[{"_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",6512039,"mediaKeyId","5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d","parentId",5119044,"title","Commission approves Ken Electric utility permit","audioSeconds",12,"startMs",9964000,"endMs",9976000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d&start=9964&end=9976","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d/thumbnail_9964000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6512039/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Commission-approves-Ken-Electric-utility-permit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512039-c208bcb67e66e5499c3f89d139f00c3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775378502&Signature=Oru2eX05BUPbn-NMzd7L305HioZH~fvL7ckCQxSQAdR7FIixY5-cZOSCSGFwJ6zERTXIo1RwknWtjd2JxRKJlzrCdHUndXxGUFbDFZ43-1AaPrvrjjPQVykAxQiHEO2wvmHLt5CHaGHv0yrgj42eKYEGlR5ApZdnxvqrMNdeqivbPLg08-~xQIMzmKzDmCRyJGXYaH93jVmglDVAgLCOks0-EXncwgxbcHRIllxMboxrNuzwbHLclsvNU5fZzBscxIJ6QtK1o8n4vjL9otoerSsG4bexRvNNP4ZUZ-FzOrg9VgLRysHoUfbvGeeaq8WYvb6FaIj9rev6C04ghD1ljg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Emmons County, KS","date","2025-07-02T13:30:24Z","article","The Emmons County Commission approved a utility permit application from Ken Electric by voice vote.

A commissioner moved to approve the permit, Commissioner Carter seconded the motion, and the board recorded the matter as approved.

The approval was recorded on the meeting agenda as a routine permit item; no additional conditions or expenditures were noted in the meeting minutes.

Provenance: Utility permit discussion and vote appear in the business/permit portion of the meeting agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Emmons County Commission Meeting 7/1/25 pt 2","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a utility permit application from Ken Electric by voice vote.","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},6512043,"Emmons County weed board adds water hemlock to noxious list; chemical voucher assistance offered",351,1418000,1769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d&start=1418&end=1769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d/thumbnail_1418000.jpg","/articles/6512043/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Emmons-County-weed-board-adds-water-hemlock-to-noxious-list-chemical-voucher-assistance-offered","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512043-6367e73ac09cfc5616bef2c945ff3689/orig.mp4?Expires=1775378502&Signature=UfP216qj8piEdPMkQNXp0yULYHgb7d5GL39m5tpHSqHV9-ebY6orqQkdElQ0hzuMYqZhVPQ9TMKxzDRAWPP1UtYlYfemqC~OK4yS3KSTkcKTARtXusva494HM9ktgbFujT05fuCZbMycpnfdv4bt39YyCrdcjwatk4jQN2HjaKNooKZ7F00KWcCcg4oZgwe-wl3X7TX-G1OsOujgGkuxengAPcuiWlJCvkoJrgG0Qpmzo8Za7M-LbhC474Qao-GtO1FywAQjKQu~gj9-buTutuGQzT7ffDZb3FnQFeSdKyIUvLEIZ2Z88amwFTrw~ioY2b6rp0997xy4rRWXn8Gcdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county extension agent told the commission the Emmons County weed board declared water hemlock a noxious weed and added it to the county's list of reimbursable species under the chemical voucher program.

Extension staff said the weed has been identified west of Strasburg and in areas north of Linton, often in wet, creek‑and‑watershed areas where cattails and other wetland species occur. An agent reported the weed can be toxic to livestock if stems are broken and sap is ingested, and that dried hay contaminated with water hemlock can retain toxicity.

The weed board added water hemlock to the voucher list, making producers eligible for reimbursement of up to $300 for approved chemical used to control the species. Extension staff said they would prepare outreach information for landowners about identification and control options and planned to publish a newspaper article explaining the new listing and available voucher.

County staff and commissioners thanked extension staff for scouting and follow‑up work; the extension agent noted that private landowners near waterways had reported new infestations and that the weed appears to be spreading in some creek corridors.

Provenance: Extension office report and discussion of the water hemlock listing occurred during the extension report portion of the meeting.","County extension staff reported the weed board declared water hemlock a noxious weed in Emmons County and authorized inclusion on the chemical reimbursement voucher program, available up to $300 per applicant.",{"_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},6512048,"Emmons County budget talks focus on salaries, step‑and‑grade plan and tax‑office workloads",1919,2113000,4032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d&start=2113&end=4032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d/thumbnail_2113000.jpg","/articles/6512048/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Emmons-County-budget-talks-focus-on-salaries-stepandgrade-plan-and-taxoffice-workloads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512048-f3db412686f9bf2252da8259466c6f00/orig.mp4?Expires=1775378502&Signature=O8CJl1EgnpXTzmRO4kU0VVT9MwWZPOq55WGV3KKtvLd6rX~mMsDIOdNyRnauqofGXno0JfEEaS3dNb6TTsm1o3qMNhaA-UEAWZdFUv-W4Tlt3LpnbHcXrA52zF79NpkgH7-ZOstHfP3fxtDoG-Rizsc2NIXb2xBsZjbd4ApX7AsAEN2ydfScVCX3aukyywqSNkE3fh96XuvAAKDfZQrbSVNxaZo-M5or5ARQNlBn32eZ77-NlmFsbxroR3LLbxo5mpf3YxQcIpSfsZYmZScMsnMOvN5tBA5zKIVsBLY6rNy7yaTMbV4tw~THt2wJX7IpQVFpRS0iYOpyUi-TNsTS5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple department heads presented budget requests to the Emmons County Commission, and commissioners discussed a proposed grades‑and‑steps pay framework intended to standardize hires and raises across county departments.

Several office managers left base salaries blank in draft budgets pending a county decision on cost‑of‑living adjustments (COLA). County staff recommended planning for a COLA in the neighborhood of 3–4% based on current inflation projections and employer costs.

Christina, the county tax director, requested a step increase tied to certification progress and noted she is roughly \"one third of the way to certification.\" She asked commissioners to confirm how certification‑linked raises would be administered. Commissioners and staff emphasized that raises tied to certification should be consistent with the county's proposed step‑and‑grade structure and suggested the tax director provide documentation of completed certification steps so the board could consider a retroactive adjustment if appropriate.

The commission discussed the step‑and‑grade tool as a living document that assigns every position a grade based on duties and authority, with steps reflecting experience and tenure. Commissioners said adopting the framework would simplify future COLA decisions because a single percentage applied to the pay matrix would move all salaries proportionally.

Other departmental budget notes included small increases for professional development, software subscription costs and technology, and requests for modest capital equipment or continued replacement schedules. Several departments flagged postage and printing increases associated with statutory or administrative notices; the tax office said new House Bill 1176 will increase mailing and notice workload and budgeted $5,000 to cover anticipated additional help and mail costs.

No final budget votes were taken at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue refining figures, to meet with department heads on the Grades & Steps documents and to return with recommended COLA figures and certification documentation for any proposed retroactive increases.

Provenance: Budget presentations and the grades‑and‑steps discussion began during department budget reports and continued in a detailed review of tax office and other departmental budgets.","Department heads presented budget requests and discussed a county‑wide step‑and‑grade pay plan; the tax director asked for a pay adjustment tied to certification progress and staff asked commissioners to finalize the grading/step process before ad hoc raises.",{"_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},6512053,"Roads, gravel and a tar tank: Emmons County discusses maintenance, pits and possible paving to boat dock",4136,5772000,9908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d&start=5772&end=9908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d/thumbnail_5772000.jpg","/articles/6512053/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Roads-gravel-and-a-tar-tank-Emmons-County-discusses-maintenance-pits-and-possible-paving-to-boat-dock","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512053-32cd12aa9fbff11c5bb88db2811881e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775378502&Signature=GyB3bjcZ1YG6DE8PVn2uwvwGesbeycKfpvmquVURrx51oLpazSZq4M474Wkd2G5Y9KuaSA-H12mjWtXzpSEeTNorVQnaeGT~MVTOFskOGDlihnZUKmKzGeF2BGU20rz5Wqn2s6-Vm18G3qAfvl8Kh0s9ebxCjQncgSwls9p7l7tzbr4kTvAQjkJY3pY8DXaHlf9dKgeVlysJCyuSejMoHs7gjczElKsVjVovUwyAclN4h8fQfgiXrbmW9r55p9apH7X80B0XZqaRhOOpADnjko3gf4XOG2ESAKk6s1UtNGmEl9S3bkocgCAOkEvkAbc4xFg5HiQcHBWhGDyeFneNRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county road superintendent reported crews are concentrated on culvert installs, gravel hauling and blade work across Emmons County and outlined short‑term tactics to address wet spots and clay “black‑spot” stretches on multiple township roads.

\"Every man is out of the shop. There's nobody in the shop, including myself most days,\" Road Superintendent Russ Waller said, describing current field deployment. He said crews were hauling from several pits, performing spot graveling near Hazelton and Vandervoor, and planned to start “double hauling” — moving gravel from different pits to improve problem stretches.

Waller and commissioners discussed gravel quality, crushing specifications and the long haul distances crews face. Commissioners and staff urged prioritizing crushed rock with lower clay content to improve road longevity; Waller said the county will seek better blends and consider leased or purchased supplies at scale. He noted a potential local lease (Renn/Tommy Higgs pit) where a landowner offered to stockpile a county‑dedicated pile to give a 5–7 year supply window, subject to contract details.

Road maintenance topics also included blade lease payments, the need for a possible used dump truck or mini excavator, and a shortfall Waller flagged on blade lease payments that could create a budget gap if not covered.

Commissioners and staff also discussed the county's tar tank and whether operating or sharing a larger tank with neighboring jurisdictions or cities would reduce per‑gallon costs and supply risk. The meeting reviewed problems counties face obtaining bulk tar and the expense of heating large tanks. Officials discussed smaller emulsion barrels as an alternative in some situations but noted tradeoffs in performance and cost.

In a separate but related conversation, county officials and members of the public discussed long‑standing concerns about heavy truck traffic and dust on the county road that leads to the Cattail/boat‑dock area and Seaview facilities. County staff said the stretch between U.S. Highway 1804 and the boat‑dock area has underlying soils in poor condition; engineering to pave the existing road could be costly because of the work needed on subgrade and box culverts. \"According to John, we can't add any more weight on top of that box culvert,\" a county contractor told the board, describing constraints that affect paving options.

Commissioners discussed alternatives: a concrete stabilization approach to improve the road more cheaply as a staged step toward eventual paving; building a new alignment; or pursuing cost shares with state or other partners such as Game and Fish or Seaview. County staff said the concrete stabilization option was being explored as a lower‑cost interim solution that could be compatible with future paving.

Road rules and seasonal haul restrictions also came up. Commissioners discussed models used elsewhere — a networked rain‑gauge/notification system that triggers restrictions based on local precipitation readings — and asked staff to investigate whether the county could join a regional system or otherwise issue timely advisories to heavy haulers during wet periods.

No formal action to change policy or spend new funds was taken at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to pursue gravel and contract details, get written offers for pit access, and continue exploring shared tar options and engineering estimates for road stabilization and long‑term improvements.

Provenance: Road and maintenance discussion began with the county road superintendent's monthly update and continued through extended exchanges about gravel pits, tar tanks, blade leases and paving options to the Cattail/boat‑dock area.","County road crew updated commissioners on gravel operations and culverts; commissioners and staff discussed long-term options for paving to the Cattail/boat‑dock area, gravel sourcing, and options for shared tar storage or bulk purchase.",{"_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},6512057,"Emmons County sets public hearing for Evans Logan energy storage project",1274,56000,1330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d&start=56&end=1330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119044-846856ab3fabcccadb6dd2ddd250b47d/thumbnail_56000.jpg","/articles/6512057/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Emmons-County-sets-public-hearing-for-Evans-Logan-energy-storage-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512057-2ed7b3a23f2e2490e6fb47a4180f0a4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775378502&Signature=bb6m2mIFIj6SCj5DBBg~~AO51jngwLHTN4btFf-3qqJp7JIL99kDodSgayA6zPCLv2DVzJ6Dw8fSkww9UjkzAz1azoEwtP9K7WYwq8f34LzZ4tskCaUZOvVK2m8NhMa9RwLy4eW74b0bMcQLt0fIGsW8ZZ5qYsuLwKVXMJlJeZ4~Bg1iwAo8BmFriyCrRJ~UNBus3SupZI4Sn3LSuiB9btg2EBXwb2JOgM2MyVTKvsZPSn2K6STE7p~lkrWGLfsvfinvenmaRlXVfyN6laNkG0p~FPDmvWQG7Zf4hAymibhCGp-2JWxhLDKix1UZ-c-u-0l3bzJ-yoDoS0M8e6MONA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Emmons County Commission voted to schedule a public hearing on an application for a conditional-use permit from Evans Logan Energy Storage LLC, setting the hearing for Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Emmons County Courthouse.

The applicant told the commission the project would install modular battery “containers” on piles and operate year-round, and gave a preliminary schedule that would aim for commercial operation in December of next year. \"We would be looking to COD... December of next year,\" an Evans Logan representative said during the meeting. Company representatives also said mobilization would likely begin in March, weather permitting.

The project team described the battery modules as shipping-container-sized units placed on piles over a gravel base; they said the containers have individual bottoms designed to catch any internal leak and that units are monitored 24/7 from a central control center. \"We currently have somewhere around 60 operating nationwide right now,\" the company representative said when asked about the developer's experience.

Commissioners and residents asked about fire risk and environmental impacts, citing recent national battery-storage incidents and asking whether the site would use liners, whether the containers could leak and whether any active water-based fire suppression would be installed. The applicant said the design does not include water-based suppression systems and that the containers are climate-controlled and vented; they also described thermal event tests done elsewhere and referenced publicly available EPA monitoring for other large incidents. \"Those publications are available online,\" the representative said when describing post‑fire air monitoring in another case.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on scale and lifecycle: the company said they expect to construct about 138 containers at first and estimated an end‑of‑life maximum of roughly 186 units. Company representatives said each container weighs on the order of tens of thousands of pounds (they estimated roughly 78,000–110,000 pounds per unit depending on configuration) and that cranes would be required for installation.

Several commissioners and staff raised practical questions about construction logistics and local impacts: where gravel and other aggregate would be sourced; how much road maintenance would be needed for heavy hauling; whether local blades or contractor equipment would be required; and how local tax assessment would be handled. County staff said the tax treatment remains uncertain and would likely follow state central assessment procedures but that the county would follow up with the state tax commission for a formal determination.

The commission said the main reason the application was on the agenda was to pick a date for the required public hearing. A motion to conduct the public hearing on Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Emmons County Courthouse carried by voice vote.

The hearing will allow commissioners, county staff, the applicant and members of the public to present testimony and evidence before the county makes a final decision on the conditional‑use permit.

Votes at a glance
A motion to schedule the public hearing on the conditional‑use permit for Emmons Logan Energy Storage LLC on Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. passed by voice vote; no recorded roll call tally was recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

Provenance: Meeting transcript discussion introducing the Evans Logan Energy Storage Project began at the agenda item \"Application for conditional use permit, Evans Logan Energy Storage Project\" and continued through the motion to set a public hearing.","The Emmons County Commission set a public hearing for Aug. 5 on a conditional-use permit application from Evans Logan Energy Storage LLC after questions about safety, scale and tax treatment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves Ken Electric utility permit

Emmons County weed board adds water hemlock to noxious list; chemical voucher assistance offered

Emmons County budget talks focus on salaries, step‑and‑grade plan and tax‑office workloads

Roads, gravel and a tar tank: Emmons County discusses maintenance, pits and possible paving to boat dock

Emmons County sets public hearing for Evans Logan energy storage project