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Nelson County commissioners approve multiple agreements, discuss road conditions and software replacement
Summary
At its May 2 meeting, the Nelson County Commission approved several agreements and a resolution, adopted employee policy updates, and directed highway staff to provide a projects update after residents raised concerns about local roads; staff also warned the county must replace its tax/accounts/payroll software by Dec. 2025.
The Nelson County Commission on May 2 approved a series of agreements and resolutions, adopted updates to the employee policy manual and heard public concerns about county road conditions.
Chairman Cody Johnson opened the regular meeting. Commissioners Steve Forde, Mike Haugland, Aaron Mork and Cameron Swenson participated and voted unanimously on a slate of motions including approval of the Computer Aided Dispatch agreement, a construction engineering services contract, adoption of a county snag-and-clear resolution and the adoption of employee policy updates.
The meeting included a public comment period during which Norris Olson asked about the status of LifeLock coverage for county employees whose private information may have been compromised. Several residents and local stakeholders — including Kevon Gillett, Trevor Haas, Ron Miller and Lee Williams — raised concerns about the condition of county roads. Seth Hamre, representing the Nelson County Highway Department, gave an update on highway business and was directed by the commission to provide a list of project updates and plans at future meetings.
On land-use and drainage matters, the commission approved a building permit for property north of Dahlen and agreed to co-partner on and sign a surface drain application after hearing from township representatives John Steffan, Nathan Steffan, Jay Estvold and Scott Nelson and Nelson County Water Resource Board members David Sateren and Ben Varnson.
Nathan Parks, the Nelson County Auditor, presented revised employee policies that the commission approved after discussion. Parks also told commissioners the county will need a new tax, accounts and payroll software package before December 2025 because the county’s current program will be discontinued; no procurement action was taken at this meeting.
Financial matters were handled by unanimous votes: the commission approved the financial statements and moved to pay bills listed at the second meeting of the month.
Votes at a glance • Approval of April 18 minutes — Mover: Commissioner Aaron Mork; Seconder: Commissioner Steve Forde; Vote: 5–0 (yes). • Approval of agenda — Mover: Commissioner Cameron Swenson; Seconder: Commissioner Aaron Mork; Vote: 5–0 (yes). • Building permit (north of Dahlen) — Mover: Commissioner Aaron Mork; Seconder: Commissioner Cameron Swenson; Vote: 5–0 (yes). • Co-partner/sign surface drain application — Mover: Commissioner Aaron Mork; Seconder: Commissioner Steve Forde; Vote: 5–0 (yes). • Computer Aided Dispatch agreement — Mover: Commissioner Steve Forde; Seconder: Commissioner Cameron Swenson; Vote: 5–0 (yes). • Employee policy updates — Mover: Commissioner Steve Forde; Seconder: Commissioner Cameron Swenson; Vote: 5–0 (yes). • Construction engineering services agreement — Mover: Commissioner Mike Haugland; Seconder: Commissioner Aaron Mork; Vote: 5–0 (yes). • Nelson County Snag and Clear Resolution — Mover: Commissioner Steve Forde; Seconder: Commissioner Aaron Mork; Vote: 5–0 (yes). • Financial statements approved — Mover: Commissioner Cameron Swenson; Seconder: Commissioner Aaron Mork; Vote: 5–0 (yes). • Motion to pay all bills at the second meeting — Mover: Commissioner Aaron Mork; Seconder: Commissioner Steve Forde; Vote: 5–0 (yes).
Why it matters The approved contracts and resolution affect county infrastructure and emergency services operations; the required software replacement by late 2025 will require future procurement and budgeting decisions. Resident concerns about road conditions prompted the commission to require a formal project update from highway staff, a step that could affect project prioritization and spending in upcoming meetings.
The commission adjourned with no further business. The minutes were signed by Nelson County Auditor Nathan Parks and Chairman Cody Johnson.
