, uh, makes

232
00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:16,720
sense to be on our system and I think
the township will be happy. So, they've

233
00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:22,400
done a resolution. They they got on
their resolution right away, uh, and,

234
00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:26,400
uh, did that back in May, I think. And
so,

235
00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:32,960
there's a two-step process. We have a
resolution to revoke our state aid and

236
00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:38,640
to give uh Auburn Road, which is state
aid 12 to Pagma and then to transfer our

237
00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:43,760
state aid to Homestead Road. Um and so
there's there's some paperwork with the

238
00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:49,679
state for that part of it. Um and so
we're hoping to make this transition

239
00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:54,000
sometime November is our goal before the
Well, guess you can get a snowfall uh

240
00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:58,400
October 31st. We've had one of those
before, but uh

241
00:18:56,640 --> 00:19:02,400
hoping to get a transition before the
snow snowfl. So, any questions?

242
00:19:01,120 --> 00:19:04,880
» I do, Mr. Sher.
>> Yeah, go ahead.

243
00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:07,440
» You you took us on that road during that
road tour, didn't you? That stretch

244
00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:09,919
along by
>> I think so. Yeah.

245
00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:15,120
» Yeah. So, there's there's some
businesses out there. So, uh Winks North

246
00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:19,520
generates, you know, like event traffic
as well, you know, so that doesn't

247
00:19:16,559 --> 00:19:23,760
really factor into the ADTS. So, you
might have a big event out there once a

248
00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:30,080
week or whatever it is. There's some
other businesses that do create traffic.

249
00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:34,160
So, um I just I think it's uh took us a
while. Uh we've gone through many town

250
00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:38,080
board members requesting it. Uh I think
Dave Deutsander was the first one and

251
00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:43,360
that was probably I don't know 20 years
ago, but we we're getting there.

252
00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:47,360
» So, I think I think Mark, it's one of
those it is a long these are long-term

253
00:19:45,919 --> 00:19:51,760
things. I think
>> uh over the 20 years I've been on the

254
00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:57,039
board, this is
idea has floated around. Um and

255
00:19:54,960 --> 00:20:03,360
everybody has to get ready for it and
find the right road to trade and and the

256
00:20:00,799 --> 00:20:08,320
town board has to be ready to
>> to do the trade and and I think those

257
00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:12,080
that live on Auburn Road will probably
get a little better service. Uh since,

258
00:20:10,559 --> 00:20:18,080
you know, it's a gravel road, we do all
our paved roads in the winter first. Um,

259
00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:22,480
so there's a benefit to them in that
aspect. And then of course, uh,

260
00:20:20,799 --> 00:20:26,240
Homestead Road might have to wait a
little bit on the on some of those

261
00:20:24,559 --> 00:20:30,000
bigger snowfalls, but we'll make sure
we're we try to get it out to our higher

262
00:20:28,159 --> 00:20:35,360
volume gravel roads as as quick as we
can. So,

263
00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:40,799
» uh, can we do these in one motion or
Okay, I'm going to make a motion for

264
00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:45,440
both A and B.
Uh, and I'll entertain a second. I'll

265
00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:48,960
I'll second that.
>> And then I just got a little bit more

266
00:20:47,039 --> 00:20:53,600
discussion. It was It was funny because
I remember we talked about this quite a

267
00:20:50,559 --> 00:20:58,480
while ago while I was on the board and
like you said, you can't find sometimes

268
00:20:55,520 --> 00:21:04,799
you can't find a willing uh uh township
board to to take it on. And this spring,

269
00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:08,799
uh Jeff Weater, was in our was in my
shop and he's like, "Yeah, I'm going out

270
00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:11,600
to Homestead Road." And it wasn't
thought out, but it kind of thought out.

271
00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:15,200
He goes, "I got to get out there and
start working on the road." And I'm

272
00:21:12,799 --> 00:21:19,520
like, you know, I remember a while ago
Mark saying that that might be a decent

273
00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:25,280
road for the county to change with the
township. And he goes, really? So about

274
00:21:23,039 --> 00:21:30,159
half hour later, I got a call from Terry
Peterson. And he's like, so what's the

275
00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:35,280
deal on this? And I'm like, give Mark a
call and start chatting with him. And a

276
00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:39,440
few months later, we we get it done. So
it's just that's just an example of, you

277
00:21:37,679 --> 00:21:44,559
know, we're we're all alone in the
community. We're talking to people. We

278
00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:49,520
know people. and stuff gets done. And uh
uh it makes more sense for us to have

279
00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:53,360
that and them not to have it. And uh you
know um and like you said, the people

280
00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:57,440
that live on the county road now will
get better service. The people that live

281
00:21:55,360 --> 00:22:00,400
on the township now, eventually we'll
probably get better service and it just

282
00:21:59,185 --> 00:22:03,760
[clears throat] works and fits. So,
>> and it's funny, Jeff worked for us for

283
00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:06,400
many years, so he's bladed all the
roads.

284
00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:08,960
» He thinks he's getting a better deal.
And then

285
00:22:07,360 --> 00:22:11,679
» our current blade man thinks he's
getting a better deal. So everybody's

286
00:22:10,320 --> 00:22:18,320
happy. Win win.
>> Yeah. Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. So, I just

287
00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:21,360
want to say thank you because it just
happens and gets done. So,

288
00:22:19,919 --> 00:22:28,000
» just another example. Yeah.
>> I have a question. So, when does that

289
00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:31,200
after you sign papers and everybody then
then there's a date in which you know

290
00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:35,280
» Yeah.
>> We grade you you know problems or

291
00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:39,760
whatever. So, it's not a
>> kind of a

292
00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:44,559
» Yeah. And it's so exchanging two roads
is pretty simple. It's just resolution.

293
00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:49,039
The transfer of the state aid takes a
little bit longer. So if that lingers

294
00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:54,720
on, we'll still make that transition by
December 1st. Um I don't think it will,

295
00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:58,799
but it would be a county road until that
state aid goes on the on the system. So

296
00:22:57,280 --> 00:23:02,640
and it's actually I think it's about a
quarter mile less. So we'll actually

297
00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:06,880
have a little bit of state aid. So we're
building up a little bit that we can put

298
00:23:04,320 --> 00:23:10,799
on a road someday. you know, we're we're
not we don't quite have a mile. I think

299
00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:14,720
we're in a half or 3/4 of a mile. And
so, if there's a if there's a road maybe

300
00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:19,760
in one of our, you know, one of our
cities that would make sense that we

301
00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:25,840
could add state aid to that and then we
would generate, you know, more revenue

302
00:23:21,919 --> 00:23:29,919
that way. So, and this road will draw
higher needs because it's got higher

303
00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:35,120
traffic, qualifies to be paved and that
type of thing. So, it's actually a it's

304
00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:41,039
a good thing from that perspective, too.
Okay. Any other discussion

305
00:23:39,039 --> 00:23:42,960
hearing? None. Go ahead, Deb.
>> Chair Moore.

306
00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:45,360
» Hi.
>> Commissioner Nelson.

307
00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:48,760
» Yes.
>> Commissioner Waldam.

308
00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:53,360
» Yes.
>> Commissioner Ledwick.

309
00:23:52,159 --> 00:23:55,840
» Hi.
>> Commissioner Holland.

310
00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:59,200
» Yes.
>> Thank you.

311
00:23:56,559 --> 00:24:03,039
» All right. Thank you.
Uh

312
00:24:01,039 --> 00:24:07,520
yeah, we'll move on to safe and secure
grant. Looks like Rob, Mr. Perfect.

313
00:24:06,159 --> 00:24:11,600
» Well, good morning, uh, Mr. Chair,
members of the board. Um, we have

314
00:24:09,120 --> 00:24:16,400
another, uh, grant opportunity, um,
that's being presented to us, um, safe

315
00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:20,960
and secure courthouse initiative grant.
We, um, did a grant a couple years back

316
00:24:18,640 --> 00:24:25,440
in ' 04, and now they have another
another opportunity out for us. Grant

317
00:24:23,440 --> 00:24:29,840
opportunity. It is supported by the
county um our security committee and

318
00:24:27,840 --> 00:24:33,600
it's intended to help provide safe and
secure environment for the citizens as

319
00:24:31,440 --> 00:24:38,720
well as state county employees working
in the courthouse. I believe you have a

320
00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:43,919
packet that has the grant information
and also our our proposed application.

321
00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:50,080
So, as you know, the sheriff's office
been operating the single point entry um

322
00:24:46,159 --> 00:24:54,960
security pilot program at the courthouse
um since we had an incident um some time

323
00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:59,520
back. [clears throat] And that allowed
us to evaluate security needs, some

324
00:24:56,880 --> 00:25:04,400
staffing requirements, traffic flow,
effectiveness of having a consistent

325
00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:08,960
security presence at the main public
entrance. This grant would allow us to

326
00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:14,400
take what we have learned through the
pilot and develop it into more of a

327
00:25:11,279 --> 00:25:19,120
permanent solution and a sustainable um
courthouse security solution. Um, if

328
00:25:17,652 --> 00:25:26,320
[clears throat] we're awarded the grant,
funding would um be used to uh um in for

329
00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:30,880
several security improvements, including
like enhanced radio communications, um

330
00:25:29,120 --> 00:25:36,400
some additional video surveillance,
metal detector equipment, um security

331
00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:40,480
furniture and equipment, taser upgrade,
ballistic vests. There's training for

332
00:25:38,159 --> 00:25:44,159
all staff in the courthouse.
Um not just the baiffs and that, but

333
00:25:42,159 --> 00:25:48,240
everybody in like what we do in like a a
threat situation, that kind of stuff.

334
00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:53,440
and then um door security improvements
to the courtrooms themselves. That was

335
00:25:49,919 --> 00:26:00,240
addressed in our security um committee
um by by the judges. Um the estimated um

336
00:25:57,440 --> 00:26:04,880
total project cost is 74,450
bucks. Um this is a 50% match grant

337
00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:09,200
opportunity. If the board does approve
the application and we were awarded that

338
00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:17,200
full amount, the county's maximum
financial commitment would be $35,225

339
00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:20,400
along with a $2,000 inind contribution
that we would be that that's training

340
00:26:19,120 --> 00:26:27,919
hours that our sheriff's department
would just um use for training. And then

341
00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:31,360
the total match would be 37,225.
Um that would be uh the remaining amount

342
00:26:30,159 --> 00:26:38,799
that would be provided through the
grant. Um the $35,00025

343
00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:44,320
commitment for the county um would be
contained in the 2026 jail budget.

344
00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:48,400
And the goal is to use this opportunity
to build upon the work already completed

345
00:26:46,559 --> 00:26:52,000
through our pilot program and make
strategic investments that improve

346
00:26:49,919 --> 00:26:55,360
security, enhance our ability to respond
to threats and provide a safer

347
00:26:53,919 --> 00:27:00,720
environment for everyone entering the
work work entering and working in the

348
00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:06,159
courthouse. So at the sheriff's office
respectfully requests the board consider

349
00:27:02,559 --> 00:27:10,000
a resolution 20 thou 2026-34
which I believe is before you

350
00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:14,320
authorizing and supporting submission of
the state of the safe and secure

351
00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:20,080
courthouse initiative grant including
the 50% local in financial and inind

352
00:27:18,159 --> 00:27:26,480
match and authorizing the sheriff's
office to proceed with the application

353
00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:29,919
um if we are awarded um the project.
So that was a lot in just a short

354
00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:36,320
minute. So
do you have questions? Um

355
00:27:34,159 --> 00:27:39,520
» not on the grant, but on how is it
working in with your when you're the

356
00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:42,720
numbers the way you kind of thought they
were going to work for you out there

357
00:27:41,039 --> 00:27:45,520
» as far as staffing?
>> Staffing. Yeah.

358
00:27:43,360 --> 00:27:50,000
» So staffing, you know, we came into it
thinking we needed a little bit higher.

359
00:27:47,120 --> 00:27:54,640
We actually lowered our our staffing
requirement not just up front, but we

360
00:27:52,799 --> 00:27:58,080
incorporate what we need for bailiffs
upstairs. So when we have the baiffs

361
00:27:56,399 --> 00:28:02,320
working and they're not needed in
courtroom, well then we can use them

362
00:27:59,840 --> 00:28:05,520
downstairs as well. So we've kind of
reduced that. I think our what was our

363
00:28:03,919 --> 00:28:11,440
initial number? We were guessing it was
around 50,000 and we've cut that in

364
00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:17,120
about half and what our real requirement
will be to staff it up front and as well

365
00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:19,520
as um managing the courthouse or
courtrooms.

366
00:28:17,919 --> 00:28:23,679
» Yeah. So that's what I'm are the
courtrooms still in

367
00:28:21,360 --> 00:28:30,880
» Yes, that is our number one priority is
the courtrooms, you know. Um but the

368
00:28:27,120 --> 00:28:33,279
close number 1.5 is is up front, too.
And we've been able to manage both of

369
00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:37,440
those.
>> Okay. Thank you.

370
00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:41,600
» Yes. Um as far as if you had questions
as far as how many people we screen and

371
00:28:39,840 --> 00:28:44,240
come through, is that part of the you
know, we screen about 180 people a day

372
00:28:43,979 --> 00:28:49,200
[clears throat]
>> that come through. Um, we remove on an

373
00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:54,240
average it's about 9 to 10 weapons off
people. And when I say weapons, that's

374
00:28:51,120 --> 00:29:00,720
knives from a pocketk knife to a 9-in
fixed blade. Um, we had a combat shovel

375
00:28:57,440 --> 00:29:04,559
come through. We've had uh, you know, a
a replica gun come through. It was

376
00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:09,120
actually a lighter somebody had, but you
know, we they identify those um,

377
00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:13,440
security potential security threats and
then we have them remove them.

378
00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:18,240
Um, but then they also a lot of
responses to uh we've had medical

379
00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:22,480
responses in the courtroom down here
from staff from just the public too. So

380
00:29:20,799 --> 00:29:25,840
they're the first eyes and ears. They're
making that phone call. They're getting

381
00:29:23,600 --> 00:29:29,279
a hold 911. They're on the radio and we
have people downstairs that are able to

382
00:29:27,279 --> 00:29:33,919
respond. And then there's a lot of the
things like um deterrent uh and de

383
00:29:31,760 --> 00:29:38,640
deescalation stuff. You get somebody
that's upset down there at the auditors

384
00:29:36,320 --> 00:29:43,760
and then they recognize that they just
walk down. Hey, how's it going? And

385
00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:48,880
things may deescalate from there. Where
where could it have went? Don't know.

386
00:29:45,840 --> 00:29:54,480
But we count that as a deescalation of
what could be. So, um the presence has

387
00:29:52,080 --> 00:29:59,960
really made a difference, we believe.
Okay. Any other qu any questions?

388
00:29:57,200 --> 00:30:06,240
» I have a a budget question. So
[clears throat] the ask is for 35,25

389
00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:15,360
additional from our general fund to
match this. Um [clears throat]

390
00:30:11,039 --> 00:30:23,600
what if you were unsuccessful
um in in the grant? Are are you still

391
00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:30,559
asking for something additional to to
make you know this work or is this is

392
00:30:27,679 --> 00:30:35,840
does this all does this all go away or
help me understand the budget here? So

393
00:30:33,600 --> 00:30:39,520
this this would be give us a definite
picture to say hey we're going to go

394
00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:46,399
permanent solution up front you know of
which we're in the pilot program um for

395
00:30:42,240 --> 00:30:50,880
next year 2027 we already have um wages
into the budget so we'll be able to

396
00:30:48,399 --> 00:30:55,039
manage what we have right now but we'd
like to take it to just another step

397
00:30:52,880 --> 00:30:59,279
above and this grant gives us that gets
us the furniture needed so we're not

398
00:30:57,279 --> 00:31:04,240
don't look like we're pieced together.
It gives us some uh other equipment. Um

399
00:31:02,159 --> 00:31:11,840
tasers are are being phased out, the
X26, and so we can we can get those put

400
00:31:08,399 --> 00:31:16,880
uh brought up to speed. Um the security
um of the doors for the courtrooms.

401
00:31:14,880 --> 00:31:20,159
We wouldn't do that if we don't get this
grant. This that that's dependent on

402
00:31:18,799 --> 00:31:25,679
that and that that was something
identified by the by um Judge Stefen uh

403
00:31:23,679 --> 00:31:30,640
as far as the doors that they don't lock
going out and they need to have that

404
00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:34,240
that protection. Um, as far as another
metal detector, you know, we'd like to

405
00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:37,919
have one upstairs just for we have that
too, plus we have the backup. If it

406
00:31:36,159 --> 00:31:42,880
doesn't happen, we don't get the grant,
we wouldn't be doing that. So, the short

407
00:31:40,240 --> 00:31:46,720
answer is if we don't get this grant, I
won't be coming to ask you for

408
00:31:44,559 --> 00:31:51,600
additional monies to make this happen,
the 37,000. We want this grant to happen

409
00:31:49,519 --> 00:31:57,320
to help provide that. Otherwise, we'll
make do with moving forward with what we

410
00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:57,320
have.

411
00:31:57,760 --> 00:32:06,080
Okay. Uh, did you want to add something?
>> I just

412
00:32:03,039 --> 00:32:10,000
» you gotta come up here. Sorry.
>> I talk loud. Anyhow, but Amy Willard,

413
00:32:08,399 --> 00:32:15,120
court administrator. So, I just wanted
to add in addition to what Rod had that

414
00:32:12,320 --> 00:32:19,440
we did reach out for support from other
agencies. So, if the grant is approved,

415
00:32:17,760 --> 00:32:23,840
like we have a letter of recommendation
from the judge, from county attorney

416
00:32:21,120 --> 00:32:28,960
Frederickson, the public lead public
defender, um Terry Faucet from probation

417
00:32:27,279 --> 00:32:32,720
is also doing one and then the guardian
amid lightum program. So, they all see

418
00:32:31,279 --> 00:32:36,880
the benefit of what's happening out
there and strongly support this as well

419
00:32:35,120 --> 00:32:39,440
in addition.
>> Okay.

420
00:32:37,200 --> 00:32:45,760
» Thank you. Thanks.
Just how is the what has the public's

421
00:32:42,159 --> 00:32:50,399
response been to the process?
>> I wish I had like document numbers and

422
00:32:48,480 --> 00:32:54,320
stuff like that, but overall it's been
very positive. Of course, we we will get

423
00:32:52,799 --> 00:32:59,120
somebody that might have a little
negative tone like why are you doing

424
00:32:55,919 --> 00:33:03,760
this? Very rare and usually it's met um
very professionally and we we just take

425
00:33:01,360 --> 00:33:08,880
care of business. So overall, it's been
very positive public and um staff

426
00:33:07,200 --> 00:33:10,960
employees here as well.
>> Thank you.

427
00:33:09,279 --> 00:33:13,440
» Probably more overwhelmingly with with
staff.

428
00:33:12,399 --> 00:33:16,000
» Good.
>> Thanks.

429
00:33:14,559 --> 00:33:17,120
» Any other questions?
>> Thanks.

430
00:33:16,559 --> 00:33:20,559
» Thank you.
>> I have a question.

431
00:33:18,559 --> 00:33:24,640
» Yeah.
>> Go ahead.

432
00:33:21,519 --> 00:33:30,240
» Yeah. Does all staff then go through the
uh security checkpoint?

433
00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:35,600
» Currently, we are. they're all going
through at some level. Um there's quite

434
00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:39,519
a few that bypass and go maybe through
another entrance, you know, and they're

435
00:33:37,600 --> 00:33:44,399
not going through the main. Um this
would address that as well as we get

436
00:33:41,360 --> 00:33:48,960
more information. Uh possibly getting a
bypass lane with um security screening

437
00:33:46,720 --> 00:33:51,840
using your um ID cards, things like
that. But those would kind of like in

438
00:33:50,399 --> 00:33:55,840
the works of what we would do and
manage. We'd have the capabilities with

439
00:33:54,000 --> 00:34:01,679
this grant to be able to afford those
different options.

440
00:33:58,399 --> 00:34:05,000
Does that help M. Okay.
Anything else?

441
00:34:05,120 --> 00:34:12,240
» Uh, so we do need a motion
uh to to

442
00:34:10,960 --> 00:34:13,520
submit for this grant.
>> I'll move it.

443
00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:18,159
» Okay,
>> I'll second.

444
00:34:14,800 --> 00:34:23,040
» Motion by Lewig, second by Holland. Um,
and you know, it's interesting is

445
00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:27,359
because all this does take effect, you
know, um, we've been talking about

446
00:34:25,440 --> 00:34:30,879
security, single point entry, Matt,
probably as long as you've been on the

447
00:34:28,639 --> 00:34:35,919
board, um, and on the security
committee. Um, but it costs real money,

448
00:34:33,919 --> 00:34:41,280
you know, and that's, uh, we've talked
to Rod about it and I know Amy, the

449
00:34:38,639 --> 00:34:45,280
courts have always wanted it. Um, but it
costs real money, you know, putting

450
00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:50,159
people there costs money. So, we've
we've really worked hard to try to find

451
00:34:47,839 --> 00:34:57,599
a good solution, and I think we got
somewhere that isn't isn't a terrible

452
00:34:53,679 --> 00:35:02,880
amount of money. Um, it is money, but uh
uh but we're we're we got something

453
00:35:00,240 --> 00:35:08,880
decent and the response is pretty good.
So, I just appreciate the the work that

454
00:35:05,680 --> 00:35:12,640
everybody's done uh on that. And uh
yeah, we're getting somewhere. If we get

455
00:35:10,640 --> 00:35:14,160
this grant, it'll be like it was
supposed to be.

456
00:35:13,709 --> 00:35:19,359
» [laughter]
>> So, but again, like I said, it it uh

457
00:35:17,520 --> 00:35:26,079
it's a lot of money and we got to figure
out how to how to pay for it, too. So,

458
00:35:22,640 --> 00:35:31,200
anybody else got discussion?
>> Yeah. Okay. Chair,

459
00:35:29,119 --> 00:35:35,440
» so again, I'm going to go back to the
budget thing. Um, you know, maybe maybe

460
00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:40,640
this is a question for administrator is
is how how does this how does this

461
00:35:38,160 --> 00:35:44,160
increase fit into the budget? I know
maybe from my point of view, we were

462
00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:50,160
looking because we're going to come up
with budget discussion here

463
00:35:47,040 --> 00:35:55,920
down the road here in and you know two
items and we were looking at maybe

464
00:35:52,880 --> 00:36:02,240
trying to shave 500,000 out of the
general fund. Well, now we're going to

465
00:35:58,079 --> 00:36:07,200
be looking at trying to shave 535,000
or am I seeing this wrong?

466
00:36:04,800 --> 00:36:13,440
» Um Mr. Mr. Chair, members of the board,
um what I would note is that these so

467
00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:18,480
for 2026, the the jail has made some
operational changes that have resulted

468
00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:27,320
in some pretty decent savings. Um and so
this 36,000 simply would be $36,000 not

469
00:36:22,160 --> 00:36:27,320
going into our fund balance in 2027.

470
00:36:29,280 --> 00:36:37,359
» And question is this is kind of
one time, right? This ain't recurring,

471
00:36:36,160 --> 00:36:40,160
» correct? This is one time.
>> Okay. Because like we said, we got the

472
00:36:38,960 --> 00:36:47,375
wages and everything.
>> So there's no salaries built into this

473
00:36:44,880 --> 00:36:51,640
» Okay.
[clears throat]

474
00:36:48,160 --> 00:36:51,640
Any other questions?

475
00:36:52,079 --> 00:36:57,040
Okay. Hearing none, we'll call for the
roll call.

476
00:36:55,440 --> 00:37:00,880
» Commissioner Nelson,
>> yes.

477
00:36:58,800 --> 00:37:04,720
» Commissioner Waldam,
>> yes.

478
00:37:02,640 --> 00:37:06,480
» Commissioner Lewick, hi.
Commissioner Holland.

479
00:37:05,839 --> 00:37:08,560
» Yes.
>> Chair Moore.

480
00:37:07,280 --> 00:37:12,400
» Hi.
>> Thank you.

481
00:37:09,920 --> 00:37:18,079
» All right. Uh we'll move on to number
four, jail collaboration.

482
00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:23,359
» Mr. Chair, want me to take that? I sure
can. Um so, Mr. Chair, members of the

483
00:37:20,400 --> 00:37:26,960
board. Um obviously back in early July
we had held that jail collaboration

484
00:37:25,040 --> 00:37:32,400
meeting with it was a total of eight
counties I believe um that were that met

485
00:37:29,760 --> 00:37:36,320
and we had a lot of discussion regarding
um potential jail collaboration with

486
00:37:34,240 --> 00:37:40,320
surrounding counties. Um and you know
there was just a lot of big ideas that

487
00:37:38,400 --> 00:37:46,800
were brought out that day but yet not a
lot of action. There was a lot of people

488
00:37:42,480 --> 00:37:52,480
in the room. Um and so after that I I
conducted a survey of participants and

489
00:37:49,280 --> 00:37:57,839
overall we got 18 responses um in that
survey. But in that survey it was very

490
00:37:55,359 --> 00:38:01,599
easy to see a clear difference in the
perspective between both commissioners

491
00:37:59,680 --> 00:38:06,480
and county administrators and those
representing law enforcement which was

492
00:38:03,520 --> 00:38:11,760
to be expected I think. Um absolutely.
Um especially because jail operations

493
00:38:09,040 --> 00:38:16,320
are primarily law enforcement um
function. Yet as a bo as the board you

494
00:38:14,960 --> 00:38:20,240
have the responsibility of funding,
budgeting, jail operations, those types

495
00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:26,800
of things. So obviously it has to be a
joint effort I think. Um but we did

496
00:38:24,400 --> 00:38:31,920
there was um three counties that were
very clearly had a lot of more interest

497
00:38:29,680 --> 00:38:37,119
than other counties. Um, and those three
counties were Benton, Kbeck, and Max.

498
00:38:34,960 --> 00:38:42,160
Um, and it's interesting because they
just align perfectly on the Highway 23

499
00:38:39,520 --> 00:38:45,119
corridor. Um, which I it was just a
piece that I I hadn't really seen

500
00:38:43,760 --> 00:38:49,040
coming, but it's like, oh, as you look
at those responses, it's very clear that

501
00:38:47,440 --> 00:38:54,320
those are the three counties that seem
to have the most interest in continuing

502
00:38:51,280 --> 00:38:59,359
a discussion. Um so my suggestion would
be um identifying potential next step um

503
00:38:57,440 --> 00:39:03,280
would be to have a smaller group to
engage in more focused discussions.

504
00:39:01,359 --> 00:39:08,000
Obviously we had a lot of people in the
room. It was very broad discussions. Um

505
00:39:06,320 --> 00:39:12,079
and so now I think it would be good to
take it to the next step potentially

506
00:39:10,000 --> 00:39:17,680
just engage with those three counties
that showed the most interest um and and

507
00:39:15,839 --> 00:39:22,160
have a working group of those three
counties.

508
00:39:19,280 --> 00:39:25,839
um just to see you know is is simply the
next step of that working group deciding

509
00:39:24,160 --> 00:39:29,920
that we just need to do have a
consultant do some sort of study what

510
00:39:27,839 --> 00:39:33,200
what does that look like but I think we
need to have a smaller group

511
00:39:31,200 --> 00:39:36,160
conversation of what that actually looks
like

512
00:39:34,079 --> 00:39:39,920
» do you know how serious the state is
that because they were looking at this

513
00:39:38,800 --> 00:39:45,280
too
>> correct so the state did a study in 2024

514
00:39:42,880 --> 00:39:48,960
on this and then they did a a study in
2026

515
00:39:46,800 --> 00:39:53,760
but in my mind all the results results
of that study come back to this is a

516
00:39:51,359 --> 00:39:58,320
county responsibility. So the state the
state can come up with great ideas all

517
00:39:55,680 --> 00:40:04,960
they want but until counties get on
board or counties decide to do anything

518
00:40:02,480 --> 00:40:07,760
the state is just I mean they they don't
have the power I mean they don't control

519
00:40:06,400 --> 00:40:11,680
our budgets they don't control our
staffing they don't um so it really

520
00:40:10,400 --> 00:40:14,960
» they might be helpful in funding
something if it happens in

521
00:40:13,040 --> 00:40:19,440
» they may be they may be helpful with
with bigger picture or funding things

522
00:40:17,520 --> 00:40:23,920
those types of things and so I think we
have to continue to engage with them um

523
00:40:21,920 --> 00:40:28,880
I I know AMC wants to continue to be
engaged in this conversation. Um but I

524
00:40:26,880 --> 00:40:32,800
think we need we need to forge ahead if
we want to continue the conversation.

525
00:40:30,880 --> 00:40:38,079
» I agree.
>> And so I I would ask that um you

526
00:40:35,839 --> 00:40:42,320
authorize me to initiate some follow-up
discussions with those three counties

527
00:40:39,680 --> 00:40:47,040
regarding kind of a work establishing a
work group um and then consider

528
00:40:44,800 --> 00:40:53,040
appointing two commissioners um from
this board to that work group.

529
00:40:49,680 --> 00:41:00,640
Yeah, I think it's uh I think it's very
interesting to to go through it and see

530
00:40:57,599 --> 00:41:04,160
um you know the working group. I've had
some other commissioners reach out to me

531
00:41:02,240 --> 00:41:08,319
saying, "Hey, where's this going? What's
going on?" Uh make sure we're involved.

532
00:41:06,800 --> 00:41:12,800
And that's kind of what we're looking at
is um I don't think every countyy's got

533
00:41:10,960 --> 00:41:16,640
a good relationship with their with
their sheriff and you know, jail

534
00:41:14,640 --> 00:41:19,920
administrator and maybe they do, maybe
they don't. But [clears throat] I mean,

535
00:41:17,680 --> 00:41:25,040
we can we've had a lot of open back and
forth and Rod and Jeff have helped, you

536
00:41:22,240 --> 00:41:29,760
know, um helped us make a lot of these
decisions. Not that we're going after

537
00:41:27,440 --> 00:41:34,560
one of them or anything like that. We're
just trying to figure out a better way.

538
00:41:31,599 --> 00:41:42,079
And and uh I think to keep it with the
commissioners is important. Um and uh um

539
00:41:39,040 --> 00:41:47,280
just like like in Pine County, I
wouldn't fear having them guys on this.

540
00:41:45,040 --> 00:41:52,880
Um, but I think different counties maybe
would and uh um so I know we reach out

541
00:41:50,880 --> 00:41:56,800
to Rod and Jeff for a lot of the
information and and definitely we want

542
00:41:54,800 --> 00:42:01,119
them part of the discussion, but I think
to keep it kind of rolling, keep the

543
00:41:59,520 --> 00:42:05,520
group
in in a direction that'll go and do

544
00:42:03,520 --> 00:42:12,319
something. Uh I think it is important
just to keep it commissioners and

545
00:42:07,520 --> 00:42:18,480
» and uh with that um I know you know with
some turnover coming on the board um I

546
00:42:15,359 --> 00:42:23,040
think uh it would be I would I would
continue that discussion and I know I

547
00:42:20,960 --> 00:42:28,079
chatted with Roger and he said the same
thing. So um I don't know how

548
00:42:25,680 --> 00:42:33,359
» I would I would make a motion that we
continue the discussion. I I I think

549
00:42:31,040 --> 00:42:37,599
it's a great
whatever comes out of it, you have to

550
00:42:35,119 --> 00:42:44,400
talk about these big picture items and
and my motion would include to

551
00:42:42,319 --> 00:42:47,760
put uh Commissioner Nelson and
Commissioner Moore on the

552
00:42:46,319 --> 00:42:52,400
[clears throat]
>> I'll second.

553
00:42:49,280 --> 00:42:56,079
» All right. Okay. Uh is there any other
discussion?

554
00:42:53,520 --> 00:43:00,560
» I have some. Yeah,
>> it's it's not that new to us when you

555
00:42:58,640 --> 00:43:05,200
think about it because we're part of the
juvenile already. We share a facility

556
00:43:03,359 --> 00:43:08,319
and we've been doing that a long time
and it works.

557
00:43:09,760 --> 00:43:17,760
My my comment would be I I'm I'm kind of
excited to see this thing move forward

558
00:43:15,040 --> 00:43:24,160
in the sense of, you know, some we we
kind of wrestle with, you know, we can't

559
00:43:20,800 --> 00:43:30,000
we can't solve some of these issues in
and of ourselves, you know, but when we

560
00:43:27,440 --> 00:43:36,960
but we start collaborating with some
some counties, not sometimes too many

561
00:43:33,520 --> 00:43:43,520
becomes very muddled, you know, But the
fact that that you know uh four counties

562
00:43:40,079 --> 00:43:48,480
you know we we maybe each county doesn't
have the all the pieces but they have

563
00:43:45,599 --> 00:43:56,240
certain pieces that make the whole
puzzle fit uh and look better for for

564
00:43:52,000 --> 00:43:58,880
all of us. So um yeah I'm I'm I'm
excited to see where it's going, but

565
00:43:57,520 --> 00:44:04,400
it's it's not going to be solved
overnight. This is going to be a this is

566
00:44:00,880 --> 00:44:08,000
going to be um um kind of an extended
process, but

567
00:44:06,319 --> 00:44:13,680
Well, and I think that's why we start
with a big room, you know, of people and

568
00:44:11,200 --> 00:44:18,560
then we kind of see the direction that
it's going and uh um and narrow it down.

569
00:44:17,119 --> 00:44:22,400
And I think that's kind of part of the
process. And that was what was really

570
00:44:20,560 --> 00:44:25,839
neat about that meeting is we kind of
figured out, hey, these are the groups

571
00:44:24,400 --> 00:44:29,040
that want to move forward. These are the
groups that don't think there's a

572
00:44:27,040 --> 00:44:34,000
problem. these are the groups that, you
know, thanks for showing up, you know,

573
00:44:31,280 --> 00:44:38,400
and and that's that's I don't think
anybody had really known what was going

574
00:44:36,640 --> 00:44:41,680
to come out of that. I don't know if
I've ever been a part of a discussion

575
00:44:40,480 --> 00:44:45,040
like that. Uh
>> yeah, start somewhere.

576
00:44:42,720 --> 00:44:49,200
» Yeah. Yeah. So, it is interesting to see
what direction it'll go and hopefully

577
00:44:46,960 --> 00:44:53,040
it'll continue to we'll figure something
out. So, all right. Any other

578
00:44:52,000 --> 00:44:55,440
discussion?
>> Yeah, I have a question.

579
00:44:54,480 --> 00:45:00,640
» Yeah.
>> Yeah. Then uh who would be the alternate

580
00:44:57,520 --> 00:45:04,240
then just in case there would be a
chance that uh the commissioners

581
00:45:03,040 --> 00:45:07,599
couldn't make it? Who who would be the
alternate then?

582
00:45:05,839 --> 00:45:11,599
» Generally we don't have an alternate
when there's two

583
00:45:09,920 --> 00:45:16,000
» we don't uh
>> Oh okay. All right. Thank you.

584
00:45:13,280 --> 00:45:21,000
» Yeah. So
uh any other

585
00:45:18,000 --> 00:45:21,000
discussion?

586
00:45:21,839 --> 00:45:27,280
» What what was this question? Who
>> who's going to be an alter? But we

587
00:45:25,680 --> 00:45:29,040
generally don't have an alternate when
there's two.

588
00:45:28,240 --> 00:45:30,480
» Oh,
>> appointed.

589
00:45:29,920 --> 00:45:32,960
» Okay.
>> Yeah.

590
00:45:31,359 --> 00:45:37,040
» The only thing we made a motion on was
moving forward with the conversation.

591
00:45:34,880 --> 00:45:39,599
Then he appointed the commissioners,
right?

592
00:45:37,520 --> 00:45:43,280
» And to add these two commissioners.
>> Okay. I didn't hear that part. Okay.

593
00:45:41,680 --> 00:45:46,000
» All right. Everybody good?
>> Yep.

594
00:45:43,920 --> 00:45:49,400
» Okay. Go ahead, Deon. Call the role.
>> Commissioner Waldam.

595
00:45:49,920 --> 00:45:53,760
» Yes.
>> Commissioner Lewick.

596
00:45:52,720 --> 00:45:56,640
» Hi.
>> Commissioner Holland. Yes,

597
00:45:55,839 --> 00:45:58,800
» Chair Moore.
>> Hi,

598
00:45:57,599 --> 00:46:02,720
» Commissioner Nelson.
>> Yes.

599
00:46:00,240 --> 00:46:07,040
» Thank you.
>> All right. County Board budget

600
00:46:04,400 --> 00:46:09,680
discussion and direction.
>> You taking this?

601
00:46:08,079 --> 00:46:14,640
» Sure, I can take this, Mr. Chair,
members of the board. Um, so I tried to

602
00:46:11,680 --> 00:46:19,119
lay out with you um for you um just kind
of a better idea of where we're sitting

603
00:46:17,119 --> 00:46:25,040
um after the discussion from the August
18th board meeting which gave a lot more

604
00:46:21,520 --> 00:46:31,599
direction um as if a potential levy
level um for 2027 and attempted to kind

605
00:46:29,280 --> 00:46:37,200
of allocate those dollars out and then
see where we were at. Um and so kind of

606
00:46:35,200 --> 00:46:42,400
you've got a table there that does that
and that attributes for um all of the

607
00:46:40,560 --> 00:46:46,079
funds except for the general fund all of
the funds, you know, all of the dollars

608
00:46:44,079 --> 00:46:50,319
that they would need that they're asking
for. Um it doesn't allocate the the

609
00:46:48,560 --> 00:46:56,240
dollars that are needed to the general
fund. Um it be it um still creates a

610
00:46:54,480 --> 00:47:02,800
deficit in the general fund of almost a
million dollars, $983,000.

611
00:46:59,599 --> 00:47:09,760
Um, also as we discussed kind of there's
a we we typically solve the budget in in

612
00:47:05,680 --> 00:47:14,560
a three three-way split of levy. So I've
addressed the levy piece and so then for

613
00:47:12,160 --> 00:47:19,599
the deficit we're remaining with fund
balance and cuts. Um, obviously the fund

614
00:47:17,760 --> 00:47:22,720
balance is always the easy solution
because then you don't you just get to

615
00:47:21,119 --> 00:47:27,280
use your savings account and you get to
move on. Um, and there there's that's

616
00:47:25,440 --> 00:47:32,560
always a balancing point of how much
savings do you want to use? Um, and so

617
00:47:30,880 --> 00:47:37,359
using the direction from the last one,
thinking about half savings of that

618
00:47:34,560 --> 00:47:44,400
million dollars, half savings, half half
fund balance. Um, I worked through I

619
00:47:41,280 --> 00:47:49,119
tried to list out some options for some
savings, revenue reductions that we

620
00:47:46,800 --> 00:47:54,560
could look at. Um, I don't know that any
of them are great ideas. Um but yet

621
00:47:51,520 --> 00:48:00,079
we're at a point where address finding
any expense reductions that don't affect

622
00:47:56,560 --> 00:48:04,560
services is is basically impossible. So
you if you want to have some some

623
00:48:02,480 --> 00:48:09,599
expense savings, we need to look at
probably some service changes.

624
00:48:07,359 --> 00:48:13,359
Um so I can kind of just talk down the
list of things that I threw out there. I

625
00:48:11,520 --> 00:48:18,319
did want to note that we did already
have some reductions in positions in the

626
00:48:15,520 --> 00:48:22,480
general fund that were built into um
into the levy which was one position out

627
00:48:20,640 --> 00:48:27,520
of the auditor treasurer office the
grants and special programs coordinator

628
00:48:24,720 --> 00:48:31,119
and then a partial FTE in the assessor's
office because they're going to wait

629
00:48:28,800 --> 00:48:35,920
till May 1st to backfill a vacant
position.

630
00:48:32,640 --> 00:48:41,680
Um other ideas that that we could look
at for um those expense reductions would

631
00:48:39,520 --> 00:48:47,280
be looking in the general fund. We had
some newer expanded positions. So those

632
00:48:43,680 --> 00:48:51,760
positions were um the restorative
practices coordinator at about just

633
00:48:48,960 --> 00:48:56,880
under $50,000. The economic development
coordinator which was just over $39,000.

634
00:48:54,800 --> 00:49:00,160
And then the four hours added to the
assistant veteran service officer

635
00:48:58,400 --> 00:49:04,319
position. four hours a week added to
that position at a cost of six just over

636
00:49:02,640 --> 00:49:09,359
$6,000.
Um, so that was one area that I could

637
00:49:06,720 --> 00:49:13,680
identify. Um, obviously a reduction of
mandated services. So we can look for

638
00:49:11,920 --> 00:49:18,480
opportunities to reduce or eliminate
services that are not mandated yet. As

639
00:49:16,400 --> 00:49:22,720
you look at the general fund, a lot of
those big dollars then become public

640
00:49:20,240 --> 00:49:29,280
safety related. Um, and so that's always
a really hard area to to look at

641
00:49:24,880 --> 00:49:36,079
reducing service in. Um and then my next
idea was in just in general salary

642
00:49:31,760 --> 00:49:41,839
savings. Um so obviously at the end of
2025 we had done this two-month pause in

643
00:49:39,359 --> 00:49:47,599
hiring um which was a very formal
process but I I truly believe that in

644
00:49:45,280 --> 00:49:51,760
general our our department heads our
managers are very good at managing those

645
00:49:49,680 --> 00:49:56,720
vacancies and making the decision of
this one needs to be filled now or this

646
00:49:53,599 --> 00:50:02,000
one can wait on being filled a while. Um
and so like during 2026 what we've seen

647
00:49:59,520 --> 00:50:08,640
is departments have delayed back filling
positions or left positions just vacant.

648
00:50:05,839 --> 00:50:11,839
Um and then also we've just had folks
using that paid family medical leave

649
00:50:10,319 --> 00:50:15,920
which when they're on that paid family
medical leave they're not getting paid

650
00:50:13,200 --> 00:50:20,319
by the county. So, in the general fund,
for example, just from all of those

651
00:50:18,480 --> 00:50:26,240
factors through the end of July, we've
saved almost $332,000.

652
00:50:23,359 --> 00:50:31,680
Um, just managing those vacancies and
that paid leave. Um, so to me, that's

653
00:50:29,280 --> 00:50:37,119
very hopeful in that that could be a
strategy. Um, obviously, you don't know

654
00:50:35,359 --> 00:50:41,119
what 2027 is going to bring, what
vacancies 2027 will bring, what, you

655
00:50:39,599 --> 00:50:44,640
know, how many people will be on paid
family medical leave. We don't know any

656
00:50:42,480 --> 00:50:49,680
of that. So, it's it's hard to count on
on that and I can't just take that

657
00:50:46,480 --> 00:50:53,599
$331,000 through July and extrapolate it
out because some people who were on

658
00:50:51,599 --> 00:50:56,960
leave now are back and just different
things. But I think it's a really good

659
00:50:55,119 --> 00:51:01,359
number to look at that no there is
salary quite a bit of salary savings

660
00:50:59,119 --> 00:51:06,079
from those those things already in the
general fund um as we've seen through in

661
00:51:03,920 --> 00:51:12,240
through 2026.
Um, another idea is in Health and Human

662
00:51:09,040 --> 00:51:16,960
Services, we've budgeted $150,000 for
the long-term supportive services cost

663
00:51:14,400 --> 00:51:21,280
shift. So, as you remember, um, those
are those wavered services. And the

664
00:51:19,359 --> 00:51:26,000
state to balance their budget just said
we're going to pass some cost on to the

665
00:51:22,960 --> 00:51:30,960
counties unless the counties can provide
can find us some savings which the

666
00:51:28,480 --> 00:51:34,960
counties did provide did find some
savings though that the legislature

667
00:51:32,400 --> 00:51:39,920
adopted this year but the legislature
didn't account didn't attribute those

668
00:51:37,040 --> 00:51:44,800
savings to counties. Um, so as of right
now, it's still looking like that cost

669
00:51:41,520 --> 00:51:48,800
shift is coming to us, but our hope is
during the 2027 legislative session,

670
00:51:46,880 --> 00:51:54,079
maybe can we convince them that no, we
already did it. Um, you already have the

671
00:51:51,200 --> 00:51:58,400
savings from us. Um, and so that's going
to take some some work on our part, our

672
00:51:56,559 --> 00:52:04,319
work with talking to our legislators,
work with AMC, trying to Okay, in 2026,

673
00:52:02,400 --> 00:52:08,400
you adopted our changes, but you didn't
give us you didn't attribute them to us.

674
00:52:06,640 --> 00:52:12,800
And so trying to get that done, so we
don't have that cost shift. Um, so

675
00:52:11,200 --> 00:52:16,960
currently we budgeted for that cost
shift, but yet maybe we want to take the

676
00:52:15,280 --> 00:52:23,760
gamble and not budget for that cost
shift. Um, and that's an option. It is a

677
00:52:21,920 --> 00:52:26,480
gamble because of course we don't know
what the election is going to happen

678
00:52:25,119 --> 00:52:32,960
either. We still have an election
between now and and the 2027 legislative

679
00:52:28,960 --> 00:52:38,640
session. Um I will also note, you know,
obviously earlier you guys adopted a 4%

680
00:52:35,520 --> 00:52:42,960
health insurance rate. Um we had
originally assumed a 5% and so there is

681
00:52:41,200 --> 00:52:47,760
a little bit of savings countywide of
about $46,000

682
00:52:45,200 --> 00:52:52,880
um in savings now because of that. It's
only 1% but yet it is real dollars.

683
00:52:51,119 --> 00:52:57,839
Um,
and then one one last idea we threw out

684
00:52:55,920 --> 00:53:03,760
there is, uh, you know, we've been
levying this $25,000 into the building

685
00:53:00,240 --> 00:53:08,079
fund every year. Um, you know, I don't
$25,000 doesn't get you very far when it

686
00:53:06,160 --> 00:53:12,240
comes to a building project, so maybe
maybe it's not worth continuing to

687
00:53:09,920 --> 00:53:18,000
budget that $25,000.
Um, and then that those those levy

688
00:53:14,400 --> 00:53:22,720
dollars could be shifted. Um
th those are kind of the list of options

689
00:53:19,760 --> 00:53:27,200
that I came up with. Um which I guess
any direction you'd like to give me I

690
00:53:24,640 --> 00:53:31,440
would be open to. Obviously at the next
board meeting we we typically would be

691
00:53:29,200 --> 00:53:35,440
looking at adopting the preliminary
levy. That doesn't mean that we have to

692
00:53:33,680 --> 00:53:40,880
have the budget completely balanced at
that point. We just have to be setting a

693
00:53:37,440 --> 00:53:44,880
levy that we can work with. But yet to
know to make sure that we're setting a

694
00:53:42,400 --> 00:53:49,200
levy that we can work with
is going to be key.

695
00:53:47,599 --> 00:53:55,280
» Yeah. And I think it's important when we
set the preliminary, Steve, you always

696
00:53:51,599 --> 00:54:01,119
talk about this. We uh you can you can
go down on the on the final budget, but

697
00:53:58,480 --> 00:54:05,920
you can't go up. So, um and I know a lot
of counties, they'll set a preliminary

698
00:54:03,200 --> 00:54:09,920
very high and they might cut it in half,
whatever. We've usually tried to do the

699
00:54:08,319 --> 00:54:16,640
work ahead of time. So we're really
close to where the preliminary is and uh

700
00:54:12,640 --> 00:54:19,760
so that is kind of you know typically
where we go.

701
00:54:18,720 --> 00:54:25,920
» Yeah,
>> Mr. Chair, it's it's funny you mentioned

702
00:54:22,240 --> 00:54:31,520
that because I I I've thought a lot
about that this year and this might be

703
00:54:28,000 --> 00:54:36,720
the year I could be convinced to
um put a placeholder a little bit higher

704
00:54:34,559 --> 00:54:41,200
because I think there's there's a bunch
of unknowns that we can still work

705
00:54:39,359 --> 00:54:48,160
through
um and get that levy portion back down

706
00:54:44,960 --> 00:54:55,520
to where I think it's palatable.
But um it's it's kind of a disservice

707
00:54:52,880 --> 00:55:01,200
to the counties
cities also, but to to in our case that

708
00:54:59,040 --> 00:55:07,920
the state may just set that preliminary
levy so early in our year when we we

709
00:55:04,720 --> 00:55:14,480
really only have results of about half a
year in in

710
00:55:10,480 --> 00:55:18,880
our our expense side. So it's um you
know by

711
00:55:16,240 --> 00:55:25,960
by the end of October the middle of
November we know a lot more than we know

712
00:55:21,359 --> 00:55:25,960
now. And and I

713
00:55:26,960 --> 00:55:35,040
I would I would be
I could probably be swayed to go a

714
00:55:32,240 --> 00:55:42,079
little bit stronger on our on our levy
proposal. I I know it

715
00:55:39,280 --> 00:55:46,079
I know it raises havoc because that's
what the

716
00:55:44,000 --> 00:55:52,319
that's what the headlines in the paper
say. county sets levy at whatever

717
00:55:49,520 --> 00:55:59,280
percent and that's what and then that's
also what gets printed in your

718
00:55:56,319 --> 00:56:06,079
proposed tax increase even though it
might change significantly

719
00:56:02,000 --> 00:56:10,960
when it when it really comes out. But
it's the cards we're given. It's the

720
00:56:09,040 --> 00:56:16,720
it's the
um it's what we were dealt from the

721
00:56:13,839 --> 00:56:22,559
federal government. And I think we need
to um

722
00:56:19,839 --> 00:56:30,319
we keep we need to keep reminding people
that um a lot of these um increases we

723
00:56:27,119 --> 00:56:37,440
got were were voted on by the people
that are in office in Washington DC

724
00:56:34,160 --> 00:56:46,640
right now or our local congressmen
um and don't seem to care. And so um

725
00:56:42,720 --> 00:56:46,640
that's that's what we're dealt with.

726
00:56:48,160 --> 00:56:52,880
And you don't need no action, right?
We're just It's

727
00:56:50,720 --> 00:56:58,480
» just looking for some direction because
going into that next port, we will be

728
00:56:54,799 --> 00:57:04,400
putting together the preliminary levy.
>> Well, and obviously uh well, not

729
00:57:02,000 --> 00:57:10,240
obviously, but I I mean, I would I would
support trying to find as much

730
00:57:06,559 --> 00:57:16,000
reductions in it as possible. Um,
and uh, we've done we've done a good job

731
00:57:13,839 --> 00:57:22,480
over the last few years. We haven't set
ourselves up for this year, which I

732
00:57:19,839 --> 00:57:26,079
think is important because I don't think
you want to do that. You know, I don't

733
00:57:24,319 --> 00:57:31,040
think we want to plan [clears throat]
like like we we talked about last year

734
00:57:28,720 --> 00:57:36,720
when we set the budget. We were low. We
were really low. Um, but that's what

735
00:57:34,240 --> 00:57:42,319
worked last year. Now, this year we do a
different budget and we work through

736
00:57:39,040 --> 00:57:48,079
this budget as we do this year. And uh
um I think that's what's important. You

737
00:57:44,640 --> 00:57:53,760
can't none of us have a crystal ball. Um
so we don't know what to plan for. Um

738
00:57:51,040 --> 00:58:00,400
but we at the end of the day, we have to
conduct business. we have to we have to

739
00:57:56,559 --> 00:58:04,960
take care of uh of a lot of stuff and uh
we have a big budget and uh I just

740
00:58:03,520 --> 00:58:09,839
appreciate the work that you guys have
been doing. Um personally I would like

741
00:58:07,760 --> 00:58:15,120
to see it a little bit lower than this
but uh but I'm one guy on the board. I

742
00:58:13,359 --> 00:58:19,520
don't control it.
>> [clears throat]

743
00:58:15,520 --> 00:58:23,760
» Last year though, HHS cut staff.
>> I think that was the only department

744
00:58:21,040 --> 00:58:27,520
that cut staff
>> and they had to do a lot of shuffle

745
00:58:25,359 --> 00:58:30,760
around to make get the work done because
of it.

746
00:58:32,640 --> 00:58:37,160
» Okay. Anybody else have any comments?

747
00:58:38,400 --> 00:58:42,720
» That doesn't give you much.
>> Food for thought, Kelly.

748
00:58:41,680 --> 00:58:44,880
» Yeah.
>> Okay. I guess we're just going to have

749
00:58:44,160 --> 00:58:49,280
to make the hard
>> chair. I was just going to say on a

750
00:58:46,240 --> 00:58:53,200
positive note, our fund balances I think
are in really good shape across the

751
00:58:51,119 --> 00:58:59,280
board. And so that's something to look
at is what do you want in your fund

752
00:58:56,000 --> 00:59:03,920
balances? Is there do you take a risk in
one year? And we've taken risks and it

753
00:59:01,760 --> 00:59:08,079
seems like it's gone up in times and so
I think the budgeting process has worked

754
00:59:06,240 --> 00:59:11,200
well. But something to look at is what
do you want in your fund balance? What

755
00:59:09,440 --> 00:59:16,440
are you comfortable with and is there
some room there?

756
00:59:13,040 --> 00:59:16,440
Yeah, thanks.

757
00:59:17,040 --> 00:59:24,720
Okay.
All right. Well, we didn't give you a

758
00:59:22,319 --> 00:59:28,720
whole heck of a lot to go on, so sorry.
I Yeah. Uh,

759
00:59:27,040 --> 00:59:35,599
» you didn't give Kelly much help.
>> No, no, no, we didn't. Uh, considers

760
00:59:33,520 --> 00:59:40,720
scheduling a special meeting.
>> Yeah, Mr. Chair, members of the board.

761
00:59:37,760 --> 00:59:46,400
Um I had been working with the Malax
band to have a meeting um with they had

762
00:59:44,240 --> 00:59:50,559
a new district 3 representative that was
recently elected and so originally we

763
00:59:48,720 --> 00:59:55,119
had talked about just that smaller
committee that meets with the band by

764
00:59:52,160 --> 01:00:01,119
monthly meeting with that district 3
representative. Um however, as the band

765
00:59:57,440 --> 01:00:06,079
worked to identify um a meeting date,
the Chief Virgil Wind was actually

766
01:00:03,119 --> 01:00:10,480
included as a attendee as well. And so
given the bigger scope of the meeting,

767
01:00:08,559 --> 01:00:16,640
um it makes sense to me to include the
whole board in that meeting. Um, and the

768
01:00:13,200 --> 01:00:22,000
date that worked the best for the tribe,
um, was September 29th,

769
01:00:19,760 --> 01:00:28,319
and they they the time that worked
within their schedules were 11:30 a.m.

770
01:00:25,200 --> 01:00:31,920
Um, and then along with that, of course,
we will have the auditor treasurer

771
01:00:30,240 --> 01:00:36,000
interviews coming up. So, my thought was
that we could just pair it with that

772
01:00:33,680 --> 01:00:40,640
date. Um, and potentially since the
tribes meeting is at 11:30, we could do

773
01:00:38,559 --> 01:00:44,400
a few interviews prior to that tribal
meeting, have the tribal meeting, and

774
01:00:42,640 --> 01:00:48,720
then if there are more candidates to
still interview, we could do that

775
01:00:46,400 --> 01:00:52,559
afterwards. So, looking at September
29th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. for the

776
01:00:50,799 --> 01:00:56,559
purposes of interviewing auditor
treasurer candidates and the meeting

777
01:00:54,000 --> 01:01:01,359
with the Max Band chief, Virgo Win,
District 3 representative, Sha Shelley

778
01:00:58,559 --> 01:01:06,079
Parmlo, um, to discuss county and tribal
relations. Um the other piece that I

779
01:01:04,160 --> 01:01:10,160
wanted to note is you will note that it
is listed at North Pine Government

780
01:01:07,680 --> 01:01:15,920
Center. Um which the purpose of that is
because this room was not available that

781
01:01:12,480 --> 01:01:20,079
day. Um and the what this room was
committed to is not something that can

782
01:01:17,520 --> 01:01:23,599
be moved and so it made sense. You know
even the auditor treasurer candidates

783
01:01:22,240 --> 01:01:26,880
obviously would be working in this
building but they do still need to go to

784
01:01:25,119 --> 01:01:33,839
Sandstone sometime and that's a great
facility. So it seemed okay to have that

785
01:01:30,240 --> 01:01:37,359
their interviews held there.
Okay.

786
01:01:35,359 --> 01:01:40,480
Anybody got any?
>> Sounds good to me.

787
01:01:39,040 --> 01:01:42,960
» Good to me, too.
>> Yeah, we need a motion on it. So,

788
01:01:42,160 --> 01:01:48,799
» I'll move it.
>> Okay.

789
01:01:45,920 --> 01:01:50,960
» Uh motion by Holland, second by Lewig.
Any other discussion on it?

790
01:01:50,000 --> 01:01:54,079
» Oh, I have one.
>> Okay, go ahead.

791
01:01:51,599 --> 01:01:58,240
» I do have one one more thing. Um, and so
I would ask if commissioners have

792
01:01:56,079 --> 01:02:03,599
questions they want included for the
auditor treasur interviews, if you could

793
01:02:00,640 --> 01:02:08,160
submit them to me by September 11th, so
in about a week and a half, just so we

794
01:02:06,160 --> 01:02:12,400
can incorporate those within our plan
prepared questions and and Jackie can

795
01:02:10,720 --> 01:02:17,760
review them um, and make sure that
they're legal and appropriate to ask.

796
01:02:15,760 --> 01:02:21,280
But by September 11th, if you can send
what questions if you have different

797
01:02:19,280 --> 01:02:27,280
questions you'd like to ask.
>> Okay, Mr. Chair. Yeah.

798
01:02:23,359 --> 01:02:34,799
» One more question. Uh if
if we get in a stalemate at our next

799
01:02:30,960 --> 01:02:40,880
meeting two weeks from now
and think of we want to kick the can

800
01:02:38,160 --> 01:02:46,000
down the road another week,
would we still set our levy on this at

801
01:02:43,760 --> 01:02:50,400
this meeting?
if you add it as as part of the reason

802
01:02:48,640 --> 01:02:55,440
for the meeting.
>> And and when do we have do we have to

803
01:02:52,559 --> 01:03:00,880
know that before
>> um our next meeting

804
01:02:57,680 --> 01:03:03,520
» or would you want that now?
>> You just put

805
01:03:01,440 --> 01:03:06,960
» I I don't know. I I'm hoping
>> it would be great if we just added it

806
01:03:05,119 --> 01:03:09,119
now in in case it's needed.
>> Just put a placeholder there. What do

807
01:03:08,559 --> 01:03:15,240
you guys think?
>> Maybe just just in case

808
01:03:10,880 --> 01:03:15,240
» we don't need to use it. So

809
01:03:15,680 --> 01:03:21,359
You guys all in agreement on that?
>> You want to add that as part of your

810
01:03:20,799 --> 01:03:25,280
motion?
>> Yes.

811
01:03:23,039 --> 01:03:27,520
» Okay. We'll figure out where to put it
on that.

812
01:03:25,680 --> 01:03:32,839
» Yeah, I'll second that.
>> Okay. All right. Any other discussion?

813
01:03:33,359 --> 01:03:38,920
Uh, hearing none. Go ahead, De.

814
01:03:40,319 --> 01:03:45,119
» Commissioner Lig. Hi,
>> Commissioner Holland.

815
01:03:44,079 --> 01:03:46,480
» Yes.
>> Moore.

816
01:03:45,599 --> 01:03:48,240
» Hi,
>> Commissioner Nelson.

817
01:03:47,760 --> 01:03:51,200
» Yes.
>> Commissioner Waldam.

818
01:03:49,599 --> 01:03:54,960
» Yes.
>> Thank you.

819
01:03:53,039 --> 01:03:58,079
» All right. Uh, we'll move on to
commissioner updates. Greater Minnesota

820
01:03:57,280 --> 01:04:01,440
Parks and Trails.
>> No meeting.

821
01:03:58,960 --> 01:04:04,894
» Okay. Cookout on the farm. Did you make
that one?

822
01:04:02,079 --> 01:04:10,960
» I did.
[laughter] It was uh it was uh great. My

823
01:04:08,880 --> 01:04:15,039
wife even had a good time. She was not
real happy that I signed up for that.

824
01:04:14,064 --> 01:04:21,440
[laughter]
It It turned out really good. I I met

825
01:04:17,440 --> 01:04:26,559
some people that lived within five miles
of my place that I'd never ever seen

826
01:04:24,000 --> 01:04:32,400
before in my life. The one guy was
probably my age and he'd been he'd been

827
01:04:29,680 --> 01:04:38,400
coming up uh his dad owned a piece of
property on the Snake River since he was

828
01:04:34,640 --> 01:04:44,640
uh in junior high school and they taken
over his dad's property and so um it was

829
01:04:41,680 --> 01:04:52,000
good to see people that
I hadn't ever known before and it was

830
01:04:47,280 --> 01:04:57,920
also good to see people that um you know
old old friends. Roger was even there.

831
01:04:54,880 --> 01:05:05,119
So, that was that was great.
Uh, Soil and Water put on a really good

832
01:05:01,440 --> 01:05:09,760
couple of demonstrations, I thought. So,
>> I know I drove by, I was told you I was

833
01:05:07,039 --> 01:05:13,599
going to stop, but I had three kids and
two dogs, and I was like, it looked like

834
01:05:12,160 --> 01:05:15,839
there was a lot of people there when I
drove by. So,

835
01:05:14,480 --> 01:05:22,079
» there was about 70.
>> Yeah. Yeah. But, so good. I'm glad it

836
01:05:19,359 --> 01:05:26,720
went good. uh Snake River Plan
Partnership. We had a meeting last

837
01:05:23,839 --> 01:05:33,839
Monday. I actually was here uh talked
about I was just pulling up the the

838
01:05:29,520 --> 01:05:36,839
agenda. The the one thing we did is uh
uh

839
01:05:37,680 --> 01:05:49,520
we did talk about our budget. Um, so we
have a grant that is expiring

840
01:05:45,599 --> 01:05:53,119
uh uh or it did expire and uh but they
we did get a extension on it. So we're

841
01:05:51,680 --> 01:05:57,760
kind of trying to spend down some of
that. Plus we got our new grant. Um so

842
01:05:56,319 --> 01:06:03,200
we were just talking about a few things
with that. Um we talked about an

843
01:06:00,559 --> 01:06:08,559
auditor. You weren't there were you? No.
So there might be we might have to get

844
01:06:06,400 --> 01:06:13,839
our own audit currently because the
county is doing our finances. It gets

845
01:06:10,720 --> 01:06:18,240
audited through there. Um so they're
kind of working through that. We had to

846
01:06:15,359 --> 01:06:24,480
sign uh Mary had to send something in
and uh uh and they're going to tell us

847
01:06:22,079 --> 01:06:30,720
what we got to do or not. So we might do
a little more arguing uh about that. And

848
01:06:27,440 --> 01:06:36,160
then we went on a couple field trips or
one but we went to two places. So one

849
01:06:33,680 --> 01:06:43,039
place was on Cross Lake uh I think it
was Cross Lake Estates. They did a a

850
01:06:38,640 --> 01:06:46,960
buffer planting uh two years ago. Um and
they have they're kind of in the

851
01:06:44,720 --> 01:06:52,960
backwaters a little bit of the south
side of the lake and there is a a sewer

852
01:06:49,920 --> 01:06:58,400
outlet for the storm sewer for Pine
Count or Pine City uh right there. So,

853
01:06:55,760 --> 01:07:06,240
it was like 450 ft of lake shore that
they they did some uh buffer planting

854
01:07:01,440 --> 01:07:09,839
and uh uh stuff that uh was there. Um
so, they kind of showed us because they

855
01:07:07,839 --> 01:07:14,640
started this two years ago. Now, it's
growing. It's doing a really good job.

856
01:07:11,839 --> 01:07:21,440
Uh it was kind of neat to see um what it
actually entails. And uh then we ended

857
01:07:18,000 --> 01:07:25,839
up going to Shelene Park, which is down
by the fishing dock by the railroad

858
01:07:23,599 --> 01:07:33,200
bridge on the Snake River. And the city
owns uh some land there. And they just

859
01:07:29,599 --> 01:07:37,920
did that uh about a week before we went
there, two weeks before we went there.

860
01:07:35,039 --> 01:07:41,359
So that was the first part of it. And uh
the nice thing about that, soil and

861
01:07:39,520 --> 01:07:46,079
water is really excited because it is a
public space. Um, so they can take

862
01:07:43,920 --> 01:07:50,559
people there and show them, hey, this is
what it can be. Um, you don't have to

863
01:07:48,960 --> 01:07:55,280
get permission from the land owner and
all that stuff, but the the city was

864
01:07:53,119 --> 01:08:00,319
doing a lot of uh a lot of work
themselves. We got some grants for it.

865
01:07:57,760 --> 01:08:04,079
Um, the Snake River, one watershed, one
plan did fund, I think, a lot of it, but

866
01:08:02,240 --> 01:08:08,640
the the city, they were there. He's
like, I got to come every other day and

867
01:08:05,520 --> 01:08:13,200
water it. um you know and and cuz right
now obviously with the rain uh these you

868
01:08:11,680 --> 01:08:16,960
if you don't take care of them in the
first little bit that's what's going to

869
01:08:14,720 --> 01:08:21,920
make a big difference. But their plan is
to put another dock in there and

870
01:08:19,279 --> 01:08:24,880
possibly a couple fishing platforms so
you're not beating down the the shore.

871
01:08:24,277 --> 01:08:29,440
[clears throat]
Uh they're going to let that grow up and

872
01:08:27,120 --> 01:08:35,839
they'll have a couple designated spots
to get to the shore. Uh which is really

873
01:08:32,319 --> 01:08:41,600
cool. So looked good. Um it was just
nice to see the initial where it starts

874
01:08:38,000 --> 01:08:45,440
and where it went. Um but yeah, so them
were a couple places if you I mean

875
01:08:43,359 --> 01:08:51,040
anybody can go down to Shelene Park and
check that out anytime. So uh that was

876
01:08:49,199 --> 01:08:56,640
about it.
Lakes and Pines

877
01:08:52,719 --> 01:09:02,719
» Lakes and Pines did not meet.
We're goofed up on their uh

878
01:08:59,120 --> 01:09:06,239
notification. So anyway,
we didn't There was no scheduled

879
01:09:04,960 --> 01:09:09,120
meeting.
>> Okay.

880
01:09:07,440 --> 01:09:11,600
» But the East Central Regional
Development Commission did meet.

881
01:09:10,880 --> 01:09:18,159
» Okay.
>> And uh

882
01:09:14,640 --> 01:09:25,600
other than listen to a lot of uh reports
that um of what the people were doing.

883
01:09:23,120 --> 01:09:30,719
They accepted some bids. They they need
a new roof on the building that they

884
01:09:28,080 --> 01:09:37,040
own. So,
that was [clears throat] was probably

885
01:09:32,400 --> 01:09:45,199
the one takeaway we had.
>> Okay. Rush Line Task Force. Uh actually

886
01:09:41,199 --> 01:09:50,880
missed it. Uh had kid get sick on me and
I was doing that and and forgot. But the

887
01:09:48,000 --> 01:09:55,600
the plan is is they're trying to pause
the rush line task force and to do that

888
01:09:53,359 --> 01:09:59,600
uh they have to uh have a couple
meetings. So that was the first meeting.

889
01:09:58,000 --> 01:10:04,480
I was just looking up the minutes, but I
can't get them to load. Um, but that was

890
01:10:02,320 --> 01:10:08,719
essentially what's going on there.
Zoning board.

891
01:10:06,239 --> 01:10:14,400
» Uh, Mr. Chair, I I did not make that
meeting. I had grandpa duty shuttling

892
01:10:11,440 --> 01:10:15,440
kids to stuff because parents were busy.
Um,

893
01:10:14,960 --> 01:10:20,000
» perfect.
>> But I they had two variances they were

894
01:10:18,400 --> 01:10:23,440
dealing with that night and going over
some stuff, but I didn't get it. I

895
01:10:21,360 --> 01:10:29,760
didn't get the minutes yet either. So,
but I do want to note make a note of the

896
01:10:25,520 --> 01:10:35,120
SWCD is having their supervisor field
day that trip on September 9th. So, I

897
01:10:33,600 --> 01:10:38,400
think it's posted. So, any commissioners
that want to go can go on that trip.

898
01:10:37,120 --> 01:10:44,560
They're just going to show some projects
and have lunch served at while you're so

899
01:10:43,280 --> 01:10:49,840
putting out there.
>> Okay.

900
01:10:46,719 --> 01:10:53,840
Any other meetings? Yeah.
If you allow me just to go back to the

901
01:10:51,520 --> 01:10:58,719
cookout on the farm, Steve was being
kind of modest. You know, he he really

902
01:10:56,480 --> 01:11:05,679
did a good job of explaining, you know,
a lot of the conservation projects that

903
01:11:00,880 --> 01:11:14,000
were that that he was doing and uh that
soil and water NRCS kind of initiated

904
01:11:09,840 --> 01:11:20,159
and uh they did really have some
I'd say eyeopening demonstrations. their

905
01:11:16,320 --> 01:11:26,719
rainfall demonstration was was
really interesting. Also, I just wanted

906
01:11:22,960 --> 01:11:31,040
to highlight the uh well, we had our
commissioner of agriculture there. We

907
01:11:28,400 --> 01:11:36,640
had two state representatives. One
wasn't even from our area. Um a senator,

908
01:11:34,480 --> 01:11:41,840
state senator was there, two county
commissioners, two county commissioner

909
01:11:38,080 --> 01:11:49,040
candidates u besides our NRCS and soil
and water staff. And we had several

910
01:11:44,320 --> 01:11:54,159
aronomists from Um so it was a um be
besides the public that was interested.

911
01:11:51,679 --> 01:12:01,040
So um
that that that water rainfall

912
01:11:57,520 --> 01:12:06,640
demonstration was a huge eye opener to
me and I and I I kind of guessed what

913
01:12:04,640 --> 01:12:13,679
would happen and I was hoping what would
happen and it happened but um they they

914
01:12:10,640 --> 01:12:22,400
have this thing that simulates a inch
rainfall and then they had like clear

915
01:12:17,199 --> 01:12:27,679
plastic bottles that collected the
And the mud that went through the

916
01:12:25,040 --> 01:12:32,400
conventional tillillage thing was
amazing compared to like what was in a

917
01:12:31,199 --> 01:12:39,120
pollinator [clears throat]
within we went out my white pine

918
01:12:35,520 --> 01:12:44,960
plantation and took a sample. Um it was
it was you know remember years ago that

919
01:12:42,400 --> 01:12:51,840
forester said there's there's nothing
better than a forest to to keep water

920
01:12:48,800 --> 01:12:54,640
clean. Well, he's not lying.
>> Yeah. No,

921
01:12:53,120 --> 01:12:59,120
» it's pretty pretty obvious.
>> It's interesting when you I because we

922
01:12:56,640 --> 01:13:03,040
had that heavy rain last week or so we
had that inch plus in like 15 minutes. I

923
01:13:01,440 --> 01:13:07,440
just I thought I'm going to Google how
much is an inch of rain on a acre of

924
01:13:05,679 --> 01:13:13,719
land. What do you think that gives you
in gallons?

925
01:13:08,480 --> 01:13:13,719
» Oh, it's like 30,000 gallons of water.

926
01:13:13,760 --> 01:13:20,400
» And one acre. That's 28 ft by 28 ft.
Right.

927
01:13:18,640 --> 01:13:25,040
It's interesting because when we were on
our uh our field trips, they were

928
01:13:22,880 --> 01:13:30,880
showing like the root systems on the
plants they planted are I mean some of

929
01:13:27,760 --> 01:13:35,679
them go down 12 feet uh where they said
like grass goes down what 3/4 of an inch

930
01:13:34,080 --> 01:13:40,880
or something like that or like around an
inch and uh they said that is you know

931
01:13:38,560 --> 01:13:47,280
in a vent or something like that it just
it just rips that right off where these

932
01:13:44,000 --> 01:13:53,199
other plants they they really make a big
you know, um to hold everything together

933
01:13:50,000 --> 01:13:59,120
and and really and trees are better than
than plant, you know. So, that is it is

934
01:13:56,080 --> 01:14:01,920
a big deal. So, thank you. Thank you for
doing that. Thank you for what you're

935
01:14:00,719 --> 01:14:13,679
doing out there.
>> I I think Roger Ro mentioned it, but the

936
01:14:07,120 --> 01:14:19,920
cooperation between NRCS and so
is something we haven't seen. I don't

937
01:14:16,719 --> 01:14:25,760
think prior to the one watershed, one
plan that it was good that we had state

938
01:14:22,640 --> 01:14:31,840
representatives and senators there to
thank them for what they've done because

939
01:14:29,199 --> 01:14:36,000
that's going to come up for another
statewide

940
01:14:33,440 --> 01:14:39,000
election if the legislature agrees to
it.

941
01:14:39,679 --> 01:14:48,159
» So, it's not it's coming up. So, I think
it's making a difference.

942
01:14:45,840 --> 01:14:54,880
Well, and I think it is important when
when all that came uh

943
01:14:53,040 --> 01:15:00,960
skepticism and a lot of people worried
about what was going to happen and it

944
01:14:57,120 --> 01:15:04,480
just like stuff's getting done.
>> I mean, we used to make plans all the

945
01:15:02,880 --> 01:15:08,880
time, but that's about all we did is
make plans. There wasn't a lot of work.

946
01:15:06,480 --> 01:15:13,920
Now, the actual work's getting done.
That's it's nice to see.

947
01:15:10,880 --> 01:15:16,000
» Excuse me, that number. Uh is there
anything other to come before the county

948
01:15:15,520 --> 01:15:19,000
board?
>> 27,154.

949
01:15:19,760 --> 01:15:26,880
» Hearing none, we'll declare the meeting.
Thanks everybody. My wife.