Walsh County Commission records votes on personnel, property abatements, radon mitigation and permits

The Walsh County Commission on June 3 approved the consent agenda and a set of discrete motions including a new-hire leave policy, a property tax abatement for a Park River building, addition of the auditor‑treasurer‑in‑training on county bank accounts, approval of radon mitigation work at multiple county buildings and several permits and designations.

The commission approved the consent agenda by voice vote early in the meeting. Later formal actions recorded by the commission included a roll-call approval of a county new‑hire leave policy (adopting language from recent legislative changes), approval of an abatement application for a vacant office building in Park River, authorization to add Christina Potts (auditor‑treasurer in training) as a signatory on county bank accounts, and a $24,500 contract for radon mitigation at county facilities.

Why it matters: the agenda items move forward routine county business — staffing transitions, property tax appeals, building safety work and administrative housekeeping — but several votes also signal short‑term spending commitments and procedural steps that affect county operations and budgets.

Key votes (recorded outcomes) - Consent agenda: approved (voice vote). - Vacation/new‑hire leave policy: motion adopted on roll call (Commissioners Amy, Danny, Bernie, Paul and Chair voted “Yes”). - Abatement: SLC Properties (Park River) 2023–2024 tax years — motion carried (vote recorded: Commissioners Bernie, Paul, Danny, Amy and Chair voted “Yes”). - Add auditor‑treasurer‑in‑training to bank accounts (First United/Choice/LA): motion carried on roll call (Commissioners Amy, Danny, Ernie/Bernie, Paul and Chair voted “Yes”). - Radon mitigation at county buildings (total $24,500): motion approved on roll call (Commissioners Amy, Bernie, Danny, Paul and Chair voted “Yes”). - Zickman drainage permit (Township/ditch cleanup): motion carried (roll call: Commissioners Danny, Amy, Paul, Ernie/Bernie and Chair voted “Yes”). - Designation: Jason (county highways) authorized as the county’s voting member for the regional levy/permit advisory board — motion carried (roll call recorded as unanimous).

Details and context: the abatement vote followed an on‑site inspection report and a recommendation to align the county’s decision with Park River’s reduction to true and full value after storm/water damage. The bank signatory vote adds Christina Potts to allow onboarding and continuity in the auditors’ office during transition. The radon mitigation contractor recommended targeted sealing and fan‑piping work at the courthouse, jail/Law Enforcement Center, administration building and the Chase Building; commissioners authorized contract execution so work can begin within the contractor’s quoted timeline.

What commissioners said: commissioners discussed administrative impacts and practicalities before most votes. On the new‑hire leave policy, commissioners debated the policy’s recruitment value against the potential that very short‑term hires might use the leave, and supervisors retain approval authority. On radon mitigation, public‑health and facility concerns were cited as the reason to move quickly.

Next steps: county staff will execute the radon mitigation contract, implement the new leave policy in payroll/HR systems, add Christina Potts to bank signatories, and follow up on the abatement paperwork and the drainage permit compliance checks.

Ending: The motions closed several pending administrative items that county staff must now implement; other ongoing topics from the meeting include an extended review of jail options after a recent sales‑tax election and multiple informational briefings scheduled for future meetings.