All right, good morning everybody. We'll call this morning's meeting of the Klay County joint or Klay County Board of Commissioners to order for Tuesday, January 6th. Happy New Year to everybody. Our first item will be the approval of the agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I'll offer a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Second.
>> Right. We have a motion by Commissioner Mojo, second by Commissioner Barry. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose the same sign.
>> Very good. Next we have employee recognitions. Our first one that we have this morning is for Darren Brook. I reversed the order, Darren. So, Darren has uh 15 years of dedicated service to Clay
County. >> Congratulations. Thank you. Steve, do you want to >> Yeah. Like to say a few words about You don't get to slide away that easy. No, I want to want to thank Darren for his 15 years of of dedicated service
both as HR assistant director and now over the last year as our assistant county administrator. Um he's been a great great county asset. He's focused on public service and organizational excellence. Uh over the last 15 years,
HR has uh uh in Minnesota has had no shortage of interesting things from COVID to collective bargaining uh to uh the different challenges that he've had with hybrid work workplace and and we appreciate the steady leadership throughout that that time and and he
said he's not going to give us another 15 years, but we'll see. So, thank you Darren. >> Thank you Darren. Next we have Jared Jacobson. Jared has 20 years of service for Clay to Klay County. Thank you for your dedicated service.
>> Yeah. So Jared's been with us now for 20 years. He's currently assigned to the civil process division where he's become a kind of a subject matter expert in that between him and uh Deputy McCarthy. We really rely on their expertise in that field. Uh Jared's also been a
training officer with us. Um not only training new deputies, but also a firearms instructor, previous use of force instructor, and he's since become kind of our radio guru as well. So if we have a radio issue issue or problem, we go to Jared first before it goes to the
shop. Uh he also programs all of our radios from portables to mobile radios. So it's a large cost savings uh for the sheriff's office and for the county. And he's also assisting some of our rural cities with radio reprogramming as well. So he's able to save our rural cities at that cost, too. So we appreciate his
expertise and his knowledge and his experience. Uh Jared, five years ago when I was here, I said you got another 15 to go. Here we are at 20. So now you got our 20 to go. We appreciate you and appreciate your service. And next we have Pam Foss. Pam has had
25 years with Play County. Thank you for your dedicated service. >> And Brian can't be here. He's got conflict. So >> yeah, >> he has sent a message through Steve. >> That's what he said. >> Okay. Good morning. I'm sorry that I cannot be there today to present Pam with the 25
years of service plaque. I've known Pam since our days in law school together, and I cannot believe that it's been 25 years already that we worked uh closely with each other. Pam is a consmate professional. She is always the first person in the office in the morning and the last one to leave. During Pam's 25
years of trying cases, she has demonstrated a depth of knowledge and vast experience across numerous legal areas. Pam has tried well over 100 jury trials against some of the most dangerous criminals that include crimes of criminal sexual assault and murder cases. Pam is also considered one of the
most knowledgeable prosecutors across the state when it comes to issues involving domestic violence and holding violent offenders accountable. Pam has been responsible for serving and helping thousands of victims victims throughout her time at the Klay County Attorney's Office. I want to thank Pam for
everything she brings to the office each and every day. We would not be the half the office that we are without her unwavering service. Thank you, Pam, for everything you do for the office and for Klay County. And we look forward to your service for the next 25 years.
>> Well, that was well said. All right. Next, we have citizens to be heard. Do we have any citizens to be heard on items not on the agenda? Do you want to just come up here? Um, >> Mr. Kragnus, right?
>> Greetings. David Kra, Felton, Minnesota. Um, I know that a in a long voyage it's easier to steer a ship one degree at the beginning of the voyage than it is 90 degrees at the end of the voyage. And so even though I was here just a couple weeks ago talk about budget, I would like to as this year begins uh speak on
the budget. There was a you passed the budget, the form reported on the budget and my remarks are going to reference some of the quotes from that article and some of the numbers that reported in that article. One of the quotes was I think we cut everything out of this budget we possibly can. Well, possibly. It's hard to cut things that people have
gotten used to. So, I would like to suggest that as you go through this year, don't let any new things into the budget. Then at the end of the year, you won't have to cut things from the budget. You've added some things in the past that are showing up as expenses, and I'll reference those here in a
minute. Remember, everything you spend, you took from someone by threat of force. Uh philanthropy versus uh taxes. I'd like to compare and contrast. If if I come up with a with a great idea to serve the community and I try and convince uh several of you to join in,
you can join in with me and not uh and we can try and execute that project for the community and you can go home afterwards and you don't have having spent any money and you can feel good or bad about yourself on your own. But if you the commissioners decide where something is going to be done for the community, uh you extract money from by
force from people whether they want to contribute to that or not. And so your judgment about whether things are good for the community or not is is uh sometimes not a reflection of what everyone feels. And you've taken money away from folks. And the example here is it's a it's a small example. At the end
of the year, you added back $43,600 uh for rides into an operation that has $75,000 total to run uh a small very small portion as pointed out 03% of your budget. And yet we're
going to have to look at some things for an example. So, uh part of the reason you said you put the money back in is because you've been doing this for 5 years. Well, okay. At five years, what's the cost per mile? What would it cost to have a cab or an Uber do this service instead? Is it the most cost-effective
way? And if the thing hasn't been hardly used for 5 years, how can you develop the expectation that it's going to happen again? Uh it was stated that we have great com they have great compassion for our seniors. I have no doubt they have compassion for our seniors. But the seniors who are on an
extremely tight, very fixed budget, who are now going to have their property tax raised and will wonder whether they can continue to live in their home or not, a home that they thought they own, but in fact, it turns out they're renting it year to year from the county and from the schools.
Uh those people's uh compassion for those people need to be balanced against the compassion for uh the small number of people who are using things like a senior ride center. Okay. Um, so some of the larger items in your
budget, uh, 15.9 million for social services. Wow. And that's an awful big chunk of money. Couldn't there have not been some place out of that social services budget that the $43,600 could have been extracted? With all the talk
in Minnesota right now about fraud and abuse in the social services area statewide, uh are we entirely sure that every dollar is being very carefully spent in social services? the uh social services of 15.9 million is in fact, if you look at it, made up
of a whole bunch of little bitty $43,600 pieces. And so each one of those needs to be examined. There's 364,000 that was set aside for a library. Then the I drove by that library after having this meeting and I noticed that it was
six blocks away from the other big library in town, six blocks from the Fargo Library. could not not have been some form of collaboration done. There is the place where the county where the library is being supported by the county in the best place for the county and the
expensive walking track that they brag about going around there. I doubt there's very many folks from hitter are going to come in in the mornings and walk on the walking track. I doubt that anybody from Barnesville is going to come in and use that or probably even use the community meeting rooms that they they so much brag about. And so if it's for the benefit of the city, then
it should be taxed for the city, not taxed for the county. Just another example of things that get into the budget. They're very difficult to extract from the budget. You got 554,000 towards the new DMV building. I really thought when you built that, you didn't
need to. And I really thought that afterwards you could have built it a whole lot cheaper. A lot cheaper. It doesn't need to be a nicel looking building because when you're going to go for DMV services, you don't drive by and say, "There's a nicel looking building. I think I'll stop in and get some license tabs. You go, I have to go to the DMV building. Therefore, I will go
to the DMV building. So, I think that could have been done a lot cheaper. Then, uh lastly, pay because pay is a large chunk of your of your budget. You gave a 4% cost of living increase. As of Google this morning, the cost of living
increase last year uh across the United States was between three and three and a half%. All the numbers are not in. So, you exceeded the cost of living across the United States. And then you gave uh specific raises to two specific people. And I have worked with some really
really good lawyers uh in my life outside of Klay County Farming. And I'm not sure what the marketplace is for a county attorney. Um so I really can't opine on that. I'm hoping that your uh committee did some research into what
the marketplace is for county attorneys. But because the two numbers were published, I could not help but compare and contrast in my mind. And I think you put the wrong person at the top of the pay scale. You got uh two people, uh the sheriff and the county attorney, uh both
of whom need to know the law thoroughly and completely. One has the opportunity to look things up and has the luxury of time. Uh the other has to make law uh decisions at the spur of the moment. Uh, one of them gets up in the morning, puts
on either a sport coat or a suit, and uh, goes off to work in a heated air conditioned building. The other one puts on a a Kevlar vest, then a shirt, and uh, has to be able to wait into a need snow in the in ditches and extract body
parts from from cars and then go tell the family that their deceased friend is not or relative is not coming home again. Uh I just by comparison the two jobs are are miles apart and yet they are both comparable because they're
dealing with the law in the county. And so if if pay scales are a measurement of the value to the county, uh I have no quarrel whatsoever with you uh raising Sheriff Empting's pay, I think that we in Klay County have the best uh sheriff
in the in the state. and that's uh demonstrated by uh he appears to be able to recruit from any law enforcement uh group that he interacts with. Uh the uh it's been scandal-free. Uh the uh as as you stated
during your hearing that he meets his budget numbers. Um and so I'm I'm good with that one. I just I would have reversed the two and put uh the >> Mr. Craigness, we're we're going to have to wrap this up pretty soon. We try to limit this to three minutes here. >> Appreciate it. Thank you.
>> Be careful all year. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next, we have the approval of Do we have any any other citizens comments? Any other citizens to be heard? Anybody online? >> No. No, Mr. Chair. >> All right. Thank you. Move on then to approval of bills and vouchers.
>> Mr. Chair, I move to approve the uh payment of the bills and vouchers. >> Second. Have a motion by Commissioner Ebinger, second by Commissioner Bear. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> Opposed the same sign. Motion carried. We have approval of minutes from December 23rd. >> I'll move to approve the minutes from December 23rd. >> Second. Right. Motion by Commissioner Krabanov, second by Commissioner Abering. Any further discussion?
Any further discussion? Seeing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose the same sign. The next item on our agenda is the state of the county address. Drum roll. All right. Well, good morning. It is my
privilege as board chair to present the 2026 state of the county address. Over the past year, Klay County has continued to move forward with purpose, strengthening essential service, investing in our workforce and infrastructure, and responding thoughtfully to the evolving needs of
our residents. As we look ahead to 2026, I am proud to share highlights from our departments and recognize the dedicated employees and partners whose work continues to make Klay County a strong, resilient, and forward-looking community.
We'll start with the assessor's office and I see Jill is here this morning. The 2025 assessment process was conducted through local boards of review, open book meetings, and the county board of review held in June, providing taxpayers multiple
opportunities to discuss their valuations. Appeals were consistent with prior years. Final valuation setting and equalizations were completed by the Minnesota Department of Revenue State Board of Equalization, which supported
Klay Countyy's valuations and issued no state orders. County appraisal staff began mass appraisal work in May, conducting on-site reviews in multiple townships and cities and reviewing approximately 3,000 parcels as part of the required
quintel review. Quintile. Did I say that right? Okay. Staff also continued reviewing zoning certificates and building permits to capture new construction for 2026 valuations and advance the conversation conversion to crop productivity index for tillable
acreage. Residential and commercial property values remain strong while agricultural sales have stabilized. Technical staff continue to support taxpayer programs including homestead agricult agricultural homestead and veterans and
disabilities classifications. Next, we move on to the auditor treasures. And I believe I saw Lori here, too. Maybe I didn't. Okay. All right. The auditor treasur's office continues to play ro a vital role in county's financial operations including
the collection of property taxes dist distribution of f of revenues classifications of tax assessments ratings processing county payroll paying county obligations and ensuring accounting practices meet
required governmental standards throughout 2025. The office remained focused on accuracy and effic accuracy, efficiency, and fiscal accountability while supporting county departments and ensuring the transparent management of public funds.
Next, we have the recorders office and I Kim is here. Throughout 2025, the recorders office continues to strengthen services, modernize processes, and improve public accessibility. The office consistently providing
timely, accurate in issuance of birth, death, and marriage records while maintaining a high standard of customer service. The recorder's office also continues to offer on-site marriage ceremonies, meeting strong community demand.
In preparation for upcoming statutory changes, staff pro proactively reviewed procedures, updated workflows, and coordinated with county partners to ensure compliance and protect the integrity of official records.
Planning and zoning. Matt is here this morning. Good morning, Matt. The planning and zoning department experienced another active year in 2025, approving development permits, use permits, variances, and subdivision requests reflecting continued growth across the county. The completion of the
Buffalo River flood insurance study providing meaningful regulatory relief to multiple property owners. Building on the 2045 county comprehensive and transportation plan, the board of commissioners adopted a comprehensive update to the land
development and subdivision ordinance, ensuring regulations remain modern, clear, and aligned with long-term planning goals. human resources. Anna, we welcomed Dana Moore as Klay Countyy's human resources
director in January of 2025 and thank Darren Brookke for his leadership as he transitioned into his role as a full-time county administrator. Human resources supported county operations by hiring 138 employees, processing more than 1550
job applications, assisting with interviews, and responding to employee and citizens concerns. Key initiatives included preparing for paid family and medical leave, implementing net study 2.0,
launch launching the UKG recruiting and onboarding module, leading insure insurance changes for 2026, updating critical policies and participating in numerous county and statewide committees to support compliance, wellness, and workforce
sustainability. Next, we have our highway department. I know Justin's here. There he is in the back. Okay. The highway department experienced a very busy and productive year in 2025, continuing strong partnerships with townships and
residents while focusing on maintaining safe and reliable roadways across Klay County. Despite challenges associated with aging pavement infrastructure, the department successfully delivered numerous critical projects that improve safety and mobility throughout Klay
County. Construction accomplishments included the completion of a bridge replacement on a hightraic roadway, finished more than a month of schedule due to favorable winter conditions. Additional projects included mill and overlay work, box cover replacements,
a concrete pavement re rehabilitation project, a bridge removal, countywide pavement markings, and the first of a multi-year urban construction project through comtock. On the maintenance side, staff completed key pipe replacements, the Casaw 11
approach panel, and invested in three new motor graders, reducing equipment downtime and improving operational efficiency. Looking ahead to 2026, the department is actively preparing for the county state
highway 1252 roundabout project. A significantly a significant safety improvement that will keep engineering operations staff busy in the coming year. Veteran services.
Oh yeah, there he is. Kurt Klay County Veteran Service experienced another successful year assisting veterans and their families in accessing VA healthcare, earned benefits, and community resources. Outreach efforts strengthened connections throughout the
county and the Clay and Klay County continued to maintain zero homeless veterans. I'll say that again. Klay County maintained zero homeless veterans, reflecting strong collaboration with local and state
partners. Veteran services remain active in the veterans veterans court and beyond the yellow ribbon program and will again participate in operation green light to honor those who have served probation and parole. Klay County
continues to partner with the Minnesota Department of Corrections to provide probation and parole services that support accountability and public safety. The department service serves both adult and juvenile pros and
completed its first year of DWI court which complements the existing drug and veterans courts. Next is our sheriff's department in ARC is here. Under the leadership of Sheriff Mark Empting, the sheriff's office
experienced another productive year, remaining actively engaged across the county through emergency response, community events, and public safety initiatives. New staff strengthened operational capacity and the department played a key
role in supporting large community gatherings, including the Minnesota Steam Threshers reunion. Klay County continues to be well presented at the state level with Sheriff Empting serving on the Minnesota Association's executive committee and
this year elected as second vice president. We extend our appreciation to the deputies, correctional offers, and support staff whose professionalism ensures Klay County remains a safe and welcoming community. Next, we have our West Central Regional
Center. James is here. The West Center Regional Juvenile Center continues to serve as a vital regional resource providing care, stabilization, and treatment for at risk youth amid declining statewide mental health and residential capacity.
The SEC secure program operated through an 11count cooperative continues to serve member counties while accepting appropriate referrals that help offset costs from non-member counties.
The non-secure program has adop adapted to increasing complex needs by expanding services and integrating additional professional supports. West Central Regional Center remains active actively engaged in county and state efforts to
develop long-term solutions for youth with the highest need needs. Technology services I believe I s here technology services addresses several challenges in 2025
while strengthening system resiliency. A major fiber cut prompted a review of redundancy and business continuity planning leading to proactive improvements. The department also continued replacing critical IT infrastructure across county
facilities. Much of it completed after hours to minimize disruption. Responsible integration of artificial intelligence in intelligence improved efficiency and product productivity supported by a new
AI policy. Cyber security remained a top priority as malicious activity increased statewide with staff continuously monitoring threats and reducing the county's exposure.
GIS and communications. Mark, there he is. Mark. Uh, in 2025, GIS and communications delivered significant innovation and service enhancements. GIS initi initiatives strengthened land
records, supported emergency management, modernized applications, improved zoning and tax forfeited property tools, and expanded mapping services. communications supported departments through website management,
accessibility improvements, secure online forms and payments, meeting live streams, training materials, and video productions. Looking ahead to 2026, the department will continue advancing mapping tools,
land record systems, and countywide communications. Public health Jessica is here. There she is. In 2025, Klay County Public Health continued providing essential services supporting
residents across all stages of life. We welcome Jessica M Jessica Mickelson as public health director and thank Kathy McCay for 25 years of dedicated leadership. Public health remains focused on prevention, education, and
emergency preparedness. Services include family health, school nursing, wick, clinical services, adult health case management, health promotion, environmental health inspections, and coordinated emergency
response planning with local and state partners. Next, we have our withdrawal management and detoxification facility. And I think I saw Troy. There's Troy. Yes. with the withdrawal management detoxification
facility completed its first full year of operation following the expansion of from 16 to 32 beds. While we would prefer to not need services like these, the Klay County Board of Commissioners remains committed to meeting residents
where they are in ensuring access to critical care. The facility provides medically supervised withdrawal management and connects individuals to ongoing treatment services or treatment resources including online referral
services. Reaching reaching capacity in multiple occasions during the year underscores the growing need for this important service. Next we have our facilities department. Joe is here.
The facilities department maintained and supported 22 county buildings in 2025, completing major remodeling projects to create additional space for social services and public health. Staff supported construction and relocations
while continuing to manage daily requests. In other words, we did a lot of internal work rather than having to hire outside contractors to fulfill those obligations, which was good use of taxpayer money. The department assumed the
responsibility for new facilities including the DMV and withdrawal management locations while custodial and grounds crews. Okay. Missing something here. Oh, I got cut. Okay.
Ensured clean, safe, and functional environments. Mail room operations. Continue pride eventual countywide services. Why I lost that? Next, we have legislative priorities. Clay County continued to make more
proactive stance, make a more proactive stance at the state capital in 2025, working closely with the associated Minnesota counties, testifying before legislative committees and engaging directly with policymakers. The county also contracts with the
professional lobbyist to advance priorities when elected officials and staff cannot be present in St. Paul. Key priorities included address the addressing 911 fee funding, flood mitigation efforts, and
establishing a psychiatric res residential treatment facility. These efforts resulted in securing $1.2 2 million to remodel the nonsecured juvenile facility into a PRTF. Both the Senate House Capital Tours
received presentations on the PRTF. All right. Then we have West finance and budget. The Minnesota State Auditor's Office presented its audit findings to the Klay County Board on November 18, 2025 for the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2024. The state
auditor issued an unmodified opinion in Klay County's financial statements, the highest level of of assurance available, confirming that the county's financial reporting con conforms to all applicable accounting standards and res reflects
strong fiscal management. The county board adopted the 2026 annual budget and tax levy on December 23rd of 2025. Total 2026 expenses are 128 thou,981,62
supported by a 47,284,559 property tax levy along with state aids, grants, and other revenues. New construction growth of 1 1.04% 4% resulted in a net 4.35% levy increase over 2025,
reflecting the county board's effort to b balance fiscal responsibility with rising service costs and legislative mandates, social services. In 2025, Klay County Social Services navigated one of the most significant periods of policy, regulatory, and
operational changes in recent years. New state and federal legislation placed increased responsibilities and administrative costs on counties, directly impacting local budgets and tax levies. Despite these pressures, social services
continues to perform at a high level and demonstrate strong internal leadership. staff manage growing workloads and increase program complex complexity while achieving meaningful outcomes across divisions. Even amid rising expectations and cost
shifts, social services remain stable, collaborative, and well positioned to continue delivering highquality services to Klay County. Um, I just want to add a couple of things. I Solid Waste is here. I just want to recognize Corey being here. Um,
Corey works very hard. Um, this last year, we were able to uh sign a new three-year collaborative agreement with the city of Morhead. Thanks to the work of Corey and his team with the resource recovery center, that
landfill continues to operate well. Um Corey is attends a lot of the Prairie Lakes solid waste meetings in Perm with me. make sure that um the concerns of Klay County's interest are taken into into
consideration and Corey also um is working on future issues regarding our demolition landfill in Klay County. I also want to recognize Sarah here this morning. Sarah is uh um does an amazing
job through administration here in Klay County and a lot of people don't realize and one of the things I have not talked about this morning is our Klay County Morhead Joint Powers Authority Board that oversees the diversion project and Sarah handles all of that administrative
work for that organization and your work is very well appreciated. And I also have did not mention um a great big project that Klay County has been involved with, I've been involved with since 2009, and that's the diversion project.
And um the exciting thing on that is October of this year, that diversion project will be substantially complete. and we can expect to have flood protection coverage in any floods that
would occur starting in the spring of 2027. I also want to acknowledge again Darren for his work um his first year uh as the assistant county administrator and
Darren has had been involved with a couple of portfolios I have as I'm sure he has with the rest of the commissioners and and it really is really helped Steve a lot. Speaking of Steve, um all of these, you know, and I rec
we're recognizing all of these different department heads in the work that they do. And all of that is basically u guided by our county administrator. And I think we're fortunate to have one of the best county administrators in the state of Minnesota. And um we can't go
without saying thank you to you, Steve, for your leadership on behalf of Klay County. As we close another year of service, I want to thank our dedicated employees, my fellow county commissioners, and and the residents of Klay County for their
continued trust and partnership. State and federal legisl legislative changes have presented real challenges, but Klay County has remained steady, collaborative, and forward focused. I am especially grateful to our amazing
staff who carry out the the vision of the Klay County Board every day through professional professionalism and commitment. I also thank my fellow commissioners for their leadership and teamwork. Together, we
will continue working to ensure Klay County remains vibrant, inclusive, and a thriving community. You please feel free to contact any county commissioner or the county administration if you have any feedback. Thank you and best wishes to all of you
for 2026. All right, our next >> Pardon me, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, >> thank you. I did notice in the minutes that we had approved for 2020 or the December 23rd, there was something that I meant to bring up but didn't. In the
um it's just a technical in regards to the wording in the sheriff's uh paragraph resolution. It it um talks about the attorney's minimum. So, um I did give it to Sarah and Sarah has the information, but um we probably should
amend the mo the minutes that we passed to reflect that change. Does that make sense? >> Oh, in the in the attorneys, it mentions the sheriff's. >> Oh, >> well, you can just explain it if I'm
wrong, but if if we're right, we're right. That's right. Okay, perfect. >> Okay, >> never mind. Disregard. >> All right. Next, we have the election of the 2026 chair and vice chair.
And I will open it up for nominations for board chair. >> Mr. Chair, Commissioner, >> I'd like to uh make a motion to elect Commissioner Jenny Mojo as chair of the Klay County Board of Commissioners for 2026.
>> I'll second that. All right, we have a nomination and the second for Commissioner Mojo. Do we have any other nominations? We have any other nominations? Third and final call. Any other nominations?
Seeing none, all in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I oppose the same sign. Congratulations, >> Chair Mojo. >> Thank you. >> It's yours. >> Thank you. >> I appreciate it. Uh before we move on to the next piece, I just think it's really
important to uh acknowledge uh Commissioner Campbell for his intense work guiding this uh board as chair for 2025. Uh for those who don't know, Kevin uh never refuses a meeting. If a meeting needs to be had, he's always available
uh whether that be a citizen or staff or commission. So Kevin, I know it takes more work to be as chair uh but thank you for your work in 2025. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next item on the agenda is
the election of the 2026 vice chair. >> Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to elect Commissioner Kenoff to vice chair for Klay County Board of Commissioners 2026. >> We have a motion to elect Commissioner Kraban as vice chair of the board for 2026 from Commissioner Bear. A second
from Commissioner Ebinger. Are there any other nominations? Any other nominations? Any other nominations? All those in favor of electing Commissioner Kavanagh, vice chair, signify by saying I. >> I. >> I.
>> Opposed, same sign. Carried. Congratulations. Commissioner, >> do you want to rotate now? Is that >> Yeah, we could take just a fivem minute break. Okay, >> we will take a five minute break to get situated.
Okay. Item number four today would be the request of approval of the board of commissioners meeting schedule for 2026. Mr. Larson. >> Uh thank you, Madam Chair. As this board is aware, we've had a history of having a board meetings the first four Tuesdays
of every month at 8:30. uh we would like to uh continue that uh in 2026 with with several exceptions. Uh number one, uh we would be looking uh to uh to have a meeting on June 16th. Uh the board of
commissioners meeting will be held at 5:00 followed by the board of appeals and equalization at 6:30. Uh December 1st, we would be looking to have the board of commissioners meeting at 5:00 pm and truth and taxation at 6 PM. Uh
and we would looking be looking to not have a meeting on the board of commissioners on Tuesday, December 8th, uh because of the AMC conference. Uh the board did uh had a commissioner speak to me this morning. Again, we do have a fifth meeting, a fifth Tuesday in
December. Uh, historically, this board does not meet on the fifth Tuesdays unless there's work to be done. Uh, with the end of the year, the auditor treasur's office does appreciate having the fifth fifth Tuesday meeting so they can pay bills. And so, I would look for you to consider adding that as part of
our schedule for 2026. With that, I'd yield for any questions. >> Questions from the board. >> Board wishes. Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve the meeting schedule for 2026 with meetings
being held at 8:30 a.m. on the first four Tuesdays of the month with no regular meetings on the fifth Tuesday that may occur during the year with exceptions being June 16th which will be held at 5:30 and the board of equalization at 6:30 and December 1st which will be hold be held at 5:00 p.
a.m. followed by truth and taxation at 6 p.m. and December 8th not having any county board meeting due to AMC conference and then adding the fifth Tuesday of December so we can pay the bills. >> Motion to approve the schedule from Commissioner Bear as presented. A second offered from Commissioner Ebinger. Other
other further discussion other further discussion? Any other discussion? All those in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I >> oppose same sign carried. Item five today is request approval of resolutions 2026-1
through 2026-4 for newspaper designation and corresponding memorandum of understanding for 26. >> Chair move to approve mo resolution 2026-01. >> Motion offered from Commissioner Campbell to approve 2026-01.
A second from Commissioner Bayer. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Any further discussion? All those in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Carried. >> Madam chair, I'll make a motion to
approve resolution 202602 designating Holly Herald to be the printing of the notice of real property taxes and penalties for 2026. We have a motion offered to approve 2026-02 from Commissioner Kavanagh, a second
from Commissioner Bear. >> Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Any further discussion? All those in favor of the motion signify by saying I >> I post same sign. Carried.
>> Third item today is a resolution of 2026-03. >> Move. Motion offered from Commissioner Campbell to approve. A second from Commissioner Bear. >> Any further discussion? Any further discussion? >> Any further discussion? All those in
favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Carried. The next item is 2026-04. >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion offered from Commissioner Bear to approve. A second from Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion?
Any further discussion? Any further discussion? All those in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Carried. >> Thank you. Items. >> Sorry,
corresponding memorandum of understandings. So move >> second. >> We have a motion to approve theus from Commissioner Bayer. Second from Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Any further
discussion? All those in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Carried. Thank you. Item six today is the bid opening for the food services for West Central Regional Du Juvenile Center and our
correctional facility and withdrawal management. Miss Carrie morning, Madam Chair, commissioners. Um, as you know, we were here a month ago to request to release an RFP for food services for um the juvenile center. um
the jail and the detox center. Um and we're back today to for the purpose of opening those RFP bids. Um the RFP being in compliance with the MDE and the USDA requires public opening of the responses and that's what we're doing today. Um
because of the complex multi- facility contract, we will not be able to make an informed recommendation today. um as additional time is required to ensure the proposals fully meet the regulatory, operational and services expectations such as the department of corrections,
um MDE, USDA, menu planning, um nutritional standards, staffing models, and overall operational capacity. Our hope is to return next week um and provide you guys with an informed recommendation um and um for you guys to
make a an award of the contract, answer any questions you have, and then ultimately your guys' decision on awarding a contract. Um it appears um we've only received two um responses. Um Troy has one, Carrie has the other. Um and they will open
them now. Um, and then so you guys can just go ahead and open them. And while they're opening them, um, I'll just kind of explain, um, just to add a little context. Um, the the purpose is to publicly identify the company that responded and identify a bid price. Um,
so, but part of an industry standard is that and it's allowed by the RFP is to allow a uh um a sliding scale for those and and it does make sense. um the more meals served um the less the cost that
they're going to have. The less meals served, the more cost. So that's probably what it's going to be at. So for the purpose of today, the bid price that they're going to just announce is what our average daily population is anticipated to be for each one of those three facilities and they'll just report
that number today. Um and and then we'll take all the information back um and make sure they meet the standards and then come to you guys with an informed uh um an informed recommendation. It's like Christmas.
>> Yeah, I'm impressed. >> It's like Christmas, but we're hoping for a low number of the other I also think it's important for the public to know the ability to have us utilize three different facilities for this as you noted really helps the cost.
Uh you know certainly was part of our rationalization as we um planned forward these facilities. Yeah, as you can see, they're pretty thick. So, we got a lot of stuff to review and they're going to see if they can find the pricing here. But, yeah,
that's that's critical that um the board um when they when the board forward thinking with um the jail remodel, having the kitchen that it has is really able to offset a lot of the costs that we have. Um because again I mean our
average daily population for the jail um in 2026 we're anticipating about 120. Detox we're anticipating 22 and the juvenile center we're anticipating 65. So that's 200 meals every meal three meals a day. Um and turning out of that
kitchen that the county owns is is pretty critical. Yes, Commissioner May >> James. Is this this is for a three-year contract, correct? >> Or they're for single-year contracts, but we're we anticipate if they're meeting all the standards to recommend
the board to re-up it every year for up to four more years. >> Up to four more. >> Yes. >> All right. And that will be in your recommendation on the 13th approximately. >> That is correct. It's a little trickier than when we open
highway bids where it's a little easier to glean that number. Hence the review period. Um the first one looks like we got uh Trinity Food Services. Um for the
correctional facility, which is the jail, their bid price is $267 a meal. For the juvenile center, their bid price is $3.31 a meal. And for the detox, they're $2.67
a meal. >> James, may I ask, in regards to the youth in our facility, is that why the price is a little higher because of national requirements? >> That is correct. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Um and the the other one is for Summit
um Correctional Services provide a bid. Um, and for the jail, the average daily population, they quoted at $3.86 a meal. For detox, um, $520 a meal. And
for the juvenile center, $5.20 a meal. Okay. >> We're going to, with your permission, take these back, review them individually to make sure they meet our individual facility specifications and to the RFP. Um and then come to you guys
next week with uh an informed recommendation on moving forward. >> Any comments from the board? >> Yes, Commissioner Campbell. >> Yeah, James, can you can you um also provide us I'm assuming that when each of you did your 2026 budgets, you had to
anticipate something for this. Can you just share with us how how these numbers match up with you don't have to do it today but maybe when you come back next week how how these numbers match up with what you had put into your 2026 projected budgets.
>> We'll do. >> Thank you. >> Any further discussion? Yes, Commissioner Bigger. >> And if you could just a comparison on any increase or decrease in cost. >> Um right now we were at paying about $2.90 a meal. That's would be the average probably
about from all three of us. Did you have a question? >> Nope. >> Any further discussion? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Item number seven is request approval of the Klay County Board of Commissioners committee assignments for 2026. I
understand Commissioner Kavanagh didn't have an opportunity to give feedback on his and and as you know this is a revolving conversation. If there any other additional pieces came up after last week on other commissioner schedules happy to talk about it now. Commissioner Kavanagh. >> Yeah. So just a couple of comments. I
did uh watch our meeting last week online. So I I know the discussion that already took place of my assignments. There's only one that um seems to have a conflict and I can still make it work
but anyway it's the intergovernmental committee that I have quarterly. It conflicts with my monthly meeting with children's mental health that I'm a very active part in. So, I don't know if anybody has interest on that. That's a
quarterly meeting. Um, it'd be the first Thursday of of the quarter and starts at 7:30 and goes till roughly 8:39, something like that. And do you know, Kevin, where it's going to be next year?
>> Um, we're going Are we going to DGF this tomorrow? >> One more. Yeah. >> Is that the joint powers or the intergovernmental? >> That's intergovernmental. intergovernmental. >> It used to be referred as that's no long joint powers. It's intergovernmental committee.
>> Yeah. I mean, it's an excellent committee and I really enjoyed it, but it just conflicts with that other one. >> That's the one that plans the annual retreat. >> Right. Right. >> I'm already on it. So, >> yeah, >> I I if I I' I'd be interested in taking that from you, Paul, if that works.
>> Yeah. >> As long as you give me Yeah. where they meet and all that. So, yeah. Get it on the calendar. >> Yeah. Okay. Uh, I'd be open to that. And then >> you think we're okay on Metro? >> I think so. Yeah. Okay. >> Unless you need to make an adjustment
with the other committee >> unless you wanted to make a adjustment with the other committee. >> Well, I'll throw one other out. Maybe it's just for a conversation if anybody has interest. The other one that conflicts with me a little bit is uh
Commissioner Mojo and I served on the Metro Cog and on that one um uh with her work with AMC and and and myself having you know attend probably half the meetings um that too becomes a quarterly
conflict with the West Central uh initiative economic development and that's the third Thursday from about noon till 4:00. It's normally held in Fergus Falls. Um certainly uh um we can
still I think make it work. So it's not as critical as the other one, but if anybody here has an interest in that, it's a very interesting meetings that they have. They do good work. they give small business loans to our to communities and uh again it's about
economic development again in joining that committee just a matter of giving a little more priority to >> Commissioner Campbell has a question >> and that's you're the alternate on that one >> no I'm I'm actually vice chair right now >> that's uh different than your west
central >> we're talking metrocog right >> we're talking metrocog >> I'm the alternate on metrocog >> you just switched He had another conflict that he's bringing up with West Central in order to cover Metro Cog on those days. >> Well, West Central, he's looking to
move. >> And two, if it's not to absorb all of it, what you know, what would the appetite be to possibly add an alternate for you in those times when you needed to go to Metro >> and maybe that'd be better >> because this board has taken a stronger stance on making sure that we're have a
voice of the table of economic development pieces. And when I started that committee, they had it at 8:30 in the morning and it worked out great. But now they moved it the afternoon. >> So West Central meets in the afternoon. >> Yeah. From 12 to 4. >> 12 to 4. Quarterly. Is that a quarterly
meeting? >> Starting this month >> in Fergus. >> In Fergus. >> Mhm. >> I'd be interested in being an alternate. >> Okay. >> I mean, if nobody else wants to. I mean, if it's quarterly, the third Thursday, you said
>> you have diversion that day. >> My Thursdays are booked from 7:30. >> Well, maybe that makes the most sense. I think that >> have an alternate. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Third Thursday >> since it's quarterly. Yeah, >> I like that. >> Okay. All right. >> Yeah. >> Good. Sarah, you >> Okay.
>> So, I'll do what I can, but we'll >> Yeah, we'll Okay, sounds good. >> That's it. Okay. >> Anyone else? Madam Chair, I would move the uh 2026 committee assignments as amended this
morning. >> Thank you. We have a motion to approve the committee assignments from Commissioner Campbell, a second from Commissioner Ebinger. Further dialogue. All those in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Signify by saying oppose. Same sign.
Carried. Thanks. Item eight is committee reports. Commissioner Ebinger. >> Madam Chair, I have no reports this week. >> Commissioner Kavanagh, I had one meeting u Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh I have uh I
had one meeting that was last night with the Morhead Planning Commission. Uh there was uh really only one thing um or two things that happened uh of substance. Uh one was a re quick review
of the uh 2025 and report and then the second one was the that I found interesting was the five-year capital improvement plan for 26 through 2030. And I'm just going to read for this that
um interest in Morehead u highlighted were what's for 2026 uh be the continued work on center avenue between 8th and 10th Street. Uh second was the redevelopment of Moy Center Mall that with the completion of
the new streets. Uh this is a new one. Uh they're moving forward with a new u uh pedestrian bike bridge uh down at Blue Stem. So the new bluest stem bridge. Uh fourth was infrastructure for
Prairie Parkway development that's down uh south on uh on 40th Avenue over by Shepard Church that area. and then other various street rehabilitation and mil mill and overlay projects. And that
concludes my report. >> Thank you, Commissioner Kavanagh, Commissioner Campbell. >> I have nothing to report. >> Thank you, Commissioner Campbell. Commissioner Bear. >> Madam Chair, I went to one meeting last week. It was with the city of Holly and Holly Township talking about annexation of the Gloryland edition. That would be
the southwest of town right off of Highway 10. some of the there's five businesses there that are looking at being annexed in and they're just trying to figure out to deal with the township and the businesses and working through that path. Those are all my committees.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Bearer. Last week I had the Metroco Executive Committee meeting, standard business. Uh we did have a preliminary approval of a grant acceptance. uh staff had written for funds to talk
about rural Midwest trauma blood sync network. Uh basically what it is is funds that were available to ensure that throughout uh Minnesota and North Dakota uh blood is blood and liquid tra plasma are available within a 30 minute radius
uh goes into planning dollars and Metricco was able to secure $960,000 for 2026 to go into the planning. The local match will be covered by uh $240,000 will be covered by Vitalent
Sanford and Essentia hospital resources. This is a substantial uh asset to uh planning healthcare needs throughout the region. Really excited about that opportunity. We had um further agency updates. The dues will be going out shortly. Klay County should be receiving
that. Uh again there was a decrease actually in that and that concludes what was handled there. Uh our administrator. >> Uh thank you madam chair. Yesterday I just had nine department check-ins that I completed. Uh no other no other
meetings. >> Okay. Sarah, did you have anything? >> Okay. Did we have any messages from Brian? Okay. Mr. Brookke, do you have anything? Uh just on the 30th I had a discussion
about the real estate transfer process with Lori and Kimberly. Um the second I worked on negotiation summary that we'll talk about in the closed session. And yesterday I had an evaluation that I gave and a meeting with Anna. And just a
reminder that uh this will be the first payroll of 2026. So make sure everybody checks their payub to make sure they're correct. Thank you. I think it's important also that folks look uh mail gets kind of stacked up throughout the holidays and I believe h our uh health
insurance cards did get sent as well. >> Yep. They should be sent out already. If you haven't gotten them um contact HR, they may have a bad address for you or something. >> Thank you. Our next item on the agenda is a close session regarding labor negotiations per Minnesota statute
13D-03. >> Move to close. Motion offered from Commissioner Campbell to go into close sec session. Second from Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? All those in favor of the motion signify by saying I.
>> I. Same sign. Carried. We're in close session. You go around to the west side. >> All right. Thank you. We're back in session. Is there any other business before the board? Seeing none, our next meeting will be
Tuesday, January 13th. We stand adjourned.