[0:04] To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it

[0:09] stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice

[0:15] for all.

[0:26] » Okay. Call the meeting to order. Welcome Rick aboard here today.

[0:34] Uh agenda, any additions to the agenda,

[0:39] Kyle? >> We've added a number of attachments uh

[0:41] yesterday. I think we added fund balances. We revised the bill list. Um

[0:46] we added some things underformational uh including the fall conference in

[0:53] Baiji that the conference agenda is now attached. The uh drought disaster SBA

[0:58] notification is also attached. And then we've also added under 8.7 discussion on

[1:04] budget retreat. >> Okay.

[1:09] Any additions from the board?

[1:14] » Make a motion. >> Second that.

[1:18] » Moved and second to approve the agenda August 18th.

[1:23] Any other questions? All in favor signify by saying I.

[1:26] » I. >> Opposed. [clears throat]

[1:29] » Board minutes August 4th.

[1:41] I make a motion.

[1:48] » I will second that. Been >> moved and second to approve the board

[1:51] for August 4th. Any other questions? All in favor signify by saying I

[1:56] » I oppos. >> We do have one consent agenda.

[2:02] » Yes, Mr. Chair. This is the computers providing technology CPT. They're they

[2:06] provide our mainframe and Ashley's here al better if there's any questions, but

[2:11] this is our main computer. Uh it reflected a 3% increase for the uh

[2:15] three-year contract. 3% per year for each three years. Um it's KMA. It also

[2:21] includes the assessing portion. Uh it's it's what we it's the backbone the IFS

[2:27] piece. It's the backbone of what the county does as far as budgeting,

[2:30] payroll, all of the things that that we uh uh that we do in the county program.

[2:36] Uh it goes through CPT. So I would recommend approval of this contract.

[2:40] » Okay.

[2:46] » I make a motion to accept the consent agenda item as presented.

[2:52] Second move and second to accept the consent

[2:57] agenda as presented with the three-year contract for CPU.

[3:02] Any other questions? All in favor signify by saying I.

[3:06] » I oppose Ashley.

[3:11] [clears throat] >> Morning.

[3:13] » Good morning.

[3:18] » I have no additions and no prediums.

[3:33] Morning girl

[3:38] [laughter] [clears throat] walk again.

[3:51] So I'll make a motion to approve the claims that

[3:58] stand. >> I moved the second to approve the

[4:02] claims.

[4:06] » Any other questions on the claims? All in favor signify by saying I.

[4:10] » Opposers. >> Fund balance.

[4:13] » Fund balances are as of Friday, August 14th. Um really nothing unusual. We're

[4:19] still um watching the transfer station, kind of trying to track the activity

[4:24] there. But

[4:31] » you mind me again, did that start coming back again or it's on horizon?

[4:36] » Yeah, >> they have started they have started

[4:37] backing up. >> Okay.

[4:39] » When did that start last [snorts] week? >> Uh two weeks ago. to capital

[4:42] [clears throat] meeting that uh Commissioner Ogard and Hartman had with

[4:46] their their folks up in Black County. >> Good.

[4:49] » So, we'll probably have to try or transfer some at some point this year

[4:53] just cuz we're not going to be able to make up the whole year worth of revenue.

[4:56] But, we're kind of just going to let it go here for a little bit and see what

[5:00] they actually need. >> Okay.

[5:02] » And address it at that time.

[5:07] » Make a motion to accept the fund balance as presented.

[5:11] I'll second that. >> Moved and second to accept the fund

[5:15] balance as presented. >> Any other questions?

[5:20] » All in favor signify by saying I. >> I post.

[5:30] » Now we have some warrants to do. >> Yeah, we have five batches of auditor

[5:34] warrants. Um, again, normal bills. We just had the extra batch cuz the highway

[5:39] batch came over later. Um, so it didn't get included in the main one. So that's

[5:44] why there was two for the August 7th. [snorts]

[5:51] » The last one for who? This one. >> All the highway. Okay.

[6:07] I'll make a motion to approve the auditor warrants.

[6:11] » I'll second that. >> Been moved and second to approve the

[6:14] auditor warrants as presented. Any other questions on the warrants?

[6:19] All in favor signify by saying I. >> Opposed.

[6:25] Election review voter turnout. Um, for those that attended the canvasing board

[6:30] meeting, um, this is old news for you. Um, but this is a spreadsheet I do every

[6:35] year for the election just to kind of show you what our turnout was compared

[6:39] to previous years. Um, just as I don't know,formational purposes. Um, so for

[6:46] this year, we had 6,393 registered voters as of 7 a.m. on

[6:51] election day. We had 38 new registrants uh for a total of 1,79

[6:57] people that voted. Overall, the county's voter turnout was 26.73%.

[7:03] Very comparable to the previous two primaries. Um

[7:08] and then on the bottom I break it down further. So the townships that are

[7:13] highlighted in blue, um those are the male ballot townships. So I always kind

[7:17] of figure uh what's our mail ballot average? um cuz it tends to track higher

[7:22] than the polling place. Um so on the bottom you'll see our mail ballot um

[7:27] voter turnout was 31.04% uh compared to the polling place of

[7:32] 24.08%.

[7:35] Again, those numbers are very comparable to the previous two primaries. I thought

[7:38] it was going to be a little bit higher voter turnout um just because of the

[7:42] city of Leverne primary and the special election for county commissioner, but um

[7:48] it just wasn't. So Ashley, were there any mail-in ballots

[7:53] that did not make it in time? >> Yes, we've we've received about 20 mail

[7:57] and ballots. Yeah, unfortunately. Um, yeah, I don't

[8:02] » we advised people not to mail them that close, but um again, we'll try and do

[8:07] that more for the general. >> And did you look at like the post date

[8:10] on them? Were they like you would consider them close also?

[8:14] » Uh, oh, they mailed them. The post smart date was um the 10th or the 11th. So,

[8:18] they mailed them the day before or the day of.

[8:22] » So, yeah. Um, we didn't get any old like ones that had been like postmarked last

[8:28] week or anything. They were ones that people dropped off on Monday or Tuesday.

[8:32] » Can you explain again why you cannot drop election ballots off at the box in

[8:36] the front with a >> um because there's Minnesota has a law

[8:40] that you can only drop off ballots for yourself and three other people. And so

[8:44] if we use the dropbox, then we have to have someone make sure that we're

[8:47] watching that dropbox to make sure that you don't drop off 10 ballots.

[8:52] » But yet I could probably drop pick all my neighbors ballots up and drop them in

[8:55] the post office. >> Yes, that's very true.

[8:58] » I don't make the laws, but >> but then don't we invested in cameras

[9:01] out there >> for the sole purpose of election

[9:05] security and then just security in of our building,

[9:08] » right? >> But now we can't use that. We we could

[9:12] use a drop >> because I'll be honest, I pulled up

[9:14] there the other day. I Charlotte and I went out for dinner. We had to drop it

[9:16] off and all a sudden look at the sign. I'm like, you got to be me.

[9:19] » Yeah. So, they change like when we initially got the dropbox. There was no

[9:23] rules against it. So, they changed it since we got the Dropbox and I could use

[9:27] the Dropbox, but I don't have staff to monitor that video. Um, so we would have

[9:31] to go in the Dropbox. >> But again, my point though, the law

[9:36] makes zero sense when I can pick up everybody in my section. Mhm.

[9:41] » Or I could just make up ballots. I mean, you know what I'm saying? They Whatever.

[9:46] I'll die on that hill, but it makes zero sense to me that

[9:49] » I agree. Yep. I know. Yeah. Unfortunately, we don't make that rule.

[9:54] » I know you don't. But I think it's good for the public to know why they can't

[9:57] drop it off, right, >> is my point.

[9:59] » Yep. And when people ask, we tell them that. Um, and we did have a few people

[10:02] drop them off. And so then we went back on the camera, figure out, you know, and

[10:06] called them. And >> because of course, we waited till the

[10:08] night before. Yeah. >> Well, I can't put it in the post office.

[10:13] So, >> Right. Yeah.

[10:16] » Yep. And I mean, if that's something that we want to do moving forward, we

[10:19] can. I just don't have I don't have the staff capacity to monitor

[10:23] » if someone has to physically watch a screen all the time to make sure.

[10:26] » Well, we would have to go back through. So, like if on a Monday we pulled out 12

[10:30] ballots, we would have to go back through the video and look at who

[10:33] dropped off those ballots and figure out if they dropped off too many.

[10:42] So,

[10:45] » good. >> But I mean, if that's something that you

[10:47] want to look into doing, I'm not saying, but like again,

[10:51] » yeah, >> there's two sides of that coin there.

[10:53] So, >> I totally get it. way to give feedback

[10:55] to those that make that rule that that needs to be changed.

[10:59] » Yeah. >> Like who do we let that know?

[11:01] » That would be the legislators. >> Okay.

[11:03] » Yeah. >> And I can see also um

[11:08] all a suen you realize that I'm sure when you get get the ballots you can see

[11:12] that I can't wait to mark the outside but all a sudden you see there's

[11:16] » the penmanship's the same on 10 of them. Then to me that it prompt, hey man, we

[11:21] should like security video to see >> right

[11:23] » what's what's the miss here if there's something to miss

[11:26] » right >> but thank you for the discussion

[11:29] » and that's something that our association so like we get a lot of

[11:34] kickback at the counter when people drop these ballots off and have to sign the

[11:37] log. Um and so do other counties. It's not just us. And so that's something

[11:40] that our association is also trying to change is trying to find a way to make

[11:44] that process better because at the end of the day the staff are the ones that

[11:48] are getting the grief for that law. >> And the problem is the issues aren't

[11:54] in rural Minnesota for the most part. I mean we take election uh security very

[11:58] seriously. We do the canvasy board. We do a lot of due diligence to make sure

[12:01] that we're in compliance. >> Right.

[12:04] It's it's typical u someone to do wrong somewhere else and the rest pay for the

[12:10] » Yes. Exactly. So y but no that is something our association has tried to

[12:15] change. Unfortunately when it comes to elections it's hard to get any changes

[12:18] made. Um but we fight for that every year. So

[12:22] » thank you. Keep doing that. >> Yeah.

[12:24] » Mr. Chair. >> Y couple things. You do you want to talk

[12:28] about the extended hours and the traffic you had during the extended hours

[12:31] periods? >> Sure. Um, so for the primary, we were

[12:33] open the Saturday before just from 9:00 to 3. Um, I think we had about 10 people

[12:37] come. Um, most of them were dropping off mail ballots. Um, I think we had like

[12:44] three or four people vote uh due the early voting. Uh, we anticipate that the

[12:48] traffic will be higher for the general. Um, just given the way the turnout goes.

[12:53] Um, but for the general, we have to be open the two Saturdays prior from 9:00

[12:57] to 3 and then the Sunday prior from 9:00 to 3 and the Tuesday prior until 7:00

[13:02] p.m. So, we have quite a few hours for the general.

[13:05] » That's statute, too. [clears throat] >> That's also statute. Again, we're

[13:07] tracking the traffic we have. Um, just because

[13:12] they look for feedback. Are all these hours necessary or not? Like, if if

[13:16] we're going to be open and people are coming, that's great. But if we're going

[13:19] to be open and no one's there, it's you question whether or not it's worth

[13:24] the cost. Um the Saturday before the election, we have a ton to do anyways.

[13:30] So, it's not like we're sitting around um waiting for people to come in. We're

[13:35] getting all the supplies ready, the rosters ready. Uh we're busy on that

[13:39] day. Um so, that day is necessary regardless. But

[13:46] » good one more comment if you don't mind, Mr. Chair. Ashley again runs a

[13:51] spectacular election. Um I don't know if you're tracking it online with the

[13:55] Secretary of State uh during during the actual election. Again this year, Ashley

[14:00] uh during this past election, she was the first one reported 100% to the state

[14:04] um by a margin. She's she's got it wrapped up. She's got her staff working

[14:09] really really well uh efficiently. Um so just wanted to to recognize actually for

[14:14] all the work she puts in. I mean the election is a multi-month event. It's

[14:18] not a one day event. Um, and she does an absolutely phenomenal job running that

[14:22] election. So, and we appreciate that. >> Thank you. I have a It takes a lot of

[14:27] people. You're ever here on election night. And everyone's always welcome.

[14:31] Um, it is it gets to be kind of crazy, but this is a new um spreadsheet that I

[14:37] did this year. I'm wanting to kind of basically track more so the the people

[14:45] coming to the courthouse to vote on election day. Um we're seeing a trend in

[14:49] mail ballots where people don't want to use their mail ballot. They want to vote

[14:52] in person, which is totally fine. They have that option. I just want to make

[14:56] sure that we don't get to a point where we have like one township, none of them

[15:00] are using their mail ballot and they're all coming here and that's going to bog

[15:04] down the mail ballot polling place where maybe then we have to have a

[15:09] conversation with that township or city and say, "Hey, it seems like your voters

[15:13] really want to vote in person. Maybe we need to look at open up a polling place

[15:16] for them." So, I'm just that's what the purpose behind this is to just kind of

[15:20] track what that that foot traffic is because we've seen an uptick in people

[15:25] coming to vote in person on election day um in the mail ballot precinct. So,

[15:30] again, that's something we staff here as the county um in this room. So, and then

[15:37] with the early voting, I kind of wanted to track that too. Uh we only had 26

[15:40] people utilize that for the primary. Um it'll be interesting to see if anyone

[15:45] else um decides or if those numbers trend up for the general election. So

[15:53] » that's a cool report. >> Yeah, it's just kind of fun to see how

[15:56] people are are voting. >> Your numbers even matched your other

[15:59] report. So >> good, right? [laughter]

[16:17] All right. Um, I received, well, first I received this letter from

[16:22] Louiswis and Clark requesting um, a property tax abatement for two of their

[16:26] parcels. Um, this stems back to an email I received on July 6 from the Department

[16:32] of Revenue. So, for some reason in like 2018, 2019, um the state of Minnesota

[16:38] decided that they were going to tax the Louiswis and Clark um

[16:44] basically like water lines um as state assessed property. Um I Lewis and Clark

[16:51] didn't agree with that back in 2018 2019. So, there was kind of a a battle

[16:54] between them and the state, but they never like formally filed anything in

[16:58] tax court or went that route. Um, now the state is saying we were wrong.

[17:05] Um, and they should be taxexempt. So then they sent us this email saying,

[17:10] "Hey, this is what we came up with. Um, we anticipate that the company will be

[17:14] reaching out to the counties." So we did get Lewis and uh correspondence from

[17:19] Louiswis and Clark. So did Nobles County. Um, I've worked closely with

[17:22] their auditor treasurer. I know Jeff has talked to their attorney as well to kind

[17:25] of make sure we're on the same page here. Um, our policy follows statute

[17:30] that we can abate the current year plus two years previous. Um, so I well Rachel

[17:37] and I had them complete forms for 2024, 2025, and 2026 for each of their

[17:41] parcels. Um, in the letter they state that they're discussing with their

[17:46] attorney whether they have any legal avenues to pursue the remaining years.

[17:51] Um, had they gone to tax court, I believe I'm they would have been able to

[17:56] get everything back. Um, I'm not sure we have by statute any other basis to go

[18:02] back further than the current year plus two years because that's our policy and

[18:07] that's all that statute allows

[18:10] » and they're they're too late to go back to to go to tax court now.

[18:14] » Yes. Yep. Also, >> they would have had by April in order to

[18:17] do that. >> Yep.

[18:19] » So, I Mr. Chair, I I think it's important to stress how this happened.

[18:24] This this wasn't a local assessor decision. Uh there's certain properties

[18:28] out there that the state themselves take over and assess the value on power lines

[18:34] and and uh different distribution type systems

[18:38] including water. So they as the state took a look at this and made the

[18:42] determination that it it should pay tax. And again, as Ashley said, Louiswis and

[18:48] Clark had the opportunity from day one to say, "Hey, this is wrong." And and

[18:52] get a ruling and then take it to tax court and they opted not to. Um, and now

[18:56] they've the state, as she said, rightfully is is agreeing that Lucen

[19:00] Clark shouldn't pay tax. So, I I just as we have to pay this money back, if you

[19:06] will, just recognize that this was what the state had done. Um, and it's very

[19:11] similar to what happened in northern Minnesota on a much greater scale in

[19:14] northern Minnesota with gas distribution lines where they were abatements were

[19:18] multi-million dollars in very small counties. So, it's it's frustrating uh

[19:23] that it was a state mistake and yet it's a very large local impact.

[19:31] » Is there any way they have to pay it and not us?

[19:34] » When they had when we went through the the gas line stuff, they had to get

[19:37] legislative relief. They had to go through that process and I don't know if

[19:41] they were actually fully successful in getting that.

[19:44] » That was big. That was a lot of money. Yeah, that was big money.

[19:48] » So, Jeeoff, we really don't have a choice. They're going to go back two

[19:51] years. >> Well, I mean, your it's your abatement

[19:56] policy allows the two years. There's no choice to go back farther than that. Um,

[20:01] » does everybody's abatement go back two years?

[20:03] » Well, that's the same as the statute. the two the two counties impacted by

[20:08] this decision are Rock and mobile because that's where they have

[20:10] distribution lines. >> Um I I I I don't think there's any

[20:17] avenue to pursue any years in addition to these.

[20:30] » There's certainly no authority for the board to do anything other than these.

[20:33] How long had Lewis and Clark been pursuing this?

[20:37] » Uh, well, it started in 2018. >> Okay.

[20:40] » Um, so had they like when it first when they first came on the tax roles, had

[20:44] they filed tax court that year, um, then they could have gotten that ruling and

[20:49] then gotten all of their money back. Um but when you don't Yeah. It's just like

[20:56] uh like me if I was going to argue mine I have to come to that board of

[21:01] equalization meeting like tax court's their way of doing that process. herself

[21:20] was the action then and the amount.

[21:25] So the the total amount for that first the 03501

[21:29] um is 29,246 and then for the parcel 06505 it's 48,94

[21:39] » you just need a motion and approve the >> yeah you want one time or

[21:44] » you can yes you can just do them all at once

[21:49] which because each individually >> y right here I had it in summary form

[22:00] that you are on.

[22:12] » Okay. Entertain a motion to approve or disapprove.

[22:17] Mr. I'll make a motion to approve the uh tax abatements

[22:23] that were presented for to listen for Luc and Clark.

[22:31] » I will second that.

[22:40] It's been moved and second to

[22:44] approve the abatement to Lewis and Clark.

[22:49] Any other questions? We pulling this out of the general

[22:53] account. Um, so we'll pay it out of the tax fund

[22:57] and then, um, when we do distribution for second half, it will be subtracted

[23:03] off of like ours, the cities, townships, school districts, and the states also.

[23:08] Uh, it will be a reduction in the amount we pay out to them.

[23:12] » Okay. >> So,

[23:13] » yeah, our our share is not the the 70s. We have a very we actually have a very

[23:18] small share of that. >> Right.

[23:21] » Okay. Any other questions? All in favor signify by saying I

[23:26] » opposed.

[23:29] » Sure. I did have one other question with that. Do we let the other entities know

[23:33] then Ashley that they're going to have that reduction or

[23:35] » uh Yeah, normally for larger ones I reach out to them. Um for school

[23:39] districts, I have to um Okay. >> So I'll let those townships know.

[23:43] » The city is aware of this already. >> Are they?

[23:46] » Yeah. And we had our same town leasing there discussing this.

[23:50] » Sure. >> Yeah. Good. Good.

[23:53] » All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank your staff for us too.

[23:56] » I will do that. Thank you,

[24:02] » Kell. >> Good morning.

[24:04] » Morning. Morning.

[24:12] » I'm here with a travel request. Next month, this September 16th through

[24:19] the 19th is my annual rural and small libraries conference in Montgomery,

[24:25] Alabama. So, I was looking for permission to attend that.

[24:30] It's um it's something I've gone to for the last I think seven years now and it

[24:37] I should have led with this. It's 100% paid for. So, I've got a scholarship to

[24:41] go. So, it won't cost the county anything except for I'll be out of the

[24:46] office for that time. So, I've gotten a scholarship from Prairie Lands to go to

[24:50] that. And uh I've presented at this conference before. It's a great

[24:55] conference. It is like the title says, it is just for rural and small

[24:59] libraries. So, I it is really great educational experience. I get to meet

[25:07] people from all over the country, from libraries, similar sizes, similar staff,

[25:13] uh similar staffing. Um it's it's a really great experience. So, uh if you

[25:18] [clears throat] would be willing to give me permission to attend that, that would

[25:22] be wonderful. I'm glad to answer any questions about it.

[25:26] » Prairie Land is a good partnering for Yeah.

[25:31] » So, yeah, I think it's a good deal. I'll make that motion.

[25:35] to approve the out ofstate travel.

[25:41] » I'll second move and second to allow

[25:46] Cal for the out of state travel to where? Georgia,

[25:49] » Alabama. >> Alabama.

[25:51] » Yep. >> Any other questions? All in favor

[25:54] signify by saying I. >> Opposed.

[25:58] Kyle, we will wait for Ryan if you want to go toformational.

[26:02] » Sure you can. >> Does that work? Thanks, Kelly.

[26:04] » Thank you. >> When was that exactly?

[26:07] » September 16th through the 19th. >> Alabama.

[26:12] » Yeah, it could be fun. >> Thank you.

[26:16] » Association. >> Uh versus

[26:22] now, this one for us coming up >> is association counties. Uh I believe

[26:27] Commissioner Rice has gone to this one a couple times and it was in Alexandria.

[26:31] Now they've moved it to Baiji. Um, so this is a prime example why it got

[26:36] moved. Uh, what when you don't take care of a facility.

[26:40] Oh, I heard it wasn't very good. Railro had turned into an absolute uh

[26:45] disappointment as far as upkeeping their facilities. That's I'm

[26:51] sure that's 100% why I got moved. So they at our last conference they they

[26:56] they're concerned. Bumiji is a long way from the southern part of the state. So

[26:59] they're concerned about attendance, but um if anyone would like to attend

[27:04] certainly it would be nice to have representation up there. This is the

[27:07] platform development going into the legislative session next year. So I I

[27:13] had planned on going and then I sent this in Miji and then I'm not going to

[27:16] go. So

[27:20] » I just got a scheduling conflict. So >> and you can certainly talk with me after

[27:26] the meeting if anybody wants to. What what's good about it what's good about

[27:30] the meeting though it's it's it's a working meeting and so and what

[27:33] committee like on my general government uh there's a lot of a lot of time spent

[27:38] hashing over state like for general government um

[27:45] anything that's important in the in the various counties that are that should be

[27:49] brought up to a platform and that's discussed whether it goes up to you know

[27:53] presented at the the the meeting December to be on the legislative, you

[27:59] know, radar and things to fight for. So, it's it's a great meeting. Uh I I've

[28:06] actually enjoyed the uh sausage making, so to speak, because there's a lot of a

[28:10] lot of debate that goes back and forth and a lot it's it's a good time to

[28:13] listen to the arguments and why something's important to one part of the

[28:16] state or not. So,

[28:21] » but Biji, for Pete's sake, Biji's a long way.

[28:25] make it say cloud at least

[28:34] southwest Minnesota no and of course Murray do any of them throw some

[28:40] feedback to them like hey wait a minute this is too far

[28:43] » I think Jean is still on the AMC state board so it' be good to to let Jean know

[28:48] that something a little more centrally located but I think draw a better crowd

[28:53] » would you do that work. Absolutely. >> You think we should do that, guys? Let

[28:57] him know that. Let Jean know that.

[29:05] » How long did you take to give up a movie?

[29:08] » Got to be five. Five and a half. >> Five and a half at least.

[29:11] » It's about six. [clears throat] >> Someone would know. Someone

[29:17] » you want to represent us at the meeting. [laughter]

[29:21] » It's a beautiful place to go visit. I'm glad it's not the dead of winter.

[29:27] » Yeah, >> leaves would be changing. Cool drive.

[29:33] Building projects updates. Uh we're wrapping up pretty much everything that

[29:38] was was still going on. We've got a little bit left out at the armory. Uh

[29:42] fencing in the back. Yesterday they planted the the grass seat in the front.

[29:46] They still had the rail on the ramp to do. and they're still having a struggle

[29:49] with the uh uh the push button entry to the armory. It's uh the cylinder for

[29:57] disability disability challenges. So, they're they're struggling getting the

[30:01] cylinders replaced down there for entry. Um but other than that, this building

[30:06] they the balancers are in. They're the ones that are figuring out the HVAC.

[30:10] HVAC's all been installed and finished, but the balancers come in as the

[30:12] finishing touch to make sure that the systems are are married up tight with

[30:17] the uh [clears throat] thermostats and stuff like that. So,

[30:20] it's it's coming together. I I know the sheriff's had some challenges. He's had

[30:24] he's here if he wants to talk about with the HVAC out in their building. I think

[30:28] we could see some bigger bigger expenses out there right now with

[30:33] different compressors and and issues. That building is 20 years old and we're

[30:37] starting to see some things out there wear out as well. So that's um we have

[30:41] uh resources in the capital fund to to fix those. I'm I'm not talking hundreds

[30:46] of thousands of dollars out there, but it's still going to be a a cost to get

[30:50] get some things fixed out at law enforcement building. Other than that,

[30:54] buildings are plugging along pretty good.

[30:57] » Have they solved the problem with the HVAC in the meeting room?

[31:01] [clears throat] >> I think so. They had to have same same

[31:04] type of thing. had the balancers come in at the end of the project to try marry

[31:08] up the Hback to the thermostats and make sure I you'll you'll see few later on

[31:13] the agenda. We're actually going to move down there for a couple meetings in

[31:16] October because they're going to use this room for the election stuff. So

[31:20] we'll have a chance to to hang out in there for a little bit.

[31:24] Um appoint Commissioner Peterson alternate to Southwest Health Service.

[31:28] Commissioner Overgard is in uh he's gone for tomorrow's meeting. Commissioner

[31:33] Rich is going, but because they're setting their budget, we're actually

[31:36] mentioning our lay person representative as well. So, if Commissioner Peterson

[31:40] has expressed an interest in going, so then we would at least have two votes at

[31:43] the table tomorrow for Rock County. >> Okay, that'd be good.

[31:49] » So, that would be if you want to do it by [clears throat] the chair or

[31:53] » order the chair. Okay.

[32:00] uh drone disaster. There's not a lot to talk about on this. We did put this out

[32:05] on our Facebook page. I know that the headline says for Iowa businesses and

[32:09] private notes, I get it. Um but Minnesota counties, nobles, and rock are

[32:13] eligible. This actually stems back to that very short period of time we were

[32:17] in drop monitor three. Uh so SBA is a small business administration and you

[32:22] can see the details down here. They can do loans. Um interest rates are 4% for

[32:27] small businesses, 3.65 and up to 30 years. Uh the process to apply is is

[32:34] also disclosed there. But I the more we can get the word out if you have to be

[32:38] somehow impacted uh by the drought, but you can certainly uh you can certainly

[32:43] see how that would be in this area based community that we are. So uh that's

[32:51] for information purposes only. Okay. And now would be a good time to switch

[32:57] to Ryan if you wouldn't mind, Mr. Chair. >> Okay, Ryan, did you get an air? Okay.

[33:10] » Good morning everyone. >> Morning.

[33:15] So, uh, I am asking for permission for out of state travel to attend the, uh,

[33:21] national railwater conference in Phoenix, September 14th through the

[33:24] 16th. Um, I would actually fly out on the 10th and fly back the 17th because

[33:30] there is national meetings the 11th and the 12th, I believe. So, and that's all

[33:37] paid for by National Real Water.

[33:44] I'll make a motion to approve. >> I will second that.

[33:48] » We moved and second to allow Ryan to attend Row Water.

[33:52] » What town? >> Phoenix.

[33:54] » All in Phoenix. All in favor signify by saying I

[34:00] » should just be getting down to mid 90s though.

[34:02] » Nice time to fally get down to about mid 90s in September or so. That's my uncle

[34:07] has a house there and he was telling me it's pretty pretty miserable there in

[34:10] September. >> Oh, really?

[34:13] » Want to give an update on the water tower project?

[34:16] » Yeah. Uh, sure. So, the um I think I was uh in front of the board

[34:23] a couple of meetings ago. We did get our uh EPA funding through uh to finance the

[34:30] gap in the tower. Right now, um all of the site piping is done. The base for

[34:36] the new water tower is done. The generator base is done. Um, so if you

[34:43] drive by, it doesn't look like much. Right now, it looks like a couple pieces

[34:45] of cement sticking out of the ground. Uh, they're hoping in September or

[34:48] October is when they're actually start steel construction. Um, Magguire Iron is

[34:53] the one that uh got low bid on this tower, which is, you know, right when

[34:57] you're coming into Sou Falls on 90 on the right hand side. You can see they

[35:00] got them big prefab pieces. So, they do not completely build them on site

[35:04] anymore. They prefab a lot of it, truck it out, weld it all together there. And

[35:09] they're hoping to put the um

[35:14] the mechanical part of the tower together over the winter and then

[35:17] they'll have the summer for coatings because coatings are very specific with

[35:22] temperature and and humidity and wind and all that stuff. So I think

[35:27] substantial completion is I'd have to double check, but I believe it's like

[35:30] September 15th of 2027. So, and I think final was late October somewhere in

[35:37] there. So, so we should we all know how these projects go. As of

[35:42] right now, Rock County Ro Water will spend zero on this tower.

[35:47] » But we don't have a tower yet, so we'll see change orders and things like that.

[35:51] We'll we'll see how it goes. >> Takes patience on something like this.

[35:55] You just say, "Come on, let's go. Let's get this done." And

[35:58] » yeah, >> don't happen. There's supposed to be

[36:00] contingencies built in already, but we'll see. So, so yeah, that's going

[36:06] well. And the drought is definitely affecting us. We've had really high

[36:10] demands. Um the wall level levels, >> [snorts]

[36:13] » uh the statics in our wells have continued to to drop. So hopefully we

[36:18] start getting rain soon or we have snow this winter, one or the other, because

[36:22] it's been a drought for a couple of years for, you know, for the system

[36:25] really. >> What was your highest day back when it

[36:27] was hot? 1.4 4 million. >> Yep. July 28th was our peak day so far.

[36:32] And I would assume we're through the peak.

[36:34] » Yeah. >> You know, that was the time um um you

[36:37] know, it was really hot, really humid. I think there was farmers out spraying.

[36:41] That was our peak day. So, >> takes a lot of electricity to pump 1.4

[36:47] million. >> It does. It does.

[36:50] » You can see as of as of the 11th, we're at 97.32% of the county is D2 to D4.

[36:57] um which is kind of that light or brownish color. Uh right now

[37:03] there aren't any counties in D3. Um but if you go back you can see that

[37:08] we hit D3 right there about June. So that's why we're eligible

[37:14] for certain programs now. D3 is a big trigger for uh for different

[37:20] programs.

[37:27] So with that grant, the SBA loan, is there any need or uh that you would need

[37:34] to apply for that? >> Uh this is the first I've heard about it

[37:38] to be honest with you. >> Um when when Ryan pursues dollars, you

[37:44] know, through uh different funding sources, we would pay less than the 3.65

[37:51] 65 for pretty much any money that he's gonna get through the state or federal

[37:55] government. [clears throat]

[37:57] » I think our large loan that we have for the Northern expansion is at roughly 2%.

[38:03] The last one we just took for a land acquisition for Wallhead Protection, I

[38:08] believe we're at one or one and a half. I'd have to double check on that. So,

[38:12] the rates that we can get as a public water supplier are really low through

[38:18] government programs.

[38:22] Okay. >> Okay.

[38:23] » Thank you. >> Y

[38:25] » Brian, did you say yes to that national convention or national board that we

[38:30] asked you to be on? >> I did.

[38:32] » That's why I'm going. Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah, that's early and Yeah. Okay.

[38:36] » Yeah. We'll see how it goes. >> Good. Good luck.

[38:39] » Thank you. >> Um couple more things before we take a

[38:44] quick break. Sure. Um, Commissioner Rich and Susan and I sat in with the city of

[38:49] Leverne folks regarding the uh discussing health insurance. Um, and

[38:55] this [snorts] Mariagner

[38:58] » Mari Wagner is is an agent uh that would work with us on on helping us find a

[39:05] more competitive health insurance as well as other benefits.

[39:09] uh first step would be to engage her through a through a letter so she can

[39:15] speak on our behalf. Um there is a cost if we get farther down the road and I

[39:19] think it's you need to be aware of that that the fee that she charges $25,000

[39:25] for our size of group to be the agent. I think that was the number she disclosed.

[39:29] » Yeah, that's how she gets paid. Yeah. >> Now understand that she doesn't say it

[39:34] the way the industry says it but agent record letter. you're we're firing our

[39:37] current broker. That's what that means. She's not Some agents will try to say,

[39:43] "Well, sign this. I can help represent you." Not knowing that you're actually

[39:47] firing your current relationship. As long as everybody understands that,

[39:52] she will be our appointed agent broker. >> You want to weigh in on me?

[39:58] » Uh, she'll be our if if we go that route. Correct.

[40:04] » An agent or maybe get clarification from her to understand. But typically what

[40:11] they'll do is, "Hey, you got a homeowner's insurance and I'm with

[40:15] another company." And I go, "Hey, Susan, you know, if you just sign this, I I can

[40:19] represent you." What they're not telling me is on agent

[40:23] of records, you're actually firing your current agent. They no longer the new

[40:27] agent has the representation of you, not the old agent. So I want to I I meant to

[40:33] say it the other day in that meeting >> that was not that wasn't that was not

[40:39] » I think I think before we take action on that we need clarification on that that

[40:45] is this going to jeopardize any of our current relationships that we have with

[40:49] the current broker >> and I didn't right uh I didn't get that

[40:55] understanding that it that it would otherwise either way she doesn't need

[41:01] I think this I thought my impression of this letter is just saying she is

[41:06] requesting our data from these other brokers to see if they can she can RFP

[41:12] it and get us a better deal. >> But I think there clarification on that

[41:17] because that's >> all right.

[41:19] » Let's let's hold off two weeks on this. I'm Mr.

[41:23] » We should be getting our current health insurance and and for one thing

[41:28] » it's my understanding we were just looking we're our focus was on the group

[41:32] medical not our ancillary benefits >> but

[41:36] » and I know they would want to package it all together

[41:39] » if it makes sense >> if if it makes sense but um

[41:44] uh she want the the the fee she was proposing because they want she wants to

[41:49] do Not only the things but they

[41:53] yeah her involvement would be way more at a higher level than what we're doing.

[41:59] » Yeah. There's more value as services that that she's that she presented to us

[42:03] to hopefully >> which she would be we would be paying

[42:06] for. >> Yeah. And then long-term thinking, uh,

[42:09] retirements do happen and so this might be an opportunity to,

[42:17] uh, rely on some other folks for some level of expertise that maybe

[42:23] we are currently taking care of internally too. So,

[42:27] uh, if I could just add a little discussion on this. Um, so when we did

[42:32] union negotiations, um,

[42:37] I don't know how many years now. And when you meet with the employees and

[42:41] stuff, our our health insurance is unaffordable. Okay. Uh, we're we're good

[42:46] and we basically pay the premiums for a single person off of. And if you're a

[42:51] family though and you're trying to get health insurance, it's cost prohibitive.

[42:55] uh and it we're no different though than a lot of other private employers and

[42:58] other entities. It's just very expensive.

[43:04] So then it one of the promises I made and we made as a as the uh personnel

[43:10] community was that we would do a do our due diligence to really try to find

[43:14] other opportunities to look at good good healthc care coverage out of

[43:21] more affordable means. Whether that means partnering up with the city of

[43:24] Lever or other buying groups to try to get our numbers big enough because what

[43:29] happens is in the health insurance market,

[43:32] you know, they they take a they look at your group and depending on

[43:38] the age of the group. I hate to say it, but there there is discrimination based

[43:43] on the age because typically uh the older we get, the more health

[43:47] care concerns we do have. Uh and that's all taken taken well

[43:55] when you got such low turnover in an organization. So you're we're grateful

[43:59] to have uh employees that stay with us for a very long time and their whole

[44:04] career. Well, you're not necessarily getting a new younger uh buying group in

[44:11] there. So it it it's it's uh it's problematic to to find affordable

[44:18] healthcare insurance. So and that's why we started having this discussion. I

[44:22] thought it was a great meeting, something to think about.

[44:26] I'm going to rely heavily on Susan for her years of experience and dealing with

[44:30] all this. So, um, wow. The the information that we

[44:37] saw, the comparisons, our rates were our health insurance rate were very similar,

[44:42] » right, >> to what the city had. It's just that

[44:45] it's how we what we're giving the employee,

[44:48] » right? >> You know,

[44:51] » you know, they're they're single they're single elections. They're paying the

[44:56] same premium dollar, but they're choosing to uh use a different formula

[45:01] and how they uh how the employee pays for it. As he said, single coverage for

[45:07] our employees is that's and our definition of the benefit will pay for

[45:12] single healthc care coverage for this 100%. So our our employees that have

[45:17] like a single coverage pay zero whereas uh with the city um they do have a cost.

[45:25] they pay a percentage of that cost as they do pay a percentage. It's based on

[45:29] a percentage of what that premium is. So they are paying more uh the families are

[45:36] paying less because the singles are paying more are also paying as well. So

[45:43] it's just a different formula who's paying the premium,

[45:46] » right? And I'm glad we had the meeting because uh often, you know, we get in

[45:51] our own silos as far as city, county, townships, state, you know, we don't

[45:57] reach out to our partners. And the discussion we gather a lot of good data

[46:02] there from how the city uh runs their benefits uh for their employees to make

[46:07] sure that, >> you know, are we are we in line? are we

[46:10] offering or is there an opportunity to pull together and and uh get more for

[46:16] less? So, um we agreed to um have some timelines going forward. It's

[46:23] too it's too fast this year because we're coming up in November for our open

[46:27] enrollment, but we didn't want it to uh fall by the wayside. So, we do have some

[46:32] hard dates on the calendar to to uh have discussions going forth in 2027. So,

[46:40] I said, "Let's just check on that. We'll get clarification on this and bring it

[46:43] back at the next meeting if that's I'm hoping I'm wrong."

[46:48] » Thanks for the description because I was wondering why didn't we meet with the

[46:50] city and Yeah. makes sense. >> Well, I think the whole task I think is

[46:56] just to form some sort of a I mean they were using term a JPA.

[47:03] » But we do have >> to do a initiative or for benefits. Mhm.

[47:09] » And we do get some comments from our employees about, you know, why can't we

[47:12] do something more family? >> Yeah.

[47:16] » Sure. >> Well, because you want you want to

[47:19] attract families, >> you know, and it feeds our community, it

[47:24] feeds our school systems, everything. It feeds everything. So, I mean, you you

[47:27] want to promote that, but yet we don't want to lose

[47:31] » young talented workers to the private industry because they do provide a

[47:35] better healthare plan. So,

[47:43] Okay, Kyle, you want to finish up? >> I I would like to do 86 and then we'll

[47:46] take a quick break. How's that sound, Mr. Chair?

[47:48] » That sounds good. >> So, just note 86 for the public and for

[47:52] the county board. We are moving on October 20th, which is two weeks prior

[47:57] general election, and November 3rd, which is the actual general election

[48:00] day. Yes, we can meet on general election day as long as we're adjourned

[48:04] before 7 p.m. which for this board should not be a problem. [laughter]

[48:11] So, so, so on those two, so on those two days, we will be down at the um on

[48:17] Freeman Street Guild Armory just so you can put it in your calendars and know

[48:20] that we'll be moving down there. >> It's a nice meeting room.

[48:23] » It is. It's very nice. Yeah. >> And then if we'll save the budget until

[48:28] the end of the meeting if that's okay, Mr. Chair. works. Okay.

[48:34] Okay. We'll take a short break.

[48:38] Okay. 10:00. Uh Allan, you can uh discuss what you got with you today.

[48:48] All right.

[49:00] Hi, County Board. So, I'm back. I don't know if you guys uh do

[49:07] you guys all read my email that I sent you leading up to this. Yeah. Okay. All

[49:11] right. I know Commissioner Peterson's new, but um a couple months ago um I was

[49:18] in the process of working with the county board on the most optimal

[49:21] solution for automating the recording or the streaming of the county board

[49:27] meetings. And um

[49:33] I was kind of going through a little bit of a pretty strong burnout on my end. I

[49:37] was coming in twice a month for about 6 hours including uh setting up equipment,

[49:43] tearing down equipment, doing the post processing and editing of things

[49:47] um and balancing all my other projects at the same time. So what I was really

[49:52] pushing for was some sort of automated um way of of providing the um the

[49:59] community with the recorded asset of the county board meetings.

[50:04] And this is uh actually this is Dion's meeting owl 3 and uh another friend of

[50:11] mine Amos KDson who is very uh technologically savvy who lives in

[50:15] Hills. He also recommended this meeting owl 3 and um this I'm requesting the

[50:22] county to uh explore the purchasing of this piece of technology. It's a it's

[50:27] it's $1,100 for the piece of technology. Um, and it is simply plugged into a

[50:35] computer through USBC. Most likely we could uh plug it into what do you know

[50:42] what the exact PC system is that's powering that? No,

[50:46] » it's underneath the counter. >> It's underneath that. Okay.

[50:49] So, but it [clears throat] is its own PC block. That's right. So, that PC will

[50:54] almost certainly have a USBC connector or if I need to get an adapter, I can.

[51:00] At that point, all we do is we just uh we just have a little line that's

[51:05] running up till right here. And the power is obviously right under the

[51:10] table. Um and then we just have Kyle uh or Susan, one of you two most likely to

[51:17] just be on logged into the Rock County uh YouTube channel. Then you just type

[51:22] in county board meeting uh August 18th, 2026 and you click stream using this as

[51:30] the microphone and this as the video camera. And then what this looks like is

[51:38] let me pull it up for you to see.

[51:44] So,

[51:48] so do you see how it's doing this? Uh, it has a panoramic view at the top. Can

[51:54] you guys see that? Okay. Okay. It Oh, did I go the opposite direction? Oh, I

[51:59] did. Okay. I'm brightness. There we go. So, that's the panoramic view at the

[52:03] top. Then, anytime that someone starts speaking, so for example, if I

[52:09] would one of you start [snorts] Good morning.

[52:14] » You guys saw that, right? So, the AI system immediately detected that Mr.

[52:19] Pearson was speaking and boom, we have whoever is going to be speaking and

[52:24] he'll turn off after, you know, 10 seconds of inactivity, the it'll

[52:29] discontinue uh streaming him directly. So then if multiple people are talking

[52:36] at once, it will pull up all three or four of their faces individually if

[52:41] there's three or four people here and there people there discussing. So

[52:46] it's a really nifty um step towards automation. Um, so again, rather than

[52:53] creating another tax burden on the county of having another staffer or

[52:58] another employee that needs to do all of this stuff, instead we can get it all

[53:03] the way to this point of automation. We don't create that extra tax burden. All

[53:07] we do is we just buy the one-time piece of technology and then we just click

[53:12] stream uh at the beginning of the county board meetings and then that asset gets

[53:17] to live on um permanently for people to use for transcripts or for community

[53:22] engagement or for holding accountability, [clears throat]

[53:24] holding transparency, things like that. Um

[53:29] all right. Uh any thoughts? Um, any questions also?

[53:39] Oh, and also before that I say also the Star Herald has also been interested in

[53:45] some sort of of a of a of a recording or a streaming of the county board meetings

[53:52] as well um to be a permanent asset ongoingly. So, I do see this as a a good

[54:00] opportunity for multiple people's wishes or desires to be fulfilled, including

[54:05] residents and business owners to be able to tune into specific aspects that they

[54:09] may not have seen and that they want to see deeper engagement of than just the

[54:13] meeting minutes themselves. Um, all right, go ahead and fire away.

[54:25] Well, this is involves money, so we'll have to go through budget. Uh, we could

[54:30] probably u bring this up again with a full board

[54:34] here. We're missing one commissioner today. So, that's probably what'll

[54:38] happen. What I'm thinking anyhow, what are you guys thinking? Wait to see.

[54:44] » Yeah. >> Did you say 11, excuse me,

[54:48] [clears throat] $1,100? >> Yes, it is $1,100. Yeah. It's called the

[54:52] meeting owl 3 if you want to look it up. >> Would it [clears throat]

[54:58] in your conversations with the stars would they be interested in actually

[55:02] hosting the YouTube channel and owning the data? I I still have a a little bit

[55:06] of a concern about how we do data storage and retention and records, that

[55:10] kind of stuff with >> Well, at minimum, um YouTube is its own

[55:18] um form of store of the information, the data, you know, if you have to have

[55:23] another private uh copy on top of that. Um, I think I did the math and you only

[55:29] need a a two terbte hard drive for I think a year of recording, which is

[55:34] $100, something like that. Um, do we need another digital copy that's stored

[55:40] uh on top of the YouTube stream? I'm not >> sure. Other people are setting up their

[55:47] data on those types of things. Obviously, people stream meetings. It's

[55:51] it's but it's something we'd have to just look at. I don't

[55:56] I don't I don't know that it I mean it's it's on the channel. It's just a

[56:03] question I suppose of when it gets deleted off the channel. That would be

[56:07] because that could be I think could be your data.

[56:12] But you have to have something in your pioneer records retention policy saying

[56:16] how long the meetings are going to be on there.

[56:21] The other thing we'll have to discuss with Jeff too is I don't know if we can

[56:25] I don't have a clue if we can allow county employee or the commissioner to

[56:29] touch any of this equipment. >> But I think what he's proposing is that

[56:34] you own it. >> You own it. Yeah.

[56:37] » Yeah. So this would be Rock County owned equipment. It would literally sit on

[56:41] this table in perpetuity and then it would be connected permanently in

[56:46] perpetuity and we would just click stream at the beginning of every board

[56:50] meeting. >> Are there any state statutes that

[56:53] require you have to broadcast? We can we can allow broadcast anybody can

[56:57] broadcast but there's no uh requirement of the board to broadcast

[57:03] the meetings. Correct. >> No.

[57:06] » Yeah. It's I mean Yeah.

[57:10] I mean my personal perspective on it is is that I think America in general, the

[57:17] world in general as well as uh state governments, county governments, city

[57:22] governments in general are moving towards complete and utter transparency.

[57:27] » I have no problem with transparency. >> Yeah,

[57:29] » I have zero problem with that. I just want to know what stat what state

[57:32] statute requires me to do. >> So,

[57:35] » right. Right. >> Under the fourth amendment or

[57:37] » Well, just just or whatever. So, I have no no problem

[57:42] with transparency. So, >> yeah. And

[57:46] right now, to my understanding, it's not that state law mandates that meetings

[57:53] are uh recorded and broadcasted to the public, but it is highly encouraged for

[58:00] transparency and for accountability, for there to be um if you do have the means

[58:06] to do so. and there is the community interest in doing it. Um it ends up

[58:13] serving as an extremely valuable asset. >> Sure.

[58:16] » Yeah. >> We'll take another um

[58:21] » so what's so what's the plan then with the do I have to come back and do this

[58:26] again to when the um commissioner Overgard's present as well?

[58:31] » Don't know. I think we we have a couple questions we

[58:35] need to get answered and certainly we'll report back to the county board on

[58:38] those. >> I don't you're welcome to come back and

[58:41] do it again, but uh I think we can just bring it to have a discussion at the

[58:45] next meeting if if you want to purchase the owl uh all three. Is that right?

[58:50] » Yep. Meeting all three >> and to uh put it on YouTube. So

[58:55] » Okay. Pretty pretty easy. So, so then um you you will have it on the agenda for

[59:01] the next meeting to discuss whether you want to purchase it. Is that the plan?

[59:08] » Actually, before the first of the year, [laughter]

[59:11] » well, do we need to do it during budgets? Look at all that. I think we

[59:16] have some questions. Could probably get those answered before then, but

[59:20] » yeah, >> I don't think it's

[59:23] anything we need to decide right now. takes a while to run run everything

[59:26] through the budget, get it in and approve the budget.

[59:32] » So, can you explain to me the two different pathways? Because I had

[59:35] emailed you guys about this before as well, saying that if there was a a

[59:39] private donation or a private grant that we could find for the um $1,100 piece of

[59:45] technology that would then be owned by Rock County. So then that would not have

[59:50] to go through this budgetary process. Um, can you explain to me those two

[59:54] deferring paths? >> County can accept donations uh at any

[59:58] time. That's not a problem. I I'm I'm probably more hung up on the on the data

[1:00:03] piece of it. For me, I we get and and Mark is here now, too. We get probably

[1:00:09] five to 10 data requests a week. and and if I need to go through a a two-hour

[1:00:16] board meeting to to pull out a fivem minute excerpt to send to somebody, that

[1:00:21] that's a concern for me. So, >> and I showed you the uh ask feature,

[1:00:25] » but but I still would have to do that and then send them the video piece to

[1:00:30] that data request. So, I I'm just I've got to get comfortable with how that

[1:00:34] process works. You mean if someone explicitly asked you for the timestamp

[1:00:38] segment where X happened during the board meeting?

[1:00:42] » Most of the requests we get right now are for board action items. Um, and Mark

[1:00:47] has paper copies and then we send the paper copies um to the [clears throat]

[1:00:52] person making the request. Um, and and we have the same concerns with with uh

[1:00:57] Matt going forward. You know, one of the things that the sheriff is going to

[1:01:00] propose and we're going to see our body cams is how do we pull pieces out of

[1:01:05] much larger videos to make sure that we're we're sending. Now, obviously,

[1:01:09] it's public meeting. Any anything we say here is public. That's not it's not

[1:01:14] exactly the same, but we still have to have the ability to pull those excerpts

[1:01:17] if that's the request that I'm going to request.

[1:01:20] » Okay. >> And I just need to do some research on

[1:01:23] it. So

[1:01:25] » unless I send them the link to the whole meeting themselves.

[1:01:28] » You don't have to create data for someone. I would just send them the

[1:01:31] whole meeting. They can look at it themselves.

[1:01:34] » Yeah. And and that's why, you know, when I was here and I was proposing doing it

[1:01:39] myself and doing it myself, it was pretty, you know, there were no, you

[1:01:46] know, no questions, no search, just, you know, oh, it's getting done. Great.

[1:01:49] Fantastic. It's getting done. Um, you know, and that's why I wanted to take

[1:01:55] that, you know, that 6 hour, every two week, and maybe even seven or eight hour

[1:02:00] depending on how much post-processing there is for things every two week

[1:02:03] investment and try to streamline or automated as much as I could. So, I

[1:02:08] wasn't the one that was responsible for it. um where there was the setup of the

[1:02:15] equipment, the tear down of the equipment, the it's just it itself is

[1:02:18] just it's a non-efficient use of human resources and that's also why I did not

[1:02:23] want to come in and also say that oh we now need another you know temporary hire

[1:02:28] on the taxpayers's dime for doing it either right so it's not about carving

[1:02:33] out a little nest egg and it's also not about it not living in perpetuity these

[1:02:38] meetings so I'm trying to have that one click automation as best as possible.

[1:02:44] And honestly, if it's going to be more complicated to pursue the $1,100

[1:02:50] budgetary line item, because it sounds like you you don't want to do you don't

[1:02:55] want to approve that until the first of the year. Or is that when you approve

[1:02:59] everything generally? Or because if that's going to be more complicated,

[1:03:03] then maybe it's just better to go down the private or the donation route to get

[1:03:07] it purchased so that it can just be set up. You and I can have a a meeting

[1:03:14] outside of these hours where I just kind of walk you through how simple it is to

[1:03:18] do that and then you can just launch it off at the start of every meeting

[1:03:22] regardless if I'm here or not. Um because that was another concern is we

[1:03:28] don't want to be bottlenecked on me if I'm sick or something like that either.

[1:03:33] Um and we don't want to bring on we don't want to burden or ask for another

[1:03:39] volunteer or somebody else to also be doing it. So what what what is the then

[1:03:45] what's going on with that? Does it is a b is a budgetary approval only a first

[1:03:49] of the year thing? We approve budgets annually. We obviously have to budget

[1:03:53] certain items through the through that channel.

[1:03:56] » So when somebody comes in and they ask you for uh the new equipment for uh the

[1:04:03] for the county or something like that. Um when you approve that, you're

[1:04:08] approving that for the first of the year to be processed.

[1:04:12] » Most of the time it's built into their budget going forward. So let's say that

[1:04:16] uh Jeff needs software. he'll put it in his budget request as another operating

[1:04:20] charge. And so then after the first year, he has the money in his budget to

[1:04:24] purchase that software. >> Okay?

[1:04:26] » And we have a a fiveyear cop for for market

[1:04:30] » for large items for very large items. Okay?

[1:04:32] » And this isn't a 100% all budget concern, but just give us just give us

[1:04:37] some time to digest it and how this is going to work and who's got to babysit

[1:04:41] what and manage it. We just want to understand the commitment part of it.

[1:04:45] Okay. >> Okay. Okay. both a meeting. People are

[1:04:49] free to come to the meetings. It's it's published in the Star Herald and and

[1:04:52] other other areas. It's published on our website. We're just This is just one

[1:04:56] more piece here. We're digesting. That's all.

[1:04:58] » Okay. So, >> and so the best way of progressing on

[1:05:01] the digesting is then what do you think? >> No. Give me 30 days just to to hash it

[1:05:06] over and think about it. >> So, you guys will talk about it.

[1:05:09] » Oh, we'll definitely talk about it. >> Okay.

[1:05:12] » So, >> if that's fair with you.

[1:05:14] » Yeah. Yeah. I I want to know Yeah. What? like you said if you whatever you need

[1:05:18] to digest it also um that's why I'm also trying to explain what the process would

[1:05:24] be like for you on the >> Right. Right. Right. And and the thing

[1:05:27] is also my point is if this is on YouTube if there's a data request I want

[1:05:32] to just tell them go to YouTube. >> Correct. It might not it's not our

[1:05:36] responsibility to maybe >> what's what's put out there.

[1:05:39] » I just want to make sure legally >> do we have to honor the data? is is it

[1:05:44] still up to our administration's responsibility to go back to June

[1:05:48] whatever and pull a YouTube video and send it to you

[1:05:52] or when is it the person making the data request when is it their responsibility

[1:05:57] to say hey this is this is all on YouTube [clears throat] we're not

[1:06:00] storing it we're not doing anything with it we're we're merely uh televising the

[1:06:04] meeting period >> right

[1:06:06] » we're not editing we're not doing anything to it

[1:06:08] » right >> okay now if that's the case and I don't

[1:06:12] have to have uh staff time. >> The $1,200 or whatever, that doesn't

[1:06:17] bother me. I I I just want to know, >> does Kyle Kyle or Susan, whoever, every

[1:06:22] time, you know, uh geez, you guys talked about buying a Sterling truck on August

[1:06:27] 6th, >> right?

[1:06:28] » Please send that video to me. >> Right.

[1:06:32] » I just want to be able to go back and go legally and say, you know what, all our

[1:06:36] meetings are at ww.rockyoutube whatever.

[1:06:40] » Yeah. Go get what you got. Go get what you have to get.

[1:06:44] » And I also want to make sure once it's out there that nobody can edit it.

[1:06:47] » Right. It's It's not able to be edited after

[1:06:50] » they record it. It's sent. It's done. >> Yeah.

[1:06:52] » There's no human touching it. >> I I don't necessarily have an issue with

[1:06:56] it. >> Yeah. Just to be clear that

[1:06:58] » I don't want to babysit it though and spend countless hours to

[1:07:01] » take care of one. >> There's there's two things on that.

[1:07:04] First is the administrator of the channel, which I believe is Callus

[1:07:07] still. She still has the ability to go into the video. So even after you stream

[1:07:11] something, you can technically remove segments from it. So you can stitch.

[1:07:16] » Where's the transparency on that? So all a sudden I say something offputting or

[1:07:21] out of line and then I go, "Hey Cal, I need to get remove this."

[1:07:24] » And I I'll need >> So then where's where's my transition?

[1:07:27] » Yeah. And I'll need I'll need a double and triple check because I do know that

[1:07:30] for published videos, you can do that. for streamed videos. I still I believe

[1:07:34] that's still the case. Um but I do not know if that removes the streamed stamp

[1:07:39] from the videos if it's if it's edited. >> I don't want any

[1:07:44] » record it, send it out. It's no different than everybody taking their

[1:07:47] time to come to the meeting and listen to while things are said.

[1:07:50] » I have no problem with that transparency. I do have a problem with

[1:07:53] the editing process process. [clears throat]

[1:07:55] » Yeah. >> And people picking and choosing because

[1:07:57] the social media is full of stuff and pe people pick and choose. Okay. Take

[1:08:02] excerpts and then >> you know

[1:08:05] » that that's that's their point they're trying to make. But they they they

[1:08:08] neglected to talk about 90minute discussion prior to that one little

[1:08:11] piece. >> Yep.

[1:08:13] » That's all I want to get cleared up. >> We'll run this too when we got questions

[1:08:17] on the legal side of it. We'll get Jeff will handle some of that. So

[1:08:20] » Yep. >> Okay.

[1:08:21] » If that's fair though, give us 30 days. Uh when we at maybe October 1st, we get

[1:08:26] time to talk to Jeff. I want to talk to couple other counties, see how they're

[1:08:29] handling it. couple other government uh entities. I know the city of Leverne, I

[1:08:34] think they have a cable person that that works with actually the cable company

[1:08:38] that films that [clears throat] and their response was their equipment. They

[1:08:41] they record it. >> Okay. Right. Right. So

[1:08:45] » the C does not manage it or they had not back when I was on council.

[1:08:50] » Okay. So to address the other thought that you had. So to in my understanding

[1:08:56] it would be sufficient if somebody asked for a piece of the video that uh was on

[1:09:02] the purchase of an item or the approval of the purchase of an item and you just

[1:09:05] sent them the link um to the video. I believe that would be sufficient. Um

[1:09:10] like you said there would have to be some sort of discussion or understanding

[1:09:13] if that is sufficient or not. Um, also the way I believe that most cities and

[1:09:18] counties are going about the live streaming of the councils or the county

[1:09:24] board content is that they're just doing it in the way

[1:09:28] that we described. Even though on the back end there is still that I believe

[1:09:32] there's still that ability in the studio to do that. Um, I just don't think that

[1:09:36] they do that or like with the simple thing of the the coffee break that

[1:09:42] happens in the middle. Um, you I just came and stopped it and then started it

[1:09:48] again. And um or again, if you just have it go through all the way and you could

[1:09:54] click the mute button on it when you walk to the coffee and then click it

[1:09:59] back on when you sit back down. So, um it it's just it's also interesting to

[1:10:07] me to just understand what you're saying that if if a p if a if a if the public

[1:10:13] um is asking for this to be approved um through taxpayer money, then it goes

[1:10:18] through sort of in a way it's like kind of a little bit different of an approval

[1:10:22] process. You kind of want to, you know, understand about it, take more time with

[1:10:25] it or whatever. But if a private donation or a private grant was given

[1:10:30] for the purchase of it, as long as there was a citizen that was doing it pro

[1:10:34] bono, that it would be no no question. Of course, it's just happening. Great.

[1:10:38] So, I'm just I'm interested. >> We cannot tell you to not record the

[1:10:42] meeting, >> right?

[1:10:44] » That's open meeting laws, right? We're fine with that.

[1:10:48] » That's why I was really interested in the Star Herald if the Star Herald

[1:10:50] wanted to come. Yeah. Because the other thing we do is we don't always meet

[1:10:53] here. You know, we we just talked about the October meetings. We're going to be

[1:10:56] at a different location, right? >> Occasionally, we have to move around.

[1:10:59] So, we would >> obviously need to to move the equipment

[1:11:03] or whatever equipment's needed to the different locations where the county

[1:11:05] meets. We have to be in the county seat, but we have a number of buildings in the

[1:11:09] county that we have. >> Um, so, like I said, we we're already

[1:11:13] have two meetings coming up in October and November that are in different

[1:11:16] locations. But so that's why the Star Herald if they were interested as a um

[1:11:22] you know the the press if they were interested in

[1:11:26] partnering and doing it themselves that would be great. You know just like the

[1:11:30] paper covering us every every star for example right now they're doing

[1:11:35] all the the updates on Highway 75. It's great information every week.

[1:11:39] » I have no problem with it. I just don't think uh we as a staff want to run it

[1:11:44] and and be responsible for it. I have no problem hitting the button.

[1:11:48] » Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, the data procing, all that all that stuff.

[1:11:54] » I I I actually don't think that that's a real concern really. I don't think the

[1:11:59] editing is a real concern. I don't think the data

[1:12:01] » we back up. We are not going to edit our meetings. Right.

[1:12:05] » Okay. >> Right. Right. No, that's what I'm trying

[1:12:08] to say is I don't think >> I don't necessarily want somebody else

[1:12:10] editing my meeting. I want the live. I want if it runs for 92 minutes, I want

[1:12:14] 92 minutes on social media. I don't want any editing. Okay.

[1:12:18] » Yeah. >> But your answer I don't think isn't good

[1:12:20] enough. >> We have to know one way or the other.

[1:12:25] » And that's why we wanted to do do our due diligence with our county attorney.

[1:12:29] Yep. >> Check with a couple other uh government

[1:12:32] entities. See how they do it. >> Sure.

[1:12:34] » That's all I want. >> Sure. Sure. So then you guys want to do

[1:12:37] that and uh have me come back in a month to talk about it again or do you need me

[1:12:42] present to or how how does that >> Well, we'll get back to you.

[1:12:46] » I'll follow up with you either through an email or a call and if we need you

[1:12:49] back we'll have you back and if we have an answer where we're going to do it

[1:12:51] then we'll just move forward that. >> Okay. So like midepptember like into

[1:12:56] said I'll I'll reach back out. >> We meet uh the 8th and the 22nd

[1:13:02] I think it is of September. >> Okay. and commissioner will regard back.

[1:13:06] He's he's on >> and can you guys loop him in on this as

[1:13:10] well with >> Yeah, we talked.

[1:13:12] » Yeah, you guys loop him in and with Jeff and then I then we'll just

[1:13:18] » But yeah, I'm all for the transparency, all for the broadcasting. There's zero

[1:13:22] issues with that. >> Yeah. And I get it. So even it's not

[1:13:25] even about the budget line item. No, we just we the discussion you're going to

[1:13:29] find out every every meeting we have from buying a laptop to a a new truck to

[1:13:35] that how we how question we always look at that end of the table. How do we pay

[1:13:40] for it? So, we just don't have a a car block to

[1:13:45] check with just >> I just thought that the line I just

[1:13:48] thought that you were saying that the line item wasn't the was more negligible

[1:13:52] and not the important thing. It was more about the the data practices as well as

[1:13:57] the um the how much additional time or effort would this take us? Okay, that's

[1:14:02] what you're saying. >> That's what my concern is.

[1:14:03] » All right. >> Okay. Thank you. We got to keep moving

[1:14:06] here. >> Okay. I'll follow up.

[1:14:08] » All right.

[1:14:12] » Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you guys.

[1:14:15] » Mark

[1:14:24] Good morning. >> Morning.

[1:14:35] Uh I just have two items. [clears throat]

[1:14:39] Uh first one is a fall box cover bid letting that we would like to do. Uh you

[1:14:46] got that map. map on it.

[1:14:50] » Yeah,

[1:14:55] [clears throat] >> right there.

[1:14:56] » There you go. There's uh three projects uh

[1:15:05] two county and one is uh Denver Township in the north one. The other one's on

[1:15:12] CASA 7 west of Hardick and the other one's on CASA 11 just west

[1:15:19] of Leverne just north of County Highway 5. Uh we're requesting awards approval

[1:15:26] to have a bid line Monday, August 31st at 11:00 a.m.

[1:15:34] » 31st. >> Yep.

[1:15:44] That's [clears throat] for all three of them.

[1:15:46] » It's all three of them. Bid bid at one time.

[1:15:49] » Yep. >> Then we've got four others that we will

[1:15:55] be starting. We bid them in the spring starting October.

[1:15:59] » Okay. >> So,

[1:16:00] » like on seven, you have to close that road.

[1:16:02] » Yeah. Couple days, >> maybe more.

[1:16:06] » Be more like two, three weeks. >> Oh, and what's what's the timeline on

[1:16:13] that one? You think? >> Uh, it'll either be next spring or next

[1:16:16] fall. >> Okay. It won't be this fall.

[1:16:19] » I can't see us getting the pipe in time. Usually takes four months, four four to

[1:16:25] six months to get the pipe. So, >> I'm just avoiding [clears throat]

[1:16:28] harvest here a little bit. A truck. >> I fully understand.

[1:16:33] » [laughter]

[1:16:37] » Trust me. >> Yeah. [laughter]

[1:16:40] » I know. Okay. >> Then make a motion to approve the bid

[1:16:45] levers.

[1:16:53] » I'll support it. Been moved and second to approve 7.1 the box cover bid letting

[1:16:59] August 31st. >> Any other questions?

[1:17:05] » All in favor signify by saying I >> oppose.

[1:17:10] » Mr. Chair, question. >> So uh the delay in getting stuff now is

[1:17:15] it just kind of standard we're past all the co thing where it took forever or is

[1:17:19] it still a shortage of in the supply line or? Uh, no. Actually, the prices

[1:17:24] have greatly improved. >> Okay.

[1:17:27] » Since 2022, 23.

[1:17:31] Uh, timeline's down. I haven't talked to the producers. You really don't know

[1:17:35] till you have the bid letting. >> Sure.

[1:17:37] » And then they then then you find out who's making the pipe. Then you

[1:17:43] » then you get a more detailed timeline. >> Sure.

[1:17:46] » On delivery. >> Thank you.

[1:17:47] » So, >> all three of these are

[1:17:49] » Yep. >> Y.

[1:17:51] Okay. 7.2. Then uh Mark, >> uh just point of information.

[1:17:59] Yeah. Can you uh the signs are going up today to close County Road 6 just north

[1:18:06] of Beaver Creek for a bridge construction project.

[1:18:11] It'll take more likely 14 to 16 weeks. So

[1:18:17] » take a while, isn't it? >> Yep. It's uh the new structure will be

[1:18:20] about 120 ft in length. So the detour goes west to County Road 5 to

[1:18:29] 23, south to 17, [snorts]

[1:18:33] then into Beaver Creek back on four. So I have been talking with the township of

[1:18:41] Beaver Creek. They have concerns. We're going to pay for some dust control. Um,

[1:18:47] we'll probably end up paying for a little bit of gravel after it's done.

[1:18:52] » After it's done. >> Yeah.

[1:18:54] » Yeah. >> Understandable.

[1:18:55] » Yep. I told him I'd rather wait till it's done and then we can figure out

[1:19:01] » how much it is. >> That's a well needed project.

[1:19:04] » Yep. Yep. >> Served it time.

[1:19:09] » Yes, it has. >> Yeah. That's never a good time to work

[1:19:11] on >> Well, no.

[1:19:12] » No. and more under those shiner restrictions. So really

[1:19:18] either got to do them right away in the spring when everybody's in the field

[1:19:22] » or now. So >> okay, that wasformational. Anything else

[1:19:27] for Mark? >> Nope. I don't have anything.

[1:19:31] » I didn't ask you last time. How's the pups working out?

[1:19:34] » Good. >> Giving you some time and

[1:19:37] » Yep. Yep. >> Especially going up clear.

[1:19:40] » Yep. miles away. >> We use them quite a bit. We don't use

[1:19:45] them when we're shouldering. >> No,

[1:19:48] » but uh any other time we're hauling, we're

[1:19:50] » got the pups on. >> We got the pups on.

[1:19:53] » Thanks, Mark. >> You got Thank you.

[1:19:58] » Back to Kyle. >> Budget time.

[1:20:03] [clears throat] Um, this is it's still in draft form, but I think it's

[1:20:08] important to start getting some numbers out in front of the county board. Uh, we

[1:20:13] have on the agenda is actually a budget retreat. And I think today we can cover

[1:20:17] a lot of the material, but if there are people that you want to have back, any

[1:20:20] of the departments you want to have back in particular at the next meeting, uh,

[1:20:24] that will give us an opportunity to, uh, to kind of give a an overview quick and

[1:20:29] then come back to to who you want to have attend. Um, I'll start at the

[1:20:34] bottom and we'll work up. How's that sound? So,

[1:20:37] you can see right now as at first draft we're in 7.46

[1:20:42] and there's a number of variables or a number of reasons that we got to that.

[1:20:45] But in some of the notes just to kind of cover things that we're just not sure of

[1:20:50] yet, things that are still hanging out there. We we do know that that we

[1:20:54] adjusted the ambulance at the same rate of our cola 4%. The CPA was slightly

[1:20:59] adjusted. We lost uh couple grand in in county program aid. Each levy point, as

[1:21:05] we discuss the county levy, it's about $78,000 per point. So, when we say 7.46,

[1:21:12] how much is that increase? It's $584,000 to get to 7.46.

[1:21:18] Now, the meat of it, we don't have a sergeant contract settle yet. It won't

[1:21:22] be a large impact item, but it's not settled yet. It's uh it's only three

[1:21:25] employees in that particular bargaining group. So, that's not not going to be a

[1:21:30] uh a huge impact item. Stacy was here and presented for the Southwest Health

[1:21:35] and Human Services. We all heard her say that the joint powers agreement maximum

[1:21:40] max is 10%. You see, we have that actually [clears throat] budgeted in at

[1:21:45] 10%, that's an increase of $196,000, but their need is 15%. So, we're also

[1:21:52] holding back the additional 5%. So tomorrow at Southwest Health and Human

[1:21:56] Services, they're going to make the request, I believe, to that board for

[1:22:00] the 15%. But they're also going to authorize to do the second percent that

[1:22:05] 5% hold back in the form of a kind of a pledge that if they're successful in

[1:22:13] during the legislative session next spring, then they won't ask for the

[1:22:17] additional 5%. They're going to ask for legislative relief on some of the action

[1:22:21] of the Medicare and SNAP impacts. So that's that's their whole goal. Matter

[1:22:27] of fact, AMC is told that's their number one priority is trying to get

[1:22:31] legislative relief in those two. So we will hold back that additional $98,000

[1:22:37] and then sometime around July 1st, we would move it to them uh in the event uh

[1:22:43] that they're not successful. We do have [clears throat] a little bit

[1:22:47] of money wind production tax and I'm going to get you a better spreadsheet at

[1:22:50] the next meeting on that giving you the entire history of the wind production

[1:22:54] tax started in about 2014. Uh we took about 400 grand a year out of that

[1:22:59] initially for a road and bridge bond that has been settled. We issued the

[1:23:04] last bond out of there at about 230,000 250,000.

[1:23:08] So we freed up some money there in addition to walleye wind coming fully

[1:23:11] online. So there's some additional dollars in in wind production tax, but I

[1:23:15] think it's important to give the board the full picture on what we have

[1:23:18] committed out of there every year and what you have available. Most of it has

[1:23:22] been used for rolling stock for Mark. Uh we did in 2017 2018 we did take an

[1:23:28] additional million dollars of bond out there for the fiber project. So that

[1:23:32] we've got a couple years left, but it's there's a pretty healthy increase in the

[1:23:37] wind production tax. Uh we still have a million dollars of the bond dollars

[1:23:40] available to move forward with projects. Uh things that that we have coming on

[1:23:44] the CIP plan over the next couple years. Capital purchase line has remained

[1:23:50] unchanged. So we still have the $416,000 in capital purchase lines. And what I

[1:23:55] will tell you is if you were going to make adjustments

[1:24:00] in 2027, that would be your lowhanging fruit. That would be your one item that

[1:24:05] you could potentially make changes. However, Ashley and I are using that for

[1:24:10] the $98,000 holdback as well as the $130,000 that the sheriff

[1:24:16] has requested in rifles and body cams and the potential

[1:24:21] um case expenses for the trial next year. uh rather than put that in the

[1:24:27] county attorney's operating budget and make it look way out of whack, uh we

[1:24:31] would keep that in a separate item. And so [clears throat] in 200 when was the

[1:24:34] Sweeney trial? 2006, 78 >> 2008. In 2008, we did the same thing,

[1:24:39] but then we took it out of courts. We have a separate budget for courts and

[1:24:43] that's how we paid for any additional costs related to that particular murder

[1:24:46] trial. uh they're very expensive, expert witnesses, um

[1:24:51] just in general, those particular complicated trials cost a lot more

[1:24:56] money. Uh so those would be big items that we'd have back. So you add those

[1:25:00] together, 180, call it uh 280,000 is already committed, if you will, uh

[1:25:07] potentially out of this capital purchase or capital purchases line as your

[1:25:12] reserve. Now, after reviewing the notes, now we can work through and talk about

[1:25:17] some of the specifics of Stop me anytime, by the way. Uh, some of the

[1:25:21] specifics of the budgets. Uh, county board had a slight increase. It was

[1:25:26] wages. We moved around or salaries. Uh, county administrator, and I'm going to

[1:25:30] come back to county administrator and em here in just a couple minutes, so we'll

[1:25:34] skip that one. Auditor treasur, they're seeing less um interest income. uh not

[1:25:41] that interest rates are going up but we've spent down some reserves over the

[1:25:44] last year or two and that's impacted them a little bit along with salary and

[1:25:49] benefits uh the audit has stayed constant data processing that's our IT

[1:25:54] uh we're seeing some increases costs in in things like security software um and

[1:25:59] and some of the aspects as well as salary and benefits u we do leave

[1:26:04] elections constant for if you remember that that we have a spike every other

[1:26:08] year so rather than budget 70,000 one year and zero the next year. We continue

[1:26:12] to fund that at a flat rate to make it a little a little cleaner for budgeting

[1:26:16] purposes. County attorney had a slight increase u wages and benefits. Land

[1:26:22] records, they had some staff get promoted over time, so they're

[1:26:24] accelerating through steps. So, it's steps and benefits as well there. Uh

[1:26:28] building maintenance, those are a lot a lot of that is are contract costs uh

[1:26:32] with Johnson Control and other building maintenance items. Uh the VSO, he had

[1:26:38] had a slight increase in his grant agreement to help offset and bring some

[1:26:41] cost down. The sheriff uh the sheriff and I spent considerable time going

[1:26:45] through his budget over the last uh few days and before. And I tell you what,

[1:26:50] hats off to uh to the sheriff uh doing the deep dive on that, moving some lines

[1:26:55] around and cleaning up cleaning up that budget in the sense not that it was bad.

[1:26:59] I don't want to make it sound like oh didn't have it right. It was it was just

[1:27:02] it's a little clearer now uh with what Matt has done uh as far as uh vehicle

[1:27:09] expenses, vehicle maintenance, some of the data type things we need to do with

[1:27:14] Verizon are all much cleaner now going forward. We also have built into the

[1:27:20] sheriff's budget increase fees that were presented to the small cities as well as

[1:27:25] an increase to the city of Leverne contract. So those those are built in as

[1:27:30] well and at the end it's about uh 3 and a half just a hair over 3 and a2% um

[1:27:36] which is is kind of in that cola range if you will overall.

[1:27:40] » Kyle, are the body cams built into that? >> No, the body cams if you decide to go

[1:27:46] forward with those they would come out of this capital purchases item that's

[1:27:49] rather than have the same the same thing for Matt and and Jeff are the same

[1:27:53] issues. If you build those one-time expenses in there, it makes them look

[1:27:57] like their budgets are way out of whack rather take it out of the capital

[1:28:00] purchases item. >> But being aware that we have those

[1:28:03] onetime expenses. Uh corner is the same. Here's the other huge variable going

[1:28:08] into 2027 and that's the prisoner care piece. Um

[1:28:15] the sheriff has talked with his counterpart, I've talked with mine. uh

[1:28:19] they've they being Nobles County have expressed uh a desire to change the

[1:28:23] rate. It's been fairly flat for a long time. We did see a a slight increase a

[1:28:29] year or two ago from 65 to 75. Uh they've got a study committee, what

[1:28:35] they're calling an economic impact committee on the jail and they threw out

[1:28:39] a number of over $150 per inmate per day. We're currently at

[1:28:43] $75 per inmate per day. Um so we threw that in as an estimate. I did talk to

[1:28:49] Bruce last week and I'm sure that Matt's talked to Ryan over there as well. We're

[1:28:53] going to get together and talk about it. Uh I don't disagree that there needs to

[1:28:57] be an adjustment. It's just doubling it a year is too big a bite. And I I think

[1:29:01] we can work out something where we make some

[1:29:04] » some changes over a period of time to get them where they want to be. Uh I if

[1:29:09] if you're really interested in jails, I think it was Mstead County, wasn't it?

[1:29:13] Homestead County that took theirs from like $75 a day to $325 a day.

[1:29:19] » Homestead. >> It was Homestead and it was Dodge that

[1:29:21] now is shopping and trying to find a new home for their uh for their inmates. So,

[1:29:26] it's happening all over the state. Uh Lion County is looking to change their

[1:29:30] rate as well for Murray and Lincoln and some of the other counties that use

[1:29:34] them. So, it's it's all over the state now and and trying to figure out these

[1:29:39] jail costs and um so I it's it's going to be an increase. Whether it settles

[1:29:44] there or if it settles at 75,000 or it settles at 100,000, I just don't know

[1:29:49] yet. And that's the whole purpose behind the preliminary levy is knowing that it

[1:29:53] can change. >> And and pipes in that room pipes in that

[1:29:56] room and they're down to how many they can only store

[1:29:59] » somebody I think was it 90 days? Yeah, they they've got they've got some rules

[1:30:04] now through DOC where they can't they can't take long longterm.

[1:30:08] » Oh, okay. >> Uh cuz prisoners in county jail

[1:30:12] pipstone has actually got some people in nobles cuz they can't cuz they're more

[1:30:16] longer term people. But local jail is up to 12 months for a sentence. But you

[1:30:23] hold them during the pendency of a proceeding too. like our murder guy is,

[1:30:28] you know, he's likely to be in there possibly more than 12 months before we

[1:30:34] get that case done. So, right. >> So, who who how many counties have to

[1:30:37] negotiate with? No. Austin uses pipes don't have to negotiate.

[1:30:40] » Well, we're their primary cousin very much.

[1:30:43] » Oh, we're we're we're probably their biggest.

[1:30:47] » Oh, by far. Yeah. So, >> we will be talking with them and they've

[1:30:51] been a historically Nobles has been a great partner. I don't want to imply

[1:30:54] that they're not. Yeah, we've had community corrections since 78 and

[1:30:57] » well, we can't own a jail for this. So, >> that's the last thing we want to do our

[1:31:03] own jail. >> So, so be aware when we talk about

[1:31:06] increases, you know, basically between [clears throat] Southwest Health and

[1:31:09] Human Service Prison, that's your that's your increase kind of in a nutshell.

[1:31:13] Everything else has been pretty well pretty well within what you kind of

[1:31:18] expect. Uh, a couple standouts. You know, we did approve the mental health

[1:31:22] gap fund earlier this year to increase uh an extra $5,000. So, you see an

[1:31:27] increase there. I had a note that the appropriations for all the ambulances

[1:31:30] went up there 4%. U culture approved the historical society beginning of the year

[1:31:36] for a $10,000 increase from 25 to 35. Um and then as you move through the other

[1:31:41] big one is extension at 128. Um there was a step I think involved there as

[1:31:46] well as uh DOLAS. So the other things down the line as you

[1:31:52] go forward, we've already highlighted welfare. That would be almost 300 by

[1:31:56] holding back that other that other piece. So that's that's a substantial

[1:32:01] amount as well. Um for them, so you you're at 475,000 between

[1:32:06] [clears throat] prisoner care and Southwest Health Services.

[1:32:11] The uh tax abatements, they haven't really changed. Um so that gets us

[1:32:15] currently at 746. Um I we've got a group that has a kind

[1:32:22] of a it's called base camp where we share information between counties and

[1:32:28] we're kind of believe it or not we're on the lower end at 7.46. Pipstone's thrown

[1:32:34] out about a 12 and a half. Um Nobles I've heard is double digits. I just

[1:32:38] haven't heard how big. There's a couple letter five and below but they're very

[1:32:43] rare. Uh most counties this year are looking squarely at a double digit

[1:32:47] increase. even Dakota County who who we've kind of joked about with because

[1:32:51] of tax rates being similar. Uh they're coming off a 9 and a half nine and a

[1:32:55] half and they're proposing a 21 and a half

[1:32:58] » uh going into next year. >> So it's they're staggering numbers. Um

[1:33:04] so we'll have the retreat. Uh I guess the big question would be is who would

[1:33:08] you like to have come in? If there's questions you have that we can bring in

[1:33:12] department heads to answer, we're happy to do it. We should have Ashley at the

[1:33:14] next meeting to talk about interest income. I'd like to have the sheriff

[1:33:17] there. >> Sheriff, we'll have him come in and talk

[1:33:19] about >> Let's get Mark there, too.

[1:33:21] » Okay. Mark was great. Mark's like, I'll make it work, whatever you guys tell me.

[1:33:26] So, he yet again stayed. >> I guess primarily Mark, I want I want to

[1:33:30] talk about uh this capital outlay for

[1:33:36] you know, Stan, we're back to >> graders and trucks again. You know, that

[1:33:41] always seems to come up. We wear them out. So, I just want to know if we're

[1:33:44] forecasted. Not too of that. So >> one thing I think we I did for years

[1:33:50] forget about is the longer our employees stay here the step the step increases

[1:33:54] every year. Yeah. >> Actually quite a little money

[1:34:00] when they get another step and you need longterm in place.

[1:34:06] » I'm so apologize. I should have passed those out. You can take notes on there.

[1:34:09] I've got a few extras. It's just the same as this. It's just on paper.

[1:34:15] Kyle, I know you did a good job of describing the prisoner care and why

[1:34:19] that increase, but is there like numbers to back that up? Like, are they giving

[1:34:23] you something? >> That's what's the meeting that's coming

[1:34:26] up. They're they're going to try to show us what it costs them to run. And I

[1:34:30] think it's like $2.5 million, isn't that, Matt? Do you remember?

[1:34:34] » I don't remember. >> Two 2.1 2.2 million. It's It's a big

[1:34:37] number that's out there. >> And technically, they would have to

[1:34:40] provide it. >> No, they wouldn't have to. I don't think

[1:34:44] » you want your prisoners service. >> Well,

[1:34:48] didn't we make a pretty substantial contribution when that was built?

[1:34:53] » Didn't we had something to do with some maybe we

[1:34:57] just signed the agreement? >> We just signed an agreement. They knew

[1:35:00] that we were going to give them our in like we do with

[1:35:02] » But no, they don't they don't technically have to accept our

[1:35:06] prisoners. On the other hand, they they probably can't run their facility

[1:35:10] without our prisoners because they I mean they have it's sized according to

[1:35:15] our that and staffed according to having >> I we probably end up 68 there each time.

[1:35:21] » Yeah. Yeah. Our numbers, you know, I think we used to budget at an average of

[1:35:25] like 3.4 bed days, you know, and I think we're higher than that now. Why don't we

[1:35:30] take a look at our our number of bed days as well.

[1:35:33] » Do they have a capacity issue at all? I don't I don't think they're at capacity.

[1:35:36] Are they not? >> Not that I've heard.

[1:35:40] » And what is our percentage of that capacity normally running?

[1:35:44] » No, really. >> Minimal

[1:35:45] » very small in fact. >> We probably

[1:35:52] have the exact number of cells they have, but

[1:35:56] they're holding. >> We have six over there now. Six or seven

[1:36:00] or seven. And they've got certain fixed costs they're going to have whether

[1:36:03] we're there or not. But >> the big thing is don't send them there

[1:36:07] on Friday night. [laughter]

[1:36:12] » They go when they go Stan. >> So yep. And then the other one that I

[1:36:19] wanted to talk about we'll spend a little bit of time on is why did the

[1:36:23] county administrator and emergency services change? I got a letter for you

[1:36:28] regarding that.

[1:36:39] I'd read it, but I don't think I can. >> That's okay, Kyle.

[1:36:42] » We're going to pass his back. >> Yeah, we're pass. [laughter]

[1:36:49] » Denied. Denied, >> Kyle.

[1:37:03] 33 years, huh? To the day.

[1:37:08] » It's over.

[1:37:18] » Shucks. I wish I was up for election.

[1:37:23] » I don't want to take care of

[1:37:28] Kyle, this is a very hard letter to read.

[1:37:35] » But thank you. >> That's the biggest thing we got here,

[1:37:38] Kyle, is you can't you you don't have a clue how much we thank you for all these

[1:37:43] years. It's I've been here 16 years and I don't know what I'd do without you.

[1:37:48] You know, it's >> a lot a lot of institutional knowledge.

[1:37:52] » Yeah. and a good ride.

[1:37:58] » Commissioner Jarklo, I've probably said this before, but Commissioner Jarklo

[1:38:02] when I got on this board cornered me and said, "Well, my first

[1:38:08] question when I took Richard Bachan's spot was

[1:38:13] Richard to I asked Richard about disagreeing with somebody and being walk

[1:38:18] out of this room and still be friends." And he said, "Absolutely. That's just

[1:38:22] the way Rock County operates. And then visiting with Jericho, who I

[1:38:28] had a lot of respect for. He said, "You have department heads, the

[1:38:34] best department heads you can find, and the and the best administrator and

[1:38:39] deputy administrator, and you guys got it made." And we did. You guys have

[1:38:44] taken the load off the commissioners like you can't believe.

[1:38:48] » Let me counter that. It starts at the top. And clearly the board's at top.

[1:38:52] » Yep. >> It's been a privilege. I've had I I

[1:38:55] tallied them out and and counting the one that I've worked for for about an

[1:38:58] hour and a half, I've uh I've got a total of 14 commissioners I work

[1:39:02] » and which is amazing when you think about every two years there's an

[1:39:06] election cycle >> to only have 14 commissioners. That's

[1:39:09] right. It is. I I put that number against any county in the state. I can't

[1:39:13] [clears throat] believe it would even be close.

[1:39:16] » Um but they they've provided the guidance and and support because that

[1:39:20] And I've made mistakes. I mean, there's no question that that, you know, we've

[1:39:25] done some things and it's like it should have been what the hell is Aldry

[1:39:29] thinking? >> And and it's and it's true and and but

[1:39:32] the board has always supported us and supported us as a staff. Um it's it's

[1:39:36] been it's been spectacular. But back to the budget. Um

[1:39:42] so so the plan would be to to separate out administrator from emergency

[1:39:48] management. um it your new person, whoever it is, um it would be a little

[1:39:54] too much for them to take both of those gigs together. Um EM has evolved. I

[1:40:00] picked it up. Uh I started May 3rd and on May 7th, we had a flood. So, I was

[1:40:04] four days in the job. I didn't know what I didn't know. So, they're like, "Hey,

[1:40:06] new guy, go fix the flood." Um and I've had it ever since. Um I I don't think it

[1:40:11] would be fair to start somebody out like that. The certification for EM now takes

[1:40:15] 12 months. Uh it's just a slow process. Um, so I I think I think the county

[1:40:21] would be best served to hire a half time or some level of time for EM and then

[1:40:26] have your admin person be full-time and handle the other duties and and

[1:40:30] certainly I'm I'm happy to transmit. I'm not moving. I'm not going anywhere. If

[1:40:36] there's something I can do to assist at any point, I'm happy to do it. I mean,

[1:40:39] it's I love this county. I I you know, it's a small farm in in Vienna Township.

[1:40:44] So, I'm I'm from here and I'm not going anywhere. So,

[1:40:48] Whatever whatever you need, I'm I'll certainly offer to help.

[1:40:52] » The only other question I had, and I I maybe asked Sherry what her thoughts, is

[1:40:57] there any way we can keep you on the BR? >> Sure. That's not a that's really not

[1:41:01] even a county uh county activity. That's a completely separate separate item.

[1:41:06] » Yep. >> Yep. And we've got a couple big things

[1:41:08] come with that. We've got a Chrissy grant that we

[1:41:10] » got a real asset on that the work you put into the VR. That's that's a fun

[1:41:16] » sure the Christy grants and everything else that's going on out there has been

[1:41:19] greatly appreciated from from your standpoint.

[1:41:24] » But that's that's kind of in a nutshell where those numbers are so you might say

[1:41:29] out of whack >> because we're shifting shifting the cost

[1:41:33] back to administrator the EM stuff. They will absorb the full EM grant which is

[1:41:38] about 17 18 grand a year. Um and some some reduced costs there. That's why it

[1:41:43] kind of >> that shared budget looks different than

[1:41:46] it did before. >> Yeah.

[1:41:50] » And since this is out now, I probably the board will have to decide if we if

[1:41:55] we hire that outfit to uh replace you.

[1:42:00] » Yeah. You know, maybe you explain that one.

[1:42:02] » Sure. Sure. you know, and I've talked with the personnel committee a little

[1:42:04] bit about this, but it's uh there are firms that that just like in the private

[1:42:09] sector that do that do head hunting, but they specialize in government. Um, and

[1:42:14] they would they would do up the job description, job announcement, they

[1:42:18] would do a community profile talking about Rock County and and all all of its

[1:42:22] great attributes. Uh, and then they would be responsible for marketing it.

[1:42:26] Uh, they would be the recipient of the applications as they come in. uh they

[1:42:31] would work with the county board on what skill set are you looking for and then

[1:42:35] try to marry up those candidates and get you uh get you interviews set up and and

[1:42:39] take it from there. I um I I I would certainly think there would be a lot of

[1:42:46] interest, you know, but I I don't know. Um it's a great job. I if they if they

[1:42:52] ask me if somebody calls and says, "Should I apply?" I'm certainly going to

[1:42:55] tell them to apply. It's a great place to be. Um, but I I don't know. And but

[1:42:59] that's what they specialize in

[1:43:05] » kind of goes back to uh >> Oh, this this something I said a while

[1:43:10] ago, but department heads make your job easy.

[1:43:13] » Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. They've been spectacular

[1:43:16] over the years now. And and Commissioner Rice pointed it out. There's there's

[1:43:20] some pretty senior department heads. We we've been blessed with with a lot of

[1:43:24] staying power and a lot of longevity. Um, great group. Start. You know, Susan

[1:43:28] and I have been together for uh 32 years. Um, so it's,

[1:43:34] you know, Mark S was just here, you know, he's been here over 30 years.

[1:43:37] Jeff's been here over 20 years. Um, Hartman's been here over 20 years, over

[1:43:41] 25 years. So, I mean, we've we've had a ton of staying power and and some we've

[1:43:46] been blessed with terrific longevity and and a lot of folks that just know what

[1:43:50] they need to do without having to ask any questions. you know. So, no, we've

[1:43:54] been very, very fortunate.

[1:44:01] You can't imagine how many times in 32 years Susan wanted to fire me. It's been

[1:44:04] really [laughter] >> It's been really amazing.

[1:44:10] [laughter]

[1:44:12] » She should get hazard pay, >> right?

[1:44:17] [laughter] >> [clears throat]

[1:44:20] » And here this is absolutely true. Susan and I have talked about you know who

[1:44:25] should go first and it was pretty quick quickly decided that I needed to go

[1:44:29] first because it'll be easier for her to train her my place than for me

[1:44:34] [cough and clears throat] to carry even think

[1:44:39] [laughter] >> I uh I quickly pointed out that

[1:44:42] [clears throat] um I you don't know where a whole lot of

[1:44:46] stuff is at. [laughter] Yeah, >> that's the trade

[1:44:49] » other man on the desktop of your computer.

[1:44:53] [laughter]

[1:44:56] » Well, I appreciate the the advance notice. So,

[1:44:59] » we will uh ask you to put this on the agenda for next meeting and we will act

[1:45:04] on it. >> Y

[1:45:06] » is that appropriate? >> Absolutely.

[1:45:07] » Okay.

[1:45:11] So my minutes are going to reflect that we're tableabling action till no process

[1:45:16] for filling pack. >> Oh god. Okay. I'm like wait a minute.

[1:45:21] » This table for another four years. >> Yeah. [laughter]

[1:45:25] » So >> you want to act on shipping then?

[1:45:29] » Well we have to. Yeah. Could we just today?

[1:45:30] » Yeah. Yeah. That it's formal. >> Yeah.

[1:45:33] » Yeah. Fine. >> I'll make a motion to accept the

[1:45:36] resignation notice of

[1:45:39] administrator. Okay, >> I would second that.

[1:45:43] » With great regrets. >> Been moved in second to accept the

[1:45:50] notification from Kyle today. Uh final day will be February 28th uh after 33

[1:45:57] years. So any other questions? All in favor signify by saying I.

[1:46:02] » I.

[1:46:06] » Funny. [laughter]

[1:46:09] Aren't you the guy not running?

[1:46:16] » Okay.

[1:46:20] » Welcome. Welcome to the board. [laughter]

[1:46:23] » Are we going to schedule a budget retreat at the next meeting

[1:46:26] [clears throat] >> to bring these guys in? Is that what

[1:46:29] we're thinking? >> Yeah, let's do that.

[1:46:35] » Anybody else? The board I mean, excuse me, sir. [clears throat] Any else want

[1:46:39] maybe besides those two or >> I had three though. I had Mark, uh, Matt

[1:46:43] and Ashley. >> Oh, and Ashley. Yeah.

[1:46:47] » And that'll be after the board meeting. >> Yep.

[1:46:54] » What was the date? >> September 8th.

[1:46:58] » There's [snorts] the next meeting.

[1:47:04] » Not at a be conventional. No.

[1:47:08] And the timeline on that, we'd be done. We'd still be done by 12:30 or so. What

[1:47:13] we >> got? Yeah. That take a long time.

[1:47:15] » Okay. >> Okay.

[1:47:18] Kyle, before that meeting, will you I'm sorry. Will you know the discussion with

[1:47:22] Noles County if they're going to stair step that or

[1:47:24] » Yep. That's that is coming quick. I don't have the date yet, but Bruce

[1:47:29] agreed we need to get together and get that result.

[1:47:30] » Okay. That that'll >> right. You guys will know.

[1:47:33] » That'll help that discussion. And you'll also know after tomorrow's meeting where

[1:47:36] Southwest Health Services stands. So, >> okay, Commissioner Rice,

[1:47:43] » I had a Canvas board meeting on the 14th and

[1:47:49] then uh had a smart meeting last night. That's it.

[1:47:56] Commissioner, where we at here, Jerry? >> I had a lift meeting yesterday.

[1:48:04] That was it. >> That was it.

[1:48:07] » I will be attending with the human services tomorrow.

[1:48:10] » Okay. >> I had uh Rock County grow water

[1:48:17] canvas boats. I had soil and water and I went to power

[1:48:24] on meeting. Mhm.

[1:48:28] » Other than that, I will

[1:48:32] adjourn order of the chair. And just a note, you probably saw it,

[1:48:37] but now JBO is leaving South Dakota. >> Really?

[1:48:41] » Now they're going to North Dakota. >> Oh, Lake Preston's been a while and

[1:48:45] there's a big deal going on and now they're a

[1:48:49] » like they're like the hot potato. >> Yeah, they are.

Rock County Board Meeting - August 18, 2026

Transcript