Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nelson County Commission approves chip-seal project addition and adopts sheriff court-pay policy
Summary
On Dec. 5, 2023, the Nelson County Commission approved the design for a federal-aid chip-seal of County Road 234A and voted to add the road through Stump Lake Park to that project, accepted a deputy resignation, approved a policy paying deputies for off-day court appearances, and approved holiday comp time and county bills.
The Nelson County Commission voted Dec. 5 to approve the design for a federal-aid chip-seal project on County Road 234A and to add the road through Stump Lake Park to that contract, and it adopted a new pay policy for sheriff’s deputies who must attend court on an off day.
Chairman Cody Johnson convened the meeting. Commissioner Aaron Mork moved to approve the Federal Aid Project design for County Road 234A; Commissioner Steve Forde seconded the motion and the roll-call vote was unanimous. Commissioners then approved, on a separate motion, adding the road through Stump Lake Park to the 2024 chip-seal project after Paul Bjornson said doing so would be less costly than treating the park road as a stand-alone chip-and-fog-seal job. KLJ proposed a cost of $37,630.10 to add the park road to the project.
Sheriff Kurt Schwind reported that Deputy Bjorlie submitted a resignation that the department accepted and that the sheriff’s office will begin recruitment. Schwind presented a policy to compensate deputies required to attend court on an off day; the commission approved a policy paying a minimum of three hours for such appearances and treating time over five hours as a full day of pay. Commissioners also discussed, but tabled until the next meeting, contracting with local schools for a School Resource Officer and shifting wedding-dance security at Stump Lake Park to private security because of staffing constraints in the sheriff’s office.
The board approved a county sign-off requested by the City of Aneta stating the city’s water and sewer project would not conflict with anticipated county projects. Nathan Berseth, Market Development Officer at Bell Bank, discussed using proceeds from maturing certificates of deposit to move funds into an ICS savings account offering 5.25%; commissioners asked staff to check First United Bank rates before deciding.
On holiday scheduling, the commission approved four hours of comp time for employees for Christmas Eve (the handbook provides four hours) that may be used Friday, Dec. 22, or Tuesday, Dec. 26, with the courthouse remaining open both days. Commissioners received portfolio updates from county commissioners and an update on the Clerk of Court’s Office, then approved county bills as presented. With no further business, the board adjourned.
Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows the following motions passed by unanimous roll-call vote: approval of Nov. 21 minutes; approval of the amended agenda; approval of the County Road 234A Federal Aid Project design; approval to add the Stump Lake Park road to the 2024 chip-seal project (KLJ cost estimate $37,630.10); adoption of the sheriff court-appearance pay policy (minimum three hours; over five hours counts as a full day); approval to sign the City of Aneta no-conflict letter; authorization of four hours comp time for Christmas Eve; approval of presented bills. The meeting adjourned.
The commission tabled further action on a School Resource Officer contract and on whether the sheriff’s office will continue providing security at private events in Stump Lake Park until the next regular meeting.
Minutes signed by Nelson County Auditor Nathan Parks and Chairman Cody Johnson noted the meeting record.
