[0:00] All right, I do have 10 o'clock here. Uh, we'll call the meeting to order and

[0:05] we'll rise for the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[0:12] United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,

[0:16] » one nation under God, indivisible with all.

[0:23] » Is JJ remote? >> Apparently.

[0:29] All right. Uh, thanks everybody for showing up today.

[0:34] Um, got a nice day out there and, uh, we did finally get a little rain. I don't

[0:38] know if you guys did up north much, but I did get a fair amount, but uh,

[0:43] obviously we need more. Um, at this moment, we'll start with public forum.

[0:49] Anybody want to talk at public forum? Yep.

[0:54] » Hi, my name is Kevin Peterson living. Just curious if um the commissioners

[0:58] have any consideration on not signing NDAs for companies.

[1:04] » I don't know if that's an answer today or something that you guys are are you

[1:08] discussing or >> so typically in public form we don't

[1:13] talk back and forth or not. >> Okay.

[1:16] » Yep.

[1:20] » Anybody else in public form?

[1:25] Okay. Nobody here. Anybody online? Ryan. >> Okay.

[1:31] » All right. We will uh move on to the agenda. Any additions of the listings?

[1:37] » Um yes, Mr. Chair. There's just additional information for consent

[1:40] agenda number four. Um just the the s the information regarding the the bids

[1:46] that were received in the bid tabulation. Okay.

[1:51] » All right. Uh, anybody want to entertain a motion?

[1:56] » I'll move it's amended. Okay, >> I'll second amended.

[2:00] » Okay. Uh, got a motion by Lewig, second by, uh, Nelson. Any discussion?

[2:07] » Okay. Uh, hearing none. Go ahead, Deb, and call the role.

[2:12] » Chair Moore. >> Hi.

[2:14] » Commissioner Nelson, >> yes.

[2:16] » Commissioner Waldham, >> yes.

[2:20] » Commissioner Lewig, >> hi. Commissioner Holland.

[2:23] » Yes. >> Thank you.

[2:25] » All right. Approve the minutes of the August 18th, 2026 regular county board

[2:29] meeting and summary for publication and August 25th, 2026 special uh meeting.

[2:36] » I'll move that. >> Okay. Motion by Holland.

[2:41] » I'll second. >> Second by Lewig. Any discussion?

[2:47] » Hearing none. Go ahead and call the role.

[2:50] » Commissioner Nelson. Yes, >> Commissioner Holland.

[2:53] » Yes, >> Commissioner Waldam.

[2:55] » Yes, >> Commissioner Lewig.

[2:57] » Hi, >> Chair Moore.

[2:59] » I All right. Minutes of boards,

[3:02] committees, and correspondents. The 2026 state primary election canvasing board

[3:07] minutes, August 14, 2026. And the Pine County Land Surveyor Monthly Report,

[3:13] August 2026.

[3:19] » I'll move it, Mr. Sure. >> Okay.

[3:22] » Second >> motion by Lwig, second by Nelson. Any

[3:26] discussion on them? >> Hearing none. Uh, go ahead.

[3:30] » Commissioner Waldam,

[3:34] » yes. >> Commissioner Lewig,

[3:37] » I. >> Commissioner Holland,

[3:38] » yes. >> Chair Moore,

[3:40] » I. >> Commissioner Nelson,

[3:42] » yes. >> Thank you.

[3:44] » All right. Consent agenda with the numbers on the contract. Uh, we'll

[3:50] entertain a motion for that. >> I'll move the consent agenda.

[3:56] » Okay. Motion by Holland. Got a second.

[4:04] » I'll second that. >> Second by Nelson. Uh, any discussion?

[4:11] » I'd just like to make a comment on the the bids. Obviously, they're coming in

[4:15] decent yet. Um are the rest of the road projects they've been coming in pretty

[4:20] decent too, right? >> Yeah. Uh been fortunate to get multiple

[4:25] bids and it get right for some reason. So

[4:31] good. >> Okay. Do you know when construction is

[4:35] going to start or >> they're going to start fairly quickly?

[4:38] » Okay. Okay.

[4:42] Okay. Perfect. Anybody else got discussion?

[4:49] All right. Uh, go ahead, Devon. Call the RO.

[4:51] » Commissioner Ledwig. >> I.

[4:54] » Commissioner Holland. >> Yes.

[4:56] » Chair Moore. >> Hi.

[4:59] » Commissioner Nelson. >> Yes.

[5:00] » Commissioner Waldam. >> Yes.

[5:04] » Thank you. >> All right. On the regular agenda, we'll

[5:07] move to number one, health insurance committee report. Uh,

[5:11] one of you guys want to take it or

[5:16] » Sure. Um,

[5:19] so we did talk about we the committee met and um, you know, lots of good

[5:25] information with our our new but or returning consultant and uh,

[5:34] I don't I don't have a lot to add other than we did have a good discussion

[5:37] amongst the the whole committee and kind of worked out you know there was there

[5:43] was there was a a bit of a range of of what we should do. and and uh I think

[5:50] our consultant um probably emphasized at the beginning

[5:55] of the meeting the fact of you know we we all maybe have personal positions you

[6:00] know but he emphasized the fact that um we need to be looking at a a fund

[6:07] management position and we need to that hat probably needs to be foremost you

[6:14] know making sure that that the because we self-insure, making sure that that

[6:19] fund is in in in good condition and that we're looking out for the

[6:27] the the well-being of the plan. So So with that, I think we're recommending a

[6:31] a 4% increase. >> Okay.

[6:36] » Anything else to add? I can I just want to add one thing.

[6:40] » Yeah. >> Um I agree with Roger. the the

[6:42] discussion at the beginning I think it kind of settled in more as the meeting

[6:46] went on too. the whole thing is this isn't it's just a separate fund from

[6:51] everything in the county just so we can manage our insurance and I thought that

[6:55] was really um pretty well understood by the group by the way they were

[7:00] discussing things you know up and down and where we go and the other thing that

[7:05] amazed me was the growth that happens that we learn in in the medical field is

[7:10] not consistent with the growth like we see in colas or whatever you know the

[7:15] inflation it's just entirely different in that. So, it's a it's a different

[7:20] beast to kind of stay ahead of too. And most of the recommendations were high

[7:27] again and we're we're still managing quite low on on our growth. So, that's

[7:32] all I'd add. >> How is our fund balance doing? Is it

[7:36] growing? So, >> it's good.

[7:38] » And it's still going up. >> Um leveled off.

[7:41] » Leveled off. Okay. Not as much. >> And this should keep it level. This will

[7:46] probably draw it down a little bit but not a lot.

[7:50] » Okay. >> One observation. I wasn't there of

[7:53] course but I've listened and read this and and I I caution

[8:00] subsequent boards to really think and and I was part of it

[8:06] to to keep us have a 0% for a couple of years in a row. it really um

[8:14] doesn't do us any favors in the long run because inflation is inflation and

[8:21] especially in the in what we've seen in in the insurance rates and and so um we

[8:28] can get behind in a real hurry and we've been there and when we talk to some of

[8:35] our colleagues around even east central Minnesota they're looking at

[8:41] at 8 to 16% increases in their insurance. And so I

[8:48] think uh four, five, six is a is a pretty um awesome number if if

[8:55] [clears throat] you think that's going to stayain.

[9:00] » Do you need a motion to >> um and then do we speak to the other two

[9:04] changes or do you want me to speak to those? Um and then the there was two

[9:08] other changes that the committee recommended. Um the first one is just

[9:12] changing the out-ofpocket maximum um for the healthc care savings plan savings um

[9:18] insurance plan. So the IRS sets what those those out-of-pocket maximums need

[9:23] to be and they change every single year. And so for 2027 they need to increase to

[9:27] $3,500 for individuals and $7,000 for families. Um and so that change just

[9:33] allows us to to keep that beneficial tax classification of that HSA plan. Um so

[9:39] that is something that we've routinely done each year. Um so that is not any

[9:42] different. And then the other change that the um the committee recommended is

[9:48] um you know we we have the three health care plans and on the viva plan

[9:54] um the out of pocket maximum that it any any

[9:59] um any insurance person or any of our employees would ever pay um is different

[10:04] on the VIA plan whether they're going using an in network provider or an

[10:08] out-of network provider. if they use an outof network provider, their

[10:12] outofpocket maximum is a is a little bit more. Um, and but but that's not true

[10:18] when you look at our other two plans. And that's a little concerning because

[10:23] right now there's not a lot of steerage to for people to use in network

[10:27] providers. But yet when someone is using an out of network provider like the plan

[10:33] pays more because there's no contractual rate. um the plan is just paying

[10:37] whatever that out of network provider says is the cost of the service. So by

[10:43] having a higher outofpocket um maximum for out of network providers

[10:49] on the two plans that currently don't have it, it would hopefully steer people

[10:53] to use that in network provider. Um and and the hope is that um you know

[11:00] again it it there should be some cost savings to the plan because then people

[11:04] would not be they they'd be more inclined to use the inet providers.

[11:10] » My Mr. Chair Yeah. My only question and I think I

[11:17] deciphered the answer but um most of the major medical facilities are in network

[11:24] right if you go to Abbott you go to the University of Minnesota you go to the

[11:27] Mayo Clinic that they're considered in network

[11:31] » correct in in Minnesota um Bluec Cross Blue Shield is in network in most places

[11:36] the places that people run into the out of network is a lot of times with mental

[11:40] health and chiropractor >> [clears throat]

[11:42] » care. So any of the regular medical things is

[11:47] are typically in network. >> Thank you.

[11:54] » All right. >> I'll make a motion to

[11:56] » You made a motion. Okay. >> I'll second the motion.

[11:59] » Okay. Um so just as a little bit more discussion, how long have we been on

[12:04] self- insurance? >> We started in 2021 or 2022.

[12:09] » Okay. And I think it was I think it was a broad or we

[12:15] our intentions were this exactly and and every year we kind of talk about this

[12:20] when we set the rates that typically I remember before we were just told you

[12:26] got a 12% increase this year. Um and uh you're like okay well we deal with that

[12:31] 12% increase and I mean did we even have a 14 I think one time.

[12:36] » Yeah. Big numbers. Yeah. >> Yeah. and we decided to go down this

[12:39] road of self insurance. Um, and it was a big bite to take off, but you guys that

[12:45] have been on the insurance committee and and really work through that the last

[12:48] couple years. I just thank you for that. >> Yeah. And I think we should remember the

[12:53] last two years we did a zero. >> Yeah.

[12:55] » Yep. >> And you know where now it kind of caught

[12:57] up with us a little bit, you know. >> Yep.

[12:59] » Because we didn't do any growth in the system really. So

[13:02] » Yep. But them the last two years that's what we need to do

[13:06] » at that time you know and I I always think that's we try to do what we need

[13:12] to do that specific year and and it is what it is. So uh but yeah so I just

[13:19] thank you guys and uh yeah we we've come a long ways with this and it seems like

[13:24] it's working out. So >> share.

[13:28] » Yeah. >> Well, there's there's two components,

[13:30] you know, of the of the whole cost and we think about insurance because we're

[13:35] self-insured. It's it's our the actual expenses, you know, people when people,

[13:41] you know, use that that's we we pay those things. Uh so that's one of the

[13:47] drivers is how much do our employees use, you know, medical care? Um and then

[13:55] the other point component is the reinsurance in a sense for the major

[14:01] things and even though that's probably a minor component

[14:08] there is significant increases in that portion. So, it's not like when we're

[14:13] self-insured that, you know, you know, we think we can keep these low rates

[14:18] because we still have uh the reinsurance that is um following what everything

[14:25] else is going on. And that's that's a well an eight depends on whose numbers

[14:31] you use. 8 to 14, you know, percent increase. And so to Steve's point, you

[14:39] know, it's um those things we don't really have control over, but we do have

[14:44] control somewhat over, you know, our own. Uh so I guess that's

[14:52] that's why we've been able to keep in that zero for a couple years and just

[14:56] and four this year is is because of how those two fit together.

[15:02] Well, and I think it's important to remember too back when we had the the

[15:06] big increases and then the next year we didn't have any decreases. So if if the

[15:14] » if if we're if we have an increase now and we have a good year, we kind of take

[15:20] that and put it in the bank to offset the next year, which we've done. And

[15:26] that's [clears throat] why with like our insurance is increasing a lot more than

[15:29] 4%. But we're kind of padding it with that. So that's important. When we

[15:36] weren't self-insured, we we were just giving them the the extra and then the

[15:43] next year they again hit us with more, you know. So we have it's it's in our

[15:48] court. We can, you know, >> we the thing like we can't control

[15:51] though was the cost of the stop loss, the reinsurance that that's been going

[15:56] up the last two years. No. >> Yep.

[16:00] » Yeah. There's a lot more than just setting 4% increase on insurance. I

[16:05] That's what people don't understand. So, uh I just thank you guys. So, we have a

[16:10] motion and a second. Uh is there any other discussion?

[16:15] Hearing none. Go ahead, Deb. >> Commissioner Holland,

[16:17] » yes. >> Chair Moore,

[16:19] » I. >> Commissioner Nelson,

[16:22] » yes. >> Commissioner Waldham,

[16:24] » yes. Commissioner Lewick.

[16:27] » Hi. >> Thank you.

[16:30] » All right. Uh, road exchange with Kegma Township.

[16:35] » Yeah. So, I'm recommending we do a road exchange with the township. Um, they

[16:40] would take our county state 12 out near Henriette and then we would take their

[16:45] homestead road. Uh, it's in the [clears throat] freeway corridor. Makes

[16:49] a nice connection between our state 811, our state 814.

[16:54] Uh we've kind of kicked it around this summer. We talked about it at our

[16:58] committee of the whole meeting in May. Um

[17:01] and just looking at we got some traffic counts. It's about the rough counts are

[17:06] about 225 and that's you know I I tried looking

[17:10] around at our other gravel roads and it's it's hard to find a gravel road

[17:14] with more than 100 out there that we've got. And so most of our higher volume

[17:18] gravel roads we've paved, you know, we paved quite a few back in the early

[17:22] 2000s. And then it it's comparable with County

[17:25] Road 124, which we're paving here this fall. So, um, the township has been kind

[17:33] of kicked that around to us over the years. And the biggest, we've done a

[17:38] number of these across the the county. The biggest challenge is finding

[17:42] something that makes sense to trade with. It's got to be similar mileage.

[17:46] It's got to be something that would make sense for us to take and for them to

[17:49] take. So, um I think this makes a lot of sense for the long term. And uh it's

[17:56] something that will, you know, we need to do an improvement at that

[17:58] intersection. It's pretty dangerous intersection at at 11. And uh this would

[18:03] just be an extension of our state aid 53. So, um, so I think it, uh, makes

[18:10] sense to be on our system and I think the township will be happy. So, they've

[18:14] done a resolution. They they got on their resolution right away, uh, and,

[18:19] uh, did that back in May, I think. And so,

[18:24] there's a two-step process. We have a resolution to revoke our state aid and

[18:29] to give uh Auburn Road, which is state aid 12 to Pagma and then to transfer our

[18:36] state aid to Homestead Road. Um and so there's there's some paperwork with the

[18:40] state for that part of it. Um and so we're hoping to make this transition

[18:46] sometime November is our goal before the Well, guess you can get a snowfall uh

[18:52] October 31st. We've had one of those before, but uh

[18:56] hoping to get a transition before the snow snowfl. So, any questions?

[19:01] » I do, Mr. Sher. >> Yeah, go ahead.

[19:03] » You you took us on that road during that road tour, didn't you? That stretch

[19:06] along by >> I think so. Yeah.

[19:08] » Yeah. So, there's there's some businesses out there. So, uh Winks North

[19:12] generates, you know, like event traffic as well, you know, so that doesn't

[19:16] really factor into the ADTS. So, you might have a big event out there once a

[19:21] week or whatever it is. There's some other businesses that do create traffic.

[19:26] So, um I just I think it's uh took us a while. Uh we've gone through many town

[19:32] board members requesting it. Uh I think Dave Deutsander was the first one and

[19:36] that was probably I don't know 20 years ago, but we we're getting there.

[19:40] » So, I think I think Mark, it's one of those it is a long these are long-term

[19:45] things. I think >> uh over the 20 years I've been on the

[19:49] board, this is idea has floated around. Um and

[19:54] everybody has to get ready for it and find the right road to trade and and the

[20:00] town board has to be ready to >> to do the trade and and I think those

[20:06] that live on Auburn Road will probably get a little better service. Uh since,

[20:10] you know, it's a gravel road, we do all our paved roads in the winter first. Um,

[20:15] so there's a benefit to them in that aspect. And then of course, uh,

[20:20] Homestead Road might have to wait a little bit on the on some of those

[20:24] bigger snowfalls, but we'll make sure we're we try to get it out to our higher

[20:28] volume gravel roads as as quick as we can. So,

[20:32] » uh, can we do these in one motion or Okay, I'm going to make a motion for

[20:38] both A and B. Uh, and I'll entertain a second. I'll

[20:44] I'll second that. >> And then I just got a little bit more

[20:47] discussion. It was It was funny because I remember we talked about this quite a

[20:50] while ago while I was on the board and like you said, you can't find sometimes

[20:55] you can't find a willing uh uh township board to to take it on. And this spring,

[21:01] uh Jeff Weater, was in our was in my shop and he's like, "Yeah, I'm going out

[21:07] to Homestead Road." And it wasn't thought out, but it kind of thought out.

[21:10] He goes, "I got to get out there and start working on the road." And I'm

[21:12] like, you know, I remember a while ago Mark saying that that might be a decent

[21:17] road for the county to change with the township. And he goes, really? So about

[21:23] half hour later, I got a call from Terry Peterson. And he's like, so what's the

[21:27] deal on this? And I'm like, give Mark a call and start chatting with him. And a

[21:32] few months later, we we get it done. So it's just that's just an example of, you

[21:37] know, we're we're all alone in the community. We're talking to people. We

[21:40] know people. and stuff gets done. And uh uh it makes more sense for us to have

[21:46] that and them not to have it. And uh you know um and like you said, the people

[21:51] that live on the county road now will get better service. The people that live

[21:55] on the township now, eventually we'll probably get better service and it just

[21:59] [clears throat] works and fits. So, >> and it's funny, Jeff worked for us for

[22:02] many years, so he's bladed all the roads.

[22:04] » He thinks he's getting a better deal. And then

[22:07] » our current blade man thinks he's getting a better deal. So everybody's

[22:10] happy. Win win. >> Yeah. Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. So, I just

[22:15] want to say thank you because it just happens and gets done. So,

[22:19] » just another example. Yeah. >> I have a question. So, when does that

[22:25] after you sign papers and everybody then then there's a date in which you know

[22:30] » Yeah. >> We grade you you know problems or

[22:33] whatever. So, it's not a >> kind of a

[22:36] » Yeah. And it's so exchanging two roads is pretty simple. It's just resolution.

[22:42] The transfer of the state aid takes a little bit longer. So if that lingers

[22:46] on, we'll still make that transition by December 1st. Um I don't think it will,

[22:52] but it would be a county road until that state aid goes on the on the system. So

[22:57] and it's actually I think it's about a quarter mile less. So we'll actually

[23:00] have a little bit of state aid. So we're building up a little bit that we can put

[23:04] on a road someday. you know, we're we're not we don't quite have a mile. I think

[23:08] we're in a half or 3/4 of a mile. And so, if there's a if there's a road maybe

[23:12] in one of our, you know, one of our cities that would make sense that we

[23:17] could add state aid to that and then we would generate, you know, more revenue

[23:21] that way. So, and this road will draw higher needs because it's got higher

[23:27] traffic, qualifies to be paved and that type of thing. So, it's actually a it's

[23:31] a good thing from that perspective, too. Okay. Any other discussion

[23:39] hearing? None. Go ahead, Deb. >> Chair Moore.

[23:41] » Hi. >> Commissioner Nelson.

[23:44] » Yes. >> Commissioner Waldam.

[23:48] » Yes. >> Commissioner Ledwick.

[23:52] » Hi. >> Commissioner Holland.

[23:54] » Yes. >> Thank you.

[23:56] » All right. Thank you. Uh

[24:01] yeah, we'll move on to safe and secure grant. Looks like Rob, Mr. Perfect.

[24:06] » Well, good morning, uh, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Um, we have

[24:09] another, uh, grant opportunity, um, that's being presented to us, um, safe

[24:14] and secure courthouse initiative grant. We, um, did a grant a couple years back

[24:18] in ' 04, and now they have another another opportunity out for us. Grant

[24:23] opportunity. It is supported by the county um our security committee and

[24:27] it's intended to help provide safe and secure environment for the citizens as

[24:31] well as state county employees working in the courthouse. I believe you have a

[24:35] packet that has the grant information and also our our proposed application.

[24:42] So, as you know, the sheriff's office been operating the single point entry um

[24:46] security pilot program at the courthouse um since we had an incident um some time

[24:53] back. [clears throat] And that allowed us to evaluate security needs, some

[24:56] staffing requirements, traffic flow, effectiveness of having a consistent

[25:02] security presence at the main public entrance. This grant would allow us to

[25:06] take what we have learned through the pilot and develop it into more of a

[25:11] permanent solution and a sustainable um courthouse security solution. Um, if

[25:17] [clears throat] we're awarded the grant, funding would um be used to uh um in for

[25:24] several security improvements, including like enhanced radio communications, um

[25:29] some additional video surveillance, metal detector equipment, um security

[25:34] furniture and equipment, taser upgrade, ballistic vests. There's training for

[25:38] all staff in the courthouse. Um not just the baiffs and that, but

[25:42] everybody in like what we do in like a a threat situation, that kind of stuff.

[25:46] and then um door security improvements to the courtrooms themselves. That was

[25:49] addressed in our security um committee um by by the judges. Um the estimated um

[25:57] total project cost is 74,450 bucks. Um this is a 50% match grant

[26:03] opportunity. If the board does approve the application and we were awarded that

[26:07] full amount, the county's maximum financial commitment would be $35,225

[26:13] along with a $2,000 inind contribution that we would be that that's training

[26:19] hours that our sheriff's department would just um use for training. And then

[26:23] the total match would be 37,225. Um that would be uh the remaining amount

[26:30] that would be provided through the grant. Um the $35,00025

[26:36] commitment for the county um would be contained in the 2026 jail budget.

[26:42] And the goal is to use this opportunity to build upon the work already completed

[26:46] through our pilot program and make strategic investments that improve

[26:49] security, enhance our ability to respond to threats and provide a safer

[26:53] environment for everyone entering the work work entering and working in the

[26:57] courthouse. So at the sheriff's office respectfully requests the board consider

[27:02] a resolution 20 thou 2026-34 which I believe is before you

[27:08] authorizing and supporting submission of the state of the safe and secure

[27:12] courthouse initiative grant including the 50% local in financial and inind

[27:18] match and authorizing the sheriff's office to proceed with the application

[27:22] um if we are awarded um the project. So that was a lot in just a short

[27:28] minute. So do you have questions? Um

[27:34] » not on the grant, but on how is it working in with your when you're the

[27:38] numbers the way you kind of thought they were going to work for you out there

[27:41] » as far as staffing? >> Staffing. Yeah.

[27:43] » So staffing, you know, we came into it thinking we needed a little bit higher.

[27:47] We actually lowered our our staffing requirement not just up front, but we

[27:52] incorporate what we need for bailiffs upstairs. So when we have the baiffs

[27:56] working and they're not needed in courtroom, well then we can use them

[27:59] downstairs as well. So we've kind of reduced that. I think our what was our

[28:03] initial number? We were guessing it was around 50,000 and we've cut that in

[28:08] about half and what our real requirement will be to staff it up front and as well

[28:14] as um managing the courthouse or courtrooms.

[28:17] » Yeah. So that's what I'm are the courtrooms still in

[28:21] » Yes, that is our number one priority is the courtrooms, you know. Um but the

[28:27] close number 1.5 is is up front, too. And we've been able to manage both of

[28:32] those. >> Okay. Thank you.

[28:34] » Yes. Um as far as if you had questions as far as how many people we screen and

[28:39] come through, is that part of the you know, we screen about 180 people a day

[28:43] [clears throat] >> that come through. Um, we remove on an

[28:46] average it's about 9 to 10 weapons off people. And when I say weapons, that's

[28:51] knives from a pocketk knife to a 9-in fixed blade. Um, we had a combat shovel

[28:57] come through. We've had uh, you know, a a replica gun come through. It was

[29:02] actually a lighter somebody had, but you know, we they identify those um,

[29:06] security potential security threats and then we have them remove them.

[29:11] Um, but then they also a lot of responses to uh we've had medical

[29:15] responses in the courtroom down here from staff from just the public too. So

[29:20] they're the first eyes and ears. They're making that phone call. They're getting

[29:23] a hold 911. They're on the radio and we have people downstairs that are able to

[29:27] respond. And then there's a lot of the things like um deterrent uh and de

[29:31] deescalation stuff. You get somebody that's upset down there at the auditors

[29:36] and then they recognize that they just walk down. Hey, how's it going? And

[29:41] things may deescalate from there. Where where could it have went? Don't know.

[29:45] But we count that as a deescalation of what could be. So, um the presence has

[29:52] really made a difference, we believe. Okay. Any other qu any questions?

[29:57] » I have a a budget question. So [clears throat] the ask is for 35,25

[30:03] additional from our general fund to match this. Um [clears throat]

[30:11] what if you were unsuccessful um in in the grant? Are are you still

[30:19] asking for something additional to to make you know this work or is this is

[30:27] does this all does this all go away or help me understand the budget here? So

[30:33] this this would be give us a definite picture to say hey we're going to go

[30:37] permanent solution up front you know of which we're in the pilot program um for

[30:42] next year 2027 we already have um wages into the budget so we'll be able to

[30:48] manage what we have right now but we'd like to take it to just another step

[30:52] above and this grant gives us that gets us the furniture needed so we're not

[30:57] don't look like we're pieced together. It gives us some uh other equipment. Um

[31:02] tasers are are being phased out, the X26, and so we can we can get those put

[31:08] uh brought up to speed. Um the security um of the doors for the courtrooms.

[31:14] We wouldn't do that if we don't get this grant. This that that's dependent on

[31:18] that and that that was something identified by the by um Judge Stefen uh

[31:23] as far as the doors that they don't lock going out and they need to have that

[31:27] that protection. Um, as far as another metal detector, you know, we'd like to

[31:32] have one upstairs just for we have that too, plus we have the backup. If it

[31:36] doesn't happen, we don't get the grant, we wouldn't be doing that. So, the short

[31:40] answer is if we don't get this grant, I won't be coming to ask you for

[31:44] additional monies to make this happen, the 37,000. We want this grant to happen

[31:49] to help provide that. Otherwise, we'll make do with moving forward with what we

[31:54] have.

[31:57] Okay. Uh, did you want to add something? >> I just

[32:03] » you gotta come up here. Sorry. >> I talk loud. Anyhow, but Amy Willard,

[32:08] court administrator. So, I just wanted to add in addition to what Rod had that

[32:12] we did reach out for support from other agencies. So, if the grant is approved,

[32:17] like we have a letter of recommendation from the judge, from county attorney

[32:21] Frederickson, the public lead public defender, um Terry Faucet from probation

[32:27] is also doing one and then the guardian amid lightum program. So, they all see

[32:31] the benefit of what's happening out there and strongly support this as well

[32:35] in addition. >> Okay.

[32:37] » Thank you. Thanks. Just how is the what has the public's

[32:42] response been to the process? >> I wish I had like document numbers and

[32:48] stuff like that, but overall it's been very positive. Of course, we we will get

[32:52] somebody that might have a little negative tone like why are you doing

[32:55] this? Very rare and usually it's met um very professionally and we we just take

[33:01] care of business. So overall, it's been very positive public and um staff

[33:07] employees here as well. >> Thank you.

[33:09] » Probably more overwhelmingly with with staff.

[33:12] » Good. >> Thanks.

[33:14] » Any other questions? >> Thanks.

[33:16] » Thank you. >> I have a question.

[33:18] » Yeah. >> Go ahead.

[33:21] » Yeah. Does all staff then go through the uh security checkpoint?

[33:28] » Currently, we are. they're all going through at some level. Um there's quite

[33:33] a few that bypass and go maybe through another entrance, you know, and they're

[33:37] not going through the main. Um this would address that as well as we get

[33:41] more information. Uh possibly getting a bypass lane with um security screening

[33:46] using your um ID cards, things like that. But those would kind of like in

[33:50] the works of what we would do and manage. We'd have the capabilities with

[33:54] this grant to be able to afford those different options.

[33:58] Does that help M. Okay. Anything else?

[34:05] » Uh, so we do need a motion uh to to

[34:10] submit for this grant. >> I'll move it.

[34:12] » Okay, >> I'll second.

[34:14] » Motion by Lewig, second by Holland. Um, and you know, it's interesting is

[34:20] because all this does take effect, you know, um, we've been talking about

[34:25] security, single point entry, Matt, probably as long as you've been on the

[34:28] board, um, and on the security committee. Um, but it costs real money,

[34:33] you know, and that's, uh, we've talked to Rod about it and I know Amy, the

[34:38] courts have always wanted it. Um, but it costs real money, you know, putting

[34:42] people there costs money. So, we've we've really worked hard to try to find

[34:47] a good solution, and I think we got somewhere that isn't isn't a terrible

[34:53] amount of money. Um, it is money, but uh uh but we're we're we got something

[35:00] decent and the response is pretty good. So, I just appreciate the the work that

[35:05] everybody's done uh on that. And uh yeah, we're getting somewhere. If we get

[35:10] this grant, it'll be like it was supposed to be.

[35:13] » [laughter] >> So, but again, like I said, it it uh

[35:17] it's a lot of money and we got to figure out how to how to pay for it, too. So,

[35:22] anybody else got discussion? >> Yeah. Okay. Chair,

[35:29] » so again, I'm going to go back to the budget thing. Um, you know, maybe maybe

[35:33] this is a question for administrator is is how how does this how does this

[35:38] increase fit into the budget? I know maybe from my point of view, we were

[35:42] looking because we're going to come up with budget discussion here

[35:47] down the road here in and you know two items and we were looking at maybe

[35:52] trying to shave 500,000 out of the general fund. Well, now we're going to

[35:58] be looking at trying to shave 535,000 or am I seeing this wrong?

[36:04] » Um Mr. Mr. Chair, members of the board, um what I would note is that these so

[36:10] for 2026, the the jail has made some operational changes that have resulted

[36:15] in some pretty decent savings. Um and so this 36,000 simply would be $36,000 not

[36:22] going into our fund balance in 2027.

[36:29] » And question is this is kind of one time, right? This ain't recurring,

[36:36] » correct? This is one time. >> Okay. Because like we said, we got the

[36:38] wages and everything. >> So there's no salaries built into this

[36:44] » Okay. [clears throat]

[36:48] Any other questions?

[36:52] Okay. Hearing none, we'll call for the roll call.

[36:55] » Commissioner Nelson, >> yes.

[36:58] » Commissioner Waldam, >> yes.

[37:02] » Commissioner Lewick, hi. Commissioner Holland.

[37:05] » Yes. >> Chair Moore.

[37:07] » Hi. >> Thank you.

[37:09] » All right. Uh we'll move on to number four, jail collaboration.

[37:16] » Mr. Chair, want me to take that? I sure can. Um so, Mr. Chair, members of the

[37:20] board. Um obviously back in early July we had held that jail collaboration

[37:25] meeting with it was a total of eight counties I believe um that were that met

[37:29] and we had a lot of discussion regarding um potential jail collaboration with

[37:34] surrounding counties. Um and you know there was just a lot of big ideas that

[37:38] were brought out that day but yet not a lot of action. There was a lot of people

[37:42] in the room. Um and so after that I I conducted a survey of participants and

[37:49] overall we got 18 responses um in that survey. But in that survey it was very

[37:55] easy to see a clear difference in the perspective between both commissioners

[37:59] and county administrators and those representing law enforcement which was

[38:03] to be expected I think. Um absolutely. Um especially because jail operations

[38:09] are primarily law enforcement um function. Yet as a bo as the board you

[38:14] have the responsibility of funding, budgeting, jail operations, those types

[38:18] of things. So obviously it has to be a joint effort I think. Um but we did

[38:24] there was um three counties that were very clearly had a lot of more interest

[38:29] than other counties. Um, and those three counties were Benton, Kbeck, and Max.

[38:34] Um, and it's interesting because they just align perfectly on the Highway 23

[38:39] corridor. Um, which I it was just a piece that I I hadn't really seen

[38:43] coming, but it's like, oh, as you look at those responses, it's very clear that

[38:47] those are the three counties that seem to have the most interest in continuing

[38:51] a discussion. Um so my suggestion would be um identifying potential next step um

[38:57] would be to have a smaller group to engage in more focused discussions.

[39:01] Obviously we had a lot of people in the room. It was very broad discussions. Um

[39:06] and so now I think it would be good to take it to the next step potentially

[39:10] just engage with those three counties that showed the most interest um and and

[39:15] have a working group of those three counties.

[39:19] um just to see you know is is simply the next step of that working group deciding

[39:24] that we just need to do have a consultant do some sort of study what

[39:27] what does that look like but I think we need to have a smaller group

[39:31] conversation of what that actually looks like

[39:34] » do you know how serious the state is that because they were looking at this

[39:38] too >> correct so the state did a study in 2024

[39:42] on this and then they did a a study in 2026

[39:46] but in my mind all the results results of that study come back to this is a

[39:51] county responsibility. So the state the state can come up with great ideas all

[39:55] they want but until counties get on board or counties decide to do anything

[40:02] the state is just I mean they they don't have the power I mean they don't control

[40:06] our budgets they don't control our staffing they don't um so it really

[40:10] » they might be helpful in funding something if it happens in

[40:13] » they may be they may be helpful with with bigger picture or funding things

[40:17] those types of things and so I think we have to continue to engage with them um

[40:21] I I know AMC wants to continue to be engaged in this conversation. Um but I

[40:26] think we need we need to forge ahead if we want to continue the conversation.

[40:30] » I agree. >> And so I I would ask that um you

[40:35] authorize me to initiate some follow-up discussions with those three counties

[40:39] regarding kind of a work establishing a work group um and then consider

[40:44] appointing two commissioners um from this board to that work group.

[40:49] Yeah, I think it's uh I think it's very interesting to to go through it and see

[40:57] um you know the working group. I've had some other commissioners reach out to me

[41:02] saying, "Hey, where's this going? What's going on?" Uh make sure we're involved.

[41:06] And that's kind of what we're looking at is um I don't think every countyy's got

[41:10] a good relationship with their with their sheriff and you know, jail

[41:14] administrator and maybe they do, maybe they don't. But [clears throat] I mean,

[41:17] we can we've had a lot of open back and forth and Rod and Jeff have helped, you

[41:22] know, um helped us make a lot of these decisions. Not that we're going after

[41:27] one of them or anything like that. We're just trying to figure out a better way.

[41:31] And and uh I think to keep it with the commissioners is important. Um and uh um

[41:39] just like like in Pine County, I wouldn't fear having them guys on this.

[41:45] Um, but I think different counties maybe would and uh um so I know we reach out

[41:50] to Rod and Jeff for a lot of the information and and definitely we want

[41:54] them part of the discussion, but I think to keep it kind of rolling, keep the

[41:59] group in in a direction that'll go and do

[42:03] something. Uh I think it is important just to keep it commissioners and

[42:07] » and uh with that um I know you know with some turnover coming on the board um I

[42:15] think uh it would be I would I would continue that discussion and I know I

[42:20] chatted with Roger and he said the same thing. So um I don't know how

[42:25] » I would I would make a motion that we continue the discussion. I I I think

[42:31] it's a great whatever comes out of it, you have to

[42:35] talk about these big picture items and and my motion would include to

[42:42] put uh Commissioner Nelson and Commissioner Moore on the

[42:46] [clears throat] >> I'll second.

[42:49] » All right. Okay. Uh is there any other discussion?

[42:53] » I have some. Yeah, >> it's it's not that new to us when you

[42:58] think about it because we're part of the juvenile already. We share a facility

[43:03] and we've been doing that a long time and it works.

[43:09] My my comment would be I I'm I'm kind of excited to see this thing move forward

[43:15] in the sense of, you know, some we we kind of wrestle with, you know, we can't

[43:20] we can't solve some of these issues in and of ourselves, you know, but when we

[43:27] but we start collaborating with some some counties, not sometimes too many

[43:33] becomes very muddled, you know, But the fact that that you know uh four counties

[43:40] you know we we maybe each county doesn't have the all the pieces but they have

[43:45] certain pieces that make the whole puzzle fit uh and look better for for

[43:52] all of us. So um yeah I'm I'm I'm excited to see where it's going, but

[43:57] it's it's not going to be solved overnight. This is going to be a this is

[44:00] going to be um um kind of an extended process, but

[44:06] Well, and I think that's why we start with a big room, you know, of people and

[44:11] then we kind of see the direction that it's going and uh um and narrow it down.

[44:17] And I think that's kind of part of the process. And that was what was really

[44:20] neat about that meeting is we kind of figured out, hey, these are the groups

[44:24] that want to move forward. These are the groups that don't think there's a

[44:27] problem. these are the groups that, you know, thanks for showing up, you know,

[44:31] and and that's that's I don't think anybody had really known what was going

[44:36] to come out of that. I don't know if I've ever been a part of a discussion

[44:40] like that. Uh >> yeah, start somewhere.

[44:42] » Yeah. Yeah. So, it is interesting to see what direction it'll go and hopefully

[44:46] it'll continue to we'll figure something out. So, all right. Any other

[44:52] discussion? >> Yeah, I have a question.

[44:54] » Yeah. >> Yeah. Then uh who would be the alternate

[44:57] then just in case there would be a chance that uh the commissioners

[45:03] couldn't make it? Who who would be the alternate then?

[45:05] » Generally we don't have an alternate when there's two

[45:09] » we don't uh >> Oh okay. All right. Thank you.

[45:13] » Yeah. So uh any other

[45:18] discussion?

[45:21] » What what was this question? Who >> who's going to be an alter? But we

[45:25] generally don't have an alternate when there's two.

[45:28] » Oh, >> appointed.

[45:29] » Okay. >> Yeah.

[45:31] » The only thing we made a motion on was moving forward with the conversation.

[45:34] Then he appointed the commissioners, right?

[45:37] » And to add these two commissioners. >> Okay. I didn't hear that part. Okay.

[45:41] » All right. Everybody good? >> Yep.

[45:43] » Okay. Go ahead, Deon. Call the role. >> Commissioner Waldam.

[45:49] » Yes. >> Commissioner Lewick.

[45:52] » Hi. >> Commissioner Holland. Yes,

[45:55] » Chair Moore. >> Hi,

[45:57] » Commissioner Nelson. >> Yes.

[46:00] » Thank you. >> All right. County Board budget

[46:04] discussion and direction. >> You taking this?

[46:08] » Sure, I can take this, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Um, so I tried to

[46:11] lay out with you um for you um just kind of a better idea of where we're sitting

[46:17] um after the discussion from the August 18th board meeting which gave a lot more

[46:21] direction um as if a potential levy level um for 2027 and attempted to kind

[46:29] of allocate those dollars out and then see where we were at. Um and so kind of

[46:35] you've got a table there that does that and that attributes for um all of the

[46:40] funds except for the general fund all of the funds, you know, all of the dollars

[46:44] that they would need that they're asking for. Um it doesn't allocate the the

[46:48] dollars that are needed to the general fund. Um it be it um still creates a

[46:54] deficit in the general fund of almost a million dollars, $983,000.

[46:59] Um, also as we discussed kind of there's a we we typically solve the budget in in

[47:05] a three three-way split of levy. So I've addressed the levy piece and so then for

[47:12] the deficit we're remaining with fund balance and cuts. Um, obviously the fund

[47:17] balance is always the easy solution because then you don't you just get to

[47:21] use your savings account and you get to move on. Um, and there there's that's

[47:25] always a balancing point of how much savings do you want to use? Um, and so

[47:30] using the direction from the last one, thinking about half savings of that

[47:34] million dollars, half savings, half half fund balance. Um, I worked through I

[47:41] tried to list out some options for some savings, revenue reductions that we

[47:46] could look at. Um, I don't know that any of them are great ideas. Um but yet

[47:51] we're at a point where address finding any expense reductions that don't affect

[47:56] services is is basically impossible. So you if you want to have some some

[48:02] expense savings, we need to look at probably some service changes.

[48:07] Um so I can kind of just talk down the list of things that I threw out there. I

[48:11] did want to note that we did already have some reductions in positions in the

[48:15] general fund that were built into um into the levy which was one position out

[48:20] of the auditor treasurer office the grants and special programs coordinator

[48:24] and then a partial FTE in the assessor's office because they're going to wait

[48:28] till May 1st to backfill a vacant position.

[48:32] Um other ideas that that we could look at for um those expense reductions would

[48:39] be looking in the general fund. We had some newer expanded positions. So those

[48:43] positions were um the restorative practices coordinator at about just

[48:48] under $50,000. The economic development coordinator which was just over $39,000.

[48:54] And then the four hours added to the assistant veteran service officer

[48:58] position. four hours a week added to that position at a cost of six just over

[49:02] $6,000. Um, so that was one area that I could

[49:06] identify. Um, obviously a reduction of mandated services. So we can look for

[49:11] opportunities to reduce or eliminate services that are not mandated yet. As

[49:16] you look at the general fund, a lot of those big dollars then become public

[49:20] safety related. Um, and so that's always a really hard area to to look at

[49:24] reducing service in. Um and then my next idea was in just in general salary

[49:31] savings. Um so obviously at the end of 2025 we had done this two-month pause in

[49:39] hiring um which was a very formal process but I I truly believe that in

[49:45] general our our department heads our managers are very good at managing those

[49:49] vacancies and making the decision of this one needs to be filled now or this

[49:53] one can wait on being filled a while. Um and so like during 2026 what we've seen

[49:59] is departments have delayed back filling positions or left positions just vacant.

[50:05] Um and then also we've just had folks using that paid family medical leave

[50:10] which when they're on that paid family medical leave they're not getting paid

[50:13] by the county. So, in the general fund, for example, just from all of those

[50:18] factors through the end of July, we've saved almost $332,000.

[50:23] Um, just managing those vacancies and that paid leave. Um, so to me, that's

[50:29] very hopeful in that that could be a strategy. Um, obviously, you don't know

[50:35] what 2027 is going to bring, what vacancies 2027 will bring, what, you

[50:39] know, how many people will be on paid family medical leave. We don't know any

[50:42] of that. So, it's it's hard to count on on that and I can't just take that

[50:46] $331,000 through July and extrapolate it out because some people who were on

[50:51] leave now are back and just different things. But I think it's a really good

[50:55] number to look at that no there is salary quite a bit of salary savings

[50:59] from those those things already in the general fund um as we've seen through in

[51:03] through 2026. Um, another idea is in Health and Human

[51:09] Services, we've budgeted $150,000 for the long-term supportive services cost

[51:14] shift. So, as you remember, um, those are those wavered services. And the

[51:19] state to balance their budget just said we're going to pass some cost on to the

[51:22] counties unless the counties can provide can find us some savings which the

[51:28] counties did provide did find some savings though that the legislature

[51:32] adopted this year but the legislature didn't account didn't attribute those

[51:37] savings to counties. Um, so as of right now, it's still looking like that cost

[51:41] shift is coming to us, but our hope is during the 2027 legislative session,

[51:46] maybe can we convince them that no, we already did it. Um, you already have the

[51:51] savings from us. Um, and so that's going to take some some work on our part, our

[51:56] work with talking to our legislators, work with AMC, trying to Okay, in 2026,

[52:02] you adopted our changes, but you didn't give us you didn't attribute them to us.

[52:06] And so trying to get that done, so we don't have that cost shift. Um, so

[52:11] currently we budgeted for that cost shift, but yet maybe we want to take the

[52:15] gamble and not budget for that cost shift. Um, and that's an option. It is a

[52:21] gamble because of course we don't know what the election is going to happen

[52:25] either. We still have an election between now and and the 2027 legislative

[52:28] session. Um I will also note, you know, obviously earlier you guys adopted a 4%

[52:35] health insurance rate. Um we had originally assumed a 5% and so there is

[52:41] a little bit of savings countywide of about $46,000

[52:45] um in savings now because of that. It's only 1% but yet it is real dollars.

[52:51] Um, and then one one last idea we threw out

[52:55] there is, uh, you know, we've been levying this $25,000 into the building

[53:00] fund every year. Um, you know, I don't $25,000 doesn't get you very far when it

[53:06] comes to a building project, so maybe maybe it's not worth continuing to

[53:09] budget that $25,000. Um, and then that those those levy

[53:14] dollars could be shifted. Um th those are kind of the list of options

[53:19] that I came up with. Um which I guess any direction you'd like to give me I

[53:24] would be open to. Obviously at the next board meeting we we typically would be

[53:29] looking at adopting the preliminary levy. That doesn't mean that we have to

[53:33] have the budget completely balanced at that point. We just have to be setting a

[53:37] levy that we can work with. But yet to know to make sure that we're setting a

[53:42] levy that we can work with is going to be key.

[53:47] » Yeah. And I think it's important when we set the preliminary, Steve, you always

[53:51] talk about this. We uh you can you can go down on the on the final budget, but

[53:58] you can't go up. So, um and I know a lot of counties, they'll set a preliminary

[54:03] very high and they might cut it in half, whatever. We've usually tried to do the

[54:08] work ahead of time. So we're really close to where the preliminary is and uh

[54:12] so that is kind of you know typically where we go.

[54:18] » Yeah, >> Mr. Chair, it's it's funny you mentioned

[54:22] that because I I I've thought a lot about that this year and this might be

[54:28] the year I could be convinced to um put a placeholder a little bit higher

[54:34] because I think there's there's a bunch of unknowns that we can still work

[54:39] through um and get that levy portion back down

[54:44] to where I think it's palatable. But um it's it's kind of a disservice

[54:52] to the counties cities also, but to to in our case that

[54:59] the state may just set that preliminary levy so early in our year when we we

[55:04] really only have results of about half a year in in

[55:10] our our expense side. So it's um you know by

[55:16] by the end of October the middle of November we know a lot more than we know

[55:21] now. And and I

[55:26] I would I would be I could probably be swayed to go a

[55:32] little bit stronger on our on our levy proposal. I I know it

[55:39] I know it raises havoc because that's what the

[55:44] that's what the headlines in the paper say. county sets levy at whatever

[55:49] percent and that's what and then that's also what gets printed in your

[55:56] proposed tax increase even though it might change significantly

[56:02] when it when it really comes out. But it's the cards we're given. It's the

[56:09] it's the um it's what we were dealt from the

[56:13] federal government. And I think we need to um

[56:19] we keep we need to keep reminding people that um a lot of these um increases we

[56:27] got were were voted on by the people that are in office in Washington DC

[56:34] right now or our local congressmen um and don't seem to care. And so um

[56:42] that's that's what we're dealt with.

[56:48] And you don't need no action, right? We're just It's

[56:50] » just looking for some direction because going into that next port, we will be

[56:54] putting together the preliminary levy. >> Well, and obviously uh well, not

[57:02] obviously, but I I mean, I would I would support trying to find as much

[57:06] reductions in it as possible. Um, and uh, we've done we've done a good job

[57:13] over the last few years. We haven't set ourselves up for this year, which I

[57:19] think is important because I don't think you want to do that. You know, I don't

[57:24] think we want to plan [clears throat] like like we we talked about last year

[57:28] when we set the budget. We were low. We were really low. Um, but that's what

[57:34] worked last year. Now, this year we do a different budget and we work through

[57:39] this budget as we do this year. And uh um I think that's what's important. You

[57:44] can't none of us have a crystal ball. Um so we don't know what to plan for. Um

[57:51] but we at the end of the day, we have to conduct business. we have to we have to

[57:56] take care of uh of a lot of stuff and uh we have a big budget and uh I just

[58:03] appreciate the work that you guys have been doing. Um personally I would like

[58:07] to see it a little bit lower than this but uh but I'm one guy on the board. I

[58:13] don't control it. >> [clears throat]

[58:15] » Last year though, HHS cut staff. >> I think that was the only department

[58:21] that cut staff >> and they had to do a lot of shuffle

[58:25] around to make get the work done because of it.

[58:32] » Okay. Anybody else have any comments?

[58:38] » That doesn't give you much. >> Food for thought, Kelly.

[58:41] » Yeah. >> Okay. I guess we're just going to have

[58:44] to make the hard >> chair. I was just going to say on a

[58:46] positive note, our fund balances I think are in really good shape across the

[58:51] board. And so that's something to look at is what do you want in your fund

[58:56] balances? Is there do you take a risk in one year? And we've taken risks and it

[59:01] seems like it's gone up in times and so I think the budgeting process has worked

[59:06] well. But something to look at is what do you want in your fund balance? What

[59:09] are you comfortable with and is there some room there?

[59:13] Yeah, thanks.

[59:17] Okay. All right. Well, we didn't give you a

[59:22] whole heck of a lot to go on, so sorry. I Yeah. Uh,

[59:27] » you didn't give Kelly much help. >> No, no, no, we didn't. Uh, considers

[59:33] scheduling a special meeting. >> Yeah, Mr. Chair, members of the board.

[59:37] Um I had been working with the Malax band to have a meeting um with they had

[59:44] a new district 3 representative that was recently elected and so originally we

[59:48] had talked about just that smaller committee that meets with the band by

[59:52] monthly meeting with that district 3 representative. Um however, as the band

[59:57] worked to identify um a meeting date, the Chief Virgil Wind was actually

[1:00:03] included as a attendee as well. And so given the bigger scope of the meeting,

[1:00:08] um it makes sense to me to include the whole board in that meeting. Um, and the

[1:00:13] date that worked the best for the tribe, um, was September 29th,

[1:00:19] and they they the time that worked within their schedules were 11:30 a.m.

[1:00:25] Um, and then along with that, of course, we will have the auditor treasurer

[1:00:30] interviews coming up. So, my thought was that we could just pair it with that

[1:00:33] date. Um, and potentially since the tribes meeting is at 11:30, we could do

[1:00:38] a few interviews prior to that tribal meeting, have the tribal meeting, and

[1:00:42] then if there are more candidates to still interview, we could do that

[1:00:46] afterwards. So, looking at September 29th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. for the

[1:00:50] purposes of interviewing auditor treasurer candidates and the meeting

[1:00:54] with the Max Band chief, Virgo Win, District 3 representative, Sha Shelley

[1:00:58] Parmlo, um, to discuss county and tribal relations. Um the other piece that I

[1:01:04] wanted to note is you will note that it is listed at North Pine Government

[1:01:07] Center. Um which the purpose of that is because this room was not available that

[1:01:12] day. Um and the what this room was committed to is not something that can

[1:01:17] be moved and so it made sense. You know even the auditor treasurer candidates

[1:01:22] obviously would be working in this building but they do still need to go to

[1:01:25] Sandstone sometime and that's a great facility. So it seemed okay to have that

[1:01:30] their interviews held there. Okay.

[1:01:35] Anybody got any? >> Sounds good to me.

[1:01:39] » Good to me, too. >> Yeah, we need a motion on it. So,

[1:01:42] » I'll move it. >> Okay.

[1:01:45] » Uh motion by Holland, second by Lewig. Any other discussion on it?

[1:01:50] » Oh, I have one. >> Okay, go ahead.

[1:01:51] » I do have one one more thing. Um, and so I would ask if commissioners have

[1:01:56] questions they want included for the auditor treasur interviews, if you could

[1:02:00] submit them to me by September 11th, so in about a week and a half, just so we

[1:02:06] can incorporate those within our plan prepared questions and and Jackie can

[1:02:10] review them um, and make sure that they're legal and appropriate to ask.

[1:02:15] But by September 11th, if you can send what questions if you have different

[1:02:19] questions you'd like to ask. >> Okay, Mr. Chair. Yeah.

[1:02:23] » One more question. Uh if if we get in a stalemate at our next

[1:02:30] meeting two weeks from now and think of we want to kick the can

[1:02:38] down the road another week, would we still set our levy on this at

[1:02:43] this meeting? if you add it as as part of the reason

[1:02:48] for the meeting. >> And and when do we have do we have to

[1:02:52] know that before >> um our next meeting

[1:02:57] » or would you want that now? >> You just put

[1:03:01] » I I don't know. I I'm hoping >> it would be great if we just added it

[1:03:05] now in in case it's needed. >> Just put a placeholder there. What do

[1:03:08] you guys think? >> Maybe just just in case

[1:03:10] » we don't need to use it. So

[1:03:15] You guys all in agreement on that? >> You want to add that as part of your

[1:03:20] motion? >> Yes.

[1:03:23] » Okay. We'll figure out where to put it on that.

[1:03:25] » Yeah, I'll second that. >> Okay. All right. Any other discussion?

[1:03:33] Uh, hearing none. Go ahead, De.

[1:03:40] » Commissioner Lig. Hi, >> Commissioner Holland.

[1:03:44] » Yes. >> Moore.

[1:03:45] » Hi, >> Commissioner Nelson.

[1:03:47] » Yes. >> Commissioner Waldam.

[1:03:49] » Yes. >> Thank you.

[1:03:53] » All right. Uh, we'll move on to commissioner updates. Greater Minnesota

[1:03:57] Parks and Trails. >> No meeting.

[1:03:58] » Okay. Cookout on the farm. Did you make that one?

[1:04:02] » I did. [laughter] It was uh it was uh great. My

[1:04:08] wife even had a good time. She was not real happy that I signed up for that.

[1:04:14] [laughter] It It turned out really good. I I met

[1:04:17] some people that lived within five miles of my place that I'd never ever seen

[1:04:24] before in my life. The one guy was probably my age and he'd been he'd been

[1:04:29] coming up uh his dad owned a piece of property on the Snake River since he was

[1:04:34] uh in junior high school and they taken over his dad's property and so um it was

[1:04:41] good to see people that I hadn't ever known before and it was

[1:04:47] also good to see people that um you know old old friends. Roger was even there.

[1:04:54] So, that was that was great. Uh, Soil and Water put on a really good

[1:05:01] couple of demonstrations, I thought. So, >> I know I drove by, I was told you I was

[1:05:07] going to stop, but I had three kids and two dogs, and I was like, it looked like

[1:05:12] there was a lot of people there when I drove by. So,

[1:05:14] » there was about 70. >> Yeah. Yeah. But, so good. I'm glad it

[1:05:19] went good. uh Snake River Plan Partnership. We had a meeting last

[1:05:23] Monday. I actually was here uh talked about I was just pulling up the the

[1:05:29] agenda. The the one thing we did is uh uh

[1:05:37] we did talk about our budget. Um, so we have a grant that is expiring

[1:05:45] uh uh or it did expire and uh but they we did get a extension on it. So we're

[1:05:51] kind of trying to spend down some of that. Plus we got our new grant. Um so

[1:05:56] we were just talking about a few things with that. Um we talked about an

[1:06:00] auditor. You weren't there were you? No. So there might be we might have to get

[1:06:06] our own audit currently because the county is doing our finances. It gets

[1:06:10] audited through there. Um so they're kind of working through that. We had to

[1:06:15] sign uh Mary had to send something in and uh uh and they're going to tell us

[1:06:22] what we got to do or not. So we might do a little more arguing uh about that. And

[1:06:27] then we went on a couple field trips or one but we went to two places. So one

[1:06:33] place was on Cross Lake uh I think it was Cross Lake Estates. They did a a

[1:06:38] buffer planting uh two years ago. Um and they have they're kind of in the

[1:06:44] backwaters a little bit of the south side of the lake and there is a a sewer

[1:06:49] outlet for the storm sewer for Pine Count or Pine City uh right there. So,

[1:06:55] it was like 450 ft of lake shore that they they did some uh buffer planting

[1:07:01] and uh uh stuff that uh was there. Um so, they kind of showed us because they

[1:07:07] started this two years ago. Now, it's growing. It's doing a really good job.

[1:07:11] Uh it was kind of neat to see um what it actually entails. And uh then we ended

[1:07:18] up going to Shelene Park, which is down by the fishing dock by the railroad

[1:07:23] bridge on the Snake River. And the city owns uh some land there. And they just

[1:07:29] did that uh about a week before we went there, two weeks before we went there.

[1:07:35] So that was the first part of it. And uh the nice thing about that, soil and

[1:07:39] water is really excited because it is a public space. Um, so they can take

[1:07:43] people there and show them, hey, this is what it can be. Um, you don't have to

[1:07:48] get permission from the land owner and all that stuff, but the the city was

[1:07:53] doing a lot of uh a lot of work themselves. We got some grants for it.

[1:07:57] Um, the Snake River, one watershed, one plan did fund, I think, a lot of it, but

[1:08:02] the the city, they were there. He's like, I got to come every other day and

[1:08:05] water it. um you know and and cuz right now obviously with the rain uh these you

[1:08:11] if you don't take care of them in the first little bit that's what's going to

[1:08:14] make a big difference. But their plan is to put another dock in there and

[1:08:19] possibly a couple fishing platforms so you're not beating down the the shore.

[1:08:24] [clears throat] Uh they're going to let that grow up and

[1:08:27] they'll have a couple designated spots to get to the shore. Uh which is really

[1:08:32] cool. So looked good. Um it was just nice to see the initial where it starts

[1:08:38] and where it went. Um but yeah, so them were a couple places if you I mean

[1:08:43] anybody can go down to Shelene Park and check that out anytime. So uh that was

[1:08:49] about it. Lakes and Pines

[1:08:52] » Lakes and Pines did not meet. We're goofed up on their uh

[1:08:59] notification. So anyway, we didn't There was no scheduled

[1:09:04] meeting. >> Okay.

[1:09:07] » But the East Central Regional Development Commission did meet.

[1:09:10] » Okay. >> And uh

[1:09:14] other than listen to a lot of uh reports that um of what the people were doing.

[1:09:23] They accepted some bids. They they need a new roof on the building that they

[1:09:28] own. So, that was [clears throat] was probably

[1:09:32] the one takeaway we had. >> Okay. Rush Line Task Force. Uh actually

[1:09:41] missed it. Uh had kid get sick on me and I was doing that and and forgot. But the

[1:09:48] the plan is is they're trying to pause the rush line task force and to do that

[1:09:53] uh they have to uh have a couple meetings. So that was the first meeting.

[1:09:58] I was just looking up the minutes, but I can't get them to load. Um, but that was

[1:10:02] essentially what's going on there. Zoning board.

[1:10:06] » Uh, Mr. Chair, I I did not make that meeting. I had grandpa duty shuttling

[1:10:11] kids to stuff because parents were busy. Um,

[1:10:14] » perfect. >> But I they had two variances they were

[1:10:18] dealing with that night and going over some stuff, but I didn't get it. I

[1:10:21] didn't get the minutes yet either. So, but I do want to note make a note of the

[1:10:25] SWCD is having their supervisor field day that trip on September 9th. So, I

[1:10:33] think it's posted. So, any commissioners that want to go can go on that trip.

[1:10:37] They're just going to show some projects and have lunch served at while you're so

[1:10:43] putting out there. >> Okay.

[1:10:46] Any other meetings? Yeah. If you allow me just to go back to the

[1:10:51] cookout on the farm, Steve was being kind of modest. You know, he he really

[1:10:56] did a good job of explaining, you know, a lot of the conservation projects that

[1:11:00] were that that he was doing and uh that soil and water NRCS kind of initiated

[1:11:09] and uh they did really have some I'd say eyeopening demonstrations. their

[1:11:16] rainfall demonstration was was really interesting. Also, I just wanted

[1:11:22] to highlight the uh well, we had our commissioner of agriculture there. We

[1:11:28] had two state representatives. One wasn't even from our area. Um a senator,

[1:11:34] state senator was there, two county commissioners, two county commissioner

[1:11:38] candidates u besides our NRCS and soil and water staff. And we had several

[1:11:44] aronomists from Um so it was a um be besides the public that was interested.

[1:11:51] So um that that that water rainfall

[1:11:57] demonstration was a huge eye opener to me and I and I I kind of guessed what

[1:12:04] would happen and I was hoping what would happen and it happened but um they they

[1:12:10] have this thing that simulates a inch rainfall and then they had like clear

[1:12:17] plastic bottles that collected the And the mud that went through the

[1:12:25] conventional tillillage thing was amazing compared to like what was in a

[1:12:31] pollinator [clears throat] within we went out my white pine

[1:12:35] plantation and took a sample. Um it was it was you know remember years ago that

[1:12:42] forester said there's there's nothing better than a forest to to keep water

[1:12:48] clean. Well, he's not lying. >> Yeah. No,

[1:12:53] » it's pretty pretty obvious. >> It's interesting when you I because we

[1:12:56] had that heavy rain last week or so we had that inch plus in like 15 minutes. I

[1:13:01] just I thought I'm going to Google how much is an inch of rain on a acre of

[1:13:05] land. What do you think that gives you in gallons?

[1:13:08] » Oh, it's like 30,000 gallons of water.

[1:13:13] » And one acre. That's 28 ft by 28 ft. Right.

[1:13:18] It's interesting because when we were on our uh our field trips, they were

[1:13:22] showing like the root systems on the plants they planted are I mean some of

[1:13:27] them go down 12 feet uh where they said like grass goes down what 3/4 of an inch

[1:13:34] or something like that or like around an inch and uh they said that is you know

[1:13:38] in a vent or something like that it just it just rips that right off where these

[1:13:44] other plants they they really make a big you know, um to hold everything together

[1:13:50] and and really and trees are better than than plant, you know. So, that is it is

[1:13:56] a big deal. So, thank you. Thank you for doing that. Thank you for what you're

[1:14:00] doing out there. >> I I think Roger Ro mentioned it, but the

[1:14:07] cooperation between NRCS and so is something we haven't seen. I don't

[1:14:16] think prior to the one watershed, one plan that it was good that we had state

[1:14:22] representatives and senators there to thank them for what they've done because

[1:14:29] that's going to come up for another statewide

[1:14:33] election if the legislature agrees to it.

[1:14:39] » So, it's not it's coming up. So, I think it's making a difference.

[1:14:45] Well, and I think it is important when when all that came uh

[1:14:53] skepticism and a lot of people worried about what was going to happen and it

[1:14:57] just like stuff's getting done. >> I mean, we used to make plans all the

[1:15:02] time, but that's about all we did is make plans. There wasn't a lot of work.

[1:15:06] Now, the actual work's getting done. That's it's nice to see.

[1:15:10] » Excuse me, that number. Uh is there anything other to come before the county

[1:15:15] board? >> 27,154.

[1:15:19] » Hearing none, we'll declare the meeting. Thanks everybody. My wife.

Pine County Board Meeting - September 1st, 2026

Transcript