[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6651500,"mediaKeyId","2499664-97fb8726a55841f345ffa0f1ba6d300b","parentId",2499664,"title","Commissioners debate irrigation pipeline, ethanol plant and county role in large ag projects","audioSeconds",946,"startMs",1460000,"endMs",2406000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2499664-97fb8726a55841f345ffa0f1ba6d300b&start=1460&end=2406","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2499664-97fb8726a55841f345ffa0f1ba6d300b/thumbnail_1460000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6651500/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Commissioners-debate-irrigation-pipeline-ethanol-plant-and-county-role-in-large-ag-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651500-d89032d27d9a9afeb2d28577aee3108b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147119&Signature=exS6VpWf5GNhR0~h68X8D1f4B2jsuS~SE08JY53oIApEOW9pvBmB4S1tVpvzuQwZcCDTGUfZUwjx2SHl632ADJWoaW391-CMAaJbc2hM5I0Y3uerayeo9XvD2NJrBxgnKImkXNjvK9s1t2vULbNzoRKFgKhrXF2ItTW2zi3XvH5BLiIsL4I9Kn8v3SvrmuyJJdPNNH9Fz8yE5cwe8GByhlHkGnpQfE0wEZtYC9V1EgiZlYIewWBhAjg-IV4A7ZMotNNCpPjljBFXe57oWrIjtbP3xcafQzqGG3OfGjjlXEXIEYJkME8GTk1F-Ez4rbE7DNJx~l1pqcK~GGifD3wjxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Emmons County, KS","date","2025-03-05T14:30:56.167Z","article","Emmons County commissioners discussed a proposed irrigation pipeline and associated proposals, including an ethanol plant. Commissioners raised questions about who would benefit from the project, how costs would be shared, and whether the county should invest public funds in a largely private-development project.

The conversation centered on three themes: scale and beneficiaries, cost exposure, and permitting/implementation risk. Several participants said the primary beneficiaries would be large landowners and businesses with rail access; one speaker observed that an ethanol facility would favor locations with rail service. Speakers repeatedly said smaller landowners were unlikely to benefit materially and that the project’s economics appeared to favor large operations.

Speakers cited specific amounts discussed by project proponents during prior outreach: a $25,000 buy-in figure for individual participants and references to a larger $200,000,000 project cost, with respondents saying county contributions would be only a small portion of needed capital. Multiple participants urged that the county should not be the first financial backer and recommended that project proponents secure committed stakeholders and private funding before the county considers any investment.

Commissioners also discussed practical obstacles: the need for tiling and irrigation maintenance; labor and equipment demands for operating irrigation systems; and the cost for individual landowners to connect to a pipeline if a tie-in point lies distant from their property. Several speakers said irrigation requires ongoing maintenance and is not a “set it and forget it” system. One participant described the project as speculative for county government unless a clear set of committed beneficiaries and firm funding commitments were presented.

No formal motion or vote on county investment in the irrigation project was recorded in the transcript. Commissioners asked for more information and said they wanted to see concrete commitments from landowners or private partners before moving forward with county support.

Speakers also compared the potential economic profile of towns with rail and processing facilities (which could see more direct benefits) to smaller communities that might see limited or short-term gains. Several participants cautioned that short-term construction employment would likely not produce long-term population growth unless ongoing jobs and maintenance roles materialize; others pointed to past local projects as cautionary examples.

The meeting record does not show a decision to provide county funding or to deny a permit; commissioners concluded the discussion by requesting additional information and stakeholder commitments before taking further action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Emmons County Commission Meeting 3/4/25 pt 2","oneSentenceSummary","Emmons County commissioners spent an extended portion of the meeting debating a proposed irrigation pipeline and related developments including an ethanol plant; no formal county commitment was made and several commissioners expressed concern about who would benefit and the county's financial exposure.","taxTitle","Emmons County, North Dakota","taxId",77577,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6651505,"Commissioners renew road maintenance agreement with Campbell Township",190,567000,757000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2499664-97fb8726a55841f345ffa0f1ba6d300b&start=567&end=757","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2499664-97fb8726a55841f345ffa0f1ba6d300b/thumbnail_567000.jpg","/articles/6651505/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Commissioners-renew-road-maintenance-agreement-with-Campbell-Township","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651505-53ebbddffdcc7514f760d251975828cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147119&Signature=SVFnf3bnoORb3dpiwoHeZMztvvPW8C6OETGnQ-zGbbEg~VRovCluZ5rtxLAt6BeqYywm8AR14b-l0AZ-SDBNxt5Bk0qcCm0fAklvUHI-3wIsjPUgECi-AZw2Tcd9oxJKv7T7qTZ89PlRi69lTXwk7GiFZVbEJrrYcLIGDWnVEuntCEBEKPfx7Wv9zvhLYJUsLHX9eUdqkuvWbR4KyVGfqK7Eykf7X6sRrSSHKv0ZlnhgUE~mSptQw8i-UOvnD6u4U6C-KCkNImdB3VGOiXHhhW1dM93Om5PyEpxOW3NOmZm2BRbdyTPKpmH1ZYhwOfNx-7DayQoGbgdJfLnpBvXp1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emmons County commissioners voted to enter into a second maintenance agreement with Campbell Township covering snow removal, blading, grading and occasional graveling at agreed rates.

The commissioners discussed the township’s scope of work, saying Campbell Township performs some light graveling and relies on the county for most snow removal and grading. A speaker outlined proposed fees included in the agreement: a road rating of $300 per mile and an equipment removal rate of $200 per hour; another line item discussed a $3.50 (or $3.80) fee option for certain services.

The motion to enter the second agreement was moved by Mr. Gardner and seconded by Magdalene; the transcript records a voice vote of “Aye” and the chair declared the motion carried. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Speakers described Campbell Township as “loosely organized” and said the county (referred to in conversation as GAR) provides the majority of road services while neighbors sometimes contribute equipment or labor. Commissioners said the arrangement is routine and that the maintenance language and boat-dock contract language were reviewed and would be finalized with county staff.

Implementation steps recorded in the discussion included sending the maintenance agreement document to township contacts and confirming billing and cost-share lines. A speaker said they had emailed the maintenance agreement the previous day and would follow up as needed; specifics on start date and contract term were not specified in the record.","Emmons County approved entering a maintenance agreement with Campbell Township covering snow removal, blading and graded services at agreed rates.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6651510,"Emmons County approves up to 18 vehicle trackers for road fleet",374,93000,467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2499664-97fb8726a55841f345ffa0f1ba6d300b&start=93&end=467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2499664-97fb8726a55841f345ffa0f1ba6d300b/thumbnail_93000.jpg","/articles/6651510/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Emmons-County-approves-up-to-18-vehicle-trackers-for-road-fleet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651510-d19b27500505dfefde87cb69560c6802/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147119&Signature=UUs6QehYI38jRMEeZb7pgZ899eils1wopbozmObVNhxiw6qx2bP~kX927rq~dQ1Ii2n8OQWYrZR7kenIMlbGfsLGl4nxhoeqcBRIBoIUXhGlBAUjVH8nF8loQy9HI09vSHKvKuQhgQ8oR6ok0Upkj0T0n8wK4mwET8NM8f0ge68NdV36nXkMdN98n1QCAZEozMMPiYSf0SFCZVH2T8s07Fd6d3~1h3oVb83sevg8hm21KRg6Ojyi2lkDWVH8aBtA4E8MLROMaUTgioZ8LLRi9QZtqwZZGPeNSC0ErFEtVP0yIB39DIj5eXkZrincpXfLXktGSzwLL34h1-s56puzLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emmons County commissioners voted to accept a proposal to equip up to 18 county vehicles with Verizon Connect vehicle trackers, with staff saying the recurring cost would run roughly $350–$400 per month.

Supporters told the commission the system would provide frequent GPS “pings,” allow supervisors to check vehicle speed and routes, and could integrate with existing GIS data. Speaker 2, an unidentified meeting participant, moved to approve “option 2” — up to 18 trackers — and Speaker 4 seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

The commissioners and staff discussed technical features and uses. Speaker 1 said the devices can ping every eight to ten seconds and that the information can show when crews are “blading” or moving at particular speeds. Speaker 2 noted optional add-ons such as PTO sensors to record implement activity and front-facing cameras, which could be added later. The group also discussed GIS integration and the potential to store location-accurate asset information (one participant described three-foot accuracy for some devices).

Several speakers framed the purchase as a transparency and accountability tool. Speaker 2 said the system could “prove that we’re doing as much or more than what we’re getting accused of doing,” and argued it would create an auditable record for past and future service calls. Other participants raised personal privacy concerns about employee tracking, but described the devices as unit-mounted rather than personal locators.

Cost considerations were discussed: speakers said the first three months of service are cheaper and that long-term monthly fees would amount to “less than $5,000 a year” at the quoted rates. One participant said the price was comparable to options they had reviewed in North Carolina and cited benefits such as 24/7 vendor support.

The commission directed staff to implement the purchase. A named staff follow-up was not recorded; a speaker said they would “work with Russ” to place the order and coordinate installation.

Implementation details — including whether the county will enable PTO sensors or cameras, and how long-term data will be archived or accessed by the public — were not specified in the meeting record.","County commissioners approved purchase of Verizon Connect vehicle trackers for up to 18 road department vehicles, citing efficiency and transparency; cost estimated at about $350–$400 per month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners debate irrigation pipeline, ethanol plant and county role in large ag projects

Commissioners renew road maintenance agreement with Campbell Township

Emmons County approves up to 18 vehicle trackers for road fleet