Morton County Commission approves plats and zoning changes, declares fire emergency and adopts routine county policies

The Morton County Commission on Oct. 10 approved a series of routine and land-use actions, including two short-form subdivisions and zoning map amendments, a special-use permit for a telecommunications tower and a countywide Declaration of Fire Emergency that imposes burn restrictions.

The actions matter because the zoning changes and special-use permit alter how land in Morton County can be used, while the fire emergency imposes immediate restrictions that could affect residents’ outdoor burning and permit requirements.

Commission Chair Nathan Boehm called the meeting to order at 5:39 p.m. in the Morton County Courthouse in Mandan. The commission approved the agenda and the Sept. 24, 2024 minutes. On a roll call vote approving county bills, Commissioners Morrell, Buckley, Zachmeier and Boehm voted aye; Commissioner Leingang was absent.

Land-use approvals: The commission approved a special-use permit for a telecommunications tower located in the SE ¼ of Section 22, Township 136N, Range 80W, finding the existing tower meets the specific use standards in Section 5-190 of the Morton County Land Use Code; the commission also directed that a permanent address be granted for the site (motion by Buckley; second by Zachmeier). The minutes state the special-use finding is based on the applicable section of the county land-use code.

The commission also approved two short-form subdivisions and accompanying zoning map amendments from Agricultural to Residential. Commissioner Zachmeier moved, and Commissioner Morrell seconded, to approve the final plat known as Miller Subdivision and the zoning amendment, finding conformity with Article 7 of the Morton County Land Use Code and the 2045 Comprehensive Plan; the motion carried. Separately, Commissioner Zachmeier moved and Commissioner Buckley seconded to approve the final plat known as Leier Subdivision and the same zoning change, citing the same code and comprehensive plan conformity; that motion also carried.

Emergency and policy actions: Commissioners approved a Declaration of Fire Emergency and county burn restrictions on a motion by Morrell, seconded by Buckley. The commission adopted county policies 1000-001 (Picnic Shelters) and 1000-002 (Park Vendor) on a motion by Morrell, seconded by Buckley.

Administrative items: The commission approved abatement #6639 (motion by Buckley, second by Morrell) and abatement #6640 (motion by Morrell, second by Zachmeier). It approved out-of-state travel for Recorder Seefeldt to attend the National PRIA Symposium in San Antonio, March 4–6, 2025 (motion by Zachmeier, second by Morrell), and out-of-state travel for four Highway Department employees to attend the 39th Annual Local Roads Conference in Sioux Falls, S.D., Oct. 21–23, 2024 (motion by Buckley, second by Morrell). Commissioner Buckley was appointed the county’s State Fair Delegate for 2024 (motion by Morrell, second by Zachmeier).

Finance: The minutes record total county funds expended from Sept. 13 through Sept. 24, 2024 as $1,298,476.92. Auditor Dawn R. Rhone noted a detailed list of funds expended by check is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Morton County Auditor’s Office.

The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m. The minutes were signed by Chairman Nathan Boehm and Auditor Dawn R. Rhone.

Notes on source and limits: The meeting record is presented in minutes form; several motions and approvals are recorded as "as presented" and do not include the underlying documents (for example, the minutes do not list the minimum sale prices for delinquent tax properties). Where the transcript does not supply first names for some commissioners or underlying documents, this article uses the names and details as they appear in the minutes and notes missing specifics where appropriate.