Grant County Weed Board approves 2025 budget, pays $20,249.30 in bills and funds Bug Day

The Grant County Weed Board on June 18 in Carson voted to accept a proposed 2025 budget and forward it to the county commissioners, approved payment of bills totaling $20,249.30, and approved funding for the 28th Annual Bug Day.

Weed officer and secretary Merlin Leithold reported the fund balance at about $180,000 before the night’s bills and listed that income received that evening totaled $13,818.62. He presented line-item bills including a $18,291.90 charge to Nutrien Solutions for chemicals, smaller vendor charges (including WRT phone $85.60, Visa $73.49, Cenex Fleet Fueling $45.11, Great Plains Directory $262.00), payouts to Lorele Leithold ($700.00) and Kalyssa Leithold ($100.00), and board member salaries. Board member Dick Woodbury moved to accept the treasurer’s report and pay the bills; Walker Sabin seconded and the motion carried (M/C).

On the budget, Merlin reviewed the proposed 2025 budget line by line and solicited board input. Walker Sabin suggested leaving the weed officer’s salary line to the county commissioners because, he said, commissioners raised all county employees equally last year; the board agreed. Denis Tibor moved to accept the budget and forward it to the commissioners; Drew seconded and the motion carried (M/C).

The board also approved logistical and payment details for the 28th Annual Bug Day, scheduled for June 27 at a Boy Scouts site. Walker Sabin moved to pay Lorele Leithold $700 to coordinate the event and to pay sweepers $15 per hour; Dick Woodbury seconded and the motion carried. Merlin said Morton County will share event expenses at 50% except for crew pay and that a contractor named Cody will bring his own crew.

The board set its next meeting for July 16, 2024, at the courthouse in Carson and adjourned at 9:18 p.m.

Notes: Motions were recorded as carried (M/C); the transcript does not include roll-call vote tallies or recorded nay/abstain counts.