[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6628849,"mediaKeyId","2713970-7f60eb5333deaa0feca075de5ee94524","parentId",2713970,"title","Votes at a glance: Mercer County Commission actions on burn ban, rezoning, road limits and department purchases","audioSeconds",6023,"startMs",562000,"endMs",6585000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713970-7f60eb5333deaa0feca075de5ee94524&start=562&end=6585","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713970-7f60eb5333deaa0feca075de5ee94524/thumbnail_562000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6628849/Mercer-County/North-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-Mercer-County-Commission-actions-on-burn-ban-rezoning-road-limits-and-department-purchases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628849-339563aeaf6d0b4a26aa18e84980b423/orig.mp4?Expires=1773599783&Signature=UOuZPlgVXnzbWKrjDHi4VRXKHaxTtQX0I-RUoHXaR4laKlp2MsP~tIWr3JN22cjjAxO4MNG83X8GVHi5qIWhleM8z8xX7ob2RYa551QwUz6HseoOvvyDW6O93yoqC2HLZYztdWEVOGrwz1S3jBXVITZe9WjQ5cgxZDj2Z1sxICniyMLib8nT2E1sF8iz~SruTk7yKXokUM~UR6laOeBo3o3KDZYxN9XuMstUuOsy4O6zU9bkvfOh6NUGtqQQz3IrLL0s4Wcc1~6HXG6jNvjbG-L8kLfiiFvHRyFyyl2NG1voQzvA-TsbeJ051MisIqIq~2L3qfwrk3qvg~0kB15pjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercer County, KS","date","2025-03-20T16:59:06.067Z","article","Mercer County commissioners approved a set of motions and formal votes at their meeting. Key outcomes included:

- Burn ban implemented: Commissioners voted to implement an open-burning ban following recommendations and local fire chief consultations. The motion to put a burn ban into effect passed unanimously. The ban prohibits open burning (leaves, grass, other open fires) while conditions are high risk.

- Rezoning approved for storage units (Zoning case 250201): The commission approved rezoning 12.67 acres from agricultural to commercial for an application from Glenn Murray to build 30 storage units (12-by-30). The county noted the water board issued a permit for development of 0.6 acres; further development of the remaining acreage would require separate review.

- Temporary use permit: The commission approved a temporary use permit for an entity described in the packet as Energy Sand Solutions through December (bond paperwork on file). The motion passed without objection.

- County road restrictions adopted: Commissioners voted to adopt state-recommended vehicle weight limits (80,000-pound standard) and authorized the highway/road department to place signage where enforcement is needed. The motion passed with a majority; one commissioner voted no.

- Highway department purchases and approvals: The commission approved purchase of a heavy-equipment diagnostic code reader (quoted at $9,990) for the highway department; approval was unanimous. The county also authorized purchase of MC-3000 asphalt product (32 tons) to supplement existing materials, and approved several garage-door repairs/replacements for county facilities; motions passed.

- Routine approvals: Commissioners approved February recorder revenues (+$4,382.60), routine vouchers, amended minutes with a numeric correction, and other consent items recorded on the agenda.

Votes were recorded in the meeting minutes for each item; where recorded, vote tallies are listed below. The commission also approved an emergency expedited bid to outsource payroll starting in April (separate detailed article), and authorized the county state's attorney to pursue contractual remedies related to the county's software implementation.

Ending: Staff were directed to implement the burn ban notice, to publish road restrictions and to proceed with purchases and permit paperwork; specific follow-ups (water board conditions for the rezoning, procurement details for purchases, and vendor solicitations for payroll) were assigned to appropriate departments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mercer County Commission Meeting 03/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Mercer County Commission approved a package of routine and substantive items including a burn ban, a rezoning for storage units, county road load limits (state standard), purchases for the highway department and other routine approvals; a separate, detailed vote addressed an emergency outsourcing bid for payroll (see separate article).","taxTitle","Mercer County, North Dakota","taxId",73543,"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},6628854,"Mercer County declares payroll software emergency, orders expedited bid to outsource April payroll",2445,1225000,3670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713970-7f60eb5333deaa0feca075de5ee94524&start=1225&end=3670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713970-7f60eb5333deaa0feca075de5ee94524/thumbnail_1225000.jpg","/articles/6628854/Mercer-County/North-Dakota/Mercer-County-declares-payroll-software-emergency-orders-expedited-bid-to-outsource-April-payroll","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628854-9e81f19e4721801e4a8b4485774b0b46/orig.mp4?Expires=1773599782&Signature=oOiCEEMksin5C4uzpUGDeO44eWGLdvGpfctEzfzC~EPzNl5k~lgXQJIwPE3Y1xOP5xT08Hi8vpEvmhx-XPY2dLQYEuQMeG5W9brMD6~~dgeywIeRkT0tgtkcWcgu87tRZeArc-EMRlK4u2fv9JmSpxR6aVOrTw0kq9KhTd8sZv0OO-IJ~yRC79ufBqNg0SJz5-zSF1tIhkfLlhDLAAZ4nYUQU80Vlrd0T58RS567heUxVBhZhHb~95lb~wLfrI1L~ma2s5MgaKM-DgVJtJsDKRgnxbCJUOmlXBWzeh5sGQ8x96p~KldBf-9QQD6o6TAuTeTZHWuzDAH38uoSbGq6Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mercer County commissioners voted unanimously to declare a payroll-software emergency and to begin an expedited bid process to outsource county payroll starting in April after prolonged problems with a new enterprise software implementation.

The county auditor, Carmen (county auditor), told the commission the implementation of the new Tyler enterprise software had caused repeated payroll errors, delayed month-end reporting and left department heads without reliable budget numbers. \"This is a mess,\" Carmen said during the discussion, urging swift action to protect employees and county finances.

The vote followed more than two hours of public discussion and back-and-forth among commissioners, county staff and the county attorney about whether to return to the legacy AS/400 system, continue pressing the vendor to fix the implementation, or temporarily outsource payroll. Commissioner Mark (commissioner) pressed for firm deadlines and a strong legal posture against the software vendor, saying he wanted to \"put their feet to the fire\" and, if necessary, declare breach of contract. Todd (county state's attorney) said the legal team could pursue contractual remedies and recommended giving the vendor 30 days to present a plan while preparing contingency options.

Commissioners said the decision balanced two urgent priorities: stopping ongoing payroll errors that harm employees and preserving longer-term modernization goals. Several commissioners argued outsourcing payroll for one payroll cycle would reduce immediate reputational and operational risk. \"We gotta stop the bleeding,\" one commissioner said, recommending a short-term outsourcing arrangement while exploring alternative vendors and legal remedies.

The commission instructed staff to advertise an expedited public solicitation for a qualified CPA firm or payroll provider with county and law-enforcement payroll experience. The motion, read into the record as an emergency action to \"undertake an expedited bidding process to outsource payroll starting in April,\" passed with all five commissioners voting yes. The county attorney said the legal office would be authorized to pursue contractual remedies against the software vendor, including declaring breach and seeking damages; any litigation strategy would be handled in consultation with outside counsel where necessary.

Officials gave several operational clarifications during the meeting: the county has spent roughly a quarter of a million dollars with the vendor to date and had been billed about $191,000 in change orders, according to comments in the meeting; payroll is due the week after the meeting and staff said the county must act quickly to avoid further employee-impacting errors; the auditor's office will work with commissioners to solicit three competitive bids and evaluate local vendors as short-term providers. Commissioners also asked staff to notify county employees and vendors about the situation and the commission's plan.

The commission directed that a small working group — the county auditor, one or two commissioners and the county attorney — be authorized to work with prospective vendors and bring recommendations back to the full commission. The county will continue to press the current vendor to fix the software in the near term while soliciting short-term outsourcing proposals and evaluating alternative enterprise providers.

The vote and directions do not themselves terminate the contract with the software vendor; legal remedies, including a potential breach declaration and recovery of damages, were discussed and left to the county attorney. The commission also asked staff to report back at or before the next commission meeting with any firm recommendations or contract proposals.

Ending: County officials said the immediate priority is ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time; the expedited bid process is intended to be a temporary, stop-gap step while the county continues to pursue fixes and legal remedies related to the underlying software implementation.","After months of problems with a new county enterprise software package, Mercer County commissioners voted to declare an emergency and begin an expedited bidding process to outsource payroll starting in April while legal and technical options are pursued.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Mercer County Commission actions on burn ban, rezoning, road limits and department purchases

Mercer County declares payroll software emergency, orders expedited bid to outsource April payroll