[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6461278,"mediaKeyId","5824596-5d0b44df132ea8e794056cbcab8ae7a9","parentId",5824596,"title","Mercer County approves setback variances for Miller property in Planning & Zoning case 25901","audioSeconds",176,"startMs",387000,"endMs",563000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824596-5d0b44df132ea8e794056cbcab8ae7a9&start=387&end=563","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824596-5d0b44df132ea8e794056cbcab8ae7a9/thumbnail_387000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461278/Mercer-County/North-Dakota/Mercer-County-approves-setback-variances-for-Miller-property-in-Planning-Zoning-case-25901","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461278-ad0ef0f34e613759b6fa8a285438c794/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576930&Signature=ltN9by5q--mYPXPkht~pRjp0hAvHymjFupDlCK2WOjIewlrXQczofq0xbe4Z9UOFkT2h~tgpAD~aRGSFdxvmt-UpUK9Adl1Meql0u2-Mmt9FbUHhQnnbwG81aDXvijObZqi9xzqT~3Q4McrzusUZLrUC8eATmLbq9BJcTH0DiRxtGUBawhdtcBVSH~oBPzQSEABr8H2JILrhU4OoH4PGyqCwOYXcKyfDycoUdi6oOf84kQWQb6qmd1rzScaFdgUWQqXR1Zll4G5hEe1iEPep5obMsJ3~J61g8Y4PBxCpPnmJrsidz1jV-xYUQXVplUVNOjA5j7nzW3~HQeIHfIsX-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercer County, KS","date","2025-09-24T13:29:21.96Z","article","Mercer County commissioners voted to approve Planning & Zoning case 25901, granting variances to structure-setback requirements for property listed in meeting materials as Thomas and Kerman Miller (Big City Cabin, Lots 2 and 12).

The planning and zoning board had approved the variance at its prior hearing; commissioners reviewed the matter at the county meeting and recorded a unanimous vote in favor. Commissioners discussed safety and fire-access considerations and said the homeowners' association and affected neighbors would bear responsibility if the encroachment raises future safety issues.

Why it matters: Setback variances change permitted placement of structures relative to property lines and are recorded with county land records; the approval affects the Miller properties and sets the official county action following the planning-board recommendation.

Key details

- Case: Planning and Zoning case 25901, described in meeting materials as a variance request for structure setbacks affecting property identified as Big City Cabin, Lot 2 and Lot 12 (Thomas and Kerman Miller).

- Prior action: The planning and zoning board granted approval on the preceding Thursday, according to staff comments during the meeting.

- Board vote: The transcript records the roll call for the motion to approve (\"Motion passed\"): Casey — Aye; Mark — Aye; Jamie — Aye; Jean — Aye.

Commissioners discussed the practical implications and liability questions should a future fire or safety incident involve an encroaching deck or structure. Several commissioners said if both property owners agree to the configuration and a recorded document notes the arrangement, the county's role rests with recording the variance and not policing individual neighbor agreements.

Next steps

Staff will record the variance with county land records and update the planning and zoning case file consistent with normal recording procedures. The meeting transcript indicates that the file will reflect the planning-board recommendation and the commission's final approval.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mercer County Commission Special Meeting 09/23/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Mercer County Board of Commissioners approved Planning & Zoning case 25901, granting structure-setback variances for lots associated with Thomas and Kerman Miller (Big City Cabin, Lot 2 and Lot 12). The board recorded unanimous aye votes and noted planning board approval earlier in the week.","taxTitle","Mercer County, North Dakota","taxId",73543,"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},6461282,"Mercer County commissioners agree to budget changes including deputies' pay bump and road reserve transfer",6806,596000,7402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824596-5d0b44df132ea8e794056cbcab8ae7a9&start=596&end=7402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824596-5d0b44df132ea8e794056cbcab8ae7a9/thumbnail_596000.jpg","/articles/6461282/Mercer-County/North-Dakota/Mercer-County-commissioners-agree-to-budget-changes-including-deputies-pay-bump-and-road-reserve-transfer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461282-f15dd22f870e0b0f783248c49db4d3c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576930&Signature=Zuk60ZW6s3a3Fi4dX76nL5wO9D3i5k~~RYbgSR5~t6RtLmwtb18v2sdijzlQoJASYDp32THY6q8kXs8KgwMWtIKg4lj5Zs3kE5PVR6El7rrYXQRttlFdmb8Aff69A4oN9StNAIy50yW5kfVwhPuBgaw3G~j6-mVvogPKiG-Fg8mFOYjA1U~a7x5U1FNYJ5bcIEkZHc-9N8Oo2WEWUziKUvBHsPo26lT11OvAbRbP4dr-ZoBZC-iA39CyZotYJp1Ba0fCIlOTstxFhYEo0WNflQIsFU9ymIY5bg2bGenyhEPwzH9sZN5PcbpN2FhAJ21B~FYCXHx654wNjnp7SgIkTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mercer County commissioners and staff on a special budget session agreed to several payroll and line-item changes to the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u00002026 preliminary budget, including a $1.50 hourly increase for road deputies and moving $22,000 from a proposed shop mechanic line into a county road cash reserve.

The decisions, reached after line-by-line review of department worksheets, also include removing a $47,600 planned line for Kurt Olsen, approving a $2-per-hour raise for a jail employee listed as Sandy Bridal, and adding a $964.44 annual stipend bump for each commissioner. County staff said they would update the \"blue book\" (the published budget packet) and circulate corrected pages to commissioners in the coming days.

Why it matters: the changes affect the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000general fund and departmental reserves, and commissioners said they wanted to keep the final appropriations within levy and state reporting deadlines ahead of a public hearing and final adoption schedule in October.

Most significant items and next steps

- Road deputies: Commissioners agreed to increase the road deputy pay rate to $1.50 per hour above current rates (the meeting record shows commissioners had previously discussed $1.25 and $1.50 options). Staff said the increase is affordable under updated revenue and payroll calculations and will be reflected in the final draft.

- Shop mechanic/road reserve: The road department\u0000\u0000's preliminary budget had included a shop mechanic line that originally totaled about $85,000 in earlier materials; after staff adjustments the dedicated mechanic line was reduced to about $22,000. Commissioners voted to remove the mechanic line as a separate hire and move the remaining $22,000 into a county road cash reserve to cover future needs or temporary hires.

- Removal of Kurt Olsen line: Commissioners agreed to remove the $47,600 allocation tied to Kurt Olsen; staff said the position or contract is not needed in the coming fiscal year.

- Jail and sheriff\u0000\u0000\u0000pay items: The board approved a $2-per-hour bump for a jailer (listed in meeting materials as Sandy Bridal) and confirmed inclusion of six full-time road deputies in staffing tables (a seventh position was noted as hired or otherwise covered). The sheriff's office requested other wage adjustments that staff said would be reflected in the blue book.

- Commissioners' stipend: As part of the payroll edits, commissioners agreed to add $964.44 to each commissioner's annual compensation (the meeting packet showed the amount and staff calculated the impact on the general fund).

Staff direction and schedule

Carmen (staff member handling budget materials) said she would roll the changes into the county's budget documents, update the blue book, and provide revised pages for review. Commissioners confirmed a public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Oct. 1 at 11:00 a.m.; staff said final action must be completed in time to meet statutory publishing and certification deadlines (the meeting discussed an Oct. 10 cutoff for completing the process).

Discussion vs. formal votes

The meeting transcript records the commissioners directing staff and approving the adjustments by consensus rather than taking separate roll-call votes on each line item. For example, action to reallocate the mechanic line to county road reserves and the deputies' pay increase were implemented through the board's agreed changes and subsequent staff updates rather than separate formal motions with recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript. Carmen confirmed she would circulate final revised budget pages by email within days.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting

- Deputies: $1.50 per hour increase agreed (the meeting previously considered $1.25).
- Shop mechanic: originally shown as $85,000 in earlier sheets; staff reduced the line to around $22,000 and the board moved that $22,000 to a county road cash reserve.
- Kurt Olsen: $47,600 removed from the budget.
- Commissioners: $964.44 annual increase per commissioner.
- Jail employee (Sandy Bridal): $2-per-hour increase approved for payroll inclusion.
- Transfer/topline corrections: staff identified earlier arithmetic errors on the front page and corrected departmental social security/benefit allocations before finalizing totals.

Community impact and implementation risk

These edits alter personnel costs and reserve balances but staff told commissioners the changes would keep the county under the preliminary levy cap and within expected fund balances. Implementation depends on final blue-book revisions, payroll processing, and the Oct. 1 public hearing schedule; staff called implementation risk \"medium\" because final adoption still depends on the required public-hearing and certification steps.

What's next

Staff will circulate updated budget pages and a final blue-book draft for commissioners to review. The board will hold the public hearing on Oct. 1; commissioners said they would revisit any outstanding items before final adoption to meet statutory deadlines.

","At a special budget meeting, Mercer County commissioners agreed to raise road deputy pay to $1.50 an hour, remove a planned $47,600 line for Kurt Olsen, and move a $22,000 shop mechanic line into a county road cash reserve; staff will update the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000blue book and circulate revised budget pages ahead of the Oct. 1 public hearing.",{"_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},6461273,"Commissioners approve utility permit to bore under County Road 26 near Adrian Mittelstaedt",27,567000,594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824596-5d0b44df132ea8e794056cbcab8ae7a9&start=567&end=594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824596-5d0b44df132ea8e794056cbcab8ae7a9/thumbnail_567000.jpg","/articles/6461273/Mercer-County/North-Dakota/Commissioners-approve-utility-permit-to-bore-under-County-Road-26-near-Adrian-Mittelstaedt","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461273-e6a42d7bebfcefb6452ac3a87e28da5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576930&Signature=nfL0JHJ2pBDfaobXCFTuquaYlffnNc4v1kt91rCu0BDpoaNzYpq3H04xC3vFVOaNoIwb501AddjoGx6fVZtuyQ0dqNMVOa2XnWVk3wv1W50VZe~Uje8lanNc8saeBldC66UNQjOdtoiWNM0P6oiQo0BiQ0z6fZNDQiHWSOhPSamydayH~hEDyO3codLbdVP7XIwk0Av7voGfSiabOkvycftsTAQLxuPsv6LON20J8iC0392xqdQgLDCLWJNHT3oXAccaiIUaZnU1dwWbrqRipuIH0VhfaQdBWHQBsmvkOvGWQnIrk3fBdHuw3lvVdFM7ZDkQ5qhMaQjgbcxgA1aohQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mercer County commissioners voted to approve a utility permit that authorizes underground boring under County Road 26 near a property identified in meeting materials as adjacent to Adrian Mittelstaedt.

Elroy (a county road representative) reported he inspected the site and found no issues with the proposed work. After a brief discussion, a motion to approve the permit passed with unanimous aye votes recorded.

Why it matters: Utility-permit approvals authorize contractors to perform subsurface work beneath county-maintained roads and are typically conditioned on compliance with county standards to protect road integrity and public safety.

Key details

- Location: County Road 26, near property referenced as Adrian Mittelstaedt.
- Action: Approval of a permit to bore under the road; county staff reported no issues during on-site review.
- Board vote: Unanimous approval recorded in the meeting transcript: Rick — Aye; Jamie — Aye; Mark — Aye; Casey — Aye; Jean — Aye.

Implementation

County road staff will oversee permit conditions and any required restoration of the roadway. The permit approval authorizes the applicant to proceed subject to standard county permit conditions and inspection requirements.

","Mercer County commissioners approved a utility permit allowing underground boring under County Road 26 near a property identified as Adrian Mittelstaedt after a site review by road department staff found no issues; the vote was unanimous.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mercer County approves setback variances for Miller property in Planning & Zoning case 25901

Mercer County commissioners agree to budget changes including deputies' pay bump and road reserve transfer

Commissioners approve utility permit to bore under County Road 26 near Adrian Mittelstaedt