Walsh County commissioners held their October meeting, approving a $7.16 million guaranteed maximum price for courthouse/correctional mechanical work, selecting a new broker on record to review county employee benefits, changing the county holiday schedule, and voting to close one highway shop while approving two drainage permits. The board also heard reports on bridge funding delays, staffing and prisoner-transport costs, and multiple presentations from tenants and vendors about lease and service proposals.

Discussion Points

•Bridge bundles risk lower prioritization if funding absent
•Broker fee structure and PEPM vs commission approaches
•Concerns about service timeliness to western county
•Delivery model differences (in-person vs. remote)
•Desire to improve recruitment/retention with schedule adjustments
•Federal transportation/bridge funding absence placing projects on hold
•Fee structures: PEPM vs commission; performance-based components
•Impact on operations when state holidays differ from county selections
•Landowner access needs and ditch sediment mitigation
•Need for staged move and asset inventory
•Need to route technical results through the health insurance committee
•Owner contingency funds exist but are not guaranteed to be available for scope restoration
•Prisoner boarding and transport cost figures and operational impacts
•Rebid of mechanical work produced more competitive bids
•Some value‑engineered items may be restored later
•Staffing shortages and shop size constraints at Adams
•Survey of staff preferences (24 respondents)
•Timing relative to open enrollment
•Timing relative to open enrollment and election cycle
•Waterboard had no objections

Decisions

•Approve closure and consolidation; begin sale preparation
•Board authorized broker to begin fact‑finding/mock renewal process
•GMP approved at $7,158,697
•Holiday schedule revised; Christmas Eve clarified as full day
•No immediate action; continued monitoring and contingency planning
•Permits approved unanimously
•Proceed with fact-finding/mock renewal after broker selection

Directions

•Highway staff to prepare phased relocation plan and property-sale preparation
•HR to draft updated policy wording and publish guidance
•Monitor federal funding developments; report on mitigation and alternative options
•Schedule hiring/interviews to fill open positions
•Sheriff to continue tracking transport costs and patrol impacts
•Staff to communicate changes before open enrollment
•Staff to complete and issue permits under standard conditions
•Staff to coordinate data authorization with selected broker and present mock-renewal results to health insurance committee
•Staff to provide data authorization and coordinate with broker and insurance committee
•Staff to provide detailed contingency and scope restoration list

Oct

County Commission Meeting - October 6, 2026

Walsh County Commission met to accept a two-year independent audit that identified eight material internal-control weaknesses and several compliance items, approve the 2027 budget (127.06 mills; $8.97M levy), confirm appointments and signers, and approve a set of drainage assessments, permits and contractor selections.

Discussion Points

•Audit partner Jared Mack presented qualified and unmodified opinions and eight material weaknesses.
•Bid pack 3 closing date (Oct. 8) and bid contents (mechanical and architectural work).
•Commissioners asked about capital-asset depreciation tracking and bank reconciliations.
•Commissioners noted occasional short-term borrowing via IOUs to address emergency drain repairs.
•Commission held required public hearing and recorded no public comment.
•County needs a city-issued use permit before onsite work can start, which is delaying a $23.6M project.
•John Beneda confirmed interest in serving as State Fair delegate.
•Presenter described statutory caps ($4/acre/year, max six years) and state cost-share mechanisms.
•Staff described options to implement improvements (use software module or contract with auditors).
•Staff noted Linda's departure and requested approval for Alyssa to be added as signer.
•Staff presented detailed levy by fund and total levy dollars.
•Staff recommended Custom 365 based on lower per-machine rates.
•Two bids compared on hourly rates and equipment availability; TR Farms had some past performance billing delays.

Decisions

•Appointments approved by roll-call vote.
•Commission accepted the audit report and placed it on file.
•Commission adopted the 2027 budget and levies.
•Contract awarded to Custom 365.
•Park River snag-and-clear and listed drain assessments approved.
•Proceed with bid review upon receipt of proposals; present a GMP at next meeting when possible.

Directions

•Proceed with assessments, notify landowners, and schedule maintenance.
•Staff to coordinate with auditors on corrective action plans and consider contracting for ongoing asset-tracking service.
•Staff to finalize contract language and billing deadlines with selected vendor.
•Staff to follow up with City of Grafton for a permit decision and inform commission before next meeting.
•Staff to notify the State Fair and update bank signers.
•Staff to publish budget and mill rates per statutory requirements.
•Track reimbursement and use of drain fund per statute.
•Use financial-system bank-reconciliation module monthly and ensure reconciliations are completed timely.

Oct

County Commission Special Meeting - October 5, 2026

Special Walsh County budget meeting where commissioners reviewed proposed cuts across the general fund, heard public comment from the JDA and other stakeholders, and voted to reduce the JDA levy by 0.25 mills and trim the regional council contribution; final levy and mill totals were presented for a public hearing the next day.

Discussion Points

•Concerns about perceived benefit concentration in Grafton and how rental income from Chase Building affects net costs
•Contract labor for weed control (~$195,000) and landowner assistance (~$30,000)
•Estimates for HVAC ~ $160,000–175,000 mentioned, with components rising in cost
•JDA and regional council argued cuts would reduce capacity to leverage grants and support workforce programs
•Presentation of adjusted dollar and mill totals after line-item decisions
•Specific charges identified (copier, staff phone, DocuShred) that could be reclassified
•Staff advised that recent spending and needs (med-kit updates, extinguishers, shelter supplies) make a deep cut risky
•Staff clarified totals and the composition of mills for multiple levies
•Whether $20,000 miscellaneous line can be cut by 50% to $10,000
•Whether a $50,000 cash reserve is necessary or can be reduced to $25,000
•Whether active-shooter and shelter-in-place readiness can be maintained with reduced spending
•Whether HVAC (heating/cooling) or carpet should be prioritized for the Chase Building
•Whether Walsh County funds the regional council at the same rate as peer counties
•Whether Walsh County should fund JDA at full 4 mills given county cash-on-hand and taxpayer pressure

Decisions

•Adjusted totals to be presented at public hearing the next day
•Board agreed heating/cooling is priority; carpet deferred
•JDA levy reduced by 0.25 mills (approved)
•No final cut implemented at meeting; line to be revisited
•No final elimination; staff to present reclassification for public hearing
•Regional council contribution reduced by $15,000 (approved)
•Reserve target reduced to $25,000 (to be noted in packet)

Directions

•Defer final decision; staff to consult department heads and report back before final adoption
•Set weed-control cash reserve target at $25,000 for the budget packet
•Staff to include the adjusted totals and supporting detail in the packet for the public hearing
•Staff to move reclassifiable items (copier, phone bills) to office-supplies/technology and present detailed expense breakdown
•Staff to prioritize heating and cooling in capital plan and defer carpet until scope is clearer
•Staff to record levy at 3.75 mills and include updated totals in the public hearing packet
•Staff to reflect $15,000 reduction in the packet for the public hearing

Sep

County Commission Special Meeting - September 29, 2026

Budget workshop covering proposed cash-reserve levels for weed-control/lead fund, county levy/mill rate projections, proposed cuts to regional partners (JDA, extension, Red River Regional Council), discussion of a county administrator and PIO funding, highway/bridge budget clarifications, and a motion to enter executive session.

Discussion Points

•Administrator estimated at ~ $110,000 plus benefits; commissioners discussed mill implications.
•All members present voted 'yes' and the motion carried.
•Bridge and gravel line differences were driven by decreased needs and stockpile availability; highway spending not being cut.
•Chair moved to executive session by roll call at meeting end; roll-call votes recorded.
•Commissioner proposed specific percentage cuts to extension, JDA and regional council.
•Commissioner reported red flags including leased equipment and a credit-card discrepancy at the soils conservation office.
•Commissioner said they contacted the attorney general for questions.
•Commissioners asked for clearer public documentation to prevent misinterpretation.
•Commissioners debated restoring mills for roads/bridge and jail projects vs cutting discretionary programs.
•Other commissioners warned cuts could affect legislative advocacy and state/federal matching funds.
•Proposal to reduce PIO funding to $5,000–$15,000; some support, some caution.
•Staff presented revised levy math and stated the county remains under the 3% cap.
•Staff recommended a $50,000 reserve; commissioners discussed phased reductions instead of abrupt cuts.
•Staff warned that reducing the lead fund carryover to $15,000 risks inability to pay contractor if reimbursement is late.

Decisions

•Entered executive session (details not disclosed in public transcript).

Directions

•Highway staff to provide supporting documentation and public-facing explanations ahead of next meeting.
•Staff to apply proposed cuts to budget worksheet and return updated figures.
•Staff to gather additional information and report back to the commission for possible further action.
•Staff to prepare additional levy scenarios for the follow-up meeting.
•Staff to run additional budget scenarios and present updated carryover figures at the next meeting.
•Staff to show administrator cost and PIO variations in updated budget scenarios.

Sep

County Commission Meeting - September 15, 2026

Walsh County Commission discussed jail project options and financing, heard a detailed jail operations and programming update, approved a financing plan (option 1) for a voter-approved project, and moved into an executive session on potential litigation.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners plan further outreach and will consider legal action if no response
•Desire to preserve capital projects mills for future county needs
•Nelson County has not responded to requested bullet points and welding-point information
•Number of trained correctional officers required to open (8 required; 6 currently trained)
•Possibility of additional infrastructure loan fund dollars from legislature reducing interest costs
•Recruiting and hiring standards to change jail culture
•Report that state representatives conveyed resident opposition to roundabouts
•Requests for minutes and records from jail committee meetings
•Required DOCR re-inspection and health authority sign-off before reopening
•Staff may still consider optional designs
•Trade-offs between sales-tax-backed bonds (longer term) and capital projects fund (shorter term)
•Whether single commissioners can represent the board without a prior vote
•Whether the Park River visit was fact-finding or an action taken on behalf of the commission

Decisions

•Adopt financing option 1 as described
•No formal action taken to relocate jail; any relocation would require a motion and full board vote.
•No formal legal action authorized at this meeting.
•No roundabouts to be installed per reported state response; no action taken by the commission.
•No timeline change until staffing and inspections complete; reopening likely after new year per staff estimate.

Directions

•County Finance to provide follow-up when application is filed
•Staff to attempt in-person outreach next week and report back
•Staff to locate and provide committee minutes and any relevant documents
•Staff to provide periodic updates on training progress and inspection scheduling
•Staff to submit bonding application for adopted financing package

Sep

County Commission Meeting (Part 2) - September 15, 2026

Walsh County commissioners returned from executive session, approved responses to a constituent email, voted not to use county funds to repair a private crossing and approved equipment purchases, training and several permits; extensive road- and budget-related discussions were held and a special budget meeting was scheduled.

Discussion Points

•Board agreed on temporary closure and expectation of attendance.
•Commissioners debated taxpayer justification for repairs and requested documentation.
•Commissioners favored the vendor who allowed staff to test equipment.
•Decision: proceed with recommended purchase.
•Managerial discretion noted for exceptional cases.
•No substantive objections were raised by commissioners.
•Proposal for consistent approach to paying outside trainers, using 40% above prior pay to reflect benefits.
•Residents reported repeated washouts and limited access; staff described prior FEMA project design and township jurisdiction.
•Road staff presented permits as standard culvert and ditch maintenance.
•Training date and scope (all employees/department heads) was clarified.
•Two close bids; vendor provided demo units for on-site testing.

Decisions

•40% baseline adopted and manager given discretion.
•Board declined to allocate county funds to repair private crossing; motion approved.
•Permits approved.
•Purchase approved; $22,540 to be spent on communications headsets and bases.
•Training mandated; offices closed in morning and reopen at 12:30 p.m.

Directions

•HR and department heads to notify staff and make arrangements for those unable to attend.
•HR and manager to apply baseline and document exceptions.
•Refer matter to township and request resident/county legal documentation.
•Road & Bridge to inspect and ensure compliance.
•Staff to finalize contract paperwork and file procurement documentation.
•Staff to gather FEMA/engineering records and report to commission.

Sep

County Commission Meeting - September 1, 2026

Walsh County Commission approved a $10,637,915 guaranteed maximum price for Bid Pack Two (excluding mechanical work) for a new County Correctional Center after extended discussion about project costs, staffing and alternatives; the meeting also covered drainage permits, an ADA website compliance proposal, a JDA nomination, an extension office resignation, and an audit update.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners requested clarification on bid tab flags and the $2.9M variance, including ~ $1.4M attributable to courthouse-related costs included in the roll-up.
•Design team requested acceptance of Bid Pack Two excluding mechanical to allow value-engineering and re-bidding of mechanical systems.
•District manager on maternity leave; district will manage backfill/coverage.
•DOJ accessibility requirements and deadlines for counties under 50,000 population.
•One permit separated to allow a commissioner to abstain due to family connection.
•Operational impacts of transporting inmates on sheriff staffing and public safety.
•Regular audits for 2023–24 largely complete; single federal audit still underway.
•Resignation effective date (Nov. 2).
•Single federal audit required when federal spending in a year exceeds $750,000 for a program; it carries additional audit costs.
•Vendor options and annual subscription costs ($2,400 and $9,900).
•Water board reviewed permits and found no issues if work remained outside right-of-way.
•Whether long-term operating costs and debt service were included in earlier comparisons.

Decisions

•Approved Bid Pack Two guaranteed maximum price of $10,637,915 excluding mechanical.
•Approved the recommended drainage permits.
•No formal action required; informational item.
•No policy decision recorded; informational update.
•No procedural decision recorded to alter course; the commission proceeded with Bid Pack Two approval.
•No purchase decision recorded; commissioners asked for more information and budgeting.

Directions

•Auditor to provide draft findings and continue with federal single audit work.
•Commissioners requested the underlying data used by consultants for operating-cost assumptions to be provided for review.
•Design/construction team to repackage mechanical scope and solicit a single-system bid for jail + courthouse.
•Design team to present re-bid schedule and updated cost estimate to commission.
•Public works to monitor work and ensure no elevation above road grade.
•Staff to coordinate with district and report back to commission on recruitment or interim coverage.
•Staff to research other vendors and incorporate costs into future budget planning.

Aug

County Commission Meeting - August 18, 2026

Walsh County commissioners met Aug. 18 to review construction updates for the jail/courthouse project, negotiate and vote to amend a proposed library funding agreement (including removing the ballot placement), review budget and mill-levy options, hear a JDA presentation about local economic investments, and approve several departmental items including an ADA website update and an emergency radio patch.

Discussion Points

•Attorney review needed before final execution
•Capital 10-mill designation for jail/HVAC was discussed
•Commissioners concerned about large nonrepayable investments vs. loans that replenish funds
•Commissioners requested clearer JDA and weed-board budget lines and reserves
•County-wide mill-levy projected near ~59 mills after adjustments
•DOJ extended municipal compliance deadline to April 2028
•JDA reported active loan portfolio and broader investments and argued funds leverage private dollars
•Mechanical/electrical design and pricing still under review
•Patch addresses recent failures of app-based notifications
•Patch will route non-siren VHF paging into dispatch
•Request for clearer, line-item budgets separating loans and investments
•Shared HVAC equipment spans bid pack 2 (shared) and bid pack 3 (courthouse-specific)
•Staff may return for partial approval to avoid bid expirations
•Vendor Revise offers automatic PDF-to-accessible conversion
•Whether to rescind previous motion to place agreement on the ballot
•Whether to restore mill-rate caps (2.5 county / 4 city) or leave flexibility for future boards

Decisions

•Approved health-insurance renewal at 7.76% and reduced estimated health-insurance expense; requested further budget detail submissions.
•Motion to approve agreement with caps pending state's attorney approval (approved)
•Motion to rescind prior motion to place agreement on the November ballot (approved)
•One-time purchase approved

Directions

•If attorney flags issues, commission will hold a special meeting
•JDA to provide program-level budget distinguishing loans (interest-buydowns) from investments/grants and to identify annual loan-buydown capacity
•Purchase and install patch using 911 funds; monitor for recurring fees
•Staff to circulate updated worksheets and departments to return with line-item details
•Staff to follow up with Revise and secretary of state's ADA contact
•Staff to forward amended agreement and Exhibit A to interim state's attorney
•Staff to provide bid-package cost splits and seek approval in ~2 weeks if prudent

Aug

County Commission Meeting - August 4, 2026

Walsh County commissioners met in August to approve routine business, authorize a $2,000 stipend for UND Law externs, hear an update on jail bids and a costly radio/recorder upgrade, vote to send a letter of support to the Red River Basin Commission, advance library funding renegotiation with the City of Grafton, accept the resignation of the county state's attorney, and discuss bridge and road funding shortfalls.

Discussion Points

•20‑year needs assessment showing multiple bridges and large recommended annual spending.
•Bourbon outlined three basin priorities and studies relevant to Walsh County.
•Century Code requires two‑year withdrawal notice; debate over simple vs supermajority thresholds.
•Commissioners noted the county’s 3% budget‑growth cap could prevent a payment this year.
•Commissioners preferred a letter of support if direct funding was not feasible.
•County recorder obsolete and additional interface work required.
•Extern contribution and travel burden
•Quotes from Equiture ($40,913 cloud recorder), Eventide ($59,441 new recorder) and a larger IP logger example ($160k–$170k).
•Specific bridges (Old Bridge, Golden Township) require significant cost and may not be funded without grants.
•Spreadsheet showing county and city budget scenarios and in‑kind credit totaling $43,000.
•Suggested funding from 911 fund reserves and issuing an RFP.
•Use of state's attorney drug forfeiture fund as historical practice

Decisions

•Commissioners approved sending the letter of support.
•Commission voted to proceed with simple‑majority withdrawal language.
•No new county funding commitment; staff to continue applying for grants and provide support letters.
•No procurement decision; further data requested.
•Stipend approved

Directions

•Offer letters of support for township grant applications; prioritize shovel‑ready projects for competitiveness.
•Present simple‑majority withdrawal language to City of Grafton and return with city input and ballot language if needed.
•Staff to draft and send a letter of support to the Red River Basin Commission if the county cannot contribute local match.
•Staff to process stipend payment
•Staff to return in ~2 weeks with refined numbers and recommend procurement path.

Jul

July 27, 2026 Preliminary Budget Review pt 2

Walsh County commissioners reviewed preliminary 2027 levy worksheets, debated reserve levels and discretionary cuts, added $15,000 for domestic violence services, and approved a preliminary levy totaling 134.19 mills (county general preliminary levy reported at 59.85) with further cuts possible before final adoption.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners discussed potential offsets to fund the addition
•Commissioners warned cuts likely after health-insurance figures are available
•Concern that a large share of JDA funding may go to operations rather than direct small-business assistance
•County gives four mills to JDA and additional funding to Red River Regional Council
•Desire to review levy worksheets for each fund to assess fund‑balance impacts
•Estimated salary around $110,000 plus benefits; participants gave different total cost estimates
•Need to update 3% cap calculations with final valuation
•No formal hiring motion; staff to provide more data
•Potential duties: grants, HR, JDA oversight
•Preliminary levy calculations and fund balance accounting explained by staff
•Request for a five‑year historical funding breakdown and outcome measures
•Some commissioners favored using one‑time interest for capital (jail) while others favored preserving reserves
•Staff added $15,000 to domestic violence funding and recalculated mills
•Staff presented mill outcomes for different cash reserves and after adding interest income

Decisions

•$15,000 was added on the preliminary worksheet and retained for the preliminary motion
•Preliminary budget approved at 134.19 mills

Directions

•Staff to compile five‑year history and breakdown of JDA and regional council funding and outcomes
•Staff to model administrator salary/benefit costs and identify potential efficiency savings
•Staff to model scenarios for $2M, $2.5M and $3M reserves and show multi‑year impacts
•Staff to show offsets and updated worksheets
•Staff to update levy worksheets and present before final budget adoption

Jun

June 25, 2026 Preliminary Budget Review

Budget-review meeting for Walsh County focused on 2027 county general budget, a recommended health‑insurance consultant, proposed pay/benefit adjustments (including county administrator and differential pay), and schedule for follow-up budget meetings.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners discussed the NDIT contractual notice requirement and whether a consultant can deliver recommendations before budget adoption.
•Staff recommended outreach to Alera Group and Stroh & Associates for consultant proposals.

Decisions

•Add $27,500 line for health‑insurance consulting; increase health‑insurance placeholder to $635,000 in the draft budget.

Directions

•Staff to obtain insurer renewal packets and individual rates when released (expected late June/early July).
•Staff to request detailed scopes, pricing (one‑time vs ongoing), software/administration inclusions, and timing from potential consultants.

May

May 19, 2026 Preliminary Budget Hearings

Walsh County commissioners held a preliminary budget hearing that reviewed departmental budgets, reserve balances and capital requests; commissioners debated whether to budget for a proposed county administrator position and questioned staffing and contract costs for the county JDA.

Discussion Points

•Capital equipment loan (~$565k) to cover graders and new skid steer/payloader
•Chip-seal per-mile cost increase (KLJ cited) from ~$30k to $40–$60k per mile
•Commissioners questioned a high share of operating/contract costs relative to direct assistance
•JDA emphasized leveraging grants and regional expertise to increase impact
•JDA proposed reinvesting loan repayments into community programs and business supports
•Need for $300k engineering line to ready projects for federal cost-share grants
•Need for levy workbook and market-survey results before final approval
•Request to itemize large 'miscellaneous' line items across departments
•Whether to budget $75,000 for an unapproved county administrator position

Decisions

•No final decision to hire an administrator; placeholder to remain under discussion and brought forward for formal motion before final budget adoption

Directions

•Bring administrator position as a motion at a future meeting (suggested August 4)
•JDA to provide a more granular line-item breakout of operating vs program expenses and examples of leveraged grant dollars and outcomes
•Staff to provide clearer breakdowns of miscellaneous line items and reserve accounts
•Staff to supply itemized project cost breakdowns and financing scenarios (lease vs loan)

Dec

December 16, 2025 Commissioners Meeting

Walsh County Board of Commissioners met Dec. 16 to hear updates and take votes on routine items and several substantive proposals: a fundraising plan for a new fair building and related grant match, selection of a construction manager-at-risk for the county jail project, a new employee assistance program contract, bridge bids and repairs, and a lengthy discussion about creating a county administrator role followed by portfolio assignments.

Discussion Points

•Balance of portfolios and workloads across commissioners
•BRJ bid amount and contractor reputation
•Budget constraints: 3% levy cap, recent cuts and uncertainty about sustainable funding
•Comparison with current NDFIT coverage and access issues
•Concerns about relying on grants to pay an ongoing salary
•Confidentiality and utilization reporting
•Grant ($100,000) requires match and spending deadline of 07/01/2027
•Interview panel prioritized local-contractor relationships and correctional experience
•Jail committee recommended CMAR and noted phased committee role reduction
•Long-term operating plan must include year-round revenue sources (weddings, auctions, shows)
•Minto bridge pile splits and possible repair strategies (banding, cap replacement, deck removal)
•Need to clarify legal/tax implications if fair board becomes a 501(c)(3)
•Need to notify boards prior to January meetings
•Potential benefits: coordinated grant-seeking, HR support, prevention of missed county priorities
•Potential small per-FTE surcharge above 60 employees
•Representation on external boards (JDA, water board, health board, etc.)
•Timing (winter heating vs. spring work) and utility removal needed

Decisions

•Board approved the CMAR hire by vote (4–1)
•Commission approved contract with The Village effective Jan. 1, 2026
•Commission approved the BRJ bid and directed staff to develop estimates for Minto bridge repairs
•Commission provisionally approved assignments and will finalize at next meeting
•No county capital commitment made; commission offered conditional support for committee fundraising and requested follow-up research
•No hire or immediate budget appropriation; continue study and conversation

Directions

•Commission to receive regular updates and retain decision authority on hires and major contracts
•Commission to review staff study and consider the position in future budget cycles
•Committee to proceed with pledge sheets and public fundraising
•Construction Engineers to begin preconstruction coordination and involve local contractors
•Finalize and formally adopt at next meeting
•Highway staff to obtain contractor estimates for banding and cap fabrication, remove communications lines as required, and return to commission with cost and schedule options
•HR to confirm final pricing using payroll FTE report and finalize contract
•HR to schedule employee orientation in January
•Staff (Tanya) to prepare a job description and salary/market study
•Staff to circulate assignments by email for confirmation
•Staff to research Century Code and auditors' group precedents for county-supported fairs and 501(c)(3) structures

Dec

December 2, 2025 Commissioners Meeting

Regular meeting of the Walsh County Board of County Commissioners that elected a new chair and vice chair, approved several procurement items and contracts, and discussed a contested bridge maintenance agreement for the Minto Elevator Bridge requiring further engineering estimates and intergovernmental talks.

Discussion Points

•Importance of competitive bidding in future; sole-source justification for Heatlands machine; KLJ to provide engineering on emergent projects; jail lighting required to meet inspections.
•Nominations and roll-call votes for leadership positions; gratitude expressed to outgoing presiding commissioner; scheduling of portfolio assignments at next meeting.
•State VRR hydraulic modeling now in KLJ's hands for analysis; legal history includes district court and Supreme Court rulings declaring the roadway private in past litigation; commissioners expressed safety and liability concerns and noted affected businesses.

Decisions

•Approved three procurement items; no budgetary controversy recorded.
•Elected Ernie as chair and Amy Suraj as vice chair; approved consent agenda and JR's Bar liquor license renewal.
•No funding decision at this meeting.

Directions

•Finalize portfolio preferences by next meeting; clerk to publish updated roster and record minutes.
•Obtain KLJ engineering estimate; form a small stakeholder group (county staff, water board, affected business representatives) to discuss cost-sharing and maintenance; report back to full commission.
•Proceed with immediate, time-sensitive work; staff to solicit competitive bids for future comparable work where possible.

Nov

Commissioners Meeting November 18th, 2025

Walsh County commissioners met Nov. 18, 2025, approving a conditional-use permit for a new Verizon wireless tower, discussing an emergency closure and possible repair of the Kilowatt Drive (Minto) bridge, conducting the 2025 delinquent tax sale, debating updates to the Carnegie Public Library joint-service agreement (including a motion to send county library funding to the ballot), and approving two additional 2025 county holidays for employees.

Discussion Points

•Applicant cited Telecommunications Act Section 704 to note federal preemption on RF emissions review
•Applicant described monopole, setbacks and equipment pad; planning commission encouraged voluntary lighting
•Auditor read parcel numbers, locations and minimum bids; some parcels attracted multiple bidders and sold, others had no bids
•Chair instructed successful bidders to complete paperwork at auditor-treasurer’s office
•Commissioners asked about coverage and technology differences (4G vs 5G)
•Commissioners debated whether the joint agreement should explicitly include both withdrawal methods (elector vote or commission action) and discussed the county’s past levies and in-kind contributions from the city
•Commissioners discussed cost implications for 24/7 services and tradeoffs after recent health insurance changes
•Commissioners discussed modernizing services (Libby app, vending machines, branch refreshes) and requested clearer numbers on state funding and current levies
•Counsel explained Century Code’s two-year notice requirement and that parties may contract to require elector votes
•HR presented comparative county holiday data and department heads favored the Friday after Thanksgiving and the Friday after Christmas as retention measures
•Inspection (Collins Engineering) found abutment rotation and compromised pile support necessitating closure
•Staff reported Fit EAP lacked in-person and critical-incident capacity compared to Village EAP
•There is historical paperwork (1980 maintenance agreement and later Supreme Court opinion) creating mixed ownership/maintenance responsibilities
•Two contractor quotes (~$60K–$70K) were provided but staff said full engineering is needed to confirm scope and cost

Decisions

•Conditional-use permit granted (unanimous)
•Motion to put funding question on ballot passed (3–2)
•No immediate repair contract authorized; consensus to obtain legal and engineering analyses
•Proceed with sale as published; record sold and unsold parcels per auction
•Temporary granting of two holidays for 2025 approved; Village EAP reinstatement approved pending contract details

Directions

•File permit records and proceed with inspections; applicant to consider voluntary lighting if requested by county
•HR to model fiscal impact and present policy options for 2026; HR to obtain final Village EAP contract terms and budget implications
•Place funding question on next election ballot per motion; staff to prepare levy/funding figures and proposed contractual amendment language for review
•Provide records to state’s attorney for legal review; pursue KLJ engineering assessment; explore cost-sharing with local businesses as an option
•Successful bidders to complete paperwork next door to finalize transactions; staff to record results.

Oct

October 21, 2025 Commissioners Meeting

Discussion Points

•Auditor/Treasurer presented staffing proposal to retain deputy treasurer remotely for year-end and to contract for January 2026; commissioners discussed turnover and training needs.
•Challenges creating assessment areas for mid-century government drains; each drain has separate funds for cleanout work.
•Details of several drains and acreage discussed (presenter cited large drain acreages in the discussion).
•Maximum assessment rate cited as $0.50 per acre and the plan to seek matching state funds.
•Minutes corrections were requested for several prior meeting minutes.
•PIO coordinating with Sheriff Jurgens on law-enforcement releases; plans to consult with state DES PIO to develop emergency communications protocols.
•PIO reported 34 press releases and approximately 29 media calls since starting in August.
•Planning a mass-casualty exercise and facility tour with Unity Medical Center and local emergency partners.
•Presenter described EagleView/Pictometry contract terms and an April flyover timeline if approved; city of Raffton contribution noted.
•Presenter (Ed) described farm gross income worksheet showing at least 66% of income from farming for abatement qualification.
•Press releases are posted to the Walsh County website (Walsh County News) and a sheriff-specific news page.
•Snag-and-clear program history and scope (presenter said program has operated for over 10 years).
•Staff discussed cancellation of checks under Century Code procedures.
•Third-quarter financial report detail review; questions raised about revenue/expense timing for weed-control and capital project account labeling and ARPA transfers.
•Water Resource Authority described snag-and-clear program, NRCS guidance and 50¢/acre assessment with state matching funds.

Decisions

•Accept the third-quarter financial report.
•Approve cancellation of outstanding checks unclaimed over two years.
•Approve EagleView/Pictometry contract (approx. $121,000 over 3 years) with city contribution.
•Approve multiple consent and administrative motions, as listed in actions[].
•Approve remote/contract arrangements for Deputy Treasurer Kelsey Stanton (decided 4–1 on roll call).
•Approve tax abatement for Howard Lee (land value $96,440).
•Approve two permanent ditch/drainage permits (Marvin Bullock; Dushick Farms, ~165 acres).
•Authorize snag-and-clear assessment up to $0.50/acre with state match.
•Commission authorized proceeding with snag-and-clear assessments (up to $0.50/acre) and approved the government drain process and two permanent permits (Marvin Bullock ditch-clean, Dushick Farms tiling ~165 acres).
•Convene executive session under ND Century Code for counsel on jail litigation.
•No formal commission actions required; update accepted for the record.

Directions

•Assessor/IT to sign and schedule EagleView imagery flight and coordinate county access to imagery.
•Assessor/tax office to update assessment roll for approved abatement.
•Auditor/Treasurer to publish cancellation notices for unclaimed checks and to implement staffing contract and onboarding of new hire.
•County attorney to convene and advise commission in executive session regarding litigation related to the correctional center.
•PIO to continue coordinating with sheriff and county departments on release approvals and to pursue guidance from state DES on emergency communications.
•PIO to organize a mass-casualty exercise in collaboration with Unity Medical Center and emergency management.
•Staff to submit assessment application to the state for matching funds and to finalize assessment boundaries.
•Water Resource Authority/Engineering to submit assessments to state for matching funds.
•Water Resource Authority to provide maps and assessment details to commissioners and to coordinate with the highway department for work scheduling.

Oct

October 21, 2025 Commissioners Meeting - 2nd Half

Discussion Points

•Bidding schedule likely too late to complete contracting this fiscal year.
•Concern about pulling highway crews off road work and shelters being too large to build entirely in the shop.
•County staff announced hire of a VSO and gave brief description of the selection process.
•County staff asked whether a motion was needed; the vote was taken and recorded as unanimous.
•Estimated materials cost discussed (~$30,000).
•Option to buy materials now and have county highway crews construct or repair shelters in-house.
•Staff member will be absent for the November tax sale; Kelsey will run the sale.
•Venida checked with state officials and was told there was no conflict with his state fair position.

Decisions

•Jon Venida approved as state fair delegate (5-0).
•Kelsey to run the November tax sale in the absence of the regular staff member.

Directions

•Staff to check details with Highway Superintendent Jason and revisit the item at the next meeting.

Oct

October 7,2025 Commissioners Meeting

Discussion Points

•Attorney and staff recommended the county sign onto a secondary-manufacturer settlement quickly; staff asked for delegated authority to sign time-sensitive future settlements.
•Christina presented updated levy worksheets showing total county levy numbers.
•Commissioners probed discrepancies in the weed-control fund balance and whether state reimbursements and landowner-assistance reimbursements were included.
•Commissioners questioned whether the voter-approved 10 mills from Nov. 5, 2024 could be added now or requires additional procedures.
•Construction updates: Swanson and Mintel bridges had concrete pours completed; box culvert installation scheduled for next week; one contractor is subcontracting previously delayed work and the county may pursue penalties for delays.
•Drainage permit will replace corroded culvert and Waterboard had no objection.
•Staff reported flex-fund and bridge grant applications; requests statewide totaled $517,789,834.78 while available funds in primary buckets were much lower.
•Taking on township roads would add significant gravel miles, require additional equipment and staff, and reduce township funding eligibility for those miles.
•Tax-sale appraisal: staff noted some parcels were paid postmarked Oct. 1 and removed from the list; owners have until Nov. 15 to redeem.
•Townships need to coordinate corridor roads and timing to match state grant application schedules; fall timing complicates volunteer/township officer participation.
•Utility permit was presented as a routine replacement project and staff recommended approval.

Decisions

•Approvals recorded as roll-call motions; minimum bid set at all taxes owed.
•Final budget adoption postponed; special meeting scheduled for Oct. 9 at 1 p.m.

Directions

•County attorney to research inclusion of voter-approved 10 mills and advise the commission.
•County Auditor to publish tax-sale notices and process redemptions.
•Special meeting scheduled for Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. to finalize the budget.
•Staff to continue outreach to townships encouraging coordinated corridor applications and to advise townships about grant timelines and requirements.
•Staff to execute settlement sign-on and report back.
•Staff to notify applicants and coordinate work on approved permits.
•Staff to submit cost estimates for semifinal bridge applicants and report back after state awards (expected December).
•Staff to update levy worksheets to reflect historical reimbursements and projected receipts.

Sep

September 30, 2025 Final Budget Review Meeting

Discussion Points

•Commissioners debated restoring funds to line items (sheriff fuel, buildings & grounds) versus increasing cash reserves to provide cross-cutting flexibility.
•Commissioners noted uncertainty from health insurance renewals and potential unanticipated building/bridge repairs, and requested prioritized project lists for buildings and grounds.
•Staff presented updated worksheet showing proposed reductions: technology $75,000; county parks equipment $30,000; port facility improvement grant $30,000; insurer renewal already submitted (Aug. 29) so insurance item could not be altered.

Decisions

•No formal levy or budget adoption on Sept. 30; commissioners directed staff to prepare final worksheets and return Oct. 7.

Directions

•Staff to circulate final-number worksheets labeled 'final' and provide a prioritized buildings-and-grounds project list.
•Staff to move $25,000 from sheriff fuel line into cash reserves in the worksheet for discussion.
•Staff to return with updated levy/cash-reserve scenarios at the Oct. 7 special meeting.

Sep

September 16, 2025 Commissioners Meeting

Discussion Points

•Cap proposed at 15 hours/week at $20/hour; membership dues (~$100) proposed to support professional development.
•Commissioners asked for monthly tracking of hours and deliverables and noted the role could require more hours during large projects.
•Commissioners debated restoring building repairs (including a $160,000 courthouse roof/wash-and-tuck estimate) and capital outlay lines removed from the preliminary budget.
•Concern raised about unbudgeted/sudden repairs (HVAC, roof, jail-related work) and how they would affect carryover and reserve.
•Concerns were raised about fees for vendors that charge to accept cards.
•Contract had not been substantially reviewed since 2007 and Tanya requested modest rate adjustment.
•Contract includes GIS maintenance, annual farm-processing, soils-layer update every 3-4 years and a new technology-access fee.
•County uses Sidwell to batch-process valuations by soil and land use.
•Department funded for position; short-staffed for months; candidate interest already present.
•JP Morgan card offers controls, receipt capture and GL-code import into Tyler; potential rebates offset vendor processing fees.
•Part-time hires reduce benefits costs but require experienced candidates to limit training burden.
•Proposal to consider 36-hour full-time model and 12-hour shift patterns; safety/performance concerns about 12-hour shifts were raised.
•Staff and the proposed contractor recommended a capped hourly contract to pilot PIO services.
•Staff presented year-to-date general fund spending (about $4.2M of a $6.1M budget) and estimated remaining expenditures and potential carryover.
•Staff recommended pilot and monthly statement review before ACH payment.
•Staff to provide updated worksheets showing restored vs. reduced options and an updated carryover estimate.
•Tanya agreed to delay rate increase to January to fit the 2026 budget cycle.
•Tanya said weekly hours vary ("there's weeks I put in 5 hours. There's weeks I put in 30 hours").
•Year 1 fee represents a 14% increase over prior year; years 2 and 3 projected at 6% increases.

Decisions

•Commission approved the capped, hourly PIO contract and payment for association dues.
•Commission approved the revised HR contract by roll call.
•Commission approved the three-year Sidwell contract by roll call.
•Commission authorized staff to proceed with the JP Morgan corporate-card program and accounting integration.
•Commission set a follow-up budget meeting for Sept. 30 to finalize 2026 budget items.
•Motion carried to advertise and evaluate applicants.

Directions

•Contractor to track hours and provide monthly documentation of activities.
•Follow-up budget session scheduled for Sept. 30 at 8:30 a.m.
•Rate increase may be implemented in January if agreed and budgeted.
•Staff to advertise for 1 full-time or 2 part-time dispatchers.
•Staff to draft the pilot contract and add a 2026 budget entry for the capped hours and association dues.
•Staff to enroll in JP Morgan portal, test Tyler integration and return with a written policy and timeline.
•Staff to evaluate whether card rebates offset vendor convenience fees for specific payments.
•Staff to finalize the revised contract; Tanya to track and report hours.
•Staff to plan soils-layer update in year 3 and coordinate with NRCS data changes.
•Staff to prepare revised budget worksheets and circulate before Sept. 30.
•Staff to return with scheduling and benefit scenarios after recruitment progress.
•Tax director to finalize signatures and budget the annual payments.

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