Mercer County commissioners voted to approve a one-year trial subscription for an emergency notification system covering Hazen Bay and Beulah Park, the commission agreed during its January meeting.

Unidentified Speaker 5, presenting letters from local park boards, said the Hazen Park and Beulah Park boards had sent support and that Dakota Waters and several landowners had indicated willingness to participate. "22,700 for the first year," Unidentified Speaker 5 stated when describing the cost, and added she had roughly $50,000 in a line item that could cover the initial payment.

The motion to authorize a one-year subscription was made by Unidentified Speaker 3 and seconded by Unidentified Speaker 4. Commissioners discussed asking campground owners to share costs in future years and suggested that any continuing county commitment beyond the trial should depend on documented support from park boards and campground owners.

Unidentified Speaker 4 proposed exploring a special-assessment district for properties and campsites that benefit from the system, saying such an approach would spread cost among property owners rather than have the county absorb the ongoing expense. Unidentified Speaker 1 urged the board to consult the state's attorney before pursuing an assessment, saying legal constraints could apply to imposing assessments on these users.

Presenters said Hazen Bay would reimburse approximately $4,500 to the county fund for the coming year. Commissioners noted Stark County had expressed interest in purchasing the equipment if Mercer County chose not to continue after the trial.

After discussion, the commission voted and the motion passed. The county will fund the initial year from the presenter's budget line and pursue written letters of continued support and potential reimbursements before budgeting the system for future years. Commissioners directed staff to consult the state's attorney about the legality and process for any planned special-assessment district and to return with more detailed line-item documentation at a future meeting.

The commission did not set a long-term commitment in the vote; the approval applies to the one-year trial and leaves subsequent budgeting decisions to future action.