All right, good morning everybody. It's 8:30. We'll call this morning's meeting of the Klay County Board of Commissioners to order for Tuesday, August 19th. First item is the approval of the agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I'll offer a motion to approve the agenda. >> Second.
>> We have a motion by Commissioner Mojo, second by Commissioner Barry. Any further discussion? Any further discussion on the motion? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose the same sign. Motion carried. And I do want to note that there was
another um donation from Johnson's Auto Repair to the Sheriff's Department uh for the K9 program and we certainly appreciate their continued their continued uh contributions to that
program. So, thank you. All right. Next, we have citizens to be heard. Do we have any citizens to be heard on items not on the agenda? >> See none in the audience. Any online? >> None. Mr. Chair, >> thank you, Steve. We'll move on then to
the approval of the bills and vouchers. >> I'll make a motion to approve the bills and vouchers. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Bayer. Second by Commissioner Abinger. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? None. All in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. >> Oppos the same. Motion carried. All right. Approval of minutes from August 5th. >> Move to approve the minutes of August 5th. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Krabnoff and
second by Commissioner Abbinger. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose the same. Motion carried. All right. We'll move into our request to fill a full-time detox technician
position. Morning Troy and Kathy. >> Good morning, Mr. Chair, commissioners. Yes, today we are here to request our approval to fill a full-time detox position. We recently had a resignation
and uh this is a budgeted position and just looking to get back to full staff. It looks on the salary calculation piece there will be some savings.
>> Yes, possibly depending on who applies within. >> Okay. Are you needing an a back fill in this? >> Uh I don't believe so. >> Other questions? >> One question. Yes. Go ahead, Commissioner Bear. Once this position is filled, will you be fully staffed over
>> with technicians? >> Technicians. >> I'm still looking for nursing. >> With that, Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to fill the full-time detox technician position at the withdrawal management detox facility with backfill if needed.
>> Second. >> Right. We have a motion by Commissioner Bayer, second by Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I.
>> Oppose. The same sign. Carried. All right. Good to go. >> Thank you. >> You. Next, we have our budget presentation from the Fargo Moride West Fargo Chamber and the Greater Fargo Morid EDC Innovate 2028.
We have Shannon and Joe here this morning. >> Morning. >> Morning. >> Morning. Good morning, commissioners. Uh, thank you for the opportunity to be here today. Uh, as you know, uh, my name is Shannon Fo, president of the Fargo Morehead West Fargo Chamber, joined by
my colleague, Joe Reo. And so, we wanted to give you, uh, an opportunity to hear a little bit about the work that we've been doing uh, with investment dollars that you have made through our innovate 28 uh, and then obviously make a budget request for 2026. So, uh, we may all
jump right in. Uh as you know, Innovate 28 is a uh joint partnership between the chamber and the economic development uh corporation. Uh it's a 4-year uh initiative really focusing on three major areas of public policy, workforce, and business development. As we all
know, we are uh a growing community, but we need to have intentionality behind that growth as well. And this uh plan uh dives into that. So, I'm going to start first with uh talking about public policy. This is a piece that as you all know um uh the county has been very
engaged with us and uh it's a it's a significant amount of work that we do here on the Minnesota side with your help and partnership. We've seen significant um uh growth in this area. We've seen a lot more recognition of our region. uh a lot more clout as we are
looking at the issues that are important for our growth here uh and uh strengthening our voice uh down at the capital but also with our business community as well. So some of the areas that we worked on over this past year uh again with the help of all of you uh and
the help of our business leaders uh the the city as well uh although we would have loved uh the flood mitigation to be more and need it to be more. It will be a continued per uh push that we will have at the capital. Uh 9 million was uh
dedicated statewide. Now, it'll be a part of uh continuing to strengthen that voice to make sure we can get as much of that uh those dollars here as we possibly can. The the residential uh psychiatric residential treatment facility, I know, was a a big priority
uh of the counties. It's a piece that we added to our legislative priorities and uh spoke very uh passionately about that down there. Uh in addition to that, there were other pieces around uh the R&D tax credit that will allow our companies to stay competitive uh and
pushing for that expansion. Um also trying to minimize and limit the regulation component of this. Again, um uh we have uh significant border cities components that we also looked at to make sure that we can stay competitive with our neighbors uh on the North
Dakota side. And then um the the paid family leave is another uh continues and will continue to be a massive issue for our businesses. We have a lot of businesses very concerned about January 2026 is the start of paid family leave.
Um yes, they reduced it from 1.2% to 1.1%. I don't know if that is really a a strength. uh more so we do have our relationships have been strengthening with deed even though we may disagree with them. Uh the deed um uh
commissioner and staff uh the staff will be here on September 15th for another business leaders uh um conversation about this. The last one we had 65 business leaders attend. Uh we're going to ask some more hard-hitting questions of deed around the implementation of
this. uh as we know this also will directly affect the county as well considering public sector is not um uh not uh excluded from that. So uh the other important role that we play uh from a public policy standpoint is the
convening side of things bringing business leaders, community leaders uh elected leaders together um uh to have discussions on the critical topics that we have. So, uh, we had, um, a numerous different events, um, that worked in partnership again with the county and
the city, uh, of of Morehead. Uh, Senator Clolobashar's tariff event, uh, was a significant conversation about, uh, tariffs and what's happening, um, especially with our proximity to, uh, Canada, uh, our neighbors to the north. that is a a concern of ours, but also
just uh general tariff uh regulations or or um I should say um uh the the tariff um new requirements coming on that are affecting our businesses. The Governor Walls round table in on April 16th uh meeting with statewide partners on flood
mitigation. Uh that was a really well attended event. uh um we again were able to um have a very succinct message to them from through the diversion and the flood authority but uh we'll continue to try to find those events in the future.
Our roundt events with leaders and legislators continue to to great have strength and then our session previews and session wrap-ups where we're actually able to hear from our state leaders about uh what the progress was uh during the year. As you all know, we
also convene um two major um pieces uh of interest here for the county. The DC flyin was our largest flyin we've ever had. that 41 business and community leaders traveled to DC. We were able to um get meetings with uh face-to-face
meetings with uh significant cabinet leaders like um uh Secretary Gnome as well as uh Secretary Bergam, uh Congresswoman Craig, Congresswoman Finstead, uh along with our local congressional delegates as well. And so
it was a very um productive and very impactful flyin. Uh the next is our Morehead area day at the Capitol. Again, 34 business and community leaders joined us there. Uh this was another uh this one continues to grow and the strength of this isn't just in numbers. It's in
who we're actually able to have conversations with as well and advance those priorities. So, we know as a as a greater Minnesota community how important it is for us to have a strong voice uh and also to build a coalition uh which is one of the things that we'll
be focusing on is how do we strengthen our greater Minnesota coalitions to strengthen the voice going forward. So for 2526 really um looking at a couple major areas um building up our center for civic engagement um we all have
talked about uh and seen across the country there is a continual decline in civic engagement. So that's everything from getting candidates to run for positions like yours but also um in our middle schools in our high schools uh a lack of civics uh and focus in our
college campuses. Uh and so the center for civic engagement is going to focus on um getting out the vote uh to showing up uh understanding your ballot to showing up to actually serve in positions like this school board um
state level leadership. Um on September 25th we will have our CE our first CEO's uh dinner about the center for civic engagement. So uh more to come on that. Uh we'll continue to engage with our elected leaders and business leaders. um
and um build up candidate and employer toolkits um also to support the center for civic engagement. That's a pretty massive agenda item. In addition to that, you all know the lobbying and the um advocacy component of this will
continue. We look forward to working in partnership with you on the uh um priorities that are most important to the county and making sure that our voice is is one that is uh collective uh and continues to resonate at the state level. We'll uh turn it over to workforce now.
>> Excuse me. Good morning. Thanks for the opportunity. Um I do want to make a connection here and the importance of the alignment of this initiative um especially as it relates to public policy. So, um, one of the things that, uh, Shannon and Kale and the EDC team,
including myself, have have continued to work on, but are working on even more is how are we making sure that as our chamber uh, partners go in front of um, legislative policy issues that they have data from the companies in our region
um, to support those positions. And so, uh, just in the last, um, session, um, I think on a weekly basis, Kale and I were on calls, um, talking about what information we have within our databases because of the outreach we do, um, to companies across the region that can
support public policy. And I think that's one of the benefits of this alignment and this relationship for the benefit of of Klay County and and our entire region. Uh, as Shannon said, you know, workforce development is is is really the the area of focus um that we
know if we can do well, our region's going to win. Right now, we still have over 8,600 jobs being posted by companies across the region. And we know in order for us to be successful, we have to focus in a comprehensive way um to be successful. uh doing so uh as the
EDC as many of you know we've taken um the lead on the workforce attraction uh for the region um you know having the site uh live in FM area uh to support um bringing people here who just don't know what this region has to offer
authentically who we are um I'm happy to say that right now we have over 20,000 individuals um from around the country who are um we're keeping track of they're keeping track of us learning about what it's like to live, work, and play here. Uh, and that that uh
relationship continues to grow. Uh, so um very successful uh outreach that's happening. Uh we're doing that with alumni um from our institutions um which obviously is important because they already have a relationship uh here and uh um so but they may have not been here
for 10, 15, 20 years and we know how things have changed uh for the better for everybody. Uh we're also um doing direct recruitment assistance. So, there are companies across the region, here's an example of a handful, um that we work with one-on-one um to identify people
that they need um to recruit into the area. Uh healthc care is one that we don't have a company listed, but it's obviously the largest area of need uh that we have for our health care uh providers. Um and we've been doing very targeted support of of uh their needs um
to individuals around the country. Uh this is a a video um that we want to just play. It's about a minute. Um this is a program that we developed to help our companies recruit u people not only in the region, but it maybe inform students that are going through the
trade uh expo that the chamber puts on um to give them uh an experience that they may not have had and couldn't have because they might not be able to get into the facility. So if you'll play that, that'd be great. >> Or do I get to play it? I think you can do it. >> I It's my control. Well, maybe
>> you get to do it. >> I'll do it. Here we go. >> The number one thing I'd say is this will change your recruiting for sure. It doesn't matter how, you know, deep your culture is or how much you can speak to how great your company is. Being able to
show it versus tell it is indescribable. I guess you you you cannot get that same uh wow factor, that same effect from describing it as you can from putting them in the in the experience. And when you're inside that headset, you know, the web experience is is great, too, but
when you're inside that headset, you really feel like you're there. Um, you know, we have a couple shots in ours where we're up on catwalks and we're looking down and and people have that feel of, oh my god, I'm up high. Um, so you can see they're really reacting to it and it's really like they're there and I you can't put a price on how great
that is. >> So So this uh is a a virtual reality experience created by Be More Colorful right here in our region. We have 14 companies who've had this created this experience. And I I I saw a picture I
think of the career and tech expo this past year where you know a student's got the headset on and they're looking around and then they're talking to a representative from American Crystal Sugar. It's just a really um engaging way uh for people to understand what's happening in business and industry and
really proud of that. >> I'll turn it over to >> So So in addition to the attraction, clearly it's a numbers game. we don't have enough people, enough bodies uh to fill the positions. So, we have to uh look at both bringing people into the region, but also making sure that we
have uh we're retaining as many of those students as we possibly can. We also are uh upskilling those individuals into positions that are in high demand and high need. And so, the um the chamber continues to work on the retention and the development aspect of this. Uh
career awareness and retention is a is a specific part of this. So, uh, a lot of work is being done right now, uh, with K12 and higher education on, uh, career awareness and exploration. As Joe mentioned, uh, the chamber has, um, just
been asked to, uh, take on the health, tech, and trades expo. So, this is about uh, over 4,000 students will come through uh, the expo uh, this year. and uh formerly the the business industry or the building uh industry association. Uh
we're doing that now in partnership with them, but under our leadership, uh we will continue to look at how do we amplify this? How do we grow it and expand it um and make it a little bit more innovative, continue to have it be hands-on. Our adventures program is our teacher immersion program. This year we
were able to move this into continuing education credit. So we have had about 40 teachers that were immersed in 27 different companies. Uh and this is to give teachers and educators real world examples of uh what are the skill sets that are needed? What are the top high
demand jobs? How do I teach that to my students? Uh and then um when we look at um the attra the attraction inclusion and and retention component, I'll touch on a couple of the numbers on the next slide. Uh I mentioned that uh 32
educators uh we actually had 36 by the time I think it all said was said and done uh with those 27 businesses for adventures. Um over 3,000 students at the health and tech trade expo the 250 um participants. We also are looking at
our companies are really wanting to do and needing to do that uh more with work-based learning. So you think about internships, apprenticeships, the importance of us having companies that are doing that. So, we've put together um both some training um components for
companies to use. How do I do a good internship? What does this look like? Can we model this? Um we also had uh webinars on what work-based learning really looks like. How do I get engaged? Um because what we're hearing from companies is it's difficult to navigate that system, especially if you're
working looking at multiple school districts over two different states in um multiple colleges. And so we're really trying to streamline that through these these initiatives and efforts. We also are um convening industry sector
partnerships. This is in our major areas of focus, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, IT. Uh and these areas are um bringing business leaders together with educators um with government and um nonprofits to really understand
specifically for manufacturers. What are we needing? how are we advancing that? Over 300 have attended that. And then our um concierge program is really um taking off. This is our um acclamation program where when we're bringing in uh
people from outside of the area, not only that prospect, but also their spouse or their family unit. uh really doing um and giving white glove treatment to allow them to say um what is the stickiness that the the counties the community offers and how we can make
sure that we are connecting them to the right resources so that they stay uh that is continuing to um uh advance with um companies similar companies that Joe showed um uh on the screen as well. So the talent and workforce development
component is a large section uh of focus of the work that we're doing. Uh but we are definitely moving the needle. Uh we just need to move it a lot faster and farther. So >> and and I think on that front, you know, um when we think about um the the
outreach to our high school students and to the college students who are going through the system right now in our region, uh we're putting on the third um bioscience summit on October 15th and 16th. Um we have um students both in the high schools in in the region and here
in the county um and also um MSUM, Concordia, uh MState. They're bringing students through to meet with the companies because we obviously want to connect them to the bioscience industry and the healthcare industry here in the region. Um so that's you know some definitely want to share with you today
so you know that that's happening. Uh and we're partnering with the chamber on kind of the career exploration piece to that. Uh, also, you know, Shannon mentioned the workbased learning. Uh, it was just announced yesterday. I saw on social that, um, uh, Golden Pass Solutions who has the Compass system
that's partnered with the chamber and the business community. Uh, Concordia, uh, is the first private institution using that system uh, in our region and they announced that yesterday. So, I think that's good news to show that connectedness. As far as business development goes, I'll be very quick on
this um, because we want time for some Q&A. Um we set a very lofty goal of 130 projects that we would work on over the course of four years. Uh to date there have been se 12 successful projects. Uh just one announced yesterday if you saw uh in the paper on the news applied
digital uh is investing a small $3 billion um in a facility uh here in the region that we know is going to have huge impacts uh for uh its relationships with higher ed with other companies. um you know just um puts our name out there
at even a stronger level. Um and we're continuing to work with them. You'll see more information. I think they're going to have a information session next Monday uh on on that particular project. Um we're continuing to work on attraction. Uh this is just a list of
some of the conferences that we've attended and will be attending. Uh some we're putting on as I mentioned the bioscience. Many of them are happening in this region, which is great because we're bringing in hundreds of people who have no experience of what's going on here. Uh so we're allowing them to have
giving them that experience. And then um just wanted to mention we're continuing to support what we call our document ready site program. Uh the Mara Industrial Park obviously is is the the one identified uh asset that we're selling here in Klay County uh along
with others across the region. Uh our site consultants uh were in uh this past year. They were just in a couple months ago uh looking at that site. Um also looking at the uh former Annheiser Bush facility to talk about how we could find
another util utilizer of that um property. >> So our um so the work that we're doing continues as you know it's a public private partnership. Uh we have just about $3.9 million is what's raised per
year. Uh uh the public the public sector or the private sector dollars are matched with public sector dollars. Uh we use uh dollars that Klay County uses along with Cass County dollars uh to leverage that. In all honesty, um it is a uh it is what has made this
partnership as effective as it is is because we've had both the public sector and the private sector at the table. And so we are very appreciative uh of the investment that you made in that in this first year, the year that we're in right now. We hope that you look favorably upon investment in the future at the
same uh level or greater if you so choose. But uh the next investor briefing is October 21st. As investors, all of you are invited to join us and we'll make sure you all receive that invitation. We do these investor briefings in person twice a year and
then you get a um a written um update on the progress in the opposite quarters. And so um but by all means if there's ever an opportunity that you want to hear from us more frequently or you'd like us to come uh and engage with you, we're happy to do so. Um we'll now stand
for any questions that you may have. >> All right, questions. Maybe not a question, but comment. I And I I'm going to start off by saying um um this past year during the legislative process, there was an awful lot of time
spent in St. Paul on two critical areas that Klay County had set as priorities being the flood protection and the PRTF. And um this board had designated commissioners Mojo and Krabanov to be
you know in the capital uh uh representatives on behalf of the board. But along with that was the chamber was there and uh I want to just emphasize how much the our two commissioners came back and and said how wellcoordinated
uh things were when they were in St. Paul and Avid had to do with kale. And so I just, you know, I just we recognize that and we really appreciate those efforts um that have gone on. And and when it comes to the funding um we
actually have a another topic on our agenda for later this morning talking about a lobbyist because we're down to some critical time frames for um for get helping get some of these needed funds. And um we certainly don't do that or we
won't be looking at that because we're not satisfied with the efforts and the help that you've had added. But just the fact that uh it's required these two to spend an awful lot of time there. Uh and they probably could have even spent more time than than what they did. And so
we're going to be having that discussion. But I I just want to really um thank you for uh those efforts. And I think back to the days when I was serving on the Greater Fargo at EDC. Uh I remember early on uh the goals were to try to bring in more high-paying jobs
into the region. And you know I I think that's now it's become the opposite of that. It's well not the opposite of that, but it's become >> okay now we have we have some pretty um enticing opportunities for people to
come here and now it's become how do we get the workforce here >> so it's it's kind of a role reversal in in some ways Joel compared to early on in my days uh when I when I served on that board but um
it's a nice problem to have that we have the jobs available But now to get the people to be here. >> If I could, Commissioner, I think, you know, um the evolution of of economic development, the relationships between our two organizations, you know, coming eight years ago and where we are today.
Um because of quite frankly the leadership that our organizations have seen through the counties coming together, the cities, the private sector. Um you know, it doesn't happen overnight. And as you said, um, we're we're sort of have this opportunity of
we have to attract companies and we have to attract people because when people look at a market, they want to see that there are a number of companies, a number of places that they can work. Um, and doing both is critical and continuing to grow that entrepreneurial spirit which really comes a lot out of
our our colleges and universities. Um we you know most of the companies that have been here that started here I think if you look at their leadership they probably went to Concordia MSUM and DSU right um so it it's there's there's more work to be done but there's more
opportunity within that work >> and and commissioner if I might add uh to so thank you for the comments on on the public policy I'd be remiss if I didn't say uh Kale is a rock star and we're very lucky to have him he's very committed to the work we're doing he's very committed to the partnership that
we have with the county. Uh, and it really is about leveraging. So, how do we leverage dollars to the greatest extent that we can? And so, I I'm uh encouraged that you're looking at the lobbyist side of it. I do know um how important that is and our voice to have
uh Klay County's voice at a consistent level in at the capital is an important as well. Whatever we can do to help uh in that process, if we can leverage that, give recommendations, whatever that might be, please let us know. We're happy to do so. So, >> and and that's probably one of the
things that I was going to suggest in before we, you know, we have to first determine if that's the route we're going to take as a as a board and if so, how would we do that selection process and we might we might um >> please >> get lending an ear there to >> please call on us. We've got some ideas
on expertise in some of those areas. So, >> and I I just want to I know Commissioner Eber has up, but I just wanted to state the the efforts um that we've had over actually since the 2009 flood >> and our flood mitigation process that
we've gone on and the efforts that we've done it not only was it was to save our community, but to build it. And um Joe, what you just talked about with this proposed new AI facility, the $3 billion
plant, >> I doubt that would have ever been uh considered had it not been for knowing that there was permanent flood protection in this area. >> You are very correct on that statement >> and and I and I'm and I'm guessing there's going to be uh you know, we're scheduled to have that completed by the
end of u by the end of 2026. And my guess is there's going to be more to come in that area. Now, I I get it that there's, you know, I just saw it yesterday, too, and and there's some comments of concern about, you know, is it going to raise electrical rates and all that, but those things will work
themselves out, I'm sure. And >> and I've seen some response from the electrical industry that no, it won't. Uh so, um so we'll see. >> These decisions are not made lightly on projects like that. when you talk about utility usage, um, companies like Manota
and Cass County Electric are very aware and put the effort into >> um, when those decisions are made knowing they have things lined up. >> Sure. >> Commissioner Ebing, you go to >> Yeah, I just want to I kind of echo some of Commissioner Campbell's comments.
chamber has been remarkable in working with us on our local issues and bringing you there and you bring in our business community when we need to address our leaders out of St. Paul. We've got a voice there now in the chamber and kale
are very much part of that. I went up twice this last session and it was gruesome. Um and I'm not being being dramatic. It was Commissioner Krabanov, Commissioner Mojo earned their earned their CIB doing
this truly. And Kale was there both times. I was up there and he was there when when they were there. Uh we got heard and they know we're out here now and it's very much on on
uh you can be credited for that. The chamber can. We're also looking at a lot of things happening in this county uh between uh business interest coming from White Earth >> uh obviously the jet fuel plant these
things are all happening and we really want to reach out to the uh economic advisors that our smaller communities have and you've had people there at the meetings uh you know we want to support am this
whole entire county is going to be growing. It's not just going to be agricultural. And I lived in two different communities where I saw that happen. I'm old and I s had decades to look back what happened to Dallas Fort Worth and what happened to Northwest Arkansas
and uh what was cotton fields or soybean fields at one point ends up a real hot bed for for business. And uh we appreciate the support you and your staff have given us in reaching out to our rural communities and we're going to
continue. We have quarterly meetings now with the EDAs and we're going to continue to work with them. So I appreciate your efforts. >> Great. Thank you, Commissioner. And we uh we would welcome that opportunity as well to uh if there's opportunity where you'd like us to be at the table for
more of those meetings um with our rural communities. We believe that's also very important that we're able to provide resources to the rural communities that may need it as well. So, please let us know that. We're happy to engage. >> Great. Yes, Commissioner Mojo. >> Thank you. Uh I echo the sentiments of
my colleagues. I mean, I I think it as serving on your public policy committee and having spent a lot of time in St. Paul with Kale, uh I really appreciate that joint uh collaboration. We heard a lot from folks at the capital um how
amazing it was that you had workforce and business community supporting the initiative of the entire region >> and how that's not necessarily something that you see in other areas of the states. I'll I'll take that further to um how closely aligned we as a region
work with our partners in North Dakota and having um the avenue for us to create and advocate with folks on the North Dakota side I think is also really important. It elevates what we're talking about as a a a piece of the Red
River doesn't separate us. it really defines us and really helps unite us in a lot of the work and uh just can't speak enough on that piece uh to maybe a segue in regards to the the site uh shovel ready site pieces. I really
appreciate Joe that you've got those on uh I think it's your site, the Innovate 28 site, but um >> also how they're incorporated in the Minnesota shovel ready site program pieces. I know it's only the 20 acre piece, but um it's really helpful for us
as we have these conversations as um you know, just last week uh Commissioner Bear and I were talking with a business in Klay County who understands that the challenges but but really is wanting to get the most out of being in the region. And so we appreciate that. But um to
have those shovel ready sites that we can bring forward when businesses say maybe they want to relocate or um get more land or less land. I think to have those uh varied acre components is really important too and and the
documents are very valuable. So thank you for having those um available. I think that's really good. >> Oh, thank you commissioner. One one thing I'll share with everybody is this past year um MSN I know CNBC did a study with the uh site selectors guild which
is the largest makeup of of site selectors globally and they look at the top factors for um location business location and for the first time in a decade um having available sites was on par with the workforce uh needs. So it's
really a one-two punch. you have to be able to approve that workforce. Um, and you have to have a a facility or a piece of land that has the infrastructure ready to build on. And then my further piece, and I think I say this every year, is um we're really excited about
um the big broad businesses that are bringing, you know, three to seven billion dollars into the region. I think that's fantastic. I also think it's great when we um can help foster an environment where mom and pop shops can thrive too. And so, you know, I I think
we're talking all over the spectrum and that's tricky and that's hard, but we've done a great job, I think, of including that as part of um the discussion. When a $3 billion project comes to the region, there are also some challenges
that come with that in regards to how we plan services or plan school districts, plan for for all of those pieces. And what I will say, I've said for a long time, is we need to be part of that dialogue so we can help bring all of the planning with. Um, and there's been
years where maybe we haven't been great about that. But I will say now I'm I'm seeing we've made a breakthrough in regards to you've got school districts part of the dialogue, part of the planning, part of the initiative. So they can get the ball rolling on what
are the needs that we will see as these newer employees with families come to the districts and all of a sudden a 600, you know, employee plant has children that, you know, need to be in school, too. So, um, those things take time and
I think, um, we we've done a good job of in being inclusive in what that plan looks like going forward. >> You know, Commissioner, if I could say on on your comment, you know, most of the projects aren't the three billion dollar projects. In fact, that list up there of 12, most of them are are
relative in size. Um and in terms of that relationship, you mentioned education. I think of um companies like personal touch marketing working with the career academy uh and educating their students on the type of work that they do for companies like Otterbox and
others are you know it's these ones that add up uh and and we obviously recognize that and the leadership in this region has recognized it for a long time because the entrepreneurial ecosystem here is like no other. Uh we have people from all over the country coming here. A
whole delegation from Ames visited last year and one of the questions they asked was share what's how are you working as two states and how are you working in this entrepreneurial space? Um so you know credit to the region it's it's just didn't happen overnight.
>> Mr. Krab >> uh again thank you for all your work. Um I think uh for me and I'm not going to repeat what's been said but I do agree with it all. Um, I really appreciate
um what I've uh seen over the last three years as a commissioner as also being part of the chamber for years and its development. but from what it used to be when it uh even 10 years ago and the
depth and the um the growth in your in your in your work. I just see a real macro part into the detail of into the microwave uh area of our work for our specific things in the county and and
how we uh lobby with that or advocate for that. Um, one question I do have, uh, you know, we invest, uh, also much like in the innovate, uh, along with downtown, uh, Inc., and I'm just curious, uh, I'm such a huge one on
collaboration. you're showing that, but if you could just elaborate a little bit, if you don't mind, uh how you also work with them and and the fact that Morehead, you know, is doing pretty darn big things, you know, biggest I've seen
in my lifetime. Uh and how you work along with that piece as well, if you wouldn't mind. >> Start. >> You go. You can go start now. I'll go. >> Well, thanks for the question. you know, the heart of any community in any region is its downtown or downtowns. And so the
investment that's being made, the leadership um that Derek and Dan and and the team have had within the city of Morehead has been, you know, critically important. Um we're in constant communication um especially with Derek because of his broader role um to make
sure that as um deeds bringing a project into the region, how do we support that? um our our job is to sort of um you know find out at a community or county level what are those needs and then what what
within our mission can we be playing. So um I'm sure you can ask Derek and Dan and the team uh about you know the the um Morehead Inc. and and the work that they're doing uh with us, but our our teams are in constant contact with one another, especially on the
entrepreneurial side um working um with the higher eds and their work on downtown and the development of of you know what's taking place there. So, I don't know if there's a specific question. >> No, there wasn't. You're kind of on it. >> Yeah. And I'll just add to it. I think
that this is where we see the Klay County leaders round table really uh taking shape when we pull those leaders together including um uh all of both of our organizations but downtown Morhead Inc. all of the colleges, the city, the county. Um what we're really striving
for is uh stronger clarity and alignment. So alignment to say where can how can we make sure that we are not duplicative of what we're doing, but we're amplifying the work that we're doing. And I I do think that it's all about leverage, right? But it's also around understanding understanding what
are the roles that each play. uh even though those roles may shift uh how can we make sure that we are uh look and we've done this with uh innovate 28 very successfully identifying uh who's best positioned to lead an initiative and who's best positioned to support it and
then how do we make sure that we uh kind of organize our uh work around those initiatives. So we're continuing to work on that with other organizations not just with the two of ours. So >> yeah well thank you for that. It was kind of a broad question but I mean it's just that effort of our investments you
know our leverage too you know >> right >> in a bigger way and I I that's where my head goes and then again a deep thank you for uh again Ken and our involvement all the programs you've done with us
help down in St. Paul, it's been fun getting to know you much better, I guess, on a personal basis as we do our work together. So, yeah. Thank you. >> All right, Commissioner. >> Real quickly, I missed one thing I I
want to emphasize. And Kale was again your your your tip of the spear on this thing. I went through a campaign for the first time in my life a year ago. And one of the things knocking on doors I found out is people do not understand
local government. And the chamber did a great uh service to the candidates that wanted to get their qualifications and their their ideas out to our public and to uh the public
themselves and helping us towards educating them in exactly what county commissioners do and city council members do. Even township uh representatives need to get the word out, but uh the uh candidate forums were
great. They were done very professionally. Um they ask tough questions. You know, we had to we had to be prepared and come in and it was just a good opportunity. Please keep that up. that is necessary for the the the little
groups of government like county commissioners and city ma uh city uh council members as well. It really helped us a lot in getting getting our positions and our our faces out there. >> Right. We will do so and and that's the the kind of the premise behind the
Center for Civic Engagement. So, we're going to lean in even heavier to that to to make even more people aware of the opportunities but also just the process. So, thank you. >> All right. Well, thank you for your presentation this morning. As you know, we're um in our budget process right
now, and we set our preliminary levy. I think it's by the end of September, somewhere in that area. And um if we have any additional uh questions regarding your request, uh we will forward them u to you. So,
but thank you for your presentation. Very well done. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. All right. Next, we have a close session uh with for the board discussion regarding labor negotiations per statute 13D.03. We have a motion to close. So move.
>> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. The same sign. Motion carried.
We are in close session. We're back in session and our next item is strategic discussion regarding a lobbyist for engagement. And I just Steve, I know you're going to, but if I can just start off here. Um last week we
had our um diversion planning meeting and uh there was a lot of discussion about uh the significant need for we're down to the very basically next year is going to be the last year um for um obtaining funds for the
diversion project and it's been our number one priority and with that I you know I did mention to that group that we had been in pre in a previous meeting we had talked about um
hiring lobbyists to help with our our um efforts and it was based on that that I asked Steve that let's get this on early. I think if we want to if if this is the route that the board wants to take, I think now is the appropriate
time to do it. If we're going to wait uh from my standpoint, if we're going to wait and incorporate into the 2026 budget, we're going to already be way behind. And so I I think if we're going to do it, we should um be talking about
doing it now and whether we have to find those funds in reserves or whatever, but get that ball rolling now. That's and that's kind of that's kind of how this got on the agenda today. I asked Steve to put it on uh for that purpose and and
Steve, you can start with your comments and we'll give it the >> Yeah. No, Mr. Chair, I think you did an excellent job teeing that up. Uh you know, as a board, you have especially over the last several years, you made being down in St. Paul a legislative priority uh in in designating
Commissioner Mojo and Commissioner Kavanagh uh to uh to be down there on a routine basis along with their engagement with the chamber. So, uh, you've had discussions, I think we had a discussion last year with about the potential of a lobbyist. So, this isn't something that is new to to this
discussion. Uh, but, uh, but again, I think Commissioner Commissioner, uh, Campbell teed it up very well. And so, I would turn it back for your comments, >> Commissioner Kraboff. >> Yeah. Uh, so I'd just like to make some
first remarks. I think our priorities uh we've been the there's been two or three that come together every year here and I think um you already mentioned the diversion we we'll see where the future discussions go with
BRTF um and and just even between those two um as well as we do along with the chamber I and and especially uh commissioner Mojo being down there uh much more than
I. I think our message is doing well and but I've also been around legislature long enough to know that we end up with our certain groups that we know well. These people know well. We grow from
that. But a professional lobbyist being there on a consistent basis is just going to always be quicker to um to advocate. And I think the other thing they do to us, they have
relationships that they've established for a while that then gets to Commissioner Mojo and I so that we can tap those in a way that maybe you know someone's broken that ice and we can
refer and talk with. So I'm largely in really in fa favor of this. I think uh urgency is a little bit now and so many things for summertime and we got to have these things going by by October,
November, you know, for the next legislative session. I have one name I I'm kind of keen in in uh investigating with um the chamber obviously you know she mentioned potentially some names but
my point is investigation at the same time of knowing uh trying to settle on a number that would seem appropriate. So, so, so my thoughts on on this are if if we as a board could
come up with a, you know, something financially, what what's our target area that we're we could maybe look at between now and December 31st, >> then then we can incorporate some additional discussion. And then in terms
of the who that person might be, I think that we should probably um and I I hate to lean on these people again, but I I think between Stephen, Paul, and Jenny, you know, because you've been down there, I I think maybe
those those like a little subgroup could maybe look at who who would our who would be best to invest with. Uh I I'm going to make no bones about it here. Sometimes in terms of lobbyists, there's there's lobbyists that you can get that
some people hired based on the politics of it who who might be more effective with one party or the other. I hope we don't go that route. I think that we need to look at the uh who can be most effective with the issues that we're talking about. But you know, so I you
know that's my thoughts on it right now. So, um, you know, if we if we just kind of want to move this along, if if that's something that the board is fully interested in, maybe let's let's establish a dollar amount and then, uh, if if we could maybe have that subgroup
that's been doing all of this work down there, maybe give a recommendation back to us in terms of who that that agency might be uh, that we would hire. Commissioner Ebinger, you >> just a couple of things. I don't have any idea and I've I've
worked for or been part of organizations that have hired a lobbyist. It was many years ago and I can't remember what we paid them. So I don't have an idea what the cost would be. But I agree we need to do this with some expediency. Not just so the lobbyists get familiar with
the issues, but Jenny and and Paul have put tons of hours in on this. And Steve, they're going to be more effective being able to be brought in by the lobbyist to talk to, who we need to talk to, when we
need to talk to them. It's going to save them time on where to put their efforts. So, I agree. Paul or Jenny, do you have an idea what a lobbyish a range of what what it would cost us? >> Well, I'll just speak to the last one.
It was only the last one when I approached it what year and a half ago, wasn't it? Uh thereabouts and in that one to work it through and and that was specific more just the PRTF that we were trying to move forward. Uh at that point that
one was a little session was already going. They were going to be brought up to speed. We were going to finish through and that was 25 grand. >> Mr. Chair, >> I I apologize. >> Yeah. Jenny,
>> I do have to run to a funeral and I think but I think it's really important that we're having this conversation. So I appreciate the board for and Mr. Chair for bringing this up. Um, you know, in regards to what we're looking at, I I would say $40,000 is a a fairly good
starting point. It's an allocart piece, so you're gonna, you know, get more or less depending on what we're wanting or in regards to the issues. If you're adding additional issues, obviously, then it get goes up. Um, our board did a phenomenal job of getting into um around
tables at the capital to try to uh forward our concerns. Uh, I will just say based on who the chamber hired, the the fantastic mix of the the agency that they hired was you had um longtime leaders in um in both parties
represented in one agency. And so different members of each organization or different members of that agency were able to get us into the leaders of the DFL caucus and also leaders of the GOP caucus. And and I would like to see something similar to that. Um, if we're
serious about the conversation of uh legislative decisions have drastic uh um effects locally, which I believe that they do. Uh, $40,000 is a drop in the bucket as to what we are um what what we
can get return on investment pieces. I would say it could be a lot higher than that, too. That's just uh if you're looking at uh getting us through 25 um it might be less. If you're looking at a full legislative session, it's likely going to be more. But um getting
something on um in an agreement sooner rather than later. Uh most of our legislative work for our uh our um um priorities happened in October, November, December last year.
>> Yeah. So I I and I I guess I don't I think that number is a probably a an okay number to start off with. And I'm I'm sure if we you know I you know if we want to put a motion out
there to start that process and use 40,000 as a target. And again, I think there's it's always open to see where that goes and what it's how it's developing and and um I would think that would be plenty to get us through December. Um and then it becomes it just
goes back to the thought of having uh Jenny and Paul and Steve coming up with this. you know, we I think we still want to kind of target what our original priorities were
because those both those priorities still exist >> and and maybe maybe there might be one lobbyist who might be better in water issues than that that wouldn't be as knowledgeable in the PRTF area. So So you would have to that's something that
you guys can determine and if one agency has all of those um abilities within it, that's great. But um what so the thoughts on the 40k? >> You want to make it a little north of that just so we have
>> I think I think 40 is a good start because if I mean we can always adjust it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> We we have the ability to adjust >> for 25. I think that for >> 2025 >> for 20. Okay. >> Yeah. This is this is just for 2025. >> Mr. Chair, if I might uh provide a
motion. Um, I would like this board to give direction to our administrator to look um at gathering uh proposals for legislative representation for 2025. Uh, you know, we took a shot in the dark in numbers and so I think that motion would
be around that that mark. If we have discussions and and see that we're off base, you know, he can bring it back. And then I guess furthermore with that motion allow him the freedom to craft a 26 uh budget request as well.
>> I second that. >> Okay. So the motion uh the motion is the 40k >> uh for him to work finding proposals around that for us. >> Okay. >> So there is no dollar amount tied to it.
>> Well because I I don't know. I mean I >> once he comes up with the proposals he'll come back with as a boom and then >> All right. Okay. >> I'll hire him or not. >> Well, actually I we should I shouldn't even be having this discussion without a second. So >> I let Dave second. >> Oh, did you have a second? Second. All right. All right.
>> I guess the only thing I would I would still propose just with our inside knowledge of others that you and I are involved in helping Steve >> and I Yeah. And I well we have a motion and a second and I
and I uh I would I would ask that if this motion carries that when you make get those submitts that you go to Jenny and Paul and the three of you come up with a recommendation to the board.
>> Is that fair? >> That that okay? >> Yeah. We accept that in the motion. >> I I it's her motion. I'm just >> I'm just >> I I think based on how we usually do committee structure, I think it would be assumed that you'd work with the
legislative committee on that. >> Okay. Very good. All right. We have a motion and a second. Uh any further discussion on the motion? >> All in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose. The same motion carried. Do you want to do your committee reports?
>> Yes. And I just want thank you for that. I I for the public it is uh most cities and counties have uh legal representation as part of their budget. So this is not an outlier. I mean all of the agencies that we work with have that. So I appreciate uh that. Now I
just shut down my computer. Um okay. Last week I had looking at schedule um >> county own land >> county own lands committee we did have a pretty good update on all of the
existing county uh parcels. There were a couple requests that uh Ezra can move through um that we thought were within the parameter of that. Um the next day I had the a discussion regarding uh tipping fees generated with
our solid waste department particularly at the resource recovery facility for 2026. I attended a AMC lunch and learn on accessing and understanding local census data which I thought was really
interesting. And then on the 14th, I attended the Soil and Water Conservation District just as a mom. Um, but also want to you two that are on that board to um extend gratitude to that board for supplying funds for kiddos to go to conservation camp. I think that's a
really important u outreach that your board does. So, thank you. And that concludes my report. >> All right. Before I move on to the next one, as Jenny's kind of packing up to go, I just want to point out that I did receive a letter from uh the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources where they're going to be conducting a water
survey uh for Klay County uh this year and it's a fairly significant study. And um in my co phone conversation
with the um Wes was his name. Um I did I did suggest they offered uh to come before the board and maybe give a 20 minute presentation because this could be something that you all might get questions on uh as they're
doing the survey and dealing with land owners. So, I will probably be asking Steve to uh line that presentation up so we're all aware of just what all was included in this study because it sounds like it's a major undertaking. So,
so yeah, so we'll we'll plan that process. >> All right. All right. So, let's move on. Let's do Ezra. Last Tuesday after board we had county owned lands committee that commissioner
Mojo talked about but on there we also had an update on the county own lands parcels they have all been addressed that was something we've been working on to get them all addressed so they have a fire number at them and then we also had an update on the
deuke erosion acquisition up property that we had at county board less than a month ago and Matt has filed with the state to see if we can get 12.5% for the land owner there so they won't be out so much.
And then that is about we talked a little bit about repairarian aid dollars being used for some county land maintenance on some burning projects. That's pretty much what happened at that committee. Then on Wednesday, I was up in Ada for
the Wild Rice Wershed District where they approved 17 of permits and tabled five. And then they set their general budget levy at uh four 4.7% increase. And they dropped their levy on the
ditches by about 6 or 7% on their levy for the ditch maintenance. And on Thursday, October 14th, I was at the Yellow Ribbon. It was not that well
attended. A lot of people were gone and a little not much talk. I'll let if Commissioner Ebinger wants to go in more into he was also there. But, uh, next month there will be no meeting. The next meeting will be October 16th, 2025.
We had good discussion there, but not too much came from there. And then on Friday, I was over in Detroit Lakes for Partnership for Health where Commissioner Ebinger is the chairman on that. I'll let him take the
lead on that, but we had we had an update on our grand splits and we sorted we had one that had mistake on it and we figured that out. I'll let uh Commissioner Edmir go more in detail on that. We are coming to the end of Partnership
for Health with Wilin County and Ottertale going out on their own. So, there was some discussion on that, but that was all my committee reports. >> All right. Thank you, Commissioner Abinger. >> Thank you. Uh, last Tuesday met with Kathy McCay and some of the public
health staff. Reference the upcoming meeting with our partners at the uh uh partner for partnership for health. uh reference PHP funds and I'll address that here later. We just had a problem
and needed to discuss it. Um Wednesday the 13th attended virtually attended the meeting for the positive community norm strategic planning for year five on that grant. That'll be the last year of that
grant. However, um we are applying for a drug-free community grant that would be ongoing and this is in the DGF school district for the positive norms. I had a good meeting there next uh
morning. I attended uh Thursday uh beyond the yellow ribbon. Um, again, it it was a lot of the folks weren't there to participate. However, Joshua Clark and Aaron Johnson from the
uh MDVA and the the uh veterans resource outreach, a lot of good things going on at uh MSUM uh for the veterans there and they just had a a pretty good oversight on on the progress they're making with that. Later
that day, I attended a full board meeting of Lake EC Regional Library. Um, I'm checking my email because I'm trying to get an update on that. Okay. Um, and I just got an update on
that. We voted to accept an offer from Morehead for 10-year lease at $18 a square foot with 1% per year uh increase uh which comes to $55,764
a year starting this year for 3,98 square feet. We are um there were some corrections in the in the uh lease agreement that we want to see incorporated. So the director of the
library system is taking it to an attorney. It's nothing earth shaking, just some things that need to be clarified that uh our acceptance of that offer and the changes to the lease will then go to the city min or city manager
at Morehead and they can review it and bring it before the Morehead City Council for approval. So, it looks like we are probably where we need to be in ending the u negotiations on that. On Friday, we had the partnership for
health uh community health board meeting on the PHP grants. Uh we had mistakenly in the last meeting split the PHP grant evenly among the four counties. There was a uh within statute there was
a formula that's to be used in dividing up those funds and that had mistakenly not been used. Uh the result was a loss, a minor loss for for uh one of the counties,
a loss of about $3,000 for Becker, and I think we were $11,000 where we had lost it, and Wilin County was 16,000 over what that split would have uh would have been. We needed to vote on it because we
had voted on the original four-way split. Everybody was good about it. They realized a mistake had been made. There was a vote passed unanimously to use the state designed u division on that. And I
I told him at the meeting and I'll say here it is really nice to work with people that want to do the right thing even when it hurts a little bit. And I appreciate our colleagues with the partnership being as reasonable as they were. And that completes my report.
>> Thank you. Ezra, you had one more thing. >> Yep. I forgot. Last Tuesday night, myself, Commissioner Campbell, and chair of the West Central Regional Water District, Lucas Spaith, we went to the city of Yulan to talk to them about signing anou to being to be part of the
design phase of the West Central Regional Water District and they signed thatou that night. So, they will be included on the design and the planning of that water district. Thank you, Commissioner Krabanhoff.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, as I was not, uh, able to be part of the commission meeting last uh, Tuesday, I'm going to go back with a couple uh, reports that were the week prior. So on August 5th uh it was part of the uh
insurance committee meeting again ongoing discussions with our group on health company RFPs and other auxiliary benefits that um we're still in process of going through. Uh also I was part of a presentation
or excuse me went to a presentation by NAMI that evening. Minnesota Minnesota Alliance on Mental Health and that organization um legisl advocates with Minnesota legislators on mental health issues. I was there in
partnership with uh other people from our uh adult mental health lac uh um I did have a um the adult mental health lac executive committee meeting
uh developing the agenda for the month and future topics and presenters uh in the next coming months. on uh Thursday, August 5th, I was too uh probably talked about last week uh the
went to that opening uh ceremony for the diversion structure that reroutes the Red River uh at the event uh event uh of major flood um occurrences to the area uh working toward that permanent
protection of a 500year uh event level. uh quite a structure, $15 million and to be around it is certainly impressive and as one who's been part of diversion um advocacy for a
decade. Um it's glad to see this finally uh moving on and like as you mentioned earlier today getting that in place by the end of 26 27. Um this week um
on uh Wednesday the 13th I had our monthly or our bimonthly or every other month now u uh county extension committee meeting. Uh at this meeting uh we mainly did their staff reports. There
was also a followup on uh the fair uh just to let you know that um over $200 200 adults volunteered along with the kids which uh did in total 222 total
exhibits. Um 150 animal and and then the other were general. Uh so it just uh they felt it's some of the highest level that they've they've had uh at the uh fair and uh so
those programs continue to grow which is uh kudos for extension and the 4 programs that go on. The last thing I'd like to me mention in in extension with 4 uh they this year have been doing 4
adventure camps uh that have been done in in camps in Holly and Barnesville and they have had 40 attendings uh in attendees uh that were part of these adventure which involve outdoor
adventures and wild wildlife biology. Um that was the main Jessica. We we did have reports from um master gardeners their their events still go on throughout the year and are growing in
in depth and in people attendance. And uh we do have one board position open. uh there's a search going for that and looking for a member that might be uh interesting be on on the county extension committee and we'd like that
uh it's uh in in line for that to be a rural per person uh to join in. Um then Thursday uh August 14th I had the monthly KSWC board member meeting. Um
Commissioner Mojo mentioned she was there in place of Commissioner Bear and she was there because it was her son getting the award. And so Leen did a uh very good report 11 years old
and he talked about the firearm safety training he received as well as uh conservation um uh education which also uh got involved in beehive beehive activities. So I mean it was very good
report from him. Um also uh um couple other things. Two water sediment uh control basins being put in as part of one watershed, one plan. We had two whale ceilings uh over the last month. In the old days, we used to have well
ceilings quite a bit more often, but uh at least we had two more that came up in the area. Um there's a cost share of that um for them of thou up to $1,000 for that ceiling. Uh other than that uh
uh two other things I guess sorry uh we had Bowser come in give status of grant agreements that all went out now at the uh beginning of July and been distributed. I know for the county our natural resource block grant remain the
state the same. And then uh as far as uh SWCD aid uh that they they now get directly from the state that that number dropped to $12 million. It had been at 15. And uh so that was a reduction on
their their programs um or not programs for their administration uh of about $28,000. Both those were reflected in the budget they gave us um when Kevin was here and so no surprises and that their request
is uh current. Um there was last they're putting out estimates. This is for the Crestwood area that we're involved with for a prescribed burn to be done on that maybe or hopefully next spring if all things look in order. And that would be
a prescribed burn on that 80 acres. And uh first estimate they have is around $5,000 to do so. And uh last uh here uh we have um and as far as uh county egg
inspector uh they've applied for a grant for $5,000 to help along with that work. Sounds like that's coming their way and uh we'll have those funds in October. And then also uh the tree programs and
no tail uh programs were uh at full level again this year and th those have all been been completed. So that's my report I have for today. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> On August 12th I attended the diversion authority planning committee meeting. The um discussions that we had were around the planned fall retreat for the full board which is going to be on September 16th in the afternoon.
Uh we also talked about a full uh diversion authority board project tour along with the media that we're looking at doing. And then as we talked about, we did we did talk a little bit about um lobbyist.
Um I brought that up during our Minnesota funding update. Uh there was a Jason Benson talked about the red board and trying to get the red board. The red
board also uh lobbies a lot for water funding from the Minnesota DNR. And what Jason was was hoping for is that the red board because we're we're kind of competing
for these funds, you know, and and because we're down towards the end of the diversion project, Jason was uh going to be in contact with the red board to see if they would um agree that
our that what we need should be a priority. uh it's, you know, still part of that whole Red River. Now, this is the red board is different than the Red River basin, you know. So, and I I guess I bring that up for any of you who may
have uh contact or information with the red board to maybe help uh with our uh needs in terms of we're in the final stages of being able to get funding from the state of Minnesota.
Um, and then that's and that was and I think there might also be a letter Jason was going to maybe have a letter um drafted that would be signed. you know, we're looking at maybe all the local mayors
and the Cass County Commission chair and myself as the Klay County Commission chair to forward a letter to the red board just stating that this is really a critical uh time period for for funding from the state of Minnesota and if they
could help us that would be great. That same evening, uh, I I attended the, u presentation from the West Central Regional Water District that Commissioner Bear talked about and they did sign the MOU. Uh last week we talked
about our our previous the evening before that we had attended Hitterd Doll's meeting and it's my understanding that through um Commissioner Bear that um Hterd Doll is also if they they're going to sign or have signed the they're
going to be signing theou. Uh so every entity that we've gone to so far we've had good success. Um, obviously there's still a lot of questions that they all have, but they certainly want to be part of the planning process in that regard.
On Thursday, August 14th, I attended Lakes Country Service Cooperative and I basically on that board, I represent uh several different counties. It's not just for for Klay County, but we talked about um
in all the different insuranceances. As you know, Lakes Country used to be provider of um Lake Countyy's health insurance through that through that cooperative. We went out on our own last year or two years
ago, but we reviewed several uh insurance quotes and updates on that. And that I believe concludes my report. Steve, >> thank you, Mr. Chair. Last week, I participated in the county Owens lands.
It's been well covered. On the 13th, we had county management where we highlighted the budget discussion. and we had an update uh from our IT department and also our human resources department on the 13th. Also met with Sheriff Mine
in regards to some county issues. Uh participated that afternoon in a administrative uh meeting with uh with Robert Wilson from Cass County and Dan Molly City of Morehead on shared issues. On the uh that late that day I met with
Anna and had some HR discussions. on the 14th met with Troy Amenson, director at the detox facility. Uh the 15th met with both Commissioner Krabanov, Commissioner Bayer on a series of county issues. Uh yesterday I participated uh kind of
continuation of our intergovernmental discussions the city of Morehead Morhead school district point on just some shared planning uh that's being done within our with our respective entities. And that concludes my report.
All right, Brian Darren. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, on Tuesday, I also attended the county own lands meeting, which has already been covered. Um, gathered some colas from other counties for our union discussions this morning. On Wednesday, I attended the
manager meeting as well. And also, we had our meeting with the resource recovery center for tipping fees. Um, also Wednesday had a meeting with Anna on some personnel issues. Thursday worked on the costing sheets that we discussed today and also had a meeting
with MC on the officers that were elected this year just going over some of the rules and regulations uh for MC. on uh Friday I was off Monday um attended a meeting on our pictometry
training um which was uh headed up by Mark Sloan uh the board approved that uh I think it was last year uh finalized unine costing sheets yesterday and also had a meeting with uh Steve Anna on some personnel issues yesterday that
concludes my report. >> Thank you. I I did I forgot to talk about too. was also part of the uh discussion on Wednesday, August 13th, where we where we met and discussed the um resource recovery facility and part
of what we had uh uh asked for there was um if we were to create two separate tipping fees, one being based on the true costs of operations at the resource recovery facility and also what the true
cost would be on a tipping ting fee at the landfill with two two potentially different rates. Uh the information that we got is that the tipping fee rate for u the resource recovery facility would go up to about $81,
which is currently $56. So you'd be talking about a $25 per ton increase. Um and if you look at you know the for example the total cost of
um ton or the total tons that I believe Morehead brings to that facility is about 22,000. I use 22. I use 22 and that would be that would be basically an increase of $550,000. Uh it's something we certainly don't uh
obviously that's not very attractive and we would like to certainly avoid that. Um so we'll see where that goes. But again, I mean we're just we were just trying to provide all sorts of true numbers um for comparison purposes to
what the current contract is. So >> just to clarify that's simply to run the operation. Nobody's making any money on that. >> Nobody's making any money. That's to run the operation. the true cost of running the operation. And that would be that would be if Klay County ran it all,
you know, so we'd have to, you know, we would have to take over some of the current positions that um Morhead does. All right, that um that concludes everything that we have to have. I apologize for running long again today, but some of these issues just take
longer than we anticipate. So, um, I'll I'll be the guilty one for running long here. With that, we are