[{"_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",6656710,"mediaKeyId","5119039-a705f1801e43e8226adf2ffe6b671276","parentId",5119039,"title","Votes at a glance: Emmons County approves multiple building permits, replat and gaming authorization","audioSeconds",114,"startMs",5370000,"endMs",5484000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119039-a705f1801e43e8226adf2ffe6b671276&start=5370&end=5484","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119039-a705f1801e43e8226adf2ffe6b671276/thumbnail_5370000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656710/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-Emmons-County-approves-multiple-building-permits-replat-and-gaming-authorization","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656710-58723b9d11b973c9e5609a7d34395a97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204050&Signature=E1ZFsQ4dtiMDC56c1hpNVeE4dsKckEgt3WVHQpuZbglZXw6Fa4gE4ujrDtILmSjwTX4odGIZPttbU1BSmLwRvwuWNa~dgWxnEsUkapy5ONlN4jmXaU2AWfCn3~T2JcCHQcZ14rEeprBrIG442aTEcMlGxzT~VEn7p2rZ3I~uaIQWEMuBdhMlhiks9VBdslDO92NlzAU5jmC5JWhTwR1p~ymXflORvqQakhU9NP8SuB7LbH4agYRpBSWAaWVr7qPHqsJUgnnWOcCCa9-NFGc66-Ap1GKwr1LWl44Q8d~CbQIVLj~x57BlF3joPoFml6pl8I29Y~vC3oEMxKGQMkIVKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Emmons County, KS","date","2025-07-02T13:45:44.72Z","article","Emmons County commissioners approved a set of consent and regular agenda items including building permits, a replat associated with a local energy project and a gaming authorization for a bar and grill. Each item was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript.

Items approved at the meeting included:
- Building permit: 60x40 storage addition with 6x8 breezeway (Section 28, T134 R75) — approved.
- Building permit: interior remodel of restaurant/bar (The Dock and Lar and Grill LLC, Main Street) — approved.
- Building permit: 100x40 residence with 70x30 shop (Cattail/resort area, Lot 13 Tract B) — approved.
- Building permit: two 42‑ft grain bins (applicant Ryan Nabel) — approved.
- Building permit: 36x24 shop garage (Corey and Crystal Bartuska) — approved (applicants agreed to move structure back to meet setbacks and staff will verify placement).
- Replat: Lot 2 replat related to Logan Energy Center (Section 34 T134 R74) — approved.
- Gaming authorization: Linton Lions Club at Dock and Lar and Grill LLC, 8049 Highway 1804 — approved.
- Additional building permits for grain storage and cold storage (applicants Russell Shitt and others) — approved, some contingent on staff verification of setback compliance.

Procedural notes: motions were generally made by commissioners and seconded; the calls for votes produced the in‑meeting response \"Aye\" and the chair declared motions carried. A small number of approvals were conditioned on staff verifying setbacks before a final permit is issued; staff indicated they would follow up by site visit or phone contact where needed.

Ending: The approvals clear the listed permits to proceed subject to standard permit conditions (setbacks, inspections and any required staff verification). No appeals or public objections were recorded during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Emmons County Commission Meeting 7/1/25 pt 3","oneSentenceSummary","During the meeting the board approved a slate of building permits (residential shops, grain bins, storage buildings), a replat related to a county energy center, and a gaming authorization for a local bar and grill. All listed items passed by voice vote; approvals were routine and typically carried unanimously.","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},6656715,"Emmons County commissioners prioritize implementing a grade‑and‑step pay system over a one‑time cost‑of‑living increase",514,3730000,4244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119039-a705f1801e43e8226adf2ffe6b671276&start=3730&end=4244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119039-a705f1801e43e8226adf2ffe6b671276/thumbnail_3730000.jpg","/articles/6656715/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Emmons-County-commissioners-prioritize-implementing-a-gradeandstep-pay-system-over-a-onetime-costofliving-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656715-57387ca020c27c25a4638eb9426c10e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204050&Signature=Ow1dSpTRUIQTlTkh3Oev85easqOqTXjNELpdBZ2RRI-pOYVnNzjpeV-C8n86~8nzNLVoWRt5Vi0E1tDQrNWnhELlyM2WuHg1NPFQpxYzPxL0Yxh2rfdZCzZYOh0beGxaI5Y4~VfI73STwExEtYKr~3HGKss6v5Bl9KcfY~PLo5s7IFRrwNLgiPeCUd-3htKnebNYn0gwdPXREyrDL6~dx~XcCWFDP75G4CrmvQD6xf9DlJ3dA7Ii98-bWVOctY9zc-24il~bCXxRZKwrSr9SiuJ0RvICha9e6XB4tWYooS2HajMWbQEhk3Hk-UiItvoTInaBaHIRXyed-~hl4qwySQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emmons County commissioners spent substantial time reviewing department budgets and debated whether to adopt a across‑the‑board cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) or to implement a grade‑and‑step pay system for county employees.

Staff said a grade‑and‑step system would create a consistent pay structure across departments and allow supervisors limited discretion to move employees within steps for experience or performance. Commissioners and department heads generally endorsed the grade‑and‑step approach as a longer‑term solution and asked staff to develop a step‑and‑grade proposal and to produce two preliminary budget versions: one that implements grade‑and‑step and one that shows a COLA scenario, so the board can compare costs before final adoption.

Why it matters: personnel costs are a major portion of the county budget. Commissioners noted that health‑insurance premiums are expected to rise (staff mentioned a projected increase in the county’s insurance contribution), and longevity and prior adjustments complicate simple percent‑based COLA calculations. Commissioners said implementing a grade‑and‑step structure now would clarify long‑term salary expectations and reduce ad hoc adjustments.

Budget items and clarifications raised in the meeting included:
- Health insurance: staff referenced an expected increase in insurance costs (figures discussed in the meeting included a potential 7.5 percent rise). Commissioners noted employees who do not take county insurance are common, but overall insurance increases affect the budget.
- Elections: staff said election costs exceed $30,000 annually.
- Courthouse upkeep: staff recommended a $50,000 contingency line for building repairs and maintenance.
- Community‑service contract: the county pays a vendor $1,200 per quarter for community‑service supervision.

Next steps: staff will prepare two preliminary budget scenarios (graded step implementation and a COLA alternative), meet with department heads to finalize step placements, and return to the board with numbers in August and September. Commissioners agreed that if the grade‑and‑step proposal proves feasible, it should take precedence over a one‑time COLA. If necessary, limited COLA adjustments could follow after step‑and‑grade implementation.","Commissioners and staff agreed to pursue a countywide step‑and‑grade pay system as the primary long‑term goal and asked staff to produce preliminary budget scenarios outlining graded step implementation and alternate COLA scenarios; health insurance and longevity payments were discussed as complicating factors.",{"_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},6656720,"Emmons County moves to include 4‑mill levy for Linton Municipal Airport in preliminary budget",1397,471000,1868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119039-a705f1801e43e8226adf2ffe6b671276&start=471&end=1868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119039-a705f1801e43e8226adf2ffe6b671276/thumbnail_471000.jpg","/articles/6656720/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Emmons-County-moves-to-include-4mill-levy-for-Linton-Municipal-Airport-in-preliminary-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656720-292f43bce864ae3c7f33f2d57c012f4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204050&Signature=HdJ-a1FpURnkWITfkKuoPjhj9hqa~Xb7Mdd-BKsThd8z0PjYrgmZHuEEZ4o4XB~ldasHDzDPxDKhIUsgXHgEVoKSpSfrApwor5~mIK9ICHzKc2HBhC1LM~qM3eCv5L0xAD1MKH~OcBlwHMzEGxkIxWkGMGrC7iPI5bgtPetZlHQZug7i-NcG7EMEevUSOXi6CpTIaqomu~8eK35kltLJhjKS~zMVZWJks9iDrJFDAIxtZxVgf402jhb~E~9TVBMtrvbeWW9FfDE~8cFSrm-g0PAv04EImsWOrgyJtePmD24yAxRO-mDg8gar-fw4UAA6-aRnJl4ecztNSnxU-BFeJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emmons County commissioners voted to include a proposed 4‑mill levy for the Linton Municipal Airport in the county’s preliminary 2026 budget and to proceed with the budget‑hearing schedule that will allow public comment before any final levy is approved.

The airport authority presented its proposed 2026 budget, citing capital priorities including a $50,000 avgas/jet fuel system upgrade (the airport representative said the state would cover 25 percent of that cost) and a planned complete pavement rehabilitation and chip seal. The authority recommended counting 50 percent of the fuel upgrade against the 2026 appropriation and showing a year‑end cash reserve. The airport’s final appropriation in the presented documents was $200,000 with an expected cash reserve around $37,000 without the levy; including the mill levy increases projected revenue.

Why it matters: commissioners said preserving the airport is important to keep local infrastructure and business access; adding the levy to the preliminary budget triggers statutory procedures including public notice and a public hearing (the county will schedule a hearing between Sept. 7 and Oct. 7). Commissioners emphasized that placing the levy in the preliminary budget is not a final commitment — the public hearing and the board’s subsequent vote can modify or remove the levy before adoption.

Key details presented at the meeting included:
- Airport capital: a proposed fuel‑system upgrade estimated at $50,000; presenter said the state would pay 25 percent of that cost.
- Airport authority budget: the authority submitted a proposed appropriation of roughly $200,000 for 2026 with an end‑of‑year cash reserve estimate of about $37,000 without additional levies.
- Levy limit: participants noted an existing statutory maximum of 4 mills for an airport levy; the county can choose any levy up to that maximum.
- Timeline: the board must set a public hearing notice window (Sept. 7–Oct. 7 was discussed) before final adoption; commissioners said adding the levy to the preliminary budget will allow public input and further evaluation of details, including whether the airport must establish its own board composition and bylaws under state law.

Commissioners and staff also discussed governance: whether the airport authority needs a joint agreement or a specific board composition, what state law (referred to as the Century Code) requires, and whether county commissioners may serve on the airport authority board. Officials said staff would check the North Dakota Century Code and the airport authority bylaws before bringing a final plan forward. Presenters also mentioned exploring shared county resources (for example cycling an available county vehicle as a courtesy car at the airport) to reduce costs.

Decision and next steps: the board agreed to include the 4‑mill levy in the preliminary budget; staff was instructed to prepare the required public‑hearing notices and to continue discussions with the city and airport authority about bylaws, board appointments and the final levy level. The board said it would treat the preliminary levy as subject to public comment and possible revision before final budget adoption in October.

Ending: Commissioners said including the levy in the preliminary budget preserves options and allows the public process to run its course; they scheduled follow‑up work on bylaws, board appointments and confirmation of state statute requirements.","After a lengthy presentation on airport needs, commissioners agreed to include a 4‑mill levy item for the Linton Municipal Airport in the preliminary 2026 budget and to hold a public hearing; the airport authority also outlined a $50,000 fuel‑system upgrade with the state covering 25 percent of the cost and a planned pavement rehabilitation.",{"_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},6656725,"Emmons County commissioners weigh costly road drainage fixes after repeated flooding and silt buildup",105,0,105000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119039-a705f1801e43e8226adf2ffe6b671276&start=0&end=105","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119039-a705f1801e43e8226adf2ffe6b671276/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6656725/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Emmons-County-commissioners-weigh-costly-road-drainage-fixes-after-repeated-flooding-and-silt-buildup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656725-37d800d28d66f82896a44c5900f4ba7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204050&Signature=Pjq9RyiJsZar5Vx-Q-UFVr29CYjVdKkukd09wTIOODgotXWxssrfuqKZmOwwBH3OnOsHMBPBwVg9OzX38nbl~p93PLr4gPq4794t7gBeqkEtKG912cT5lahMCIlrE7Ri9n8mvLKMWBUpPHH9bTNwIBR7OXAr4NRpotxkW16SYUnQtTO3aoYk39Zsn7BSeqDDpwuzGmzo2aiG9MgukhZ~4rkeuMkiu34WkODRkizZPM~oACiaaGqM2-UHNIE4L1xXuuLHxaMN2pgBo8xRsUvf5o5BxA0yLrQUr49jCaZDtYOD9PJjaH7HciP~OGoKINiyAdmj6DfEmpai2mSJbokl~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emmons County commissioners spent part of a meeting discussing a long-running drainage and road deterioration problem caused by silt, manure and vegetation building berms that block outlet flows and swamp the roadbed.

The discussion centered on whether to pursue a major contracted reconstruction that would likely include a larger box culvert, dredging of the slough and easement acquisition — work that commissioners said would be expensive and could trigger costly wetland mitigation requirements. Commissioners and staff also discussed smaller, incremental steps already funded: a two‑mile cement stabilization project funded by a grant and applying for State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding as a way to qualify for future paving assistance.

Why it matters: commissioners said the road has been a known problem for decades and that earlier attempts to solve it ran into the same constraints — high contract costs, unknown easement expenses and potential environmental mitigation. Those limits mean any large project will need multiple funding sources and preexisting project commitments to fund necessary engineering work.

Commissioners described how silt and organic debris carried from nearby feedlots and upstream drainage collects behind a grass “filter” that gradually forms a berm and prevents the road from drying out. One commissioner said the berming can be relieved by dredging the slough and restoring flow, but cautioned that doing so requires permission from the landowner and could require coordination with state water boards and federal wetland rules.

Several participants noted that it is hard to obtain funding for stand‑alone engineering plans unless an applicant is committed to an actual construction project. ‘‘It’s very difficult to get funding for an engineering plan unless you’re gonna commit to a project,’’ a commissioner said during the meeting, adding that most grant sources expect a project plan rather than just preliminary engineering. Another commissioner urged taking incremental steps — for example completing the two‑mile cement stabilization now — to build credibility and improve chances of attracting larger funding later.

Commissioners also discussed seeking technical assistance from neighboring counties’ engineering departments to estimate costs and identify potential easement and environmental obstacles. They noted typical hidden costs for major road projects can include wetland mitigation and easement procurement, which sometimes far exceed initial construction estimates.

What’s next: commissioners signaled support for proceeding with the two‑mile cement stabilization funded by an existing grant and recommended continuing to research engineering options and partnerships (including discussing soils and project history with Morton County). They did not commit to a major reconstruction at the meeting and emphasized the need to identify funding and to confirm easement and mitigation costs before pursuing larger contracts.

The meeting record shows the topic was discussed in detail as part of the county’s miscellaneous and road‑project conversation; no formal motion to start a major reconstruction was made.

Ending: Commissioners said they will pursue the incremental stabilization project while continuing to evaluate engineering estimates, potential cooperation with neighboring counties and the likelihood of paying for wetland mitigation and easements before advancing a major culvert or paving project.","Commissioners discussed long-standing drainage problems tied to silt and manure from upstream feedlots, the limits of available funding for engineering studies, and a phased approach using a two-mile cement‑stabilization grant while larger box‑culvert and mitigation needs remain unresolved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Emmons County approves multiple building permits, replat and gaming authorization

Emmons County commissioners prioritize implementing a grade‑and‑step pay system over a one‑time cost‑of‑living increase

Emmons County moves to include 4‑mill levy for Linton Municipal Airport in preliminary budget

Emmons County commissioners weigh costly road drainage fixes after repeated flooding and silt buildup