Grant County Weed Board approves bills, accepts 2026 chemical bid pending county attorney review and authorizes conference expenses

The Grant County Weed Board met Oct. 30, 2025, at the courthouse in Carson and approved routine financial and operational items, including paying $7,855.53 in bills and authorizing several personnel and procurement actions.

Merlin Leithold, secretary and weed officer, gave the treasurer’s report, saying, "we have around $89,232 in the fund before tonight’s bills" and that "bills tonight total $7,855.53." Items presented included fuel, chemicals and board per diem; the board moved to accept the report and pay the bills, and the motion carried.

The board approved administrative steps to keep operations running through the winter: Walker Sabin moved and Drew Gaugler seconded a motion authorizing Leithold to have bills paid during the off season; the motion carried. The board also approved covering per diem for Leithold and registrations and per diem for board members who attend the North Dakota Weed Control Association conference and the North Dakota Agriculture Department weed forum scheduled Jan. 5–8 in Bismarck; the association will cover some registrations, the county will cover mileage and any additional registration or lodging costs as approved.

On procurement, Leithold reported a bid from Nutrien Ag Solutions proposing 2026 chemical prices equal to 2025 rates after some midyear increases. Justin Vetter moved to accept Nutrien’s bid for 2026 "depending on Grant’s decision," referring to Grant Walker, the county state’s attorney; Drew Gaugler seconded and the motion carried. The board recorded that final acceptance is contingent on the county attorney’s review.

In operational updates, Leithold summarized fall spraying work: he finished spraying Oct. 9 after multiple passes — including twice over state Department of Transportation roads — and reported continued new flushes and a high incidence of Canada thistle. He noted a productive year for drone spraying and that contract sprayers (including a contractor named Zenker) have largely finished for the season.

Leithold also reported on a sign issue at the weed building and said he discussed corrections with Jon Alt; the board directed Leithold to pursue adding a rear-view camera to the truck (estimated cost about $500) and suggested using part of the department’s TAG Grant from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture to offset that expense.

Regarding outreach, Leithold read an extension report from Tessa (who could not attend), reminding the board that Grant County Ag Day is Nov. 5 in Elgin with a free meal at 5:30 p.m.; the weed board will staff a booth and encouraged attendance.

Board governance business included noting that Leonard Gerhardt’s and Denis Tibor’s terms expire in 2025. Gerhardt said he wished to remain on the board; the board voted to authorize Leithold to send a letter to the county commissioners recommending that Leonard and Denis be reappointed if Denis wishes to continue, or to propose a replacement if he does not.

The board set its next meeting for March 17 at 7:00 p.m. MDT at the courthouse in Carson and adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

Actions taken at the meeting were procedural and administrative; the board approved the secretary’s report, accepted the treasurer’s report and bills, authorized off-season bill payments, approved expense coverage for conference attendance, voted to accept the Nutrien bid contingent on county attorney review, and authorized a letter to the commissioners regarding reappointments.