--------- This time I would accept a motion to end the closed session and return to the open meeting. Do I hear such a motion? >> So moved. >> Motion by Carlson, second by Sumner. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? All right, we are back
in the work meeting session. Introduction of new employees. Do we have any new employees? I'm not seeing any. So, we'll move on to identify future work meeting topics. Anybody have any future work meeting topics they'd like to bring up? Commissioner Gold? >> Yes. Thank you.
Uh, see here. Uh, let me pull it up here. Okay. So, there's this uh there's this group called the Northern Counties Land Use
Coordinating Board. Uh it was established in 1983 as a uh joint powers board. The purpose is to provide a local government perspective regarding regulation, implementation and coordination of environmental and natural resource policies with our state
and federal partners. Members reflect the economic fabric of the region with professional backgrounds in farming, forest products, small business ownership, law enforcement, and resort management. Uh I remember learning about
this group a couple years ago. Um, and there's a a a county commissioner um from St. Louis County that was talking to me about it um at the AMC conference last week and uh offered to come and do
a presentation. Uh they're they're trying to expand their membership and uh all but two or three counties including us are not part of it in the entire northern tier of Minnesota. So, um I think it work makes sense worth looking
at um you know given given the information I shared. So, um yeah, I'd like to see them come in and and do a little presentation anyway. So, >> Mr. Chair, >> yep. Commissioner, >> um
I remember a few years back and it wasn't with this board, uh it was with a prior board. Um, we did uh get some information about End Club, I think they're called. Um, because I back then I was inquiring, you know, whether it
would be an opportunity for us to join and at that time the board felt that there wasn't really a need. Uh, but I do appreciate Commissioner Gold bringing it up then to uh potentially hear from them and see if that is something that um we
could pursue because it it seems like there's a lot of benefit to to the organization that we may be missing out on and not uh being part of it. And um Commissioner Gold is right that a lot of northern Minnesota tribes are part of
it. It kind of goes around Belrammy County and they often wonder why Bel Tramy County isn't part of it. So I would welcome you know a presentation as well. Thank you John. Okay. Yep. Okay. So we can tee
that up for one of our future future work meetings. Okay. Thank you Commissioner Gold. Anything else from anybody? Okay. We will move on to the temporary easements for MIDOT city project on trunk highway 197. Bruce is up.
Good afternoon commissioners. Yeah, this topic uh was handed to me. It is not a county road project but it is a road project. So kind of my wheelhouse. Um it is regarding the mind's project that they have upcoming on trunk highway and
197. Um and why it is in front of you is because uh Gillette Drive is a city street and that city street is on airport property which the county is a part owner of. And so um Mandot is going
to realign part of Gillette Drive. It will return back to the city street when it's all said and done. But that relocation work um they are requesting a temporary easement for that work um from the landowner which is the city and the county. The city has uh already signed
or approved the the two temporary easements and so they are asking for the county to approve those two temporary easements. Uh I did provide the maps to kind of see the where the project is at. There's two different parcels there um that they're requesting that that
easement from. Commissioner Carlson. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, I know that uh the airport authority has reviewed all that and has FAA approval so it does not impede anything going on at the airport. So, I would be in favor of that. Just
>> I'd be more in favor of it if we could get a few million dollars from the state for that temporary help offset the unfunded mandates. But uh I'll acquire to the you know to this I don't have any further questions. Anybody else have any further questions
of Bruce on this? Um >> yeah. So it is uh on the agenda >> consent agenda. Yeah. >> Good. >> Okay. I think that's it. Bruce. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> On to the 2026 legislative lobbyist contract.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Commissioners, uh, we have before you the 2026 legislative lobbyist contract. It's included in your packet. As you know, the 2026 legislative session is going to start on February 17th. Uh, and we've already put together a legislative platform, as you
know, contains almost a dozen items. Uh Flattery and Hood, which has been our legislative uh consultant in the past, uh has offered to continue to provide the consulting services in the contract identified uh for the year 2026 um at a cost of $30,000, which is no increase
over the last um contract. Uh as you look at the scope of work that they've provided, they've incorporated our legislative platform. So that's good. as well as um additional work uh in the contract that would be going into say defending uh you know positions that
come up throughout the legislative session and all that. Um we've talked about this at the management team um meetings and uh the staff are supportive of continuing the relationship uh with the legislative lobbyist. Um, as
you know, uh, Eric Simson, who used to be our lobbyist with, um, Flatter and Hood is no longer with that firm, but Bradley and and a colleague of his, uh, are still and have been sort of overseeing the contract and and the work. So, uh, there is, um, still
continuity there, I think, in regard to our issues. Um, just a couple quick things. You know, we rely on our associations like AMC or Minister of Rural Counties and others to carry issues that are important to us, but not all issues that are important to
us are important to other organizations. And so having a uh individual or firm that can help uh tailor our legislative issues um uh and local interests is is pretty key. Um they also have expertise
in legislative processes like rules, rule, uh development, timelines, other sorts of things. And of course, they help us reach legislators that are really essentially not available or accessible to us that we can't reach. Um they're really great at tracking
legislative policy and policy changes, which is really key because down at the legislature, there's a lot that changes and it changes pretty quickly. Just this this past legislative year, there were over 5,500 bills that were introduced in a very short period of time. And trying to stay on top of that is is very
difficult. Um they also tailor their strategies for the county uh and and essentially take actions um that benefits strictly our county that other organizations wouldn't like associations. Um they also allow us to
engage directly with state agencies through that uh coordination aspect. So a lot of the challenges we have, I mean several of the challenges I we have sometimes do not involve legislature or legislators, but they involve, you know, commissioners of state agencies. Uh and
and that's an important relationship, too. So, um, there's a number of reasons that we feel like we'd like to recommend continuing this contract, but, uh, you know, it's it's expensive and, uh, we want to essentially create some time and space here for you to debate this and
see if that's what you feel is in the best interest of the county. Um, I will say, uh, that at the moment it is on the consent agenda for consideration. Uh, if that's not something that you want or you want it pulled off, uh, or you ultimately don't generally agree to move in that direction, you'll want to be
sure to pull that off. Um, so either way, the time is yours to kind of talk through this and uh see how you would like us to proceed or if you would like to go a different direction or not proceed at all on this topic. >> Thank you, Tom. Questions for Administrator Barry about the lobbyist
contract. Mr. Carlson, >> thank you, Mr. Chair. I I've had some I've equivocated about whether I thought we should whether we needed one going forward or not, but I think we have some earned capital going back up couple years where I think our
$30,000 gained us over a million dollars for the county. Um, and I think I think you could enumerate that. I think we have enumerated that in the past. Uh we have some earned capital that that um I
believe necessitates continuing on. Um there are some things that are so unique to Bel Tramy that MRC is not going to be able to tackle for us. AMC is not going to be able to tackle for us. Um I know that and and we've seen Bedell Duran,
Representative Duran in here fighting for us all the time, but he's only one person and he can't be everywhere and he has meetings that he has to be at. Um, but I think if you have a tandem of of a representative in the House and a lobbyist and to whatever extent Senator
Green can be helpful for us, um, I I just think that that's sort of a a triple threat for us to be able to get some things done that we want to get done. I I think this is kind of my last year saying yes, probably unless unless they produce something that that's meaningful for us. But I do think that
all the things that we've gained by having spent that $30,000 in the last two years, so 60,000 in total does give me some confidence that that's money that's going to be well spent. >> Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. Uh,
Commissioner Gold, I'd value your opinion on on whether you think in a election year um and with the the current, you know, debt budget deficit at the state, if you think that it's worth investing $30,000 and and that if we're going to get a return on
investment, you know, not taking into account that, yeah, we definitely have have received a return on investment so far, but is this $30,000 well spent knowing our budget crunch and everything? I'd like your opinion on that if you'd opine on it.
Yeah, I'm supportive. I I think uh um like Tom was saying, a lot of times AMC and MRC um can help us out on pol policies uh that that all the counties are fighting for, but there's there's a a few distinct things in Belrammy County
that we really need an individual lobbyist for. And um as a former legislative staff person, as a as a former lobbyist myself, you you know, I I see the value in it. Um I think it's a minimal amount all things considered. Um
I've seen lobbyist contracts be a lot more than this. Um for uh for smaller budgeted organizations. So yeah, I think it's worth going ahead. you know, we want to um we want some special legislation for Bel Tramy County and and
uh legislators rely on on such folks uh um several times throughout the session. So, um I think it's worth it this year. >> Thank you. And also wondering um just a second if you would um about the the now that Eric isn't there, believe you guys
had some experience with him, do you know anything about Darren and Brad? >> Yes, I do know Darren. Uh we were both legislative staff people together at the same time. Uh he was at the Senate and I was at the House and and uh and then we did some lobbying at the same time
together. So he's well known, wellliked, has a good reputation. So yeah. >> So you feel confident in his ability and his his connection, so to speak? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Winger. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. That was basically my question was it didn't
sound to me like there was a lot of confidence in what we were getting after the last one left. So I just wanted to make sure that we are okay with that and that we shouldn't be looking somewhere else. So that was my my question.
>> Commissioner Sumar, you have comments? Uh yeah, I guess my comment would be that uh um I wouldn't support this contract. Um knowing, you know, our our financial situation,
uh $30,000 does seem uh minimal. Um but it is a lot. Uh it I it's I think it's because you know I don't know you know the guy or or the the new person
would be. I don't know his experience. Um but I I just I just think that we need to if we're asking you know our departments to you know tighten their belts. I think you know we as commissioners maybe should be doing the
same as well. I'm not uh too sure how much, you know, the lobbyist is going to be able to bring back. Um, and I'll go on to say that, you know, we have connections, you know, down in St. Paul, you know, and and those
connections, you know, might not cost us $30,000. You know, we we um, you know, talk to folks. We talked to our our legisl uh legislative representatives. um you know, maybe we can save some money, you know, um you know, maybe
maybe the the staff can reach out as well. You know, I'm I'm trying to be uh as fiscally uh responsible as as as much as I can and if if there's a way to cut $30,000 and I'm all for it. So, um when
this comes up, I I uh will not be in support of it. >> And thank you, Commissioner Sar. are some of my my sentiments as well. I I um that's why I asked some of the questions of Commissioner Gould and Carlson um them having more experience with with
this sort of thing, lobbyist and having been a former senator and so on. Um so I I'm I don't know. I'm still a little bit on the fence as to whether I would want to support it just because of the, you know, are we going to get the the bang for our buck this coming year with the,
you know, the fact that we're in a in a election year and and the budget deficit being what it is. Are we going to get any money that's going to help actually pay back what we are investing? Um, but uh so it sounds like we definitely need to pull this from the consent agenda regardless. So, um, if you could make
note of that, Commissioner Winger. Um any other any other comments or questions that we want to ask or talk to to administrator Barry about right now? Otherwise, we'll leave it for discussion uh on the regular agenda. Make it uh
uh >> so we'll move uh move that down >> from which item was it? Seven >> six. um >> 7E >> from 7E >> to 13A.
Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. Yep. So, that would be the uh 2026 legislative lobbying. Yes. 13A on the regular agenda.
Right. Hearing nothing further on that, we'll move on to the jail project financing bond issuance topic. >> Right. >> Go ahead. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, commissioners, I just wanted to remind you where we left off the last time we had this
conversation, which was the last meeting. uh presented or presented information about the jail project, uh costs that we were incurring, the spend rate that we had, the funding that we had uh remaining in the first bond issuance, which was about $40 million um
at the initial in issuance, and that's when uh to the point where we'll be out of funds on that first issuance to finance the project by around the end of March. Uh we talked about a number of different things. Essentially, your direction to uh the staff was to yes, go
ahead and prepare for a second issuance of a second bond uh in 2026 for $36 million plus or minus uh over a 20-year term. And um that reduction in uh
principal or bond issuance amount and the reduction in time from a $40 million bond over 25 years to a $36 million bond over 20 years, just as a reminder, should save taxpayers roughly $12
million over the uh financing life of this particular project. So that's that's good news. Um, that being said, I just wanted to let you know that um today uh we have uh Dan uh Tinter on the
line who's going to address uh very specific details about the pre-sale report and give you additional information about that as well as the credit uh enhancement program application and also the resolution that
is going to be asked of you to support this evening. at the regular session so that we can continue down this road. And um so if that is something you're interested in continuing, then essentially tonight you would be adopting the resolution authorizing
staff and others to take those steps to sell those bonds. uh those bonds would be sold essentially on January 20th and we would bring back to you uh you know those those successful biders and uh you would have to take an action at that
point in time in approving those and then uh essentially we would close the deal if everything goes well on or around February 12th uh and that would be the point in time which we would receive the $36 million in bond proceeds. So to go through the details
as to you know the documents that are in your packet and that you'll be asked to uh essentially take action on. Uh Dan is on the line and so with your approval, Mr. Chair, I'd like to turn the time over to Dan to walk you through those documents.
>> Sounds good. >> Great. Thank you. What's that? >> Oh, yeah. Dan, can you hear us? Um, we don't see you online here, but um, can you hear us? >> I can hear you. Can you guys hear me?
>> Yep, we can hear you. Thank you. Yeah. >> Go ahead. >> All righty. Well, thank you. Um, by way of introduction, my name is Dan Tiner. I'm a senior municipal adviser with Ellers and Associates. Uh, Bruce Kimmel sends his regret. Uh, we had a meeting
conflict this evening, so he asked me to lend a hand. Um, as the county board uh is aware, the at your previous work session on the second, you did talk about this in some detail in terms of the project itself and how it would be financed. Uh this evening we're here to
talk about really the pre-sale which is the next step in the process when at the county board meeting later the board would be asked to take an official action essentially giving the green light to Ellers as your municipal adviser the bond council and of course county staff to kind of go forth and do
well and begin the next step in the bond sale. So, consistent with your discussion, on December 2nd, the pre-sale report that will be considered at the county board meeting is for a series 2026A general obligation jail bonds for 37, excuse me, 35,730,000.
As the board is aware, uh this is really the second trunch or series of bonds to support the cost of the project. And because of the really current loss collections uh and also some of the earned interest on those balances, the county has opted to reduce the size of
the bond from originally to 40 million down to the 30 35,730,000. I would note that they are kind of titled as jail bonds, but again, as the county board is aware, uh, even though they're general obligation jail bonds, you will be cancelling those debt
service levies and making those payments using the proceeds of the local option sales tax that was authorized by both the state and the county voters. Um, the other thing to uh keep in mind as well is that the bonds themselves will be
outstanding for 20 years. This is a reduction from the previous series again to reflect the state of the project, the cost savings related to the project and then also um those uh opportunities to reduce the PAR based on the lost balances that were discussed at the
December 2nd work session. Um so we're really right now they would be issued for a term of 20 20 years and uh 10 months. Uh additionally we are submitting the bonds for state credit enhancements. So under Minnesota state law, you do have the opportunity to seek
a credit enhancement from the state. Uh this happened with the previous issue as well where essentially they extend to you their AAA credit rating by virtue of the fact that if you ever to not make a payment, they would kind of stand in your shoes. It's never happened and we certainly have no expectation that this
would be the situation with the um with Bel Tramy County. But the nice thing is because of that guarantee, the credit rating agencies will actually extend that AAA rating and that results in a slightly lower interest rate to reflect the credit quality of the state of
Minnesota. And so that really translates for uh the county uh to lower interest and then lower interest payable and then ultimately not having to use as much sales tax to repay the bonds over the duration of the term.
Um right now and kind of jumping basically to the last uh page of the pre-sale report, we are planning uh to review the pre-sale and ask the county commission to approve the pre-sale resolution and the credit application on
December 16th, so later today. And then after that and really beginning in earnest after the holidays and the first of the year, we would work with staff to complete the due diligence call related to preparing the official statement related to the bond issue. We'd also have a conference call with the credit
rating agencies. They still want to appine on the creditworthiness of the county. Again, this is similar to the process the county went through with the previous uh issue. And then uh the week of January 5th, that's when we actually distribute the official statement and make it available to uh prospective
investors. So they would review all the information compiled in that document uh and then use that to make an informed decision about uh if they wanted to offer on the bonds and then at what pricing. And then on January 20th is when we're planning the bond sale. And
then we beg back before the county board that evening to ask your consideration to award the sale based on the bids that were received earlier in the day. And then the nice thing is a few weeks later on February 12th, that's when you would actually close on the bonds and the
money would be wired to the county. So then you could either invest it or use it to begin making progress payments against the project uh itself. So really, um, what you can think of is that board meeting when you're, uh, awarding the sale of the bonds. That's
kind of signing the purchase agreement for a home. And then a few weeks later when we actually have the closing, that's when all of the documents change hands and the money is wired and you officially take possession of the cash for uh, the project. Um, attached to the
pre-sale report are the various uh, schedules. Again, this information was reviewed at the December 2nd work session and has not changed uh since that time. Uh but it is available for your reference which includes both the sources and uses as well as the uh debt
service schedule and then the pricing summary uh related to the bonds themselves. So, obviously that was quite a bit of information from the brief history of the bonds to um how it is you're going to repay them to how some of that PAR
amount was reduced over time all the way on through to the schedule. I know this is somewhat of an abbreviated presentation, but understanding that the county board did have a discussion previously in some more detail. Um didn't necessarily want to rehash it all
for you again. uh but certainly happy to answer any questions uh about the pre-sale, the bond assumptions, the schedule uh and the process to date. >> Thank you, Dan. Commissioner Carlson. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Dan, can you tell
us about the favorability of bonds um with regard to the length? Is a 20-year bond more favorable than a 25-year or vice versa or or is there no difference? >> Uh Mr. Chair, members of the commission, just to clarify the question, when you
say favorability, do you mean in terms to the county itself or potentially to the investing community? >> To the investing community. >> Yeah, for for the investing community generally there is not much of a difference in terms of favorability. uh
they will price the bonds according to the term. And so the interest rate the true interest rate cost on the bonds will increase a little bit because of a longer duration or it'll be a little less because of a shorter duration in terms of the term. But we generally
don't expect uh the attractiveness of the bond sale to be any different to the investing community if it were 20 years, 25 years or 30 years. the bonds are large enough, uh the credit quality is strong enough and the repayment source
uh general obligation backed by a strong sales tax revenue stream would be attractive to most institutional investors. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other commissioners have questions for Dan? >> Not seeing any. Dan, um I just have one
question. you know, with the premium, we're going to net at least 36 million if if everything goes well and and the it, you know, sells for better. Do we end up getting more than 36 million? >> Uh, you certainly could get more than 36
million. That will be a question for um the staff and of course the county board if you're so inclined. There's a few way that few ways the sale can happen. We can essentially tell the underwriters if you receive too much of a premium that we basically want to size the deposit to
the project construction fund at $36 million. So if you got more of a reoffering period premium, what would basically end up happening is we'd reduce the par amount of the bonds even more. >> Okay? >> If it were a little less reoffering premium, we would then increase the PAR
of the bonds all with an effort to net the project uh construction fund. the ultimately we won't know what those numbers are until we actually accept bids and go to sale, but um generally we feel confident in the in the estimate, but we won't have it down to dollars and
cents until we actually talk to the underwriting community. >> Okay, thank you. That kind of a little bit of a guessing game as to how much those premiums are going to be and and the premiums end up covering your expenses and and so on. And that's right now just showing that we're netting 36
million right on the nose is what it looks like. Yes. And really at this point in time, unless there's different direction from the board or staff, the plan right now would be to size the bonds based on the required need for the project
construction fund deposit. And that's fairly typical. That's what we find most communities do. They need a certain amount of money to deliver the project. If that shows up in bonds or premium, they may not necessarily care. They just want to make sure they're getting the amount of money they need to complete the work.
>> Sounds great. Well, thank you, Dan. I don't think we have any other questions. So, thanks for joining us and answering our questions. >> Yeah, of course. Happy to do it. And I will see you in a little bit at the uh board meeting itself. >> Sounds great. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> All right. And that is on the regular agenda for this evening. So, we'll move on to aquatic invasive species management plan. I think Brent is coming up here. And >> good afternoon, commissioners. I have uh Cali Lver with me today. She's our AIS
lake technician. She'll be presenting some information about the um AIS program and the year in review and kind of the management plan itself. I'm just going to preface everything by saying that um we so the county runs an AIS
management program and the program is is paid for with money that was allocated by the state legislature. I'm I didn't look this up, sorry. I want to say it was around 2014 2013. Um, and so we've been doing that since then. And the program is fully paid for by the
money we receive from the state through county program aid that's dedicated specifically towards AIS management activities. And the the we don't have a lot of strings attached to that funding. The one string we do have is that we either have to annually pass a resolution saying what we're going to
spend the money on or we have to adopt a AIS management plan. And we've chosen historically to adopt a management plan that's valid for three years and we just have to adopt it by the end of the year. So that's uh kind of what Callie's going to present on today. And um and then
just just to make it clear because I've had this question in the past, the AIS management plan isn't creating any new rules or ordinance or anything like that. It's just basically saying here are all of the things that we could do with the money and plan to do with the money and um a little bit of AIS information in there. It gives us a
little more leeway than doing it the other way, doesn't it? It does. And that because now with them reducing the funding, cutting it in half in 2027. >> It's anticipated in 27. >> Yeah. Then we'll have to figure out what we're going to do at that point. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> So, with that, I'll turn it over to
Cali. >> Welcome, Kelly. >> Thank you very much for having me. Thank you. Okay. Okay. So, as Brent said, I'm just going to touch on a few things here. Um, overall 2025 activities from
this past season and then along with that, the expenses and revenues. And then I'll go a little bit into plans for 2026 and 2027 and then a little review over the prevention and management plan that we put together. So, our 2025
activities are listed here. Um, education and engagement, watercraft inspection program and monitoring and management are all strategies for implementing our management plan. Um, for education and engagement, I attended two annual educational
water festival um water festivals for area fifth graders where I educated on AIS prevention and identification. Um, I hosted a local training site for Star Trek, which is an annual event statewide held by the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive
Species Research Center. Um, where volunteers are recruited to search area lakes for invasive species. Um, this year we had four volunteers and they did identify two new populations of star stone wart in Three Island Lake and Gull
Lake. Um, I also provided technical assistance and guidance for AIS management, um, identification, um, and resources for local resorts and public private water access
administrators and, um, local lake associations and coalitions. Um, for our watercraft inspection program, which is the bulk of our AIS program, um, our inspection season ran from May 30th to September 7th. This year we have six
inspectors staffed right now and four of them are authorized as level two inspectors which means they are qualified to perform watercraft decontaminations. So as a whole there were 3,828 inspections carried out along with 26
decontaminations for a total of 2028 total inspector hours. Um plug compliance was 99% across the county. that is for um traveling with your boat, making sure that your plug is out when you're traveling and when you arrive at
an access one of the laws. So 99% compliance is pretty consistent with previous data as well. But overall just good people are following the law. Um, for monitoring and management, I conducted routine sampling and monitoring on our high use or high-risk
lakes just to check for population growth of known infestations. And then also just to monitor and make sure there are no infestations going under our radar. Um, and then there were four invasive aquatic plant delineation
surveys and removals carried out. Those were on Pamush Lake, Big Turtle Lake, Lake Bel Tramy, and Wolf Lake, which are all infested with sorry stonewart. As a whole, we harvested 7,049 lbs. That's wet weight of star stone
wart taken out to be composted. Um, and then we'll be walking back to those lakes and just monitoring the regrowth and whatnot. So, as Brent mentioned, the AIS program is solely funded through the state prevention aid. Um, that's $10 million
that's allocated annually to counties to carry out their AIS prevention programs. And that's a calculation that's based on watercraft trailer spaces and launches. So, Bel Tramy County for total aid in
2025, we received $24,218. And in 2026, we expect to receive $23,876. And then with that cut that you mentioned that we are expecting in 2027, that 10 million um allocated annually is going to be cut down to $5 million. So
with that 50% reduction, we're anticipating that our new allocation is going to be somewhere around the $100,000 mark. And then these are our expenses listed here from the past season. So on the left you'll see the activities and their
subsequent costs. Um and then on the right that chart is for donations or grants that we've acquired for the season. And all of those go directly toward the program. So, with our prevention aid allocation plus our
donations, our total 2025 budget was $231,000 600 or 2316 $6649,000. Um, and we are anticipating that we'll carry over that remaining balance of about 90,000. That's something that
we're working on just to promote the longevity of the program in anticipation of the 50% cut and then possible complete removal in 2029. So our plans for the next two years, I
think we're going to stick with the five to six inspectors in that 2,000 hour range. And then we are currently staffing at 10 public water accesses around the Bamiji area. Three of those are on Lake Baiji. Um, and then we'll
continue working with lake associations and providing assistance as we can. Um, and delivering AIS education, attending events or hosting events like Star Trek. Um, and then collaborative AIS management has become a big portion of
what I'd like to do with the AIS program. um making sure that we're addressing AIS in water bodies that we share with neighboring counties or tribes I think is a really great approach to managing AIS as a whole. Um
and then we'll be hosting an AIS advisory committee in early 2026 just to go over our prevention and management plan um for any suggestions or input. Um and then we will also address that 50% cut to the budget.
So then for the prevention and management plan, there were no major changes made to the plan. Um it was mostly adopted from previous plans. So the structure of the strategies, they've all pretty much remained the same. Um the listed strategies there are all for
plan implementation and that's all listed in the prevention management plan. Um, I did include an early detection and rapid response plan just for addressing any new infestations that might come about and that is adopted
from the Minnesota DNR's EDRR framework. Um, but the overall priorities of this plan are just to guide the use of the funds that we receive through prevention aid and prevent the spread of AIS and mitigate what we can.
And that's all I've got. So if there's any questions I'm happy to answer and thank you for your time. >> Questions for Cali. Mr. Carlson. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Kelly I want to thank you for attending the Beara. That's the Bel Tramy County Lakes and River Association. We meet quarterly and
uh your input and your uh uh reports have always been great. We appreciate that. So thanks for doing that. I know that's after hours and and it takes a little effort, but thank you. >> Thank you very much. Oh, and by the way, I think we should make for anyone out that's listening in
on our on our YouTube or whatever that is. Um, if you're on a lake and if you're if you know of if you don't know about a lake association on your lake, you could talk to Cali about starting one. Or if you think there might be one,
please join it because it's really important that we have the lake associations involved in this. So, if you're out there and you're on a lake and I told you I would help you try to do something on Lake Bamiji and I and I hold me to that week. >> Okay, good. I look forward to Thanks, Kelly.
>> Thanks, Commissioner Carlson. Commissioner Gold. >> Thank you. Um, how does the Soil and Water Conservation District fit into AIS or does it not or could you >> Not really. Um, it is kind of its own entity within environmental services. So
all of the funding comes from the state through the prevention aid. Um there really isn't a ton of crossover with the SWCD. >> Okay. So the watercraft inspectors, none of them them are the soil and water conservation funded or staff. It's us.
>> Yep. Right. >> All through the program. Yep. >> And then uh just finally uh wondering what your favorite uh star trek species is. Um I would say um honestly sorry stone
word is a huge problem up in our area. So that is definitely where been that's been a lot of my focus since beginning. So sorry. >> Is that that's it? >> Thank you. Commissioner Gold. Any of the other commissioners have anything? No.
Okay. Um, I'd just like to encourage um, you know, thinking ahead with the reduction in funds and potential elimination of funds that we um, and I know the DNR also has, uh, people that are are staffing the accesses on Lake
Bamiji and so um, less putting less effort on the on the the accesses like that and and more into the, you know, early detection, rapid response um, would be my preference, you um try to you know have education and
people out there looking for that star stone wart. So the sooner we find it, the sooner we can you know remediate it and keep it keep it from getting even more distributed cuz you know if it's around the public access and it gets on somebody's somebody's boat and they
don't do a great job of cleaning off their trailer and then it gets onto somebody else's. So the early detection and response is is uh pretty important. I think >> it is key. >> Great. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Brent. All right, that moves us
on to the commissioner PDM rates resolution. I don't know if that's just uh um making sure if there's every if all the um all the uh committee assignments and
stuff are are all listed. if there's any that are missed. Does anybody um have any that they think missed in the list here? Commissioner Carlson. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. There's no reason to have Prime Health Board or Prime West Health System on that list as they do their own predium and mileage
reimbursement. There's no reason to even have them on the list. >> Okay. Is that I'm not familiar with those. Administrator Barry, is there any anything with regard to that? I mean, there's probably more that are like that
that um but the um having them on the list also means that that were approved to go to them even if they are giving, doesn't it, or no? >> No, sir. You you're still able to attend the meetings. You just wouldn't qualify for the pdeium. And uh Commissioner
Carlson's correct. the pdeium is paid for by those two organizations and under our policy because it is offered and paid for by those organizations. It wouldn't be eligible anyways under our loan program. So, he's correct. We we probably that was an oversight. We probably should have taken those off. >> That's been that way for years and
years. And same thing with some of the other ones like like you know for for me the HRDC is that way as well and so is the Mississippi Headarters Board, >> right? So, um, we technically could I mean it doesn't, you know, I think it
should still reflect that we are attending those on our committee assignments, but as far as as far as them being listed here, it's not necessary because we're not getting reimbursed or >> Yeah. >> No, that's actually a good catch. We appreciate it. Typically, what has
happened, I believe, in the past is we kind of just reconciled both lists and if you're on one, we assumed the other one, >> right? But not knowing what ones are eligible for pdeium by that organization, we wouldn't have known to pull that off. In some cases, we did.
But what I would recommend is um on this same vein, if board members are aware of other organizations that are paying per DM, we should take them off this list um because that's not allowed under our policy. So, uh, that would be those were
four corrections we've just made now, which we want to make sure when you adopt this in the regular session that we make those. We probably I think this is on the consent agenda, so we'll want to pull this off the consent agenda and make those four notations and any others
that you might um have also in your discussion during the work session. >> Um, so let's see. So you got you got HRDC and Mississippi Headwise Board and both the Prime Health and Prime West. Uh are there others that uh that the other
commissioners attend that are direct direct reimbursements for? >> Um do we need to add or is it because it's a direct reimbursement for Niko or or the AMC board? Um are those both
direct reimbursements so they don't need to be specified in here? I believe those are reimbursements by the organization. >> By the organization. Okay. So, those won't need to be in here. Others are there any other AMC is um we don't get
mileage or unless you are on the actual board for AMC. We don't get PDM or mileage. >> So, AMC needs to stay for just regular stuff but not for your position on the board. >> That's not the period.
>> Yep. Right. Okay. >> Okay. >> And I >> Right. You don't double dip, right? Yep. Yep. Okay. Are there any other committees on here other than the ones that Commissioner Commissioner Gold >> uh Bel Tramy H? Uh they they pay us a
PDM. So I I don't put that on our form anyway, but that can come off. >> So that the Belrammy H can come off as well. Any other ones for you, Commissioner Gold? No. How about you, Commissioner Sumar or Mayor? Any other ones that you attend that are listed
here that you get direct pay for? No. Nope. No, >> but that should should be good. Okay. So, we'll make make those adjustments and and we'll pull it off of consent and
make that item 13B then. >> Yeah. >> Um, so that uh what was that? That was uh H item Item seven. Where was it? Uh,
>> no, >> it's already on there. >> Oh, it's on there. Oh, it's it is separate already. Yeah, >> it wasn't on consent. >> It's item 11 already. So, we don't need to pull it from consent. >> Perfect. All right. So, and any other further discussion on that? Otherwise, we'll
move on. Looks like we can move on to the administrator's update. You got a brief update for us and we got a couple of awards to present, I believe. Yes, sir. I'm going to yield the majority of my time to the award presentation because that's certainly more exciting than my boring updates. So, the only
thing I will uh mention and and you got a pretty good update on Friday um in your email, but um just a reminder that our offices will be closed on December 25th and January uh the 1st in observation of Christmas and New Year's. I think most people are aware of that,
but just wanted to make that formal. And then um Mr. chair. With your approval, I'll yield my time to a presentation for our uh county veteran services office and personnel. >> Great. Thank you, Administrator Barry. >> Um the board uh we've got um one from
AMC and another one um from I'm the Tyler Technologies to award to our CBSO. Do you want to do that as a group? We want to do it from the podium down here. Do you want to do it as a group? Yeah. Yeah. all of us go down and and I've got
a couple things to read here as we as we present them. So, >> thanks to the show. >> There it is. >> All right. So, thank you. First off here, on behalf of the Belrammy County Board, I want you to know that I am pleased to recognize the
Belrammy County Veteran Service Office for receiving two significant awards in 2025. The first award uh Commissioner Gould has is office was selected by the Minnesota Association of Counties to receive a county achievement award for the Northern Warriors Outreach Program.
This award recognizes innovative county programs that demonstrate measurable impact in county government. The Northern Warriors Outreach Initiative was recognized for expanding AC access to county veterans services by delivering assistance directly to rural and underserved communities throughout
Belrammy County. So, here's the award. Present that, Shane. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations, Shane. >> Thank you. >> Great, great work. You want to get a sample sticker with that one or did you already >> I got one while you were doing but we
can take a one too with your hug. >> Awesome. >> Perfect. >> All right. >> And then we got one other one here and this uh the second award if you want to
go ahead and pop it open there Shane. In addition, the Belrammy County Veteran Service Office received the Tyler Technologies Veteran Service Officer E Excellence Award of National Recognition honoring leadership, innovation, and excellence in veteran service delivery. These awards reflect the professionalism
and dedication of the Veteran Service Office staff, the strength of community partnerships, and Belrammy County's ongoing commitment to serving veterans and their families with integrity and excellence. Great work. Thank you, Jane. Thank you. >> Maybe we could do just one more with
both the awards. >> Grab the other one. You hold one. >> Pull the other one out or hold it open. >> You want me over here? Oh, >> get him to photo bomb. >> Eat the whole frame all by himself. >> All right. Great. Thank you guys. Thanks
for all your great work. Appreciate it. Good job. >> Thanks, guys. >> All right. So that brings us to uh the rest of the work session. Um are there any other items on the consent agenda that anybody
wants to pull for the uh for the regular regular mech? >> So Mr. Chair, looks like just item 7E that we'll be pulling. Is that correct? >> So so far. Yep. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Well, Dan's going to pull up the agenda here. So Commissioner Ser wanted
to take a look at it. There's a lot of stuff on the consent agenda this time. >> Item item 7G, the approval of Red Lake WHED district manager appointment. >> Okay. You want that pulled?
>> Yes. >> Okay. So, we'll take item G 7G and make that into 13B. I think >> that's a Red Lake >> Wershed district. watershed district manager. Any other
items that anybody wants to get pulled? Mr. Chair, I just had a question and and maybe this is for an is there is there anything new on that long list of things from your department? Everything's the same thing we've had year after year.
And I I I assume that I kind of read through them a little bit. >> Then he fell asleep. >> Well, in fact, I wonder if m if could we have Ann come up and just talk just really briefly as long as we've got a little bit of time about what's involved with that. >> Yep. >> I don't want to pull it or anything
because I they're all fine, but I just >> it might be helpful for the community at large to hear. >> Yeah. You're basically talking about the the deal where we basically give them authorization to not have to have it every one of those grants and stuff come to us for us to approve and sign off and
some of them are more timely. So, us um going ahead of time and saying, "Hey, yes, we want these these grants to move forward and and so on." Go ahead, Ann. >> Sorry to put you on the spot. Yeah, >> that's okay. So, um, on the December 2nd meeting, there was a consent agenda item
that allowed authorization for division directors to approve for incoming revenues from a variety of state grant sources. Um, now these contracts that are in this consent agenda are our local
contracts that are issuing the funds coming from the state back to our local community providers to do a variety of services that are statutoily mandated and primarily funded by those state grant sources that you've authorized us
to sign for. So these local contracts we are asking for board um signatures on just letting those funds go into the community for utilization. Um so there's a number of them. I if you have specific questions about any one of them I can
certainly try to speak to that. Um but in general these are are contracts that are utilizing funds that are approved in our 2026 Health and Human Services budget. Are they are they all grant funds or are some of them levy funds?
>> There is very little levy funding in these contracts. There may be a small amount that has been approved through the budget process and it has not increased um year-over-year. We have in fact reduced levy utilization in these local contracts and are relying much
more on our state and federal partners to fund the services. So there may be a small amount. I'm not going to say there's none, but we've certainly had conversation in the budget process about the utilization of that levy and why. >> If I'm not mistaken, the land of the
dancing sky a area agency area aging agency is one of them. >> Yeah, I remember seeing that one in the >> correct. It's like less than $8,000. >> It's about $8,000 and that is a county share that we pay um as a region to
support the activities of the land of the dancing sky. Mhm. >> Um, and the nameless coalition was $10,000 >> and that is a state grant >> funded by the adult mental health initiative which I'm actually going to be speaking at at the regular or about at the regular session.
>> Yep. >> So, no levy funds to support that. >> Okay. Any other ju just because it's in the news, I think it would be helpful for an if you could >> ease the ease the minds of taxpayers
that the nonprofits that Bel Tramy County does business with are monitored a lot closer than maybe the state monitors their nonprofits. Um because I know that question is going to come up and I and I'm and I've been asked that already. Um, and so if you could just
maybe talk about how those funds go out um and and how we're sure that they're that they go where they're supposed to go. >> Certainly. So I do want to provide some assurances to the board and the
community that that is that fiscal integrity is the reason that we do these local contracts. So, we're receiving state grant funds and once we receive those into the health and human or the county budget, um what we do is we create very specified local contracts
that state the services that we are contracting for with um requirements for auditing standards and invoicing standards. So, every time we're invoiced, we're auditing that invoice against service provision at the local level. Um, so that is the purpose of
these local contracts is to have that local um and close scr local scrutiny on the funds. >> Okay. >> And had the state done that we probably wouldn't be >> Anyway, thank you for that and I appreciate that. >> Yes, >> there was a a situation a couple years
ago where the um we we didn't they didn't invoice us or we didn't pay the money to the to the Nameless Coalition or whatever. And how how did that slip through or I mean did we get to did we actually keep the money so then when when we gave them the 20,000 or whatever
it was actually still state money. >> Is that essentially what happened? >> Yes. We used adult mental health initiative funds to pay for um what hadn't been invoiced for in prior years. >> Okay. >> Um so there are more strict invoicing
requirements in our current contracts. Um it depends on the contract. They may be slightly different depending on the funding source, but for the most part, um, providers need to bill us within 30 days. >> Okay. So, that shouldn't happen again. >> It should not.
>> Okay. Perfect. >> Any other questions, Fran? All right. Thank you, Ann. Appreciate you stepping in. And, uh, no last call on anything any items to pull, any additional items to pull, Commissioner Sumar, or anybody
else on the consent agenda? Oh, okay. So, that leaves us uh with adjourning >> administrator's update. >> Um he already did the administrator update. >> Did you gave yours? >> Yep. >> Yep. That was right a very abbreviated one. >> The awards.
>> Right. Right before the awards. Yeah. >> So, nothing else from town. Okay. >> No. So, we're good. Um, so we Part: 2
All right, it's 5:00. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
All right. Uh, just a few brief comments. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as a board chair again this year, and I'd just like to thank everybody in the board for their support in my taking the role as chair. Thank you. Now, we'll move on to citizens
addressing the board. Anyone wishing to address the county board on an item not on the agenda may come forward at this time to be recognized by the board chair. Please state your name and address for the record. Comments are limited to 5 minutes. A personnel complaint against an individual county employee may not be heard initially at a board meeting.
Personnel complaints may be submitted to the board in writing through the county administrator's office. A person addressing a board may not use profanity or vulgar language. And I see Patricia is here. Welcome. >> Patricia Hart of Ten Lake Township and Zequog
um Leech Lake Reservation. You know what you guys? I really appreciate you. every single one of you. I can tell you're not slackers. You do your homework. I don't ever want to have to read your packets. So, thank you for stepping up and doing
this job. All of you. >> Thank you, Patricia. Anybody else would like to address the the board? Nobody online. I assume Diane. Okay. Thank you. We'll move on then um for
look for approval of the agenda. I move to approve the agenda with this these additions. I move 7E to 13A and move 7G to 13B. >> Thank you, Commissioner Winger. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Carlson. Any
further discussion on the agenda? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 50. On to the consent agenda. Look for a motion to approve the amended consent agenda.
>> So, Mr. Chair, having moved items 7E and G 7G to the regular agenda, I move that we approve the modified consent agenda. >> Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Sumar. Any further discussion on the consent agenda
items? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? The consent agenda passes 5 to Z. All right, that brings us over to the regular agenda and the first item up is the amended adult mental health
initiative joint powers agreement and here comes an. Take it away, Ann. Thank you. >> Good afternoon, commissioners. An Linath, director of health and human services. Um, in your packet, you do have an amended adult mental health initiative joint powers agreement. The
amendments that are in that are to add the crisis response services grant to the joint powers agreement. So I want to talk just briefly about what AMHI and crisis response services are. The adult mental health initiative or AMHI as I'm
probably going to refer to it as we move through this and the crisis response services are both statutoily required to provide resources to our local mental health system. Funds to do this are made available through the Department of Human Services
um to the AMHI and crisis response services in regional blocks. So rece we receive an AMHI grant for region 2 and we also receive a crisis response service grant for region 2. Region 2 includes Bel Tramy, Hubard, Clearwater and Lake of the Woods counties.
Crisis response services is a statutory mandate and has been since 1988. And adult mental health initiative has been a statutory mandate for counties since 1996. Crisis response services are to fund 24-hour mental health crisis services
and adult mental health initiative funds a multitude of area services to supplement the mental health continuum of care. Um so we talked a little bit about housing services. We also fund a variety of providers who provide direct therapeutic support to our county
constituents. So both of these grant sources um have a number of administrative responsibilities. So funding is provided for our region and then regional health and human services directors work to ensure that that funding is used per the
statute and approved by our state lead agencies. um we do that to support the local mental health service continuum of care and Bel Tramy County does serve as the fiscal host for both of those grants. So both of those grants do come into the Belrammy County Health and Human
Services budget. Um and then we distribute it out um on behalf of the region per the direction of the regional health and human services directors. Um we do that for AMHI under the current AMHI joint powers agreement. There is a significant administrative
effort that includes applications for these funds. We do contracts. We have fiscal oversight. We do reporting to our state lead agencies. Um and all of that is assisted by our coordinator for the adult mental health initiative under the JPA. Um so what the region 2 directors
are recommending is that crisis response services also be included in that existing JPA. Um what that would help us to do is have that administrative effort be shared under that same coordinator who does it for the adult mental health initiative.
Um crisis response services has expanded in scope um over the years. There's some complexities in administering the fund especially when we talk about doing it as a region. We have special application processes that we have to go through. Um the contracting is very complicated
without a JPA. contracting has to be done on an individual county basis without a JPA. So adding this JPA would simplify that process immensely. We have increased audit standards over the years. Um so that is a great thing but
it ultimately it it increases that administrative burden associated with the administration of the fund. So having a single coordinator um that would do both AMHI reporting and all administrative work as well as crisis response service um would just make the
service delivery much more efficient across the region. Bel Trammy County would maintain our status as the fiscal host and we would work closely with that coordinator to ensure revenues coming in and expenditures going out are meeting its standards. Uh we do that currently
with AMHI. It works wonderfully. Um we have a great system there and so that is also contributing to the recommendation that we expand that to include include the crisis response services. Um our crisis or our coordinator for AMHI is currently three quarter time. If
we added crisis response services to this job description it would move that to full-time and that position is held in Hubard County under our current JPA. It is not a Bel Tramy County staff person. The cost for the coordinator would come directly out of the crisis
response service grant as an allowable administrative cost. Um there would be no local dollars that would be supporting this. Um so with that information, I just want to make a final point that the JPA that you have in front of you um in your packet has been
reviewed and vetted by our Belrammy County Attorney. If you are in so if you are so inclined to approve this amended JPA tonight, I would request that it be it would be approved with a slight change to the title um to read region 2
adult mental health initiative and crisis response services joint powers agreement. Um so my request this evening is the board consider approving um the contract with that slight amendment. What would that what would that be
change? Would it be just changing or would it be just adding region two to it? >> So, currently it reads region 2 adult mental health joint powers agreement. And I would like it to read region 2 adult mental health initiative and crisis response services joint powers agreement.
And that is how it's being presented to all of the county boards in region two. Region 2 Adult Mental Health Initiative Joint Powers Agreement. >> Did I miss anything? >> Region 2 Adult Mental Health Initiative and Crisis Response Services Joint
Powers Agreement. >> Crisis Response Services. That's a mouthful. >> It is. Does the board have any questions for me? >> I'm surprised you didn't put it all as an acronym. >> Oh, I would. We use a lot of those.
>> Commissioner Carlson. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, and did did we have to have state approval to be able to combine those? Is that just that's fine? >> We do not. Um, we can enter into a joint powers agreement with other counties um with the approval of all county boards
and across the state. There are a number of regions that have both an adult mental health initiative JPA that includes crisis response services. Um, so this is certainly not something that we've come up with on our own. We've looked to other regions and seen how
they have done this and so we are um copying other regions processes around this but it does create um a high level of efficiency for administration. >> And then one last question uh being that it's a joint powers agreement is it
overseen by a joint powers board? >> It is overseen as it is listed in the joint powers agreement. So it does allow the directors of health and human services to work together and be the voting members of the joint powers agreement to administer the fund.
>> So were you able to do that without making us come to another meeting? Thank you. >> If you so approve. Yes. >> Great. Anybody else have any questions for an >> So with that, Mr. Chair, I would move that we approve adding the crisis
response services to the adult mental health initiative joint powers agreement, making it the region 2 adult mental health initiative and crisis response services joint powers agreement.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. Do I hear a second to that? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Gould. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carried. Thank you,
Anne. Appreciate it. That sounds like a very efficient way to handle this. Next up, we have the jail project financing, the bond issuance, and resolution. >> Mr. Chair, to kick this off, we can have some other discussion, but I'll just kick it off with a motion.
>> Okay. So, I would move that we adopt the jail bond authorizing resolution for the issuance of 35,730,000 in general obligation jail bonds series 2026A and approve and authorize staff to sign
and submit the MPFA credit enhancement program agreement. >> Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. Do I hear a second? >> Second by Commissioner Winger. Further discussion on the jail project financing bond issuance and resolution.
We've looked at it quite a bit at this point. Commissioner Gold, >> I guess I would still be more comfortable if it was uh 37 million versus just the uh under 36 where it's listed now. just I worry about selling
ourselves short and um consumer confidence is very low right now. That could affect the market in the next year or two. We don't know what the economy is going to be like over the next 20 years. Uh we have
um ideas. we have some uh history to look at, but um um I just I I would feel more comfortable with the number being a solid 37 to give us another million in
wiggle room. I don't know if you're open to that. Uh >> well, let's maybe see what Tom has to say, but >> Tom, would you like to I know we got Dan on the line here, too. >> Yeah, I know what he's gonna say. I asked the question at the last meeting
and >> well and it makes sense. Um >> I know we are we are exceeding our expectations on our sales tax revenue right now and uh you know so even if we did see a dip I I think that we um are
are ahead of the game so to speak. So, um I I shared some of the same concerns, Commissioner Gold, but I I do feel after the explanations that I'm I'm comfortable with us, um having enough to not have a worry about a shortfall, >> Mr. Chair.
>> Yeah. Go ahead, Commissioner Barry. >> If you'll allow me, I'll just uh I I wanted to um capture the five back stops that we have in place that maybe give you hopefully more confidence in the recommendation. Uh, Commissioner Gould.
Uh, the first is as um the chair has mentioned the revenues that we have programmed to receive uh in comparison to the expenses on an annual basis in present time um exceed
expenses by 250,000 annually. Uh that's the first back stop. The the second backs stop is that um the remaining lost reserve that we're setting aside um because remember we're not using all of that lost reserve money. We're setting aside 1.2 million. So that's a
second back stop. The third backs stop is that uh we will earn future interest on this second bond issuance. It'll be for a short period of time because we're going to be using those bond proceeds, but we expect to maybe get anywhere from 750,000 to maybe 1.2 2 million uh
depending upon how those are invested. So that's the third backs stop. The fourth backs stop is your lost revenues will grow with time. >> As things get more expensive and people spend more money on those things, the taxes will be increased as well. So
we'll have a fixed cost with the two bond issuances, but you'll have an increasing revenue stream year over year over year. So that could be considerable. In fact, I'm relying on that to be able to potentially call these bonds earlier than we thought. And
then of course, the fifth backs stop is always we would never really want to use this, but it's available, and that is the general fund operating reserve backs stop. So, you have several millions of dollars available to buffer a year or
two or three of sales. Um, and even with that, you'd still be having sales tax growth. um or even if you didn't have sales tax growth, you still have 250,000 under the current program um at today's rate. So, you know, I don't I know it's
uncomfortable, but I I think we're I think the savings potential over the long term far outweigh um potentially with these back stops as well. >> Thank you, Administrator Barry. that I know you probably would still like to see it higher, but uh um that uh
that makes me more comfortable knowing that we have several different avenues to, you know, not have that be a problem. And uh you know, the interest being one of the big ones there with the interest that we'll make on the the second bond issuance here um really
could give us that million dollars that you're asking for. >> So, just leave it at that. >> Okay. We'll we'll leave it at that. Any other discussion or any other questions? Seeing none, we'll go ahead and call for the question. All All in favor of the JO
project financing say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? >> I. >> So passes four to one. Thank you. Commissioner salary resolution was in the packet of >> Mr. Chair, I'll move to approve the commissioner salary resolution as
presented. >> Motion by Commissioner Gould. Do I hear a second? Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Sumar. >> Further discussion on the commissioner salary resolution.
basically extending the same the same um wage increase as non-union staff are getting the 3%. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say I.
>> I. Any opposed? Motion carries 5. On to the commissioner PDM rates resolution and we had some changes that were made to that. So we those probably won't be reflected.
We remove the Belrammy HRA and we remove the HRDC and the uh what's that? Yeah, there was one other one. >> Mississippi Headwater Board. >> Yeah, there there it is. Mississippi
Headarters Board and then both of the Prime Prime West and Prime Health boards. We removed those from the list. We did not add any. So, I'd look for a motion to approve the amended PDM rates resolution. >> I'll move to approved it.
>> Motion by Commissioner Winger. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Sumar. Further discussion on the Commissioner PDM rates resolution as amended. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, Commissioner Gold. Um, I wonder if we couldn't uh bump up the the 50 and 75
to uh 75 and 100. Um, neither of those Well, the 50 hasn't been raised in 510, maybe more years. I know. Um, I've been talking to some other counties and I know Becker County, that's what
they have, 75 and 100. Um, and uh, yeah, I just think it's time. I I I know the uh budget can handle it. Um it's not a significant amount overall. Um but I
think it I think it's time. So >> are you offering that as an amended amendment to the >> Well, I guess I'll just ask if if that could be a friendly for the motion maker and the second >> is anybody have a second to that friendly
amendment? I don't know if there's >> I'll make that a second to the amendment. >> Okay. So, we'd have to vote on that amend amendment to the motion first and then go back to the original motion
after that. So, Commissioner Carlson, you have >> Yeah. So, Mr. Mr. Chair, I think you all know how I feel about pdeiums and uh first of all, I'm not going to vote for the pdeiums to begin with, let alone an increase. So, I just I'm not in favor of that. >> Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Carlson.
Um I don't know. Is there anything statutoily administrative barrier that we is there restriction on what we actually can be charging? >> Um no, not necessarily. I mean, yes and
no. But what with regard to what the motion is and what the amendment is, that's in line with statute. Um, >> okay. >> You have to make a decision today unless you hold a special meeting in order for them to be in effect next year. You can't make an adjustment next year. So,
this would need to be I'd advise resolved tonight. >> Right. Definitely. Y >> but no, what's what's on the table right now is in alignment with statute. >> Okay. It's in line with statute. I just want to make sure of that. So, okay. So, we have a >> Go ahead. Mr. Chair, in talking with
other commissioners of other counties, they don't receive the same type of salary that we receive and so therefore the only way that they get rem uh compensated is through higher prediums. Um I think that we get fairly compensated and I'm not in favor of piums at all.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. So the amended motion or amendment to the motion that we need to resolve first is to increase to was it 75 and 100? Is that what you said, Commissioner Gold? Um, so we have a a motion by
Commissioner Gold, second by Commissioner Sumar to amend the PDM rates to 75 for tier one and 100 for tier 2. Uh, any further discussion on that amendment? >> Yes, I have one thing. >> Okay, go ahead, Commissioner Winger.
>> Um, you know, I think it it it's something that can require a lot of time for some people. Um, you know, Commissioner Sumner has a long drive. I mean, there's mileage there, but his time in that
involved can be the majority of a day to come down for just a a short meeting. Um, so the little bit extra I can understand. Um, I I don't put in for a lot of mine because I'm already there doing something and I I just don't put
in. But that's my choice >> if I don't put in for it. Um, so I think uh I can certainly understand where some people having to even take time off to do it and things like that from their other employment maybe. Um, it some of
it makes some sense. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Both sides for sure. >> Yep. Any other further discussion before I call for the vote? I'll do a roll call vote on it. >> Any further discussion hearing? None. Commissioner Carlson.
Commissioner Gold, >> yes. >> Commissioner Winger, >> yes. >> Commissioner Sumar, >> yes. >> And I will vote no as well, but passes 3 to two. So, the motion, the original motion is now
amended to be um 75 for tier one and 100 for tier 2. And well, any further discussion on the motion for passing the amended PDM
rates? All right, I'll call roll call vote again. Commissioner Carlson, >> no. >> Commissioner Gould? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Winger? >> Yes. >> And Commissioner Sumar? >> Yes. >> And I will vote no. So that as well passes 32.
>> Mr. Chair, >> yes. Commissioner Summer, >> maybe a note for Diane to correct the uh commissioner names. >> Yeah. Yeah, that the resolution will need to be updated. Um Yep. So, thank you, Commissioner Summer, for
pointing that out. Next up, we have the MNEA participation, the Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance, um that we brought up a couple of times at now. Um
the draft letter to that organization is in the packet. Um, look for a motion to approve the MNA participation. Mr. >> Chair, >> yes. Oh, sorry. Wouldn't see any other
Commissioner Carlson. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would move that we I think how I want to say this. that we participate with the Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance um by taking action on the letter that
was drafted by yourself and administrator Barry. I think it's important that we at least have the discussion if we really want to be carbon neutral in our energy production by 2040. There's no way that this possible without
introducing nuclear energy or at least having that conversation. We can't have that conversation without this um w- without the removing the moratorium that's currently in place in the state. And so anything we can do to
help move that conversation, it doesn't cost us any money. I think that would be a worthwhile endeavor. So I move that we participate. >> Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. Do I hear a second? Second. Second by Commissioner Winger. Further discussion.
>> Mr. Chair. >> Yeah, Commissioner G. Um, I think we're we're verging on the uh edge of uh too political of a agenda item here. I think the better venue for this is in the legislature. They're the ones that made
this law. They're the ones that need to change it. Um it just I don't know. Um, I'm not sold on the we can't even talk about it type of thing because we still have freedom of speech, first amendment. We can have public meetings about it
there. You can go to workshops and trainings about this still. Um, I I feel like uh this ball belongs in the legislaturator's court. So, um, I'm not crazy about it. >> Thank you, Commissioner Gold. Commissioner Carlson.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, I agree with Commissioner Gould that it belongs in the legislature and the only way we're going to get it there is by a lobbying effort, right? And it's no different than us hiring a lobbyist to advance the priorities that we have as a county um
as a state if we want to advance the priorities of being carbon neutral uh and and and thinking about doing it without including nuclear in the conversation. um that is the legislaturator's and the way we're going to do it is through a lobbying effort
and this is the lobbying effort to do that and that's why I'm in favor of it. >> Thank you Commissioner Carlson. Any further discussion? >> Seeing none, I'll call for the question. I'll do a roll call again. Commissioner Carlson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Gould? >> No. >> Commissioner Winger,
>> yes. >> Commissioner Siver, >> no. >> And I will vote yes. So that is what will pass three to two. Thank you. On to item 13A, the 2026 legislative lobbying contract that we pulled from
the consent agenda. >> Look for a motion on that. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make that motion. >> Motion by Commissioner Google. Do I hear a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by Commissioner Carlson.
Further discussion on the legislative lobbying contract. I u still feel a little bit uh concerned about whether or not we should be spending 30,000 on this but
um it's been a s up to this point I believe that we have been successful and have recouped a lot of a lot of uh funds with the investment that we made the last two years um keeping the the relationship and the and the contract has stayed flat for the last two years
and is the same price this year. Um, I I think that it u I've been sold on the idea that it's probably the good old ways the bad on on having them we we can't be in front of the legislators and the and their staff
members and uh based on the information that Commissioner Gould and Commissioner Carlson presented earlier, I feel like like we're we're going to be better served um to be able to be more responsive and have a better shot at getting some of the things that are
specific to Bel Tramy County approved by having a lobbying firm down there fighting for us. So I I'm uh I'm going to actually support it. So um any any further discussion, Commissioner Winger? >> I just Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have one thing. you know, after attending the
management management team meeting and things and listening to some of the department heads expressing their concern of the time that it would take them to try to lobby for themselves >> and their departments down there that it would probably be in our best interest too. Um, I know earlier I kind of was
against doing that when we discussed it last spring, but um, after hearing their concerns and administrator Barry's concerns and and even some of our legislators that I've talked to, uh, it sounds like it's probably the smartest money we could spend, I guess, for right
now. >> Thank you, Commissioner Mayor. Any other discussion? >> Just want to add I want to support the staff on this, too. they're they're also asking for it and and uh we have a number of individual Bel Tramy County
only items that an individual lobbyist makes sense for. Um and it's a bonding year. You know, this sess this session is mostly a a policy and a bonding year. There's not going to be any um there's no money for a supplemental budget. So
like uh if we if we are really wanting to get designated um as a county as a economically depressed zone to help boost our CPA, our PILT and any other formula dollars in 2027. This is the
year to go after that policy um uh change. Um and it being a bonding year, we have that nine county um solid waste project that I know a number of legislators are supportive of. So um you
know, we we really need our lobbyist uh there every day um attending the relevant committee hearings and and having those conversations each day on that bonding bill. So um just want to reiterate my support. >> Thank you, Commissioner Gold. I had a extensive conversation with
Administrator Barry this earlier today too after another committee meeting and and that uh just um because I was on the fence as well as I know Commissioner Sumar was and and um I feel like I've heard enough to to sway me in the in the direction of of supporting it. Um, I
hope that it it ends up being successful and we are able to to get our 25% additional 25% for our storm funds or or like you said our our our car because of being an economically depressed area. If we get any any of those specific things that are for Belrammy County, it'll more
than pay for itself. So, I I I'm going to go ahead and support it. So, with that, uh, no further discussion. I'll call for the question. Um, roll call again. Commissioner Carlson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Gould? >> Yes. Commissioner Winger, >> yes. >> Commissioner Sumner, >> no.
>> And I will vote yes. So, we'll pass four to one. Thank you for the good discussion on that and for your guys contributions. Now, on to 13B, which is the Red Lake Wershed District Manager position. Commissioner Sumar asked to have this pulled. Are there anything that you want
would like to bring up or do you want to make a motion or >> U? Well, Mr. Chair, I I asked that uh this be pulled uh because I had some concerns with the uh the manager uh that
is is up for consideration. Um so I I don't know. It's something that I'm not going to support. So I don't know if if somebody else wants to make a motion. I'm not I'm not going to support it. So >> Okay. I don't know. Um do did you you
weren't involved in picking this person? >> No. >> Okay. Um I know we do have um Brent from that department here. I don't know if he has anything that he could come up and share with us regarding it. I don't know that we have any other options tonight
and when if we need to make the decision tonight. Brent, would you be able to to contribute anything? >> Good evening. Um, so the Red Lake Wershed District is a political subdivision of the state and every county that's um in in the Red Lake
Wershed District appoints a manager. I think one of the counties has two managers in there and um we received notice back in I don't know late November uh that early December whatever it was that um this term is going to be
expiring in January and we need to appoint a new person. So, there's some statute rules that we needed to follow. We posted notice in the paper uh asking if anybody's interested, reach out. Uh nobody did. Brian is the only one who has he sent a letter saying he would
like like to be reappointed. So, um that's kind of where we're at. He's the only one that's expressed interest. The term his term expires on January 8th. So, um you know, if you if you don't appoint somebody, I'm not sure what happens. By statute, I think we were
supposed to appoint somebody last week, but everything got messed up because we were supposed to also provide public notice for 15 days. And so with our paper and how long it takes to get stuff noticed, the timing just didn't work out. Um, talked with administrator Barry and we thought, you know, it's better to
air on the side of advertising to the public for the required amount of time than it is meeting the technical requirement of when he was supposed to be appointed. But so now is kind of the a little late in the game, but um I'm not sure what happens if we don't do it. It's the Red Lake Water District is the
political subdivision, not it's not us. So >> Okay. >> Thank you for contributing that information in the context. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Commissioner Carlson. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would move that we approve the Red Lake Wershed uh reappoint of Brian Dwight to the Redl
Watershed District Board of Managers. >> Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. Do I hear a second? He's the current the current guy that's in there. Um, and that's so basically he's the only one that's,
you know, expressed interest in it. So, >> how long was this advertised? It was in the paper for 15 days. Um, but it was it's actually longer than that. It was required to be for 15 days. >> And the paper comes out twice a week
or which paper? >> Yeah, the Bumiji paper comes out twice a week. So, their deadline is quite a ways ahead of that first publication. So, >> like everything that we do, our legal ads and our public notices get buried at the end of the paper and
it's it's a struggle to get people to pay attention to those and see. >> Oh, still looking for I don't know enough about this individual and and if Commissioner Sumar has reservations, I'm going to hold back myself.
>> Okay. Just still looking for a second. I I mean >> I I don't know. >> You know this person? >> Oh yeah. I Well, I guess Mr. Chair um
>> Well, first I'll make a second so we can go to discussion. So, I'll second the motion and then we can go to go to discussion. >> Okay. >> Go ahead. >> Yeah, that's what but whatever. Go ahead, Commissioner Summer. >> Uh, Mr. Chair, uh, one of the reasons
why I, um, question the reappoint is, um, I sit on the, uh, one of the watershed boards with Mr. Dwight and he has um
I guess I'm confused on what his role is as the district manager uh for the Red Lake WHED uh who he uh reports to. um attending a few meetings,
uh I was under the impression that he um advocates for Belrami County and uh a few of these meetings I felt that he was
advocating for the watershed district um instead of Belrami County. So I'm I'm not too sure how that works and if if Bel Tramic County appoints him, I would imagine that he would support, you know,
what that the direction of Belram County and not the uh political subdivision of uh his role. So I I guess that's why I
am concerned about uh the individual uh and and our appointment. So that is why I'm a no vote. >> Brent, do you have anything to shed light on that situation? >> Um I'm not a watershed district
employee. I'm not deeply involved in watershed district activities. So I'm not 100% sure what the expectation or requirement is. Um, so I'm kind of going out on a limb here speculating a little bit, but um, after Commissioner Summer and I spoke earlier today, he told me he
was going to voice this. And so I started reading a little bit in statute trying to kind of figure out an answer to that question. And it wasn't real clear to me. Um it it does it does say that there's district or managers that are appointed by the counties and once they're appointed it's
not clear what their role really is in statute but it would kind of make sense that they're they're now carrying out the business of that political subdivision that they've been appointed to be a manager of. >> So they wouldn't necessarily be representing Belrammy County. Um, I kind of had that same assumption uh as Tim
did for for a while in some conversations, but um it it does appear that their their role might be to carry out the interests of of the Red Lake Watershed District. Um, and as a whole, that's their their role. That's why they're what they're appointed to do.
Um, the only thing I'll I'll add is that I know Brian Dwight has been um representing Belrammy County, serving Belrammy County on the Red Lake Water Board for several years now. Um, I haven't heard of any other complaints or
anything from Red Lake Wershed District or anybody else. Um, I know he's passionate about conservation issues and that's what the Red Lake Wershed District is doing. um sounds like he's doing a good job. Other than I had kind of some of the similar concerns Tim did at at one meeting where um it did feel
like, you know, he was maybe putting the the need or the desire of the watershed district board above the counties, but I'm not sure that that isn't maybe his role and his responsibility. Yeah. So, >> I know that on one of the one of the other boards that I sit on, we have people that are appointed from our board
to serve on a on another board. And their role is to serve on when they're serving on that board is to look out for that organization, not ours specifically. And so, you know, like it can be challenging sometimes which hat which hat do I have on today and and
stuff, you know, not unlike what what you serving on the MC board or the Niko board. Um, you know, when you're on the NACO board, you're doing what's best for Niko, not for necessarily just Belrammy County. >> And and so that's that's the way I I would look at this this appointment. And
>> and Mr. Sheriff, if I could add just two more things. Well, just to clarify, uh, the Red Lake Wershed District area encompasses four commissioner districts. Uh, Commissioner Ghoul is the only one who doesn't have land in the Red Lake water district area in his commissioner district. >> And the other thing I was going to point
out is that um the the Red Lake Wershed District has a mission and and everything of itself. So, you know, they're following that. And if a I I did find in the statute there is a there is a section on removal of managers. And so a manager could be removed by the county board that appointed him for things like
malfeasants, misfeasants, nonfeasants, those types of things. Um there'd be a hearing and there's a process, but but there's a there is a process. So >> okay, I would think that if he wasn't doing a good job, somebody would have ran against him or somebody would have, you know, been,
you know, raising some issue with it to try to get him removed or to to have him not be in that role. So, um, and I guess I'll leave it at that. And and we got a motion in a second. Um, any further discussion. >> I just want to thank you, Brett, for
that. It really clarified a lot of things for me. So, >> yeah, I'm not an expert, but trying to share what I think I know. I appreciate that. >> You play one on TV now that you're on TV. >> Correct. >> All right. Great. Well, I'll call for the question then. Commissioner Carlson? >> Yes.
>> Commissioner Gould? No. >> Commissioner Winger, Commissioner Sumar, >> no. >> And I will vote yes. So that'll pass three to two. >> Thank you, Brent, for shedding that light.
Uh that brings us to the commissioner reports, legislative lobbying. We'll combine those together. Commissioner Sumar. >> Um thank you, Mr. Chair. uh commissioner report. Well, first I want to I guess um
say thank you to Patricia, you know, for this uh this past year. I appreciate your attendance. I uh appreciate the the flowers. Um and I think it helps your presence helps us as a board, you know,
to remind us the the work that we do and the job that we have to do. Um when I say keeps us honest, you know. Um so further into my report, uh I attended the AMC annual conference. Uh it was a a
nice uh good conference. Uh I think it was well attended. It was nice to uh see that the veteran service office uh was received an award. um was hopeful to see him there, but I understand, you know, he's he's he's
busy. Uh so I just want to say uh congratulations on your award and the work that you do and and continue to do uh for our veterans. Uh it's nice to see that the uh state association and the state recognize
um his efforts. Um I think uh we had a good uh contingency down there. Um I think we were well represented uh with with the commissioners Winger and Ghoul. Uh it's great to see familiar faces.
Um also uh during the annual conference uh stepped on as the the chair of the tribal relations forum. Uh I started that 10 years ago. They twisted my arm and said, you know, can you do this for a year?
>> Uh 10 years later, uh I stepped down. and I figure it was time, you know, to to uh uh let somebody else do it. Um so with that, you know, also another opportunity came up uh this couple of months ago, I
received a phone call from Nico uh asking me what my schedule was like, you know, the following week because we have a meeting scheduled for the tribal relations uh committee with no. And I was like, "Oh, well, I don't know." asked you know what what's the chair
schedule like well you are the chair I said oh okay so um so I have that opportunity uh at no um attended the AMC board meeting
um that Sunday before the uh kickoff of the annual conference and I also want to mention that you know sometimes people uh think that, you know, attending these things or or being on these committees and boards um might not
be uh that great, but I think for me um having, you know, being on the AMC board for for a while now and seeing some of the information that the board uh discusses, you know, could be potentially be beneficial.
So with the uh during our our meeting, I was looking through uh some uh the AMC executive committee minutes and I seen that uh there have been discussions about moving the 2026
fall policy conference and one of the locations is Bumiji. Um because these conferences are are such a a huge draw that we're kind of
uh exceeding the capacity of of Arowwood. Um so uh Bumiji is and and the Sanford Center are on the short list and I would you know
try to would like to try to encourage maybe visit Bumiji or or the Bumiji Chamber to possibly reach out to AMC to uh encourage uh AMC to come to Bumiji. I think it would be great and beneficial
for our community. I think it could, you know, potentially bring uh some revenue, which would help, you know, our roads and our jail, our our uh community. So, I think that's one of one benefit of of
being part of, you know, the association and and the board is is having access to some of these conversations. So, um, if anybody's taking notes, um, I encourage encourage them to reach out. Uh, the
Black Duck ambulance meeting is this coming Thursday, uh, which I do plan to attend. And also the, uh, opioid committee. Uh, we have six meetings set for 2026. Uh, we have three new members have been invited,
uh, including, uh, Dr. Corourser's alternate and our next uh RFP will be released January 2nd. And uh just want to take the time to also thank the you know my colleagues and the
board, our staff for for uh the work that you guys done, you know, this past year. I know that we've not always agreed or seen eye to eye, but I think we always uh remember,
you know, it's important to get past our differences and do the work that we can, you know, that will benefit, you know, our county and our citizens. So, uh, thank you guys. >> Thank you, Commissioner Sumar. Commissioner Winger. >> Okay.
Well, on that I I'm finishing my first year and I learned a whole lot more than I thought I would. Uh, and but I have been enjoying a majority of it. Um, I did chat about on the third. I don't know how that went. I didn't listen to
it. Uh, >> listen to that. >> I uh I did a few other things. I attended the radio thunder on child abuse. uh went to the uh AMC and MCIT meetings in the
cities. Unfortunately, had some things come up that uh wasn't able to stay, so I ended up back here uh in that nice little snowstorm >> uh a little early, but uh I made it. Um our BAS meeting was cancelled because of
the weather, so we didn't get that one. Um just want to let people know there's a lot of stuff happening in the community the next couple weeks. Uh, you know, there's some concert at the high school from I think the middle school has a choir concert, things like that. A lot of sporting events going on. Be nice
to see us fill some of these things. The World Junior Hockey Tournament is at the Sanford Center. Those guys did a lot of work to make that happen. So, it would really be nice if if uh if people will support that and come on out and see those games. It's uh these are teams
from uh I think Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Wow. um that'll be playing here on the 19th, 21st, and 22nd. Um you know, so check with the Sanford Center, get some tickets. There's a lot of them available yet, but uh we got to
support these things when people work that hard to make big things like that happen. And that's a that's a pretty big thing. So, um hopefully everybody will get out for that. Uh I don't really have anything else going on. What's that? >> Yeah. Well, you know, we got to support
that Biji in general. I mean, this is a lot of stuff coming in here, so it's a paid for ad. Um, but anyway, that's all I got. Merry Christmas, everybody. >> Thank you, Commissioner Winger, and and thanks for all you do as a as a Santa
with the real Santa beard even. So, thanks, Commissioner Gould. >> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, BCAP recently met. Um, Hope House raised $45,000 or more, actually. uh they met
their goal um recently um annual campaign that they do and so that that was a tremendous good news recently. Uh I attended the Minnesota Rural Counties meeting uh down at the Association of Minnesota Counties Conference uh down in
Bloomington this past week and both AMC and MRC we passed our policy platform items. Uh there's uh um tremendous agreement that uh HHS IT modernization needs to happen ASAP. Uh couldn't agree
more. So um that's going to be the focus of uh the two organizations. Um uh so wanted to share that. uh Northwest Juvenile Center board um officers met on Monday morning and I
also attended a uh Shack State Community Health Services Advisory Committee meeting uh earlier this week. So, uh been pretty busy, a lot of meetings um but um a little bit of a break in the action coming up. Couple meetings on Thursday, but um otherwise it'll kind of
slow down a little bit between now and and uh the first of the year. So, I too want to thank uh the staff um for everything you do every day uh every week of the year. Um you know, we just there's a lot of folks out there that
that need our services, that need our help, and and uh I'm very proud of the work our our workforce and department heads do and and uh I want to um thank each of you gentlemen for your service to the county uh another year and uh Tom
and Diane of course as well. So, um yeah, uh we had a lot of public comment uh this past year and so thank you uh for citizens and and the media for attending and covering and um just wanted to uh share my thanks um to all
the key stakeholders that um make everything run. So, um, with that, yeah, I did want to also mention that, uh, the fall policy conference is the sounds like 90% chance at least it's
coming to Baiji. So, um, at the Sanford Center, that'll be good. Uh, maybe Commissioner Carlson can provide pontoon rides. Uh, that might be the last weekend >> if the weather's good enough still in September that week. So, uh yeah, uh we
want to encourage a lot of a lot of commissioners, a lot of county staff from all over the area to come and uh um support uh support BI that week and and uh um get ready for um
you know the next legislative session. So, um that's my report, Mr. Chair. Hopefully, I'm not forgetting something. Uh but uh oh yeah, I think uh I think me and Commissioner Sumar and Commissioner
Carlson won. So So you got to serve on the budget committee again. Commissioner Winger and and and Chair Carlson. I ordered an ugly sweater that came I ordered a react and it showed up in a lark. So
>> Oh, I'll take it. So, >> he was supposed to bring it in for me then, but >> So, thank you, Commissioner Ghoul. Commissioner Carlson. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, we had Prime West Health Finance and Operations Committee and the Joint Powers Board uh
a week ago Thursday. Uh good news for all health plans uh in the state of Minnesota. Uh the DHS did something a little unusual. They increased the capitation rates back to and including quarters two and three um
and moving forward quarter four which meant a big deal for every single health plan was underwater uh because of the increased uh mostly pharmaceutical rates. Um, and so that was good news.
Um, that's that's going to help Prime West. It'll help all all the health plans that uh um service our MA population in the state of Minnesota. Um, last Monday, I think I mentioned when Cali was here that we had the Bel
Tramy County Lakes and Rivers Association. Um, and we always have someone from Brent's department there. Cali was there. I think this might have been Kelly's second one. Second first, maybe first or second time, but it's great. We always get an AIS update from
from from Brent's department. Cali did a great job. Um, so shout out to Brent's department and Cali on that. Uh, jail design and operations committee. We met twice since the last meeting. Um, working specifically on the um, FF&E
budget, kind of honing that down. biggest problem we're running into, of course, is inflation uh and tariffs. You know, tariffs are increasing a lot of the costs of a lot of things along with regular inflation. So, trying to work that into uh what we consider to be
manageable um fitting it into the budget. Um then last uh Wednesday had management team meeting. Interesting. I usually bring donuts and so I thought, well, maybe I should bring Christmas cookies this time. I didn't realize how
expensive Christmas cookies are. I just brought donuts again industry. I should maybe have my wife make them and whatever. But anyway, so uh but it's just amazing to me the the outstanding
staff that we have. And so anytime you go to the the management team meeting, you're always reminded about uh what a great staff we have and what a great leader we have for our staff and and administrator Barry. Um, and without Diane there to to run things, uh, you
know, behind the scenes, it wouldn't be very smooth. So, shout out to Diane, Tom, and all of our, uh, management team for a great job. Uh, then, uh, we had, um, the comprehensive safety action plan
and we had that out at the MDOT headquarters. I didn't realize how many people were going to be there. I knew Scott and I were going to be there. I didn't realize Tom had to be there. Uh, and then we had uh someone from the sheriff's department. Uh, Mike Masten from the police department. Um, we had
Jeremy Olsen from the school along with the someone from the transportation at the school. And that was like I don't know 25 people there. It was it was a big it was a big meeting. And so we kind of got indoctrinated about what the plan
is going to entail when we go forward. And so sort of a overview. Um, and then going forward, I think our next meeting is in February, March, Feb, January, February, whatever. So, anyway, so we'll be meeting again and start honing into that safety plan.
Uh, a lot of that helps out Bruce and what Bruce does and trying to get and and I don't know if there's anybody better at getting money than than Bruce for our roads and bridges. um except for maybe Brent and the stuff that he's getting for us for AIS and all the other
stuff that he gets. But anyway, great job there. Um the uh I want to give a shout out to the staff that had the United Way fundraising. Um I don't know if I know
Scott was there. I don't know if anybody else made it to the Crock-Pot cookoff. So it wasn't limited to chili. Uh we had a lot of different crock-pot recipes. Um, and it was great. I We had a great It was It was a great event. Um, and I put all of my tickets into the
commission item, not realizing how bad that would look if I won. Well, thank god I didn't win. But thanks to Diane. I appreciate you doing that again, Diane. Diane put together a really nice basket for the raffle at the cookoff and uh that whoever got that curig was going to be
really happy. So, thanks again, Diane, for that. Um, and thanks the staff. I just again like Joe said, our staff is phenomenal. Not just the work that they do, but to go outside of that and put in the extra effort that they do to help raise money for United Way and all the
other things that they did during the storm and everything else. So, uh it's it's a it's an honor to be part of this county and and the kind of staff and people that we have. It really is. Um and then uh tomorrow we've got Bumiji Airport uh authority meeting and Friday,
Greater Bumiji. And with that, merry Christmas to all. Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. And uh I ditto all the remarks of, you know, our staff and Diane and Tom, everybody. Just uh glad to glad to hear the praise for all of our staff that we wouldn't be
able to be a lot more difficult. I don't know how some of the counties that don't have administrators and and staff like that, how how they even function. Um it's um we're very very fortunate, very blessed. So, um, we, uh, had the airport
union negotiations and have a tentative agreement on on that. Um, hopefully have everything approved tonight at our airport authority meeting. Uh, had our HRDC Christmas meeting, Christmas party/me, and we finally got uh, after
lots of review, we finally got our bylaws revised and re and uh, redone. So, that was nice to finally get that get that done. uh had our solid waste committee meeting this morning. Um I got to take a tour of the the newly remodeled. We got the occupancy deal as
of December 10th last week and everything is really really nice, very organized. Brian has done an outstanding job there of of making that just a very efficient really nice um you setup. We're we're very fortunate that he was
involved in that. now that that the MCIT has come around on the insurance. Of course, it wasn't in time for us to get the roof and everything fixed this fall, but at least at least we're on track for uh for getting that um addressed in as early as we can in the spring. So,
that's that's good to know. And um this Thursday I've got more union negotiations for the county here and then uh the truth and taxation for the black deck emergency management joint powers board on Thursday evening and then the Mississippi headquarters board meeting on Friday morning uh down in
Walker. So had a a busy rest of the week here. Um and I was remiss I I had just a conflict with my regular job. I wasn't able to be at the Crock-Pot cookoff. I missed a missed that this year, but I would have loved to have been there. Um,
and uh I'm going to have a little less uh conflict because I'm actually retiring from my regular job at the end of this year and December 31st. So, I won't have a a third job and that I'll just have the county and at Belromy Electric and all the committees that I'm
on. So, um I'll maybe be able to actually have a little more freedom to attend some of the AMC things like you're looking for there. So, that's my report. So, you might be able to serve on the budget committee at hand. >> I couldn't hear you there, Commissioner
Gold. Your your your mic was scratchy there. Uh, one one last thing. I know you're getting late here, but uh um I know our our new HR director was not here when we announced for the new employees. So, um
welcome to Jordan Hickman, our new HR director. He's he's uh attending our our meeting here to he's uh I think he's actually technically been here a week now, but uh um this is a you know he's he we got him I think 100% at this point. So welcome Jordan and we'll maybe
have you at the next meeting or something when we do the new employees and have you do a little introduction. So anything else for the good of the order? Look for a motion to adjurnn. Motion by Commissioner Sum. Do I hear a second? >> Second by Commissioner Carlson. All in
favor of adjourning say I. I. And we are adjourned. 5-0.