Does this one work? >> Stretching my legs. >> It's 9:00. We'll call the county board meeting to be on the flag pledge. I 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. >> Morning. I'd like to welcome everybody to our December 16th county board meeting. Roll call. >> Sure. Commissioner Poy >> here. >> Commissioner Heinen >> here.
>> Commissioner Pop >> here. Commissioner Johnson >> here. >> Commissioner Gapinsky >> here. >> Approve or amend the agenda. >> Mr. Chair, we have two items to add to your consent agenda. First, as item number 16 would be the Lion's Club
lawful gambling uh permit. That's the Lion's Club of Foley. That's item number 16 on your consent agenda. Second would be item number 17. It would be the various tobacco license applications. is item number 17 on your consent agenda.
Um, if I may explain a few of the things that are on the dis. These are not amendments. They're simply replacements of documents that are in your packet. You see this one. Uh, it's a replacement page for the fee schedule. And uh, Christine will explain that when we get to the feed schedule public hearing. She
she proposes to add an additional fee. And again, she can explain that when time comes. Uh you also have a new memo from Tessa, our DDA consultant, regarding the class maintenance appeals. You've got a new memo and also an attachment again just
simply replacing what's in your packet. Uh in your consent agenda, you've got, let me point to that item. Uh it is the one on the ditch loans. The ditch loans. Yes. On consent item number four, I've got
two replacement resolutions for you and and perhaps what we could do is just pull that one from your consent agenda and I'll explain what the changes are, Mr. Chair. So maybe you just plan on pulling number four and I'll explain. >> Do that. Yeah. Okay. >> All right. And that's all the changes we had. Sir, >> Mr. Chair, I'll move for approval of the
amended agenda. >> I'll second. >> Motion been made and seconded to approve the amended agenda and it items 1 through 17. No, >> no, no. Just the agenda. >> Well, just the agenda. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> To approve the agenda.
>> All in favor? >> I I >> opposed. Carried. County board meetings are broadcast live and video recorded on YouTube. Please restrain from speaking from the audience area and come to the podium so that viewers can hear you. The county board
observes the Robert rules of order for its meeting. So, please obtain the county the board chair consent before addressing the county board. Public comments are generally reserved for open form segment of the public hearing. However, public comments on other agenda items may be allowed at the discretion
of the board chair. As we begin today, please turn your cell phones to vibrate or off. Thank you. Open form. We have first we have Tom Half Sock Rabbits. >> Um I was here back in April or May and I
asked you guys for a raise. Uh a little bit lowering my taxes, but you guys decided to go the other direction and uh I think maybe you guys were thinking that maybe you needed some more taxpayers in your in your audience. You didn't have very many back then in April and May. So here they are. Um, I uh
disagree with the the raising of our taxes on on some of these coins. I think we should maybe uh go next door over there and that that metal would look really good over at Midway Iron and maybe get us a good price and uh lower our taxes a little bit. Um uh
we're definitely bleeding a little bit. I told you guys back then we are now hemorrhaging. Um we would appreciate uh the talking as the taxpayer of Benton County. we would appreciate some help in those areas if you could please. Um I know it's tough times out there, but
it's also tough times for us also as taxpayers and stuff. Uh we all have uh bills to pay and uh things to keep in place and things that we would like to do. But uh when we get strapped and strapped and more strapped, um things become harder and harder and you wonder
why some people their mental health doesn't uh exactly uh in line with uh other things that are going on in the in society today. I'd like you to consider some of those things the what's going on out there today. I really appreciate some of the people that did vote against
that uh that monstrosity over there. Um when only time I come to Benton County, it is to uh to spend money. Not I've never come to the courthouse and actually gotten any money in my pocket when I left. Uh I've bought my tabs for my vehicle. I've paid my taxes. I've
I've uh paid some fees and some filing fees and and different things like that, but I've never ever left here with some extra coins in my pocket. So, it's kind of hard for me to uh visualize what's going on over there. I think we can do
really good with what we have right here. Um I had a a building one time that I was building on and it just seemed to go crazy. It's just the the costs were out of control. Things got nuts. things got out of control. So, I just stopped. I threw them all in the garbage and I just
I backed up. I I looked at my paperwork and I backed up and I looked at the what was going on and I said, "We need to stop. I need to stop the bleeding." And I backed up a little bit and I re I reathered my uh my faculties and actually, you know what? Uh looking
back, it was probably a really good thing. And I think maybe if you guys looked at this a little bit harder and looked back and said, "Oo, maybe we should back up here. Maybe we should just scrap that idea um and just go the other way and um you guys do a really
good job on roads and bridges. >> Okay, maybe let's stick to what we really do a good job at and stuff like that and stuff and uh maybe we need to take away Mr. Monty Headley's uh auto pen. I was thinking about that today on the drive out here. The auto pen is
really bad. Let's not uh let's not get into that that type of a thing. Thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you. >> Frank Leot Sock Rabbits. >> I got a lot to about.
Let's start off with uh well, I'm sure you guys are going to start handing out big raises. When you do that, do you ever look at job performance? I mean, I ain't got a computer, but guys,
somebody told me that Hadley makes like what? 169. the job he's doing in my book, if you paid him 50, you'd be overpaying him. And the guy told me, "You commissioners,
you're all 60 to 70,000 and you kicked everybody in the nuts on your Taj Mahal and then this airport deal. How did you come up with on mine? It's
uh $84. How'd you come up with that? Per head or what? >> It's per parcel, Frank. And >> per parcel. >> Yep. And Frank, the the you just said 60,000 for commissioners. I'll show you my stub if you want at the end of
>> that's I I ain't got a computer. I said that's what I heard. That's not right. That's not even close. >> Well, you guys get 70 bucks for driving here. You get paid mileage and you guys get salary I think I seen last year 38,000.
>> No, that's too high. >> 323. >> It's 33. >> But with with the job you guys are doing here, you're paid well overpaid. >> I mean, you kicked two over 2,000 people in the nuts on the
Taj Mahal. When you had the meetings, you were you guys. Oh, we're you're going to listen to the constituents and then you guys forgot. You seen the bids came in lower. You never knew what you were talking about. Oh god, we can
save 4,000. You say you got higher interest. That thing with interest is going to be over 40,000. >> Million, >> huh? >> You said thousand. It's going to be million. >> A million. Well, I thought you guys said it was
like 25 million you got it for, but it'll be with interest. It's going to be way more than that. And then on the not explain this airport and it's a tri county area. How did you guys accept that from the stupid city of
St. Cloud? Did you guys get kickbacks? Let's go there. No, there's no kickbacks. >> Well, everybody claims that, but I don't believe it. >> Um, the airport was a long process, Frank. And >> what I think I I will go I voted for the
airport on record because I think it's Benton County has the most to gain off this. We got something to gain. Yes, Benton County has no business. Benton County is a welfare county. We do have something to gain. You ain't
got to gain. >> I will explain it to you someday, Frank. Then what we It was a long process and we had county attorneys look at it. The process maybe I don't like the process today that was presented to us. There was some loopholes in it, but in the
long run, our our percentage of that airport is pretty small compared to what Sterns and Sherburn County got. Well, you explain this to me, one of you guys. You think you're the gods of the county. I will never use that airport.
I mean, I'm go I me and Cheryl plan on going to Alaska this summer. I don't Well, I don't know if you can fly there, but I wouldn't waste my time. I'm going to drive to the cities. I will never ever use that airport. So, why should I
pay? That's a good question. But I think in the long run, the tax capacity that's going to go on around that airport because it's a regional airport authority will benefit Benton County more than any other county. If if you lived in Sherburn County, you know, I
would question whether you wanted to pay for the airport or not, but I think Benton County has got the largest gain, Frank. I mean, Benton County ain't got nothing in the game. >> Yeah, we do. I mean, you got to look at what's going to happen around there. Okay, you explain why would anybody Sock
Center Well, Sterns County is north of Sock Center yet. Why would anybody from Sock Center drive to St. Cloud Airport to go to Minneapolis St. Paul airport? And you're probably right on that. We hear from them people, you know, I got
family that lives out in western Sterns County. They probably they'll probably agree with you and they probably don't like it any more than you do. But the commissioners in Sterns County voted the same as Benton County. >> Yeah, just like you guys did. But did you What did you How many people in
Benton County use that dump? Probably more than you realize, Frank. Cuz I've had people that came to me after, you know, we voted for it or even now since the taxes came out that said, "Well, you know, we use the airport to go to Arizona. We use the airport to go to Florida." So there is people there, but
the travel part is not. >> What percentage? >> I DON'T KNOW. DO YOU think I bet you 95% of the people in Benton County ever haven't ever been here? >> I don't know what the percentage is. I won't go there. But that is not the point. The point is that the airport
draws business. You know, Gearinghoff built on things like that that add to your tax capacity that we'd probably your I don't know what what your percentage is. Mine's about 21 bucks, I think. That help our tax base so we don't have to tax so much. That was my reasoning for it.
>> Okay. Another question. I heard the airports in Sherban County, right? >> It is. >> But then how is Benton County going to get revenue off it >> around the most of the industrial park is in Benton County. So,
>> but we're not getting the airport. >> Hey, we can have the conversation between me and you. Maybe not. We got to move on here from we got a lot of people in a lot of hearings today. >> Okay, I've got one more question about the airport. I got lot well I'll come
for the ditch some other time. >> Okay, >> but one more question. If if that Bill Tolly's whatever that idiot that runs that airport, if he doesn't have to the ability to run it like a profitable
business, hire someone who's might have the ability to run it like a profitable business. Okay? >> I mean, you got many people out there running businesses or even farms that ain't got the ability to do it.
We'll take that into consideration. But >> yeah, get some instead of increasing taxes. I mean, I live in 130 year old shap one of you guys or your old ladies that would live in there and I'm paying well last year 7,100 bucks in taxes
and I should be happy. I live in Benton County. I hear you. Yeah. You guys got to start listening to resins. Get your head out of your ass. I got to get a bump. Um, next we have Jake Bowerley from Sock
Rabbits. Yeah, Jake Bowley, 2100 65th Avenue Northeast Sock Rabbits. I'm here to talk um about the airport. Good timing. Um, I missed the last meeting, but I see that Ed did cover it pretty well that it's not a million dollars for Benton County.
It's likeund I talked to Brian Myers last night. It's like 128,000 and you take the commercial out of that. So the good news is Benton County has a low tax base. Bad news we have Ben Countyy's low tax base, but it the assessment is based upon your tax capacity and a commercial
is going to pay a chunk of that. So you get down per person, it's it's it's like a couple dollars a person. But um and the reason they need need some help is because the snow plows are 25 years old. They're they're within 90 miles of the international airport and because of
that they don't get federal operating funds. Duth does, Brainer does, we don't. But I'm going to tell you that that airport, well, they talk about, you know, 40 to$50 million economic impact to the community. Um, I used to be work
at Knife River. Knife Rivers's plane would fly in there and pick up people and take them different places during the uh during the oil boom. Uh the uh there were the parking lot was full of contractors pickups, electricians, plumbers were all going
out Dakotas to put up housing and and uh and so there was there was just tons of people using that airport for economic reasons. Um I remember the Super Bowl was in was in the uh about six years ago and I was on
advisory board for this for eight years. So I went to like 90 meetings over those eight years about the airport and um I paved the airport in 85 plowed snow there many many years it has a lot of
economic impact and uh Rocky Knight's wife actually works out there so there's employees of our um of our community that work out there and the um the military is talking about expanding there again with different helicopters new new
line of helicopters and more jobs. And now they're going to have a air show coming up and they talk about the economic impact of that air show. And I voted for the U join that airport. You think about why should the 60,000 people in St. Cloud
fund this airport that serves 100 mile circle? For one thing, there's not enough resources. And the other thing, it's it's it's not fair. in Benton County is going to pay if you own a $200,000 house in Benton County, I would
wager a bet that your taxes are going to go up about two bucks because of that because if commercial is going to pay its share and the higher end commercial pays 3% on property tax on value, residential pays.5. So they're paying six times as much property tax for
commercial they are for residential. and we started uh be bentonic partnership to increase the tax capacity of of Benton County and it's succeeding and the airport it does the same thing when they
put the freeway in in 1996 1976 around St. John's all the St. cloud moved moved west. That's what's hurt Ben Countyy's tax capacity in the last 50 years. Everything moved towards the freeway. This airport is one of our
hopes to keep some economic development on this side of the river. All the corporate jets and and uh one one instance I remember in the uh they built this new hanger for this famous musician that flies in and out of there all the time. I won't mention his name. and he
paid signed a 10-year lease and feds paid the other half of this hanger. So over 10 years that hanger is going to pay for itself and then so then from then on it's going to be revenue generating for for uh for the airport
and uh they installed um charge charging for parking. They're getting $250,000 a year from parking. So they're they're heading down the path of being self- sustaining. But right now they they had a shortfall because I say the snow plows are wore out and and so on and so forth.
But um so I think this Sod airport is a wonderful regional asset and we ought to support it and uh the people that use it will pay for the pay 95% of it and you might see you know a dollar or two in your taxes but uh like Ed said you're
going to make the tax base which will lower all of our taxes. Thank you very much. Thank you. Now we'll move on to the consent agenda. We got items 1 through 17. Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve consent
agenda items with the following being pulled. Items 4,3 and 14. >> Second. Mot been made and seconded to approve the consent agenda with items 4, 13, and 14 being pulled. Is there any
other discussion? I would like to pull five or uh yeah, five >> also. You want to reconsider your >> I'll redo the motion to include 13, 14, four, and five.
>> Concur with the second. >> Okay. So motion's been made and seconded to approve the consent agenda 1 through 17 with four, five, 13 and 14 being pulled. >> Mr. Chair, maybe if I could on 13 and 14
since Monty just got back because he'll want to address item four. >> Okay. >> If I could talk about 13 and 14 >> since I pulled them. >> Okay. Well, let's get the motion carried. >> Sorry. Did you not ask for the vote? >> I didn't call for the call yet. All in favor? I I
>> opposed. Carried. >> Let's just go to Monty with first. >> You want 13 and 14? >> I either one. >> Okay. Come back to four later. Sure. >> Okay. Chris, items 13 and 14. Um I just wanted to double check that those were
labeled correctly in the agenda item. They both say Fox Meadow out of Rice, and I I'm not sure that that's correct. >> Uh yeah, a good point. Um, so the correct description of the projects for consent agenda item 13 is those projects
were the maintenance patch on County Road 9, the maintenance patch on Casaw 25, and the reclaim project on County Road 66 between 12 and 22. That's that final payment on that project.
Item 14, the correct project description is the mill and overlay projects on County Road 43 and County Road 66 between Highway 23 and uh County Road 12. >> And just for clarification, the the majority of the um
uh change orders on the first one was in regards to the approval of the parking lot at the highway department. >> That's right. When we got when we opened our bids and saw that we had such good unit prices for Batuminous, Yeah. That's when we changed ordered the the parking lot at the the highway department. >> Okay. That was that change.
>> I'll move to approve 13 and 14. Mr. Chair, >> I have a question quick. Can I just do that at this time? >> Chris, just for some clarification for me, each each contract that goes out there and to be bid on the county
requires a certain bond amount. Correct. Is that is that a standard percentage straight across the board for the county? And if so, what's that percentage? >> So, yeah, we require a performance and and payment bond. So, it's basically the total amount would be twice their their
bid amount. So, if they were unable to perform the work per the contract, we'd have the basically we'd have the same value of that low bid to to go back on to make correct work. So, is there a
bonding amount that holds them accountable for how they do their work and basically with some type of warranty? >> No warranty because the the the thing with uh performance bonds is that they end once we we do this action today,
make final payment. That means that we've accepted the work and it met all of our standard specifications. So, a lot of times warranties are specific language that that guarantees the work beyond uh a point in which you've made final payment to the the contractor. So,
in municipal contracting law for us, we have this performance bond. So, while they're performing the work or executing the contract, we have an additional bond amount to kind of hold over their head, so to speak, to make sure that they perform to the specs. But once they've
completed all that work and it's been tested and inspected, we we we are obligated to make final payment and that absolves them of any further responsibility on the contract. If that answers your question. >> It doesn't. It doesn't.
I'm hearing that most whether they're state, federal, county contracts require a 5% bond for um each project. to be held for up to two years to make
sure that the performance on that road is what it should be and that no failures come about so that they can go back on the contractor if there is a failure so that it doesn't go back on the taxpayer. I I don't know if that's
uh when we talk about percentages when they there's a 5% bid bond that's required as part of the bidding meaning that you have to put up a bond that's equal to at least 5% of your bid amount and that's to protect us if we start
negotiating or execute a contract and then they don't even start the work we would collect that 5% because we're out expense for design advertising um disseminating the bids and all that. So that's in
from what I understand from municipal contracting law, that's the only time a percentage of 5% is described is during the bidding process of a bid bond. >> Mr. Chair, the 5% on a bid bond is guaranteeing you can get the 100% performance bond. So basically, if
there's there's people that use bonding companies that that will go out and get it. So, a bonding company will write a 5% um uh bid bond just guaranteeing they're going to they're going to u bond for that whole project. But then there's people that come in with a check for 5%.
So that if you choose to be self-bonded, you only have to put up 5% of that bid at the time of the bid. But if you get awarded it, then you got to come up with 100% or you lose that 5%. >> That's correct. That's better stated. Yeah. So, our performance bond is 100%
of their their bid amount. >> So, what's our assurance that the contractors were hiring to do the county work that something doesn't fail on that project 6 months to a year after it's
completed? >> Yeah. Uh, very good question. So part of that is our inspection practices, our testing requirements, testing the material, uh inspecting it, measuring the quantities. Um we have a lot of things stacked against us. There is um
uh prompt payment laws now that the state has that obligates us to pay the contractor within 30 days of completed work. There's some caveats. It's completed and accepted work. So then it gets into an argument. We have to argue with the contractors like we're not accepting that work. we're not paying
you for that work that you did last month. There's also um there's also statutory language that talks about significant completion. We have an obligation per state statute to release payment within 60 days of substantial
completion. Once again, we have to argue that it's accepted work. It really puts us in an argument with the contractor when they're saying, "Hey, it's been 60 days. We still have 5% retainage held out." Then we have to say, "Yeah, we're not accepting all the work." Well, county,
why aren't you accepting the work? Well, we don't know if the road's going to pass. Well, where's it not going to pass? Well, we've tested this. It meets our testing, but we're afraid it's going to settle. It's it's it's it's very nuanced. So, what happened? I I know you're referring to on County Road 11.
We did have a failure within the performance period of the contract. We had them repair it. At that point, it seemed that the repair met all of our requirements. The the they patched over it. Um,
at that point, we did we made final payment, released them of responsibility to the contract. Yeah. 6 months later, a year later, now we we have additional settlement. So, um, >> well, and I wasn't just referring to 11. Yes, we have a failure on 11, but how do
we assure going forward that that that same scenario is not an issue going forward? >> One thing would be write in language about warranties. Um, put that puts more risk on the bidder. So, they're going to see they're going to have to bid in that risk for
warranty. We would have to >> we'd have to work with some attorneys to make sure that we've got some good warranty language that's clear of what we're expecting during that warranty period. establish what that that time frame and then then accordingly the biders are going to have to bid that in. If we're going to expect them to
warranty for two years, they're going to have to project, well, if we do have a repair two years from now, what's that work going to cost us? We're going to bid that into the project cost today. >> It would be a higher cost to the county. >> Okay. Right. All right.
>> So, do you have a motion, Mr. >> I got a motion? I don't believe I got a second. >> I'll second. 13 and 14. >> Motion been made in second to accept 13 and 14. >> My only other comment, Mr. Chair, uh Beth, just want to make sure we get the correction in the record for what these projects actually are.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Hearing anything else? All in favor? I >> oppose. Carry now. We'll go back to >> four >> and five. So, we do four, right? >> Yep. So, I as pull this because I made some revisions to the resolution. So the
concept here is is u of course we do ditch projects and our general cash essentially fronts that cost which then leaves a deficit balance in these ditch accounts. Well it produces an audit finding where state says it's contrary to state law to have a deficit balance in the ditch account. So at the end of
the year we do these loans where we transfer cash from the general le general fund to the ditch account as a loan. As assessments come in these these are repaid. the the amount that is in the original uh resolution was based upon the the deficit balance at the end of November. However, more assessment
revenue may come in during December. So, I thought instead of asking you to maybe produce uh agree to another resolution later, I would just change the language to say this is that for let's use for example the resolution on ditch 9 and you can go into the now therefore be it
resolved. It says the deficit balance at 12. So the the transfer from general revenue fund to the ditch fund will equal the deficit balance at December 31st. And I put here estimated to be 360,000. So again, whatever that deficit balance
is at December 31st, that's what we'll transfer. And most likely that deficit balance is going to be smaller because assessment revenues continue to come in. It'll hit in December, which will reduce the deficit balance. So, it's probably going to be smaller than the number you see here. I just wanted to be a little
bit flexible so we can don't have to ask you to approve another resolution. That was the whole idea. So, and it's the same concept for ditch uh I think it's what is the other one? Uh ditch 14. So, kind of one by one as these ditch projects are getting completed,
>> would we do these loans and that eliminates the def deficit balances and makes our auditors happy because that's my only goal is to make the auditors happy. as Jackie knows. So, >> Mr. Chair, Monty, can how did we come up with the 4%. I thought that we were doing assessments for land owners at 2
and a half. >> Uh, did I have do I have an issue on the interest rate? >> Well, it states 10 years at an interest rate of 4% annually. I don't >> I thought I pulled these from the actual official actions. >> I don't believe in the assessment amount, but I could be wrong. I don't
think we went 4%. >> Okay. How about this? Uh, we'll just correct it. We'll go back and look at the ditch record and make sure we correct it to to reflect the proper interest rate. Yeah. I mean, obviously this is not binding on what the interest rate is, >> right? >> The the assessment you approved is the binding one, but we want to make sure the resolution is correct. We'll correct
it if it needs. >> This is a bridge gap, by the way. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Chair, who pulled it? I guess Monty pulled Monty. >> So, Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the resolution for CD9 and 14. That does correct the now therefore be
it resolved language to the estimated amount at 123125 and to correct the interest rate to match the actual assessments. >> Okay, thank you. We'll take it. >> Motion been second and first motion been
made and second to approve four with the amended words in it I guess would be the best way to say. >> Thank you sir. >> All in favor? >> I opposed carried. >> Okay. Number five, >> fussify pulled. >> Yes. >> What's the question? >> I I just have a question on is this is
this was this common practice before where that 20% of that went to um county parks. >> So I brought this resolution to the board for many years now and it's just it's um it allows again up to 20% of net proceeds from tax for sales to be
transferred to parks and we put it >> and actually over the years it's been very little. It's been very minimal. So we do have some tax for sales. You could move this to the park cap and use it for parks projects. So, but again, it's been very minimal over the years. So,
>> and if it's moved to the parks projects, Monty, due to this resolution, can that be then used for anything else? >> Absolutely. Any any park capital project? For sure. Yep. Yep. >> Yep. >> I'll move five second. Make sure your
question has been made and seconded to moved for number five on the consent agenda. Any other discussion? All in favor? I opposed. Carried. We'll go back to Chris Bird. >> All right.
Morning. Our first item before you today is to conduct a public hearing uh for read authorization of our sales tax for transportation. Just let me allow me a moment here to
bring up my documents here. So as uh we all know uh we have a sales tax for transportation uh already existing. So this is an existing sales tax. I just want to scroll to the state statute. bill. State statute 297A.993
allows uh the boards of the 87 counties to impose a local option sales tax not greater than 1/ half of 1% on retail sales that are subject to tax. So once
again, food and clothing that are not subject to a sales tax do not receive this 1/ half of 1% uh sales tax. Um boards may impose this after having a public hearing um and then certify a
resolution that must be sent to the the department of revenue. So Benton County first imposed a sales tax for transportation in 2019. That was after completing a University of Minnesota extension study that uh at
that time was estimating based on taxable sales of the previous few years that would generate about $1.9 million of tax. Additionally, that study identified that of that $1.9 million of
sales tax transportation generated, 37% of that would come from nonresidents. Um, so there's not necessarily a 100% local tax burden. You know, only uh 63% would come from residents of Benton County. So 1.9 million. What happened in
reality? We collect uh almost double that. We're about depending on the year, we're we're leveling out about somewhere between three.5 million to $3.8 million a year of sales tax for transportation uh projects. Um, this statute that
allows this is clear though that the proceeds of this tax must be dedicated exclusively to payment of the capital cost of a specific transportation project or improvement. Payment of the cost which may include both capital and
operating cost of a specific transit project or improvement or payment of the capital costs of a safe routes to school program uh or payment of transit transit operating costs. Well, we're not responsible for any transit. So, uh, Benton County has been able to dedicate
that to road and bridge projects. The other thing that's required is a list of projects that the sales tax would be used for. So, I think it's best demonstrated by this map. We created this map. So, we kind of zoom out here
so we can see the whole county. Everything in green is a project that has been completed between 2020 and 2025. Remember, we started collecting it in 2019. We didn't really have enough proceeds until 2020 to start doing any projects, but uh everything you see in
green is what's been completed to date using sales tax. That purplish magenta color, if you want to call it, are projects that are on that original resolution but have not been completed. uh to date.
And then you see some blue dots. That's uh some projects that we discussed at some previous committees of the whole with the board uh that we're suggesting be added to that that list of projects to use in. Now, procedurally, uh we're
having a public hearing today to receive uh public testimony for it. We just can't add to that. It would be technically a reauthorization. So, the board would have to consider adopting a new resolution with a new list of
projects and I prepared that uh here. Um uh this would be that new resolution. So, this resolution would contain first that list of projects that we haven't completed to date, those magenta on that map that we showed earlier, plus the
additional projects, the blue dots um on on that map. Uh, one thing that's also required of counties is to put an estimate of projects. So, every year, as you know, we talk about a five-year plan, and that's where
we kind of schedule and and program or budget uh the next five years of projects. So, that's where this is difficult. Logistically, we we could not complete all these projects. There would be 20 projects on a new resolution to be completed. we just wouldn't have the
resources to to manage, inspect, design, all that in the next five years. So, this could be projecting that out to uh uh another 10 years or so. So, that's where it gets difficult in estimating.
We could be 10 years from now constructing some of these projects and that's where some of these projects we try to inflate those costs based on construction inflation indexes and things like that out to 10 years. What what I will add what's fortunate for us some of the projects that we have
completed um final cost were above what was initially stated in the resolution as long as we had sales tax available we've been able to cover those costs and the department of revenue hasn't scolded us or slapped our hands or anything um we've been able to still fund those
projects even if they come in over your original estimate but as you see there on this list what's left is what we're estimating those 20 projects could be upwards of almost 515 $52 million worth of work. So we have
some big projects still yet to complete. Um uh what's suggested in this resolution I'll just add the original resolution had a sunset date that's just required by statute. um that basically says uh that the collections of the county local
option sales tax for transportation shall terminate on December 31st, 2037 or when revenues are sufficient to finance all the projects identified in this resolution have been collected whichever is earlier. So right now what we we are looking at 10 11 years out of
sales tax collection to to completion. If for some reason we got a lot of more commercial that comes into the county, we start collecting more or faster and we're able to accomplish those and we we fund this whole list of projects, that statement would say that that sales tax
would sunset once we've collected revenue sufficient to complete all the projects. Um, so those are some things that I just wanted to point out as a as far as a staff report for uh considering reauthorization of sales tax for
transportation. Okay. And then that concludes your report. >> That concludes Yes. Staff report. Yes. I'll just put the map back on the screen. All right. >> So, the next item on our agenda is to consider a public hearing and we've heard from staff, so we got that part covered. >> Um,
>> the county is the applicant here to conduct a public hearing. Um, we'll now open the public hearing. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to address the county board on this agenda item? If if so, please come to the podium and give us your name and
your address. Carol Anderson. I'm at uh 14235 115th Avenue Northeast, which is on County Road 65. Um, I think you did the right thing when you did the sales tax a few years ago and
it's come in better than expected and now you're using it to better the rest of the county. where would you be, you know, for road projects if you didn't have this, right? >> You know, so I think that was a really good decision on your part and those who
are on the board at the time. And um, you know, we would like to see, you know, these road projects done. As I said before, County Road 65, you're going, you've got some tar, then it hits gravel, then you got tar, then it's
gravel. But if you look at 65 there, if that were that would be a straight shot all the way to Foley. That could be a whole new transportation corridor there to help people in that part of the county. And years ago, um we
haven't had a lot of um resources put into the northeastern and eastern part of the county. And I think this is a real good way of building that part of the county up. and thank you for considering it. >> Okay. Thank you.
Anybody else in the audience that wishes to speak on the sales tax, >> Mark Leinsky, 25175th Avenue Northeast, Sock Rapids. I'm here to express my concerns on safety issues on County Road 25. That
includes narrow lanes, narrow shoulders, and dangerous access points. Large vehicle traffic is increasing. The last county vehicle count, but large vehicles at the high end of what's normal. Over the last several years, we've had
many discussions on this road, and I'm hoping that the decision can be made today to commit to funding it with local sales tax money and reconstructing it within the next five years. Thank you. Thank you, Mark. >> Thank you.
>> Anybody else in the audience that wishes to speak on the list of roads that are proposed or anything like that? >> Good morning. Uh Denny Pop. I'm on 2028 165th Street Northeast and that is in
Rice and I live on Benton County 40 and um I'm talking about the two miles uh would be 2 miles west off of Highway 25 and uh as I um told the board not before and I know that the board knows this
that that that county road has probably been ready for paving for the last 10 15 years maybe And the way I look it, it's probably one of the widest roads that we have in our county. So I think it probably be the probably the cheapest road to to pave in our county. And uh we
do have you take uh I know not throughout the whole year probably not a a ton of traffic, but you take certain months, six months out of the year, we have a lot of traffic on that road. So um I would hope you consider that of paving that county 40 that two miles.
And um thank you. And I have another comment for the for the airport and I hope I'm not out of line by saying this, but um I have flown out of the airport just one time last uh March and I think we are very very fortunate to have that airport in in close to our county. It
was uh the service was one to none and I think it was a great experience for me to fly out of there and uh I would certainly certainly consider it again. I would hope a lot of our county considers it. So, I think that uh it was a good move for the county to to go forward with their part. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Any other anybody else in the audience? >> Hi, Brian Malikowski. Uh 14122 115th Avenue, uh Conro 65. Um just thank you for the opportunity again to put that
road on the list and um address a lot of the dust issues and and you know kind of echoing what Carol said too with like extra traffic on that road with uh my wife running a daycare on that road and you know growing families and everything else that that travel that road. I also
like to speak on behalf of my dad on uh county road uh 82. Um the the blue dots are just uh north of um kind road 5 or 64 there. My dad
lives south of that and that is a that I've traveled both sections of those roads and so Masti uh has a excavating business and a big farm on that road and that's the part that's really rough. the part between um
from Highway 25 south to County Road 64 is, you know, it's gravel, but it's never really all that rough. So, um so south of 64 to County Road 13, that's the part that I'd really like to see. Um but yeah, the whole thing would be
great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Mark Ednet, Benton County Highway Maintenance Superintendent. I'd like to add to Brian on County Road 82 there from uh State 25 to 84. I do agree with
them with the amount of traffic in the shortcut that that should be looked at all the way to 13. Okay. Anyone else? Anyone else that wishes to address the county board? Then we'll have last call for anyone wanting to address the county board.
>> Anybody? Anybody online? >> Is there anybody online? Yeah, I guess we should >> Chris, can you minimize to see if there's anyone that might want to talk? Looks like mostly staff. >> Okay.
All right. Are were there any emails, letters, or communications that need to be read into the record? >> I received none. >> Okay. Has the department received any comments, concerns, state agencies, cities, townships? >> I have not.
>> If any official action was required from a township, there was none. Okay. The county board will now have time for questions and of staff and discussions. As a reminder to the audience, the public hearing portion of this is closed. Are there any questions or comments from board members before we
take action? >> M. Mr. Chair, if I could direct it maybe towards Chris and Mark as the maintenance superintendent. You brought up that other additional section of of that road. Is in your opinion, is that road close to ready like we've heard from other roads? >> It's it's wide enough. I would say it's
ready. >> Okay. Thank you. And I just wanted to verify and and not that I'm opposed to it. I look back in my notes when I was reading through this and Carol and Brian maybe you could help me with this. Did we originally talk at the committee the whole that we would run 65 all the way
to 22 or was it just the county 12? >> I thought first you said 12 and then it went to 22. >> Yep. >> And when you look at 22 you just went north again. >> Yep. >> You know I think it's what half a mile maybe
>> mile and a half mile and a half of gravel mile and a half of >> county. Yeah, >> you know, go to Morrison County and say, "Hey, you want to finish this and all of a sudden it's done." >> Because that's to your point of gravel
to pavement. Gravel to pavement. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions or concerns? You know, I guess my concern is that years ago when we did this, we we said we were going to tar tar some gravel roads when we promoted the sales tax. And as we
heard from the public, it's it's been wellreceived and we Benton County roads have come a long ways since that. I mean, we were really struggling to find some we took some money off the levy to do to do roads. We didn't need to do that anymore. So, I think it's, you know, a great asset for Benton County to
do this. Um, plus the fact that, you know, like you heard from Chris, that 37% of that money comes from outside the county. We pay it when we go to Sterns County. We pay it when we go to Morrison, Max, Sherburn's got it. So why not collect from them people when they come into our county? So that would be
my comments, >> Mr. Chair. Yes. >> Getting back to what uh Carol Anderson and even uh Mr. Half when he when he spoke earlier, where would we be without this uh our roads and bridges are are starting to turn around and and and be
in a lot better shape and and this influx of of money is is definitely key to all of that. We definitely would have had to levy money in order to do some of these road projects without that. >> Mr. Chair, what's interesting is when we started this, we projected at only 1.9
mil per year and now we're up at 3.4 roughly a year. So, it's definitely improved our roads. >> Mr. Chair, I guess from my position, as I sit here and think of why we would peacemail 65 and stop at 22, I'm not quite sure why we would do that if we're
going to throw this on the list. to me, we take it to the county line. And also, I mean, we've heard testimony on, please correct me if I'm wrong, on the county road number. I believe it's 82 that runs from trunk highway 25 down to county 13. It's 82 the whole way, right?
>> Again, why we would peace meal that. I'm not sure. Um, it seems to me if we're going to add them to the list, we add that full section. >> You know, we can always break it up. We can break it. >> Let's get it on the list so we can option sales tax. Yep. >> So, I guess that would be my suggestion
is that we change county 65 option from 14 all the way up to the county line and 82 from trunk highway 25 south to Cass 13. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Makes sense. >> Get it on the list. Yep. Makes sense. >> On the list. Yep.
>> Totally agree. So, procedurally, you had your public hearing today. You fulfill that obligation. And what we could do is um bring the resolution back at the next board meeting, which would be the first board meeting in in 2026 in January with those corrections. Let's just pull that resolution
up uh find those projects. Yeah. So, we would need to revise that those resolutions to um amend >> reflect that that total length. So, better to have that covered. and amend number 19 and number 11 it looks like.
>> Yep. >> So, >> we need a motion on that or >> maybe Yeah, let's do a motion. >> It's just motion to bring it back with the amendment with >> So, I'll move for the amendments that were offered to bring it back for the January 6th.
>> I'll second >> adoption. Motion's been made and seconded to have the amendments on county road 65 and 822 and bring it back for the January 6th meeting. Any other discussion? All in
favor? >> I opposed. Carried. >> All right. Okay. I thank the audience and the people that commented. >> Thank you. >> So, see where are we going here? Chris. >> All right.
>> Let me just uh continue or Y. >> All right. The next item I have before you is a request for a letter of support from the city of Sock Rapids. So, they are planning to apply for a transportation alternatives grant to
extend the trail adjacent to Mayhew Lake Road from the high school entrance. uh further north. So, this would be much like they've done previously in previous applications and and um have implemented. They're going to be
constructing this in part of our road ride ofway. So, this was not part of your packet. I received this after agenda items were due, but this is basically their concept. So, from their north school entrance, which I believe they've changed the name now to Storm
Drive or Storm Street or >> something that effect um and then extend uh a shared use path all the way north to where our our roundabout project is already constructing some uh pedestrian facilities. So, uh they don't have the
grant yet. the grant is due shortly after the first of the year, but they would need a letter of support from Benton County attached to their application saying that the board is uh supportive in concept of that project and and okay with it being within um road rideway. We would do things very
similar to what we have in previous projects they've constructed and and yeah, no changes there. >> Commissioner Kinsky, M. >> Thanks, Mr. Chair. Um Chris, I there is quite a bit of money in for this grant. I think they stand a very good chance at getting this grant. This is coordinated
with the potential upgrades to this road. Correct. >> Yeah, that's that's always been the understanding of them that we get some money to reconstruct our roadway, that trail may need to be relocated and stuff. So, >> I I'm just if can do they I don't want
to hear that relocated because that's money being spent and and having to be redone. >> But maybe we need to coordinate. I'm fine with signing this letter of support, but we need to coordinate this because that road is going to happen. >> Yeah, very good. I a good point to make.
So, this is just a concept. It's by no means their final design. So, if they get the grant, much like a lot of us, they don't do a lot of engineering until, you know, you got the money for construction. So, during the design phase, yeah, certainly the county will work with the city to make sure that's as far out of the way as possible to
avoid any major relocation. >> Get through it. Chris, >> Mr. chair, that that's exactly where I was going to go to, Commissioner Gapinsky, is that, you know, if they do get the grant, I hope that we all sit down at the table and get this out of is
far enough out of our rideway to when that road's going to be built so they don't have to redo that trail. You know, that that's the main goal. There there's lots of things in our toolbox, so to speak. Um, and maybe I'll just point out, you know, right here at the roundabout, >> y,
>> you know, in concept, it looks like the alignment lines up fairly straight, and we have four lanes on Mayu Lake Road at this point. So, the trade-off is at this location, it's an urban design, meaning it's got curbon, gutter, and storm sewer to be able to fit all that. Worst case
is we have to go urban design the whole way, and we don't have open ditches. We have concrete curb and gutter with concrete storm sewer pipe and things >> which are additional road construction costs, but >> I don't think those are in our budget though, are they? >> No. >> No, >> no, that's not included.
>> Yeah. >> I'll make a motion to support the uh alternative transportation grant for the city of Sak Rapids. >> Second. >> Motion been made and seconded to support the alternative transportation grant for the city of Sock Rapids. Any other
discussion? All in favor? I >> opposed carried. >> Okay, one more item, Chris. >> Yeah, one more item. So, um, as you're probably aware, uh, we're working still on our design of our reconstruction of County State Highway 2 up by Rice that's
planned for construction in 2027. So, we're we're deep into the rideway u acquisition process. And wouldn't you know it, there's a DNR parcel that's in our way. Um, see, do I have a picture? Here it is. this parcel here just east
uh of the lake. It's owned by the DNR. >> So, very much like what we had to do with our CASF 7 reconstruction, we need to apply for an easement from the DNR, which first requires uh a resolution to be adopted uh by the county board saying
that you're approving this project. It's just not the county engineer being crazy and doing this. >> Mr. Chair, Chris, so you got a $5,000 rightway estimate here. It's going to cost us two grand to apply with them for it. >> Correct. >> Yeah. The the easement itself is going
to cost half as much almost half as much as what the land is worth. >> You ever ask them if they can wave it? >> Yeah. And once they stop laughing, they they politely say no. >> And are they going to be the same pain that they were on Cass 7 and and drag this on for three months before they give the permit?
>> Um, >> construction. >> If past practice is any indication, that's a possibility. The only good thing I see is that there's no wetlands in there. >> Correct. That is in our favor. >> In our favor >> that I think I'd like to think that that
maybe contributed to the delay that they were considering the wetlands and wetland ecology and all that. This is sandy soils. It's trees that are being harvested. Um I think they allow harvesting of some of those trees in there. >> They did harvest almost everything in there. >> So,
>> what about any butterflies and bats? Yeah, >> they would. You'd be surprised how they went in there any time of the year and >> and they didn't ask us about it. They didn't ask the neighbors. They didn't ask people around there about harvesting. But when we want to do something on their pro, you know, on theirs, we have to jump through all the hoops.
>> So, m Mr. Chair Chris, is that is that two grand? Is that a standard application fee or is it based on the >> No, that's like a standard fee. >> So, if the rightway was 1,500 bucks, you're going to pay two grand in a fee. >> Yeah, that's what the Yeah, >> that's Mr. Chair. That was my concerns
too. at $2,000 for a fee. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> How can they explain that to us? You know, justify it. >> They have a standard >> kind of fee schedule for these kind of things. >> It's crazy crazy. >> Well, I'll make a motion to adopt the
attached resolution. >> I'll second. >> Motion been made and seconded to adopt the resolution. >> Um to apply for a permit to purchase the land. I guess basically the resolution, the adopted resolution.
>> Um, any other discussion? >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Carried. >> Mr. Chair, if you would, if you'd consider recessing uh county board and moving to ditch, I see the ditch authority attorneys here and land owners and also representatives from Maywood so
we could get on to that and get them on with their day. >> So, we'll recess county board meeting and turn it over to ditch. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, we called our ditch authority meeting to order. uh 10:00. Um we've had a roll call already with everyone present. Uh we need a motion to approve amend our agenda.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion a second to approve our agenda as presented. All those in favor? >> I opposed. It's carried. Move on to consent agenda. Approve or amend the ditch authority meeting minutes of the November 18, 2025 meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second.
>> I have a motion and a second to approve those minutes. Is there any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor? opposed. That's carried. All right, move into our regular agenda. Item one, conduct a public hearing regarding the petition for removal from CD12.
Um before we get going in that before we start the removal hearing and maybe just like to make a few comments in regards to how this will go, um this hearing again is for removal of property from Benton uh CD12. Like to welcome you here today. Uh the purpose of this hearing is
to receive comments and testimony from all parties interested in the petition of Ernie Olsen and Vince Jansen to remove benefited property from the CD12 drainage system. The order of business for this hearing will be as follows. First, Mr. Cole, our drainage uh authority attorney, will explain the process which has brought us to the
public hearing and the purpose of this hearing. Following uh Mr. club's comments. The county staff will review the notices given for the hearing and will present a brief overview of the petition and conditions upon which the petition is being considered. During the staff presentation, the petitioners may be invited to address issues relevant to
their petition. And finally, we'd like to hear the public's comments on the petition. Today's proceedings are being conducted under Minnesota statutes chapter section 103e.805. That statute directs us to consider granting the petition if w number one waters from the petitioner's property
have been diverted from the drainage system or the property cannot significantly or regularly use the drainage system. Item two, the property is not benefited by the drainage system. And item three, removing the property from the drainage system will not prejudice the property owners and property remaining in the system. If
you'd like to make a comment when the public comment period is open, please come up to the podium and I can recognize you and state your name and address for the record. If you have a specific question concerning the petition, we may ask our legal counsel or staff to respond. If you have anything in writing you wish to submit, you can write it provide it to me at the
dis here during public comments. Uh before we move on to Mr. Cole, any of the board members have any comments or questions? All right, John. Welcome. Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Uh, as you did state, we are here
today for a petition hearing um on a petition to remove property. Um, there's a a little bit of history here that I think it's worth reviewing with the board before we get started. Um, ditch 12 when it was redetermined uh for benefits. There were landowner meetings
and based on the landowner meetings, um, it was discovered that a portion of the original wershed considered by the viewers was not perfect, was not correct. Um, and so the viewers ended up modifying their original recommendation and removed some some acres from the
determination. As to the property at issue, uh, the Olsson Jensen property, um, this resulted in the removal of about 11 acres that were originally benefited on that property and left it with 5100ths of an acre of benefits. Um,
and these benefits were.1 acre of class 4 benefit, which is the lowest benefit rate. It's basically indirect runoff. Um and then uh point4 acres of wood lot benefits which are another uh low rate of benefit. In total
um the total benefits on these this 0.05 of an acre is $4.71 which represents 0104% of total benefits. So even on an assessment of $100,000 this property
would pay $1 and uh four $14. So just to give you an idea about the the consequence of that change and I believe why the petitioners are here today. Um as you stated Mr. Chair there is a statutory standard for this and I'd like to focus on basically the first
criteria. So first water from the petitioner's property have been diverted from the drainage system. Well that's not true. The this is within the wershed. It does flow that direction. The question then comes to that second part is the property cannot sign significantly or regularly use the
system and I believe that uh notwithstanding the allegations in the petition um I I believe that that's really the basis upon which the uh petitioners are here today um and it is really a discretionary decision by the board as to whether or not you believe
that um that 05 of an acre is such that it regularly or significantly uses the drainage system in any given storm event. Um, and that's that's where I think the the focus of your inquiry would likely be. Uh, today it is the it is the petitioner's burden to
demonstrate um that their property is basically not benefited by the drainage system. Um, and they are required to provide the evidence necessary to show that. However, the board ultimately gets to exercise its discretion in making the decision. And I would encourage you to apply whatever uh either your personal
knowledge and facts or those presented during the hearing today um in making your decision. Um I will add one more thing. I did have a discussion with the viewers um and if this had been done this year um just because this happens
often enough um in the volume of viewing that they do. They take those fractional acres that are on the edge of the watershed. if a property like this in the future were to have been encountered by them, they would not have included this as benefited property. And I think your staff might also share with you
that um from their perspective, it's more of an administrative burden to uh manage an assessment on this property. I mean, think about it. In a typical year, you're not doing a $100,000. So, you're not even getting that $14. You're maybe doing $5,000, which means now it's maybe
less. You know, how much less than that, right? 12th of a dollar, a dollar4. So, it's a nickel basically. Um, and the cost of just processing that might be greater um, from a staff's perspective than is the benefit to the drainage system as a whole. So, again, I'm not
advocating for one way or another, but I think it's important that the board understand the baseline facts here and what I believe to be um, the petitioner's motive for petitioning. Um, these types of parcels are rare. So, I don't think that whatever decision you make today, uh whether you approve this
or deny this, um if you were to approve it, I don't think it would uh result in a flood of petitions coming in. Um this one is specifically unique in as much as when the original change happened to the viewers report, we were left with this very small fractional part of the
property that has very limited benefit. Um so again, the board has to receive all the testimony today. Um and we can make a decision today. I have a draft of findings that can be modified um to uh support whatever decision the board chooses to make today. And if the board
has no questions of me, I believe I'm followed by staff which will go through the notices that were given today um and any report or recommendation they have from their observations of the property. >> Thank you, John. Members, any questions for Mr. Cold? >> Thank you, Chris or Adam.
Yeah, I think uh John covered it pretty well, but Adam does have uh a brief uh staff report to provide. >> Morning, commissioners. >> Morning. >> Um before I start, I kind of want to say the same thing John said that I'm not advocating for any either or. That is
your guys's decision. I'm just letting you guys know the information that that I currently have. Um so like it says on this on this, it's a petition received from Mr. Olson and Jansen. On October 17th, um our last ditch authority
meeting would you guys set a public hearing for today. Um Christine, our auditor, sent out a message to all or not a message, a letter to all benefiting land owners of CD12 and it's also been on the county website for about a month now regarding this public
hearing. So all notices is is set in place and we don't and that should all be good. I'm just going to pull up the map of the property here. I'm breathing >> just so you guys get a visual of what we're talking about here. So, it is this
parcel here, the one that ends in 37600. It is this small corner here that is is what is being talked about today. Um, just some brief history here with some contact with the landowner and H2O overviewers.
Um, Mr. Olson was in contact with H2O reviewers um sometime in the middle of November. Um H2O reviewers contacted me on November 20th regarding that. Um H2O reviewers then contacted him and
included me on the email. Um on November 20th, that email gave him the opportunity for him to contact me to conduct a site visit. Um, I was planning to bring one of our engineering techs out to survey the land for him if he if
he so chose. Um, I did not hear back from him. Um, so I contacted again on December 5th to confirm that he will be attending this public hearing. Um, he then replied to me on December 8th stating he plans to attend and then
asked me if I would like to see the site myself. Um, as you all may know, by December 8th, we've had a lot of snow and ice. So, I felt that doing a survey on that corner of that property would most likely yield inaccurate results due
to, you know, snow and stuff. And even just me going out there with all the snow and drifts, I feel like that would just yield inaccurate results. Um, so I chose not to do a site visit. Um, but like John said during the
redetermination process, the viewers did have, you know, a more significant amount of his parcel being benefited and then they changed it to just this small sliver in the corner. Um, so H2O reviewers does still believe he is a benefit. Um, just a very small portion
of it. Um, I'm going to scroll down here. Um, this just shows the contour in that location. Um this is off beacon. So this whole yellow outline here is an 1120 contour. And so it's you would
assume that somewhere in the middle here some this property is probably draining to the southeast here. Um as you can see that's kind of shown here as well that that that's a benefit more to the southeast.
Um, other than that, like I said, I was in contact with him, but no site visit was was done due to due to snow and and ice and stuff like that. Other than that, I don't have anything
else to report upon this. Um, if you guys have any questions, feel free to ask me. >> Members, any questions for Adam or Chris? >> No. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, I think we're ready to hear from members of the public who wish to comment. Um, you could please come to
the podium and state your name and address or comments for the record. Anyone getting the public comment is open. >> I'm Ernie Olsen. I own the property and uh what they're talking about in that small corner is approximately 46 by
46 feet. Isn't tremendous. Anyway, but anyway, if if you look on there, um 13 years ago, I put this ditch in. Can you see where I'm pointing to? >> No.
>> How do I You come around the front. >> Around the front. Show us on the screen. >> Okay. from the top corner up there. >> Yeah. >> Down across all the way across to here. You can see that here. Okay. I did that 13 years ago. And then nine years ago, I
did this one going through here. And around here, well, 13 years ago, I also did this one going through here. Goes over there. And then, like I said, nine years ago, we ditched this out, went around it. And then uh three years ago
um Ron Schmidt gave it. Anyway, I ditch this here, put a culvert across this land here, which is open. This is junk land. This is open land here. Put a culver from here, crossed here, and then I ditched it from here up to here. Then I stopped. And
then last spring, we had uh the excavator come back in and he ditched it from here all the way around up to here again. So I ditched everything out of their ditch. So this isn't used especially where this is uh where they
had it and Person and Jerry Benson and I were off and doing that. Uh this part of the land here is 12 in lower than Ben's land over here. Oops, wrong side. Yeah, this part here is 12 inches lower than
this part over here. So it doesn't benefit at all. But I still but that I' had that ditched up beforehand anyway. Questions about it? >> Any questions? Thanks Ernie. Anyone else that'd like to speak uh in regards to
this petition? Anyone else? And last call. Anyone else that'd like to speak in regards to petition for removal of CD12? Okay. If there's no further testimony from the public, I'll close the public portion of this hearing and invite Mr.
cold back up to lead us through the petition. >> Mr. Chair, members of the board, I did prepare for you a deliberation guide which gives you some options. It also discusses some of the base facts um in the um in the petition and I think
they're consistent with the comments that you've heard today um from M from Mr. Olsen. Um, does the board have a specific outcome that it's considering that we could just talk about to maybe get the ball rolling in the right direction or in the direction that the
board ultimately thinks it wants to go. >> Members, >> no. Well, what did the ditch subcommittee what's your guys's thoughts? I I I'm uh I'm in the understanding that we're the
thought process of of granting it. Well, and I think correct me if I'm wrong, John, but you're looking at, you know, there's three different draft motions here. One of one of them are basically >> right uh for not meeting that statute standard. The second one would be we we need to have uh reports uh amended and
or to Commissioner Kapinsky's point uh comments, they're not required. Amendments to the viewers report are not required and the board is ready to adopt draft findings in order. So, I'm hearing from you. >> We have consensus on that. Y >> then let's just let's just verify by consensus. Would there be an objection
to the board's finding um that the petitioner's property um cannot significantly or regularly use county ditch 12 as a outlet for beneficial drainage? Is that I mean I think that's the basis of your finding. Yeah. >> Okay. Um does the evidence support that
petitioner's property then is is likely not benefited by CD12 at all? >> Have consensus on that? >> Yeah. And does the evidence support a finding that a removal of the property from the benefits role will not prejudice the owner of owners of other property remaining on the system? Yeah.
>> Okay. Then given that I I do I do have just some basic findings I'd like to review with the board. And if the board's okay with that, then you could entertain a motion, Mr. Chair, uh to adopt the findings and order as presented. Um so the findings would be that waters draining from the petitioner's property does not regularly
or significantly use the drainage system as an outlet for beneficial drainage that the drainage authority further finds a petitioner's uh property is not benefited by the drainage system. And finally that the drainage authority further finds that removal removing of
the removing petitioners property from the benefited area of county ditch 12 um will not prejudice property owners and property remaining on the system. Um, if you're okay with those findings, then the order would read as follows. That petitioner's property be removed from the benefits role of CD12.
Um, effective after all, uh, effective for all costs incurred on CD12 after the date of the order. So, any costs incurred before the date of this order are still, uh, potentially going to be at least a portion of them, um, assessed to this property that the property not
affected by the by the drainage system. Uh the property cannot be affected by the drainage system in any later later proceeding related to repair or improvement. Um or a drainage lean or assessment for repairs may not be made against the property after the date of the order. That the drainage from the
property may be returned to the county ditch 12 system only upon petition pursuant to statute section 103.401 or after future drainage proceedings determine that the property is otherwise benefited. So what this basically says is if if Mr. Olsson or Mr. Jensen want
to modify the drainage on their property and direct it towards CD12. They cannot do that without an outlet proceeding under the drainage code. Um the order does not release the petitioner's property from any current assessment. We've said that um from any drainage lean filed on account of the drainage
system before the date of this order and from any assessment or other drainage lean filed after the date of this order for costs incurred on account of the drainage system before the date of this order. And this will relate to a subsequent provision in the order related to the cost of these proceedings. Um the order also directs
that the Benton County auditor treasurer and the Benton County staff ensure that the benefits for county ditch 12 are updated in accordance with the order. So these acres will be removed and the the uh benefits role will be modified in that regard. And then finally that the petitioners are required to pay the cost of the proceedings um on the removal
petition which is to be credited to the JD the CD12 drainage system account and that's consistent with the drainage code. This is a personal benefit to the um Olsson Jensen property. Um it does not benefit the drainage system as a whole in any significant way. And so
those costs are typically the obligation of the of the of the petitioner. Um so if the board is comfortable with those basic findings and the order, uh you could entertain a motion, Mr. Chair, to adopt the findings in order as presented and I will have all this reduced to writing for signatures by the end of the
day today. >> So moved. Second. All right. I have a a motion uh by Commissioner Kapinsky and a second by Commissioner Heinen. Uh is there any further discussion? Any other discussion? >> I think by doing this and having Mr. Co
here and we thank you very much, but we could have paid for a 100 years of the assessment. >> Yeah, no doubt. >> I'll discount my fee for Mr. Olson. >> Any other discussion >> hearing? None. Do we need a roll call on
this, John? Um, unless I hear a dissent, I'm just going to count it unanimous and I'll check the boxes. So, no need for a roll call. >> Okay, we have a motion in a second. All those in favor? >> I opposed. It's carried. >> Thank you, commissioners. >> Thank you for all your work you do. >> Thank you, John.
>> All right, we're going to move on to our next item. Consider the request for quotes regarding CD9 and CD14 mowing buffer strip. I'm just going to let our drainage inspector Adam take care of this item. >> Yeah. I'm not sure if you want to do the other item first regarding the uh the
Maywood Township just >> Yeah. >> Just to if they're here. >> Sure. >> Here. That's fine, Adam. Let's do that. We'll swap them around. So, we'll move on to the continued discussion of Maywood Township discussion regarding the payment of CD9 and 14's repair. I'll
let you pull that up, Adam. Thank you for doing that. Um, most of this is the same as we had last time. Uh, just a continued discussion from from our meeting earlier this month. Um,
like we stated before, Maywood Township was charged $93,000 and $93,70 for culverts for the CD9 and 14 repairs. Um, Maywood Township came to Chris, asked him if they could have like a payment plan regarding these costs.
um with talks with them since our last meeting, they discussed um paying half the invoice by the end of December 31st of next year and then the other half of the invoice by the end of 2027.
Um and so I will let Maywood Township come up here and discuss with you and determine a payment plan that works best for for the county and also the township. >> All right. Thanks, Adam. Any reps from Maywood like to speak?
>> Okay. Well, we left the last meeting originally. >> Jim, I want to interrupt you. Could we just please have your name in for the record? Thank you. >> Jim Martinson, 1880265th Street, uh, Northeast. >> And you're a supervisor with Maywood. >> And supervisor with Maywood.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh we originally were planning for 80,000 uh for this project. Uh as it turns out uh it's closer to 131,000.
Uh we have paid approximately 38,000 uh about several months ago. So anyway, at the last meeting, we requested uh what your possibilities of a payment plan and so it kind of puts the ball
back in your court to tell us what you found out you can do. >> Um Jim, just for clarification, the 38,000 that was paid was the assessment portion of those ditch repairs, correct? >> That you paid. >> Yeah. And now you were invoiced for this
amount >> for the calls. >> Yeah. Okay. And I think ditch authority originally talked or the subcommittee, excuse me, talked about this plan that Adam mentioned where half would be due by 12:31 of 26 and the balance would be
due by 1231 of 27. Now, this may be the first time you've heard that. I'm not sure if that's the case. If you have other options, I think that you'd like to present to the drainage authority. that was discussed at the subcommittee level that just you know so the first
half payment would be due the end of 26 and the balance due by the end of 27. >> Okay. Okay. Um I have heard that as a possibility or uh and so I've done a cash flow of that and
of course the 60% 60 plus% increase to our levy that we made in March. We won't see that money until uh until the summer next next summer. So anyway,
I've done a cash flow uh for both uh years for both uh 66 and 26 and 27 and uh we can we we are in a position that uh we can pay and and meet that.
Now, I can't, you know, open meeting law. We can't we can't discuss uh what we're going to do here, but uh I we'll make it a topic of our next uh next meeting. >> Okay. So, just so I'm understanding you're right, then Maywood would go back
uh to your meeting and discuss this particular payment plan of half due the end of 30, excuse me, 26 and the balance due the end of 27. >> That's correct. >> Okay. Members, >> I can't >> seem fair. >> I think that's fine. What is are we are
we adding to interest like we do to the other public entities. >> That's up for discussion. >> I mean it is total county money that's going to be carrying this for two years. >> Maybe what we do is we do the 2 point whatever
>> mirror the assessment. >> A mirror assessment >> two or two and a half >> two minutes. is two >> 15 years 2%. >> All right. So some consensus on that >> I would think I just I think it might
open it would open up something that if we don't put any interest on it that could open up like okay we want to carry this out for >> and the other the other balancing act is it's putting extra dollars on the taxpayers of Maywood Township. So it's we're taxing ourselves >> either way it's coming from taxers. It
is our way whether it's >> so that's the quandry right I I get your point commissioner pop that we're using general fund money >> general fund money >> same token we're going to charge interest on to another government entity who's already raising their levy levy >> 60% that really hurts don't it
>> I in in my opinion I think when we tax another government entity we're just kicking the can and we're taxing the people again anyway I mean it's different if it's a if it's a a constituent or a taxpayer out there that we're loaning the money to to pay it.
>> Correct. >> But a government entity, they're just going to pass the buck down, too. >> And unfortunately for Maywood, they saw large repairs on CD9 and 14 together. >> I guess I'm I >> Go ahead.
>> I I would have to agree that you struggle at one side, we should be doing it, but on the other side, I feel that we shouldn't be doing it. mean it's on the township but it's only two years or paying half next year >> you know and not and not to minimize the dollars it's 93 grand versus 850 grand
for the >> correct >> well and and the thing is that that's ultimately that's going to the taxpayers >> it is >> that that percentage and those taxpayers are already paying interest on what they
owe >> for their assessments >> for their assessments so >> plus they paid for the assessment that They would paid right. >> Yeah, >> correct. That's >> double double. >> So, it just seems like it's double dipping to me. >> So, we have consensus. >> It is double dipping, but you know, then
you'd have another township, Graham, for example, would come back and say, you know, we paid our when we did ours >> up front. I mean, I I I like I think I like your point there because I think whatever we do now sets a precedent >> precedence for >> and and I think we need to be open about
that because if if a town townships or other agencies don't have the ability to put it out 10 or 15 years like like the the the normal taxpayer, they have to pay theirs right up front. So, we should extend this out this option. I don't want to go out five years, but like this
two-year plan is >> maybe have a plan where we limit the number of years would be better. I mean, we can't, you know, >> to to your point of a precedence, though, I I think and just off the top of my head, I believe Maywood's the only one that's got three ditches in it, >> you know.
>> So, three of the of the 10 or 11 ditches are in Maywood Township, >> and CD12's coming next that they're going to have to deal with. >> Yeah. >> So, you're right. It sets a precedence. I'm just not so sure that other townships will be dealing with more than one ditch at a time. Maybe. >> Yep.
>> But I I don't know. So, what are your thoughts? >> I'm kind of >> Monty have input on it. >> I understand point about the interest on another government. >> It's like same taxpayers. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. But I I would hope too that the ditch authority at that time would recognize and help Graham or whoever it is if that's what's needed >> that they do it >> that they do it right. I I guess I can't promise that. But >> I'm going to motion that we accept that we present this plan to the Maywood for
two years and 26 half and into the 27 half at no interest. >> Okay, >> I'll second. Okay, we have a motion, a second uh to allow that invoice to be paid, one half of it due by 1231 of 26 and the balance due by 1231 of 27 with
no interest. >> Any other discussion? >> The re and my reasoning for that is we're just passing more tax on to >> the constituents. >> And just for clarification, that's the offer now brought to they can have their discussion and come back to us.
>> Randy, >> quick question. We can't tell what the weather is going to bring. You know, this year we had a culvert Washington $10,000 just for one culvert. Is there any possibility you guys be willing to go
three years just if we needed? >> That would have to I think at that point in time they should go to their board first to see if they can make these >> uh make these payments these first two years. Okay. And if at some point they
know they can't >> come back, >> come back in 26 as long as they can try to make the first payment >> and then work with it after that. But if we're going to keep >> Yeah. >> No offense, if we're going to keep prolonging this, >> then there's got to be then there's got
to be and that's where I was going to go with this. And >> you have you you know the township also has the option to go to their taxpayers if they have a culbert washed out to some place. I mean, the cash flow is, from what I understand, it's really tight. >> Sure. >> So, you don't have that buffer like, you
know, like some townships maybe do to supply a $10,000 Calbert wash out, >> but that would be up to the taxpayers of Maywood Township, I believe, to figure out how they're going to do that. Okay. Any other discussion? We have a motion, a second on the floor. Any other
discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Carried. Let us know. Jim, Randy, thank you, Gary. Next. >> All right, we'll go back to uh requesting quotes for CD9 and 14 more mowing the buffer switch. Adam,
>> hello again, commissioners. This is the last item I have. >> You want to go to the house next? >> So, I was tasked from you guys, the drainage authority, um to do another inspection of county ditch 9 and 14.
Purpose of this was to determine if um if we should do mowing of the buffer strips, if it time that the grasses were high, if there was, you know, woody foliage growing, we wanted to get this done prior to it becoming a bigger
issue. Um so a few weeks ago before we had any snow, I went out there with the drone and um took video of both 9 and 14. Both those videos are now on the county website for people to view. Um
like I said here um like I just said to maintain the buffer strip from the last repair projects it is suggested to mow each side of the buffer strip periodically. Now that can change obviously if we have droughts we won't have to mow as frequently. Um but is is
my idea that we are trying to maintain these ditches so they do not become in disrepair like they have in the past. Um, so what I saw from these videos, I did see that, you know, grass was getting tall and there was some wooded vegetation um that was growing on on
most of the buffer strips. Um, so I believe I'm advising that um we get these mowed before the wooded vegetation um gets out of hand and then that'll be obviously a more expensive mowing in the future.
Um, so what I did, I did some RFQS, some requests for quotes. Um, I just did some drafts. Um, and I have those ready. And the reason I am here today is to hear what you guys think. If you want me, if
you guys authorize those RFQS, I would then put those on the websites um for people to to bid on, companies to bid on. Um, >> if you guys do authorize it, um, I would also ask you, um, when you guys would like me to put that on the website if
because obviously they can't mow now. Um, but obviously if we put it on the website, um, it may be nice for these companies to get their bid out so they can have work for the spring so they are they know what they're getting into. Um, so yeah, that's all I have. It's up to
you. Um, feel free to ask me any other questions. Um, >> Adam, does does your quotes request any disrepair or uh side embankment sluffage or anything else going on in the in the open channel? >> Just these quotes were just for mowing of the bus buffer strips.
>> Did you see anything on your drone footage that would show you that there's issues with the open channel? >> Um, because we had like a good year with um rain and stuff, a lot of the vegetation did grow and I did not see as much sluffage as I did in the spring of
this year. Um, so I I feel like we have a good the the buffers are pretty stable now due to the summer we had. >> So when you say sloughage, you talking about buffer sluffage or open channel? >> The open channel, the the side banks
into the into the ditch itself. >> Did that self correct or what's your thoughts there? I mean, >> it's tough. Um, obviously there's, you know, periodically, um, I saw sluffage going into the bank
channel periodically. Um, I guess that's obviously that's going to be a lot more money to get that sediment out of the ditch again. Um, so it's up to the drainage authority what they would like to have on these quotes. >> Okay.
>> Members, thoughts? I think we need to stay ahead of it. We >> correct. You know, just like you were saying, Commissioner Gapinsky, we have to stay ahead of it. And that was our main goal, too, is to stay ahead of it, too. Now, the question I have, you said
in the spring of mowing. I mean, are are we talking I'm thinking spring like June, you know, when the soil is stable, not March or April or May. >> Yeah. So what I can say on that is in the RFQ itself I have a statement that
the successful bidder the start date can be negotiable. So if we have even more snow than we have now and maybe it will kick them out to June. Um so I don't in the RFQ I don't have a start date. Um it would just be 2026
and then I would discuss with them and then I'd probably come back with an agenda item to discuss with you guys. I guess from my perspective, if indeed there's sloughage going on in the open channel, I it's not going to self-correct. I think we've got to stay ahead of it. That's just my opinion. But
>> I mean, I'd like to just go m buffer strips, but if there's already sluffage going on in open channels, >> I don't know why we went >> why we did did the ditches in the first place. >> Yep. Mr. Chair, is there just fluffage in one certain area, Adam? >> No, it's >> No, it's all the way through the ditch.
Well, it depends because obviously sometimes the ditch curves more and that's obviously going to have more sluffage. So, it's >> what I would suggest for this is this RFQ is just for mowing of the buffer strips. >> And then we would have a separate RFQ
because I feel like those >> Yeah. different contractors and it takes different equipment to do both things. >> I can live with that. >> Yeah. >> I just I'm My point is I don't want to be talking about sluffage that happened five years ago and we didn't address it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I can I can live with that.
>> So, I So, what I did for this video is I mostly looked at um the mowing of the buffer strips. I didn't look too hard into the sluffage. Obviously, I can use the same video. I don't have to go out there and and revide it, but I would have to look at it.
>> Um so, what I did for the RFQ, I I didn't request the whole length of the ditch um because there's wetlands in some parts where we didn't even do a repair. So, I wouldn't want them to go mow in the wet land, right? >> Um, there's also some land owners who
use the buffer strips as, hey, I don't want to mow that if they're already mowing it. >> Correct. >> Um, so I did look look deep into those videos and have a pretty precise um mileage for the contractors to bid on. >> Right. >> Um, and that's what I would have to do
again for the sluffage. I would look and pinpoint different spots along the ditch to give to the contractor. Mr. Chair, >> go ahead. >> You know, thanks for explaining that, Adam. So, my question is is whoever gets this bid
and they will give us a start time and they'll let you know when they're going to be out there, I'm assuming, and we're going to let the land owners know that are using it for hayne and you're going to be there to precisely tell them where to stop.
>> Yeah. So, in the RFQ, I don't have it here just because it's a draft and I didn't want to have it >> here. Um, >> but yeah, there is I have a map and it's basically showing what parcels, >> okay, >> are being mowed and what what should be avoided. Um, I feel like I had a pretty
good um idea of what what is being used for hay. Obviously, it was I did it in the middle of November, so anyone who used it for hay already used it, >> right? Um, so I know which properties to avoid. >> Go ahead. If we can't tell which ones
were hay this summer in November, then maybe our drone's not any good. >> To your point, Commissioner Hein, the other important part here is we've got to figure out a way to provide some notice. >> Yes. >> That's what I was just going to say is we need to be transparent on all this because whether and we need to start
directing people to the website and we're trying, >> but um we always hear that there's no communication. and there's no and people don't realize what's going on. >> We just got to do our best to to put it out there. So, we appreciate everything you're doing.
>> This winter I I have started to work on the the county ditch website. Um I just started this or la at the end of last week to try and make it a little bit more user friendly. Um I do notice on our new website, county ditches is one
of the first main tabs. So helpful at least if people go on our website. Um regarding notices, um we'll always do letters prior to any inspection um or work done on their property. >> Um run away next.
>> Obviously not everyone opens the letters, so that can be difficult. Um but what I heard from other people is that maybe if we send them in a yellow envelope, then then maybe there's a better chance at them opening it. So, Mr. Chairy,
>> Adam, are we building and and maybe this is Christine, too, but are we building like an email database to where we can start doing email blasts out from this ditch authority when there's something coming or assessments or anything like that so people have an idea?
Yeah, I'm not sure what Christine would say to that, but um I know she has phone numbers sometimes and I think emails might be a little bit harder to come by. >> We don't, as far as our tax system goes, we don't
maintain phone numbers or emails. We only have addresses. So, if they're coming in, I'm trying to make note of them, but it's hard >> in the new taxing system that doesn't that doesn't have a spot for those.
>> Um, it probably does, but we'd have to get them first. >> Yeah, I think it's going to be a a two, threeyear process, but I think if we set ourselves up for the future, that that's the way it to go. >> Definitely, it would. >> And then you can put read receipts right on there saying, "Oh, you did get it.
You read it." or at least you hope it >> looking at it. You know, it's no different. Yeah. Go ahead. >> I was going to say on our website and other locations, there is the ability for people to sign up to receive email notifications. And I don't know, I don't
know enough about websites to know how to establish that. But it seems like there is a way. It does require volunteers that you need to volunteer your email address, but there might be a way through our website to put a tab on the county ditch page. you know, click here if you want to receive email notifications and then then we require
the user to, you know, volunteer that information and stuff. So, >> oh, good point. >> Um, statutoily though, I don't think that would meet any requirements for, you know, advertised notices like for what we had for a public hearing or something. But, yeah, I see what you're getting. We're just >> we need to be able to demonstrate that
we're providing the information. We're trying to lead the horse to water. We can't necessarily make it drink, but we're doing everything we can. >> Yeah. >> All right. I'm going to move that we uh go out for RFQS. uh regarding CD9 and 14 strips. >> I'll second. >> Okay, >> we have a motion and a second. Any other
discussion? >> Um, one thing is is that motion for to get those RFQS out ASAP >> or >> Yes, it is from my perspective. That okay with you on the second? >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> All right. Yep. I can do that. I'll put it on the county website. >> All right. Any other discussion? Hearing
none. All those in favor? I opposed. It's carried. Thank you, Adam, for your work. Appreciate it. >> All right. Maybe tell. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Uh, any other items before us on ditch authority? Chris, anything else? >> I have nothing additional. >> All right. We're journ ditch authority
at 10:43. I'll turn it back to the board chair. >> You can do probably. We have some guests with us. Perhaps we can get to those items first and maybe Jim is here with your billing update and then it >> Okay. Y.
>> Yeah, sure. Okay. Thank you, >> M. Mr. Chair. >> And then, Mr. Chair, when Amanda does her item in the MCP, if we could also just recess and then she could do her EDA item and then she'll be done. >> Perfect. Okay, >> there's an EDA item. Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. Yes, >> Commissioner Benoy, you want to take
your coat off and stay a while? >> It's cold. I'm freezing. >> My hands are cold. >> It is cold in here. Morning. >> I am freezing. Uh, as you know, Jimman with Conteg Group. I'm the construction manager for the government center project. You guys have a packed agenda
today, so I'll keep it brief. Uh overall, we're largely on track schedule-wise. Uh we're nearly done with steel. Uh it's nice to finally be able to see the shape of the building and the size of the building. Um so the next steps uh once we're done with steel in the coming weeks, um through January,
you'll see the uh the slab get poured for the second story. Uh you'll see a lot of exterior wall framing happening. So the building will continue to take shape in that in that way. Um and they'll be working on the final details of steel uh roof decking out the roof
metal, things like that. So, um it'll start to look more and more like a building over the the coming month or two. Once that's done, we'll get uh the sides polied off. We'll get it warmed up. We'll get trades and sides and we'll get going on rough ends and framing interiorly. >> So, >> Mr. Chair, uh could I ask what would
determine a a nonwork day for you? I mean do you have criteria that hey it's 20 below there's a >> that is yeah so that's dependent on the contractors each contractor each company has their own criteria >> okay >> um it and it largely depends on you know
what what work task they're doing once we get enclosed and we're all inside obviously that's not going to be much of a factor anymore for steel workers I know that they have kind of a complicated uh sliding chart that's more based on wind chill or feels like temperatures an actual temperature.
Typically, if it's below zero, regardless of what the winds are, um I don't expect the contractors to be out there. >> Um contractor safety is a big thing if we want the project to move forward and want to insulate ourselves and the county from liability. So, we want to take care of those guys.
>> Um so, I don't personally expect anybody to be out there when it's below zero. >> Sure. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> I have a question. >> Sure. >> Um so, then you said you're going to pour the uh upstairs slab. Yep. >> So, this time of year is not usually
ideal for pouring cement for curing processes. So, is this covered and heated and those Yep. Yep. It's covered. It's heated. You know, we have to have the deck uh heated from below to 50°. We have to blanket the concrete. We have to keep the sides enclosed and keep a
certain amount of heat in the building during that whole curing process. And that's monitored by a third party testing agency um Chosen Valley Testing that monitors and uh the contractor for compliance for the whole time and they document all of that as well in case there's an issue in the future.
>> All right. Thank you. >> You bet. >> Any other questions? >> Okay. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You guys have a good day. >> You too. >> Now we're going to move to the Benton County. >> The MCPP item. Yes. >> Yep. >> Good morning, commissioners. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. Um in front of you this
morning I have the MC um PP program. Um we do this every year uh or at least the last three years here. Um the Minnesota City Participation Program. Um, this program utilizes taxexempt bonding housing pool allocation authorized by
the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget um to enable communities throughout the state to uh efficiently provide firsttime home buyer loans in their community without the administrative burden of running their own bond program.
um the first-time home buyer access um the program through their local lenders and have access to down payment and closing cost assistance if needed. It's a really great program. Um many of the cities across the county also utilize the program which you can see in um your
packet and that spreadsheet that's very very tiny. Um so anyway um in order to participate in that program we need to pass a resolution and submit an application every year. It needs to be submitted at a um very specific time
frame in the middle or in the beginning of January um so that the county can participate in it. And really um a couple notes on that. The cities that are also participating as you see in that spreadsheet also have to do the
same thing. um the loans that are uh issued throughout the county um are within probably the townships or outside of the actual city limits of those other programs. Does that make sense? >> Yep.
>> Okay. Um just a couple things about the program. Um I really like this program. It's very low uh administrative uh burden on myself. Don't have to do much. They provide us the reports. Um and then
um we get to monitor that uh the let's see the minimum allocation that the uh office of Minnesota management and budget uh issue to participating
applicants is a minimum of $100,000. Um they have waved the fee to participate in this program which is roughly uh $20 um over the last um for $20 for every $100,000 allocation over the last couple
years. So there's no um contribution on our part. Um, the benefits of participating in the Minnesota City Participation Program include promoting first-time home buyership in your community, access to down payment and closing cost loans, there's little
administrative burden, the dedicated there's dedicated funding for our community. Um, they do all the marketing and outreach. Um, of course, I mentioned no deposit or fee in 26. And then, um, we receive loan activity in our area. So the allocations are based on the
populations in those geographic areas. Benton County has a population of roughly 42,000. In 25 the bond allocation that Benton County received was just under 300,000 for first-time home buyer loans through this program.
Um we saw three committed loans just in the county, not including any of the cities, totaling $778,328, which met or exceeded our allocation amount. making Benton County eligible to participate in the program again in 26.
Um a total of $43,200 was um issued towards down payment and closing cost loans. Okay. For the applicants meeting that income criteria of the program. So in order for uh an applicant to apply for this program,
they need to uh sit down and meet with a lender that participates in this program. Um there's several um within the Benton County area and and outwards. Um so they can meet with those folks and
um go through the loan application process as they would if they excuse me if they meet the income guidelines within the program. They can um apply and receive some down payment assistance if they need. So it's just a really great program. very little
administrative burden on myself um and our organization. So, the action that we're requesting this morning is to approve by motion the 2026 MCPP agreement and authorize execution of the application by the county board and the county
administrator. And those applications will be sent via uh docuign. So, you don't have to sign anything today, but I will once you know the board takes action, I'll get those forms out to you. >> So, move, Mr. Sure. >> Second.
>> Motion's been made and seconded to approve what Amanda just explained to us. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> No. It's a great program. >> Yeah. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Thank you.
>> You get to stay there. >> Yeah, I get to stay here because we have >> Yeah, we could recess county board and go to an ADA. Yes, sir. >> We'll recess the county board and go to the >> ADA uh development board. >> Okay. You got to do roll call. >> Roll call is the same. Sure. Yeah. Um
>> consent agenda. >> Consent agenda. Approve or amend >> the development authorities meetings from members of March or February 4th, 2025. >> Move for approval. Mr. Chair. >> Second. >> Been made moved and seconded to approve
the minutes. All in favor? I >> opposed. Carried. >> Okay. I have a really quick item for you. Um this is uh really more of an administrative item and just so you understand um the board excuse me for
one second let me just get my dates right. Um in 2023 in November 8th of 2023 um the economic development authority provided a loan tour to the borrower um Iron Street Distillery in the amount of 145,000 to assist with financing costs with the renovation of
the existing building and then the purchase of equipment for the borrower's distillery and cocktail room business located at 539 East St. Germaine Street. Um the original agreement required the loan to be secured by personal guarantee from Mr.
John Martins and Kevin Mr. Kevin Johnson among other security requirements as part of that loan agreement. Um Mr. Martins is selling his interest in the business to Kevin Johnson and has requested to be released of all requirements as a guarantor under the
original agreement including but not limited to the requirement to provide a collateral assignment um of his life insurance policy. Um and Mr. Johnson's personal guarantee and collateral assignments will continue to remain in place. Nothing else changes except for
Mr. Martin is uh Martins is selling his interest to Mr. Johnson. Um and it's really administrative um process at at this point. So no other changes to the loan agreement. They are up to date on all their um payments and um it's really
just a formality at this point. So I am asking um the board to approve by motion a resolution approving that first amendment to the loan agreement. >> So moved. >> Second. Motion been made and second it to approve the amendments to the loan agreement. >> Any other discussion? All in favor?
>> I opposed. Carried. >> Thank you. >> That's all I have for you. >> We'll adjourn the county board. Do you want to go to public health? >> Let's just public health. Monty, sit down. We're going to do the >> You only need a short break. You need a break.
>> We're going to do the public health first. >> Community health community. >> I'll turn it over to the chair. >> So much stuff open. It's a >> call the p uh community public county community health board. Note that all members are present. >> All the folks that are with us.
>> Approve or amend the agenda. >> Anything to add to the agenda? >> No. >> Thank you. >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. Second. Got a motion, a second for discussion. If not, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. We
got cons consent agenda item one. What would you like to do with that? >> Approval. >> Okay, we got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Number three,
>> go ahead. >> Thank you. Good morning. >> I got Jacquine in front of me here and I'm going, no, it's Jacquine. Is this Courtney? >> It's me, Courtney. Pinch hitting today again. >> Yes, good morning. >> Um, so yeah, we just have two um pretty quick items. Um, so I shouldn't take too
long here. Um, so first one, um, we have a Health Partners microrant uh, funding opportunity. Um, so Health Partners announced, uh, the opportunity for funding um, just a microrant of up to $1,000. Um so we were looking for um
approval to submit an application for this. Um and then also um looking forward to if there's any other future funding opportunities um just approval to um request for applications uh at that time as well. Um so yeah, this would just be for um some dental access
initiatives um in Benton County. Um I do have Tessa here too if there are any questions about it, but um yeah, pretty straightforward. Mr. Chair, >> one question. >> Go ahead. >> Is there any type of match type? I >> was just going to say that there is no match,
>> right? >> Yeah. >> Commissioner Pinsky, >> this is item number two, right? >> Yep. Item number two. >> Okay. No problem. >> Sorry about that. >> I'll make a motion for um them to be able to apply for the grant from Health Partners.
>> Second. >> Got a motion and a second. Any more discussion on this item? If not, I'll call a question. All in favor say I. >> I oppose. Motion carries. Thank you, Courtney. Next one. >> Yeah. So, the next one, um, we've been working on a contract between, uh,
Benton County Public Health and, uh, the College of St. Ben's. Um, looking to create a partnership, um, similar to the one we had with St. Cloud State to maybe host some students, some nursing students, um to pair up with our public health nurses, um our wick team just to
get some education in the field. Um just some internships and shadowing. Um so it would be that and then along with um they have a an opportunity they're doing um some clinics at the Salem location. So just looking at doing some partnership again at just maybe some
different initiatives with uh public health um general activities um oral health activities um just kind of general we don't have anything specific planned right now but again just having that presence of you know public health in the community um and ongoing
partnerships with the college. >> Courtney will you be working alongside them then? >> So they would be kind of so they would continue to do their um clinics that they're offering right now. um public health would maybe have yeah work alongside or if we had any activities
they would be partnering with us and kind of working alongside of us. So kind of vice versa just whatever um activities or outreach might come up in that location. >> So Mr. Chair Courtney just to expand on that a little bit. So it's not just shadowing you you here in the office or at Salem. It's whatever activities
you've got going on. >> Correct. It could be any Yep. So we were looking potentially to have some students shadow us in the spring. um you know, watching some of our nurses, maybe jumping into some wick clinics, um just kind of seeing that nutrition piece of things. But yeah,
going out in the community here, but then also it's kind of twofold. So, whatever partnerships we could include them in um in what we're doing already um just having that shadow opportunity and that partnership with them >> and it comes at no cost to the county. >> Correct. >> That is correct. Yep. >> Yeah.
>> Move for approval, Mr. Chair. >> I'll second. >> Got a motion and a second. No further discussion on this item. >> Now to call the question. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I oppose. Motion carries. Anything else, Courtney? >> That is all. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, Smith.
>> At this point in time, we'll adjourn at 10:59 and turn it back over to the board. >> We'll take a few minute break. Couple minute break here. >> Okay. Yep. Amen. And it's cold. It is freezing. >> Oh, it was freezing yesterday. We sat there and I I
Yep. We're set. >> I'm not. I threw a 12 on there. >> Really freaking hungry. >> Yeah. >> I didn't put anything on chicken. >> He goes, "Oh, you really eating 12?" >> Wow.
>> It's withering away here. >> Yeah. Can't you tell, >> Commissioner >> Heinen? Hey, so Mr. Chair, I I know Tessa Melvin, our our DD consultant, is with us online. >> Okay. >> Perhaps if we could go to that item. I'd like to give you a brief I'd like to
give you a brief introduction. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Of course, as you know, we're in the we're in the midst of the DDA three-year maintenance program and uh each year we view we review a third of our classifications. uh that process started
back I believe in about May >> and uh those individuals in those classifications were contacted and asked to complete uh job evaluation forms. Those were then reviewed by department heads and supervisors
and submitted to Tessa for her review and possible recommendations. I wanted to uh mention Mr. Chair is that uh recommendations that come out of this process really could be based upon two factors. The first is market. Where do we stand relative to our labor market? And again, that's that 15 group that
group of about 15 counties that we use for our comparisons. >> Also, if a job changed substantially became had took on more complex duties, maybe supervisory uh that's more the internal equity part. So, it could be based upon a couple of factors. Um
again, market or internal equity. uh you approved the original recommendations back in August and then departments had the I'm sorry employees had the ability to appeal uh those recommendations uh of the roughly 30 classifications
reviewed we had about 20 appeals >> so that's what we're here to talk about today is the appeals uh so you have the amended information from Tessa so her her memo the second page is my product Mr. chair. So basically, anything in
red, >> anything in red is a change from August. So hopefully I made that clear. If it's in green, it didn't change from August. If it's in red, it did. Uh so again, quite a few changes. And that will be
the focus of Tessa's discussion with you today are the changes from August. And I believe that would conclude my introduction. And Tessa, you are with us. And Mr. Chair, if it's all right, we'll turn it over to Tessa. Turn on over. >> Go right ahead, please, Tessa.
>> Perfect. Thank you, board chair. Um, so like Monti said, the changes were presented in August. The ones before you today are my recommendations. Um, I was aware this morning that Sheriff Hec has concern with the emergency lieutenant
position and um, I would suggest that we move ahead with these recommendations and we can deal with that one later. Um but my recommendations is as followed um the public works accountant um they added supervision to that position. So I
would recommend it moving from a seven to an eight. Um the finance supervisor again um after appeal changed some of the duties responsibilities um recommending that move from an 11 to a 12. the financial assistant supervisor
um after the appeal added additional duties and responsibilities. I would recommend moving that one from an 11 to a 12. The highway office coordinator um moving that one more to a finance technician. It's not a new position, but
that's more of the work that it's doing doing. So, that would move to grade three. the fraud um prevential prevention specialist um based on added responsibilities and impact on end results moving it from a grade five to a
six. Um the GIS coordinator um originally was requested a career ladder. There's only one person in that position. So instead they added some duties and responsibilities and the impact of end results of that position moving it from a grade 10 to an 11. the
jail administrator um based on the appeal added more duties, responsibilities and um it impacted the end of impact of results and internal equity moving that one from a 15 to a 16. Um the office
technician I recommend um moving it was a office moving that one to a grade two um property management director. This one um really um they didn't fill it out the first time. So this appeal they
actually rewrote most of the job description to actually account for what it's doing. That one would move from a grade 12 to a 15. Um the property records analyst again um after the appeal they added additional duties and
responsibility. Um I believe it was undervalued based on that with the decision making. I would recommend it moving from a three to a four and changing the title to property records analyst. Um, veteran service officer. There was
no appeal on this one. The recommendation due to market research and undervaluing the impact of in results and accountability would move it from an 11 to a 12. And then finally, the fiscal service specialist is a career letter that was created for the
fiscal service specialist. So you would have a one or a physical fiscal service specialist and a fiscal service specialist senior four and five respectively. >> There was Oh, go ahead. >> No, go ahead. Finish with you.
>> There was also a request for the jail um sergeant to have a career ladder. We met with them and there wasn't enough distinguish distinguishing between a one and a two. Um it's not supported by the market. Instead, I would recommend they
look at their hiring policy when someone is moved into that role that they are given a at least a certain percent of increase so that it separates them from what they're currently doing to that
supervisory. So they would have more um impact and there wouldn't be such a compression between that. Um that has not been finalized um yet. So I would again recommend moving the jail sergeant and the emergency lieutenant position
off and having the board look at these only. >> Okay. Mr. Chair Tessa, um, in regards to the one that you said was complete rewrite of the job description, how does that process work? That employee does the rewrite of the job description and
submits it to who? And who reviews it? >> Um, so they look at the job description, they it would go through, they should have done it right away, but they didn't. And that's where this appeal kind of went through. Um, they aren't writing the job description. That's my
job. Um, they are telling me what is different from their job description. So either they're filling out the position review form or the really long one. If it's a new position, I would re review it with HR to make sure that what they say is accurate. The supervisor is
supposed to sign off on it letting me know that nothing has been inflated or adding their comments. I would write it and then send it back and say, "Is this correct? If so, good then I'll grade it. If not, let me know what is missing." Okay. Um, so in this case, that position
just didn't do it. Um, but when it came through, they did um, do it. So, I would recommend in the future, everyone, if they don't think their job description is accurate, do it right away. Um, it doesn't mean you're going to get an increase, but at least we have an accurate um, job description to start
from. And when we're looking at the market data, >> okay, thank you, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. So Tessa, I'm assuming what you just said means why you went through so many appeals is because of not the true description of what they're doing. Would
that be right? >> Yeah. I mean, I think some people assume that, you know, DDA is looking at this and they're not going to change anything. Um, so they just wait until the end to appeal it. Um, if we work together in the beginning, I think it can be more helpful that all the job
descriptions are accurate and correct. I'm not going to get it right every time and that's why we have two appeal processes. But I think if we work together as a team in the beginning um after going through this process this year I have recommended some changes
made next year so that we involve the department head sooner. Some of them aren't looking at them. that's an issue and um we should be communicating with them the changes as we're going so no one is surprised and just tightening up what can we do to make this process
better. Um I know it's not um something people like to do. Um but I can't do my job unless I have an updated job description. And we may not always agree, but it's my job to maintain integrity of the system and internal
equity for the county and the board's pay philosophy for market competitiveness. >> Thank you for that explanation. I appreciate it. >> Any other questions? I guess I got a question, Tessa. Was this a the percentage of appeals? Was that quite
large or is that normal? >> No, I would say it's it is quite large. I think you know going through the ongoing maintenance process everyone's a little um confused by it maybe we need to clarify some have some more meetings
um in that it's not like the job you know when we did the full study right >> so I think people need to understand the process >> um part of it we knew we were going to have changes this year because we knew um we hadn't done it and we had some
market adjustments as well um typically you would have a handful of changes. Typically jobs are not changing this much. Um we are also experiencing that when we did the the original study there was different HR and leadership and um
some we want to make sure there's clarifications of what was included, what wasn't included, that we have accurate documents. So some of it is cleaning up the process as well. But no, this is a very large group of appeals. Um, I would not typically um anticipate
that. >> M Mr. Chair, Tessa, just for clarification, you suggested we pull two of these, the emergency communications and what was the second one? >> Sergeant, >> the the jail sergeant. >> Jail sergeant. Thank you. >> Any other questions for Tessa,
>> honor recommendations or whatever? So at this point, you're looking for a motion to accept the appeals, correct, Monty? >> Yes, sir. Right. So basically to boil it down, whatever you see in red on this sheet, again, that's a change from August
uh would be asking you to adopt those. >> But I'm understanding though that item six and 18 would get pulled from this list. >> Correct. >> Yeah. And maybe we could do first is if you could adopt the the initial recommendations. Let's talk more about those two and how we're going to address
those. Let's talk more about those in a second. >> Sure. >> So, is it 67 and >> No, it's item number number six and number 18. Number six and number 18 uh for additional consideration at some
point later. Yeah. >> I'll make a motion approve the revised EDA recommendation for the 2025 class and comp maintenance program in red. There you go. And >> hey, that's what we need, right?
>> Is there a second? >> I'll second it for discussion. >> Okay. Motion >> been made and second it and we'll have discussion. >> Why wouldn't we pull these items in our motion? >> I'm confused. I understand. We're just looking at the red. >> Just the ones in the red. >> Just the ones in red. >> Okay.
>> Those are the appeal ones that they corrected. >> Okay. >> That's why I said in red. >> Okay. >> Uh, >> good point, Comm. >> It is a good point, Commissioner Johnson. In my motion, I could write down all the numbers, but I just >> No. No. And I understand that. I just
want to make sure keeps the door open. We can have discussion on six and 18. >> Yep. And that's not in red. >> You're right. Okay. >> We got that now. >> I do. Sorry. >> I'm fine with it. Okay. Good. >> We had a motion and a and a second. Yep. >> To approve all the ones on the appeal
that are in red. >> Any other discussion? >> Hearing none. I'll call the question. All in favor? I >> oppose carried. >> So I wanted to add, Mr. Chair, is that for any of these positions that are covered by a collective bargain agreement, we'll need letters of
understanding with each affected union to put those in place. I have those drafted. We just need to get them out to each affected union and and ask their approval on those. Um, you need the consent of your collective bargaining units to implement any any pay study
change. We've always done this in the past. Yep. >> So, um, for non-UN folks, those of course could be put into effect January 1st. >> Okay. Now, we want to address, >> so on the two positions, uh, I would recommend, um, keeping that within
Tessa's review, her her process and so on. Um, it almost mounts into a I guess a third appeal, so to speak. Uh, but I would try and keep those with Tessa. Um, if you if we were to go outside that process,
let's say for example, an appeal could be to the board, then we should allow every employee that's involved in this year's process to also appeal to you because there were employees that appealed that didn't see a change that didn't see a change. So, I I would
suggest you again, you would expand that to all affected employees, give them ability to appeal to the board. I I I'm not really recommending you go down that path. Uh but I think for fairness, you you would want to give everyone that opportunity. >> Uh so I I would recommend that this just
stay with Tessa for continued review and some and a recommendation back to you all on whether or not the position should change. >> Mr. Chair, Monty or Tessa, take me through the process. Are department heads typically involved in this discussion? >> Always.
>> I'll let Tessa answer that. Well, I mean, if there's an appeal and our recommendation isn't to do it, then I would say they should be in involved in that. Um, but again, in this case, I mean, we've had two appeals. So, the job
description, um, and the classification, and like Bonnie said, this is like the third appeal. They they aren't agreeing with my recommendation. So, um, it's either coming to another meeting again and to discuss it, um, or like Monty said,
having it appeal to the board. But I would agree that, like Monty mentioned, if you did that, you should open that up to everyone. I mean, >> I guess my concern is wanting to make sure that department heads or in this case and elected officials included in those discussions because it's not often
that I or we get an email from the sheriff with concerns about how it's gone down. Now, I I guess I want to make sure that the sheriff's involved in those discussions because the sheriff historically doesn't reach out to us just on a whim because something's up.
So, >> I just want to make sure it's >> I'll speak for myself. For example, I know uh there were some folks in the administrator's area that appealed and I I got the appeal forum and was asked to sign it. So, I was able to review the appeal form, sign it, and it was passed
along to um to Tessa. So I would imagine Troy had the same opportunity. In other words, every department could whoever you for people you supervise, you would have reviewed that appeal form, signed it, and then forward it along. So Mr. Chair, Sheriff, could I ask you if that was the case?
>> Yes, I was able to review all of the appeals. I did review them and um if didn't if I didn't sign off on them, I at least looked at all of them. Um, I would say that my concern is more in discerning
how how the process and the evaluation took into account these additional um responsibilities that I see our position has that the comparison group doesn't. I I think that's really the the the delta that we're hoping to close here. >> So, would it be fair to say that the job
descriptions are current? >> I would agree that the job description is current and comprehensive. It's it's a matter of >> compar >> how how the comparison has been fairly administered. I think >> Mr. Chair,
>> yes, >> I really think that the sheriff Tessa and whoever is involved with number six and number 18 have another sitdown conversation to try to resolve this. I don't want to put it in front of the board for the board to make a decision
to override DDA at this point in time. This is just my perspective >> and I I would agree, Commissioner Hine, and that that wasn't my point. My my concern was making sure department heads are involved in these type of things and that's what I'm hearing is happening. >> Well, and this is a little different
than a department head. This is an elected official these people report to, >> right? But he did review. >> I I I would say from the submission part of it, yes, I I'm satisfied that I' I've reviewed all of them. Sometimes I think
the black box comes from the evaluation and the determination and it would be nice to have a greater view into that black box and maybe a greater understanding of how the decisions are come to. Well, to me then that's a fair request because you you need to
understand how they got to the decision even at the end of the day you may not end up agreeing with it. >> Right. True. >> Okay. >> And it's not uncommon for department heads to reach out and say, "Hey, we want to have a meeting about this and we'd like to talk about it." So, um I'm
fine with doing that. And I would from my perspective, I'd encourage that of the department. >> Exactly. >> Before it comes here for a Yeah. >> Yeah. So, >> and I mean I appreciate the meeting because I don't like to be blindsided either. >> Correct. >> Nobody does.
>> Nobody does. >> But, you know, from my standpoint, I don't think at any point in time from what Monty said, do we want to override? >> No. >> No. >> No. No. >> Nope. >> It won't happen from under, you know, >> again, Mr. Chair, my concern is just
that department heads are involved. They understand what's going on. And at the end of the day, it still might be a no, >> right? >> It might not. It might be a yes because something's not shared. >> That's my concern. >> I I think what Tessa said earlier is the importance that the department heads
actually get involved right away to have a better understanding. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Troy. >> Do we need action on this, Mr. Chair? >> No, I think we're good. We're good. Yep. We'll make sure. >> What are you seeing for a timeline,
Monty? and Troy and anyone involved. >> It's fault. >> What do you see for a timeline? >> I don't know. That's on him. >> That's on sale. >> Uh it's hard for me to predict. I don't know what Tessa's availability is or >> Troy or so.
>> Okay. >> All right, Tessa. Thanks. We're we're we're good. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. See you. Mr. Chair, >> I would like to make a couple comments on on the the class and comp and the maintenance program.
I think we really need to evaluate if this is if this makes sense moving forward because honestly it's I'm hearing correct me if I'm wrong from Monty and the negotiating team that people don't really care about this the
negotiating or you know this this uh maintenance plan and I don't want to throw a wrench in it but we're paying a lot of money to DDA to do this every year and now we got 20ome >> appeals
>> appeals and whether it's you know DDA's fault or whether it's our fault whatever but but at the end of the day we're paying a lot of money we're changing a lot of things and it's really not I mean the employees aren't seeing the benefit of it even you
know that we're not getting anything in negotiations they're not even >> acknowledging >> they disagree with some of the stuff that happens in there um I I think from my standpoint and Steve you can comment too. I think we were in a commitment for three years. >> Yeah. >> So I think we do the other this coming
2026. >> We have to finish the other third >> then we reassess. >> What agreement are we in >> on a threeyear meeting. We can cancel that at any time. >> Yeah. But I don't believe that that part is fair to some of the employees >> that are waiting for third year.
>> Yeah, Mr. chair, but we also went into this two years ago thinking that this was going to make a difference. And it's really not making a difference. >> And I agree with you, but it's it's it's hard to say you last third that sat there and waited for this. We're not
going to do you. I just don't think that's fair to them employees. >> And and I would agree with that, too. And I also agree we have to make a hard decision about furthering this maintenance program because we are not getting >> right >> nothing out of it. But but to stop it
now that's not in my opinion the right thing to do because onethird of it has not been looked at. That's all. >> I guess Mr. Chair, my only caution to that would be and and I'm not saying we shouldn't talk about it when the the last third is done, but we need to have
something in place then, too, so we don't find ourselves in the position this board found themselves in without it being done in 10 years. >> Yep. These will be good conversations next year. >> I I I 100% agree with you guys, but at the end of the day, when you start bargaining all of these
>> and we get no credit for moving people up, >> we got nothing. >> We get nothing. To me, we're better off taking a look at this every 3 years instead of every year. >> Correct. >> You might be correct. Yeah. >> And I I and and I'm not saying that it's the employees in general, but their
bargaining people need to be on notice that this is the the message they're sending. So, if if this doesn't mean anything when it comes to bargaining, let's just take it all out >> cuz this was to the tune of was it 150 grand? >> I agree. We can use the money else for
sure. And and not only that, we can use DDA's money and put it towards the employees, too. >> Correct. >> I mean, you know, and it's a lot of times it's little things like you'll hear like leaprogging or something like that that you know, they're not and it's probably not a perfect system, but it's
the system that you got to have, you know, start date and and everything like that goes into effect. So, um, >> you you look at you look at we always talk about the and and I'm going to open the proverbial box here. Everybody thinks we're giving employees 3%. Well,
it's that's not considering their colas, too. That's >> That is correct. 6.2%. >> It's 6.2%. >> Every year. >> Every year. And And then we do these these career ladders. And I mean, it does it just doesn't seem like the county board's getting a lot of recognition,
>> right, >> for doing a lot of this stuff because it's like, uh, we we're guaranteed this in negotiations, so we don't have to look at that. >> Right. >> It's a very good point. >> That 6.2 2 because this is my first year. So I'm just asking is that 6.2%
include the steps into that. >> Yes, >> that's a step in step >> and what the bargaining units are asking for. >> Yep. >> Well, no, that's what we're offering, not what they're asking. >> Yeah. >> I will be >> I mean what they're agreeing upon,
>> right? And the agreements have been for that. >> I will be the first to say I'm a huge employee person 100%. But it's got to go both ways. It's got to because a plan that just keeps going out and
giving doesn't work. It's got to it's got to be for both sides. And you got to get some credit on the back end for what you're trying to do because if things go unnoticed all the time, we're going to sit with a room of people that are taxpayers, not employees, going
after us. Correct. Like they did again this morning. >> Let's jump and get some of these people out of here. Get this one out of here, >> Sandy. >> Yeah, get Sandy out of here. Let Let's leaprog and get some of these other people out of here that have been sitting here for a while. That's just my
opinion. >> Is that what you want to do? >> Yes. Yep. Sandy uh showberg for Hang on just a second. Let me just stop sharing >> because they're going to be here for another hour otherwise.
Yeah. >> Very good point though. Very good point. Well, There you go. >> We keep postponing. Monty, he's going to leave on us. >> Yeah. >> Oh, well. >> I know this. You're down the hill today. >> Well, I'm going to make this pretty
quick unless you have questions. Um because I know that this was a big agenda and when I put this on the agenda, honestly, I didn't know how full your agenda was going to be. Um but I wanted to give you a couple of updates. Um, one of them, the first one on my agenda
item was just about METS, Minnesota eligibility technology system. Um, this is just a part of our eligibility unit. They've been very, very busy. This is the time of year that they get a lot of applications and renewals. Um, so um, as
of December, we h 3D, we had 107 renewals waited to be processed before January. That's a lot. um over the whole um year as of as of today it's been 3688 applications that have been processed.
So that is a large number. They've been very busy and it's all jam-packed in this last month before the end of the year during the holidays. So um they've been busy. Um men choices just wanted to let you know that we do not have a waiting list currently which I would normally see as a good thing. Although
at a recent meeting I saw that some of the public didn't think that was a good thing but it is a good thing. We were mandated to have these um assessments done within 10 working days and we were far far behind that at the at one point last year. Uh we had 53 people was our
highest number on the waiting list and we currently are right up to date and seeing clients as we should be. The third thing on the agenda item was also about the detox center. Central Minnesota Health Center was closing that at the end of the year. I understand that is actually next week on the 22nd.
We've been scrambling. Sheriff Hec and I and some of our department been looking for where do we go. As you know, detox was right there in St. Cloud. So, pretty handy really for a law enforcement to drop somebody off or for people in our community to stop by there.
The number of detox centers in the state are dwindling, but there is a new service called withdrawal management, which does allow for private treatment centers to offer kind of a detox service, withdrawal management. So, in some ways, for the average person on the
street, there are more options for them for detox. However, for law enforcement, it becomes a little trickier because not all those treatment centers want to pick up take on law enforcement's holds and drop off clients.
Currently, we are exploring options with Sock Rapids with the bridge for possibility, but they only take males. Um, and I'm unclear at this moment exactly what our situation is going to sit with them. The next closest option
would be Plymouth um for mission which is will cost us about $39 a day for paying for detox with a minimum of three days much cheaper than central Minnesota mental health cent's detox was which was 800 some a day but it involves
transporting to and from um mission may pick some of our clients up for us but even if they do law enforcement would end up waiting with a client somewhere. So, it is not ideal. We are also exploring an option of a new center that's to open in Long
Prairie. Again, though, it's not open yet to my knowledge. Doesn't have a county contract and it's still a distance, probably equally as far as Plymouth in my guess. Um, so I don't have good answers for next week for law enforcement. I'm working to pull
together some information and pull together some last minute um items and bargaining with the local detoxes. But just so you know, local isn't very local. Um and we're scrambling. >> People don't drink over the holidays.
>> Well, I mean to be fair, our detox center has been lowly utilized, which is why it's closing. >> Yeah. >> But it still does happen. So >> Sandy, do you have to enter into a contract for X number of period of time? >> If you want, say you want to go to the Plymouth one, >> do you have to enter into a contract or
can you just drop somebody off? >> We can utilize another county's contract. So that center already has another contract we've got in our hands and so we can operate off of them. The one that's in Long Prairie I don't believe has a county contract and we do
need a county contract. So of somebody needs to have one that we can operate off of. But no, we're not locked into anybody, but there's really no close excellent options. >> Oh, is there I mean, we're not obligated to
get them a ride back here once they are. >> I don't No, >> we've never given them a ride back. >> Okay, good. >> Are you volunteering? >> No. >> You know what? could be a business plan
for more of use of the jail. I mean, >> what we're obligated to do is to pay for detox if they don't have another source of payment. So, that we are obligated to. >> That's not a very good funding source, >> right? >> No, no. >> I think it it did cost us a fair amount
of money to do detox. Correct. >> It did. It's been going down. when they switched to withdrawal management at the Central Minnesota Mental Health Center, they more than doubled their rate that we had paid, but because there were other funding options then through MA and PAPS, we actually probably um cut
our detox budget in half. >> Okay, that's good. >> But now we're into the into the unknown, honestly. >> Could be good for our budget, could not be. I'm not I'm unsure. Um, and the last thing that's not on this agenda, I just would mention is real quick is a new
thing that's coming as of January one is for adult foster care for um it was probably meant for corporates, but for adult foster care homes, their lensure rate will go um up to $2,100
a year. Previously, for county foster homes who don't have a waiver, we weren't charging. And for corporates, we were charging 500. This new $2,100 a year is a state fee. The fee goes to the state and we supposedly are going to get
half back. We don't know how we're going to get the half back. Um but supposedly we will get half of that $2,100 back. Why this is an issue is um beyond how this money is going to flow between the state and the county is for an average
family couple person running their own foster home out of their home and who isn't contracting for additional services, they don't make money off of this. So if they're paying $2,100 and say they only have one person in their home, their two months of the money we
give them to care for that person, to pay for their food and etc. will go towards their license fee. So, MAXA um the director's association is fighting against this, but it will go in effect in January. Um just so you know, we will
lose providers. We will absolutely lose providers and clients will definitely lose their homes because as this sets, providers are not likely to stay in the business. >> So, that's a little bad news. Um, and it definitely hurts our system as far as
where do clients go and could block up hospital beds and other places as well. So, >> the wisdom of the state. >> Yes, they know more than we do. >> Yep. >> Any questions for me? This is just a quick update. I got lots going on, but just thought I'd give you an update.
It's been very, very busy. We have had some resignations, which we hadn't had for quite a while until somebody um commented on it. Then of course, you know, all the karma goes at it and now we have to hire. Um, and we still haven't been able to post our co-responder position, which we're
hoping to post and get started in um, 2026. So, >> how many positions are you talking about, Sandy? >> Um, I believe we're working on four or five right now. >> The coalresponder that hasn't been posted yet. Why is that?
Um there's been some we've been working with EDA to get it rated and to get the job description written and then now it's a lower priority because we have so many other openings but yes it has been a delay unfortunately. >> God we've been talking about that one for a long time.
>> Yes we have. Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. >> And it was brought up at Thanks Council last night. They're hiring too. >> Getine out of the way. either Christine or or Kristen. Whichever one of you want to go first.
>> Christine, she popped right up. >> Good morning. >> Morning. >> Good morning. >> She's going to check. Uh, so during the TNT meeting um a couple weeks ago, there was a statement made about the $1 million for the airport authority being
a mistake on part of my office. And I just want the opportunity to clarify that that the TNT notices do follow state statute. And when a special taxing district levy is listed, whether it's a taxing authority in all of Benton County
or just a portion of Benton County, the entire levy amount has to be posted on the TNT statement. So, if if the the um idea of the board was to get the individual amounts listed out by county,
that could have been put out on that TNT insert, but there was no instruction to do that. So, I just wanted to clarify that. >> And I I did have a conversation with you that, you know, it was different in every county. And I was the one that >> said it didn't come across. I said I was
sorry for that. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Yeah. Um, and it would be nice in the future if they did have that separated out, you know, Benton County's portion and Sterns Countyy's portion and Sherburn County's portion. I think that would be really good. >> I c I do have those numbers if you would
like them on the record right now. Uh, Benton County's portion was $123,656. Sherburn counties was $410,310 and Sterns was $466,034. >> It's the same fee per resident. It It's per capita. >> It's based on tax capacity and
everything else. >> And bear in mind that does not include it's not assessed to the city of St. Cloud. >> Right. >> Right. initially which kind of explains that Stern's number you might expect to be a little larger. >> Yeah. >> But you take out St. Cloud. Yeah. >> It's half their population. >> So Mr. Chair,
>> go ahead. >> So if I'm you're right on the TNT that actually goes out that it cannot be broke down on that. No. >> But but the mailer that this board chose to put together to send out this year
cuz I don't think you guys have done that in the past. Correct. >> Right. that that's the one that you are asking for it to and and I would say as a board we need to work with Christine and maybe let her know that and remind her that
that's what this board wants to do because we we get the opportunity to take a look at those before they're actually sent out into the >> mail and and with that maybe Christine and you probably already have done it already make a note on your calendar to talk about that this coming year and what we want included right >> I think that was a very good idea to get
that mailed out >> yep And then we also have the the insert is on the tax statements too. So if there's anything that you want on there, we do have two pages. Okay. >> That is our cover sheet that goes out
with your address on it in the envelope. So they allow us to use that. So there's no additional cost for an insert because every statement is getting that cover sheet anyway. >> Okay. Well, that's nice to know. >> Yep. Clarity, right? But we at the AMC
clarity. Yeah. >> Great. >> Thanks, Christina. >> Thank you. Okay. Good morning, commissioners. Thank you for allowing us some time on your agenda this morning. Um, we are going to try and keep this as as brief as possible. Uh it is my understanding that
at one of the previous board meetings some point this year public health presented um and there were some questions about the FET position public health emergency preparedness and the differences between that and emergency management and how we work together. Um so Julie and I have prepared a brief
presentation um about kind of where our departments or positions intersect and how we work together. So um quick overview emergency management what is it? Um the emergency management department appointed by the
board per chapter 12 um is responsible for preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation for all hazards countywide. Um wherever the county has jurisdiction as the emergency management director, it is my responsibility to
ensure that we're basically prepared to respond to that. that involves um writing plans, doing training and education, um ICS courses, and working with local levels of government as well. Um municipalities, townships, school
board or school districts, excuse me, watersheds, you name it. Um to ensure that they're aware of what our plan includes. we know um if we have any responsibility in their planning and kind of working together and collaborate
as a whole community um to approach emergency management and response. So any emergency manager would tell you our goal is to protect the people property and maintain community function at a government level. That also includes
collaborating across all the departments in the county um and working with department directors so that each department knows their role in emergency response and preparedness and recovery um and how they best are are suited to
assist the county in that community function part of things. So, as you're probably aware, emergency management re maintains the emergency operations plan, the continuity of operations plan. The hazard mitigation plan and also an ingestion exposure pathway plan. That
one's talked about substantially less. It is a state-led function. It's one of very very few state-led functions in the state that we are required to have an ingestion exposure pathway plan. If there were to be an issue at the Monaceel nuclear generating plant, how
would we as a county protect the food source and protect the environment in Benton County being within their ingestion exposure limits which is 50 miles from the Monaceel power plant. We also maintain and operate the emergency operations center. I will say
knock on wood that you know we don't have to operate that often but when we do um that's something that would be stood up to respond to um any allhazard type of event anything from
severe weather to a rail incident um >> civil unrest COVID public health um and we could scale that up or down depending on the severity of the incident. So I will hand this over to Julie. >> You're in here. >> Good morning. >> Morning.
>> All right. So public health's piece in this um by statute public health has several responsibilities. Some of those services include preventing the spread of communicable diseases, protecting against environmental health hazards, and preparing for and responding to emergencies. Um, emergency preparedness
funding tasks public health agencies to improve preparedness infrastructure uh identify public health hazards, create and revise preparedness plans and conduct exercises to test those plans. Um, we do collaborate across departments too because we all know there is a health component component in in almost
all aspects of of events. And so um uh we'll talk about that a little bit more uh in just a minute here. Um yeah, so cross departments, agencies, and nonprofits. >> Okay. Um so right now, um I'm currently working under two grants that are related to emergency preparedness within
public health. We have the public health emergency preparedness grant, also called FEP grant, and then we have the response sustainability grant, which is also called RSG. under that uh one on the left there, the FEP grant, that is federal funding provided to the states and then down to local public health
departments to strengthen our abilities to respond to all types of public health incidents and build more resilient public health systems. Um this came out of um 911, I believe, is when it all started. Um we have 15 public health preparedness capabilities that were established by the CDC uh in 2015 and
they periodically get reviewed. And then um the response sustainability grant was state funding that was administered through MDH to strengthen the capacity, resilience and sustainability of local public health systems following CO 19 response. There were a lot of communities um and counties that said we
didn't have the capacity during COVID and so they were able to to use that information to le leverage in the legislature um and advocate for public health funding. So that's just from within the state. Um so that funding ensures that all local health departments maintain and build upon the
workforce partnerships and systems uh established during the pandemic um supporting readiness for future public health emergencies. So these are the 15 core capabilities that I had mentioned um that came out in in 2011. Some of these uh fall with
within or I should say under emergency management. I mean we both do community preparedness, community recovery and some of those um types of things. Um but where we do differ a little bit more um is in the countywide plans um we have we're responsible in public health for
the medical countermeasure dispensing um the isolation and quarantine plan essential services case and contact tracing we did all of that during CO we did a lot of that during CO um and then the volunteer management plan which I know the county um emergency management has a volunteer management plan but in
public health we have a component that we need to um include food as you can see and it's called emergency response uh medical so it's medical volunteers people more with a medical background um and some of you who were here during co we did actually use a couple of those we don't use them often but we had special
permission to be able to use a couple of nurses um to help us with our capacity when we were doing COVID vaccine which without those volunteers that we used at that time we would have been um we were already um stressed and burned out but having those extra hands were a were a great asset to us um and that's the only
time in my 12 years here that we've actually ever used um those volunteers. Um so like I said the plans that we maintain um the medical countermeasure, isolation and quarantine, essential services and then our public health respiratory plan. Those are like our big ones. Um like I said in those 15
capabilities that we're all responsible for those or we are responsible for all of those. Um but these are like our big ones. Um, and then I have some pictures in here, um, briefly just of staff and partner development, um, using those RSG funds. Kristen and I have done a lot
together, um, using these response sustainability grant funds, they do, um, have to have a focus of public health. Um, and when I want to use some of these funds for various things that we've talked about, I do and I do go through MDH to get those permissions to be able to use the funds. Um, so this these are
a couple pictures um, from the I Love You guys Foundation. So we were um working with our school districts. This was a collaboration between Benton and Sterns County, both public health departments, both emergency management departments. Um we were bring able to bring in school districts from within both counties and we brought in um the I
love you guys foundation to do the training and then we did an exercise. So what you see here um oh and law enforcement was present at at this as well. Um so what you see here is some school staff um law enforcement and then public health. We've also done using RSG funds training
our staff. That's a big component of that RSG um dollars. So this is um um a pod training. So point of dispensive train training. Most of the girls in public health have not been here during CO. Um so this uh provided a great example and it was a fun kind of way to
do it in a game type of uh atmosphere. I also created emergency preparedness bingo because there's a lot of lingo um in my world. Um and so this helped the rest of the staff kind of get a better idea and understanding of what that terminology means. So, in the event that we're actually um having to be out in in
the field and um responding to something, they have a little bit better idea of what some of this means. And then uh uh collaborated with Kristen um and Paramount Planning and we did the continuity of operations workshop. Um that was just done recently. I'm sure I think they all participated in that.
Yes. So, um the RSG funding was able to help support um that effort. And then out in the community, Kristen and I just did worked uh just worked with fire departments in October um participated in their um fire department open houses
and we uh passed out uh beginners bags of go kits. Um so it provided some information to uh community members. Um we did a trivia game. Um actually the kids really really love the trivia. We had a couple that wanted to come through like 10 times and I was going through all my questions. Um, but we had all the
staff kind of help support and put through those bag or put together those bags and then, uh, we were able to pass those out. >> Yeah. So, um, like Julia mentioned, you know, she focuses really on the public health emergency preparedness side of things, which is kind of the left side
of the chart here. Um, and emergency management is a little bit more high level comprehensive planning, mitigation, response. where we start to intersect is where um where our grant duties align. So um Julie has a plethora of grant duties. A lot of them touch on
all hazard preparedness um as well as the her grant funding allocations. Um, and instead of doubling up on plans and resources and training, um, we meet probably on a monthly basis and go through what her core
capabilities are, um, for that for the quarter that we're in, um, and say, okay, so, you know, public health is required to have an HVA, a hazard vulnerability assessment. We also do that with our hazard mitigation planning. So, it's an easy tie to be able to say, you know what, we we
already have this. We're not going to recreate the wheel and do it again. Um, same with, and I just lost my train of thought. Um, finance and admin is a new requirement for public health coming out of COVID that they're had they have to have a speedy way to be able to receive
funds and and hire people. And while that's not necessarily the role or function of public health, the emergency operations plan already has a finance and admin annex that can support some of those responses. So if there is a public health specific
response, a lot of our emergency operations plan already has outline for procedures and policy to be able to support what they're doing historically. Here are some real world examples that have happened within oh
the last I'm going to say five years. Um and how and and what departments really get involved. So, severe weather, very situationally dependent based on the severity of the weather. Um, if we have displaced residents, um, public health
could get involved. Red American Red Cross could get involved. If it's just a day-to-day storm, chances are I'm communicating with townships and that is kind of where it ends. >> Thanks for bringing that up. I I got a question and it was brought forth to me by some of the members out in the
public. Is that when Red Red Cross steps in, does public health step in with them or before them or or are they tied together or not? >> Good question. >> They don't necessarily have to be. Um Red Cross as basically a voluntary
organization. They have a 24-hour number that myself, public health, anyone in public safety could call and say, "Hey, we've had an apartment fire. We have five displaced residents, Red Cross can come in on their own and fund that without having to do any county
coordination. Um once it gets to be a little bit bigger or if the sheriff's office were to call me, I've actually reached out to the Red Cross a couple of times um to do some feeding at well specifically for for
SWAT calls um in the last few years and I've called and said, "Hey, we don't necessarily have any displaced people." However, this is not a a day. It is a day-to-day operation, but having a SWAT call that lasts a long time isn't that common. We have 100 people here
that are going to need food. Are you guys willing or able to help? Um, 100% of the time they've said yes. So, it's not that they necessarily come with public health, but depending on the size of the incident, public health may have some role in that.
>> Okay. I was just trying to understand their role alongside of >> y >> you know of the other company y agency. >> Um so co again I mean that's kind of an obvious handinand we work together um on
something like that. Same with H5N N1 Aven influenza. Um as that waxes and waines over the years. Um it's not uncommon that the public health director and I and Julie um have regular meetings depending on what what season of the
month it is or what season of the year, excuse me. Um essential services primarily fall under public health. Um they are a state required function through public health. That's not to say that as things grow like in COVID um that emergency
management and the EOC wouldn't help support something like that from a logistical standpoint. Same with the train railment. You know, if it tips over and it is a pile of rocks, not a big deal usually. If it is something
like crude oil, well, now we have a very serious response um that has a number of departments and a very heavy public health response as well from an environmental and public health impact. So, a couple of the things that we have worked on already um and actually I'm
looking at this list and for the sake of time um you know I I think you can review it but we don't necessarily need to touch on it. Most of it we've talked about in the last 10-15 minutes already. Um, with that being said,
any questions for either of us or anything we can expand on? >> No, that was very good explanation of how public health is so involved with emergency management, you know. >> Okay. >> Mr. Chair, I'm not seeing the
presentation. Can you forward that on? >> Yeah. >> Thank you. And I was just going to say it doesn't happen like this in every county that that they have a great working relationship between public health and emergency management and Kristen and I are really good that we've known each other. We both started about the same time so for 12 years. Um so this is a
really great collaboration that we have. >> Great. >> Thank you guys. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh >> did you >> Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. How about Katie and a cluster team? >> Okay. >> Would that be okay? >> Yep. Well, we're just moving all over
the place here. >> You want to turn the AC off anytime now, Mark? >> Yeah. Or check to make sure the furnace is even on. >> Did we pay our bill? >> Yeah. >> Katie, before you start, I I I want to go back. I I don't want the culture team to think that I'm against employees with
with the >> We will submit a work order. We will >> because I don't believe it's all the employees. No, it's not. I believe it's the bargaining. And I think if if people understand I think the employees need to voice their opinion to the bargaining people like hey listen this does matter
to us. They listen to the recommendations and and look at how many got changed today and there was a bunch changed before I and that's all I'm saying is I think it needs to get to the bargaining people like listen you don't want this to go away because this is good for the county and for the
employee. Mhm. >> That's all I was trying to do, >> you know. And we've heard this. We've heard this going through union negotiations and we don't get acknowledged for it at all. We just get beat up. >> So, I'm just going to say that >> we hear the negative ones, not the
>> Well, you never hear positive stuff. >> Yeah, >> I get it. >> Okay. >> Okay. All right. Well, good morning. Almost almost noon. >> Not anymore. >> Oh, it's not. Oh, boy. >> All right. Well, >> look at the time. forget that then.
>> So, uh the culture committee is based on we've got three subgroups. So, we've got benefits, we've got uh the relationships committee, and then we've got the retention and training. So, from the benefits part of that,
I've got a an update from Beth. They're working in collaboration with benefits advisory committee to implement Roth options for employees with nationwide and beginning in 2026 they'll be working with vendors to come out forformational
sessions for employees throughout the year along with sending outformational flyers. the training and re uh retention group will be absorbed into one or both of the other groups because they're kind of at
a dead end. So, um with that, the department of the month, we started implementing that this past spring and we're considering opening that up to the public. And the reason for that would be for the transparency
and potential recruitment. Um December Janu or December department of the month will be the auditor treasures office and I believe they're doing that next week. And January it's a combination of HR IT veteran services
and administration. So I don't know what they've got planned but we'll see. And also we were talking about wanting to change the name of the culture team and the reason for that is uh it's not so much culture. I think when most
people think of that they might think more like a DEI uh kind of a deal and that's not what we're about. or about engagement and um anyway with that
with the culture team named the culture team currently there's a lot less buy in from employees and we don't want that and it is somewhat misconstrued and I I totally get that if I was outside of the culture team I would have felt the same
way so we're working on that we are looking at probably more of an employee engagement type of term or something like that. Uh discussing we're discussing changing the name also for
open forums with you guys to possibly like uh coffee with commissioners or something like that. Uh reason being it's less intimidating for the employees to interact. There's probably more of a dialogue that can be made instead of
just the the presentation. Also, we're like you guys waiting on the survey to come back on Thursday. So, we kind of know maybe more where to focus and how we can execute that.
We're also looking with the departments of the month. We're looking into a department spotlight. So, that would coincide with the department of the month. What that would entail would be a video and we're working
we're working with possibly Sock Rapids and or Foley schools to do that maybe with the project. Um and I'll know more at 12:30 with that. But um that would be for more understanding
within our employee group at Benton County also to make it more public. That's for transparency. That's for recruitment. And it can probably go a lot further than that. So, um, al also with that, we're hoping with the
department that's being focused on that particular month that can boost morale. Um, and maybe create some recognition. Also, just the face to face to building relationships is key to building a successful
county employee group. So, that is all I have. I don't want to keep any more time. So, I appreciate what you guys do. I I truly get the behind the scenes stuff. I've got family involved in county government. I get it. So, thank you.
>> M Mr. Chair Katie, if I could ask back to the employee forum, coffee with the commissioners, whatever it's going to get named. >> Would location a location change matter instead of in the boardroom? >> I think it would matter. >> What comes to mind is maybe third floor
old boardroom. Yeah, I I do think it would matter. It doesn't have to be that way, but I think if if that's kind of the goal, >> Sure. >> I think that that would encourage more engagement. >> I think from my perspective, I mean, it doesn't matter where it's at. I mean, we
don't have to have it here, >> right? >> I'd be more than willing to go wherever that is to make it easy for people. >> Yeah. I I mean, personally, I don't care either. I I think if somebody says go to the county board meeting and meet the county board, I think that's a lot for for them to
just get over that hump. You know, I think it's probably more of a a mental obstacle, but >> Well, and it was designed I mean, it's supposed to be really informal. >> I know. Yes. >> Whatever we can do from my perspective to help with that. >> Yeah. and some of the things that we
even talked about at that culture team. Hopefully the new name comes out soon. But you know it maybe it's if they're intimidated. I mean I don't know why I'm intimidating by any means cuz >> I know why but I'm not >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. But you know if
we can't if we can't if we don't know the issue, we can't approach it. We can't you know what I mean? and and and I also see, you know, they don't they don't want to be, you know, we'll call it retaliated on. And that's not I mean, we've had some tough conversations and I
brought up an individual and I think that tough conversation that came to our forum actually helped the situation and I thought it was very good. We listened and it it made changes to the building.
>> Mhm. you know, it it basically restarted the process on a few things. So, you know, I encourage any employee to to come to these because >> in my opinion, I don't think retaliation's ever going to be uh out there. I don't want to say never, but it
shouldn't be. >> But at the end of the day, it it it can do a lot of good. >> I agree. Yeah. I think the more we can build a rapport between everybody that would >> Yeah. >> beneficial for sure. >> Yeah.
>> Anything else? >> Thank you. Just remember I'm listening. >> Yes. >> Well, and having said that, I'm going to head over there and >> we we won't be there. >> I know. No, I >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> How about Miss Trout and the Roth uh
item? Would that be fine? >> Sure. >> Okay. Hi, Jackie. >> Hello. >> Good morning. >> Afternoon. Afternoon. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. >> Well, today I'm here as the chair of the benefits advisory committee or the BAC. Um, we've been teaming with the culture
team, as Katie mentioned, quite a bit on benefits. One benefit that was brought up is we currently have a pre-tax 457b plan with Nationwide and MSRS. MSRS also has a 457b Roth option. nationwide does
not. So, um around early fall, it was brought to me asking, you know, would this be an option for payroll to do? They were just kind of feeling around seeing if that might be an option they can bring. Um and it just so happens that the IRS released um what is
referred to as the Roth ketchup mandate about that same time. Um, and so this regul regulation requires age-based ketchup contributions be made as a wroth if a participant per in the prior calendar year's FICA wages earned with
the employer sponsoring the plan exceeded $150,000. And this is effective one of 26. Um, so this affects probably a small group of people, but what Nationwide told us is if we don't have the Roth option plan
available that they will not allow the option for the age-based ketchups. So those people that are on that nationwide plan, if they want to make the age-based ketchups on their pre-tax plan, if we have no Roth option, they'll just say, "No, no, thank you." So, um, the BAC and
the culture team would like to recommend that we add the Roth option to the nationwide 457b plan, and I just need your approval to do so. >> Okay. >> You've earned the request. >> So, you being in payroll, this won't affect you too much.
>> It shouldn't affect us too much. It's another deduction code, which I'm never a huge fan of, but since we're already using this vendor, it's not quite as a hassle, but so yeah, it shouldn't be too bad. >> Okay, move for approval, Mr. Chair.
>> I'll been made and seconded to move for approval. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I opposed. Carried. Thank you, Jackie. >> Thank you. >> Uh, since we have guests here, how about the fee schedule then? Uh, Mr. Mr.
Chair, next that would be a public hearing on the fee schedule. This >> Troy is here for that. I know Christine and Sandy, they're here for the the fee schedule public hearing. >> So, okay. >> Yes, sir. Yeah. >> Next item on the agenda will be to conduct a public hearing on the proposed changes to the Benton County fee
schedule. Before we open the public hearing, we will hear from staff. That'd be you, Monty, or Christine or >> We'll take turns. We'll take turns. Yep. Yep. So, if you're ready, then Christine has the first batch of changes on page one. And remember, as you may recall, we have
the substitute page uh that is page two of of of the packet. So, please >> So, just a few changes um for us as far as the beer and liquor licenses go.
Removing that licenses will not be prrated. We will prorrate them. um the bottle club changing the name to display and consumption. Um and then with the liquor and beer
license, if it does take some entity more than two attempts to complete an application, there will be a $25 administrative fee per attempt. Um, and then adding in the property late
notice or property tax late fee, which would be applied on December 1st of $10. That's to cover the costs of late notices that we mail out. Um, and that would be for mobile home and real property.
and then changing the tobacco retail license fee from $150 to $200 and adding a transient merchant fee of $150. >> Are we taking these as individual or are we doing
>> Well, I think M it's important for having the record, you know, a short presentation from each department on on their changes and then and then open as a public hearing or any public comment. Sure. So if if Christine is done and Roxan would be next starting on page three.
>> Good afternoon commissioners. >> Good afternoon. Good afternoon. >> Uh so the first item is the parcel assessment for the assessor's office. Uh we had uh so we're going with $10 per parcel and that'll be assessed two
townships per parcel. Um now that we have uh become a true county. Um just going to briefly go through all this. There was some other just minor corrections and updates to the assessor's fees. Um, in the planning and zoning office, we did a minor adjustment
to the fees for septics, increasing most of the permits by $50. The bigger change was addressing the um type four and five septic permits and going to um a rate that is consistent with our contracted
rate since we do not have staff uh that are able to complete those inspections. um and then adding on a $50 staff fee for processing of those applications. And then uh the other item was the recorder's office addressing a couple of
fees that were statutory increases and then adding in the $75 per request for the judicial safety masking of information. >> Any questions? >> Thank you.
Mine is quick and easy because I already covered part of it. So, we're taking the licensing fees for foster care off our list as the state will be charging them. And then the personal representative just that's a very very rare instance in adult services case. We might need one of those just making that to an even $55.
>> Thank you, Sandy. >> Thanks. >> All the parts Good morning, Ward. >> Afternoon. >> Afternoon. Going too fast. Uh so, uh changes for the uh rates for parks. Um there's a few
changes as far as the rate increases for Lake View Center. um going from $250 per day to $450 per day for residents and 550 a day for non-residents.
And that would continue with uh two-day rental and 3-day rental. So two-day rental would go from 450 to 650 for residents, 750 for non-residents. Uh and 3-day would be $800 for county residents
and 900 for non-residents. Um um the other changes that uh we requested on here was for just for clarification as far as uh our weekly and monthly rates. Um making it easier
for campers who come in there and they want to book 10day stay. Um they get the weekly rates. So we broke it down per day for anything over 7 days or over which comes to 31.50 50, which is the same price as they're paying now, but it's just breaking it out per day instead of per seven days. And then the
same with uh 28 days consist consistent uh or more is $25 a night. Um, and then let's see, uh, camping fee for the season, um, is scheduled to go up next
year to 27 to $2,000 for the season, um, for seasonal camping. >> Excuse me, Jeff. So, is a park board or whoever is going to look at this, will that be going up every year then, do you think, instead of leaving it at 2,000
for two or three years and then looking at it again? I mean, is this a yearly thing that we're going to be looking at? >> Well, it has for the longest time. I think for quite a few years, it stayed the same and then since 23, we've been making increases. >> Steadily increased to try and catch back
up to where so we're competitive with other camp. I believe we did the seasonal increase phase in over is it three or four years? I forget exactly. It was at least three years >> cuz I think we recognized we were we were kind of behind on that >> but we we didn't want to like increase it so much all at once kind of ease this
in. So I I believe it was three years it was it was phased in. >> Okay. >> So I I just want to make sure that we're going to keep moving forward. >> Yeah. instead of staying at that same rate. >> They'll probably they'll probably reook at other areas around the area and then
adjust it accordingly. >> Okay. Thank you. And there is one more increase here that would be for the uh Ben in the river shelter. Um it'd be $100 for residents. It was $100 now, but
it's going to be $100 for residents, $150 for non-residents, and then a $50 um um a 50% uh uh uh discount for uh
nonprofit organizations. >> Okay. >> Thanks, Jeff. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Has the last batch of change. >> Good afternoon again, commissioners. I have uh three minor changes. Uh first
is more of a descriptive change. Uh there are two reasons that people come outside of Benton County to our jail. One is the law enforcement agency responsible for them has decided to house with us and that agency is sending them to us. The second um circumstance would be somebody who's sentenced to
jail perhaps in Todd County, Sterns County, wherever and it's advantageous for them especially for a work release purpose to do their time in Benton County. and they can request permission from the court to do that time locally here rather than the county they were sentenced in. We're just requesting that
a clarifying statement be added to our um our daily book, our daily fee for inmates indicating that fee applies to both people that are sent from another law enforcement agency and those who obtain permission to do their time in our agency to remove any ambiguity that
uh might come up and cause an argument. Uh second change, we're looking to increase the fee for an additional urinalysis in the jail. Um certain individuals in our jail, especially those who go out on work release, are required to uh provide your analysis to
make sure that they're abiding by the conditions of release. Uh there are times that certain uh substances come back in their initial uralysis that require a more comprehensive panel. That comprehensive panel is uh an additional charge to us. So, we're simply passing
along the charge that we get from the company to do the ur analysis to this inmate at $45. And then finally, the fee for a sheriff sale. We're proposing to increase $10 from $60 to $70. That fee
has been um stagnant at $60 for a very long period of time. This recognizes the increased cost that we have from labor and brings us a little closer to be in line with our surrounding counties. We're still uh quite a ways behind all of them, but it gets us closer. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Sheriff. >> We'll now open the public hearing. If anyone from the audience wants to address the county board on this agenda, please come to the podium and state your name and address >> or online.
>> Or online. Yep. Once again, is anybody in the audience or online that wants to address the county board? And last time, is anybody online or in the audience? >> Okay. Um,
Stephen >> Ryder. >> Okay, Stephen, we can't hear you. Stephen, we can't hear you. >> We cannot hear you. You appear to be unmuted, but we can't hear you, though. So,
I have headphones like that, too, and it takes me a while if I don't use them to figure out how to turn them on. >> No. >> Hey, Stephen. I I could offer you another option. You could call 9685060. That's that phone right there on the desk. If you wanted, you could call in
9685060. 9685060. Is that right? 50 60. >> I hope so. >> Hello. >> Yeah. Wonder at the top. Uh, Steve, are you able to give us a call? 968560.
>> Does he need the area code on there? >> I kind of assume probably know. Well, Mr. Chair, we might just need to move along then. >> Well, he's still got his hand up. >> Okay. Say move along. Yeah.
>> Final call for anyone in the audience or online that wants to come to the podium or speak on the fees change schedule. >> Does anybody know what he wanted to speak on? >> No, I don't. Okay. Are there any emails, letters,
communications >> be read in the record? >> No, sir. >> Has we received any comments from state agencies, cities, or townships? >> We have not. County Board will will now have time to discuss
time to questions of the staff and and as a reminder the to the audience or online that the public hearing is closed. Is there any questions comments from board members before I take this action? I >> think it's been well vented and everything else.
>> I'll make a motion to accept the new fee schedule >> for all department. Is there a second? I'll >> second. >> Motion been made and second to accept the proposed change change in fee schedules for 2026
>> effective January 126. Yes, sir. >> Last call for the other person. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All in. We did a motion to a second, right? >> Yeah. Okay. >> Did we close a public hearing? >> Yeah, we did. >> Perfect.
>> All in favor? I opposed. Carried. >> Ready to adjourn. >> Second. >> Not so fast. Perhaps, Mr. Chair, we could uh go back on the agenda to how about budget levy? What do you say?
>> Why not? >> Consider the final two. Would that be all right with you, sir? >> Yep. >> Okay. Um All right. Well, today's action represents a final board action on the propos I'm sorry, the 2026 budget and levy.
Um, of course, Mr. Chair, this information was covered extensively in the truth of taxation hearing on the night of December 2nd, but I didn't intend to cover it again yet today. Perhaps what I could do is just highlight a few changes from the proposed budget. So, the board had a
budget work session on December 3rd and made a few changes. And you may recall the proposed budget levy was a 9.56% increase. What you have today, and again, this is a consensus from that December 3rd committee, the whole was a 9.46%
increase. It's about 25,000 less than the proposed budget levy. I can give you the three um changes, the three major changes that explain uh that $25,000 uh reduction. We had to find $120,000
for three things. Uh in negotiations, we've agreed to increase the share of single coverage for health insurance from 80% to 85%. We also agreed to increase the VIBA HSA contribution from $250 a month to 283.
And you just heard the class comp maintenance uh program appeals. That was about 20,000. You add all those three things together, it's about 120,000 that we had to find because that was not in the proposed budget and levy. So how do we find it? Well, um there was a
realization that we had sufficient cash in our debt service fund to pay the remaining four years of debt service on a 2021 tax abatement bond. That saves about 350. Uh the board chose to use some of that to help reduce the reliance upon fund balance to help reduce the
levy for 2026 and that was about 205,000. And so when you add those three together, 120 increase, 350 reduction, and then also we're using about 205 less of fund balance than originally planned. That gets you the minus 25,000, excuse
me, and and between proposed and final. Um, and I think you know, Mr. J, you can see again that I didn't intend to go over the summary sheet um because again we covered that extensively during the truth of taxation and u not much has
changed in this summary. So um with that, Mr. Chair, again, you've got two actions before you uh the final 2026 levy and then the budget resolution. And with that, Mr. are happy to answer any questions that you
>> any questions >> have. >> So moved on the first one. >> Second. >> Motion been made and second it to >> adopt >> adopt the the resolution. >> Yeah. If we may for the record that
would be a 2026 certified levy of 20 million 27,290,413. >> That's my motion. >> Okay. >> Second. Yep. So, we've got a motion and a second for the resolution. Any other discussion? All in favor?
>> I opposed. Carried. >> Make a motion to adopt the resolution setting the 2026 Ben County budget as presented. >> A second. >> Motion been made and seconded to present the 2026 budget as presented. Any other
discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Carried. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Your next item is consideration of elected official salaries for 2026. It's a statutory responsibility of county
boards to set the salaries for the elected officials of our county. That would be the county sheriff, county attorney, and our treasure. This matter was discussed at December uh third committee. the whole the consensus that was reached appears on the table that's in your agenda item and those numbers
are also reflected in the attached resolution. So seeking your motion, Mr. Chair, on uh the attached resolution that would be this one that you got in there. >> It would be this. >> Yes. >> Okay. I'm looking for a motion and a
second on the elected official salaries for 2026. I I'll make a motion. >> We need a second. Is there a second? >> I'll second. Motion been made and seconded to consider the proposed
elected official salaries for 2026 as presented. There discussion other comments hearing none. All in favor? >> I opposed. Carried. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on. Second, the next item is uh it is a statutory
responsibility of county board to set the salaries for the county board. This matter was also discussed at the December 3rd committee the whole it was a consensus of the county board to keep the the salary unchanged for 26 and that's reflected in the attached resolution. Move approval.
>> Second. Motion been made and seconded to consider the county commissioner salary for 2026. Any other discussion on it? That says state there's it's zero raise. >> Yep. Zero increase. >> Yep.
>> Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I opposed. Carrie. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on. The next item is the pdeium for 2026. County board members. As noted in the agenda item or under Minnesota statute
or allow a pdeium for their service on the various boards and commissions. This matter was also discussed at December 3rd committee. The whole the board reached a consensus to keep the base PDM the same at $70. However, when a meeting or a series of meetings
exceed 4 hours in a day, the PDM paid for that instance would be $100 and that's reflected in the attached resolution. >> Motion to adopt the resolution set in county board for DM Ricks for 2026. >> Second.
It's been made and seconded to consider to adopt the county board predium rate for 2026. Quest comment >> either Monty or board chair can you kind of explain that
how the prediums are done because I think that there's some misconception out there by the public that assumes that we get a pdeium for this meeting. >> Yeah, >> we do not. >> No. >> Correct. >> Correct. And um so just the the I think
there I I counted them there was between 80 and 100 special um committees that this board is responsible for and just on those and any type of cows is anything that we would get paid a predium for. everything else. Whether
that's meeting with a constituent, whether that's um uh having a meeting like Jared and I did with somebody talking about um county engineering stuff, th those are on our dime, not on predium time, >> right? So, I just want to make sure that
that that's clear, that's out there, and uh if any constituent has questions, I would highly suggest you give your county commissioner a call so they can explain exactly how that works if you have any further questions. >> And there's a lot of times that we have three, four meetings a day.
>> Day. Yeah. >> At least. >> I I intentionally set up my meetings to fill the day so that I only got one day of meetings. >> Yeah. I can add it's noted in the resolution, Mr. chair chapter I'm sorry paragraph one it says as a matter of
county board policy pdeium shall not be paid for regular and special means of the county board that's a long-standing practice as long >> where pdeium is not paid for when you attend like this meeting today >> we got a motion in a second any other discussion all in favor
>> I opposed carried >> thank you sir uh the next one is commissioner Gapinsy perhaps would you like to take this one county matter okay This I will make this one quick. This is a no-brainer. Um it's just uh supporting resolution for Clay County's uh 40 bed
um uh juvenile non um uh nonsecure facility. Uh obviously there's a lot of beds that are needed out there. Basically, we're just supporting um the go the the state government to um hopefully come up with the funds to to
build this facility. Right now we've got like 160 beds in the state. Some one one is actually in Cold Spring >> to the Yeah. To my knowledge. Yeah. >> This is a 40 bed. You said >> this is a 40 bed. Um it was they did a
presentation at AMC uh at our uh uh public safety committee. Was a great great presentation and I think pretty much everybody's taken this back in. >> Okay. >> Are they looking at a specific city in Klay County? >> Uh good question. is there is a city but
I'm not sure it's right on the boardwalk but >> so they're just looking for a letter >> and they're looking for a letter of support resolution but uh right now there's a lot of our kids going outstate because there's enough not enough beds this is this would help alleviate some of this
>> y it's a no-brainer >> yep >> I'll make a motion uh to adopt the resolution >> I'll second it's been made and seconded to drop the resolution from for in support of Klay County. Any other discussion? All in favor?
>> I oppose carried. >> Lastly, Mr. Chair, I received this letter from Sherban County regarding a request of that county to join the Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance. I believe that Sherban has sent this to many uh counties and and believe some
have approved the resolution. Um so, it's here for your consideration. Um I that my impression of course is with the changes with the Shero power plant. >> Yeah. >> Uh some form of taxbased replacement has become a significant issue for Sherburn
County. U consequently I think they're interested in exploring other forms of you know power plants that could exist in their county. >> Move for approval. Mr. Chair. I'll second. >> Motion been made and seconded to approve the correspondent from Sherburn County
to support the energy alliance. Any discussion? It did go through environment and natural resource like flying colors. There was maybe about eight people that eight votes against it. >> So it does have support.
>> Any other discussion? All in favor? I oppose. Carried. Done. >> I've got a couple things, Mr. Chair. >> Okay. >> Um uh um on the the APO, we talked about
the Lark and Hoffman potential. >> Yeah. >> We in the Lark and Hoffman. >> Oh, yes. Right. >> For the uh additional lobbyist. Everybody's going back to their board to figure out what they're going to do and and stuff. But as we know, um,
our position right now with the federal government, with Emmer being the whip and Tina Smith and and Senator Smith being her last year, this is striking right now for County Road One project. >> And one of the things that we talked
about doing is regionalizing our um, lobbyist. So, one of the things that that I brought up and we tried to do out in uh um DC is pull money together uh from the APO standpoint. So, then let's
just say that that everybody's got $49,000, right? $48,000 contracts. Well, you're that's a great contract, but as Megan said at at the APO the other day, she's a Lark and Hoffman rep. That would be one of our smallest contracts. But if
we pull everybody together and just say let's just say, you know, we can't make decisions for St. Cloud or Sterns. APO did agree to move to uh Lark and Hoffman. So there's 48 grand. If everybody pulls their money right now
and all of a sudden we get to 150 or 160, 200, we become a a big fish in the pond and for them lobbying and they're there every week, every you know, every day going going and and lobbying for our
for our um needs. So, one of the things I want to I I want to propose to the this board is in light of County Road One project, I would like to see if we couldn't find the 22 24,000. We don't
want to go we don't so like Sterns, St. Cloud, and APO are all at 48,000 and and you got to be under 50 or else it goes to a certain bid or something like that. >> Yeah, that's what they said. There's there's something with the 48,000. We
don't want to make them go up. We wanted to come up with a per per capita type deal that that says, you know, they're not going to go up, but we as Benton County should come in and and do a little extra. Now, it doesn't have to be from years on end, but at least we start
it now, and if if it works out for us, great, we keep it going. If not, we back out of it later on. But I think spending 22 to 24,000 right now this year I think it's going to bring home >> the bacon.
>> We have a two or three year at 48 >> uh existing. Do you know >> we moved from David Turch and it was >> oh county oh from Larkin that's locally this is different correct >> this is different. This is an addition.
So you're saying Bettton Fund AP? >> We're at 456 for us. It's 3,800 a month. That's the state capital. >> Yep. >> 456 for the year, right? >> Yep. This would this this additional money would be just for the feds
>> to go and lobby for our our needs >> in our area. >> Yep. >> Because right now they really they really can't they shouldn't be lobbying at the federal level for Benton County because we're only state. >> Yes. Correct. And maybe they are, maybe we're getting a little free stuff.
>> I don't think we are right now, but but I >> But it would be nice to get something >> with with this raise bill. When we were out there last, Luke, and that's a touchy subject because Luke is no longer there, >> right? >> But um Luke was adamant that that we
need to get this raise bill grant in front of them as soon as possible because I don't know if you guys seen Emmer's Emmer's dollar amount, he's taken off. he still only gets 15 projects, but this wouldn't fall under his 15 projects. He
could push his his uh um support towards a raised build and get another project for us across the board. And as we know, a week and a half ago, there was another fatal on one of the intersections. So, this is our striking point. Yes, it's
additional funds that we didn't plan on, but I think the sooner if we choose to go this route, the sooner we do it, the better because she already said they're Monty, correct me wrong if I'm wrong, but she said they're already lobbying for money right now uh at the legislature level and the fed and the
federal government for them for all. >> I remember talking about position as it exists today and it may not >> may not exist next year. Exactly. >> Yeah. I I think we have to look back at first about questioning to spend
money on lobbyists or not. And we also have to look back at the amount of money >> that we received by doing this. >> Yes. >> You know, >> it's been an ROI. >> Yeah. The the 29 I I call it the
corridor, so I apologize, but that was $5 million that we got from them. We got money from our 29 roundabout, >> you know, and and we have to keep pushing this envelope to get that whole corridor completely built out,
especially with the recent fatality. >> Yeah. >> You know, so so unfortunately we have to spend money >> to get to the point of finishing some of these, you know, that whole corridor. >> Last year they had 480 million in raised
build grant funds available. This year they got 1.5 billion. >> Right. Okay. >> And last year they were short funding for about one billion. >> So we're right there. >> We're right there now. Yeah.
>> And I I I think our story is even greater this year with another recent fatality which we don't want to you know it you feel bad for the family and and stuff. So we got to get this fixed. >> We have to we've got to do whatever we
can. I mean, we've got very limited choices. We keep spending money >> for lobbyists to get this money or what's the worst case scenario? We're going to have to bond for it because we cannot keep having these fatalities on that stretch. >> Yeah. I truly believe that that if the
federal government gets on board, we're going to get the whole three mile segment. And >> and and we do have, you know, Tina Smith and Clober are on board with it, too. >> Yep. And they they talked when I was out there is is having um Emmer
um basically write the bill or push the bill and and Smith and Clolobashar's office both said they would 100% support it. >> Yeah. >> So it's got bipartisan support. >> Yep. >> How much do you have a dollar amount you'd like to see? >> We were talking between 22 and 24,000
>> million. >> Yeah. No, for the project is about 20 million. Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, plus we have no idea inflation. >> You were talking about the project or the cost? >> The cost. >> Oh, yeah. The the I I've threw out there because I'm just going we're we're half
of whatever Baton or Cerns County is. So, I just said 2224 somewhere in there. >> So, is there going to be a proposal coming from them? >> Well, I wanted to bring it here, but I could have a proposal at our next meeting. I I think if we could have a proposal and have it down to a certain
dollar, you know, certain dollar amount. >> Yeah. And maybe we split it and go instead of 22 24, we go 23 >> and do something like that. >> See what their proposal is. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. See what the proposal >> I do know St. Cloud is looking at it, but they don't know how quickly they can
act on it. Um APO, we voted to move forward uh with them. Uh same with Sterns. They don't they don't know how quickly they can move. They've got some inner >> Serburn has their own right now >> that they're locked into a contract with. >> I I would assume this will depend on all
of the other uh >> boards >> boards doing the same thing. Correct. >> Well, the here's the deal. I I talked to Megan and say I I can't guarantee that other boards are going to do this correct in the next two months or three months or a year. But I said you can see
our movement towards this. and she she agreed that okay, if if we go ahead and move forward, she would honor that. >> And I will say, I don't know about your perspective, but when I was out there with Chris, without somebody like a Megan, >> you're Yeah. You might as well just go out there and do nothing because you're
not going to get anything done, right? >> Well, you know, Jared, you and I been in being at the cap that >> I mean, that was just incredible. >> Grady's phenomenal doors that opened up. Megan's just as >> And Megan is equally >> phenomenal. Especially when it comes to
DC. >> Yeah. >> She's a she's a pitbull and and her and Emmer's son used to work for her. >> Yep. >> So >> So there's a lot of ties there that you would never have otherwise. >> There's this is one where we we I I think it's it's phenomenal money spent
to move forward. >> Okay. >> So >> well, I'd say bring a proposal at January 6th meeting and go from there. Let's just go from there. >> Okay. Perfect. You had two things you said. >> Yeah. >> You're out of time. >> One more thing.
>> I am tired. I I I get it. I get it. I I Everybody is is beating us up pretty hard. >> Mr. Leed again today, which I get it. You know what I mean? >> But this uninformed the the this this information that people are throwing out
there is what gets everybody. Do >> you going to Mr. L? Do you think in the future when he comes that the chair can if you're gonna go on and ramp and you not use proper language that we can shut him down. >> We have to
>> has the opportunity to do that at any given time. >> May I suggest that I think we have an open forum process that we can follow that says >> that it's taped to the right there to your >> Okay. >> Yeah. Right there. >> And and where I'm going with this is I'm
done hearing that people are busy. I'm done hearing about people have families, people have sports, people can't make this meeting because of war. That's why they elect us. And if they can do all of that,
then they should put their name on the ballot, right? And and and do that. But this this thing this this deal about saying we're busy and we can't be there. the whole group was there was a big group here today >> but they didn't come at 8 when we were
here >> for another major thing you know and and all I'm saying is is there a chance a 1 in perspective that by us going to all of these meetings that we attend whether the communities of the whole the airport
authority the APO the whatever human resource whatever is there a chance we have a little bit more information to make decisions on than the public. >> There's a high chance. >> Exactly. And that's and that's what everybody is is forgetting about. We
can't control their day, but they elected us, so they're controlling our day and we're supposed to be representatives of them. Correct. And to sit here and and and hear some of these things where we're so busy, we can't do
this, we can't I missed my my daughter's parents night by five minutes by staying here 10 minutes longer than I said I was going to to get beat up. >> Yeah. >> We made this decision to put our name on the ballot. So, I hope people look at that and go, listen, and this is coming
for somebody that pushed it to the vote. Mhm. >> We continue to take this this this beating and it it's like >> we know so much more. Nobody has nobody's looked at the committee of the whole minutes yet. Nobody has asked for those.
>> You know, we tried to adjust our schedule to meet in the evening one night too and still still everyone's too busy even in the evenings, you know. So I I agree with you, Commissioner Gapinsky. Disappointed. We are the And we've heard it from the architect
>> from the And I'm not just saying just this. It's >> it's our our 60some thousand wage that we get. >> You know, there's there's so much misinformation. >> I was going to tell Frank, I would appreciate if you would approve my wage at that rate. >> You know, you know, you just open up. He
just gets more angry when you >> It's and it's misinformation that is getting out there. We did have a couple there was a couple people that were going to show up for this meeting that called and one was here before and explained to what the process was and
elected not to come today. Yeah. >> Because you know there is s there is sensible people out there that if you do a little conversation and explaining to them we're okay. >> Yeah. >> But it's the one I'm not trying to >> is you can't you if they don't reach
back out you can't have those conversations. I I was sent several emails and I will tell every one of you on this board that I reached out to all of those emails. I said, "I will meet with you. I will buy you a cup of coffee. I do want to hear your thoughts,
your ideas, your positions on the budget and your suggestions. That is important to me." >> And no response, not a single response back from any of those emails. And then again, this was back earlier. And then
again, a week before we go to make the final decision on the on the budget, I also sent out an email to those same people saying, "I'm sorry, I haven't heard from you. We are coming up on final budget. I would really like the opportunity to meet with you."
>> No response. >> Yeah. I I don't know what more to do, but I can tell you guys this much and you probably have all sat on other boards and know this, but 13 years sitting on the township board to get people to come out to the meetings and and get involved in their local
government is not an easy feat. No, >> you could try a lot of things till you're blue in the face and some people just it's not their forte. That's not what they want to do. I don't know how to make that happen. Well, in closing, from my standpoint, I'm not trying to grip on the public.
I'm not trying to be belittle them at all. I'm just I'm just hoping that we can all tell our constituents, listen, there's a reason that we we spend 20 hours or more a week on county meetings.
And you look at it and go there. I I got to ask that question again. Is there a chance we know more based on what we're in on in these meetings and the information we get that we try and give out to the public, but if the public doesn't want to come these public
meetings, we it's hard to short of getting a telemarketing company started by the county. I don't know how we do it. >> And to your point, are we privy to more information? Yeah, >> absolutely. But 99.9% of it is public. >> Yeah. >> And that is correct. and it's up to
them. >> So, you know, >> so that's that's where I was just going. And once again, I I I I I'm glad everybody's engaged in stuff like that, but but we need to be engaged all the way through because that's where you get a lot of your background for the
decisions that are being made. >> That's correct. >> And I don't know how you get that out. >> Yeah. We got to get Okay. Okay. >> Okay. You're invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the ODM Medical Center here
in Foley. Uh that is I believe that's Friday, right? That's Friday this week at noon. >> And uh BEP uh sincerely requests your attendance at this uh ribbon cutting ceremony if you have if you can make it please. That's noon on Friday just over
here by the court facility. Micah is having its annual legislated forum. That's Thursday, January 29th, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker. That's
Thursday, January 29th. It's beginning at 11:00 a.m. It actually conclude it it concludes uh uh at about 5 looks like. So that's in Becker, >> same day as AMC conference.
>> And that's all we have, Mr. Chair. Is there an AMC nuts and bolts over that time period, too? >> Uh, I don't think that's the same time. >> No, I don't think they looked at that. I believe that just came over in another email today. >> I haven't. I'm like, I wonder. >> Yeah, I think if you've been to these before, they typically have a
legislative panel, local legislators on the agenda, >> conference, and Alex. >> Um, it does include lunch >> 27th, 8th, and 9th >> of >> January. Yeah, but it probably ends at noon, so you can hurry up and get there. >> Mr. here. Uh,
>> Micah asked for RSVPs. Could we get a sense of who would be interested in going to the Micah Angel Legislative Forum on the 29th? >> It's on the 29th. >> I will be January 29th. >> January 29th. >> You said the ditch conferences then too. >> I have on my calendar. It's the 27th, 8th, and 9th. It is the ditch the ditch
the drainage conference. Okay. >> Do you have it where that one day? >> Alex. >> Alex. >> It's usually always at Arrowwood, right? Yeah. Yeah. >> I generally come home Wednesday night anyways, but probably will be at the Pebble Creek. >> Okay, that's one. Commissioner Johnson. >> Anyone else? >> Yes.
>> Yeah, I'm I'll be there. >> Commissioner Pop, of course. >> Put me What day is that of the week? >> It's a Thursday. >> Put me down for >> Commissioner Ginsky. Okay. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> That week? >> I'm on vacation now. >> Okay. >> Uh, so that's all the cows we have, Mr. Chair.
>> Okay. Move for approval of the cows. Second. >> Motion been made and second to set the cows. Any discussion? Subway. >> All in favor? >> I I should approve. >> No updates, right? >> Good. No, let's get >> No updates.