[{"_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",6586682,"mediaKeyId","5444895-52157a37253b248a40b2fb86429704ec","parentId",5444895,"title","Griggs County commissioners review 2026 draft budget; staff says levy increase falls under 3% cap","audioSeconds",2255,"startMs",3206000,"endMs",5461000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444895-52157a37253b248a40b2fb86429704ec&start=3206&end=5461","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444895-52157a37253b248a40b2fb86429704ec/thumbnail_3206000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586682/Griggs-County/North-Dakota/Griggs-County-commissioners-review-2026-draft-budget-staff-says-levy-increase-falls-under-3-cap","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586682-f002b61280481f217aaa2a59828c878d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775408948&Signature=OTeAh8CLwVEMLhX7TX0EBASw7mT2U4HomgRcK0uSmQgyoa8FbsZgpknGYwuDIAAPjA314makttrwjkUHrO5m8jFsygTsnTVSO-VqC3yjsmusvusEyJssYh6DkqjCS91PP3sQRc5fMI9U49hPiGpw8JML8yR2p~Xs9Uscva52XV7lhaHcFbjynKk2feSEEAH5owC4xGIkysY5zU3PZH-FJU~hIqLpGNWnby32y1QPNLLDy8zbZESd1Go9Q26hxKLo6lEZfxG4-ebPr--0iNwIC044tT6jfkPlbEYf0LE22cqEuvmMTE3y8u3xvColPtSNFSzeUlJcgm5NF9o7ag8aDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Griggs County, KS","date","2025-07-22T02:53:42.34Z","article","County finance staff presented a working draft of the Griggs County 2026 budget and walked commissioners through revenues, salary proposals and special funds, saying the current draft stays under the state-mandated 3% levy cap.

Staff said the draft incorporates a longevity-style salary plan (roughly a 50¢ step per five years in many departments), a recommended starting wage for deputies of $19.50 and commissioner meeting pay modeled as $100 per meeting for budget calculations. The draft includes the pay decisions discussed earlier in the meeting (including the Courthouse custodian hire) and automatically calculates retirement, FICA and other benefit lines based on the salary inputs.

Health insurance costs were raised as a major driver of budget pressure. Staff reported current monthly sample rates from North Dakota PERS: a single policy at $973.64 per month and a family policy at $2,353.58 per month (numbers provided in the meeting); staff said offering family coverage for every eligible employee would increase ongoing county costs substantially and would add roughly six-figure annual costs to the general fund. Commissioners directed staff to obtain quotes from alternate carriers and to examine different coverage mixes (e.g., family opt-in) before making a final decision.

On capital and special projects, staff recapped federal/state and county allocations: the county’s recent Perodot distribution totals $834,004.17 (as reported from staff and county records) and can be used for road projects; county road savings and special-project accounts were discussed as funding sources for County Road 8 and other priorities. Staff said the draft also keeps a reserve and that the county would have roughly $36,004.49 of unused levy capacity to carry forward into next year if commissioners chose to leave the levy at the current calculated level.

Other budget topics during the meeting included a vehicle-rotation plan and reserves for sheriff vehicles, ongoing ARPA/COVID project accounting (security and courthouse projects), and a proposal to examine office software upgrades and set-asides for future courthouse roof or major-maintenance work. Commissioners and staff agreed to reconvene to complete the budget and requested additional vendor quotes (insurance and IT) before adopting a final levy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","County staff presented a working draft of the Griggs County 2026 budget and said the current numbers keep the levy increase under the 3% cap while incorporating proposed longevity raises, a reserve and funding for road projects.","taxTitle","Griggs County, North Dakota","taxId",73529,"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},6586691,"Commission discusses alternatives and funding limits for County Road 8 repairs",521,684000,1205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444895-52157a37253b248a40b2fb86429704ec&start=684&end=1205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444895-52157a37253b248a40b2fb86429704ec/thumbnail_684000.jpg","/articles/6586691/Griggs-County/North-Dakota/Commission-discusses-alternatives-and-funding-limits-for-County-Road-8-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586691-fc3a15cf5bfb4636d1d41c7ebdcef9ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775408948&Signature=WVqe4RDEp8atlZoy2H1bTKvPvFD7y0Uyuz34qoOBowgxo~qHzBPiFsz94kBoDeS8rYb-YSu8QXII5m~Rh5k9RKEHkqW96VRyubY1JdsJr7zKQaBwhzvULsOSdcIfamnrZ~8pANnBGKOIsN~9S7jJmfzEHAgZ89hcrql04HoX2P092d-n~OwXRzo0ds~oIXafBKPicjfavULIW6gxs4OF8wt4t2UQeOrmc94GB3RiCh75ablZ7E9NqJ9Tbcpc0x8o1WT1XTsKFcB6ExWCGynG0fjwWhTiFEmU~EF7oC2ZLEAgNZXxCapEA8iKLd31~XoyKjBz4Mz7NO9fHfZ9lxWrCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Griggs County commissioners spent substantial time discussing multiple repair approaches for County Road 8 (McHenry Road), including whether the county could build shallower riprap slopes and 4:1 outslope areas as a lower-cost alternative to the high berms and borrow-heavy approach the state has used on similar projects.

Road department staff and commissioners reviewed trade-offs in cost, safety and permitting. Commissioners suggested a narrower, lower-impact fix that would avoid extensive borrow and 12-foot berms, proposing 4:1 riprap slopes and paving the top to match the rest of the road. Road staff raised safety concerns: riprap in the clear zone is less recoverable for errant vehicles than sloped grass shoulders, and modern practice and safety reviewers may not approve a design that leaves rock immediately adjacent to the travel lane. County staff also noted wetland and environmental mitigation would still be required for any in-fill or slope work.

Commissioners discussed funding options. Staff said the county had submitted a larger safety grant previously and that the state’s only comment on denial was that the project was too expensive; they also discussed a separate round of Lehi funds (deadline Sept. 19) that might accept a revised submission. A member of staff said the county could consider smaller, discrete fixes for the gravel sections and add shoulder dust control for detour routes; another option discussed was salvaging existing riprap where feasible rather than hauling large amounts of borrow.

The debate balanced immediate affordability against long-term safety and state standards. Commissioners agreed County Road 8 should be a top priority along with Red Willow Road; staff said they would look into whether lower-cost riprap or chinking (small rock between larger rock) solutions remain allowable under current safety guidance and whether salvaged riprap can be reused. The commission did not adopt a specific design during the meeting and directed staff to research permitting, safety approval and cost comparisons for alternatives to the state’s berm-heavy approach.","The Griggs County Commission debated lower-cost alternatives for repairing County Road 8 (McHenry Road), weighing riprap slopes and limited widening against state-standard berm and borrow approaches, and discussed where to pursue grant funding.",{"_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},6586695,"Griggs County approves Airport Road reconstruction contract, sets preconstruction and detour plans",408,258000,666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444895-52157a37253b248a40b2fb86429704ec&start=258&end=666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444895-52157a37253b248a40b2fb86429704ec/thumbnail_258000.jpg","/articles/6586695/Griggs-County/North-Dakota/Griggs-County-approves-Airport-Road-reconstruction-contract-sets-preconstruction-and-detour-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586695-4010408a01870bd73fb94ac8ba105126/orig.mp4?Expires=1775408948&Signature=RuXmJpJ48jH7dRFRZnBsZRd3it2EUNnNXGsFJHtBb9x-9k1a6hJemG3MGusIS6WA0omnfeZCk0wreiZIPri~CPBm92xUeMqu9wHGycQeZfg2n-aApfs6p95630PT1-9QiG8iekieD8~dfJC9psOZolZvO8lupI4BdcOfXaJMNekt2cjqjjDY4jh1rBmW1hrsYd4M29JcjGjbp9X8y~5vA3~lhU5QpbLS-IiwuH0r3TgZ-ctULJ2sg~5JTtP5hehO8deyM4Yb1o5UpO9pZsAW2EiaVW0V6CBjWjG4s75z2SAfOYjjU6pi6lE2hF-FoK8IiNznNQIA1lwp91wpz82Bug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Griggs County Commission voted to approve a construction contract for County Road 26 (the Airport/Hannaford Avenue reconstruction) after staff and the county engineering representative reviewed the bid package, insurance and bonds.

The project team told the commission a preconstruction meeting is scheduled for Thursday; signs and erosion-control measures were called in and are expected to be placed the same week. The contractor plans to remove existing pavement, curb and gutter and reconstruct the roadway; the commissioners were told the work is slated to start either July 28 or Aug. 4, with a preconstruction meeting to confirm the start date.

County and consultant staff emphasized traffic impacts and schedule. Payment markings are scheduled to finish Oct. 6, and the contractor’s stated completion date on the schedule is Oct. 25, which county staff said leaves a short buffer if the start slips. Bridge Avenue through the work area will be closed for the duration of reconstruction; the commission was told a detour will route traffic south of town on an existing gravel detour used for a past railroad-overpass reconstruction, and the county will apply dust-control treatment to the detour route.

Commissioners also discussed coordination for an associated Airport Road seal-coat project (Griggs County 19), with patching expected late in the week following the meeting and seal coat and fog sealing planned for late the next week or the following week. County staff said the chip-seal schedule depends on patching and weather but expressed the goal of completing seal and fog operations in August.

The motion to approve the contract was made during the meeting, the county confirmed the contractor’s insurance and bond documents were included in the meeting packet, and county staff directed the clerk to sign the contract where appropriate. The motion carried on a voice vote recorded during the meeting.

The commission’s action authorizes the county to execute the contract and for the contractor to proceed once the certificate of insurance and performance/payment bonds are finalized and signed by the contractor.","The Griggs County Commission approved a construction contract for County Road 26 (Airport/Hannaford Avenue) after review of insurance and bond documents. Preconstruction work is scheduled the week of the packet meeting, with full roadway reconstruction to begin either July 28 or Aug. 4 and Bridge Avenue closed during the job.",{"_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},6586685,"Griggs County hires new courthouse custodian; commission approves $20 hourly starting wage",372,2313000,2685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444895-52157a37253b248a40b2fb86429704ec&start=2313&end=2685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444895-52157a37253b248a40b2fb86429704ec/thumbnail_2313000.jpg","/articles/6586685/Griggs-County/North-Dakota/Griggs-County-hires-new-courthouse-custodian-commission-approves-20-hourly-starting-wage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586685-21d65895e291a32d1fa40d124e44fde6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775408948&Signature=mM9My1cmP90o4d68k0vsQ6vlB6QWerqiVXs75p4X6v37xdYlg~UEUelojBwg6pdBZf5Ur~rWC~sZOgWVNFsu753AdX-0ng885n0v6y6JaTTt-XAC1QwfATno4DU~yftxn4mD2mKIo1PXHt57kPcjEhzwpGCsy51kJ8e~mCpApHHR9vb7Z36tjyfr-e4l7I7Fy68EEzSDoQV4jGuc-2zny0ZOqmwCLo-HpdpU-ohHQrbKakTiHmdNwQCJTNFPeJdXRodXDaQOw-zQbEGuSBb3qRU1c1BkCTGvUFi7eQ1jupveq9rd4yVpzu3L2ofdSqj~HgfEYXGaTcYbVftOtzApZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Griggs County Commission voted to hire Chad Johnson as a courthouse maintenance/custodial employee with a starting wage of $20 per hour. Commissioners recorded that the hire included a 6-month review with an additional $1-per-hour increase after the six-month period.

Meeting materials showed a cleaning and maintenance schedule for the old and new courthouse that county staff said Johnson would follow and refine after starting. County staff said Johnson’s first day was scheduled for the week identified in the meeting (recorded in the packet as “the 20 ninth” / discussion clarified as the 20th of the month), and they described an initial orientation and a plan to have existing mowing contractors continue another week to allow Johnson to get settled.

During discussion commissioners and staff said maintenance work will include routine HVAC filter checks on nine units, mini-split head filter care, generator startup/inspection checks and periodic cleaning and maintenance tasks that Johnson will familiarize himself with in the first weeks. Commissioners also asked that department heads help demonstrate systems such as the generator and building systems to the new employee.

The motion to hire — moved and seconded during the meeting — passed on a voice vote. The roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes showed the motion carried with a majority of ayes and one recorded nay. County staff will finalize hiring paperwork and schedule an orientation and walkthrough with department leads.","The commission approved hiring Chad Johnson as the courthouse custodian at $20 per hour with a 6-month review and an agreed future $1 raise after six months. The start date was given during the meeting and the motion carried on a voice vote with one recorded dissent.","actionData","errors"]

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Griggs County commissioners review 2026 draft budget; staff says levy increase falls under 3% cap

Commission discusses alternatives and funding limits for County Road 8 repairs

Griggs County approves Airport Road reconstruction contract, sets preconstruction and detour plans

Griggs County hires new courthouse custodian; commission approves $20 hourly starting wage