Richland County board accepts first reading of animal control ordinance, approves multiple infrastructure and administrative actions

The Richland County Board of Commissioners met at 8:00 a.m. June 16 at the Richland County Courthouse and approved a slate of administrative and infrastructure actions, all by unanimous vote (5-0).

The meeting opened with approval of the agenda (motion by Commissioner Nathan Berseth, seconded by Commissioner Perry Miller). Commissioners then accepted the first reading of an Animal Control Ordinance (motion by Commissioner Tim Campbell, seconded by Berseth). The first reading was recorded as approved 5-0; the ordinance will proceed through the county’s standard ordinance process.

Brett Lambrecht, FEMA emergency manager, told the board FEMA has provided an extension on certain compliance deadlines following an earlier federal government shutdown and that the county’s earlier adoption of the Model D Ordinance for Floodplain Management has put Richland County into compliance with FEMA expectations. Lambrecht said FEMA’s letter lists properties that have been removed from the floodplain and that he will verify new mapping and notify townships to consult the county before approving new builds.

Highway Department reports occupied much of the meeting. Highway Director Jesse Sedler opened two liquid-propane bids and reported the offers received from Farmers Union Oil and Lakes Gas Walcott; commissioners voted to accept all propane bids (motion by Berseth, seconded by Tim Campbell, vote 5-0). The board also approved the county road mileage certification for townships (motion by Berseth, seconded by Miller, vote 5-0).

Sedler detailed ongoing projects including CR 1 ditching and subbase work, graveling on CR 1 and CR 6, an upcoming chloride application for the Otter Tail Power contractor and completion of hauling at Riverview Dairy; he said the Helendale Bridge project would be completed that day. Sedler reported Brandenburg Township requested Richland County act as a pass-through for Flex Fund grant funds; the board approved the county acting as pass-through (motion by Berseth, seconded by Rollie Ehlert). The commission approved moving forward with preliminary engineering and construction on bridge #39-121-35.0 (motion by Ehlert, seconded by Berseth) and approved removal work on bridge #39-108-19.0 and bridge #39-109-30.0 (motion by Tim Campbell, seconded by Ehlert); both motions passed unanimously.

Sedler also flagged a community complaint that many trucks serving Otter Tail Power’s solar project lacked commercial license plates. During that discussion Dennis Beck called in and said he would address the license-plate issue with the truck foreman that day.

On facilities, the board reviewed a proposed lease agreement with the Richland-Wilkin Joint Powers Authority for the county’s use of a former bank building. Commissioners approved a temporary lease for $1, not to exceed six months, contingent on changes recommended by State’s Attorney Kummer (motion by Berseth, seconded by Tim Campbell). The board discussed potential additional uses for the building, prioritizing an ADA-accessible public meeting room and tentatively approved inviting the Fargo Vet Center to use the space.

Commissioners addressed election-related business and appointments. Because Chairperson Terry Goerger is on the ballot, Commissioner Perry Miller indicated he will serve on the Canvassing Board. The commissioners appointed Assistant State’s Attorney Jessica Rydell to the Recount Board (motion by Berseth, seconded by Ehlert), vote 5-0.

Other administrative items included discussion of the resignation of the county’s 911 coordinator, state radio topics, Wilkin County’s PREA audit and an update from State’s Attorney Kummer on citations issued for violations of a May burn-ban declaration. The board acknowledged filed reports from Sheri’s Department (revenue and expenses for April and May 2026) and the Tax & Property Department (revenue voucher for May 2026).

The board set upcoming meeting dates for July and August and adjourned at 9:35 a.m. The meeting minutes were attested by Auditor/Administrator Sandy Fossum and Chairperson Terry Goerger.