Commission approves administrative requests: filming request, pay amendments, property deed and other routine actions

The Ward County Commission approved a bundle of administrative items at its July 1 meeting. The commission allowed CASO Closet to film an educational foster-care intake video in the county building after hours; the request was presented by Jolene Haffner and supported by WCHSZ Director Kristi Frederick. Human Resources Director Nicole Degenstein presented pay amendments for county employees T. Ochoa (Jail), G. Bruce (Jail), G. Weiand (Jail), H. Owen (Sheriff's Department), J. Reichenbach (Juvenile Detention) and A. Durrschmidt (State's Attorney's Office), which the commission approved. The commission approved a quit claim deed for tax-foreclosed property HA280190100041 redeemed by the previous owner and voted to cancel checks outstanding 90 days or longer as of June 30, 2025. Auditor/Treasurer Marisa Haman presented and the commission received correspondence from First District Health Unit and an edition of Economy at a Glance. The commission approved raffle permits for the Nodak Hall of Fame and MHS Girls Hockey and authorized a gaming site for Pheasants for the Future. The commission approved a budget amendment to increase the IT Office Supplies expense line and decrease the Office 365 cost allocations from individual departments. Commissioners also discussed county-owned Stony Ridge Condos properties that were acquired through foreclosure and directed Highway Engineer Dana Larsen to lead coordination with the city to find a solution for grass and weed upkeep. The commission received a letter from the North Dakota Governor's Office regarding public official security and home addresses listed on public websites. All motions recorded in the minutes passed by roll call with Commissioners Rostad, Merritt, Olson, Schuler and Chair Fjeldahl voting yes.