[{"_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",6595929,"mediaKeyId","3020638-44440c43417be666a501983cf87406d4","parentId",3020638,"title","Votes at a glance: Ramsey County commission actions on hires, contracts and routine items","audioSeconds",1270,"startMs",97000,"endMs",1367000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020638-44440c43417be666a501983cf87406d4&start=97&end=1367","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020638-44440c43417be666a501983cf87406d4/thumbnail_97000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595929/Ramsey-County/North-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-Ramsey-County-commission-actions-on-hires-contracts-and-routine-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595929-8b55122fe030210c6fb06f16305566dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120642&Signature=PFszWldYqa-v7mDK3IN9ciMPHb4U4O~YwsqhpWkUWAKVplEz2~KzXdAXBL~mG1akVk04Pj0QRYPKGZ8fvHXs6Jp1bw8-UEm2VzTbmn0yeLwR80aQMv2lzE7dCxWdUqRV2CIAdrPpSIP2ePM4ybU5lWPKKGsND5D4dHM94gy~XsjdnJViZEIDfTestuk1w-wklSFBFQp3WFDm~mGhZtg~CZafGPc-emNLoY6Klw5XBxIElK5viSuvJUgvzkDlUMIydBaj2YYOoToYSKVGbCfd1CRkJmCJSQ1UpO2BaOudJKdbSl9tlPQnP10IEAwLZ69cBzt9uOTBb9T2F1kRUgL3xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ramsey County, KS","date","2025-04-16T14:32:01.777Z","article","The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners took the following actions during its meeting.

- Highway superintendent hire: The commission accepted the hiring committee’s recommendation to appoint Jason Craft (current highway department employee) as highway superintendent. The motion carried.

- Summer maintenance contracts: The commission approved summer maintenance contracts for a group of townships and townships’ roadwork (contracts listed in the meeting packet). The chairman was authorized to sign contracts.

- Emergency switch / electrical repair: The commission accepted a bid for an emergency electrical switch so the courthouse generator will operate correctly. The motion to accept the electrical repair/temporary switch was approved.

- Closure for generator work: The commission approved closing the courthouse at noon on the scheduled day to allow the temporary emergency switch installation and related work.

- Homestead credits and administrative transfers: The board approved six homestead credit items and a letter of transfer to reclassify approximately $189,000 into an indirect funds line for the human service zone, as staff recommended.

- Resolution supporting operating outlets at full capacity: The commission adopted a resolution expressing support for running outlets at full capacity for the next operating season.

Each of the above motions was moved, seconded and carried during the meeting. For the full minute entries and any parcel- or contract-level details, see county staff records and posted minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ramsey County Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved several routine items including hiring the highway superintendent candidate, summer maintenance contracts, an electrical repair bid, and a suite of administrative resolutions; one major petition (Edmore snag-and-clear) was denied.","taxTitle","Ramsey County, North Dakota","taxId",73636,"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},6595934,"Commission directs courthouse committee to negotiate relocation plan for Ramsey County Abstract",1761,7066000,8827000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020638-44440c43417be666a501983cf87406d4&start=7066&end=8827","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020638-44440c43417be666a501983cf87406d4/thumbnail_7066000.jpg","/articles/6595934/Ramsey-County/North-Dakota/Commission-directs-courthouse-committee-to-negotiate-relocation-plan-for-Ramsey-County-Abstract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595934-4150e8a98d7bdd7c286ce0b932cce692/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120642&Signature=j2Np95uUGgiqOZs24fjtS7GPCWwa-aJRgAAH--XhqyT5DyxgJuu45liZfMBaZuuOvlKrUqHs7Y4944sw9Cm6u7mnEw0LLrzuVfqYHddAhLebRslDuHCV7LDycSCfxcYUpwMdQxJZjHjRq7EWkVRmlhtqqkU1RNdXyK~JHLFevZqs2oMy89quM6fJvhKbAhSdgAYW-Xmzq-g36Y7fEJYPEVn26scfyow4TAI4gmYnl7VPMxXicmYAwoX13qz8Z~0d01Xgr7gMEl8keGRlmqcQfFsXVbWWW2vUcAnBBxbr9y50ZU4DRdNxVHjILLsS8MBn2uJlBaKNW~KKHNqZNigjPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners directed the courthouse (security) committee to negotiate possible relocation terms with Ramsey County Abstract after the company’s leadership described operational impacts a move would cause.

Gene Serum Barrett, identified in the meeting as vice president of Ramsey County Abstract, told commissioners the company has occupied space adjacent to the recorder’s office for decades and that moving would disrupt daily operations and add cost. “The work that went into improving [our current space] for us was pretty big,” Barrett said, describing recent renovations and equipment investments.

The abstract office’s president also testified that proximity to the recorder’s office and frequent daily interaction are central to the company’s ability to serve landowners quickly and to provide notary services and document lookups. The company noted that moving to the proposed North Central Planning or Memorial Building spaces would increase rent, require relocation costs and could lengthen turnaround times for customers.

Commissioners acknowledged tight courthouse space and competing needs from county offices. Commissioners did not order an immediate eviction; instead they approved a motion directing the courthouse committee to sit down with the abstract office to draft a relocation plan, estimate remodeling costs for proposed alternate spaces and consider lease terms. The motion passed by roll call.

The committee will report back with cost estimates, a proposed timeline and draft lease terms; commissioners said the goal is to identify a workable solution that balances county operational needs with the abstract office’s service role to landowners and the recorder’s office.","After hearing concerns from Ramsey County Abstract’s leadership, the commission voted to direct the courthouse (security) committee to work with the abstract office on a potential relocation and lease terms rather than immediately imposing a move.",{"_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},6595939,"Ramsey County commissioners authorize additional assistant state's attorney after debate over remote work and space",912,338000,1250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020638-44440c43417be666a501983cf87406d4&start=338&end=1250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020638-44440c43417be666a501983cf87406d4/thumbnail_338000.jpg","/articles/6595939/Ramsey-County/North-Dakota/Ramsey-County-commissioners-authorize-additional-assistant-states-attorney-after-debate-over-remote-work-and-space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595939-171a903e5136fe44abc3ab2ab6771356/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120642&Signature=if5rOJo6fke8F9yEh8K3gZoQ9ou9iiskkuYD0fNjsLDrPWI~lz-~ENeEKLW3mz-Z98NXgZ~r1t3xQDG80KDSi8y46gI1Mm0dUH47Awu3t2a5TJliq5EEjUKr5do-cDTBHmgLAtx4HL2qL5hCOdWT9W4nn2idza~g87n4F8-TfGoLOslSCmEO4dka3fC8P-FCa33VNmSrsnSQBumKXhdILNxBvh87p0K5guDfnlwobePVDDgRVMW0CnMu0w9cChycOqj1WgoETd7GfCrClf2CuAuSDYZjDxjIPpWZ~ptNbMWZes8ZnjYDZI8gXgOT3iN6fqX3~OLybbl5CSRo9VnOwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a request from the county’s state's attorney to authorize an additional assistant state's attorney, saying the office needs more capacity to handle trials, appeals and legal representation for county departments.

“...I need that third attorney, third or the second assistant in my office,” the state's attorney said during the meeting, describing increased workload and the need to provide more legal support to county departments. He told commissioners the office is moving toward a paperless case-management system and that much of the work is managed electronically, and he proposed a hybrid work arrangement if courthouse space cannot be found immediately.

Commission discussion focused on whether the new position could be hybrid remote, how the county would provide workspace, and how the county would monitor productivity. One commissioner said remote work had not worked well for them during the COVID period; others said hybrid arrangements can work with appropriate oversight. The state's attorney said current staff have worked effectively with remote arrangements and that the new attorney would be monitored.

A motion to authorize the addition of the assistant state's attorney was moved and seconded; the commission voted in favor and the request was approved. Commissioners directed staff to explore available space in the courthouse (including the auditor’s office and other nooks) to provide on-site workspace, while recognizing the new hire may work a hybrid schedule until permanent space is found.

The state's attorney said the additional hire would help the office provide legal support to the commission and county departments and reduce the risk of staff burnout.","The commission approved adding a third/second assistant in the state's attorney’s office after discussion of workload, remote work, office space and monitoring arrangements.",{"_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},6595942,"Ramsey County commissioners deny proposed Edmore snag-and-clear project after lengthy hearing",4839,1722000,6561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020638-44440c43417be666a501983cf87406d4&start=1722&end=6561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020638-44440c43417be666a501983cf87406d4/thumbnail_1722000.jpg","/articles/6595942/Ramsey-County/North-Dakota/Ramsey-County-commissioners-deny-proposed-Edmore-snag-and-clear-project-after-lengthy-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595942-9277c9471e588b547d73a9b6f43b7129/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120642&Signature=TOr-qrzgIByfuzoATor8ILCHuGwqXnE8A-ArrD8tXmeGplG0gcpKpVwMSPCmVcQoq1eS-aYUKrBmGiqzMAaHjPOlXjlfiCV1C7G4154YQo~M1Y36eGIER8xnnRdnmK65LXfqKRBQNSSwplAGKN7AwB4zICRDbRXxniQ4VE2ZkmqA3qxY9ibYYzY9Pxt0n-IKb-K~B7qgaEycK-~T0cmYFQKR4TQUo8UIluJ59cXVwntKG2xzS~ar1Yv7PItl-r0F-A0O0sp4H4FSk2yIHrbxQ0Vr1CjaTvY3hQkGEMBMj4CamPiBt9T4D8znZcoaDi1WV4DeJw21yRjGinrrwFSoMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ramsey County commissioners voted to deny a petition from the county Water Resource District to perform a snag-and-clear cleaning of a natural waterway near Edmore, a project the water board said would be financed by a loan and repaid through landowner assessments.

At a public hearing, landowners, farmers and engineers debated whether the proposed cleaning — limited to work that would not exceed $100,000 in initial borrowing under North Dakota Century Code snag-and-clear provisions — would move water faster through a largely flat coulee and whether that change would harm property downstream. The commission voted to deny the petition after hearing repeated objections from downstream landowners and questions about assessment boundaries and project scope.

The petition would have allowed the water board to borrow up to $100,000 to pay for dirt work, administrative costs and notice and publication; the water board and its engineer calculated assessments based on parcels that the engineering analysis identified as benefiting from the cleanout. “We have received two bids for the dirt work,” said Paul Bjartson of KLJ Engineering, the consultant who prepared maps and the benefit analysis for the petition. “We would take and borrow the $100,000. But when the work was done, we would pay off what was done and then pay back the remaining amount.”

Residents and landowners urged the commission to either reject the petition or require more study. Several speakers said the immediate problem in the coulee is perennial aquatic vegetation — described variously as sago pondweed and dense mats of cattails — rather than silt, and that vegetation could re-form quickly after a mechanical cleanout unless a longer-term vegetation-control plan is adopted. “There’s absolutely no benefit to this program for me. I don’t see why I should be assessed for the benefit to land I don’t use,” one landowner said during public comment.

Others asked why the proposed work would begin at the easterly end of the coulee rather than starting farther downstream or at a different choke point. Multiple speakers said starting the project where the petition proposed could move water more quickly to County Road 4 and create new backwater on land that currently drains slowly. Several residents recommended beginning work at a different crossing or extending the project so it would not stop at a single road crossing and merely transfer the drainage problem.

The commission also heard a written comment citing North Dakota Century Code §61-16.1-10, asking the board to ensure that its planning “fully consider downstream impacts,” and asking the commission to require quantification of the project’s benefits and downstream impacts before voting.

Commissioners noted the water board’s authority and the limited process for projects below the $100,000 threshold: smaller projects require a simpler approval process than larger projects and can proceed more quickly, but that process also limits the commission’s opportunity to require supplemental studies. Multiple commissioners said the hearing revealed unresolved questions about benefit calculations and parcel assessments and suggested returning the petition to the water board for more work.

The motion to approve the petition failed; the commission denied the project and invited the water board to revise the proposal and return with additional information addressing downstream impacts, assessment boundaries and vegetation-management options.

The denial leaves the water board and petitioning landowners the option to redesign a larger project or seek an assessment district with a different scope and financing plan, which would require a more detailed process and higher upfront costs for publication and bonding than the simpler snag-and-clear pathway.","After a multi-hour public hearing, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted to deny a water board petition to authorize a snag-and-clear project near Edmore, citing concerns about downstream impacts, assessment boundaries and insufficient information.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Ramsey County commission actions on hires, contracts and routine items

Commission directs courthouse committee to negotiate relocation plan for Ramsey County Abstract

Ramsey County commissioners authorize additional assistant state's attorney after debate over remote work and space

Ramsey County commissioners deny proposed Edmore snag-and-clear project after lengthy hearing