[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6632839,"mediaKeyId","2670128-804f5b504c77f614acd87d33b3363efe","parentId",2670128,"title","Commission delays approving minutes after dispute over salary-step wording for highway engineer","audioSeconds",3119,"startMs",205000,"endMs",3324000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670128-804f5b504c77f614acd87d33b3363efe&start=205&end=3324","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670128-804f5b504c77f614acd87d33b3363efe/thumbnail_205000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632839/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Commission-delays-approving-minutes-after-dispute-over-salary-step-wording-for-highway-engineer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632839-92e9f8d5c25c2320a8f6ddcd7dc5a8d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773135624&Signature=lvQW9S77tOrypysrBwqYbWQmyKcDD9C3Pfmrgo8bvdrVPUh1N8pORws6bEVWN0v9o5B7GDulaNDpbYmAD1f3Gf2ntiO-arWdEj8wDl3sLsOFrZZnlA0If67zRgluWowD80XLOjgs1vKSkUYKIDw9ZJ7NV2VaTjbMjqNz6IIysown4MSl4L~jRme7va0jDrWY2Z0fIZVnDVC0wq3Licm0OTgKgvnoNvpwa3mVSYK1OxsV0XHNC0hetx3j1haPLCVzcdMnpvg-PEclUpdYochO6oyJ~BzjzqMGIprBfMTIo80F88OlA1cpuoiEdn3~NKhSs62yl-n0DYH8UsyyZ5kkkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cass County, KS","date","2025-03-17T21:34:42.813Z","article","The Cass County Commission tabled approval of the minutes from its previous meeting after a dispute over wording related to the pay step used for a highway engineer appointment.

Commissioner Breitling moved to approve the minutes with a last‑line change to read \"$125,000.\" Another participant asked to comment and said they had checked with the finance office and that the correct record should refer to ‘‘step 3’’ in the county’s pay matrix rather than a flat dollar amount. The speaker said a flat number could place the position outside the intended pay step and would require creating a new, separate pay rate because the incumbent shares that grading step with other positions.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether the county has authority to deviate from the pay matrix and the practical implications of recording a step number versus a dollar figure in the minutes. One commissioner noted that marking the position at ‘‘step 3’’ better reflected the panel’s intent during the earlier appointment discussion; staff said leaving the minutes with the step language would avoid creating a variance and later administrative confusion.

After the exchange the chair said the commission would table the minutes’ approval and move on with the agenda to give staff more time to confirm the correct wording and pay‑step handling. The chair later reiterated the choice to defer action for two weeks to allow additional review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission Meeting 3/17","oneSentenceSummary","The commission tabled approval of the previous meeting minutes after commissioners and staff debated whether a line should read a fixed dollar amount or reference the salary \"step 3\" used in personnel pay matrices for a highway engineer appointment.","taxTitle","Cass County, North Dakota","taxId",2734,"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},6632844,"Cass County appoints Matthew Stenger as Director of Equalization, contingent on background check",222,2555000,2777000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670128-804f5b504c77f614acd87d33b3363efe&start=2555&end=2777","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670128-804f5b504c77f614acd87d33b3363efe/thumbnail_2555000.jpg","/articles/6632844/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Cass-County-appoints-Matthew-Stenger-as-Director-of-Equalization-contingent-on-background-check","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632844-0dc1d0e64d9377cb44ab548ecea37f6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773135624&Signature=A3xgPzEyEWJsymMXqPDkIAX2gtfELcAGaNLFZ0j5r0vcwEoGVwx0KSxEjhOi0dCFoD04vNf5rWXmgX2amKS2KN6VAki-IsQz9DxOUgDrDwtnMa71iXT5HFryzgiiqC8nCNLv36m3O1~n-tKXh3dn47St99UJjk1DEl6p2eLvKlnX0t~KveiDTPXSXWbHliEKAkkRWqlvFYHspmr8nyO82Cq~f0UHo7RQJan8Whuk6Wql4-9tDu2otsossXhlSMoOdebmK8ECfahXZiW45V01TTVVYzTbeoSmulGElJLyb50Gqb-vv3WM2josPwR0xk3L0WLqOW2EG-RPubAN2CVROw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cass County Commission voted to appoint Matthew Stenger as the county’s Director of Equalization, contingent on a successful background check and acceptance of the terms of employment in the county employee handbook.

County staff described a multi-step hiring process: initial applicant interviews on Feb. 27, selection of three finalists, and a public interview panel on March 6 that included county commissioners, human resources and an assessor from West Fargo. County staff said the panel recommended Stenger for the position.

A commissioner who served on the interview panel commended Stenger, saying he was ‘‘very impressed with the candidate’’ and that Stenger would fit in with the county team though he would need time to complete training and onboarding. The motion to appoint Stenger passed on a recorded roll call.

The appointment was explicitly made contingent on a successful background check and agreement on the appropriate step in the county pay matrix; county staff said those items remain to be completed before employment terms are finalized.","The Cass County Commission voted to appoint Matthew Stenger as director of the county’s Equalization Department pending a successful background check and acceptance of employment terms; commissioners who served on the interview panel praised the candidate.",{"_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},6632848,"Cass County department heads report active legislative session; road, veteran and IT bills tracked",565,929000,1494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670128-804f5b504c77f614acd87d33b3363efe&start=929&end=1494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670128-804f5b504c77f614acd87d33b3363efe/thumbnail_929000.jpg","/articles/6632848/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Cass-County-department-heads-report-active-legislative-session-road-veteran-and-IT-bills-tracked","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632848-23fbc8eeb379c075d02fb5a984a5a2ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1773135624&Signature=XqeEdqCE5f1E~nO-8JwTr3qfZq5JacYUpkWgU5VRIduZa~GZB~DdAjGwgGGn3LdOJ4QRZLnOTZv9CR3hJkX30NtiP24LxhFrbTe800rWrof4iQcfy1RsW0QSL~oeJJSU-MbqCFUwtnyfIBIhjwTHK2Mlf~4rBpR1-Fu-dnSjEwNWOAgNwPxFJHykRVajAZg8dBWW-wDlCQtcaZNlPWLId2NwkV~WdBz4bTKgDr-HdZh53hPulQqVvdwT06b57Q~i37YdrzBfAo3U-0wHzG4nZm6g7pigRAVoTZcXvVk2wmUmXf-IaxzPDiREe09xDi351J4QA76Y~SArMTRLxvDIuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff and department heads used the commission meeting to summarize legislative priorities and bills they are tracking, emphasizing road funding opportunities, veterans’ services, and state IT infrastructure that could affect county operations.

Christopher Deary, from the Federal Service Office, told the commission he is tracking HB1504 (described in meeting materials as a post-war trust fund matter) and said the state trust fund that supports veterans’ services is at a low level and affecting local service delivery. He also flagged HB1169, which the office described as intended to protect accreditation and to limit excessive third‑party fees charged to veterans seeking benefits.

Kyle Litchi, speaking about highway funding, highlighted Senate Bill 2012 (the Department of Transportation budget bill) and said the bill would expand a non-oil county grant bucket known in the presentation as the ‘‘Lehi fund’’ from $42 million to $59 million and add additional bridge and formula buckets. Litchi said Cass County previously received about $1.7 million from that fund in the last biennium and that expanded funding would be important for local road and bridge projects. He also noted House Bill 1382, a gas-tax measure that would allocate roughly $2.8 million annually to the county’s highway distribution fund if enacted.

Bob Henderson of IT warned commissioners about Senate Bill 2021, the state NDIT (North Dakota Information Technology) budget bill, which includes references to multi‑million‑dollar repairs at the state’s primary and secondary data centers. Henderson said the county relies on state data‑center services and that a failure at those facilities would be disruptive because some county connections and services route through state infrastructure.

Sheriff Johnner reported on several criminal-justice bills he tracked: a local-initiated proposal to require reimbursement to counties for fees waived under the 24/7 pretrial program failed on the House floor; a measure allowing corrections staff to collect DNA (noting bill number 1044) passed; and other bills under consideration included changes to mental-health holds, modifications to restraining-order service rules and a ‘‘truth in sentencing’’ matter. The sheriff said the county is pursuing appropriations through the Attorney General’s office as a possible alternative to the failed reimbursement bill.

Recorder and other office staff noted two bills affecting recorders’ duties: one bill would repeal a statutory duty to provide blanks and records to those doing business in recorder offices; another, the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act (SB2127 in discussion), was amended after review to address recording certification concerns.

County administration said department heads have provided memos to the commission packet and praised staff participation during the session. Commissioners asked questions about oil‑price forecasts and potential changes in grant-bucket sizes as the session proceeds; staff said county associations and advisory boards will circulate updated revenue projections.","Department heads and county officials briefed commissioners on bills they are tracking in the state legislative session, highlighting potential road funding increases, veterans' grant shortfalls, and state data-center risks that could affect county IT services.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632853,"Cass County Commission adopts policy defining abandoned cemeteries, bars new burials and sets caretaker payments",342,2780000,3122000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670128-804f5b504c77f614acd87d33b3363efe&start=2780&end=3122","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670128-804f5b504c77f614acd87d33b3363efe/thumbnail_2780000.jpg","/articles/6632853/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Cass-County-Commission-adopts-policy-defining-abandoned-cemeteries-bars-new-burials-and-sets-caretaker-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632853-eed5b5c7bccbe1444ac92a213bf8f611/orig.mp4?Expires=1773135624&Signature=MpLtkFdHjV8PTB1SS7L~WFEtvkSkUSs1WSpiiSzGU~dFbGXBF-otk23CHOOCU0-cn-VrwW2Yq9qkB8jDkJpq9DZWwsLHq8F7w443keAdcph2ueJ1oFpi-a80v93EJ2G10atEpCM7Rn3lSCOy2fJbpCvHX-kmnecaIr-2-~UNGNKMGsdSypWB4tvoY0d8~vQZUT3uarjS~VaA6aJ1PKE1AbyVk--e~pCnahNtIZ-Rt~qYDUc2RLTGMdoDPBlCQohC1g8x0uRn7RtKbF3CiDaN~zKBNuZiRayUaVvROEki6QwEe9duZrZyZH7k~n0HeZvTYl6ehXx17LedprSVYmsITQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cass County Commission on Wednesday adopted a policy that defines ‘‘abandoned cemetery’’ using the language from state law, prohibits future burials in abandoned cemeteries, authorizes modest payments to local caretakers and directs the county sexton to report new sexton information to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services within a year.

The measure, presented to the board by county staff, was described as a clarification of existing practice rather than a change to how the county manages historic or abandoned burial sites. ‘‘We pulled it, directly from Century Code,’’ the staff member said when explaining why the definition was copied verbatim into county policy.

County staff told commissioners the policy explicitly states abandoned cemeteries are not available for future interments and lays out follow-up steps if a sexton discovers a burial is being planned in one of those sites. The policy also formalizes a small budget line that reimburses individuals or neighbors who have cared for some abandoned cemeteries for years; payment levels are to vary depending on site size.

The policy directs the county to enter agreements with individuals who maintain some abandoned sites and to reimburse or compensate them from the county’s existing line item for abandoned-cemetery upkeep. It also includes a requirement that within a year of appointment the county must provide the new sexton’s information to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.

Commissioners asked procedural and scope questions during discussion, including whether families could remove remains from an abandoned site. The state’s attorney’s office advised that, in general, removal can occur but requires legal authorization and that families often complete removals at their own expense.

A motion to adopt the policy was seconded and approved by roll call. The minutes of the meeting record affirmative votes from the commissioners present.

County officials said the policy aims to reduce confusion about which sites may be reused and to formalize the county’s practice of supporting volunteer caretakers who have maintained several small rural cemeteries for years.","The Cass County Commission on Wednesday adopted a formal cemetery policy that borrows the Century Code definition of \"abandoned cemetery,\" prohibits future burials in such sites, sets modest reimbursements for volunteers who maintain some sites and requires the county sexton to notify the state within a year of appointment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission delays approving minutes after dispute over salary-step wording for highway engineer

Cass County appoints Matthew Stenger as Director of Equalization, contingent on background check

Cass County department heads report active legislative session; road, veteran and IT bills tracked

Cass County Commission adopts policy defining abandoned cemeteries, bars new burials and sets caretaker payments