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Pine County board ratifies labor deal, inmate communications contracts, timber auction and emergency plan
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Summary
At its April 7 meeting the Pine County Board approved a collective bargaining agreement for Road and Bridge Supervisors, ratified Reliance Systems contracts to comply with new FCC inmate-communication rules, approved the 2026 timber auction, and adopted the 2025 Emergency Operations Plan; several motions carried unanimously.
The Pine County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of administrative and contractual items at its April 7 meeting.
Labor agreement: The board approved a tentative collective bargaining agreement with the Pine County Road and Bridge Supervisors for 2026-2027. Chair Joshua Mohr moved to approve; Commissioner Matt Ludwig seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
Inmate communications: Jail Administrator Rod Williamson explained that new Federal Communications Commission rate caps for incarcerated-persons' communications took effect in April, prompting Reliance Systems to implement lower rates and offer revenue-offset mechanisms (a $.02 per-minute additive and a guaranteed SMS texting commission). The board ratified two Reliance contracts (Telephone/Video Calling Agreement and SMS Text Messaging Agreement) to ensure compliance.
Emergency Operations Plan: Sheriff's Office Supervisor Denise Anderson requested adoption of the 2025 Emergency Operations Plan to maintain disaster readiness; the board approved the plan 5-0.
Timber auction: Commissioner JJ Waldhalm asked for additional information about parcel classifications, acres of forfeited land, memorial forest acreage, and the timber revenue fund balance. After discussion the board approved the timber auction tracts and the general terms and conditions of sale (motion carried 5-0).
Expense claim adjustment: The board reviewed Commissioner Waldhalm's expense claims and removed a $115 per diem request related to a March 25 HRA/EDA meeting after determining it was ineligible; the motion to remove the request carried 5-0.
Together these votes covered labor relations, compliance with federal rules affecting jail communications, emergency planning, and county land-sale processes. Several items were routine approvals; the board recorded unanimous support on the listed motions.