[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6616901,"mediaKeyId","2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac","parentId",2847498,"title","Votes at a glance: approvals, denials and recusal recorded during Emmons County meeting","audioSeconds",2940,"startMs",10000,"endMs",2950000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac&start=10&end=2950","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac/thumbnail_10000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616901/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-approvals-denials-and-recusal-recorded-during-Emmons-County-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616901-e7ed70d07214cade5e1586eace466615/orig.mp4?Expires=1774985906&Signature=lEv06ekLLePZcHOyQbVa7WPu7RW5nyIrX0Jd19oaS876fGyOPKIXeOMhGR9PkllAOofqmTymlPTliIU2XKUp7ZIan9zEqHaXFywqXnTnrPd87x4VkTRr-Yr7VTK~8h3GHyXNU2gZLWoj7cEFV62VaxvexAVpZGivcFeZWrpBNyyDr9u0MmOuPzjjxWRgtKN0CCmfgvwttZIZ3xAO8Wk5N-pk35CHKYjmZlSmMznSywxFleRLsu3yYR5WdgL2kHF2~om2szun~6AcrwhU7hIBCcx9VttG7NHCvamiSA9v7-3DlxvvtaS7e2VdPovAqUPTsl2GLgTGQO-jLljP0FWqyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Emmons County, KS","date","2025-04-02T13:33:43.49Z","article","This article lists formal actions recorded during the Emmons County Board of Commissioners meeting. The board recorded several routine approvals (minutes, agenda and plats), approved multiple building permits and one cell‑tower equipment upgrade, and denied a building permit for moving a house into a commercially zoned parcel that, under current ordinance language, does not allow residential uses.

Votes at a glance (formal actions recorded in meeting minutes):

- Approval of minutes of the previous meeting — motion moved (mover not specified in the transcript), seconded by Greg Miller; outcome: approved.

- Approval of the agenda with an added item number 9 — motion moved by Jim Vannehorst; seconded by Commissioner Gardner; outcome: approved.

- Resolution: formal recognition (resolution of support) naming July 2, 2025 in recognition of a local figure (text referenced as \"Lawrence Welk did.\" in the agenda) — motion by Greg Miller; seconded by Jim Vannehorst; outcome: approved.

- Building permit: Adam Price — permit to construct on the described parcel (North Half and Southeast/East Half of the Northeast of Section 24, Township 130 Range 74) — motion to approve (mover recorded as Aaron; second by Gartner in transcript); outcome: approved.

- Building permit: Wireless PCS tower equipment upgrade (removal and installation of antennas, RRHs, surge protectors and power trunks on an existing tower, described by legal quarter‑section) — motion to approve (mover not specified, second not specified in audio transcript); outcome: approved.

- Plat approvals: multiple minor plat/track approvals (examples recorded on the agenda as Track 1 of the Westaff of Section 15 and Track A in the South Half of another section) — motions and seconds recorded in the minutes; outcomes: approved.

- Building permit: moving a house onto a commercially zoned parcel (applicant Mike Tadowski) — motion to deny (mover recorded in meeting as motion to deny; second recorded); outcome: denied. The board cited that the county’s current commercial district language does not allow residences without a separate zoning change or conditional‑use path; commissioners also discussed the possibility of future conditional‑use language allowing small shop‑with‑living‑quarters configurations.

- Building permit: Nathan and Aaron Weiser — single‑family residence and attached garage; motion to approve; one commissioner recused from the vote because of a disclosed conflict of interest (recusal recorded in the minutes); outcome: approved.

Notes: the transcript records several additional routine approvals and ministerial motions (motions to accept building permits and plats with named movers and seconders in the minutes). Where a mover or seconder was not audible in the transcript, the entry is marked \"not specified.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Emmons County Commission Meeting 4/1/25 pt 1","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of motions, procedural votes and permit decisions recorded during the meeting, including approvals of minutes and plats, approval of several building permits, and denial of a conditional‑use building permit for a residence in a commercially zoned parcel.","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},6616906,"Veterans service officer and county extension deliver quarterly reports; commissioners discuss duty time and outreach",2324,406000,2730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac&start=406&end=2730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac/thumbnail_406000.jpg","/articles/6616906/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Veterans-service-officer-and-county-extension-deliver-quarterly-reports-commissioners-discuss-duty-time-and-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616906-b1779fc859be3ad6944c39bd22c9ad73/orig.mp4?Expires=1774985906&Signature=ZY-bGrdiRqW1inN9CSArjJb4df1wxzSfL55OgvuxJXpYIrhs5WB~zWcbJYLKFUALplL0zE8vei9qsALpzuPmm9WPSe7EY64cI12fxeMDLXxhr6cDA8mmEJKQ9SocHA954nTjcuRN0VuxKzv8X-kI80FKkfbO5zrylVCN~xGYqouKuC8EQoBtSJDfRu~YhZqKJnM2k2tq26kmWOgQV1ZeXSVPyvmJjso8kqsXoaP5uMb7ahe5fJGjirBmz-WC~dZ395vfcjEnNBOELhzfUoHMlA1WBYCsFf~zgApqgM1JiWwkX-cPqVLbn~dMxRV5aPPUPaJV0H4FBX8dT5hsPDcnFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brad Huber, the county’s Veterans Service Officer, presented his quarterly report and told commissioners his office has seen 44 veterans since January with a range of casework and training completed during the quarter. Huber said he attends veterans’ funerals frequently as a member of local veterans organizations and asked the board for feedback because some funerals have occurred during his regular working hours; commissioners told Huber they did not object and characterized funeral attendance as part of his role representing veterans.

County extension agents presented the quarterly extension report. Extension agents described recent school and 4‑H activities including composting and planting programs for elementary students, agronomy judging and a spring garden workshop that drew about 40 attendees. Extension staff also described health and caregiver webinars, pesticide and fumigation trainings, and upcoming 4‑H contests and county plot tours run in partnership with the Carrington Research Center. Agents noted spring and summer programming that focuses on youth, nutrition and health with statewide webinar participation for some online offerings.

Ending: Commissioners thanked the presenters and asked that departmental expectations and staff scheduling be clarified if necessary; no policy changes or budget actions were requested during the presentations.","Veterans Service Officer Brad Huber reported quarterly activity and raised scheduling concerns about attending veterans’ funerals during work hours; county extension agents summarized youth, gardening and health programs and upcoming events.",{"_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},6616910,"Road supervisor outlines gravel problems, recommends blending pits and an extra full‑time hire",530,5890000,6420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac&start=5890&end=6420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac/thumbnail_5890000.jpg","/articles/6616910/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Road-supervisor-outlines-gravel-problems-recommends-blending-pits-and-an-extra-fulltime-hire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616910-23aefd2e452a433bf5f72b89985afae7/orig.mp4?Expires=1774985906&Signature=JfL7wdz~MTotgOuk8biPyZ37L8wA62IAq5sv0mlr-HssS44Od1ZZix2SQf8Et57LJiuDHEYz3IdbJg9aUC-hWcbvmnu8eiPkxd9qN6FJ53wYUmdt-U2Wp0vG7PFF6ovFZW7bivar4~i5cXEttm0H2rL7hdPDXbEfdKcNsfcQ1GMtbwbAbUXvS3T5MUezxU9Ob5Chgg9SEs5yy36AXmgUV89S8vq7pfvfVqVC1xm6oIsScknqEDeqacyp0P0yByTfcLMOyS-xpqF59q6VtwAmbfcA7u2Odpk~Zr0Q11LrcTFNmJcJxvmyuy6OBom3dSQ5WO8MPCy4JjycPEmC5PHgyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emmons County road staff told commissioners that gravel material from a long‑used pit is low in clay (binder) and that mixing that material with higher‑binder gravel would produce a more stable road surface. Road Supervisor Russ (last name not specified in the transcript) presented test results showing the VanDerHorst pit samples were low in fines and binder; he proposed either blending that material with rockier/high‑binder material from other pits or crushing a new source to produce a usable aggregate.

Contractor Tyler of RTS Shearing summarized laboratory gradation tests: several samples from the VanDerHorst stockpile fell short of the state’s class‑13 gradation guidelines on the finer‑fraction (binder) requirement, which explains why recently placed material rutted or failed in wetter conditions. Road staff and the contractor recommended a pilot re‑blend on a short test section rather than wholesale re‑handling of the entire stockpile because re‑processing the whole pile would be costly.

Supervisor Russ said the county also needs staff capacity to complete culvert projects and to make progress on roads that have accumulated deferred maintenance. He asked the board to consider hiring one additional full‑time employee in place of the two recurring part‑time seasonal hires currently budgeted; commissioners generally supported the idea but asked Russ to confirm benefit and total compensation figures and to verify available budget lines before proceeding.

Other equipment and material items discussed included scoping additional test pits in southern parts of the county, scheduling a crusher at Renton/Tom’s site for summer production, and inspecting a front‑mounted “retriever” or disc device used by neighboring counties to reclaim shoulder material — equipment that supervisors said can speed shoulder reconstruction in a small time window before grass growth.

Ending: Road staff will bring costed staffing and equipment options, and additional pit sample results, back to the board for a budget decision. The board encouraged experimenting with a short test patch blend and with contractor assistance during the summer construction season.","Roads superintendent reported variability in gravel pits, proposed blending material or opening additional pits, and asked to convert recurring part‑time seasonal positions into a permanent full‑time hire to address culvert backlog and ongoing maintenance.",{"_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},6616914,"Commissioners review zoning ordinance updates; raise questions about rail setbacks, solar storage and residential lot sizes",773,1283000,2056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac&start=1283&end=2056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac/thumbnail_1283000.jpg","/articles/6616914/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Commissioners-review-zoning-ordinance-updates-raise-questions-about-rail-setbacks-solar-storage-and-residential-lot-sizes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616914-93ab3d1c71931d30685394fc514bc130/orig.mp4?Expires=1774985906&Signature=BxFA-ch9X708GzowT9t222sKW2i1RXkIENlUTMAS42HEtQX8XYRfLfKGlP5k~q~HAQGUAzqGsVF6p63b6Gz~hiEY93sbRSy1iAG6NRArQhla6Y8DSGm3gz~C5OM4ysMenWofP~Cqen~dZY9kLXj1rU-a12Ij1sO8w0onMEFSGE8TTINje2qynbWLakrdzXHhCGR1XEiy8VQ8~0KgCiZ1D92AEAyCJ0mNtR3gre8G8oIXLzUQl4oFioH~7IkNk0re4fWSvd~WxzmUTa~sRtl~UCnIYGAMDUer634~39zh333yRrZaVq66G0WWJwhAw77bcKX-PDcYltNiRgm7wTClbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emmons County commissioners spent extensive time reviewing proposed updates to the county zoning ordinance and highlighted a series of items staff and county attorneys will need to research further, including railroad setbacks, how to treat electrical generation and storage in conditional‑use lists, and how to handle non‑farm residences on small acreage.

Commissioners agreed to collect suggested changes and to proceed toward formal public hearings and ordinance drafting before any final amendment. During discussion, a commissioner noted a provision that requires a 25‑foot separation between railroad trackage and residential zones; members said that specific figure likely predates more recent state safety standards and should be checked against current state law. The board also debated adding language to explicitly include solar and battery storage as conditional uses across district sections for consistency rather than listing generation and transmission in one district and not the other.

Another sustained discussion covered the agricultural district language that currently lists “non‑farm residences on lots of 5 acres or more.” Commissioners and staff said county practice has effectively allowed smaller acreage non‑farm residences — often 1–2 acres — consistent with state septic rules that commonly require roughly 1 acre for individual septic systems when they are not tied into municipal utilities. Several commissioners suggested changing the ordinance language to reflect the state minimum or to remove the five‑acre threshold and to handle departures through conditional use or other processes.

The board also discussed feedlot permitting and noted that state feedlot rules and associated federal requirements often govern setbacks and permitting; several commissioners said it makes sense to adopt state standards for those parts of the ordinance so county provisions do not conflict with permit requirements administered by state agencies.

The commissioners agreed to compile the suggested edits and to schedule public hearings on a drafted ordinance once county staff and legal counsel have vetted proposed changes against applicable state statutes. One building permit that followed the zoning discussion — for moving a house onto a parcel inside a commercially‑zoned area — was denied (see Votes at a glance for formal actions recorded at the meeting).","County commissioners reviewed proposed updates to the zoning ordinance, discussed adding battery storage and solar to conditional uses, questioned an old 25‑foot railroad setback and debated changing the non‑farm residence minimum from five acres to align with septic/state guidance.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616918,"Commissioners hear pitch for regional irrigation feasibility study; funding request debated",2575,2345000,4920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac&start=2345&end=4920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2847498-356757e446ad5476cd22524f83481eac/thumbnail_2345000.jpg","/articles/6616918/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Commissioners-hear-pitch-for-regional-irrigation-feasibility-study-funding-request-debated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616918-a55980571c0052671d4ad68ae9981016/orig.mp4?Expires=1774985906&Signature=ibPpIUClJeI5XHxmGSqPmuUIm~Ag6tgHMv-iHD4fskZzmG4~-Fvux8UNWOlPkkUizNJxFZVsxk47msbdhEgPvkoWL6FED1fVYqRV41EWfQVeC8TnlzVxkTS-KSo0HFwg2w0sxSUH7mMSfFl6W1OD1-MutKz93QDQZpHZXvGK82GPG6XUAPhlfq9sLk0n8dwslcpRrDQz~zhLebI7pE5W~fE1fIg2cLq4AHT6Ay0EERqIEaUJzMO-OdxBz6lJKdUWuvuHbkZ9iD~vrsplK0NU7zxmlbdZ6CRyS5udgXmg6p8wG5PqPXelIFl6m~uMlIRYeWyyvy~IEGXtz8trdu2Gnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emmons County commissioners heard a presentation on a proposed multi‑county irrigation project and were asked to commit $25,000 toward a $200,000 feasibility study that would identify potential Missouri River intake locations, irrigation routes and preliminary acreage and water‑need estimates.

The feasibility study presented to the board would cost about $200,000, presenters said; the plan described a likely financing package of a $150,000 state grant (state cost‑share), $25,000 already committed by Logan County and a requested $25,000 contribution from Emmons County to move the study forward. Presenter Eric Holberg opened the discussion, saying the study is an early step to determine where water intakes and pipe routes would best serve landowners who have expressed interest.

Why it matters: supporters said the study would give landowners and local governments a data‑driven basis for decisions that could expand irrigated acreage and crop diversification, particularly for younger farmers seeking higher‑value crops. Opponents and some commissioners said county funding sets a precedent for investing public dollars in privately‑driven development projects and urged that local agriculture stakeholders or existing economic‑development entities provide the local match.

Moore Engineering principal Jim Guler described the study scope: identify locations along the Missouri River for potential intakes, map where landowners want irrigation inside Emmons County, estimate irrigable acres and required conveyance capacity, and analyze alternatives for pumping, sequencing and operation. A farmer who helped organize interest in parts of the county told commissioners he had gathered dozens of landowner signatures showing local demand but warned that exact pipe routes and intake points will determine whether particular farms remain feasible for service.

Commissioners discussed legal and budget questions. County staff and the board referenced an attorney‑general opinion saying counties should not give money directly to private entities for water development; presenters and one county official said that if a county acts jointly with another county or through a public body (for example a county JDA) it can be the applicant for state cost‑share grants. Logan County’s JDA had committed $25,000 in the presenter’s plan, and the state grant would require a public entity as the recipient.

Board reaction was mixed. Several commissioners said they supported the idea of investigating irrigation and praised the organizers for collecting landowner interest; others said they were unwilling to use county general funds for a feasibility study that primarily benefits a subset of landowners and urged organizers to seek funds from local JDAs, economic‑development entities or direct landowner contributions.

No formal county vote on the $25,000 request was taken at the meeting; commissioners asked staff and presenters to follow up with more detailed cost sources, clarifications about the grant contract holder and a list of Emmons County landowners who have signed up as potential participants.

Ending: Presenters said they will continue outreach to secure local buy‑in and to provide the technical detail commissioners requested; the board left the item open for further information and potential future action.","Presenters asked Emmons County to contribute $25,000 toward a $200,000 feasibility study to examine Missouri River intakes and irrigation routes; commissioners expressed support for the project but divided on using county funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: approvals, denials and recusal recorded during Emmons County meeting

Veterans service officer and county extension deliver quarterly reports; commissioners discuss duty time and outreach

Road supervisor outlines gravel problems, recommends blending pits and an extra full‑time hire

Commissioners review zoning ordinance updates; raise questions about rail setbacks, solar storage and residential lot sizes

Commissioners hear pitch for regional irrigation feasibility study; funding request debated