Nelson County commissioners approve preliminary 2023 budgets, road contract and personnel raises

The Nelson County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 9 and reconvened Aug. 10, 2022, approving multiple preliminary 2023 budgets, a county road contract and several personnel pay adjustments.

Chairman Nancy Marquart opened the Aug. 9 session and the board first approved minutes from July 7 and July 27 and the Aug. 9 agenda. County staff member Seth Hamre reported that Ellingson Company obtained a permit to install a tile line under Highway 35 north of McVille and said the project would not cost the county; the board authorized Hamre to sign off on the permit.

The board approved transfers, per a cost-allocation audit, of $1,142 from the Weed fund, $4,400 from the Veterans Service fund and $9,688 from the County Agent fund into the County General fund.

On personnel matters, the board adjusted the planned 2023 market increase for the sheriff to a $175-per-month raise (matching other department heads), and separately approved a $275-per-month raise for the states attorney effective January 2023. The board also approved raising one department head’s hourly rate to $23.00 plus the $175 monthly market adjustment beginning January 2023.

Bryce Crosby presented a memorandum of understanding between the Northwest Central Judicial District and the Nelson County Veteran’s Service Office in Lakota; the board voted to sign that MOU. Commissioners authorized Chairman Marquart to sign a grant application to the North Dakota Department of Transportation Safety Division.

The board approved placing a ballot measure regarding mills for the NDSU Extension on the 2022 general election ballot.

During the Aug. 10 session staff presented and the board approved preliminary 2023 budgets for Road & Bridge, Farm to Market and Weed Control and later approved preliminary County General fund departmental budgets and preliminary budgets for multiple other funds and programs including the Law Enforcement Center, Veteran’s Service, Historical Society, Nelson Health District, Senior Citizens, Garrison Diversion, the County Library, Nelson County Water Resources, Soil Conservation and special assessments.

On infrastructure and contracts, commissioners and representatives from the Nelson County Water Board and Williams Township discussed completion of County Road 22 and requested a contract drafted with Johnson Excavating; at the Aug. 10 reconvened meeting the board approved the County Road 22 contract. The board also authorized design work for a chip-and-seal project on County Roads 18 and 35.

Commissioners approved a four-mill levy for Nelson County Job Development and authorized the county to sign a two-year employee assistance program contract with NexGen. The board also approved a $5,000 transfer from the County General Fund to the Building Repairs Fund and voted to pay all bills as listed.

Votes at a glance: - Approve minutes (July 7 & 27): moved by Commissioner Don Fougner, seconded by Commissioner Maynard Loibl — outcome: approved, roll-call: all present voted Yes. - Authorize Seth Hamre to sign Ellingson Company permit (Hwy 35): moved by Commissioner Cody Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Steve Forde — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Transfer funds to County General per cost-allocation ($1,142; $4,400; $9,688): moved by Commissioner Cody Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Maynard Loibl — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Adjust sheriff’s 2023 raise to $175/month: moved by Commissioner Steve Forde, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Sign MOU (Northwest Central Judicial District / Veteran’s Service Office): moved by Commissioner Don Fougner, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Authorize ND DOT Safety Division grant application: moved by Commissioner Steve Forde, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Place NDSU Extension mills measure on 2022 ballot: moved by Commissioner Steve Forde, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Purchase laptop for deputy sheriff: moved by Commissioner Maynard Loibl, seconded by Commissioner Don Fougner — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Approve 2023 Road & Bridge, Farm to Market, Weed Control budgets: moved by Commissioner Don Fougner, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Authorize chip-and-seal design work (CR 18 & CR 35): moved by Commissioner Steve Forde, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Raise department head hourly to $23.00 plus $175/mo: moved by Commissioner Steve Forde, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Raise states attorney $275/month (effective Jan 2023): moved by Commissioner Steve Forde, seconded by Commissioner Maynard Loibl — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Approve 4 mills for Nelson County Job Development: moved by Commissioner Don Fougner, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Approve NexGen two-year EAP contract: moved by Commissioner Steve Forde, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Transfer $5,000 from County General to Building Repairs Fund: moved by Commissioner Don Fougner, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes. - Approve County Road 22 contract (Commission / Water Board / Williams Township / Johnson Excavating): moved by Commissioner Don Fougner, seconded by Commissioner Cody Johnson — outcome: approved, all Yes.

The board recessed Aug. 9 at 3:15 p.m., reconvened Aug. 10 at 8:30 a.m., completed the listed actions and adjourned at 2:25 p.m.