--------- 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, October 7th. Our first item will be the approval of the agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I'll offer a motion to approve the agenda as presented. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion by
Commissioner Mojo, second by Commissioner Bear. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> What was the same? Motion carried. Next we have employee
recognitions. We have one today. Holly. Holly. Congratulations on 25 years of service to Klay County. >> And I'll bet you never realized you'd have the media here for you today. >> Thank you. >> All right. Quinn, do you want to
>> Oh, I sure do. >> Got the camera ready. Okay, perfect. >> Um, I've had the privilege of working alongside Holly in many roles over the years, and I can say without hesitation that she represents the very best of leadership. Uh, she handles a delicate balance of program knowledge, inter
agency collaboration, and finances and budgets with poise and professionalism. She's also a master planner and organizer who communicates effectively both up and down the chain. and she has a unique ability to be professional, approachable, and supportive all at once. Um, I consistently hear from her
staff, many of which are right here in the back, how much they value her leadership. In fact, her staff nominated her. She was recognized with a statewide award for leadership by MSSA, an honor that speaks to how highly her staff and colleagues regard her. I'm able to see firsthand the positive impact she has on
her team and the entire agency. Ollie, I want you to know how much I admire the way that you lead with both strength and kindness. You made a real difference to everybody in Klay County. I'm so thankful I get to work alongside you. Truly one of a kind. Congratulations on 25 years. All right. Next, we have citizens to be
heard. Do we have any citizens to be heard on items not on the agenda this morning? Yes, sir. Do you want to um go up and give your name? >> Uh, thanks for hearing me. David Kra, Felton, Minnesota. Um, I was motivated
to be here today by your uh notification of a 6% potential increase in property taxes. Uh, that amounts to about $3,200 in in my regard. Uh, I'd like to spend my full three minutes complaining about how the uh egg land shouldn't be taxed
in this regard. the uh there's be little or no profits in agriculture this year and there will be little or no next year as as per projections and and the unfairness of the system that we have here in Klay County and across the state of Minnesota uh taxing a land and taxing
uh businesses uh just because there's no way to hide it is completely unfair. You're since I'm a retired farmer, you're now taxing my retirement account. You don't tax anybody else's 401k pension plan or antique car collection. So, that's completely unfair. The uh largest increase I saw, I believe, was
in social services. And I'd like to point out that soybeans don't need social services. Corn doesn't need social services. Uh and it's uh unfair. Again, it's unfair to be taxing a land for uh services that they don't need. Roads and bridges. Yes, eggland needs roads and bridges, but the large
increase in that is uh uh unreasonable, unjust, unfair, and I'd like you to see what you can do to make sure that those are as low as possible. I just read that the census data shows that in 2023 uh Minnesota spent per person in poverty $46,000 per person.
Now, this is this is an addition of federal, state, local, and community dollars spent on a per person that's under poverty. And I tried to find out exactly what they meant by poverty. The federal poverty guidelines says that's 1500 $15,650
a year. And there are certain percentages of that that qualify you for different programs, but in no place that I see that it was over $31,000 a year. So the $46,000 that state of Minnesota spends, which is second only to
Massachusetts, um $46,000 per person when there's only it's got to be only $31,000 to be uh considered in poverty. It shows how inefficient government is at providing services. And once again,
we need to look at all that. Uh there's a line item in your budget for the new DMV uh building. Uh and um it's interesting after you spent that much money on that building, I still find it uh more convenient and better service to drive to Holly where they use
an old paid for uh building in downtown. Uh we're having we're hearing much about fraud and abuse in social services programs in the state of Minnesota. Federal charges are currently being filed handed out in Minneapolis.
Excuse me. Now I believe we are better than Minneapolis here in Klay County. But are what's the level of fraud and abuse do we have? I'm certain that there are some. Is there enough that that could be eliminated to take care of the increase in the budget? I I I'm
concerned and and that if we have that if we have the level of fraud here in Klay County that they are finding in Minneapolis and St. Paul, uh probably you could give us money back instead of raising the taxes. So, enough about the complaining. And eloquent as it was, it
was complaining. So, what should you do? First, you should push back on St. Paul. Uh no unfunded mandates. If you don't, if they don't send you the money, they shouldn't be able to tell you what to do. uh push back as hard as you possibly can. I I want you to make every effort possible to eliminate local fraud fraud
and waste to make sure that the uh all the programs are being running efficiently and there's not money being given away or it shouldn't be given. And thirdly, if you do need to raise taxes, uh raise taxes on gravel. Um there's we we heard about all the travel traffic
that can be coming down Highway 26. Uh it happens that just as they're talking about a new data center in North Dakota, there's a new gravel pit opened up along Highway 26 and an old one reopened along 26. Uh not unlike oil in North Dakota, gravel is a one-time uh extraction from
the state of Minnesota and Klay County should be harvesting as much as they can from the state of North Dakota where the the data center doesn't seem to have any concerns about budget and where the uh a lot of of gravel is going into the dam around Fargo. So, uh, any taxes that
were raised on Klay County residents as a result, uh, they're actually paying themselves because they're turn around they'd have to pay less county taxes because they paid higher gravel tax. So, I think that would be a win-win. So, there's my suggestions. Push back on St. Paul, eliminate local fraud and waste,
and raise gravel taxes if you need to raise taxes. Thank you for your time, unless there's a question for me. Any >> questions? Thank you, David. Do we have any other citizens who would like to be heard? Any other citizens? Anyone online?
Steve? >> No one. Mr. Chair, >> thank you. That we move in then to By the way, I'm just going to comment on the preliminary levy. It is our hope that that doesn't stay at that number. Uh we set that as the maximum that it can be. We're going to do everything
that we can to help bring that down. So, >> well, it's It's a start. All right. Next, we have the approval of bills and vouchers. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Krabnoff. Second
by Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. The same sign. Motion carried. Next, we have the minutes from September
16th and September 23rd. And unless anybody has uh corrections to one, we'll take a motion to approve them both. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from September 16th and September 23rd. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Einger. Any
further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. oppose the same sign. Motion carried. All right. Our next item is the Klay County Extension National 4 week
presentation and proclamation. >> Good morning. Okay. Good. All right. Good morning, you guys. Um, we're glad to be here today. We're going to share for a few minutes about Klay County Extension. Um, and then as you mentioned, it is National 4 week. Um, so
we'll touch on that as well. Um, we with the University of Minnesota Extension are partners with Klay with Klay County government. Um, extension brings research based education um, and hands-on learning right here to Klay County. Whether you're looking to grow healthy gardens, strengthen your family
and community, or explore youth programs, or expand your knowledge in agriculture, the extension program is here to help. All right. Extension's mission is to be accessible to everyone in the county. Connect people with practical solutions and resources. Build individual skills
and strengthen communities. Connecting you with the knowledge, tools, and support that create a meaningful change at home, at work, and across our communities. We're just going to introduce ourselves here really quick. My name is Jillian Petri and I am the extension horiculture
educator in Klay County and I also help support our Klay County master gardeners. >> Okay, I think it's on now. I'm Amelia Lansburg. Um I am one of our 4 educators in Klay County. >> Uh and my name is Mon'nique Stellzer. I am also one of the 4 youth development
extension educators in Klay County. So, your Klay County Extension team members offer unique areas of expertise. We each have a focus or specialty area that we support. Um, and because Klay County government has invested in the local extension program, we as extension staff are able to tap into both the
regional and statewide network of extension specialists who also bring additional programs, trainings, and community development initiatives to Klay Countyy's communities. Um, you know, as we move into the rest of our presentation, we do want to pause for just a second to note that it is National 4 week. Um, National 4 week is
a celebration that's been going on for decades. Um, and we're excited to share that with you guys today. And we did bring forward a proclamation that we're hoping board chair Kevin Campbell is willing to share um, proclaiming National 4 week throughout Klay County as well. So, we'll take a pause for him to share that and then we'll continue
with our presentation if you're okay with that. Well, I'll tell you what. I'm gonna have all of our board share in that process. >> Oh, that's awesome. I love it. >> Commissioner Mojo, >> whereas this year's National 4 week theme, beyond ready, reminds us that 4
is building a ready generation in a world of change and equips young people with the skills for the future while meeting them where they are today. Whereas 4 is America's and Minnesota's largest youth development organization
supporting 6 million youth across the country and over 50,000 youth in 20 in in 2025 across Minnesota. And whereas Minnesota 4 programs are delivered by the University of Minnesota extension and provide experience for young people
to learn by doing in all 87 countries across the state. Whereas 4 is in every city and county in the United States and helps six million youth become engaged, successful and independent. And whereas
4 connects young people and adults to their communities, preparing them for work and life through experimental and inquirybased learning while providing emerging research for positive youth development. And >> whereas expanding from its strong
agricultural overlets for helps young people explore the world around them and grow into productive adults. And >> whereas supporting future leaders in science, agriculture, and community leadership is an important imperative
for the United States Department of Agric agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture 4 program. And >> now therefore, be it resolved that the Klay County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim October 5th through
11th, 2025 as 4 week. >> Do I have a motion for the >> Mr. Chair? I'll move the proclamation. >> Second. >> Have a motion by Commissioner Mojo, second by Commissioner Ebering. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> Oppose. The same. Motion carried. >> Thank you so much you guys. I'm glad that you helped celebrate with us this week. Um 4's national beyond ready initiative aims to prepare young people for the future by equipping them with the skills and abilities to be ready for work and ready for life. Through this
initiative, we continue to prepare a ready generation of youth who are healthy, productive, engaged, and ready for a world that changes. Amelia is up next and she's going to share a little bit more about that beyond ready initiative. >> Okay, so 4 is building a ready
generation. um by developing capable, caring and contributing young people who strengthen communities and support our local priorities um through hands-on learning in leadership, health, STEM and agriculture. Um 4 prepares youth to become responsible citizens whose positive impact extends beyond um
themselves creating long-term value for families um communities and a society as a whole. Young people leave 4 ready for work and ready for life. Um, in Klay County specifically, 4H clubs contribute to their communities through various service projects like growing food to reduce um, food insecurity, labeling
storm drains um to protect our water supply, painting fire hydrants to help maintain our emergency services system, and picking up garbage to beautify our public roadways. Um, Klay County 4ers understand that being a responsible citizen means caring for yourself and your community.
So part of that big hairy audacious goal for National 4 is while National 4 currently serves six million youth in the next five years they'd like to reach 10 million youth. That's nearly doubling the numbers. Um and Minnesota 4 of course has a pretty audacious goal as
well. We'd like to see our numbers grow. Uh locally in Klay County we reached 702 youth with direct programming last year. That means they participated in a 4-Eled program. It was not indirect. Um, we reach 702 young people through the workshops, events, and volunteer
engagement. Extension staff are able to build a community of empowered young people and volunteers. Last year, 702 young people received direct programming through Klay County 4 and staff led more than 100 workshops, events, and meetings. As youth development professionals, we don't do it alone. Um,
this is why we identify, train, and support volunteers to help lead young people in our organization. Our work with volunteers enables local extension staff to reach a larger number of young people. On top of building the strong volunteer base, extension staff work directly with local youth through project-based workshops. We provide
after school programs, day camps, training workshops, as well as project learning committees. So, Klay County has seen high numbers of retention and growth in the past year. Um, our youth served in our programs and clubs are able to build their life skills through project-based learning
again and leadership opportunities that prepare them for similar experiences once they've moved on from the organization. Um, because youth are presented with the opportunity to participate in forage programs and clubs, they can then bring the knowledge and experience that they gained in extension to other areas of their life
and out into their communities. And now we are going to have one of our 4 members, Bridget Hendrickson, talk about her experience in 4. >> Good morning, Bridget. >> Good morning. My name is Bridget Hendrickson. I am in 10th I'm in 10th
grade at Barnesville High School. I've been in for nine years and am secretary in my club. In my county fair, I show rabbits, chickens, and many static exhibits like food preservation, photography, and many more. I have been to the state fair twice in the past two
years. I first got interested in food preservation when I made jam with my grandmother. We decided to enter it in the fair and ever since then I made something each year to show. This year I brought my homemade crock-pot applesauce to the state fair and received a blue
ribbon and a community impact award for it. One of my most memorable moments of this year at the state fair was the conference judging. I learned how to explain my process more clearly and confidently. I also enjoyed listening to others at my table share how they made
their items. One thing I struggled with was selecting the right items and finding the right amount of cinnamon. I always enjoy going to the state fair with my family. After showing, we walk around to see the other exhibits, try the food, and enjoy the fair together. It's something I look every year. After
4, my plan is to go to college and earn a bachelor's degree in accounting since I've loved math since I was a kid. My short-term goal is to finish high school and college, and my long-term goal is to build a career, start family, and live a happy life. For has taught me
responsibility, confidence, and the value of hard work. I'm grateful for the experiences I've had and have yet to learn. >> Thank you. >> So, Bridget, I want to tell you a real short little story. Many many years ago, one of my sons was in 4 at the same age
as you and she was in 4 and shared a lot of her experiences with this gal right to the right of me here, Commissioner Mojo. And the leadership skills that you learn, it brings to that level. So, congratulations on what you're doing.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Hello again. Um with an extension horiculture education falls under the department of agriculture and natural resources or ANR for short. Um this area ex of extension aims to
provide effective researchbased education and integrate diverse perspectives to address critical issues impacting Minnesota's agricultural and natural resource systems. In Klay County, I engage with colleagues, partners, stakeholders, and volunteers
to define re resident and community issues and develop lasting solutions. So, one important priority here in Klay County is providing technical assistance. So, answering resident questions about home um horiculture,
agriculture, and kind of everything plant related. Um, and site visits are one of those signature services that extension provides to communities where Klay County residents receive one-on-one assistance and tailored solutions. In
addition to technical assistance, Klay County Extension offers a wide array of ways university resources are delivered to residents. These include workshops, events, and outreach. As I mentioned before too, I also
support our Klay County master gardeners. Um, and this is another way that extension brings resources and knowledge to the communities. Um, through this volunteer program, the Klay County Master Gardener volunteers had another year of amazing growth. With 21
active members, they managed to log 728 volunteer hours here in Klay County. They hosted events and workshops and maintained several gardens throughout the county. They are looking forward to another busy year and new projects, including the installation of a
pollinator habitat garden at the Crystal Sugar offices in North Morehead. We have five 2026 interns that will be starting in January. Today I have with you uh Tim Tim Wazine. He has been a Klay County Master
Gardener since 2020 and he's going to share his experience with the Klay County Master Gardener program. >> Good morning. Thank you. Um, as Jill said, I've been an extension master gardener volunteer since 2020.
And one of the things that I really enjoy uh as part of being a master gardener is the impact that I can make on my communities uh in Klay County. Uh friends, family, and uh individuals that I I run across in in this volunteer
work. Uh we do a number of projects throughout the community. Um, and what I really appreciate about being able to uh to serve in this way is the connections that I make with people who are curious about gardening, who have questions, who are experienced, who are inexperienced,
uh, kids and and adults as well. Um, I've done some teaching of community education classes over the years. Uh, I've been part of the garden tour, the Klay County Master Gardener Garden Tour the last couple of years. uh when it was still in existence, I was one of the uh
caretakers of the uh rose garden trial project uh that was uh that was located over in Dworth. Um I've volunteered at the farmers market in Morehead and at the county fair a couple of times uh where you have a chance to share
knowledge and experience and just interact with the public. I really appreciate the uh research that the University of Minnesota does on agriculture and horiculture and to have access to that through the system uh and be able to share skills and knowledge
with community members uh and the and the latest research and techniques. I enjoy the camaraderie with my fellow master gardeners. We meet regularly and we geek out on gardening and all kinds of different things. Uh, and it's fun to
have that uh that community uh of of like-minded gardeners. Thank you. >> Okay. In addition to our individual program priorities, the Klay County Extension team is working together to support programming for the whole community. Um, as a team, we utilize
each other's expertise to elevate our programming. Um, collaborative projects that we've done have included the Klay County Fair, um, 4 afternoon after school programs and summer camps. um for each project activity day and community events like Flutterfest. Um event reports from the Klay County Fair and
Flutterfest are both included in your information packets. Um so feel free to read those after today's meeting. All right. The extension service brings university knowledge directly to our communities through direct programming, community partnerships, and volunteer
service by offering free and trusted education in areas like horiculture, youth development, youth development, and family wellness. Extension makes everyday life better while strengthening the places we live, work, and play. Extension equips individuals with skills
that ripple outwards. Extension helps reduce public costs, foster resilience, and ensures a healthier, more prosperous future for everyone in our community. Extension starts by providing private value to our program participants who gain knowledge, skills, and experience through their extension programs. But
the benefit doesn't end there. Those same participants take those skills and experience forward to the other people and places that they connect with, whether it's community boards, community events. Um, participants are using their knowledge and skills that they've learned through extension in their
churches, their schools, and throughout their community. Extension participants gain knowledge, practice skills, and then apply those same assets throughout the other areas of their lives. All right, to wrap things up, the Klay County Extension Service transforms university research into practical,
locally focused education that improves everyday life, strengthens families and communities, supports economic growth, protects natural resources, and reduces public costs, creating lasting value for every citizen.
Thank you so much for supporting extension in Klay County. We appreciate everything that you uh do for us and we'd be happy to answer any questions or take any comments at this time. >> Commissioner Bear, I was wondering how
does one become a master gardener? >> Good question. Yes, every year we have an application period that begins at August 1st and goes through October 1st. So, you fill out an application that um garers your interest in becoming a
master gardener. Um there are a few background checks that need to be done since we do volunteer with um vulnerable adults and children. And then you register for the course, which is a self-paced online course um that you can complete in one year. And then that
first year, you're considered an intern. And in that first year, you complete 50 hours of volunteer service. And then after you complete the course in that 50 hours, then you become an active ma master gardener. And then from then on,
you do 25 hours of volunteer service or as much as you want to. That's just the minimum. Um and then do about six hours of continuing education. So, >> yep. >> I noticed uh your numbers now were 21 that you showed. Yes.
>> That's up quite a bit, I think, from not too long ago if I'm not mistaken. >> Yes. So when I came into this position in January 2024, we had 12 >> uh we had five interns that year um which they all completed the course and
joined our program. This year we have seven interns that are um pro they're completing the course. So at the end of the year should be done with that and then we have five that are coming in for 2026. So we're really really excited with the numbers. It definitely helps us
um make a bigger impact. >> Anybody else? >> I knew Mr. Moa would have something. >> Yes. >> Thank you both for sharing your story and and how this programming in Klay County has affected you and helped you and we're really grateful that that it's
something that you've chosen to be active in. Um, you know, I just want to maybe go back to the citizen that that came before us to talk about some of the the hard levy issues that we deal with. And it is really great for us to hear about some of the really good work
that's happening on the front side of some of those um hard stories, but to celebrate the successes and invest intentionally in programs that are really helping lift kids and individuals into great healthy uh programs that will help them with their entire life. So, um
I also agree, uh Commissioner Campbell's son was a phenomenal leader, still is a great leader and uh really had an effect on both of us. So, I can't wait to see where 4 takes you. But thank you all for being here today and certainly 4 week is really important. So, uh if you haven't
read the FM Extra has a really great story on programming in Klay County and some of the other great uh success stories with kiddos in the county, too. So, thanks. Thank you very much. >> All right. Thank you for your presentation. >> All right. Next, we have a um
proclamation for eligibility worker and case aid month. Good morning, Quinn. Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. Yes, I am here uh to request a proclamation recognizing October 2025 as eligibility worker in
case aid month in Klay County. Um just for you to know, in 2024, our 29 eligibility workers each processed an average of 8,178 documents, which is about 33 documents per worker per day. Um along with nearly 9,000 in office appointments, uh not
including phone interviews or daily tasks. Despite this high volume, Klay County maintained an error rate of 3%, far below the statewide average, underscoring the incredible accuracy and timeliness of our staff. Um, in fact, the timeliness threshold, we are at 92.8% for all program applications, uh,
which kind of crushed the state threshold of 75%. So, a huge shout out to our eligibility workers there. uh that their customer service skills, professionalism, and attention to detail ensure that families, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities
receive the supports they need quickly and correctly. Um, in addition to the vital work of our eligibility workers, case aids provide essential behindthe-scenes support that keeps our operations running smoothly. They handle tasks that range from preparation and processing of forms to managing file
documentation, assisting with client communications, and ensuring children in foster care have safe and meaningful contact with their parents. Their attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple responsibilities really allow our eligibility workers and social workers to focus on the more complex
case determinations, making them an indispensable part of our service delivery system. Um, and with that, I would yield for any questions, but I do have an attached proclamation if the board is so inclined to proceed. >> All right, we have the Yes, Commissioner Mel. >> Yes.
>> Uh, thank you for bringing this forward. Thanks for the data. I think it's really important for the public to hear that. Um, one thing that not all people know is eligibility is determining verification, right? So, it's an element of us to go through and see if there is
any potential fraud, weeding out what is um who is eligible to get the services, who is not eligible to get the services. So, I one, thank you so much for the work that you're doing. It's a really complex time and I know the uh the
technology in which you work through uh finding out that information is also irrelevantly broken. And part of that is uh to uh Mr. Kness as well is we spent a significant amount of time in St. Paul this year talking about how broken that
u modernization how broken that technology piece was and why the state instead of slamming other unfunded mandates down us needs to spend money on updating that service so it helps us. Um, you know, I I will also say that
error rate piece that we talk about substantially below what the state average that we see is, but I I think it's important for the public to know that's not always that our employee is putting that number in. The program automatically inputs information in and
we do a really great job of of catching that. But for instance, you need to um put in if a infant is a veteran or not, if an infant is married or not. Those are those are things that um can be overseen accidentally, but those are pieces that we need to eliminate from
the program completely. And so um one, thank you. I know we're going to do the proclamation, but I just um want uh folks in this uh program area to know that we really one appreciate the work that you do. It's really tricky and painful and hard, but it's also um it's
you're doing a really great job with uh antiquated uh programming, and so we appreciate it. All right, Ezra. And with that recognition of October 2025, eligibility worker and case aid month, whereas
eligibility workers and case aids provide critical access to vital programs for health care, food, housing, and economic supports for thousands of residents in Klay County. Whereas their dedication, compassion and professionalism ensure that all
residents are treat are treated with dignity dignity and respect. And whereas the accuracy and timeliness safeguard resources, protect families and connect families or connect people to essential services and moments of greatest need.
and >> whereas their invaluable contributions form the foundation of Klay County Social Services and uphold the mission of serving the community. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Klay County Board of Commissioners proclaims October
2025 as eligibility worker in case aid month and calls upon all residents to join in honoring the outstanding contributions of these employees. We have a motion to approve the proclamation. >> I'll second.
>> We have a motion by Commissioner Kraov, second by Commissioner Bear. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion carried. All
right. Thank you, Quinn, on that one. Um, are you doing this next one? >> Sure am. Okay, we're running a little behind with a public hearing, but let's just see if we can get this. >> I'll do my best. >> All right. Um, I'm here for this uh
action item to request approval to transfer four public health staff into social services. Um, the intent of this proposal is to streamline the min choices program which is overseen by Jessica Mickelson. Um, we really want to improve the operational efficiency between public
health and social services to support the county budget goals. This plan involves transferring four FTEEs from public health into social services, three MIN choices assessor and one case. Uh, social services receives a higher reimbursement rate for MI choices time
study random moments. By shifting these FTEEs into social services, the county will maximize revenue capture through its existing reimbursement stream uh creating a cost savings for public health with the salaries and additional revenue for the county overall. However, it is important to note that beginning
in 2027, M choices will no longer be a part of the time study due to legislative changes from this past session. While this transition generates immediate fiscal uh positive impacts for 2026's budget, the long-term structure will need to be re-evaluated before
January 1st, 2027 once the state finalizes the flat rate reimbursement funding for Men Choic's work. Uh we don't know what that is yet, but we do know the state needs to realize $9 million in savings in this area alone. Uh and I definitely have concerns that the revenue from this program will
decrease, which will negatively impact our budget forecast for 2027. Uh so long and short, good for 2026 but potentially bad for 2027. Um this proposal was brought before the personnel issues committee uh supported to move forward um for you all to consider.
Uh kind of the timeline on this would the the public health staff would formally move into social services budget effective January 1st. However, the staff would physically move into our newly renovated fourth floor wing in the family service center in early December to complete the necessary training and onboarding.
Uh when it comes to the uh the cost and the impact there, currently in public health, the four FTEES carry a projected salary and benefits of $434,233 for 2026. While those staff are projected to generate approximately
$325,000 in revenue for public health based on prior performance. That leaves a net levy impact of $ 109,233. By transitioning these four FTEEs into social services, we leverage our higher social services cost pool, which produces that higher reimbursement for
the exact same work. When added on top of the revenue that's already generated by Jessica's staff um in this program area, this change is projected to capture an additional $68,881 in revenue for 2026. So that means instead of carrying that $ 109,233
levy impact in public health, the county avoids that impact but also gains a $68,881 in new revenue capacity. So in total, this would realize an estimated net benefit of $178,146's budget. And with that, I would yield for any questions that you may have.
>> Commissioner. >> Yeah, Quinn. Um, this came before P. just let the board know it came before pick and uh we recommended we make this move. Uh I think it's a very prudent uh
cost effective way of providing the same services and we know it's going to be well supervised and directed uh in your departments. Um, I appreciate the cander in letting us know that we can only count on this for
one year to to meet the needs that we've identified here, but it is an example of the issue we're having with cost shifting coming out of the state. We have no control of that. We can be vocal about it. I think this this commission's
always been good at trying to get the public awareness that these are things that happen outside of our area of control, but I think next year's session is going to be pretty painful for counties. I think the the Association of Minnesota Counties is aware of that.
We're well represented on that. Commissioner Mojo uh is very active in a lot of components on that as am I. and uh Commissioner Krabangh has uh gone up to the capital with uh Commissioner Mojo on a number of occasions. Uh we've all
been up there at least once this year and we're going to continue the to try and keep cost down, but this comes from the state. We don't have any control of it. And I do appreciate the fact that you're you're identifying a way we can be more cost effective this year. And as
we move into the unknown, I'm sure you and your staff are going to be on top of it. But I I think this is a very good recommendation and I hope we can move forward with it. >> Commissioner Mojo
>> Quinn, I I just want to thank you and staff for going back with Penn after we directed with preliminary budget woes. really how do we better articulate programming and and what makes the most sense. It is un unfortunate that there
are such vast differences in what the reimburseable rate for services is across the board. That's part of what we're talking about in St. Paul has said, but uh this certainly seems to make the most sense and I appreciate um you know from the conversations we've had that you've all been very willing to
continually look at this to see what makes the most sense understanding we want to serve serve um the community with the most fiscally sound oper option as possible. So thank you. Yeah. Spacewise, how are we doing with the
>> Well, we're going to fill up that wing immediately with this transition. So, >> it'll be tight, but we'll make it work. >> When I came to building committee and said this solves our problems for the next 3 to 5 years, I didn't anticipate this. However, uh that shift did create uh openings in other wings on different floors. So, we're still we're doing
okay. >> Any other comments? >> Mr. Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the transfer of four public health staff positions into the social service department effective January 1st, 2026. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Bear, second by
Commissioner Eberinger. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose the same sign. Motion carried. >> Thank you so much. Uh Mr. Chair,
commissioners, of of note, I don't have it on the agenda, but uh it's important to note in Jessica's uh wing, we also are going to realize some additional licensing revenue. I don't believe I've brought that before the board yet. We've learned about this after budgets were submitted. Uh we're hoping that this will realize between about 100 to
120,000 in additional revenue as well, which will help offset that levy a little bit. >> Great work. >> Thank you. >> So, may I uh question? So just to go to the points we talked about what you're talking licensing and the two moves that
is a total what's the total number on that it's approaching >> it'd be 178,000 for the min choices transition and an additional 100 to 120,000 for the new licensing rate. >> Awesome.
That'll definitely help us. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Next uh is our public hearing regarding Scott D's petition to for text amendment to the Klay County Land Developments and Subdivision ordinance. And if I recall
correctly, this was a continuation from previous meeting. >> Yeah. Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. It's still the public hearing has been open this entire time. >> So, the hearing is already open. So, we will at this point in time continue uh with the public hearing. and Matt, I
will turn it over to you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, this is a petition for a text amendment to permit cannabis businesses as a conditional use in the egg service center zoning district. Uh, this was brought by um Scott DMS and Elevated Dispensaries.
I'm just a high level overview of where the uh egg service center zoning districts are located throughout the county. uh the petition request the the petition cited the following reasons for um allowing a cannabis business uh in the
egg service center district. So one being historic preservation uh this is specific to the a grain elevator in Baker um described as an iconic egg structure that should be preserved and re repurposed. um economic development.
Um just with this project, they are projecting 1 million in revenue. Uh and then with that 75 to $100,000 a year in in state tax contri contributions. Um adaptive reuse, so positioning the
elevator and other egg structures um as kind of a more modern agricultural service center through cannabis cultivation and retail. and then just to provide a rural revitalization ma model and the potential to replicate the sort of adaptive reuse approach in other
rural areas. So our current cannabis zoning is permitted in the highway commercial and limited highway commercial zoning districts. You can kind of see where those are located uh in Klay County. Our
egg service center zoning districts are comprised of the small unincorporated communities uh throughout Klay County. Um the purpose is to support rural residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural industry to supplement the agricultural economy of the county.
Um so looking at these a little bit closer um we just did a kind of a high level suitability analysis of all the parcels that would be in these egg service center uh zoning districts. Um looking at about
relative to our setbacks for cannabis businesses in our code particularly set back from a a residents because most of them are residential properties. So, of the 259 parcels uh in across all
these districts, we had 23 that would meet that 500 foot setback. That's about 8% of the parcels. Um doesn't count for the entire parcel, but there are spots on each parcel um where that would be met. And you can kind of see in each of
our zoning or egg service um centers where where these parcels are located. These would be the ones that are uh outlined in green. The only um I guess town that would not basically
have any parcels would be that would be compatible would be Rusted. We have not received any comments yet uh regarding this request. We do all the townships were notified. Uh the planning commission did go through um our comprehensive uh this request relative
to our comprehensive and transportation plan goals and objectives um and did use these as part of their findings. Uh and then two uh recommendations were made to our planning commission. So
these would be based on the findings of fact. Uh the planning commission was provided a recommendation for amendment approval uh based on that this use has the potential to revitalize and diversify agricultural service center economies. Uh the use could also be
considered similar to other conditional uses that are already permitted in the egg service center zoning district. So bar, restaurant, commercial entertainment. Um these business types would generate uh similar traffic, noise, lighting and parking needs.
And then that adaptive reuse of structures has the potential to stimulate the activity, promote economic activity, promote tourism, preserve structures that contribute to the rural character of Klay County. Uh and then there's also a recommendation for denial. Uh basically
that the properties um are overwhelmingly rural residential um and allowing an additional commercial or industrial use has potential to create land use conflicts. um would not meet uh setbacks for cannabis businesses on over
90% of the properties and 42% of lots in the egg service center don't meet our 1 acre minimum lot size for a commercial use. Um this would result in variance requests to the board of adjustment which ultimately if you see have a lot of inv variance requests it's kind of a
sign that it's kind of undermining the intent of the ordinance. And then our Klay County cannabis ordinance is new. And I should state that we have um Klay County has permitted two cannabis businesses now. Um both are in highway
commercial zoning districts and both were uh approved uni unanimously as well. So based on uh this discussion, the planning commission did make a recommendation to deny this amendment um
to the Klay County Development Code. The vote to recommend denial was six to two. Um key findings that were discussed by the planning commission include just the limited eligible parcels, uh the variance burden undermining the ordinance attempt intent, potential land
use conflicts, um and then just that our our comprehensive plan consistency. Um the ordinance is new, untested. Um, so not really really um maybe want to make a change when it when we haven't seen kind of how
it plays out so far. Uh, they did make a a positive finding that this would likely not create an excessive burden on public facilities or utilities. Any questions for me at all about the planning commission recommendation >> or the proposed amendment? Commissioner
Bear, >> in the in the petition request, you have put a note in there, Klay County would not receive any sales tax revenue from cannabis business. Would we would we still get the revenue from our sales tax that we have countywide on that business?
>> That is not something that I'm sure of. I could find that out. >> I I believe we would, but I want to clarify that. I I don't I don't know that in state law it exempts the local
sales tax. Uh there are certain things that were exempt and that I think that had to deal with vehicles or recreational vehicles vehicles over a certain dollar amount or something was not subject to the entire local tax.
But I I would agree with you. I would think that that would be something that would still be taxed with including the local option sales tax. >> It just wouldn't be that can >> I can make make no you know we can check for sure but
>> Mr. >> Mr. Yes, Commissioner. >> I'm looking through it. Um, you know, there are some components to cannabis that's generally exempt from excise and sales tax in Minnesota. >> And do we have while she's looking that up, do we have any other comments or
questions at this point from the board? If not, is the applicant >> Y here today? >> Yep. >> Would you care to comment at all? >> Okay. You want to come up to that podium there and state your name? And
>> my name is Scott Dons and I'm the owner of Elevated Dispensaries. If I can if I can just just for one second. Commissioner Mojo might have that answer for to your question here. >> Um well, I'm just going to read directly from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Effective July 1st, 2025,
cannabis tax rate will increase to 15%. In addition to the cannabis tax, taxable cannabis products are subject to both the 6.87% state general rate sales tax and any applicable local sales taxes based on where the transaction takes place.
>> Right. Okay. Now with that, now you I'm sorry. Do you want to start over and absolutely? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Uh, good morning. >> Talk. Is that mic on screen? Okay. She can talk. Oh, the other one. >> Oh, that's yours. >> Okay. There you go. >> Is that good?
>> Yeah. All right. Good morning. >> Um, I just kind of took Matt's presentation and and went back through it. So, we've got some comments on that. Um uh the staff finding for was uh staff finding one is
cannabis uses are currently only allowed in highway commercial. Adding them to ASC could expand locations and create land use conflicts with rural residential uses. Our response is fairness and countywide equity. Restricting cannabis only to highway 10
corridors creates an economic monopoly in one area while excluding all six ASC towns. This is not equitable countryw countywide. We do know that there are a couple little other spots, but it's primarily located along Highway 10. Uh,
blight and lost opportunity. ASC towns are overwhelmingly residential only because the businesses that once thrived there collapsed decades ago. Elevators, implement dealers, and stores closed, leaving behind blight. Intended purpose
of ASC. The ASC district was created as a service and value added hub for agriculture. This amendment restores that purpose by giving ASC towns a fair chance at new economic life. Staff finding two. Only 8% of ASC
parcels may meet setbacks. Approving cannabis in ASSE could increase pressure for variances. Wanting to open a cannabis business is not practical difficulty for a variance. Our response is this is a moot point. Klay County
ordinance only allows six dispensaries countywide. With such a strict cap, the idea of a variance flood is not credible. CUP process remains. This amendment does not permit uses by right. Every state site still requires a cup and every
setbacks must still be satisfied or reviewed. Casebyase control. If a site cannot meet setbacks, it cannot proceed without a variance. That is already the law. Nothing in this amendment changes that
staff finding three. Cannabis rules are new. Approving this now may be premature. Our response is regulatory framework is complete. M Minnesota's cannabis laws chapter 342 and rules are
already in effect. Klay County adopted its own cannabis ordinance in in June of 2024. This is not premature. uh controlled cups allow maximum caution. Each site is vetted individually with
tailored conditions at the commission and board level. Planning requires vision. When these rules were first written, it's likely and it's unlikely anyone was thinking about agricultural service centers, grain elevators, or adaptive reuses.
But the duty of planners is not just to enforce rules. It's also to think outside the box so we can reach more creative, forward-looking decisions. Sometimes taking a chance is worth it. With a time-sensitive opportunity like this, waiting too long means the window
could close and rural ASC towns will never get their chance. Staff finding four. ASC districts are overwhelmingly rural residential. Allowing industrial commercial uses could create conflicts
with nearby homes. Our response is there's a history of blight. ASC towns are residential today only because their commercial base collapsed for lack of opportunity. There were they were designed for mixed use but business but
businesses left. No development for decades. ASC towns have seen no meaningful new development in decades. Without opportunity, blight persists and rural town sites decline further. Cannabis is the most viable economic
driver. Of all the economic opportunities available today, cannabis is by far the most lucrative and time-sensitive. Other industries are not lining up to invest in ASC towns. Restoration funding. The revenue from
cannabis businesses provides the capital needed to repair and restore aging structures like elevators, community halls, and service buildings. Without this, those buildings will will continue to deteriorate and eventually be lost. Restoring balance. This amendment
revives the original service center purpose of ASC districts carefully through CUPS and provides a path for viable small scale smallcale economic uses. Staff finding five. Cannabis businesses
will not generate sales tax revenue for the county. SA sales tax clarification. Our response cannabis transaction transactions are subject to Minnesota's general sales tax and applicable local sales taxes. Klay County and its towns benefit indirectly where local sales
taxes apply. Excise T. It is true that the cannabis excise tax goes to the state general fund and not directly to the counties. Other local benefits, increased property tax base from restored and improved sites, construction permits and inspection
fees, jobs in construction, retail and support services, tourism and local spending from visitors. Avo and the avoided county costs are such as hundreds of thousands of dollars to demolish abandoned structures like the Baker elevator if left to rot.
Staff finding six. Cannabis may burden public facilities, utilities, and create new nuisances. Our response is heavily. This is a heavily regulated industry. Cannabis is among the most tightly regulated industries in Minnesota,
requiring security, odor control, waste plans, and expens in inspections. It has less in impact than existing uses. ASC districts already allow bars, restaurants, and entertainment uses by CUP. All of which can produce greater
noise, traffic, and late night activity than a regulated cannabis business. CUP safeguards. Each ASC cannabis CUP can impose conditions on hours, delivery windows, odor control, screening, parking, and lighting to ensure
compatibility with nearby residences. Staff finding seven. The comprehensive plan encourages value added agricultural development, but cannabis may not align. Our response is direct alignment. Cannabis is an agricultural product. Its
cultivation and retail are value added agriculture. Adaptive research rep, excuse me, adaptive reuse, repurposing an elevator in agricultural icon perfectly embodies the comprehensive plan's goal of promoting agricultural
heritage and rural economic hubs. plan compliance staff's own report noted cannabis and ASC has a potential to stimulate economic activity, tourism, and preservation of historic structures such as grain elevators.
In closing, I would like to say at the heart of this request is fairness. Klay County has six agricultural service center towns. Yet under the current ordinance, only Highway 10 corridor towns are given a real chance to participate in this new state regulated
industry. That creates an unfair monopoly for one part of the county while excluding the rest. Staff expressed concern that ASC districts are now overwhelmingly residential, but that happened only because the businesses that once thrived there were forced out
by lack of opportunity. These ASC towns are in blight. There has not been meaningful new development in decades. Of all the economic opportunities available today, cannabis is by far the most lucrative. It is one of the only industries capable of
generating the level of investment required to repair and restore historic structures before they are gone forever. This amendment is about restoring ASC towns to their original purpose, bringing back economic viability,
and preventing further decline. It does not grant approvals by right. It simply gives ASC towns the same opportunity to be considered under a conditional use permit. All with all of the safeguards, setbacks, and state regulations already
in place. Approving this amendment supports countywide fairness, preserves preserves a historic landmark that otherwise could not could have cost the county hundreds of thousands to demolish, strengthens rural economies, and upholds the vision of the
comprehensive plan. And most importantly, it allows the planning commission and the county board to think outside the box to take a creative chance where it matters most before the opportunity is gone. This is an opportunity to choose equity, economic responsibility, and community
preservation for all of Klay County, not just a select corridor. >> Thank you. >> Would you care to comment? >> Yeah. >> State your name, please. >> Derek Drager. Um, I'd be the general
manager and minority owner. Um, I think I'm I I grew up in small towns, right? um not in Klay County, but uh that's where I spent most of my time. And far and away, pretty much every small town
you go to, what you see is the same four or five different businesses, right? You know, you got your car repairs, you've got your realer, one, maybe two in some of these small towns. You've got maybe a dealership slash
um used car dealer. And then you've got a local gas station and a coffee shop, right? Like that's generally what you see. And the the meaningful reason for that is that outside of that, there's really nothing that can work, right?
there's nothing drawing people to these small towns. And being someone from a small town, I uh I spent a lot of my school age years here and a lot of my formulative years and in the Fargo Morehead area, but I've recently moved back out to um Barnesville.
And just talking with my daughter the other day, she lives right on the edge of West Fargo and her and her friends like going out in the diversion and going out in the rural areas and hanging out and having fun. and seeing the look on her face when she
brought those items to me and said, "Hey, this is what I like doing out in this area. These are some fun things that me and my friends do." It brought back all those memories of being from a small town and all the things that that
um that I did as a kid and that a lot of us in this area have done, right? And um this gives a chance to save those communities, to save some of those towns, and save some of those values and
those experiences for future kids and future generations. You know, we're we're a business, right? And and we're trying to create an opportunity for our business, but we're also trying to create a path forward for
other businesses. There's other places in the state that have looked at co-oping and and creating their own dispensaries or their own retail businesses. We're trying to create a model and c trying to create an opportunity. So really that's what this
comes down to. Um I know a lot of this legislation was done at a state level and those people don't they don't understand, right? And so we could be a beacon forward. We could be an example and you guys have an opportunity to be
an example for the rest of the state of what rural Minnesota can really be because I think it's worth saying. Thank you. All right. Um maybe if if you're done
with your comments, unless there's questions by the board, uh we'll see if we have any other comments. So, if you want to just take a chair and thank you if we have anybody else who cares to speak. >> Sure. Come. Yeah. Make sure you state your name.
Gerald Butnoff, Alliance Township Supervisor. Um, I don't know. I we were quoted as saying we would sell land and I don't believe we can as a township. I I don't know
what the build codes are or anything, but if they need to expand their footprint, they've don't have enough uh land. But that's just one of the things I was here for. I don't know. I don't know if you could help give us guidance
or what. We've got easements in town, but I don't know that we can sell any of it. I don't know that we'd want to I I don't know what the process is. >> Matt, do you can you go through this? >> Um yeah, Mr. Chair, Mr. Butnoff, one
thing I can say is that just give an example. Um in Downer um there was a um business that um also was looking to be established and to meet their minimum requirements. Um there was some
uh township right ofway and that was essentially never developed and so it was township property and they went through the process of vacating that that right of way and and selling it to or selling it to to that land owner. Um so I know there is a process for for
right of way um that's not not in use. As far as property, that would probably be a attorney question, the Minnesota Association of Townships. >> But otherwise, as far as their project
goes, I I've had one concerned citizen that called me and they were definitely against it. That is the only citizen that contacted me. They were they were u basically afraid of the
unknown. Um yeah, if they have a lounge, I mean impaired drivers on the road because there's nowhere I mean he's got a place to stay, but how many people are going to be at his business? Other than that, we haven't had I haven't had any
comments from any any of the neighbors right in Baker. So, I guess that's all all I have to say. Okay. Thank you. Anybody else? Uh, I'm Tim Thompson and I was a skeptic when the elevator first got purchased by
Mr. Doms and and was being repurposed. And I think one thing that you're not seeing from here is what's been done inside of there from an abandoned vandalized building. Um, encourage some of you to take a look at at what has been done in in his first stages of what's going on there. uh what he's
done. Otherwise, it's uh it's rats, it's pigeons, it's stray cats, and I live uh right across the field from it. I'm not as close as some of the other neighbors, but uh he's done something that I didn't think possible. So, I think it's uh if some of you get a chance to actually go look at the structure, you can kind of
see and understand where he's coming from as as far as uh his business proposals and stuff, you know, there are some concerns out there, but uh I haven't seen a lot of opposition and but the the land issue, there are some things there. There's a piece of property in there that's kind of
undefined as to ownership and like Jerry was saying, how how do property things take place? uh being near a railroad rightway. It had elevator structures on it and still has two bins on, but uh I don't know how the ownership of that particular parcel is has or can be
determined and and if that would uh be part of it. There may be something that that the township can can work out there. I'm certainly not for or against what he's doing, but uh he's done some work in our church. Exceptional quality and uh and pleased with what he's he's
done as far as craftsmanship and intent. He did what I would consider impossible inside of there. So, I'm not I I don't think uh the risk is there. I mean, and you do control through your um um what am I trying to say? Your uh cup stuff
here how things go and if there's violations or stuff. I think you still take control over it. You're not sacrificing anything. So, it may be worth a look uh to go on site, see what's been done with it with what he's got now. And uh it's a unique structure and everybody's waiting for it to fall.
It never will, but uh you know it it's leaned since uh since the day it was rebuilt. Uh and then they cut it in half and it it leans more. So to take when you talk about iconic, it is it is unique because uh but I'd encourage you to at least is take a look and and see
what's been done. If somebody you have that opportunity, I think it would give you a perspective on what his his capabilities and intents are. uh the only other person that was looking at it was somebody when he bought it that wanted to put a metal scrapyard in there and we've got property that abuts it and
uh that is not really the the kind of thing you want to expand in the small town. So what he's done is improved a disaster there and and I think it could be done again with with support and and that type of stuff. Uh I won't be a customer there. not my thing, but you
know, you guys can manage the risks if it is something that's looked at. But, um, I I don't see where it can really harm any of these small towns to to take a look at some of those things. You can't when you put together stuff from the state, you can't look at every nuance. And that's why I appreciate the
fact that the boards and planning commissions can get out and take detailed looks to find out if there are exceptions to rules and how to manage it. and uh encourage you to take a just take a little bit deeper look and wish you the best of luck. >> Thank you, Tim.
Uh question on the on the the business plan that would that this cannabis operation would have. Would would this would this basically be a retail operation? be a um my understanding is for this
specific business it's it's a micro business so it would be retail and um correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Dom the cultivation endorsement as well. >> Yeah. Do you want me to >> Yeah. If if if you could and it I guess I guess I I'd like an answer on the potential for a lounge type of a
situation if you could comment on that please. So, um, with my preliminary approval from the Office of Cannabis Management, I'm allowed a retail area to to sell cannabis products, I'm allow, uh, I'm
allowed to serve low dosage edibles. So, what that basically is is if you like you go into junkyard or whatever, you can buy an infused beverage. Um, and that's it. I there's no smoking or anything on site. Um, I'm allowed cultivation. I'm allowed processing. I
can wholesale to other people. Um I can uh transport. So we can do delivery service. Um we can transport. We essentially have a very wide range of doing stuff. Um in terms of what the lounge was is we were um one of the
ideas with our business plan is we wanted to create a lounge so that we could celebrate the um the uniqueness of the elevator. we would clean up the outside and allow to have on the north side um an area where we could have um people come and play guitar or whatever. People could hang out and listen.
There's a um the lounge is actually um there there's a growing um uh well the lounge is actually what it's what it's for is it's non-alcoholic. So it's it's only can be infused beverages. So we're
essentially getting away from the alcohol thing and it's pretty hot on the coast right now from east and west coast that that these things are kind of going up. So we would be pretty revolutionary in our in the middle of the country right now. So um but to answer the the
the lounge thing we are um we're we have very strict guidelines in terms of hours we can be open. It's only like 9 9 in the morning till 9 at night. on Sunday it's a little bit different, a little bit um more condensed. Um >> are are those are those hours based on
your license that that you got from the state? >> Yes. >> That has nothing to do with u what could be a condition that could be put on? >> No, I believe that's a state >> local planning. Okay. >> I believe that because we've we've looked at other counties as well and it's pretty consistent. It's it's
consistent throughout there. So, we are heavily regulated. We're I mean we're huge in compliance. I have to hire a firm. I'm hiring a firm out of New York that um will just deal with compliance because it's so heavily and then if you
know if you if you mess up you're just out and and we're talking I mean our plan invests a million dollars into that elevator once we in order to cultivate in it and we're cultivating uh we have to build levels and we have
lights and I mean it's just a lot of stuff that really makes your head hurt But um but it's it's highly regulated. >> Okay. >> I think that answers my question on on that particular thing. But >> um >> yeah, Mr. Chair, the hours to are set in
statute. So we we follow what's in statute essentially for hours. >> So what's in statute? Um I I'm again I'm not suggesting that that would be the case, but I'm just from a knowledge standpoint. Is does the
county have the ability to be more restrictive than what the state statute is? >> Um, potentially, but my recommendation for again for the what's in our ordinance is we also have ours in our ordinance and they match
>> states. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. Um, yeah, I think I saw Commissioner Krab's hand up first. So, >> yeah, thank you. And again, we're talking about zoning here, but if I want to ask a couple questions about maybe
the uh couple things he talked about the type of operation. >> Sure. I mean, >> okay. So, anyway, can we go back to retail just >> you get real close to your mic? >> Yeah. Sorry. Can we talk about your uh retail piece again? You u what's that
involved with? >> Yes. So retail can pretty much kind of be well if retail is this the sale of a a product with THC in it. So >> um and those can vary from what's called
flour which is act the actual plant >> um edibles which can be gummies, candies, um all kinds of stuff. I mean, they have they make um rib rub mixes that have cannabis in it that rub your ribs down with.
>> Um topicals in terms of uh lotions and stuff for people with with uh arthritis and stuff. Um >> pet stuff for pets. Um it's it's it's very very wide. Um, we don't we want to
have a very select market. We're we want to have what's called more of a boutique feel to us, which means we're going to have really high-grade stuff. Um, we're not looking at um capturing a clientele
that's that's looking for the cheapest stuff. We're we're looking to capture that clientele that um wants to have an experience and wants to see the elevator, wants to um um participate in getting good quality product.
>> Um so we we have some very high expectations of what our our branding needs to be. >> Okay. And the next two pieces are uh I um just to get some clarity on this. So let's talk about cultivation and let's
talk about wholesale use or or um so with that and with this facility um would your product be all um grown inside or would you be having some outside? I think you can have a I don't
know if you have um I know it's allowed up two acres or whatever the case but would this be indoors? >> Yes. So um everything's indoors and essentially what it is is if if you picture the grain elevator grain elevator is a big vertical shafts and
that particular one in in Baker that's they're 70 ft tall. >> Mhm. >> We would build floors in there and each floor there what you do is when you cultivate um the way we're going to do it is you have tents. You have essentially a 4x 8 by 7 foot tent and
the plants are in there. It's fully climate controlled. the plants are very sensitive to all all kinds of stuff. Um and and losing a crop is is going to be a lot of money. So when you cultivate um essentially what happens is
we would build that stuff up there where we build our facility out and then we it takes essentially six months to go from a a what's called seed to sale. And um with the office of cannabis management, every seed has a number on it and
everything is is uh numbered through a a system called metrics. So there's no room for um error. There's everything is just is very strict. Um but by the so what what I'm allowed to do to cultivate
I'm allowed to cultivate um 5,000 square feet of canopy which is canopy of a plant or the equivalent of 3,000 pounds of cannabis a year. Um at a at a at a very conservative estimate a cannabis uh
pound of cannabis flour is roughly um $1,500. So, you do that math and it's and it's it's a lot of money. Um, it is an allcash business because, um, cannabis is still illegal at the federal level. Um, but we've partnered with state banks
and we have everything and we're 100% um, on board with being compliant with everything because this is it's a it's a huge investment. >> So, last show real quick to wholesaling. >> Yes. So, we are allowed to with that. So
when if once we um cultivate and get everything in there, we we are allowed to do many things. One, we can take that flower and sell it in our shop. Two, we can take that flower and sell it to dispensary A or dispensary wherever in
the state we can. We just can't cross county or excuse me, we can't cross uh state lines. It's a state regulated thing. um we're allowed to process it, which means we can break it down and put it into gummies or lotions or pet food
or or whatnot. So we really have um the a kind of a sky's the limit opportunity and as this becomes more the norm the cannabis is across this the count the country there are more technologies and it's it's being infused in more things
and it's being used for more health reasons and what >> well thank you for that I just wanted to general overview not only for my me but for the public >> so uh and obviously we we know that the you cups, you know, are have stricter or
excuse me, the the guard rails around your operation. So, okay. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Any other questions? Um, Matt, the
first I I do want to comment on the ASC's. When we when we went through the Klay County Land Development Subdivision ordinance, um, all of those ASC's had an opportunity to
comment on those ordinances. Is that is that correct? >> Correct. Oh, yep. township level. Essentially, >> that would have went through the township level. >> Yep. Okay. That would have gone through the township. Okay. All right. >> We also had pretty substantial insight and participation with them in those
meetings, >> right? Yeah. Um, so can you tell me again, Matt, where uh when this was established where where they currently are allowed at this where the cannabis businesses
are allowed in Klay County? >> Yeah. Yeah, the is it highway commercial? >> Highway commercial and limited highway commercial. And um Mr. Dom is correct. Most of our our our limit our highway commercial and limited highway commercial is along Highway 10, but then
also Highway 75 as well. um this property say um specifically this property if um is able to meet the minimum uh lot dimensional standards for a highway commercial limited highway
commercial it could potentially apply for reszoning at some point too. Um >> do they they they do not meet that? >> No, not at this time. >> Yep. Um, as far as
uh the egg egg service center zoning district, um, you know, in in the planning commission, we kind of did discuss, you know, uh, reasons for potentially approving this amendment and reasons for for
denying this amendment. And I think Mr. Dom did a really nice job of um explaining and walking through um here and bringing some new information to to the county board on some reasons for uh that would support that that approval as
well. So those are definitely things to consider. >> Yeah. So, um, so in terms of this particular site, why would it not qualify for just being reszoned to highway
commercial? Is it just too small? Yeah, it's well, it's just a it's about a half acre um property. Our minimum is an acre. There's also road setbacks, adjacent residence setbacks for the for the use that could be resolved through a
variance process. Um, I think it's the the minimum lot size. That's kind of the main the main reason and you know with with minimum lot size is I think one of the the things that the reasons why we have a minimum lot
size is to ensure that there is adequate um space for parking adequate space for sewage um and and and septic and and things of that nature. Did you have another uh >> just real quick back to Jerry or Tim? Um
what is that amount of land that's around there? Or maybe you know a map. I can bring it up on a map if that >> I'm just curious and and so then I'm what I'm curious about and I get it on paring all that you know we go through all that with COP
but um when it to answer uh Commissioner Campbell's question. Is there a specific acreage >> a minimum? >> Yeah. >> One acre. >> It is one acre. Okay.
>> Just just to clarify something, Matt. Is it one acre to be a highway commercial or one acre to be able to put this type of facility on? >> For a commercial or industrial use? Yep. I I guess I was looking for a way to
maybe not have to do redo our whole entire ordinance that we just did and see if we could make this fit within something uh like highway commercial, but >> and well, Mr. Chair, I think if if you were to to approve this today, the the
amendment is not very um it's pretty simple. Um it's a pretty simple change. It's it's just basically adding uh in our use table adding a a C to our as conditional use under our agricultural
service center column >> and still be subject to the same >> still be subject to a conditional use permit. >> Yep. Still be subject to a conditional use permit. Yep. >> So >> that goes to the comments that were made by I believe was Tim that >> Yep. And Mr. Miss Don, you could still um have the
ability to >> to look at >> review each applicant on its own and determine >> correct. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> So there is still public input through that process too. >> Correct. >> On an individual >> and often times in the conditional use
permit process is where you will re see more of that that public input come into play or or come out as well. Just one comment. >> Yes, Commissioner. >> This isn't looking at just the Baker facility. This is looking at all six of
the sites and there's 22 properties that potentially could have one of these. >> Yeah. And Yeah. >> So, and I I guess I I guess going back to my previous comments, those other 22 sites through the process and development of this ordinance, they all
had input. As Commissioner Mojo mentioned, they did have input in this ordinance and they didn't didn't really stress one way or another probably I mean can this is fairly new obviously so um but so is our ordinance
>> you know so uh I was just from that standpoint you know I I mean we are opening it up to additional two of these potential but again they'd all still be required to have the condition use which
I like that approach uh because then you are um dealing with you can get down to what that individual applicant is going to do and what the public might um have concerns about the findings of fact are still involved with that, aren't they?
>> Correct. There's review criteria. Yep. >> Yeah. >> For a conditional use permit. >> Yes, Commissioner Mo. >> Thank you. I you know I think it's important to clarify just for folks of the public watching you know we keep talking about these being these ASC's being towns these are really villages so
um you know they're not incorporated towns with city councils they're villages in rural Klay County and so I think that's an important uh component just to clarify for people that might be watching Any
other comments? Any other public comments? >> Is the board ready to close this hearing? >> Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. >> Second. >> Have a motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Ebinger to close
the hearing. Any further discussion on that motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I I >> oppose the same sign. The hearing is
closed. And based on this applicant, uh we do have a time period where we do need to act right from a now that the hearing is closed. >> Correct. >> They need a response when this period of
time, right? I don't know if the board's ready today to >> Yes, Commissioner Mole. >> Thank you. Uh just since I serve in the capacity of planning commission, I thought it might be helpful just to provide that. Obviously in the packet you see what the recommendation for the planning commission was. You know, I
really felt like there was some really good um points that were brought up. I really, you know, I've said this before to the applicant. I appreciate folks that are trying to creatively look at how to invest in Klay County,
particularly with businesses. is it's a challenging business climate in Minnesota sometimes to navigate. So, I do appreciate that. Um, you know, and I I will say that because this is in my district, I've made an intentional
uh outreach to folks in in the townships uh in the other townships that would be affected as well. There's some serious concern about um you know, changing the use across all of the service establishments. Um certainly um their
perspective was that they had said that they um partly why they haven't participated as much at this point is they felt that they really went on record with us on the crafting of the ordinance and what where things would be allowed and and really encouraged us to allow that that to work through the
process. Um certainly it's it's young and we you talked about this. We've only just permitted a couple of those. So allowing those ordinances to work through as we've crafted them. Um and then two, you know, I I think it is important to to say that it is
challenging. We're seeing a time where um rural uh development and businesses is changing. Uh what those vibrant um grain elevators used to be, it is changing. I think the the status of all
of those areas change, but um what makes the most sense. Um you know, I've always tried to look at this as as more of a not not so much spot zoning or making big spot spot changes and and this this
does concern me just in regards to what the effects are to all of rural Klay County and services, too. Um, but I I've also gone on record here about saying how do we be more flexible to allow with businesses. So, um, you know, I I think
that I'm probably um more torn with this application than I've been in others in the past. Uh, I think there are uh opportunities and benefits, but I I do feel like there are some challenges in us um doing a blanketwide change to uh
what is allowed in the service center. You know, I think maybe looking at at a reclassification for a limited um highway commercial would make more sense u personally, but I'm willing to see where the board stands.
>> Well, that was uh your very last comment was where I was where I I was hoping we could have gone with this because it to me it would have uh made the most sense. Um, but but just based on what I'm
hearing, it would not qualify as just a highway commercial because it doesn't meet the size requirements. And I don't know that we want to start getting into changing the size of our our highway commercial uh because of because of size. So that
that's a dilemma in itself which uh would be I think difficult to overcome. Um I you know, I I agree. Um, and again, I agree that there was a lot of input on
this. Um, ultimately for me, it boils down to what is what is the public's ability when something new is about to happen in their area. And that's through a conditional use process that still
allows and everybody needs to be notified. When there is a an application for a conditional use permit, all the neighboring properties need to be notified and they all have the opportunity at that time. and it takes it to that more of that local uh issue
um as opposed to doing this, you know, and there's there's no guarantee. Just the fact that that um we're allowing an additional 22 properties, there's no guarantee that through the conditional use process, they're still going to get that, you
know, that permit. >> Correct. >> So, so it seems to me it's it it is taking it down to that local level. You might have you might have townships that might speak on a on a different one of these 22 parcels on behalf of these, you know, rural
areas and they might they might have a total different of opinion as as opposed to maybe being pro or you know or or even neutral. But I I think it's u this is an opportunity. I I think that
uh I I would I do have concern about the lounge issue. That's why I asked that question. I I do have that concern. Um and and again, I think those concerns and those concerns that somebody might have as a resident can raise those
in the conditional use permit process. >> So, but um for those who think that cannabis isn't the business that's here to stay, I think, you know, I think we we all know better than that right now. Commissioner Abbinger.
>> Yeah. I've been quietly listening to this because it's a guy my age, which three of us qualify as boomers. Um, I didn't I didn't really ever think that we'd come to as a as a governmental body
to have to make these decisions because I didn't think it ever would be fully legalized. It has been and it's here. And my opinion of this has changed and I will give Mr. Dom's credit for it. This
sounds like a thoughtful, well planned out business model and I'm assuming he's got the financial capacity to come in and make this happen. And uh I think as county commissioners when we have somebody who's willing to
come in and stake their fortune and their energies on something and it sounds like it's been thought through and it sounds like he's using resources that can uh ma add to the to the potential of success. Um
I'd hate to stifle that. >> Just Yes, Commissioner. Sorry, but one thing uh Evaner's point is he still would have to go through a cup in CA if this does get changed. >> That's right. >> Yes. >> Just to clarify that he's not
>> but this is this is the next step. >> This is the first step for him to go after that cup. Correct. Just to clarify that. Now I'll give the floor over to >> Yeah. I mean I'll add to that. I mean you know absolutely the cup is there. Um it doesn't by doing this it doesn't
guarantee gets to do it. uh that will that'll be decided on the cup. But the one word he said that hit me the most was fairness and and I do believe that um uh done in the right way. Uh I think
by open o opening up uh egg centers I I think is um prudent and I I think we have our opportunity to uh have input along these um decisions all the way.
But uh yeah um I had uh uh two emails I guess against and and um they were by local people. Um and it was about what their community was
and how quiet it is and all that. But I think he reminded me as growing up in that area being a farmer um these were operate you know these were commercial places in their first intent and a
revitalization of that I think in my view is healthy maybe I don't maybe I wish it was something else other than cannabis but that's that's the new and uh uh and I'm open to that so I think um
that you know I I would support this I guess just for the fact of uh uh fairness and opportunity to others you know an an area that um we haven't touched on a little bit but I think it in a roundabout way it was through the
uh question about lounge and and um and that goes to on-site consumption and that type of thing and then um getting behind the wheel um you There's always that concern, but I I also think back to
uh several years ago another um potato warehouse that was convert converted to a bar and a restaurant. Um and uh that that has been a thriving business today in in that certain area. And you know, I
I don't know um maybe I I haven't heard from the sheriff, but I don't know if there is an awful lot of issues that that go on there, but they you know, those those people who are in that business still have responsibilities in terms of how they
serve and how much would be served and and you know, when they allow somebody to leave. So um and again some of those issues can can be discussed and if there's a concern from law enforcement in a particular application law
enforcement can certainly bring that up through the condition use process. So yes, >> just on that point when anything is any entity is operating with a stateisssued license this the going into the cannabis
licensing is a little bit of a different world but alcohol it's always been if you create a problem your license is always on the line >> and a good businessman will keep that in mind >> I think it's important though to note that that establishment in downer is in
highway commercial. >> Yeah, it is. Yes. >> Yes. Commissioner Bear, >> we had a gentleman here for uh citizens to be heard and he talked about our budget and how we are looking at raising our property taxes to bring economic
development into greater Klay County, which this would would help bring down our property taxes in a whole by developing properties like this. >> That's why that's one of the reasons why I'm in favor of this. Well, I think I heard him say that he's going to do a a
million-doll uh renovation to that building. And I'm assuming you know that along with that renovation to that number, it also increases your value of that property. And we all know what happens when you have increased valuation your property.
There's more tax revenue. >> Tax revenue. >> So, >> that's one way to bring down the tax. >> That's right. Yeah. All right. Any do we have any further uh discussion or would the board care to act on this
today? I'd like to uh make a motion to uh approve the petition uh for a text amendment to the play county land development and sub uh sub subdivision ordinance based on um
period. >> All right. And I believe you had um language in there for that right for a >> you want the last part and >> yes >> following facts finding I guess from the planning commission. >> So excuse me. So we we do have a motion
and we can have discussion until there's second. >> Second. >> All right. So we have a motion by Commissioner Krabnoff, second by Commissioner Abinger. Okay. And now Matt, you can >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So yeah, these were the um findings that were presented to or recommendations presented based on
the findings of fact um for approval um being that the use has the potential to revitalize and diversify egg service center economies. Uh the use could be similar considered similar to other conditional uses permitted in the egg service center eg bar, restaurant,
commercial entertainment. uh regarding business type, traffic generated noise, lighting, parking and then that adaptive reuse of structures has the potential to stimulate economic activity, promote tourism, preserve structures that contribute to the rural
character of Klay County. And I don't know if these are kind of these all capture kind of what your your discussions are, if there's anything that you would want to add to that. No, my motion fits well with the findings effect.
>> All right. So, within your motion, we're Yeah, >> findings effect. Meet your second. >> All right. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Is there a roll call vote, please? >> Commissioner Krahoff. >> Hi.
>> Commissioner Mojo, >> no. >> Commissioner Campbell, >> yes. >> Commissioner Bear, >> yes. >> Commissioner Ebinger, >> hi. Motion carried. All right. We will you'll go through that process then, right? And the applicant here then we'll
move into the conditional use process moving forward. Correct. >> Just one question. >> Yes. Yes. >> Now, with our new website, is it already changed? >> No, not yet. >> Not yet. >> Will be. >> All right. And that that takes care of
that subject. We will then Do you need a break? Okay. I guess we're we're running late, so we're going to take a fivem minute break. There we go. All right, we are back in session. Our next item is um request approval to appoint planning commission
member to the Morhead protection plan. Um, we you did notice that in your packet that the request is to appoint Joel Hildenbrandt as the Klay County Planning
Commission member to the Wide Wall Protection Plan team. Do we need to have any further I we're aware of what that is and uh I don't know if there's any if we have to spend a whole lot of time going
through through that but >> no just um basically it's going to be a six-month process. They're looking at starting in uh November of 25 meeting once once a month and um they had also made a request uh to have a commissioner
serve on that as well. And I know that understand that that is in your uh commission portfolio. So, >> yep. So, that'll uh yeah, we'll keep that in Commissioner Bear will be my alternative. >> Okay. >> But we do need to have the approval for
>> Yep. Just looking for a motion to appoint uh Joel. >> I'll make that a motion to appoint Joel Hildebrand the Morhead protection team. >> Right. We have a motion by Commissioner Bayer, second by Commissioner Kabanagh. Any further discussion?
Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. All right. Thank you. >> Sorry to make you guys sit here for two hours while you'll you'll put out notices then when we're uh ready to meet.
>> Sounds good. >> Can you put me on that email list, too, just so I know? >> Yeah, I can provide. >> All right. Next, we have uh Justin. You got a few things for us this morning. Item number seven, request approval to acquire highway easement for parcel
21362000. >> Yes, good morning. So, the first item I have is permission to acquire the highway easement. So, this is one of two easements needed for the CASA 12 and 52 roundabout. This has been one that we've been working on for a long time and through the negotiation phase we were
able to settle with the landowner on a cost of $22,000 and this would is budgeted in 2025. >> All right. What's the board's wishes? >> I'll make a motion to approve the agreement to acquire highway easement in
the amount of $22,000. >> Second. All right. We have a motion by Commissioner Krabanov, second by Commissioner Abbinger. Any further discussion? >> Just to clarify for parcel number 21.036.020 0. >> That's correct.
All right. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose the same motion carried. All right. Next we have request to approval acquire easement for parcel
19.001.01000. Yes. So this is the second highway easement needed for the CASA 12 and 52 roundabout. This is also budgeted through the 2025 budget and this purchase would be for $40,000. And if this is approved, this would um
this is kind of the last thing needed for this project. And then we can submit to both federal aid and state aid. plans are at 100% now. So, we're sitting well ahead of schedule and definitely in line for an early bid date and hopefully some good pricing. >> Question.
>> Yes. >> This project we plan on doing next next year, right? >> Correct. And one of the obviously right away is one of the biggest hurdles, but then the second biggest hurdle on a federal project is the environmental dock that was approved three weeks ago.
>> With that, Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve agreement to acquire highway easement in the amount of 40,000 for parcel number 19.001.01000. Right. We have a motion by Commissioner Mayer. We have a sec. Second by Commissioner Abinger. Any further discussion?
None. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. The same. Motion carried. All right. Next. uh request approval for limited use permit and supporting resolution. >> Yes. So the Ark Trail which runs from
Uland North 5 miles to the Clay and Norman line is sponsored by Klay County. So it's kind of one of Mandot's internal processes is they kind of review these trails from time to time and they did notice that part of this trail intersects the trunk highway 32 rightway
thus creating the need for a limited use permit and supporting resolution. This is pretty standard. This is something that we do for snowmobile trails and such. So, it's nothing out of the out of the ordinary and there's no no budget implications. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve
the limited use permit on resolution 2025-26. >> Second. Have a motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Abinger. Any further discussion on the motion? >> I just want to make one comment. It's a very nice trail to ride side by sides or four withers down. So, it gets used
quite a bit. Definitely. >> All right. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carried. All right. We'll move right in then and Justin. >> We have highway tracking.
>> Hopefully, we'll get to that soon. >> All right. Next, we have a request approval to sunset the Klay County referral incentive program. Good morning, Anna. >> Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. Um I'm here this morning to discuss sunsetting the Klay County
referral incentive program. In 2022, the board adopted um the program for referral or for recruiting and retention efforts. Um I would say the program has been pretty successful. We've paid out just over six or just shy of $68,000 to date. Um with the upcoming budget
concerns and now that we are receiving more and more applications for our job postings, we believe it is appropriate to sunset this program at this time. Um, I would ask that with sunsetting the program, it doesn't impact any current pending payments. So, if there's someone
that is eligible for a payment within the next six months to a year, they would still receive that. Um, to date, we have received or we have had 128 referrals from other employees. Um, which is a breakdown of 69 full-time
staff and 59 variable hour. With that, I will pose for any questions. Well, >> you have a com. >> Okay. I just uh one thank you for providing the historical piece. At the
time, we had determined internally that we were spending more money on the advertisement of the open positions and what a referral program would really cost the county. Obviously, like you said, we're seeing applications for positions coming in in a much better way than we've seen in a long time. And then
uh two, given the feedback we gave you on the on the budget, I appreciate you coming in uh to cut something like this. So, thank you. >> Yes, Commissioner Amir. >> Yeah, I this did come before pick and it did pass. Was referred up on this. It's
been a good program. Obviously, the necessity for it is no longer apparent as it wasn't back what, three years ago, four years ago. So, it's uh it's a good idea to sunset it.
>> All right. >> I'll make a motion to sunset the click on referral incentive program. >> Second and making sure that includes payments of all pending. >> Yes. >> All right. We have a motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Krabanov. Any further
discussion on the motion? >> Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I >> oppose the same sign. Motion carried. All right. Next. Our request approval to terminate the sick leave donation program. >> So, I don't have a lot of um historical
information as when the board adopted this program. I think it's been in place for years and years, but with the implementation of paid family medical leave coming in 2026, um there's a recommendation from PIC to terminate the sick leave donation program. Right now, the program currently allows staff to
request donations from their peers for their unforeseen or unforeseen leave of absences that are unpaid. So, we believe that in pretty much every scenario we can think of that paid family medical leave would cover those unpaid absences.
Um, so with that, we would like to terminate that program as well. Um, the one thing with the paid family or excuse me, with the sick leave donation program right now is that the wage is paid out at the recipient's wage, not the donor's wage. So, I don't have a co I don't know
what the exact savings would be, and we don't know how many people would be requesting this on a year-to-year basis anyways, but we do feel that paid family medical leave would cover the necessary scenarios. >> Right.
Right. And again, that was brought through PIC and recommended for to terminate that program. >> Well, I think it uh makes sense and certainly is a a potential um money saver. So, I'll make a motion to
terminate the six leave donation program for 2026. >> I will second that. >> You have a motion by Commissioner Krabnoff, second by Commissioner Bear. Any further discussion? One thing to clarify just not for the year 2026. It's going to be implemented
in year 2026. >> Correct. Going forward. >> Yeah, we know it works. So, it's something that we could always potentially bring back in the future, but the termination would be 112026. >> All right. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carried. And okay, then we had the next we have a a request to allow employees to supplement their paid family medical leave claim with PTO. >> Okay, thank you. So this one can sound a
is going to be a little bit more difficult. So we know with paid family medical leave that employees will receive partial wage replacements ranging from 50% to 90% depending on their salary. And although we are not allowed to require an individual to use their acred sick invocation to
supplement them to get to 100%. Um this has gone to pick as well and we would like to propose allowing the option for employees to use their sick invocation to get them to 100% of their wage replacement if they wish. So someone submits a claim um it would then be
through paid family medical leave. They're on a protected leave of absence. It would then be the employees choice whether or not they would use um let's just what for I guess for clean numbers. Let's say they're receiving 50% of their wage from the paid family medical leave. We would allow them to use up to 50% of
their acrruals to bring them to 100%. We know that this would help with the financial um aspect as well as benefit premiums. If we do not allow this uh many employees their county contribution does not cover the cost of their premiums and so we would then have they would go into a rears. you'd have to set
up payment plans etc. So it is a request um and it was fedded through pick to allow employees to use their acred PTO to supplement their claims. >> One one question commissioner >> with us negotiating with our unions this year. Did any of them ask for this?
>> I would have to defer to Darren on that. I don't sit in on the negotiations. >> Um there was nothing that I can recall that they asked for this requirement. We did have some that asked for the county
to pay 100% of the paid family medical leave tax that goes into effect, but we've pushed back on that. But this particular thing, I can't remember any of the unions requesting that. >> Keep in mind, we do still have several employees who aren't involved with any
bargaining unit as well. >> Yeah. No, >> I think this is a good idea. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yes, Commissioner. Commissioner Agor, >> I'll go ahead and make a motion to allow employees to supplement their paid
family medical leave claims with their PTO. >> All right, I will second that. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Abier, second by Commissioner Bayer, and this again was also recommended through pick as well. So with that, any further
um any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed the same. Motion carried. And next we have request approval to add Medicica Essentia option to the 2026
benefit plan. >> Thank you. So when I was here probably four to six weeks ago um with the proposal of moving from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Medicica um at that time I um presented the Medicica passport plan. And so the Medicica passport plan um
mirrors Blue Cross almost identically. Um and so since then we have obtained additional information from Medicica and they are um I'm here to present an an additional network um that would be called Medicica Essentia. And although this is an option um this would have be
an additional narrow network plan where members would receive care exclusively at Essentia. Their deductible everything um of that nature would remain as is. However, the premium is significantly lower. Um, by offering the essential only option, um, there is a financial
advantage to both Klay County and the employees. From the employee aspect, the premium would be lower. Um, from the employer aspect, the cost of claims that are processed would be at approximately a 20% um, deduction. So, if you break
your arm, um, I need to back up just a second. So without this option um any employees can choose to go wherever they wish. With this option if employees picked the enta network they are restricted to enta so they cannot go to Sanford they cannot go to Mayo unless
they are referred out and the the chance of a referral is going to be pretty minimal unless cannot do the service. So, um, speaking to the benefit to the county, if an ind individual is on the Essentia only network and they seek services at Essentia, the cost of their
claim would be 20% less than as as if they were to go to Essentia on that open access network. So, speaking to that bro that broken arm, um, if you have a broken arm on you're on the Essentia the passport, it may cost you $100. We know that's really
little, but if you were on the essential only, it would be at a 20% discount. Um the re this partnership between Medicica and Essentia has been in place for nearly 10 years. Um and it continues to perform very well. the um
we don't know the exact savings because one we don't know how many employees would choose this option and two the claim the number of claims may be the exact same but offering this some of those claims we know would be at a reduced cost. So um this was discussed
um at the insurance committee and was unanimous unanimously um suggested from or recommended excuse me from the insurance committee. We also talked about it at the subcommittee level as well. >> I um we had quite a discussion on this
the subcommittee um and I I expressed real concerns at first and it was partially because of the and I even did it within the full insurance committee when we first talked about this when it was it it basically
was passed to do the passport only. >> Correct. Um and then I later it was then brought back to the insurance committee through I think you did a some sort of a poll. Right. >> Correct. I did. >> Um but my cons my concern was
um and and again this was before we had additional information from the broker about the reduction in actual cost of a procedure. Um because my concern was is is without
that if we if the if the procedure were were the same and we were having um less premiums paid that would ultimately right away just lead to a guaranteed increase for everybody else. And so we
we were assured then that if somebody chose the essential only and I look at I look at that as another plan option for them similar to they have their choice of a CM1000 or you can go all the way up to high deductible plan. This is another
plan option within that as far as that's how I look at it. >> Okay. Um and and again I guess that that alleviated some of my concern when I knew that there would be less premiums
paid but also less claims uh going against it to offset that. Uh, and it does allow somebody um maybe who's looking for family coverage to maybe be able to get their full family coverage paid through the
cafeteria plan. Uh I I also and you brought it up, but I I think we need to caution everybody who chooses that that somewhere down the road if if they wanted Mayo or some
outside or U of M or whatever to go to if it's not if it's not referred by Essentia and they offer that service through Essentia, they're out of luck. >> Correct. So that's something that everybody needs to be aware of when they if they were to choose that particular
option. >> Yeah, the member is definitely taking somewhat of a risk if they pick the essential only network. They can't go wherever they wish anymore. >> And is the one last is the out of network different? >> I don't have that in front of me. Typically it's double um what the in
network amount is. But I mean the the sensia only I mean if somebody's out of state they're out of network. >> Sure. So um in that case they're if they seek services if they're I don't want to speak incorrectly here so I can always I
can certainly g and I will gather more information typically if like they're in Florida and something happens if they seek services through an ER and it's tr or an urgent care and it's truly an emergency then it's considered a network but I can't speak to that specifically for the Essentia only network. So I'll
get more information. Well, I mean it that's I mean it's something that the those who choose that will have to ask those questions and >> absolutely >> guessing that they will. >> I haven't seen all those plan designs just since it hasn't been approved yet. So,
>> all right, Commissioner Kravana. >> Yeah. The only thing I'll add, you explained it all very well. Um is, you know, this came this option kind of came as a recommendation for Medicica. And so I I feel also
um that by offering it and as long as it works out well for uh those that choose it um it also put puts us in a better position of when it comes to renewing that we we we're following their suggest
suggestions. So perhaps it might there might be further benefit down the road. All right. So, there is a recommendation to add the essentia only option to the 2026 benefit
plan. >> I'll make the motion um to add the Medicica uh essentia option to the 20 26 benefit plans. >> I'll second the motion. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Kabnoff, second by Commissioner Mojo. Any further discussion on the motion?
Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Oppose. The same sign. Motion carried. All right, Anna. >> Thank you all. >> Takes care of your items. >> All right. Our next item is the uh 2026
budget discussion. And as um administrator Larson had mentioned, I I had requested that this item be placed on our uh agenda every week now till the end of the year. Um in the event there's anything that the
commission cares to bring up or uh propose or to ask additional questions on that. This is the time to do that. And there may be some weeks where we have things and maybe some weeks that we don't. But it I think it's you know as
we had a a person in our audience earlier saying what are we doing about our budget and we need to uh do everything that we can and have those discussions on a weekly basis. So with that Steve you u Mr. Chair maybe I could just start out thanks for that
introduction. Uh I think that uh uh if we have as you mentioned if we have different items that that we have forward to bring forward for your discussion we'll do so. Uh, one of the there's several things this morning that I would like to bring forward. Uh, the sheriff notified me at the end of last
week. Uh, they received state aid uh, on an annual basis from the state of Minnesota. Uh, this year uh, in 2025 they've they budgeted for $340,000. Uh, when they received their a lotment this year, uh, we received $482,738.
Uh and so again a benefit to this year's budget uh potentially uh but also in talking with Sheriff and Miss Johnson uh based on the information we had made an adjustment uh to the state aid from 340,000 in this year's budget to 400,000
uh but feel comfortable in our ability to move that up to $450,000. uh that again could offset the levy. Uh with the board's actions uh this morning uh in adjusting uh the the positions in public health to social services uh
there is a potential savings in the budget of $178,114. Uh and at the end uh Mr. Jagger uh provided an update that they that he and I have been speaking about about license licenses fee collection that would look
at an increase of $100,000. Uh when you add those three togethers and make the adjustments I've been texting with the auditor treasurer, Miss Lori Johnson, that would that would make our adjustment of our levy from 6.42 6.46%
down to 5.73%. I didn't if I may can you um say the department with the sheriff again plain what was that total >> so the state aid a dollar amount that we received from the state was budgeted at $340,000 >> okay
>> and we received $482,738 this year >> uh we the sheriff had already looked to make an increase adjustment because he had anticipated there might be some increase. Uh but uh so he moved that to 400,000 and >> you had 400 in the preliminary,
>> correct? So now we'd be moving to 450. >> So 82 grand. >> So 50 >> 50 >> 50,000. Yeah. >> What happened to the other 32? >> Well, you're you're the $482,0007 is in this year's budget. So that'll be
additional revenue this year. um that they're trying to be I guess from the standpoint of of the uncertainty uh they're the sheriff and the auditor not suggesting that we move all the way to 482 for next year but rather 400 to 450.
>> My my question to that is so it's 142,000 more we receive for this year from this year's budget. >> That's correct. >> Where does that money go? >> Uh that would uh be up to the board but it would go into the general fund most likely. It'd go into it. Yeah. Go into reserves, right?
>> Reserve. Yeah. >> Reserves. Sorry. >> Revenue is over expenditures. >> Revenue is over expenses. Uh and so and and again, uh that's assuming the the sheriff meets his budget expectations. >> Could we take that money and put it in
the move it into 2026's budget? >> The board. You can you can ch you you can choose to do whatever you'd like. >> Tie down the sheriff's budget. That revenues over00 That'd be a recommendation I would make. Bring down the sheriff's budget by 142,000. If it's money meant to go
there, it should go there. >> Well, >> I'd like the discussion with the sheriff before >> Yeah. And I and I and again, I think that I think that would be appropriate, but I you know, I think at the same point in time, we we got to just make sure that there aren't some other line items from 2025 that he isn't over on.
>> Yeah. >> That could impact that, too. So, yeah, >> but I think that's it's a good it's a good suggestion and we should reach out to the sheriff and and see where his year-to- date is and if he's anticipating needing any of that to offset some other
costs. >> Commissioner Aber. >> Yeah. Ultimately, and I I think we're kind of getting into the weeds here. We've got Lori Johnson, we've got department directors like the sheriff, and we've got Steve. And every
year we take money out of reserves and apply it towards bringing down the levy. And I don't want us to get in the habit of picking and choosing now to try and keep the levy down when we can end up just looking at the amount of money that's in
in reserves and take a portion of that and apply it. Well, I again my my argument on that and I probably will have a little disagreement there and I asked the question every year.
How much of our levy are we levying our taxpayers to put in the bank? And the answer to that question is always zero. We're not we don't anticipate at the start of the year. We anticipate at the start of the year to spend everything
that we budget. And so when we have something left over, we should every every right to, as this gentleman in the green in the green shirt there asked earlier, how do we give some of that back? And this is a way to do that.
>> So I think we do, but instead of looking at you look at the at the reserves as a whole and you take take that out. If we start earmarking with each department, I don't know. It's
it's going to have the same effect, but it's going to be less coordinated. >> Well, when when when we do take out of reserves, we're not we're not we're not pinpointing any one place.
What what we're saying is, okay, if we if we have a million dollars that we budgeted last year that we needed money for and we didn't need that money, then offset it in the next budget. But it,
however that goes, it it can it can be spread across all departments. It's not I don't I don't want to get into the weeds and nitpick, but I do want to get into the weeds in terms of how we're spending money. Well, I'm making sure we're looking at
each piece. So, I think you both are saying the same thing, but it's it's just that the one I'm curious about, Steve, a little bit is um just uh because we're in transition,
>> the one I'm not so sure about yet, if we um uh I guess wait I'm I'm wanting to know about public health a little more. uh you know I really haven't um felt I've heard from them or through you uh
about that piece kind of um what efficiencies are we may look at there seems you know we've heard a lot from social services >> yeah but it's just curious >> yeah I think uh Mr. Chair, Commissioner Kavanagh, you know, I think one of the things that we've talked about in the
past is uh bringing in the new public health director. While I uh have general knowledge of each department, I I'm not going to tell you that I have the in-depth knowledge of of uh of public health or any other budget for that matter. Uh and so again, I think we can
continue to to have discussions with the supervisors within public health. Uh, but I think that a significant amount of the changes probably wouldn't be happening until a new public. >> It just seemed like it was maybe the one we just hadn't really talked about with
much depth. I know we've talked to highway and and the other ones. So, what other ones are there out there? Oh, if I can just finish follow up here, Commissioner Goff, one of the things that just just to make a refresher and sure the public is listening is that
this board did when we set the preliminary levy uh reduced the public health budget by $300,000. Okay. And the former uh former public health director did provide direction and guidance uh on how she felt that that could uh be taken
care of. >> Thank you for that reminder. Okay, >> Steve, if I can, if I can too, while I've got it on my mind, uh, we recently went through the exit interview with the state auditor based on our 2024 audit.
And in part of in part of that um audit, there was they talked about our reserves and there's there's there's different components. There's some reserves that include assets other than cash, but there's also the one that just deals
with cash, right? >> And this goes to the question that we we have often, and that's the portion where uh the state auditor says we should have 50% of our annual expenditures in reserve, which in my 22 years on this
board, very rarely did we were we at 50%. I mean, there's been some times where it's been down as low as in the 30s. and then into the into the low 40s. And it seems to me after our 2023 audit, that number had reached 50%.
So in other so in other words, what happened was is we had we had significant revenues over expenditures that built our reserve up. And so what I would like to and I know I had asked the auditor to to give the
give the presentation to us on the 24 audit as we did in the in our uh finance committee. I think it's important for everybody here to see that report. But I would like to see if you could request from them to give a at least a fiveyear
look back on what our cash balances were were compared to the 50%. And you'll notice that those numbers have been going up and and again to me that's saying we're levying more
than we need. And I I just I think it's important for us to see those numbers. So if you can request that Steve from the auditor and again and can we can I know when you sent the email out you said that they would be doing it sometime in the
future. Hopefully we can try to book them uh before we have to um finalize our our levy. So I it's it's I think it's important for the full board to see those numbers. All right. Did you Steve you have some more? Do you
get any more good news? >> Uh that that's the the uh the main news that I had for this month. I will note that as we've talked about before um Darren is going to be pulling a this the staff that we have. Uh generally for our
budget we pull that in April. Uh the real piece about that is that's a one shot in time. Uh we go ask our department heads to make adjustments uh throughout that budget. Uh this year what we're going to do is have Darren uh just do the same thing that he does in April. Uh and to see who our staff are.
Uh um and we're going to do that early enough um to to make sure that we have time to do do the work, but we should be bringing back bringing that back uh with the potential adjustment to the overall cost uh the overall cost of our of our staff, which we know is is the highest
portion of our budget. So >> going going with that, should we start looking at a hiring freeze >> to bring this budget even lower? >> I think that again you as a board you have the ability to make that decision.
Um I think you you do make that decision every time someone comes before you. uh if you'd like to formalize that into a into a hiring freeze. Uh I I think the challenge that you would run into is there are specific uh departments which have which have regulations and
licensing requirements. Uh and so I don't know if holistically you could do it or or if you would want to do it to uh I guess holistically do it across the board or look at specific departments. >> Could you could you get that data for us? Which departments are mandated on
what do we have higher? >> Well, I think that I mean I think that you know your your 247 operations are probably your I mean >> the jail, the juvenile center, the >> uh you know as as uh uh from a public safety standpoint again if the sheriff loses a deputy again that would be up to
to this board to determine whether or not they would want to replace that position. You know I think the other thing that you have to be aware of uh is you know some of our departments are not as large as social services and public health. Uh and so say for example, if you uh you were if someone were to leave
from the recorders or the assessor's office, uh there may be times of the day where that window would be closed um because we wouldn't have staff to to cover during breaks, lunches, things like that. Steve, along that line, would it not be more practical just to make
the department directors aware when they come forward to get authorization to fill a a a position that's already in their budget that they come prepared to explain to us why we shouldn't deny that, why it's at what level it's
essential, or if it's if they can make it through the to the end of the year without filling it to come in and tell us that. and at least get their input or put them in a position to where they have to justify >> filling an a position that comes open.
>> Yeah, I think it I mean ultimately that's that's the role that you guys play in making those decisions. I think that you do ask that of your of your department heads right now and I hope they're providing you good information on whether or not they should you should approve that re that rehiring. Uh I
think you know to to Commissioner Bearer's comments you know several years ago uh we did we did make a decision uh to to have a hiring freeze uh at that point it was a hiring freeze essentially from October to December uh in in hopes
of saving saving dollars through the remainder of this budget or that budget uh with but with the understanding that the the hiring or the interview process could still take place. So they would be hired um they could be on board by the first of the year. I know that's probably not what you're looking for in
this case. You're looking for long longer term cuts. Um but uh but uh I I guess I like I say, I would leave that up to this board to make that decision. >> Could next week could you come with that data on what is the 247 and all?
>> I can do whatever. I can do whatever. >> I'd like you to come with that data next week to show us what >> what departments are mandated we staff them at a certain level. We're gonna have this talking point every week. I'd like to know. >> Well, there's also the fact there's a lot of positions. Hang
>> hang on. Hang on. We had somebody else. Commissioner Mojo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, when we've done this before, part of the conversation is there's there's mandated components. There's the components that are revenue generating. So, there's pieces there. Um, you know, I think if I recall when we'd gone through that
hiring freeze, part of the option that we talked about was making sure every request went to pick and so that pick would pick had the opportunity to either push it forward or stop it there. I think the challenging piece is there
will be, as we've seen with our sheriff's department too, there's times when things come up where it's it's a public safety issue where we have to have those pieces staffed. My recommendation would maybe be understanding that we communicate to the department heads that we're not
interested in additional hiring. We do understand that there are times in which that's needed. And so what if our recommendation going forward would be that any new request would go through pick? You know, I know we have a mechanism where some do and some don't, but I think that would make the most
most sense and then pick has the ability to sort through uh the requirements and then move things forward, >> you know, and I and I and again I and I I'll get you I just want to comment on and I I think that's a good approach, but one of the
I mean we're in kind of some unprecedented times like we were going I think back to 2008, you know, there's a lot, you know, we we're still hearing from the state of Minnesota. You haven't seen anything yet, you know, in terms of what might be
coming down on us from them. Um, so I I do I do think it's um appropriate for us to um I I don't want to say just rubber stamp that just because something was in a
2026 budget that we don't do a a review of it. And um I mean we've got we've got significant issues um you know when you look at all the different public entities asking for
money and what that brings on to our taxpayers I we need to pay attention to that and I'm thinking as I always talk about the elderly and and in the case of this u you know with our our farmers and it is an issue. Um, so I I do I do I do
think that maybe a start um on that hiring freeze would would would basically be, you know, we're not going to everything has to go through pick. And I think that's a good start. And I think those who serve on PIC is going to have to really um weed out, you know,
what's a public safety issue and what and ask questions. How could what's the potential in delaying a hire? all of those different things that can come into play. And I and I am going to go then to Commissioner and then to Commissioner. >> Yeah, ma'am. It's not as simple as saying we're not going to hire people.
Sure, there's some that are mandated. There's others that are revenue generating, right? >> There's others that are grant dependent. Uh you can you can lay people off or keep positions open and lose money for the county. >> Um
we certainly have small staffs. If if you've got uh real estate people and you've got bank people that need to deal with somebody in their recorder's office and there's nobody there, it can affect the the ability of our our business people to do business. Our
farmers do far to do business with land sales and it can it can in inconvenience people greatly. So, I think it's a good idea to run it through pick and still have the department directors aware that they've
got to come in here when they present a request to fill a position and explain to us the financial impact it would have on them or the necessity for the position or what I'd love to see is some some come in and
say, "I think we can make it the end of the year before we want to consider filling this position." understanding that we're trying to come in under budget where we can, but something as as
shotgun patterned as as as a freeze, I think we can we there's a potential for us to hurt ourselves fiscally there. I I I want to caution us from even bringing up the word layoff because I don't think there's any attention of anybody and I didn't know that wasn't what you meant by that. But but I don't want to have
the interpretation that we're talking about potentially laying off people because that's not what we're talking about here. What we're talking about is um maybe scrutinizing more everything as it becomes available um to to look at.
So Mr. Kraban. >> Yeah. So that's where I was going with too. uh our job is to manage and you know we'll that's what we do. I'm I'm totally against uh um uh hiring freeze but I I do appreciate and would strongly
support everything going through PEG and um and I think uh Commissioner Amber kind of stated most my my thinking also so I won't repeat but uh we're here to manage and we're here to find efficiencies.
we have great administration to help us with that and uh I trust the system that we're we're doing and um I I know the directors are are are certainly aware of what we're trying to all accomplish
together. No. >> Yeah. And Yeah. And I again I'm I'm going to I think what what's the what's our uh percentage of our budget is payroll 80%. Probably Yeah. 80%. So I mean when we're
when we're looking to try to find efficiencies, if we can't look at 80% of our budget, how are we ever going to find efficiencies? And that's and that's that's to me that's part of my responsibility on behalf of the people
uh that are you know paying our taxes to do and and to exclude that I don't think is appropriate either. So, I think this this is a good conversation and I would I would definitely support um you know any everything uh in 2026 moving forward
with any openings that it would be um go through pick and I would even suggest if we're going to do it we should start now. >> I guess my what I how I recommended that is that would be now >> now. >> I mean as of right now >> as well those would go. >> Yes. Commissioner Mosel,
>> just a followup, you know, on that and I really appreciate that Anna brought forward the piece on the hiring um component that we talked about and three, four years ago that it was a challenging time. I know we've done wage studies. I feel like, you know, we've
paid employees really fairly, but part of the really challenging piece is the outlier on what's left to wrap up in regards to union negotiations and other pieces that really will affect 26 and 27 going forward. And those are the really
challenging parts that we have because we want to be delicate about that. But as you said, that is the largest driver of what the the budget is and u wanting to make sure that we are meeting what
the public's needs are uh as we can uh in the most efficient way possible. But it is um you know there are some pieces out there that could drastically change what the budget looks like. And um you know I appreciate that you're working with department heads and how they
communicate to staff as well on those challenges. Mr. Chair, I did have one one more thing just from a clarification standpoint. Uh I I did provide uh Mr. Joe Razo uh from the Greater Fargo Economic Development
CEO the board's recommendation funding mechanism for next year. Uh and he was looking for clarification uh just from the public standpoint. Uh if you recall last year we paid uh the greater Fargo EDC and the chamber in a one lump amount
of $185,000. Uh during our preliminary levy this board uh made the determination was my understanding uh that they would provide the chamber $85,000
uh and uh the the EDC $10,000. Uh and so with that Mr. Razo was asking about whether or not the county would be will wishing to provide or be part of innovate 28. Uh and if so then they
would be looking for a one lump sum to be paid through uh through uh the greater Fargo economic development and then 85,000 would be provided uh to the chamber. uh then they would you would be considered part of innovate 28 uh or if
they each singly invoiced you uh the 10,000 and the 85,000 that you would not be uh part of innovate 28. So uh just coming here for clarification for the board of what uh your interpretation of the funding mechanism for next year were
>> commissioner Amir I've been on the board executive board with the EDC since I've been on the commission. I do not see a return on investment um
with the chamber. I certainly do and I think the chamber has done things that have impacted most commissioners here in a very positive sense. I think what I heard the commission say is that we're going to direct 10,000 to
the EDC, 85,000 to the chamber, and I think that's how it needs to be paid. I do not see uh any value in innovate 28 for the for
Minnesota's side. It is basically focused directly at Bismar and that's a good thing for Fargo, West Fargo, and Cass County and adjoining counties that they have in North Dakota. But I don't see anything beneficial for our side.
So, however they want to work this, I I do not see a benefit for the citizens of Klay County for us to be part of innovate 28. >> Commissioner Kraban. >> Yeah, just I thought we were already pretty clear on this. So, just going
back to a little bit what Dave just said. Uh, no, we are part of the innovate for uh in 2018 and in specific I think Mr. Roso and Russo in his comment talked about how by just by
giving the 10 grand I'm going off memory here we be we would be considered a sponsor or member or something what >> an investor >> investor there we go and that's what I see I thought we already talked through this
>> is that does that >> it appears that it's clear I I'll I'll I'll share with the share with both uh the chamber and the EDC that they'll be getting separate invoices. >> Yeah. So my understanding is 85,000's going to the chamber
and 10,000's going to the greater program area DDC which last year the combination of those two was 185. >> Correct. >> Now it's 95. >> Great. >> Correct. >> Thank you for the clarification.
>> Okay. Anything else on budget issues? You know, so we had what about $335,000 improvement today on our budget discussion. If you do that every week now, Steve, between now and the end of the year, we'll be in good shape. We're continuing to look, Mr. Chair, and
hope to have a few different things before you in the next couple weeks. >> Thank you. All right, we are well past well, we got a we're 10 minutes past our journ. I know we've got and we've got two weeks. Uh so if we can kind of um go
through our reports quickly, we'll start with uh Commissioner Bear. >> On September 28th, I was up in Krookton with the West Central Regional Water District and we gave a presentation to the House bonding tour that went very well. I thought there was about six of
us from that committee that were up there and about a bo bus load of house members. They asked a couple questions, but they've heard the they've heard it before, so they we just gave them a recap on it. And then on September 29th, I had the West Central Regional Water
District uh meeting in H Hallstead where we went over the legislative update and we are getting close to the final survey being done. We have another meeting come up next Monday with hopefully the final survey being
completed. So then we can send out the surveys and get on the docket for the judge coming here hopefully by the end of the year. And what are our budget? We're sitting on roughly $21,000 and that's why we're
pushing to get this in front of the judge. And that is about all I have to update update on that as of now. Thank you, Commissioner Eringer. >> Yes. On uh Wednesday the 24th of
September, I joined the uh legislative bonding tour. Uh we came uh up from Wolverton and across some of the projects on Minnesota side and looked at them. >> Georgetown. >> Georgetown.
>> Georgetown, I'm sorry. Um overall, you know, I it was an exercise that was focused, I think, the for the for the overall project and
uh we'll see how the legislature goes with it, but we were present and we expressed the needs for them. Uh on the 25th I attend the uh Greater Fargo Morehead EDC board meeting.
Uh again there was a lengthy Innovate 28 update and we discussed a uh dashboard that's being put in showing their uh achievements in recruitment, retention and developing systems.
uh most of which were uh kind of tied to North Dakota movements on it. Uh governance committee is working with a uh board development project. They have survey results uh that this agency put together for them
and uh that completes that. On the second, uh, I attended the emergency or I virtually attend the emergency communication legislative committee meeting. Uh, looked a lot at at the, uh, skip,
that's a statewide communication uh, interoperability plan uh, goals that we're trying to set up for future operations. They're being worked on. Uh, there is some progress there. Uh we've had a constant problem with
getting revisions to the statute language that we've got for working with our service providers uh particularly in outstate and uh the 403 workg group is part of that and it's not convened in over a
year. They are going to get a me mediator in there apparently sometime next year. So we'll be prepared to address these issues in 2027 with the legislature. There's also discussion on AI being uh
considered into the legislation. So we have some controls as AI becomes evidently it becomes a part of next generation 911. So there needs to be some data rules in place and use rules for the AI issues.
Uh later that day uh I had virtually attended a meeting with the uh treatment court initiative advisory committee. I am on that
committee which is operated by the Minnesota judicial branch um as a representative for the public safety AMC. They wanted the the uh committee wanted a county commissioner on it. This
apparently and I was not aware of it, but it's going to be an ongoing position uh with monthly meetings. Uh we are trying to really do a lot of work in setting up operational uh subcommittees to address things. And
I've been asked to be part of the law enforcement one. I've declined uh immediately until I find out what kind of impact that's going to have on my schedule. We do have monthly meetings. Uh Jay Rosenfeld, the judge here in Klay
County, has also just been appointed to this committee. Uh I think it's going to be productive. This this commission has had a commitment to specialty courts, drug courts, veterans courts, DWI courts um for years and I think we need to
continue with that. I certainly wouldn't think anything I do here in Klay County uh would be part of it. for what I am doing right now with the treatment court initiative advisory committee. I would like that be part part of my portfolio
because it's turned out to be a little bit of a an amount of time and effort that I would like to have some compensation for particularly if they're going to get me into subcommittees. Uh again, we've always had a commitment
to these courts as a commission and anything locally I would do or meetings with Judge Rosenfeld, that kind of thing I certainly wouldn't think of as part of that portfolio, I'd think of it as my responsibilities here, but uh I'll leave
that to the commission if if that's something anybody would be interested in taking uh action on. What we did do during that meeting is uh we looked at grant and many grant proposals and uh reviewed the state
standard updates. There were four issues that they wanted to vote on but there was so much information connected to them. They gave us two days and came back and they had a a four-page survey where our response does responses to
that signified a vote on some of the issues that they were they were covering. So that's a very logical and a it's a well-designed process, but when you've got a a panel that's comprised mostly of judges and lawyers, you're going to have a lot of
time and material involved. Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to put that as in his portfolio. >> Okay, we have a motion. >> And we have a second by Commissioner Krav. And again, I I guess um
can can that be considered under his portfolio of public safety with AMC? >> I have that position in there, but I want to be transparent and bring this forward before I I could claim it on that. Well, I guess >> make sure the commission's comfortable, which
>> I I guess I guess that's what how I'd like to see it done. And the one thing because these meetings, they do have minutes, right? >> Oh, yeah. >> And that's because that's part of the requirement. So, I I would say that >> that would maybe qualify under your position in public safety. That would be
my >> So, it'd be under your portfolio under the AMC public policy. >> Is it a defined work group? as in yeah it's with the with the state of Minnesota. It's by the legislative
um Minnesota legislative branch. >> Well, the only reason I bring that up is I think um you were on a work group that looked at the legislative pay. I was on the tax forfeite work group and we did have it as a subset in that. So, if it's cleaner to do it that way, maybe we
should. >> Right. Well, that's okay. Again, I just didn't want to start claiming it >> and and find out it was outside the comfort zone of of any or all of you. >> So, thank you. >> And then the last >> Well, hang on. We got a vote.
>> Oh, okay. >> Unless you don't want us to vote on it. >> Okay. Any further discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose. The same. Motion carried. All right. >> Thank you. Um, and then the last meeting
I had was on uh or no I've already covered oh I didn't uh cover the uh September 25th the diversion board of authority. We had a meeting and uh it's been so long I don't remember commit
chair. Do you do you remember the details? I >> I've got I can report on there. >> Okay. I've got the I I'll yield to you on that. Thank you. >> Mr. Kraboff.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh going back to the 23rd, we had a PRTF small group prep meeting uh for the uh housing or the house bonding tour that was going to be the next day and u
putting things together to uh finalize our video which was shown and and came off very well. 24th then we did have the house bonding tour. Well, um uh I thought it went extremely well and u
very good attention um very engaged uh house members and um to staff and and to Commissioner Mojo for all the work they put together uh getting that um tour in place. Uh it was seamless I thought in
the work that we did uh that afternoon. On the 25th um uh we had a uh family resource center stakeholder meeting. Uh there were about 15 u organizations as part of that. I bet there were 70
people. Um fantastic work going on for something that has only just been funded for a short period of time. just kudos to uh creative community and then along with the two navigators from CAPLP uh
they're holding uh they have a place of uh information and people can come to in three locations now Morhead library and the Morhead Academy as well as out with reach in Holly. Um after that I had my cap finance and board of directors
meeting down in Breen Ridge. Um main things uh were uh two operational budgets. We had a spotlight on on Head Start. That was the main part of that meeting. on the 2nd uh had the children's mental health about 13
providers showed up for that big big group and they uh went through agency reports but mostly um there was a discussion in depth at the end about and we talked about it from time to time it's these kids that are 16 17 18 19
that they're coming out of their foster homes there's things that are changing in their life uh they still need u uh you know the mental health uh um you know uh services that they've had and now they are out on their own own and in
many cases uh on the edge of homeless and uh you know our schools are uh keep us informed of some of that but anyway it's again more about finding in this case it was uh find trying to find
shelter for a 17 year old or 17 year old girl. So anyway, uh great discussion and and it this group was really gelled together and sharing information. Uh on the third I had another uh PRTF meeting
again u follow up to the housing committee and I'll let uh commissioner Mojo speak to this more but it was on our next steps and part of those uh next steps are the development of creating podcasts.
Um then I had the uh historical and cultural society finance and government meeting. Uh it was a consolidating between those two committees uh in doing updates to employee benefits. And then on the 5th uh last night I had um the
Morhead Planning Commission and on that three three open hearings. One was there's going to be a new auto sales place where the muffler man was in Morehead and convers down on A Street. And then uh one I
found interesting there finally replanting the area where the Annheiser bush plant is and making it its own uh parcel and then that egg land uh to the south of it 40ome acres is going to be
uh will end up being reszoned for commercial. That's it. >> Thank you Commissioner Mojo. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. On September 23rd, I had a meeting uh prepping the presentation for the house bonding tour,
not only the non-secure detention component, but the uh flood mitigation request. Just want to give huge gratitude to all of our staff for the immense amount of work that went into that presentation and the documents that were um utilized. The next day on the
24th, I attended the Red River Basin Commission Joint Powers Board. We had a great presentation uh on the water district that um the presentation that Commissioner Bear talked about and then talked about items of mutual interest and then later that afternoon we did
have the bonding tour. Uh we hosted them at the juvenile detention center discussed the challenges that we have with the regional facility, how we really believe this is a state implied issue and how we can utilize their support with it. I then did follow them
to the tour at uh Morehead State and had further dialogue with the representatives at that meeting. On the 24th or 5th rather, I attended the SWAT committee meeting. Uh general business happy to report that Klay County and the city of Morehead were able to reach a uh
an agreement on the contract and it will proceed as it was previously written. Later that day, I attended the MCC JPA meeting. did have a property status acquisition report and talked about Minnesota litigation and did a approval
of a reimbursement for a covert installation and approved payment to the Minnesota commissioners that are used for uh landowners uh grievances if I will. I think that's probably the best way to
say it. Later that day, we had the metricog meeting, a long uh long meeting as there were several meeting uh several folks from Fargo and North Dakota present to uh present their concerns with a future 64th uh interchange in
Fargo and did have good reports on all the other components. I was able to attend virtually the CAP LP meeting that was presented on by Commissioner Kavanagh on the 26th. I attended a legislative strategy meeting uh not only
with the non-secure detention but the PRTF and how we move forward in advocating the concerns that Klay County has to the legislature. Uh feel like it's a really great opportunity for us to um gather some information to share to the legislative representatives. On
the 29th, I attended the uh goodbye lunchon for Jackie. I appreciate her work there and wish uh both her and her husband the best. On October 3rd, I attended a legislative strategy meeting uh as outlined with the chamber, the city of Morehead, Klay County, the water
district, and also our team with the non-secured detention piece. Yesterday, I traveled to Alexandria and attended the Minnesota Rural Counties fall business meeting. We're able to set our three legislative uh priorities, which
uh really closely align with what AMC is doing. uh counties are really seeing the biggest shift that we are incurring is occurring from the state and a lot of that has to do with social services as was discussed earlier. So our number one
priority is uh uh the programming SSIS modernization component uh mental health capacities and then the solid waste issues uh which also aligns with one of the uh environment natural resources policy committee pieces and then we did
have updates from folks on what they're seeing for levies. Um I think Roso and Hubard are seeing uh 15 and 11% increases on their levies. the lowest yesterday I think was 3% but they were having to really um cut programs big
time but uh certainly all of us are um trying our best to sharpen our pencils in the best way possible but it is an uphill battle when uh stuff seems to roll downhill from DC and St. Paul. So uh yesterday I also attended the Metrocog meeting uh executive committee
meeting while we did discuss the meeting outline for 26 and future presentations. And that concludes my reports. >> Thank you. Before I um start on mine, I just want to go back to our um budget discussion uh just for a second. And you
know I think uh when we talk about 80% of our budget being employees and one of our greatest opportunities that we can make changes is through attrition and you know so when we start talking about bringing things forward to pick you know
I I think all of our supervisors uh at the same point in time might be able or should be looking at how can things change with uh somebody leaving and what could we might do different. A good example is what uh was done when we
received notice of Jackie leaving. Right? So that's a perfect example of that. Uh you know it's not laying anybody off but at the same point in time how can how might we do something different? But I just for clarification I know commissioner motion we talked about if we're going to do this going to
pick starting now. Is it is it the consensus of this board that that's what we want to start now? Yeah. >> Are we good? Because I don't think there was a motion made to that. But >> and I don't know that we >> you want a motion. >> Okay, we can have a motion. >> I'll make a motion that all the new hires go to go through pick before they
come to us. >> Yeah. O open positions. >> Okay. We have we have a motion uh by Commissioner Bear and second by Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. oppose the same. Motion carried. Thank you for that clarification. So, I'll go into my report. September 24th, we had a Prairie Lake solid waste meeting. I'll keep it short. I uh we were about 30, let's see, $45,000
uh less in our cash balance than we had uh at the end of August than we had the previous year at that time, but we're still in in good shape there. We are on schedule to have about 51,554 tons processed. We had budgeted for
55,000 which isn't the greatest news. Um and then our deliveries Klay County is a negative 320. Um but I that was also at the end of August but by the time we had
our meeting it was down to 220. So it's still within that range where we all felt acceptable. On Thursday the 25th we start started day with uh solid waste advisory
committee. Uh Commissioner Mojo reported on that. I think the biggest issue there was the um you know reporting that we've entered into that agreement with the city. I really uh Corey gave a really
good update on different solid waste issues whether it's at the landfill or the resource recovery facility. >> Mr. Chair, I have one question on that agreement. Is that long term or is it still year out? >> Uh so so the current are with city now?
>> Yeah, with the city. So the new agreement and and again it's this is an add I think what what I asked for was an addendum to the previous agreement which basically extended the contract out an additional three
years and in addition to that it clarified the position on the 57% being paid by Morehead because we we don't have the separate meters and so that's in there just clarifying that that's because in the previous agreement that wasn't in And then the other thing that I wanted
to put in there to show that, you know, and that was the scalehouse position which was a which is a county funded position which wasn't in the previous agreement. So we wanted that in there to show that that's just another thing that
we picked up as part of that whole process. So >> Okay. >> Does that answer your question? >> That answers my question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Yep. So then um then from there I went to Fergus Falls for the Lakes Country Service Cooperative and I basically represent uh
that's a separate I represent just county boards u on that co-op and several different things were talked about but um I'm not going to get into the weeds on that at this point in time. Uh then I
got back here in time for the Mor Clay County Joint Powers Authority meeting which Commissioner Mojo um gave a complete report. So I don't have anything to add to that. And then later that day then we had the diversion board
of authority meeting. And again um you know we certainly get updates on we got on the consent agenda. We had issues regarding on different areas. Um we have a compliance specialist position update.
Um we had a recap of project tours. Um and we continue to um really monitor uh that budget u moving forward. Um and that's all in that. And then lastly
on October, excuse me, two more. I on September 29th I had the West Central Regional Water District meeting. Commissioner Bear um talked about that. I don't have any more to add. And then on October 3rd, I also attended the basically through our chamber public
policy committee. We we re we had a review of the um house visit to um all of our different project as well as um planning moving forward for uh dealing with our legislative asks. And that
continues to end talking about our pri priorities and strategizing those. That concludes my report. Steve, >> thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, on the 23rd, participated in the bonding uh planning meeting, bonding tour, planning meeting,
which has been covered. On the 24th, I met with Mr. Jacobson in regards to today's public hearing. On the 23rd, also met with Lori Johnson uh continuing to look at our budget. uh on the 24th participated uh in the bonding tour. Again, thanks to uh commission and all
of our staff including our communications department uh for the work that they did in preparation of of that uh that meeting that that went extremely well. Uh on the 25th and met with li MCIT and several liability claims ongoing. Uh on the 25th uh I
participated in the MCC JPA board meeting which has been covered. uh on the 29th participated uh at the West Central Water District board meeting that also has been covered. On the 29th and 30th participated in the public health uh director interviews uh on the
1st through the 3rd I was at with Darren at the Macka Maca annual conference. Uh appreciate the opportunity to be there. AMC provided heard we heard updates from Matt Hilgart, Julie Ring. I also heard updates on pay equity uh dealing with
change open meeting laws and PTSD and workman comps changes that have happened. We also saw had paid family medical uh discussion and also looked at the first draft of the uh of the legislative priorities that we're
going to be talking about at at AMC district meetings and then ultimately the policy conference in December. It was awesome to see that one of the priorities deals with mental health and while it doesn't name our facility uh by name uh it talks about the importance of investing into both adult and juvenile
facilities. Uh so the work that uh this board's doing is is uh reaching the areas that we hope it to. uh on the 26th or excuse me on the 6th I worked on MMB documents uh both for updating the information for
flood mitigation and also our non-secure detention facility uh that those updates are due by the 17th for funding requests. Uh also, uh just a update for our employees. We'll be having a a fall flu vaccination clinic on the 9th from
8:15 to uh 2 p.m. over in Sweet 105 at the Family Service Center. And just note for the board, I received a notice yesterday from the state historical preservation review board uh that Klay County has the the Gro Lutheran Church in Roolog uh is up for consideration for
the natural registry of historic places. Uh, and the nominations are going to be uh discussed at a meeting on August 6th. >> That concludes my report, >> October or November. Sorry. >> No, let me see.
>> I've got it right here. >> You want the date for the notes, >> Darren? >> Tuesday, November 18th. >> There you go, Darren. Okay. Thank you. A lot of mine has already been covered. On the 24th, um I worked on an evaluation,
uh worked on updating a risk assessment form that we've been using and I also attended the PRTF house bonding tour. On the 25th, I attended the SWAC meeting as well. Um completed the VSO's evaluation, prepped for attorneys negotiations, and
compiled data from other counties in preparation for further negotiations uh from our comp compies. Um, on the 26th I had the attorney second negate negotiations. Uh, on the 29th I participated in the public health director interviews as
well. And on the 30th, we finished up those public health directors interviews. Um, as Steve said, uh, from October 1st to the 3rd, I was also at the MAC conference, which has already been covered. And then the six yesterday
uh just preparing for three negotiations that we have tomorrow and Thursday with the uh LEC admin assistance, the corrections and the detox and also worked on um the 2026 budget estimate
update which um you talked about a little bit in your budget discussion today. That concludes my report. >> All right. Thank you. Sarah, anything for us? just get done, right? All right. If we have nothing else, we
will be adjourned. Thank you all. Part: 2
Thank you. 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, October 7th. Our first item will be the approval of the agenda. Mr. Chair, I'll offer a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Second.
All right. We have a motion by Commissioner Mojo, second by Commissioner Bear. Any further discussion on the motion? Further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. What was the same?
Motion carried. Next, we have employee recognitions. We have one today. Holly. Holly, congratulations on 25 years of service to Klay County. And I'll bet you never realized you'd have the media here for you today.
Thank you. All right, Quinn, do you want to Oh, I sure do. Got the camera ready. Okay, perfect. Um, I've had the privilege of working alongside Holly in many roles over the years, and I can say without hesitation that she represents the very best of leadership. Uh, she handles a delicate
balance of program knowledge, inter agency collaboration, and finances and budgets with poise and professionalism. She's also a master planner and organizer who communicates effectively both up and down the chain. And she has a unique ability to be professional, approachable, and supportive all at
once. Um, I consistently hear from her staff, many of which are right here in the back, how much they value her leadership. In fact, her staff nominated her. She was recognized with a statewide award for leadership by MSSA, an honor that speaks to how highly her staff and colleagues regard her. I'm able to see
firsthand the positive impact she has on her team and the entire agency. Olly, I want you to know how much I admire the way that you lead with both strength and kindness. You made a real difference to everybody in Klay County. I'm so thankful I get to work alongside you. Truly one of a kind. Congratulations on 25 years.
All right. Next, we have citizens to be heard. Do we have any citizens to be heard on items not on the agenda this morning? Yes, sir. Do you want to um go up and give your name?
Uh, thanks for hearing me. David Kra, Felton, Minnesota. Um, I was motivated to be here today by your uh notification of a 6% potential increase in property taxes. Uh, that amounts to about $3,200 in in my regard. Uh, I'd like to spend
my full three minutes complaining about how the uh egg land shouldn't be taxed. In this regard, the uh there's be little or no profits in agriculture this year and there will be little or no next year as as per projections and and the
unfairness of the system that we have here in Klay County and across the state of Minnesota uh taxing a land and taxing uh businesses uh just because there's no way to hide it is completely unfair. You're since I'm a retired farmer, you're now taxing my retirement account. You don't tax anybody else's 401k
pension plan or antique car collection. So, that's completely unfair. The uh largest increase I saw, I believe, was in social services. And I'd like to point out that soybeans don't need social services. Corn doesn't need social services. Uh and it's uh unfair.
Again, it's unfair to be taxing a land for uh services that they don't need. Roads and bridges. Yes, eggland needs roads and bridges, but the large increase in that is uh uh unreasonable, unjust, unfair, and I'd like you to see what you can do to make sure that those are as low as possible.
I just read that the census data shows that in 2023 uh Minnesota spent per person in poverty $46,000 per person. Now, this is this is an addition of federal, state, local, and community dollars spent on a per person that's
under poverty. And I tried to find out exactly what they meant by poverty. The federal poverty guidelines says that's 1500 $15,650 a year. And there are certain percentages of that that qualify you for different programs, but in no place did
I see that it was over $31,000 a year. So the $46,000 that state of Minnesota spends, which is second only to Massachusetts, um $46,000 per person when there's only it's got to be only
$31,000 to be uh considered in poverty. Uh it shows how inefficient government is at providing services and once again we need to look at all that. Uh there's a line item in your budget for the new DMV uh building. Uh and um
it's interesting after you spent that much money on that building. I still find it uh more convenient and better service to drive to Holly where they use an old paid for uh building in downtown. Uh we're having we're hearing much about fraud and abuse in social services
programs in the state of Minnesota. Federal charges are currently being filed handed out in Minneapolis. Excuse me. Now, I believe we are better than Minneapolis here in Klay County, but are what's the level of fraud and abuse do we have? I'm certain that there
are some. Is there enough that that could be eliminated to take care of the increase in the budget? I I I'm concerned and and that if we have that if we have the level of fraud here in Klay County that they are finding in
Minneapolis and St. Paul, uh probably you could give us money back instead of raising the taxes. So, enough about the complaining. And eloquent as it was, it was complaining. So, what should you do? First, you should push back on St. Paul. Uh no unfunded mandates. If you don't,
if they don't send you the money, they shouldn't be able to tell you what to do. uh push back as hard as you possibly can. I I want you to make every effort possible to eliminate local fraud, fraud and waste to make sure that the uh all the programs are being running efficiently and there's not money being
given away or it shouldn't be given. And thirdly, if you do need to raise taxes, uh raise taxes on gravel. Um there's we we heard about all the travel traffic that's going to be coming down Highway 26. Uh it happens that just as they're talking about a new data center in North
Dakota, there's a new gravel pit opened up along Highway 26 and an old one reopened along 26. Uh not unlike oil in North Dakota, gravel is a one-time uh extraction from the state of Minnesota and Klay County should be harvesting as much as they can from the state of North
Dakota where the the data center doesn't seem to have any concerns about budget and where the uh a lot of of gravel is going into the dam around Fargo. So, uh, any taxes that were raised on Klay County residents as a result, uh,
they're actually paying themselves because they're turn around they'd have to pay less county taxes because they paid higher gravel tax. So, I think that would be a win-win. So, there's my suggestions. Push back on St. Paul, eliminate local fraud and waste, and raise gravel taxes if you need to raise taxes. Thank you for your time, unless
there's a question for me. Any questions? Thank you, David. Do we have any other citizens who would like to be heard? Any other citizens? Anyone been online? Steve? No one. Mr. Chair,
thank you. Then we'll move in then to By the way, I'm just going to comment on the preliminary levy. It is our hope that that doesn't stay at that number. Uh we set that as the maximum that it can be. We're going to do everything that we can to help bring that down. So,
hope Well, it's It's a start. All right. Next, we have the approval of bills and vouchers. Move to approve. Second. Motion by Commissioner Krabnoff. Second by Commissioner Ebinger. Any further
discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. The same sign. Motion carried. Next we have the minutes from September
16th and September 23rd. And unless anybody has uh corrections to one, we'll take a motion to approve them both. Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from September 16th and September 23rd. Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Eringer. Any
further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. oppose the same sign. Motion carried. All right. Our next item is the Klay County Extension National 4 week
presentation and proclamation. Good morning. All right, good morning you guys. Um, we're glad to be here today. We're going to share for a few minutes about Klay County Extension. Um, and then as you mentioned, it is National 4 week. Um, so we'll touch on that as well. Um, we with
the University of Minnesota Extension are partners with Klay with Klay County government. Um, extension brings research based education um, and hands-on learning right here to Klay County. Whether you're looking to grow healthy gardens, strengthen your family and community, or explore youth programs, or expand your knowledge in
agriculture, the extension program is here to help. All right. Extension's mission is to be accessible to everyone in the county. Connect people with practical solutions and resources. Build individual skills and strengthen communities. Connecting
you with the knowledge, tools, and support that create a meaningful change at home, at work, and across our communities. We're just going to introduce ourselves here really quick. My name is Jillian Petri and I am the extension horiculture educator in Klay County and I also help
support our Klay County master gardeners. Okay, I think it's on now. I'm Amelia Lansburg. Um I am one of our 4 educators in Klay County. Uh and my name is Mon'nique Stellzer. I am also one of the 4 youth development extension educators in Klay County.
So, your Klay County Extension team members offer unique areas of expertise. We each have a focus or specialty area that we support. Um, and because Klay County government has invested in the local extension program, we as extension staff are able to tap into both the regional and statewide network of
extension specialists who also bring additional programs, trainings, and community development initiatives to Klay Countyy's communities. Um, you know, as we move into the rest of our presentation, we do want to pause for just a second to note that it is National 4 week. Um, National 4 week is
a celebration that's been going on for decades. Um, and we're excited to share that with you guys today. And we did bring forward a proclamation that we're hoping board chair Kevin Campbell is willing to share um, proclaiming National 4 week throughout Klay County as well. So, we'll take a pause for him to share that and then we'll continue
with our presentation if you're okay with that. Well, I'll tell you what. I'm going to have all of our board share in that process. Oh, that's awesome. I love it. We're going to start with Commissioner Mojo. Whereas this year's National 4 week theme, beyond ready, reminds us that 4
is building a ready generation in a world of change and equips young people with the skills for the future while meeting them where they are today. Whereas 4 is America's and Minnesota's largest youth development organization
supporting 6 million youth across the country and over 50,000 youth in 20 in in 2025 across Minnesota. And whereas Minnesota 4 programs are delivered by the University of Minnesota extension and provide experience for young people to learn by doing in all 87
countries across the state. Whereas 4 is in every city and county in the United States and help six million youth become engaged, successful and independent. And whereas 4 connects young people and adults to their communities, preparing
them for work and life through experimental and inquirybased learning while providing emerging research for positive youth development. And whereas expanding from its strong agricultural overlets for helps young people explore the world around them and
grow into productive adults. And whereas supporting future leaders in science, agriculture, and community leadership is an important imperative for the United States Department of Agric agriculture, National Institute of
Food and Agriculture 4 program. And now therefore, be it resolved that the Klay County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim October 5th through 11th, 2025 as 4 week. Do I have a motion for the Mr. Chair? I'll move the proclamation.
Second. Have a motion by Commissioner Mojo, second by Commissioner Ebering. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. The same. Motion carried. Thank you so much, you guys. I'm glad that you helped celebrate with us this
week. Um, for's national beyond ready initiative aims to prepare young people for the future by equipping them with the skills and abilities to be ready for work and ready for life. Through this initiative, we continue to prepare a ready generation of youth who are healthy, productive, engaged, and ready
for a world that changes. Amelia's up next, and she's going to share a little bit more about that beyond Ready initiative. Okay, so 4 is building a ready generation. um by developing capable, caring and contributing young people who strengthen communities and support our
local priorities. Um through hands-on learning in leadership, health, STEM, and agriculture. Um for prepares youth to become responsible citizens whose positive impact extends beyond um themselves, creating long-term value for families um communities and a society as
a whole. Young people leave 4 ready for work and ready for life. Um, in Klay County specifically, 4 clubs contribute to their communities through various service projects like growing food to reduce um, food insecurity, labeling storm drains um to protect our water supply, painting fire hydrants to help
maintain our emergency services system, and picking up garbage to beautify our public roadways. Um, Klay County 4ers understand that being a responsible citizen means caring for yourself and your community. So part of that big hairy audacious goal for national 4 is while national 4
currently serves six million youth in the next five years they'd like to reach 10 million youth. That's nearly doubling the numbers. Um and Minnesota 4 of course has a pretty audacious goal as well. We'd like to see our numbers grow. Uh locally in Klay County we reached 702
youth with direct programming last year. That means they participated in a 4-led program. It was not indirect. Um, we reached 702 young people through the workshops, events, and volunteer engagement. Extension staff are able to build a community of empowered young people and volunteers.
Last year, 702 young people received direct programming through Klay County4 and staff led more than 100 workshops, events, and meetings. As youth development professionals, we don't do it alone. Um, this is why we identify, train, and support volunteers to help lead young people in our organization.
Our work with volunteers enables local extension staff to reach a larger number of young people. On top of building a strong volunteer base, extension staff work directly with local youth through project- based workshops. We provide afterchool programs, day camps, training workshops, as well as project learning
committees. So, Klay County has seen high numbers of retention and growth in the past year. Um, our youth served in our programs and clubs are able to build their life skills through project-based learning again and leadership opportunities that prepare them for similar experiences once they've moved on from the
organization. Um, because youth are presented with the opportunity to participate in forage programs and clubs, they can then bring the knowledge and experience that they gained in extension to other areas of their life and out into their communities. And now we are going to have one of our 4 members, Bridget Hendrickson, talk
about her experience in 4. Good morning, Bridget. Good morning. My name is Bridget Hendrickson. I am in 10th I'm in 10th grade at Barnesville High School. I've been in for nine years and am secretary in my club. In my county fair, I show
rabbits, chickens, and many static exhibits like food preservation, photography, and many more. I have been to the state fair twice in the past two years. I first got interested in food preservation when I made jam with my grandmother. We decided to enter in the fair and ever since then I made
something each year to show. This year I brought my homemade crock-pot applesauce to the state fair and received a blue ribbon and a community impact award for it. One of my most memorable moments of this year at the state fair was the conference judging. I learned how to explain my process more clearly and
confidently. I also enjoyed listening to others at my table share how they made their items. One thing I struggled with was selecting the right items and finding the right amount of cinnamon. I always enjoy going to the state fair with my family. After showing, we walk around to see the other exhibits, try
the food, and enjoy the fair. It's something I look every year. After 4, my plan is to go to college and earn a bachelor's degree in accounting since I've loved math since I was a kid. My short-term goal is to finish high school and college and my long-term goal is to
build a career, start a family, and live a happy life. For has taught me responsibility, confidence, and the value of hard work. I'm grateful for the experiences I've had and have yet to learn. Thank you. So, Bridget, I want to tell you a real short little story. Many many years ago,
one of my sons was in 4 at the same age as you and she was in 4 and shared a lot of her experiences with this gal right to the right of me here, Commissioner Mojo. And the leadership skills that you learn, it brings to that level. So,
congratulations on what you're doing. Thank you. All right. Hello again. Um with an extension horiculture education falls under the department of agriculture and natural resources or ANR for short. Um
this area ex of extension aims to provide effective researchbased education and integrate diverse perspectives to address critical issues impacting Minnesota's agricultural and natural resource systems. In Klay County, I engage with colleagues,
partners, stakeholders, and volunteers to define re resident and community issues and develop lasting solutions. So, one important priority here in Klay County is providing technical assistance. So, answering resident questions about home um horiculture,
agriculture, and kind of everything plant related. Um, and site visits are one of those signature services that extension provides to communities where Klay County residents receive one-on-one assistance in tailored solutions. In
addition to technical assistance, Klay County Extension offers a wide array of ways university resources are delivered to residents. These include workshops, events, and outreach. As I mentioned before too, I also
support our Klay County Master Gardeners. Um, and this is another way that extension brings resources and knowledge to the communities. Um, through this volunteer program, the Klay County Master Gardener volunteers had another year of amazing growth. With 21
active members, they managed to log 728 volunteer hours here in Klay County. They hosted events and workshops and maintained several gardens throughout the county. They are looking forward to another busy year and new projects, including the installation of a
pollinator habitat garden at the Crystal Sugar offices in North Morehead. We have five 2026 interns that will be starting in January. Today I have with you uh Tim Tim Walline. He has been a Klay County
Master Gardener since 2020 and he's going to share his experience with the Klay County Master Gardener program. Good morning. Thank you. Um, as Jill said, I've been an extension master gardener volunteer since 2020.
And one of the things that I really enjoy uh as part of being a master gardener is the impact that I can make on my communities uh in Klay County. Uh friends, family, and uh individuals that I I run across in in this volunteer
work. Uh we do a number of projects throughout the community. Um, and what I really appreciate about being able to uh to serve in this way is the connections that I make with people who are curious about gardening, who have questions, who are experienced, who are inexperienced,
uh, kids and and adults as well. Um, I've done some teaching of community education classes over the years. Uh, I've been part of the garden tour, the Klay County Master Gardener Garden Tour the last couple of years. uh when it was still in existence, I was one of the uh
caretakers of the uh rose garden trial project uh that was uh that was located over in Dworth. Um I've volunteered at the farmers market in Morehead and at the county fair a couple of times uh where you have a chance to share
knowledge and experience and just interact with the public. I really appreciate the uh research that the University of Minnesota does on agriculture and horiculture and to have access to that through the system uh and be able to share skills and knowledge
with community members uh and the and the latest research and techniques. I enjoy the camaraderie with my fellow master gardeners. We meet regularly and we geek out on gardening and all kinds of different things. Uh, and it's fun to
have that uh that community uh of of like-minded gardeners. Thank you. Okay. In addition to our individual program priorities, the Klay County Extension team is working together to support programming for the whole community. Um, as a team, we utilize
each other's expertise to elevate our programming. Um collaborative projects that we've done have included the Klay County Fair, um 4 afternoon after school programs and summer camps. Um 4 project activity day and community events like Flutterfest. Um event reports from the Klay County Fair and Flutterfest are
both included in your information packets. Um so feel free to read those after today's meeting. All right. The extension service brings university knowledge directly to our communities through direct programming, community partnerships, and volunteer
service by offering free and trusted education in areas like horiculture, youth development, youth development, and family wellness. Extension makes everyday life better while strengthening the places we live, work, and play.
Extension equips individuals with skills that ripple outwards. Extension helps reduce public costs, foster resilience, and ensures a healthier, more prosperous future for everyone in our community. Extension starts by providing private value to our program participants who gain knowledge, skills, and experience
through their extension programs. But the benefit doesn't end there. Those same participants take those skills and experience forward to the other people and places that they connect with, whether it's community boards, community events. Um, participants are using their knowledge and skills that they've
learned through extension in their churches, their schools, and throughout their community. Extension participants gain knowledge, practice skills, and then apply those same assets throughout the other areas of their lives. All right, to wrap things up, the Klay County Extension Service transforms
university research into practical, locally focused education that improves everyday life, strengthens families and communities, supports economic growth, protects natural resources, and reduces public costs, creating lasting value for every citizen.
Thank you so much for supporting extension in Klay County. We appreciate everything that you uh do for us and we'd be happy to answer any questions or take any comments at this time. Commissioner Bear, I was wondering how
does one become a master gardener? Good question. Yes, every year we have an application period that begins at August 1st and goes through October 1st. So, you fill out an application that um garers your interest in becoming a
master gardener. Um there are a few background checks that need to be done since we do volunteer with um vulnerable adults and children. And then you register for the course, which is a self-paced online course um that you can complete in one year. And then in that
first year, you're considered an intern. And in that first year, you complete 50 hours of volunteer service. And then after you complete the course in that 50 hours, then you become an active ma master gardener. And then from then on,
you do 25 hours of volunteer service or as much as you want to. That's just the minimum. Um, and then do about six hours of continuing education. So, yep. I noticed uh your numbers now were 21 that you showed that that's up quite a
bit, I think, from not too long ago if I'm not mistaken. Yes. So when I came into this position in January 2024, we had 12 uh we had five interns that year um which they all completed the course and joined our
program. This year we have seven interns that are um pro they're completing the course. So at the end of the year should be done with that and then we have five that are coming in for 2026. So we're really really excited with the numbers. It definitely helps us um make a bigger
impact. Anybody else? I knew Commissioner Moa would have something. Yes. Thank you both for sharing your story and and how this programming in Klay County has affected you and helped you and we're really grateful that that it's something that you've chosen to be
active in. Um, you know, I just want to maybe go back to the citizen that that came before us to talk about some of the the hard levy issues that we deal with. And it is really great for us to hear about some of the really good work that's happening on the front side of
some of those um hard stories, but to celebrate the successes and invest intentionally in programs that are really helping lift kids and individuals into great healthy uh programs that will help them with their entire life. So,
um, I also agree, uh, Commissioner Campbell's son was a phenomenal leader, still is a great leader and, uh, really had an effect on both of us. So, I can't wait to see where 4 takes you. But, thank you all for being here today and certainly 4 week is really important.
So, uh, if you haven't read the FM Extra has a really great story on programming in Klay County and some of the other great uh, success stories with kiddos in the county, too. So, thanks. Thank you very much. All right. Thank you for your presentation.
All right. Next, we have a um proclamation for eligibility worker and case aid month. Good morning, Quinn. Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. Yes, I am here uh to request a proclamation recognizing
October 2025 as eligibility worker in case aid month in Klay County. Um just for you to know, in 2024, our 29 eligibility workers each processed an average of 8,178 documents, which is about 33 documents per worker per day. Um along with nearly
9,000 in office appointments, uh not including phone interviews or daily tasks. Despite this high volume, Klay County maintained an error rate of 3%, far below the statewide average, underscoring the incredible accuracy and timeliness of our staff. Um, in fact, the timeliness threshold, we are at
92.8% for all program applications, uh, which kind of crushed the state threshold of 75%. So, a huge shout out to our eligibility workers there. uh that their customer service skills, professionalism, and attention to detail ensure that families, children, seniors,
and individuals with disabilities receive the supports they need quickly and correctly. Um, in addition to the vital work of our eligibility workers, case aids provide essential behind the scenes support that keeps our operations running smoothly. They handle tasks that range from preparation and processing of
forms to managing file documentation, assisting with client communications, and ensuring children in foster care have safe and meaningful contact with their parents. Their attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple responsibilities really allow our eligibility workers and social workers
to focus on the more complex case determinations, making them an indispensable part of our service delivery system. Um, and with that I would yield for any questions, but I do have an attached proclamation if the board is so inclined to proceed. All right, we have the Yes, Commissioner Mojo.
Yes. Uh, thank you for bringing this forward. Thanks for the data. I think it's really important for the public to hear that. Um, one thing that not all people know is eligibility is determining verification, right? So it's an element of us to go through and see if there is
any potential fraud weeding out what is um who is eligible to get the services who is not eligible to get the services. So I one thank you so much for the work that you're doing. It's a really complex time and I know the uh the technology in
which you work through uh finding out that information is also irrelevantly broken and part of that is uh to uh Mr. Kness as well is we spent a significant amount of time in St. Paul this year talking about how broken that u
modernization how broken that technology piece was and why the state instead of slamming other unfunded mandates down us needs to spend money on updating that service so it helps us. Um, you know, I I will also say that error rate piece
that we talk about substantially below what the state average that we see is, but I think it's important for the public to know that's not always that our employee is putting that number in. The program automatically inputs information in and we do a really great
job of of catching that. But for instance, you need to um put in if a infant is a veteran or not, if an infant is married or not. Those are those are things that um can be overseen accidentally, but those are pieces that we need to eliminate from the program
completely. And so um one, thank you. I know we're going to do the proclamation, but I just um want uh folks in this uh program area to know that we really one appreciate the work that you do. It's really tricky and painful and hard, but
it's also um it's you're doing a really great job with uh antiquated uh programming and so we appreciate it. Right, Ezra? And with that recognition October 2025 eligibility
worker and case aid month whereas eligibility workers and case aids provide critical access to vital programs for health care, food, housing and economic supports for thousands of residents in Klay County. Whereas their dedication, compassion and
professionalism ensure that all residents are treat are treated with dignity dignity and respect. And whereas the accuracy and timeliness safeguard resources, protect families, and connect families or connect people
to essential services and moments of greatest need. And whereas their invaluable contributions form the foundation of Klay County social services and uphold the mission of serving the community. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Klay County
Board of Commissioners proclaims October 2025 as eligibility worker in case aid month and calls upon all residents to join in honoring the outstanding contributions of these employees. We have a motion to approve the
proclamation. Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Kraov, second by Commissioner Bear. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. The same sign. Motion carried.
All right. Thank you, Quinn, on that one. Um, are you doing this next one? Sure am. Okay. We're running a little behind with our public hearing, but let's just see if we can get this. I'll do my best.
All right. Um I'm here for this uh action item to request approval to transfer four public health staff into social services. Um the intent of this proposal is to streamline the min choices program which is overseen by Jessica Mickelson. Um
we really want to improve the operational efficiency between public health and social services to support the county budget goals. This plan involves transferring four FTEEs from public health into social services. three min choices assessor and one case aid. Uh social services receives a
higher reimbursement rate for min choices time study random moments. By shifting these FTEEs into social services, the county will maximize revenue capture through its existing reimbursement stream. Uh creating a cost savings for public health with the salaries and additional revenue for the
county overall. However, it is important to note that beginning in 2027, Min Choices will no longer be a part of the time study due to legislative changes from this past session. While this transition generates immediate fiscal uh positive impacts for 2026's budget, the
long-term structure will need to be re-evaluated before January 1st, 2027 once the state finalizes the flat rate reimbursement funding for Men Choices work. Uh we don't know what that is yet, but we do know the state needs to realize $9 million in savings in this area alone. Uh and I definitely have
concerns that the revenue from this program will decrease, which will negatively impact our budget forecast for 2027. Uh so long and short, good for 2026, but potentially bad for 2027. Um this proposal was brought before the personnel issues committee, uh supported
to move forward, um for you all to consider. Uh kind of the timeline on this would the the public health staff would formally move into social services budget effective January 1st. However, the staff would physically move into our newly renovated fourth floor wing in the family service center in early December
to complete the necessary training and onboarding. Uh when it comes to the uh the cost and the impact there, currently in public health, the four FTEES carry a projected salary and benefits of $434,233 for 2026. While those staff are
projected to generate approximately 325,000 in revenue for public health based on prior performance, that leaves a net levy impact of $109,233. By transitioning these four FTEEs into social services, we leverage our higher social services cost pool, which
produces that higher reimbursement for the exact same work. When added on top of the revenue that's already generated by Jessica's staff um in this program area, this change is projected to capture an additional $68,881 in revenue for 2026. So that means
instead of carrying that $ 109,233 levy impact in public health, the county avoids that impact but also gains a $68,881 in new revenue capacity. So in total, this would realize an estimated net benefit of $178,114
for 2026's budget. With that, I would yield for any questions that you may have. Commissioner. Yeah, Quinn. Um, this came before P. Just let the board know it came before pick and, uh, we recommended we make this move. uh I think it's a very
prudent uh coste effective way of providing the same services and we know it's going to be well supervised and directed uh in your departments. Um I appreciate the cander in letting us
know that we can only count on this for one year to to meet the needs that we've identified here. But it is an example of the issue we're having with cost shifting coming out of the state. We have no control of that. We can be vocal
about it. I think this this commission's always been good at trying to get the public awareness that these are things that happen outside of our area of control. But I think next year's session is going to be pretty painful for counties. I think the the Association of
Minnesota Counties is aware of that. We're well represented on that. Commissioner Mojo uh is very active in a lot of components on that as am I and uh Commissioner Kenghoff has gone up to the capital with uh Commissioner Mojo on
a number of occasions. Uh we've all been up there at least once this year and we're going to continue the to try and keep cost down, but this comes from the state. We don't have any control of it. And I do appreciate the fact that you're you're identifying a way we can be more
cost effective this year and as we move into the unknown, I'm sure you and your staff are going to be on top of it. But I I think this is a very good recommendation and I hope we can move forward with it.
Commissioner Mojo Quinn, I I just want to thank you and staff for going back with Penn after we directed with preliminary budget woes. Really, how do we better articulate programming and and what makes the most
sense? It is unfortunate that there are such vast differences in what the reimburseable rate for services is across the board. That's part of what we're talking about in St. Paul has said, but uh this certainly seems to make the most sense and I appreciate um you know from the conversations we've
had that you've all been very willing to continually look at this to see what makes the most sense understanding we want to serve serve um the community with the most fiscally sound oper option as possible. So, thank you. And space-wise, how are we doing with
the Well, we're going to fill up that wing immediately with this transition. So, it'll be tight, but we'll make it work. When I came to building committee and said this solves our problems for the next 3 to 5 years, I didn't anticipate this. However, uh that shift did create uh openings in other wings on different
floors. So, we're still we're doing okay. Any other comments? Mr. Mr Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the transfer of four public health staff positions into the social service department effective January 1st, 2026. Second.
Motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Eberinger. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I oppose the same sign. Motion carried.
Thank you so much. Uh Mr. Chair, commissioners, of of note, I don't have it on the agenda, but uh it's important to note in Jessica's uh wing, we also are going to realize some additional licensing revenue. I don't believe I've brought that before the board yet. We learned about this after budgets were submitted. Uh we're hoping that this
will realize between about 100 to 120,000 in additional revenue as well, which will help offset that levy a little bit. Great work. Thank you. So, may I uh question? So just to go to the points we talked about what you're talking licensing and the two moves that
is the total what's the total number on that it's approaching it'd be 178,000 for the min choices transition and an additional 100 to 120,000 for the new licensing. Awesome.
That'll definitely help us. Thank you. All right. Thank you. All right. Next uh is our public hearing regarding Scott D's petition to for text amendment to the Klay County Land Developments and Subdivision ordinance. And if I recall
correctly, this was a continuation from previous meeting. Yeah. Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. It's still the public hearing has been open this entire time. So, the hearing is already open. So, we will at this point in time continue uh with the public hearing. and Matt, I
will turn it over to you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, this is a petition for a text amendment to permit cannabis businesses as a conditional use in the egg service center zoning district. Uh, this was brought by um Scott DMS and Elevated Dispensaries.
I'm just a highle overview of where the uh egg service center zoning districts are located throughout the county. Uh the petition request the the petition cited the following reasons for um allowing a cannabis business uh in the
egg service center district. So one being historic preservation uh this is specific to the a grain elevator in Baker um described as an iconic egg structure that should be preserved and rep repurposed. um economic development.
Um just with this project, they are projecting 1 million in revenue. Uh and then with that 75 to $100,000 a year in in state tax contri contributions. Um adaptive reuse, so positioning the
elevator and other egg structures um as kind of a more modern agricultural service center through cannabis cultivation and retail. and then just to provide a rural revitalization ma model and the potential to replicate the sort of adaptive reuse approach in other
rural areas. So our current cannabis zoning is permitted in the highway commercial and limited highway commercial zoning districts. You can kind of see where those are located uh in Klay County. Our
egg service center zoning districts are comprised of the small unincorporated communities uh throughout Klay County. Um the purpose is to support rural residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural industry to supplement the agricultural economy of the county.
Um so looking at these a little bit closer. Um we just did a kind of a high level suitability analysis of all the parcels that would be in these egg service center uh zoning districts. Um looking at about
relative to our setbacks for cannabis businesses in our code particularly set back from a a residents because most of them are residential properties. So, of the 259 parcels uh in across all
these districts, we had 23 that would meet that 500 foot setback. That's about 8% of the parcels. Um doesn't count for the entire parcel, but there are spots on each parcel um where that would be met. And you can kind of see in each of
our zoning or egg service um centers where where these parcels are located. These would be the ones that are uh outlined in green. The only um I guess town that would not basically
have any parcels would be that would be compatible would be Rustad. We have not received any comments yet uh regarding this request. We do all the townships were notified. Uh the planning commission did go through um our comprehensive uh this request relative
to our comprehensive and transportation plan goals and objectives um and did use these as part of their findings. Uh and then two uh recommendations were made to our planning commission. So
these would be based on the findings of fact. Uh the planning commission was provided a recommendation for amendment approval uh based on that this use has the potential to revitalize and diversify agricultural service center economies. Uh the use could also be
considered similar to other conditional uses that are already permitted in the egg service center zoning district. So bar, restaurant, commercial entertainment. Um these business types would generate uh similar traffic, noise, lighting and parking needs.
And then that adaptive reuse of structures has the potential to stimulate the activity, promote economic activity, promote tourism, preserve structures that contribute to the rural character of Klay County. Uh and then there's also a recommendation for denial. Uh basically
that the properties um are overwhelmingly rural residential um and allowing an additional commercial or industrial use has potential to create land use conflicts. um would not meet uh setbacks for cannabis businesses on over 90% of the
properties and 42% of lots in the egg service center don't meet our 1 acre minimum lot size for a commercial use. Um this would result in variance requests to the board of adjustment which ultimately if you see have a lot of inv variance requests it's kind of a
sign that it's kind of undermining the intent of the ordinance. And then our Klay County cannabis ordinance is new. And I should state that we have um Klay County has permitted two cannabis businesses now. Um both are in highway
commercial zoning districts and both were uh approved unanimously as well. So based on uh this discussion, the planning commission did make a recommendation to deny this amendment um
to the Klay County Development Code. The vote to recommend denial was six to two. Um key findings that were discussed by the planning commission include just the limited eligible parcels, uh the variance burden undermining the ordinance attempt intent, potential land
use conflicts, um and then just that our our comprehensive plan consistency. Um the ordinance is new, untested. Um, so not really really um maybe want to make a change when it when we haven't seen kind of how
it plays out so far. Uh, they did make a a positive finding that this would likely not create an excessive burden on public facilities or utilities. Any questions for me at all about the planning commission recommendation
or the proposed amendment? Commissioner Bear, in the in the petition request, you have put a note in there, Klay County would not receive any sales tax revenue from cannabis business. Would we would we still get the revenue from our sales tax that we have countywide on that
business? That is not something that I'm sure of. I could find that out. I I believe we would, but I want to clarify that. I I don't I don't know that in state law it exempts the local
sales tax. Uh there are certain things that were exempt and that I think that had to deal with vehicles or recreational vehicles vehicles over a certain dollar amount or something uh was not subject to the entire local tax.
But I I would agree with you. So I would think that that that would be something that would still be taxed with including the local option sales tax. It just wouldn't be that can I can make make no you know we can check for sure but
Mr. Mr. Chair yes commission I'm looking through it. Um you know there are some components to cannabis that's generally exempt from excise and sales tax in Minnesota. And do we have while she's looking that up, do we have any other comments or
questions at this point from the board? If not, is the applicant Yep. here today? Yep. Would you care to comment at all? Okay. You want to come up to that podium there and state your name and
my name is Scott Dons and I'm the owner of Elevated Dispensaries. If I can if I can just just for one second, Commissioner Mojo might have that answer for to your question here. Um, well, I'm just going to read directly from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Effective July 1st, 2025,
cannabis tax rate will increase to 15%. In addition to the cannabis tax, taxable cannabis products are subject to both the 6.87% state general rate sales tax and any applicable local sales taxes based on where the transaction takes place.
Right. Okay. Now, with that, now you I'm sorry. Do you want to start over and Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, good morning. Talk. Is that mic on screen? Okay, she can talk. Oh, the other one. Oh, that's yours. Okay, there you go. Is that good? Yeah.
All right. Good morning. Um, I just kind of took Matt's presentation and and went back through it. So, we've got some comments on that. Um, uh, the staff finding for was, uh, staff finding one
is cannabis uses are currently only allowed in highway commercial. Adding them to ASC could expand locations and create land use conflicts with rural residential uses. Our response is fairness and countywide equity. Restricting cannabis only to highway 10
corridors creates an economic monopoly in one area while excluding all six ASC towns. This is not equitable countryw countywide. We do know that there are a couple little other spots, but it's primarily located along Highway 10. uh
blight and lost opportunity. ASC towns are overwhelmingly residential only because the businesses that once thrive there collapsed decades ago. Elevators, implement dealers, and stores closed, leaving behind blight. Intended purpose
of ASC. The ASC district was created as a service and value added hub for agriculture. This amendment restores that purpose by giving ASC towns a fair chance at new economic life. Staff finding two. Only 8% of ASC
parcels may meet setbacks. Approving cannabis in ASC could increase pressure for variances. Wanting to open a cannabis business is not practical difficulty for a variance. Our response is this is a moot point. Klay County
ordinance only allows six dispensaries countywide. With such a strict cap, the idea of a variance flood is not credible. CUP process remains. This amendment does not permit uses by right. Every state site still requires a CUP and every
setback must still be satisfied or reviewed. Casebycase control. If a site cannot meet setbacks, it cannot proceed without a variance. That is already the law. Nothing in this amendment changes that.
Staff finding three. Cannabis rules are new. Approving this now may be premature. Our response is regulatory framework is complete. M Minnesota's cannabis laws chapter 342 and rules are already in effect. Klay County adopted
its own cannabis ordinance in in June of 2024. This is not premature uh controlled cups allow maximum caution. Each site is vetted individually with tailored conditions at the commission
and board level. Planning requires vision. When these rules were first written, it's likely and it's unlikely anyone was thinking about agricultural service centers, grain elevators, or adaptive reuses. But the duty of planners is not just to
enforce rules. It's also to think outside the box so we can reach more creative forward-looking decisions. Sometimes taking a chance is worth it. With a time-sensitive opportunity like this, waiting too long means the window could close and rural ASC towns will
never get their chance. Staff finding four ASC districts are overwhelmingly rural residential. Allowing industrial commercial uses could create conflicts with nearby homes. Our response is
there's a history of blight. ASC towns are residential today only because their commercial base collapsed for lack of opportunity. There were they were designed for mixed use but businesses left. No development for decades. ASC
towns have seen no meaningful new development in decades. Without opportunity, blight persists and rural town sites decline further. Cannabis is the most viable economic driver. Of all the economic opportunities available today, cannabis
is by far the most lucrative and time-sensitive. Other industries are not lining up to invest in ASC towns. Restoration funding. The revenue from cannabis businesses provides the capital needed to repair and restore aging
structures like elevators, community halls, and service buildings. Without this, those buildings will will continue to deteriorate and eventually be lost. Restoring balance. This amendment revives the original service center purpose of ASC districts carefully
through cups and provides a path for viable small scale smallcale economic uses. Staff finding five. Cannabis businesses will not generate sales tax revenue for the county. SA sales tax clarification.
Our response cannabis transaction transactions are subject to Minnesota's general sales tax and applicable local sales taxes. Klay County and its towns benefit indirectly where local sales taxes apply. Excise tax. It is true that
the cannabis excise tax goes to the state general fund and not directly to the counties. Other local benefits, increased property tax base from restored and improved sites, construction permits and inspection fees, jobs in construction, retail and
support services, tourism and local spending from visitors. Avo and the avoided county costs are such as hundreds of thousands of dollars to demolish abandoned structures like the Baker elevator if left to rot. Staff finding six. Cannabis may burden
public facilities, utilities, and create new nuisances. Our response is heavily. This is a heavily regulated industry. Cannabis is among the most tightly regulated industries in Minnesota, requiring
security, odor control, waste plans, and expens in inspections. It has less in impact than existing uses. ASC districts already allow bars, restaurants, and entertainment uses by CUP. All of which can produce greater
noise, traffic, and late night activity than a regulated cannabis business. CUP safeguards. Each ASC cannabis CUP can impose conditions on hours, delivery windows, odor control, screening, parking, and lighting to ensure
compatibility with nearby residences. Staff finding seven. The comprehensive plan encourages value added agricultural development, but cannabis may not align. Our response is direct alignment. Cannabis is an agricultural product. Its
cultivation and retail are value added agriculture. Adaptive research rep, excuse me, adaptive reuse, repurposing an elevator in agricultural icon perfectly embodies the comprehensive plan's goal of promoting agricultural
heritage and rural economic hubs. plan compliance staff's own report noted cannabis and ASC has a potential to stimulate economic activity, tourism, and preservation of historic structures such as grain elevators.
In closing, I would like to say at the heart of this request is fairness. Klay County has six agricultural service center towns. Yet under the current ordinance, only Highway 10 corridor towns are given a real chance to participate in this new state regulated
industry. That creates an unfair monopoly for one part of the county while excluding the rest. Staff expressed concern that ASC districts are now overwhelmingly residential, but that happened only because the businesses that once thrived there were forced out
by lack of opportunity. These ASC towns are in blight. There has not been meaningful new development in decades. Of all the economic opportunities available today, cannabis is by far the most lucrative. It is one of the only industries capable of
generating the level of investment required to repair and restore historic structures before they are gone forever. This amendment is about restoring ASC towns to their original purpose, bringing back economic viability,
and preventing further decline. It does not grant approvals by right. It simply gives ASC towns the same opportunity to be considered under a conditional use permit. All with all of the safeguards, setbacks, and state regulations already
in place. Approving this amendment supports countywide fairness, preserves preserves a historic landmark that otherwise could not could have cost the county hundreds of thousands to demolish, strengthens rural economies, and upholds the vision of the
comprehensive plan. And most importantly, it allows the planning commission and the county board to think outside the box to take a creative chance where it matters most before the opportunity is gone. This is an opportunity to choose equity, economic responsibility, and community
preservation for all of Klay County, not just a select corridor. Thank you. Would you care to comment? Yeah. State your name, please. Derek Drager. Um, I'd be the general
manager and minority owner. Um, I think I'm I I grew up in small towns, right? um not in Klay County, but uh that's where I spent most of my time. And far and away, pretty much every small town
you go to, what you see is the same four or five different businesses, right? You know, you've got your car repairs, you've got your realer, one, maybe two in some of these small towns. You've got maybe a dealership slash
um used car dealer. And then you've got a local gas station and a coffee shop, right? Like that's generally what you see. And the the meaningful reason for that is that outside of that, there's really nothing that can work, right?
there's nothing drawing people to these small towns. And being someone from a small town, I uh I spent a lot of my school age years here and a lot of my formulative years and in the Fargo Morehead area, but I've recently moved back out to um Barnesville.
And just talking with my daughter the other day, she lives right on the edge of West Fargo and her and her friends like going out in the diversion and going out in the rural areas and hanging out and having fun and seeing the look on her face when she
brought those items to me and said, "Hey, this is what I like doing out in this area and these are some fun things that me and my friends do." It brought back all those memories of being from a small town and all the things that that
um that I did as a kid and that a lot of us in this area have done, right? And um this gives a chance to save those communities, to save some of those towns and save some of those values and those
experiences for future kids and future generations. you know, we're we're a business, right? And and we're trying to create an opportunity for our business, but we're also trying to create a path forward for
other businesses. There's other places in the state that have looked at co-oping and and creating their own dispensaries or their own retail businesses. We're trying to create a model and c trying to create an opportunity. So, really, that's what
this comes down to. Um, I know a lot of this legislation was done at a state level and those people don't they don't understand, right? And so we could be a beacon forward. We could be an example and you guys have an opportunity to be
an example for the rest of the state of what rural Minnesota can really be because I think it's worth saying. Thank you. All right. Um maybe if if you're done
with your comments, unless there's questions by the board, uh we'll see if we have any other comments. So if you want to just take a chair and Thank you. If we have anybody else who cares to speak. Sure. Come. Yeah. Make sure you state your name.
Gerald Butnoff, Alliance Township Supervisor. Um, I don't know. I We were quoted as saying we would sell land and I don't believe we can as a township. I I don't know
what the build codes are or anything, but if they need to expand their footprint, they don't have enough uh land, but that's just one of the things I was here for. I don't know. I don't know if you could help give us guidance
or what. We've got easements in town, but I don't know that we can sell any of it. I don't know that we'd want to. I I don't know what the process is. Matt, do you can you go through this? Um yeah, Mr. Chair, Mr. Butnoff, one
thing I can say is that just give an example. um in Downer. Um there was a um business that um also was looking to be established and to meet their minimum requirements. Um there was some
uh township right ofway and that was essentially never developed and so it was township property and they went through the process of vacating that that right of way and and selling it to or selling it to to that land owner. Um so I know there is a process for for
right of way um that's not not in use. As far as property, that would probably be a attorney question. The Minnesota Association of Townships, but otherwise, as far as their project
goes, I I've had one concerned citizen that called me and they were definitely against it. That is the only citizen that contacted me. They were they were u basically afraid of the
unknown. Um, yeah, if they have a lounge, I mean, impaired drivers on the road because there's nowhere I mean, he's got a place to stay, but how many people are going to be at his business? Other than that, we haven't had I haven't had any
comments from any any of the neighbors right in Baker. So, I guess that's all all I have to say. Okay. Thank you. Anybody else? Uh, I'm Tim Thompson and I was a skeptic when the elevator first got purchased by
Mr. Doms and and was being repurposed. And I think one thing that you're not seeing from here is what's been done inside of there from an abandoned vandalized building. Um, encourage some of you to take a look at at what has been done in in his first stages of what's going on there. uh what he's
done. Otherwise, it's uh it's rats, it's pigeons, it's stray cats, and I live uh right across the field from it. I'm not as close as some of the other neighbors, but uh he's done something that I didn't think possible. So, I I think it's uh if some of you get a chance to actually go look at the structure, you can kind of
see and understand where he's coming from. as far as uh his business proposals and stuff, you know, there are some concerns out there, but uh I haven't seen a lot of opposition and but the the land issue, there are some things there. There's a piece of property in there that's kind of
undefined as to ownership and like Jerry was saying, how how do property things take place? uh being near a railroad right away. It had elevator structures on it and still has two bins on, but uh I don't know how the ownership of that particular parcel is has or can be
determined and and if that would uh be part of it. There may be something that that the township can can work out there. I'm certainly not for or against what he's doing, but uh he's done some work in our church. Exceptional quality and uh and pleased with what he's he's done as far as craftsmanship and intent.
He did what I would consider impossible inside of there. So, I'm not I I don't think uh the risk is there. I mean, and you do control through your um um what am I trying to say? Your uh cup stuff here how things go and if there's
violations or stuff. I think you still take control over it. You're not sacrificing anything. So, it may be worth a look uh to go on site, see what's been done with it with what he's got now. And uh it's a unique structure and everybody's waiting for it to fall. It never will, but uh you know it it's
leaned since uh since the day it was rebuilt. Uh and then they cut it in half and it it leans more. So to take when you talk about iconic, it is it is unique because uh but I'd encourage you to at least is take a look and and see what's been done. If somebody you have that opportunity, I think it would give
you a perspective on what his his capabilities and intents are. Uh the only other person that was looking at it was somebody when he bought it that wanted to put a metal scrapyard in there and we've got property that abuts it and uh that is not really the the kind of
thing you want to expand in the small town. So what he's done is improved a a disaster there and and I think it could be done again with with support and and that type of stuff. Uh I won't be a customer there. It's not my thing, but you know, you guys can manage the risks
if it is something that's looked at. But, um, I I don't see where it can really harm any of these small towns to to take a look at some of those things. You can't when you put together stuff from the state, you can't look at every nuance. And that's why I appreciate the fact that the boards and planning
commissions can get out and take detailed looks to find out if there are exceptions to rules and how to manage it. and uh encourage you to take a just take a little bit deeper look and wish you the best of luck. Thank you, Tim. Uh question on the
on the the business plan that would that this cannabis operation would have. Would would this would this basically be a retail operation? Yeah. Um my understanding is for this specific business it's it's a micro business so
it would be retail and um correct me if I'm wrong Mr. D cultivation endorsement as well. Yeah. Do you want me to Yeah. If if if you could and it I guess I guess I I'd like an answer on the potential for a lounge type of a situation if you could comment on that
please. So, um, with my preliminary approval from the Office of Cannabis Management, I'm allowed a retail area to to sell cannabis products, I'm allow, uh, I'm allowed to serve low dosage edibles. So,
what that basically is is if you like you go into junkyard or whatever, you can buy an infused beverage. Um, and that's it. I there's no smoking or anything on site. Um, I'm allowed cultivation. I'm allowed processing. I can wholesale to other people. Um I can
uh transport. So we can do delivery service. Um we can transport. We essentially have a very wide range of doing stuff. Um in terms of what the lounge was is we were um one of the ideas with our business plan is we wanted to create a lounge so that we
could celebrate the um the uniqueness of the elevator. we would clean up the outside and allow to have on the north side um an area where we could have um people come and play guitar or whatever. People could hang out and listen. There's a um the lounge is actually um
there there's a growing um uh well the lounge is actually what it's what it's for is it's non-alcoholic. So it's it's only can be infused beverages. So we're essentially getting away from the alcohol thing and it's pretty hot on the
coast right now from east and west coast that that these things are kind of going up. So we would be pretty revolutionary in our in the middle of the country right now. So um but to answer the the the lounge thing we are um
we're we have very strict guidelines in terms of hours we can be open. It's only like 9 9 in the morning till 9 at night. on Sunday. It's a little bit different, a little bit um more condensed. Um are are those are those hours based on your license that that you got from the
state? Yes. That has nothing to do with u what could be a condition that could be put on? No, I believe that's a state local planning. Okay. I believe that because we've we've looked at other counties as well and it's pretty consistent. It's it's
consistent throughout there. So, we are heavily regulated. We're I mean we're huge in compliance. I have to hire a firm. I'm hiring a firm out of New York that um will just deal with compliance because it's so heavily and then if you
know if you if you mess up you're just out and and we're talking I mean our plan invests a million dollars into that elevator once we in order to cultivate in it and we're cultivating uh we have to build levels and we have
lights and I mean it's just a lot of stuff that really makes your head hurt But um but it's it's highly regulated. Okay. I think that answers my question on on that particular thing. But um yeah, Mr. Chair, the hours to are set in
statute. So we we follow what's in statute essentially for hours. So what's in statute? Um I I'm again I'm not suggesting that that would be the case, but I'm just from a knowledge standpoint. Is does the
county have the ability to be more restrictive than what the state statute is? Um, potentially, but my recommendation for again for the what's in our ordinance is we also have ours in our ordinance and they match the states.
Okay. Yep. Okay. Um, yeah, I think I saw Commissioner Krab's hand up first. So, yeah. Thank you. And again, we're talking about zoning here, but if I want to ask a couple questions about maybe
the uh couple things he talked about the type of operation. Sure. I mean, okay. So, anyway, can we go back to retail just you get real close to your mic? Yeah. Sorry. Can we talk about your uh retail piece again? You u what's that
involved with? Yes. So retail can pretty much kind of be well if retail is this the sale of a a product with THC in it. So um and those can vary from what's called
flour which is the actual plant. Um edibles which can be gummies, candies, um all kinds of stuff. I mean they have they make um rib rub mixes that have cannabis in it that you rub your ribs down with. um topicals in
terms of uh lotions and stuff for people with with uh arthritis and stuff. Um pet stuff for pets. Um it's it's very very wide. Um we don't we want to
have a very select market. We're we want to have what's called more of a boutique feel to us, which means we're going to have really highrade stuff. Um, we're not looking at um capturing a a clientele that's that's looking for the
cheapest stuff. We're we're looking to capture that clientele that um wants to have an experience and wants to see the elevator, wants to um um participate in getting good quality product. Um so we we have some very high
expectations of what our our branding needs to be. Okay. The next two pieces are uh I um just to get some clarity on this. So let's talk about cultivation and let's
talk about wholesale use or or um so with that and with this facility um would your product be all um grown inside or would you be having some outside? I think you can have a I don't
know if you have um I know it's allowed up two acres or whatever the case, but would this be indoors? Yes. So, um everything's indoors and essentially what it is is if if you picture the grain elevator, grain elevator is a big vertical shafts
and that particular one in in Baker that's they're 70 feet tall. Mhm. We would build floors in there. And each floor there, what you do is when you cultivate, um, the way we're going to do it is you have tents. You have essentially a 4 by 8 by 7 foot tent. And
the plants are in there. It's fully climate controlled. The plants are very sensitive to all all kinds of stuff. Um, and and losing a crop is is going to be a lot of money. So when you cultivate um essentially what happens is
we would build that stuff up there where we build our facility out and then we it takes essentially six months to go from a a what's called seed to sale and um with the office of cannabis management every seed has a number on it and
everything is is a number through a a system called metrics. So there's no room for um error. there's everything is just is very strict. Um but by the so what what I'm allowed to do to cultivate
I'm allowed to cultivate um 5,000 square feet of canopy which is canopy of a plant or the equivalent of 3,000 pounds of cannabis a year. Um at a at a at a very conservative estimate a cannabis uh
pound of cannabis flour is roughly um $1,500. So, you do that math and it's and it's it's a lot of money. Um, it is an allcash business because um cannabis is still illegal at the federal level. Um,
but we've partnered with state banks and we have everything and we're 100% um on board with being compliant with everything because this is it's a it's a huge investment. So, last let's show real quick to wholesaling. Yes. So, we are allowed to with that. So
when if once we um cultivate and get everything in there, we we are allowed to do many things. One, we can take that flower and sell it in our shop. Two, we can take that flower and sell it to dispensary A or dispensary wherever in
the state we can. We just can't cross county or excuse me, we can't cross uh state lines. It's a state regulated thing. um we're allowed to process it, which means we can break it down and put it into gummies or lotions or pet food or
or whatnot. So we really have um the a kind of a sky's the limit opportunity and as this becomes more the norm and cannabis is across this the count the country there are more technologies and it's it's being infused in more things
and it's being used for more health reasons and what well thank you for that I just wanted to general overview not only for my me but for the public so uh and obviously we we know that the
you cups, you know, are have stricter or excuse me, the the guard rails around your operation. So, okay. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Right. Any other questions? Um,
Matt, the first I I do want to comment on the ASC's. When we when we went through the Klay County Land Development Subdivision ordinance, um, all of those ASC's had an
opportunity to comment on those ordinances. Is that is that correct? Correct. So, yep. township level. Essentially, that would have went through the township level. Yep. Okay. That would have gone through the township. Okay. All right. We also had pretty substantial insight
and participation with them in those meetings, right? Yeah. Um, so can you tell me again, Matt, where uh when this was established where where they currently are allowed
at this where the cannabis businesses are allowed in Klay County? Yeah, the is it highway commercial? Highway commercial and limited highway commercial. And um Mr. Dom is correct. Most of our our our limit our highway commercial and limited highway commercial is along Highway 10, but then
also Highway 75 as well. um this property say um specifically this property if um is able to meet the minimum uh lot dimensional standards for a highway commercial limited highway
commercial could potentially apply for a reasonzoning at some point too. Um do they they they do not meet that? No, not at this time. Yep. Um, as far as
uh the egg egg service center zoning district, um, you know, in in the planning commission, we kind of did discuss, you know, uh, reasons for potentially approving this amendment and reasons for for
denying this amendment. And I think u, Mr. Doms did a really nice job of um explaining and walking through um here and bringing some new information to to the county board on some reasons for uh that would support that that approval as
well. So those are definitely things to consider. Yeah. So, um, so in terms of this particular site, why would it not qualify for just being reszoneed to highway
commercial? Is it just too small? Yeah, it's it's just a it's about a half acre um property. Our minimum is an acre. There's also road setbacks, adjacent residence setbacks for the for the use that could be resolved through a
variance process. Um, I think it's the the minimum lot size. That's kind of the main the main reason and you know with with minimum lot size is I think one of the the things that the reasons why we have a minimum lot
size is to ensure that there is adequate um space for parking adequate space for sewage um and and and septic and and things of that nature. Did you have another uh just real quick back to Jerry or Tim? Um
what is that amount of land that's around there? Maybe you know that I can bring it up on a map if that I'm just curious and and so then I'm what I'm curious about I get it on paring all that you know we go through all that with cup but
um when it to answer uh Uh, Commissioner Campbell's question. Is there a specific acreage a minimum? Yeah. One acre. It is one acre. Okay.
Just just to clarify something, Matt. Is it one acre to be a highway commercial or one acre to be able to put this type of facility on for a commercial or industrial use? Yep. I I guess I was looking for a way to
maybe not have to do redo our whole entire ordinance that we just did and see if we could make this fit within something uh like highway commercial, but and well, Mr. Chair, I think if if you were to to approve this today, the the
amendment is not very um it's pretty simple. Um it's a pretty simple change. It's it's just basically adding uh in our use table adding a a C to our as conditional use under our agricultural
service center column and it would still be subject to the still be subject to conditional use permit. Yep. Still be subject to a conditional use permit. Yep. So that goes to the comments that were made by I believe was Tim that Yep. And Mr. Dom you could still um have
the ability to to look at to each applicant on its own and determine correct. Okay. Yep. So there is still public input through that process too. Correct. On an individual and often times in the conditional use
permit process is where you will re see more of that that public input come into play or or come out as well. Just one comment. Yes, Commissioner. This isn't looking at just the Baker facility. This is looking at all six of
the sites and there's 22 properties that potentially could have one of these. Yeah. And Yeah. So, and I I guess I I guess going back to my previous comments, those other 22 sites through the process and development of this ordinance, they all
had input as Commissioner Mojo mentioned, they did have input into this ordinance and they didn't didn't really stress one way or another probably. I mean, can this is fairly new. Obviously, so um but so is our ordinance,
you know. So, uh, I was just from that standpoint, you know, I I mean, we are opening it up to additional 22 of these potential, but again, they'd all still be required to have the condition use, which is I
like that approach uh because then you are um dealing with you can get down to what that individual applicant is going to do and what the public might um have concerns about the finding. is a factor still involved with that, aren't they?
Correct. There's review criteria. Yep. Yeah. For a conditional use permit. Yes, Commissioner Mojo. Thank you. I, you know, I think it's important to clarify just for folks to the public watching, you know, we keep talking about these being these ASC's being towns. These are really villages.
So, um, you know, they're not incorporated towns with city councils. They're villages in rural Klay County. And so I think that's an important uh component just to clarify for people that might be watching. Any other comments?
Any other public comments? Is the board ready to close this hearing? Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Ebinger to close the hearing. Any further
discussion on that motion. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Opposed the same sign. The hearing is closed.
And based on this applicant, uh, we do have a time period where we do need to act, right, from a now that the hearing is closed. Correct. They need a response when this period of time. I don't know if the board's ready today to
Yes, Commissioner Mo. Thank you. Uh, just since I serve in the capacity of planning commission, I thought it might be helpful just to provide that. Obviously, in the packet, you see what the recommendation for the planning commission was. you know, I really felt like there was some really
good um points that were brought up. I really, you know, I've said this before to the applicant. I appreciate folks that are trying to creatively look at how to invest in Klay County, particularly with businesses. It's a challenging business climate in
Minnesota sometimes to navigate. So, I do appreciate that. Um, you know, and I I will say that because this is in my district, I've made an intentional uh outreach to folks in in the townships
uh in the other townships that would be affected as well. There's some serious concern about um you know changing the use across all of the service establishments. Um certainly um their perspective was that they had said that
they um partly why they haven't participated as much at this point is they felt that they really went on record with us on the crafting of the ordinance and what where things would be allowed and and really encouraged us to allow that that to work through the
process. Um certainly it's it's young and we you talked about this we've only just permitted a couple of those. So allowing those ordinances to work through as we crafted them. Um and then two, you know, I I think it is important
to to say that it is challenging. We're seeing a time where um rural uh development and businesses is changing. Uh what those vibrant um grain elevators used to be, it is changing. I think the
the status of all of those areas change, but um what makes the most sense. Um you know, I've always tried to look at this as as more of a not not so much spot zoning or making big spot spot changes
and and this this does concern me just in regards to what the effects are to all of rural Klay County and services, too. Um, but I I've also gone on record here about saying how do we be more flexible to allow with businesses. So,
um, you know, I I think that I'm probably um more torn with this application than I've been in others in the past. Uh, I think there are uh opportunities and benefits, but I I do feel like there are some challenges in
us um doing a blanketwide change to uh what is allowed in the service center. You know, I think maybe looking at at a reclassification for a limited um highway commercial would make more sense u personally, but um willing to see
where the board stands. Well, that was uh your very last comment was where I was where I I was hoping we could have gone with this because it to me it would have uh made the most sense. Um, but but just based on what I'm
hearing, it would not qualify as just a highway commercial because it doesn't meet the size requirements. And I don't know that we want to start getting into changing the size of our our highway commercial uh because of because of size. So that
that's a dilemma in itself which uh would be I think difficult to overcome. Um I you know, I I agree. Um, and again, I agree that there was a lot of input on
this. Um, ultimately for me, it boils down to what is what is the public's ability when something new is about to happen in their area. And that's through a conditional use process that still
allows and everybody needs to be notified. When there is a an application for a conditional use permit, all the neighboring properties need to be notified and they all have the opportunity at that time. And it takes it to that more of that local uh issue
um as opposed to doing this. You know, there's there's no guarantee. just the fact that that um we're allowing an additional 22 properties, there's no guarantee that through the conditional use process, they're still going to get that, you
know, that permit. Correct. So, so it seems to me it's it it is taking it down to that local level. You might have you might have townships that might speak on a on a different one of these 22 parcels on behalf of these, you know, rural
areas and they might they might have a total different of opinion as as opposed to maybe being pro or you know or or even neutral. But I I think it's u this is an opportunity. I I think that
uh I I would I do have concern about the lounge issue. That's why I asked that question. I I do have that concern. Um and and again, I think those concerns and those concerns that somebody might have as a resident can raise those
in the conditional use permit process. So, but um for those who think that cannabis isn't the business that's here to stay, I think, you know, I think we we all know better than that right now. Commissioner Abinger.
Yeah. I've been quietly listening to this because it's a guy my age, which three of us qualify as boomers. Um, I didn't I didn't really ever think that we'd come to as a as a governmental body
to have to make these decisions because I didn't think it ever would be fully legalized. It has been and it's here. And my opinion of this has changed and I will give Mr. Dom's credit for it. This
sounds like a thoughtful, well planned out business model and I'm assuming he's got the financial capacity to come in and make this happen. And uh I think as county commissioners when we have somebody who's willing to
come in and stake their fortune and their energies on something and it sounds like it's been thought through and it sounds like he's using resources that can uh ma add to the to the potential of success. Um
I'd hate to stifle that. Just Yes, Commissioner. Sorry, but one thing uh Eban or his point is he still would have to go through a CUP in CA if this does get changed. That's right. Yes. Just to clarify that he's not
but this is this is the next step. This is the first step for him to go after that cup. Correct. Just to clarify that. Now I'll give the floor over to Yeah. I mean I'll add to that. I mean you know absolutely the cup is there. Um it doesn't by doing this it doesn't
guarantee gets to do it. uh that will that'll be decided on the cup. But the one word he said that hit me the most was fairness and and I do believe that um uh done in the right way. Uh I think
by open o opening up uh egg centers I I think is um prudent and I I think we have our opportunity to uh have input along these um decisions all the way.
But uh yeah um I had uh uh two emails I guess against and and um they were by local people. Um and it was about what their community was
and how quiet it is and all that. But I think he reminded me as growing up in that area being a farmer um these were operate, you know, these were commercial places in their first intent and a
revitalization of that I think in my view is healthy. Maybe I don't maybe I wish it was something else other than cannabis, but that's that's the new and uh uh and I'm open to that. So I think
um that you know I I would support this I guess just for the fact of uh uh fairness and opportunity to others. You know an an area that um we haven't touched on a little bit but I think it in a roundabout way it was through the
uh question about lounge and and um and that goes to on-site consumption and that type of thing. and then um getting behind the wheel. Um you know, there's always that concern, but I I also think back to
uh several years ago another um potato warehouse that was convert converted to a bar and a restaurant. Um and uh that that has been a thriving business today in in that certain area. And you know, I
I don't know um maybe I I haven't heard from the sheriff, but I don't know if there is an awful lot of issues that that go on there, but they you know, those those people who are in that business still have responsibilities in terms of how they serve and how much
would be served and and you know when they allow somebody to leave. So um and again some of those issues can can be discussed and if there's a concern from law enforcement in a particular application law enforcement can
certainly bring that up through the condition use process. So yes, just on that point when anything is any entity is operating with a stateisssued license this the going into the cannabis
licensing is a little bit of a different world but alcohol it's always been if you create a problem your license is always on the line and a good businessman will keep that in mind y mo I think it's important though to note that that establishment in downer is in
highway So yeah, it is. Yes. Yes. Commissioner Bear, we had a gentleman here for uh citizens to be heard and he talked about our budget and how we are looking at raising our property taxes to bring economic
development into greater Klay County, which this would would help bring down our property taxes in a whole by developing properties like this. That's why that's one of the reasons why I'm in favor of this. Well, I think I heard him say that he's going to do a a
million dollar uh renovation to that building. And I'm assuming you know that go along with that renovation to that number. It also increases your value of that property and we all know what happens when you have increased valuation your property.
There's more tax revenue. Tax revenue. So that's one way to bring down the tax. That's right. Yeah. All right. Any do we have any further uh discussion or would the board care to act on this
today? I'd like to uh make a motion to uh approve the petition uh for a text amendment to the play county land development and sub uh sub subdivision ordinance based on um
period. All right. And I believe you had um language in there for that right for you want the last part and yes following facts finding I guess from the planning commission. So excuse me. So we we do have a motion
and we can't have discussion until there's second second. All right. So we have a motion by Commissioner Kraboff, second by Commissioner Abbinger. Okay. And now Matt, you can Thank you, Mr. Chair. So yeah, these were the um findings that were presented to or recommendations presented based on
the findings of fact um for approval um being that the use has the potential to revitalize and diversify egg service center economies. Uh the use could be similar considered similar to other conditional uses permitted in the egg service center eg bar, restaurant,
commercial entertainment. uh regarding business type traffic generated noise, lighting, parking and then that adaptive reuse of structures has the potential to stimulate economic activity, promote tourism, preserve structures that contribute to the rural character of
Klay County. And I don't know if these are kind of if these all capture kind of what your your discussions are, if there's anything that you would want to add to that. No, my motion fits well with the findings effect.
All right. So, within your motion, we're Yeah, findings effect. Meet your second. Second. All right. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Is there a roll call vote, please? Commissioner Krahoff. Hi.
Commissioner Mojo, no. Commissioner Campbell, yes. Commissioner Bear, yes. Commissioner Eing Ebinger, hi. Motion carried. All right. We will you'll go through that process then, right? And the applicant here then we'll
move into the conditional use process moving forward. Correct. Just one question. Yes. Yes. Now with our new website, is it already changed? No, not yet. Not yet. Will be. All right. And that that takes care of
that subject. We will then Do you need a break? Okay, I guess we're we're running late, so we're going to take a 5m minute break. There we go. All right, we are back in session. Our next item is um request approval to appoint planning commission
member to the Morehead Protection Plan. Um, we you did notice that in your packet that the request is to appoint Joel Hildenbrandt as the Klay County Planning
Commission member to the Red Ward Protection Plan team. Do we need to have any further I we're aware of what that is and uh I don't know if there's any if we have to spend a whole lot of time going
through through that but no just um basically it's going to be a six-month process. They're looking at starting in uh November of 25 meeting once once a month and um they had also made a request uh to have a commissioner serve on that as well. And I know that
understand that that is in your uh commission portfolio. So, yep. So, that'll uh yeah, we'll keep that in Commissioner Bear will be my alternate. Okay. But we do need to have the approval for Yep. Just looking for a motion to
appoint uh Joel. I'll make that motion to appoint Joel Hildebrand the Morhead held protection team. Right. We have a motion by Commissioner Bayer, second by Commissioner Kavanagh. Any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all
in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppos. Same sign. All right. Thank you. Sorry to make you guys sit here for two hours while you'll you'll put out notices then when we're uh ready to meet. Sounds good. Can you put me on that email list, too,
just so I know? Yeah, I can provide. All right. Next, we have uh Justin. You got a few things for us this morning. Item number seven, request approval to acquire highway easement for parcel 21362000.
Yes, good morning. So, the first item I have is permission to acquire the highway easement. So, this is one of two easements needed for the CASA 12 and 52 roundabout. This has been one that we've been working on for a long time. And through the negotiation phase, we were
able to settle with the land owner on a cost of $22,000. And this would is budgeted in 2025. All right. What's the board's wishes? I'll make a motion to approve the agreement to acquire highway easement in
the amount of $22,000. Second. All right. We have a motion by Commissioner Krabanov, second by Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion? Just to clarify for parcel number 21.036.02000. That's correct. All right. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose the same. Motion carried. All right. Next we have request to approval acquire easement for parcel 19.001.01000. Yes. So this is the second highway
easement needed for the CASA 12 and 52 roundabout. This is also budgeted through the 2025 budget and this purchase would be for $40,000. And if this is approved, this would um this is kind of the last thing needed for this project and then we can submit
to both federal aid and state aid. plans are at 100% now. So, we're sitting well ahead of schedule and definitely in line for an early bid date and hopefully some good pricing. One question. Yes. This project we plan on doing next next year, right?
Correct. And one of the obviously rightaway is one of the biggest hurdles, but then the second biggest hurdle on a federal project is the environmental dock that was approved three weeks ago. With that, Mr. Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve agreement to acquire highway easement in the amount of 40,000
for parcel number 19.001.01000. We have a motion by Commissioner Mayer. We have a sec. Second by Commissioner Aber. Any further discussion? None. All in favor signify by saying I. I. The same. Motion carried. All right.
Next, u request approval for limited use permit and supporting resolution. Yes. So, the Arc Trail, which runs from Ulin north, 5 miles to the Clay Norman line, is sponsored by Klay County. So,
it's kind of one of MDOT's internal processes is they kind of review these trails from time to time. And they did notice that part of this trail intersects the trunk highway 32 rightway, thus creating the need for a limited use permit and supporting resolution. This is pretty standard.
This is something that we do for snowmobile trails and such. So, it's nothing out of the out of the ordinary and there's no no budget implications. Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the limited use permit on resolution 2025-26.
Second. Have a motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Abiger. Any further discussion on the motion? I just want to make one comment. It's a very nice trail to ride side by sides or four withers down. So, it gets used quite a bit. Definitely. All right. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose the same. Motion carried. All right. We'll move right in then Justin. We have highway tracking. Yeah. Hopefully we'll get to that soon.
All right. Next, we have a request approval to sunset the Klay County referral incentive program. Good morning. Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. Um I'm here this morning to discuss sunsetting the Klay County referral incentive program. In 2022, the board adopted um the program for
referral or for recruiting and retention efforts. Um I would say the program has been pretty successful. We've paid out just over six or just shy of $68,000 to date. Um with the upcoming budget concerns and now that we are receiving more and more applications for our job
postings, we believe it is appropriate to sunset this program at this time. Um I would ask that with sunsetting the program, it doesn't impact any current pending payments. So if there's someone that is eligible for a payment within the next six months to a year, they
would still receive that. Um to date we have received or we have had 128 referrals from other employees um which is a breakdown of 69 full-time staff and 59 variable hour.
With that I will pose for any questions. Well you have a com. Okay I just uh one thank you for providing the historical piece. At the time, we had determined internally that we were spending more money on the
advertisement of the open positions and what a referral program would really cost the county. Obviously, like you said, we're seeing applications for positions coming in in a much better way than we've seen in a long time. And then, uh, two, given the feedback we gave you on the on the budget, I
appreciate you coming in, uh, to cut something like this. Thank you. Yes, Commissioner Amir. Yeah, I this did come before pick and it did pass was referred up up on this. It's been a good program. Obviously the necessity for it
is no longer apparent as it was in back what three years ago, four years ago. So it's a it's a good idea to sunset it. All right. I'll make a motion to sunset the Clay County referral incentive program.
Second and making sure that it includes payments of all pending. Yes. All right. We have a motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Krabanoft. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I.
Oppose. The same sign. Motion carried. All right. Next, our request approval to terminate the sick leave donation program. So, I don't have a lot of um historical information as when the board adopted this program. might think it's been in place for years and years, but with the
implementation of paid family medical leave coming in 2026, um there's a recommendation from PIC to terminate the sick leave donation program. Right now, the program currently allows staff to request donations from their peers for
their unforeseen or unforeseen leave of absences that are unpaid. So we believe that in pretty much every scenario we can think of that paid family medical leave would cover those unpaid absences. Um so with that we would like to
permanate that program as well. Um the one thing with the paid or excuse me with the sick leave donation program right now is that the wage is paid out at the recipient's wage not the donor's wage. So, I don't have a C. I don't know what the exact savings would be, and we don't know how many people would be
requesting this on a year-to-year basis anyways, but we do feel that paid family medical leave would cover the necessary scenarios. Right. Right. And again, that was brought through PIC and recommended for
to terminate that program. Well, I think it uh makes sense and certainly is a a potential um money saver. So, I'll make a motion to terminate the sick leave donation program for 2026.
I will second that. You have a motion by Commissioner Krabnoff, second by Commissioner Bear. Any further discussion? One thing to clarify, just not for the year 2026. It's going to be implemented in the year 2026. Correct. Yeah, we know it works. So, it's
something that we could always potentially bring back in the future, but the termination would be 11206. All right. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed the same. Motion carried. And okay, then we had the next we have a a
request to allow employees to supplement their paid family medical leave claim with PTO. Okay. Thank you. So this one can sound a is going to be a little bit more difficult. So we know with paid family medical leave that employees will receive partial wage replacements
ranging from 50% to 90% depending on their salary. And although we are not allowed to require an individual to use their acred sick invocation to supplement them to get to 100%. Um, this has gone to pick as well and we would like to propose allowing the option for
employees to use their sick invocation to get them to 100% of their wage replacement if they wish. So, if someone submits a claim, um it would then be through paid family medical leave, they're on a protected leave of absence. It would then be the employees choice whether or not they would use um let's
just what for I guess for clean numbers, let's say they're receiving 50% of their wage from the paid family medical leave, we would allow them to use up to 50% of their acrals to bring them to 100%. We know that this would help with the financial um aspect as well as benefit
premiums if we do not allow this. uh many employees their county contribution does not cover the cost of their premiums and so we would then have they would go into a rears we'd have to set up payment plans etc. So it is a request um and it was fedded through pick to allow employees to use their acred PTO
to supplement their claims. One one question commissioner with us negotiating with our unions this year did any of them ask for this? I would have to defer to Darren on that. I don't sit in on the negotiations. Um, there was nothing that I can recall
that they asked for this requirement. We did have some that asked for the county to pay 100% of the paid family medical leave tax that goes into effect, but we've pushed back on that. But this particular thing, I can't remember any
of the unions requesting that. Keep in mind, we do still have several employees who aren't involved with any bargaining unit as well. Yep. No, I think that's a good idea. Yeah. Okay.
Yes, Commissioner Commissioner, I'll go ahead and make a motion to allow employees to supplement their paid family medical leave claims with their PTO. All right, I will second that. We have a motion by Commissioner Abinger, second by Commissioner Bayer,
and this again was also recommended through pick as well. So with that any further um any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I.
Oppos the same. Motion carried. And next we have request approval to add Medicica Essentia option to the 2026 benefit plan. Thank you. So when I was here probably four to six weeks ago um with the proposal of moving from Blue Cross Blue
Shield to Medicica um at that time I um presented the Medicica passport plan. And so the Medicica passport plan um mirrors Blue Cross almost identically. Um and so since then we have obtained additional information from Medicica and they are um I'm here to present an an
additional network um that would be called Medicica Essentia. And although this is an option um this would have be an additional narrow network plan where members would receive care exclusively at Essenia. Their deductible everything um of that nature would remain as is.
However, the premium is significantly lower. Um, by offering the essential only option, um, there is a financial advantage to both Klay County and the employees. From the employee aspect, the premium would be lower. Um, from the employer aspect, the cost of claims that
are processed would be at approximately a 20% um, deduction. So, if you break your arm, um, I need to back up just a second. So without this option um any employees can choose to go wherever they wish. With this option if employees
picked the enta network they are restricted to so they cannot go to Sanford they cannot go to Mayo unless they are referred out and the the chance of a referral is going to be pretty minimal unless cannot do the service. So, um, speaking to the benefit to the
county, if an ind individual is on the Essentia only network and they seek services at Essentia, the cost of their claim would be 20% less than as as if they were to go to Essentia on that open access network.
So, speaking to that that broken arm, um, if you have a broken arm and you're on the essential the passport, it may cost you $100. We know that's really little, but if you were on the Essentia only, it would be at a 20% discount. Um
the re this partnership between Medicica and Essentia has been in place for nearly 10 years. Um and it continues to perform very well. the um we don't know the exact savings because one we don't know how many employees
would choose this option and two the claim the number of claims may be the exact same but offering this some of those claims we know would be at a reduced cost. So um this was discussed um at the insurance committee and was
unanimous unanimously um suggested from or recommended excuse me from the insurance committee. We also talked about it at the subcommittee level as well. I um we had quite a discussion on this the subcommittee um and I I expressed
real concerns at first and it was partially because of the and I even did it within the full insurance committee when we first talked about this when it was it it basically was passed to do the passport only. Correct. Um and then I later it was then
brought back to the insurance committee through I think you did a some sort of a poll, right? Correct. I did. Um but my cons my concern was um and and again this was before we had
additional information from the broker about the reduction in actual cost of the procedure. Um because my concern was is is without that if we if the if the procedure were the
were the same and we were having um less premiums paid that would ultimately right away just lead to a guaranteed increase for everybody else. And so we we were assured then that if somebody chose the essential only and I
look at I look at that as another plan option for them similar to they have their choice of a CM 10000 or you can go all the way up to high deductible plan. This is another plan option within that as far as that's how I look at it.
Okay. Um and and again I guess that that alleviated some of my concern when I knew that there would be less premiums paid but also less claims uh going against it to offset that. And it does
allow somebody maybe who's looking for family coverage to maybe be able to get their full family coverage paid through the cafeteria plan. Uh I I also and you brought it up, but I
I think we need to caution everybody who chooses that that somewhere down the road if if they wanted Mayo or some outside or U of M or whatever to go to if it's not if it's not referred by
Essentia and they offer that service through Essentia, they're out of luck. Correct. So that's something that everybody needs to be aware of when they if they were to choose that particular option. Yeah, the member is definitely taking somewhat of a risk if they pick the essential only network. They can't go
wherever they wish anymore. And is the one last is the out of network different? I don't have that in front of me. Typically it's double um what the in network amount is. But I mean the the sensia only I mean if somebody's out of
state they're out of network. Sure. So um in that case they're if they seek services if they're I don't want to speak incorrectly here. So I can always I can certainly get and I will gather more information typically if like they're in Florida and something happens
if they seek services through an ER and it's tr or an urgent care and it's truly an emergency then it's considered a network. But I can't speak to that specifically for the Essentia only network. So I'll get more information. Well, I mean that's I mean it's something that the those who choose that
we'll have to ask those questions and absolutely guessing that they will. I haven't seen all those plan designs just since it hasn't been approved yet. So all right, Commissioner Kraov. Yeah. The only thing I'll add, you
explained it all very well. um is, you know, this came this option kind of came as a recommendation for Medicica. And so I I feel also um that by offering it as long as it
works out well for uh those that choose it, um it also put puts us in a better position of when it comes to renewing that we we we're following their suggest suggestions. So perhaps it might there
might be further benefit down the road. All right. So there is a recommendation to add the essentia only option to the 2026 benefit plan. I'll make the motion um to add the
Medicica uh Essentia option to the 20 26 benefit plans. I'll second the motion. We have a motion by Commissioner Krabnoff, second by Commissioner Mojo. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I.
I. Oppose the same sign. Motion carried. All right, Anna. Thank you all. Takes care of your items. All right. Our next item is the uh 2026 budget discussion. And as um
administrator Larson had mentioned, I I had requested that this item be placed on our uh agenda every week now till the end of the year. Um in the event there's anything that the commission cares to bring up or uh
propose or to ask additional questions on that. This is the time to do that. And there may be some weeks where we have things and maybe some weeks that we don't. But it I think it's you know as we had a a person in our audience earlier saying what are we doing about
our budget and we need to uh do everything that we can and have those discussions on a weekly basis. So with that Steve do you u Mr. Chair maybe I could just start out that thanks for that introduction. Uh I think that uh uh if we have as you mentioned if we have different items
that that we have forward to bring forward for your discussion we'll do so. Uh, one of the there's several things this morning that I would like to bring forward. Uh, the sheriff notified me at the end of last week. Uh, they received state aid uh, on an annual basis from
the state of Minnesota. Uh, this year uh, in 2025, they've they budgeted for $340,000. Uh, when they received their aotment this year, uh, we received $482,738. Uh and so again a benefit to this year's
budget uh potentially uh but also in talking with Sheriff and Miss Johnson uh based on the information we had made an adjustment uh to the state aid from 340,000 in this year's budget to 400,000 uh but feel comfortable in our ability
to move that up to $450,000. uh that again could offset the levy. Uh with the board's actions uh this morning uh in adjusting uh the the positions in public health to social services uh there was a potential savings in the
budget of $178,114. Uh and at the end uh Mr. J. Agger uh provided an update that they that he and I have been speaking about about license licenses uh fee collection that would look at an increase of $100,000. Uh when
you add those three togethers and make the adjustments I've been texting with the auditor treasurer, Miss Lori Johnson, that would that would make our adjustment of our levy from 6.42 6.46% down to 5.73%.
I didn't if I may can you um say the department with the sheriff again playing what was that total? So the state aid a dollar amount that we received from the state was budgeted at $340,000. Okay.
Uh and we received $482,738 this year. Uh we the sheriff had already looked to make an increase adjustment because he had anticipated there might be some increase. Uh but so he moved that to 400,000 and you had 400 in the preliminary.
Correct. And so now we'd be moving to 450. So 82 grand more. So 50 50,000. Yeah. What happened to the other 32? Well, you're you're the $482,0007 is in this year's budget. So that'll be
additional revenue this year. Um that they're trying to be I guess from the standpoint of of the uncertainty. Uh they're the sheriff and the auditor not suggesting that we move all the way to 482 for next year, but rather 400 to
450. My my question to that is so it's 142,000 more we receive for this year from this year's budget. That's correct. Where does that money go? Uh that would uh be up to the board, but it would go into the general fund most likely. Yeah,
it'd go into it. Yeah, go into reserves, right? Reserve. Yeah, reserves. Sorry. Revenue is over expenditure. Revenue is over expens. Uh and so and and again, uh that's assuming the the sheriff meets his budget expectations. Could we take that money and put it in
the move it into 2026's budget? Well, as a board, you can you can ch you you can choose to do whatever you'd like. Down the sheriff's budget that over00 that'd be a recommendation I would make. Bring down the sheriff's budget by 142,000. If it's money meant to go
there, it should go there. Well, I'd like the discussion with the sheriff before Yeah. I and I and again I think that I think that would be appropriate but I you know I think at the same point in time we we got to just make sure that there aren't some other line items from 2025 that he isn't over on.
Yeah. That could impact that too. So yeah, but I think that's it's a good it's a good suggestion and we should reach out to the sheriff and and see where his yearto date is and if he's anticipating needing any of that to offset some other
costs. Commissioner Aber. Yeah. Ultimately, and I I think we're kind of getting into the weeds here. We've got Lori Johnson, we've got department directors like the sheriff, and we've got Steve. And every
year we take money out of reserves and apply it towards bringing down the levy. And I don't want us to get in the habit of picking and choosing now to try and keep the levy down when we can end up just looking at the amount of money that's in
in reserves and take a portion of that and apply it. I again my my argument on that and I probably will have a little disagreement there and I asked the question every year.
How much of our levy are we levying our taxpayers to put in the bank? And the answer to that question is always zero. We're not we don't anticipate at the start of the year. We anticipate at the start of year to spend everything that
we budget. And so when we have something left over, we should every every right to as this gentleman in the green in the green shirt there asked earlier, how do we give some of that back? And this is a way to do that. So
I think we do, but instead of looking at you look at the at the reserves as a whole and you take take that out. If we start earmarking with each department, I don't know. It's it's going to have the same effect, but
it's going to be less coordinated. Well, when when when we do take out of reserves, we're not we're not we're not pinpointing any one place. What what we're saying is, okay, if if
we if we have a million dollars that we budgeted last year that we needed money for and we didn't need that money, then offset it in the next budget. But it, however that goes, it it can it can be
spread across all departments. It's not I don't I don't want to get into the weeds and nitpick, but I do want to get into the weeds in terms of how we're spending money. Well, and making sure we're looking at each piece. So, I think you both are saying the same thing, but it's it's
just that the one I'm curious about, Steve, a little bit is um just uh because we're in transition, the one I'm not so sure about yet. If we um uh I guess wait I'm I want to know
about public health a little more. Uh you know, I really haven't um felt I've heard from them or through you. uh about that piece kind of um what efficiencies are we may look at there seems you know
we've heard a lot from social services yeah but I was just curious yeah I think uh Mr. Chair, Commissioner Kavanagh, I think one of the things that we've talked about in the past is uh bringing in the new public health director. While I uh have general
knowledge of each department, I I'm not going to tell you that I have the in-depth knowledge of of uh of public health or any other budget for that matter. Uh and so again, I think we can continue to to have discussions with the supervisors within public health. Uh, but I think that a m a significant
amount of the changes probably wouldn't be happening until a new public. It just seemed like it was maybe the one we just hadn't really talked about with much depth. I know we talked to highway and and the other ones. So, what other ones are there out there? Oh, if I can
just finish follow up here, Commissioner Groff, one of the things that just to just to make a refresher and sure the public is listening is that this board did when we set the preliminary levy uh reduced the public health budget by $300,000. Okay. And the former former
public health director did provide direction and guidance uh on how she felt that that could be taken care of. Thank you for that reminder. Okay, Steve, if I can if I can too while I've got it on my mind. Uh, we recently went
through the exit interview with the state auditor based on our 2024 audit. And in part of in part of that um audit, there was they talked about our reserves
and there's there's there's different components. There's some reserves that include assets other than cash, but there's also the one that just deals with cash, right? And this goes to the question that we we have often, and that's the portion where uh the state auditor says we should have
50% of our annual expenditures in reserve, which in my 22 years on this board, very rarely did we were we at 50%. I mean, there's been some times where it's been down as low as in the
30s and then into the into the low 40s. And it seems to me after our 2023 audit, that number had reached 50%. So, so in other words, what happened was is we had we had significant revenues over expenditures that built our reserve
up. And so what I would like to and and I know I had asked the auditor to to give the give the presentation to us on the 24 audit as we did in the in our uh finance
committee. I think it's important for everybody here to see that report. But I would like to see if you could request from them to give a at least a fiveyear look back on what our cash balances were
were compared to the 50%. And you'll notice that those numbers have been going up. And and again, to me, that's saying we're levying more than we need.
And I I just I think it's important for us to see those numbers. So if you can request that Steve from the auditor and again and can we can I know when you sent the email out you said that they would be doing it sometime in the future. Hopefully we can try to book
them u before we have to um finalize our our levy. So I it's it's I think it's important for the full board to see those numbers. All right. Did you Steve you have some more? Do you get any more good news?
Uh that that's the the uh the main news that I had for this month. I will note that as we've talked about before um Darren is going to be pulling a this the staff that we have. Uh generally for our budget we pull that in April. Uh the
real piece about that is that's a one shot in time. Uh we go ask our department heads to make adjustments uh throughout that budget. Uh this year what we're going to do is have Darren just do the same thing that he does in April. Uh and to see who our staff are
uh um and we're going to do that early enough um to to make sure that we have time to do do the work, but we should be bringing back bringing that back uh with the potential adjustment to the overall cost uh the overall cost of our of our staff, which we know is is the highest
portion of our budget. So going going with that, should we start looking at a hiring freeze to bring this budget even lower? I think that uh again you as a board you have the ability to make that decision.
Um I think you you do make that decision every time someone comes before you. uh if you'd like to formalize that into a into a hiring freeze. Uh I I think the challenge that you would run into is there are specific uh departments which have which have regulations and
licensing requirements. Uh and so I don't know if holistically you could do it or or if you would want to do it to uh I guess holistically do it across the board or look at specific departments. Could you could you get that data for us? which departments are mandated on
what do we have higher? Well, I think that I mean I think that you know your your 247 operations are probably your I mean the jail, the juvenile center, the uh you know as as uh uh from a public safety standpoint again if the sheriff loses a deputy again that would be up to
to this board to determine whether or not they would want to replace that position. You know, I think the other thing that you have to be aware of uh is, you know, some of our departments are not as large as social services and public health. Uh and so say for example, if you uh you were if someone were to leave from the recorders or the
assessor's office, uh there may be times of the day where that window would be closed um because we wouldn't have staff to to cover during breaks, lunches, things like that. Steve, along that line, would it not be more practical just to make the department directors
aware when they come forward to get authorization to fill a a a position that's already in their budget that they come prepared to explain to us why we shouldn't deny that, why it's at what
level it's essential, or if it's if they can make it through the to the end of the year without filling it to come in and tell us that and at least get their input or put them in a position where they have to justify filling an a position that comes open.
Yeah, I think it I mean ultimately that's that's the role that you guys play in making those decisions. I think that you do ask that of your of your department heads right now and I hope they're providing you good information on whether or not they should you should approve that re that rehiring. Uh I
think you know to to Commissioner Bear's comments you know several years ago uh we did we did make a decision uh to to have a hiring freeze uh at that point it was a hiring freeze essentially from October to December uh in in hopes of u
saving saving dollars through the remainder of this budget or that budget uh with but with the understanding that that the hiring or the interview process could still take place. So they would be hired um they could be on board by the first of the year. I know that's probably not what you're looking for in
this case. You're looking for long longer term cuts. Um but uh but uh I I guess I like I say, I would leave that up to this board to make that decision. Could next week could you come with that data on what is the 247 and all?
I can do whatever. I can do whatever. I'd like you to come with that data next week to show us what what departments are mandated we staff them at a certain level. We're going to have this talking point every week. I'd like Well, there's also the fact there's a lot of positions. Hang
hang on, hang on. We had somebody else. Commissioner Mojo. Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, when we've done this before, part of the conversation is there's there's mandated components. There's the components that are revenue generating. So, there's pieces there. Um, you know, I think if I recall when we'd gone through that
hiring freeze, part of the option that we talked about was making sure every request went to pick and so that pick would pick had the opportunity to either push it forward or stop it there. I think the challenging piece is there will be, as we've seen with our
sheriff's department too, there's times when things come up where it's it's a public safety issue where we have to have those pieces staffed. My recommendation would maybe be understanding that we communicate to the department heads that we're not interested in additional hiring. We do
understand that there are times in which that's needed. And so what if our recommendation going forward would be that any new request would go through pick? you know, I know we have a mechanism where some do and some don't, but I think that would make the most most sense and then pick has the ability
to sort through uh the requirements and then move things forward, you know, and I and I and again I and I I'll get you I I just want to comment on and I I think that's a good approach, but one of the I mean we're in kind of some
unprecedented times like we were going I think back to 2008, you know, there's a lot, you know, we're still hearing from the state of Minnesota. You haven't seen anything yet, you know, in terms of what might be coming down on us from them. Um, so I I
do I do think it's um appropriate for us to um I I don't want to say just rubber stamp that just because something was in a 2026 budget that we don't do a a review of it. And
um I mean we've got we've got significant issues um you know when you look at all the different public entities asking for money and what that brings on to our taxpayers I we need to pay attention to that and I'm thinking as I always talk
about the elderly and and in the case of this u you know with our our farmers and it is an issue. Um, so I I do I do I do think that maybe a start um on that hiring freeze would would would
basically be, you know, we're not going to everything has to go through pick. And I think that's a good start. And I think those who serve on pick are going to have to really um weed out, you know, what's a public safety issue and what and ask questions.
How could what's the potential in delaying a hire? all of those different things that can come into play. And I and I am going to go then to Commissioner Abbering and then to Commissioner. Yeah, it's not as simple as saying we're not going to hire people. Sure, there's some that are mandated.
There's others that are revenue generating, right? There's others that are grant dependent. Uh you can you can lay people off or keep positions open and lose money for the county. Um
we certainly have small staffs. If if you've got uh real estate people and you've got bank people that need to deal with somebody in their recorder's office and there's nobody there, it can affect the the ability of our our business people to do business. Our
farmers do far to do business with land sales and it can it can in inconvenience people greatly. So, I think it's a good idea to run it through pick and still have the department directors aware that they've
got to come in here when they present a request to fill a position and explain to us the financial impact it would have on them or the necessity for the position or what I'd love to see is some some come in and
say, "I think we can make it to the end of the year before we want to consider filling this position." understanding that we're trying to come in under budget where we can, but something as as
shotgun patterned as as as a freeze, I think we can we there's a potential for us to hurt ourselves fiscally there. I I I want to caution us from even bringing up the word layoff because I don't think there's any attention of anybody and I didn't know that wasn't what you meant by that. But but I don't want to have
the interpretation that we're talking about potentially laying off people because that's not what we're talking about here. What we're talking about is um maybe scrutinizing more everything as it becomes available um to to look at.
So Mr. Kravana. Yeah. So that's where I was going with too. uh our job is to manage and you know we'll that's what we do. I'm I'm totally against uh um hiring freeze but I I do appreciate and would strongly
support everything going through PE and um and I think uh Commissioner kind of stated most of my my thinking also so I won't repeat but uh we're here to manage and we're here to find efficiencies. we
have great administration to help us with that and uh I trust the system that we're we're doing and um I I know the directors are are are certainly aware of what we're trying to all accomplish
together. So yeah and yeah and I again I'm I'm going to I think what what's the what's our uh percentage of our budget is payroll 80%. Probably yeah 80%. So I mean when we're
when we're looking to try to find efficiencies if we can't look at 80% of our budget how are we ever going to find efficiencies? And that's and that's that's to me that's part of my responsibility on behalf of the people
uh that are you know paying our taxes to do and and to exclude that I don't think is appropriate either. So, I think this this is a good conversation and I would I would definitely support um you know any everything uh in 2026 moving forward
with any openings that it would be um go through pick and I would even suggest if we're going to do it we should start now. I guess my what I how I recommended that is that would be now now. I mean as of right now might as well start now. Those would go. Yes. Commissioner Mosul,
just a a follow up, you know, on that and I really appreciate that Anna brought forward the piece on the hiring um component that we talked about and three, four years ago that it was a challenging time. I know we've done wage studies. I feel like, you know, we've
paid employees really fairly, but part of the really challenging piece is the outlier on what's left to wrap up in regards to union negotiations and other pieces that really will affect 26 and 27 going forward. And those are the really
challenging parts that we have because we want to be delicate about that. But as you said, that is the largest driver of what the the budget is and u wanting to make sure that we are meeting what
the public's needs are uh as we can uh in the most efficient way possible. But it is um you know there are some pieces out there that could drastically change what the budget looks like. And um you know I appreciate that you're working with department heads and how they
communicate to staff as well on those challenges. Mr. Chair, I did have one one more thing just from a clarification standpoint. Uh I I did provide uh Mr. Joe Razo uh from the Greater Fargo Economic Development
CEO uh the board's recommendation funding mechanism for next year. uh and he was looking for clarification uh just from the public standpoint. Uh if you recall last year we paid uh the greater Fargo EDC and the chamber in a one lump
amount of $185,000. Uh during our preliminary levy, this board uh made the determination, was my understanding, uh that they would provide the chamber $85,000
uh and uh the the EDC $10,000. Uh and so with that, Mr. Razo was asking about whether or not the county would be will wishing to provide or be part of Innovate 28. uh and uh if so then they
would be looking for a one lump sum to be paid through uh through uh the greater Fargo economic development and then 85,000 would be provided uh to the chamber uh then they would you would be considered part of innovate 28 uh or if
they each singly invoiced you uh the 10,000 and the 85,000 that you would not be uh part of innovate 28. So uh just coming here for clarification for the board of what uh your interpretation of the funding mechanism for next year were m
commissioner air I've been on the board executive board with the EDC since I've been on the commission. I do not see a return in investment um
with the chamber. I certainly do and I think the chamber has done things that have impacted most commissioners here in a very positive sense. I think what I heard the commission say is that we're going to direct 10,000 to
the EDC, 85,000 to the chamber and I think that's how it needs to be paid. I do not see uh any value in innovate 28 for the for
Minnesota's side. It is basically focused directly at Bismar and that's a good thing for Fargo, West Fargo, and Cass County and adjoining counties that they have in North Dakota. But I don't see anything beneficial for our side.
So, however they want to work this, I I do not see a benefit for the citizens of Klay County for us to be part of Innovate 28. Commissioner Kraban. Yeah, just I thought we were already pretty clear on this. So, just going
back to a little bit what Dave just said. Uh, no, we are part of the innovate uh in 2018 and in specific I think Mr. Roso and Russell in his comment talked about how by just by
giving the 10 grand I'm going off memory here we be we would be considered a sponsor or member or something what an investor investor there we go and that's what I see I thought we already talked through this
is that does that it appears that it's clear I I'll I'll share with uh share with both uh the chamber and EDC that they'll be going separate invoices. Yeah. So my understanding is 85,000's going to the chamber
and 10,000's going to the greater Fargo area DDC which last year the combination of those two was 185. Correct. Now it's 95. Great. Correct. Thank you for the clarification. Okay.
Anything else on budget issues? You know, so we had uh what about $335,000 improvement today on our budget discussion. If you do that every week now, Steve, between now and the end of the year, we'll be in good shape. We're continuing to look, Mr. Chair, and hope to have a few different things
before you in the next couple weeks. Thank you. All right, we are well past Well, we got a we're 10 minutes past our journ. I know we've got and we've got two weeks. Uh so if we can kind of um go through our reports quickly, we'll start
with uh Commissioner Bear. On September 28th, I was up in Krookton with the West Central Regional Water District and we gave a presentation to the House bonding tour that went very well. I thought there was about six of us from that committee that were up
there and about a bo busload of House members. They asked a couple questions, but they've heard the they've heard it before, so they we just gave them a recap on it. And then on September 29th, I had the West Central Regional Water
District uh meeting in H Hallstead where we went over the legislature update and we are getting close to the final survey being done. We have another meeting come up next Monday with hopefully the final survey being
completed. So then we can send out the surveys and get on the docket for the judge come in here hopefully by the end of the year. And what are our budget? We're sitting on roughly $21,000 and that's why we're
pushing to get this in front of the judge. And that is about all I have to update update on that as of now. Thank you, Commissioner. Yes. On uh Wednesday the 24th of
September, I joined the uh legislative bonding tour, uh we came uh up from Wolverton and across some of the projects on Minnesota side and looked at them. Georgetown, Georgetown,
Georgetown, I'm sorry. Um overall, you know, I it was an exercise that was focused I think the for the for the overall project and uh we'll see how the legislature goes with
it but we were present and we expressed the needs for them. Uh on the 25th I attended the uh Greater Fargo Morehead EDC board meeting. Uh
again there was a lengthy Innovate 28 update and we discussed a uh dashboard that's being put in showing their uh achievements in recruitment, retention and developing systems.
uh most of which were uh kind of tied to North Dakota movements on it. Uh governance committee is working with a uh board development project. They have survey results uh that this agency put together for them
and uh that completes that. On the second, uh, I attended the emergency or I virtually attend the emergency communication legislative committee meeting. Uh, looked a lot at the, uh, skip,
that's a statewide communication, uh, interoperability plan, uh, goals that we're trying to set up for future operations. They're being worked on. Uh, there is some progress there. Uh we've had a constant problem with
getting revisions to the statute language that we've got for working with our service providers uh particularly in outstate and uh the 403 workg group is part of that and it's not convened in over a
year. They are going to get a me mediator in there apparently sometime next year. So will be prepared to address these issues in 2027 with the legislature. There's also discussion on AI being uh
considered in the legislation. So we have some controls as AI becomes evidently it becomes a part of next generation 911. So there needs to be some data rules in place and use rules for the AI issues.
Uh later that day uh I virtually attended a meeting with the uh treatment court initiative advisory committee. I am on that
committee which is operated by the Minnesota judicial branch. um as a representative for the public safety AMC they wanted the the uh committee wanted a county commissioner audit this
apparently and I was not aware of it but it's going to be an ongoing position uh with monthly meetings uh we are trying to really do a lot of work in setting up operational uh subcommittees to address things and
I've been asked to be part of the law enforcement I've declined uh immediately until I find out what kind of impact that's going to have on my schedule. We do have monthly meetings. Uh Jade Rosenfeld, the judge here in
Klay County, has also just been appointed to this committee. Uh I think it's going to be productive. This this commission has had a commitment to specialty courts, drug courts, veterans courts, DWI courts um for years and I
think we need to continue with that. I certainly wouldn't think anything I do here in Klay County uh would be part of it. But for what I am doing right now with the treatment court initiative advisory committee, I would like that to be part part of my
portfolio because it's turned out to be a little bit of a an amount of time and effort that I would like to have some compensation for, particularly if they're going to get me into subcommittees. Uh again, we've always had a commitment
to these courts as a commission and anything locally I would do or meetings with Judge Rosenfeld, that kind of thing I certainly wouldn't think of as part of that portfolio, I'd think of it as my responsibilities here, but uh I'll leave
that to the commission if if that's something anybody would be interested in taking uh action on. What we did do during that meeting is uh we looked at grant and many grant proposals and uh reviewed the state
standard updates. There were four issues that they wanted to vote on but there was so much information connected to them. They gave us two days and came back and they had a a four-page survey where our response is responses to that
signified a vote on some of the issues that they were they were covering. So that's a very logical and a it's a well-designed process, but when you've got a a panel that's comprised mostly of judges and lawyers, you're going to have a lot of
time and material involved. Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to put that as in his portfolio. Okay, we have a motion. And we have a second by Commissioner Krav. And again, I I guess um
can can that be considered under his portfolio of public safety with AMC? I have that position in there, but I want to be transparent and bring this forward before I I could claim it on that. Well, I guess make sure the commission's comfortable with
I I guess I guess that's what how I'd like to see it done. And the one thing because these meetings, they do have minutes, right? Oh, yeah. And that's because that's part of the requirement. So, I I would say that that would maybe qualify under your position in public safety. That would be
my it'd be under your portfolio under the AMC public policy. Is it a defined work group? as in yeah, it's with the with the state of Minnesota. It's by the legislative um Minnesota legislative branch.
The only reason I bring that up is I think um you were on a work group that looked at the legislative pay. I was on the tax forfeite work group and we did have it as a subset in that. So, if it's cleaner to do it that way, maybe we should.
Right. Well, that's okay. again. I just didn't want to start claiming it and and find out it was outside the comfort zone of of any or all of you. Thank you. And then the last Well, hang on. We got to vote. Oh, okay.
Unless you don't want us to vote on it. Okay. Any further discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I oppose. The same. Motion carried. All right. Thank you. Um, and then the last meeting
I had was on uh or no I've already covered well I didn't uh cover the uh September 25th the diversion board of authority. We had a meeting and uh it's
been so long I don't remember comm you remember the details I I've got I can report on there. Okay. I've got the I I'll yield to you on that. Thank you,
Mr. Kraboff. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh going back to the 23rd, we had a PRTF small group prep meeting uh for the uh housing or the house bonding tour that was going to be the next day and u
putting things together to uh finalize our video which was shown and and came off very well. 24th and we did have the house bonding tour. Well, um uh I thought it went extremely well and u
very good attention um very engaged uh house members and um to staff and and to Commissioner Mojo for all the work they put together uh getting that um tour in place. It was seamless, I thought, than
the work that we did uh that afternoon on the 25th. Um uh we had a uh family resource center stakeholder meeting. Uh there were about 15 u organizations as part of that. I bet there were 70
people. Um fantastic work going on for something that has only just been funded for a short period of time. just kudos to uh creative community and then along with the two navigators from CAPLP uh
they're holding uh they have a place of uh information and people can come to in three locations now Mohead library and the Mohead Academy as well as out with reach in Holly. Um after that I had my cap finance and board of directors
meeting down in recordidge. Um main things uh were uh two operational budgets. We had a spotlight on on Head Start. That was the main part of that meeting. on the second uh had the children's mental health about 13
providers showed up for that big big group and they uh went through agency reports but mostly um there was a discussion in depth at the end about and we talked about from time to time it's these kids that are 16 17
18 19 that they're coming out of their foster homes there's things that are changing in their life uh they still need u uh you know the mental health uh um you know uh services that they've had
and now they are out on their own own and in many cases uh on the edge of homeless and uh you know our schools are uh keep us informed of some of that but anyway it's again more about finding in
this case it was uh find trying to find shelter for a 17 year old or 17 y old girl. So anyway, uh great discussion and and it this group was really gelled together and sharing information. Uh on
the third I had another uh PRTF meeting again followup to the housing committee and I'll let uh commissioner Mojo speak to this more but it was on our next steps and part of those uh next steps
are the development of creating podcasts. Um then I had the uh historical and cultural society finance and government meeting. uh it was a consolidating between those two committees uh in doing
updates to employee benefits. And then on the 5th uh last night I had um the Morhead planning commission and on that three three open hearings. One was there's going to be a new out of sales place where the muffler man was in
Morehead and convers the approval of a digital sign down on A Street. And then uh what I found interesting, they're finally replanting the area where the Annheiser bush plant is and making it its own uh parcel. And then that egg
land uh to the south of it, 40ome acres, is going to be uh will end up being reszoned for commercial. That's it. Thank you, Commissioner Mojo. Thank you, Mr. Chair. On September 23rd,
I had a meeting uh prepping the presentation for the house bonding tour, not only the non-secured detention component, but the uh flood mitigation request. Just want to give huge gratitude to all of our staff for the immense amount of work that went into
that presentation and the documents that were um utilized the next day. On the 24th, I attended the Red River Basin Commission Joint Powers Board. We had a great presentation uh on the water district that um the presentation that Commissioner Bear talked about and then
talked about items of mutual interest and then later that afternoon we did have the bonding tour. Uh we hosted them at the juvenile detention center discussed the challenges that we have with the regional facility, how we really believe this is a state implied issue and how we can utilize their
support with it. I then did follow them to the tour at uh Morehead State and had further dialogue with the representatives at that meeting. On the 24th or 5th rather, I attended the SWAT committee meeting. Uh general business happy to report that Klay County and the
city of Morehead were able to reach a uh an agreement on the contract and it will proceed as it was previously written. Later that day, I attended the MCC JPA meeting. did have a property status acquisition report and talked about
Minnesota litigation and did a approval of a reimbursement for a culvert installation and approved payment to the Minnesota commissioners that are used for uh landowners
uh grievances if I will. I think that's probably the best way to say it. Later that day, we had the Metro Cog meeting, long uh long meeting as there were several meeting uh several folks from Fargo and North Dakota present to uh
present their concerns with a future 64th uh interchange in Fargo and did have good reports on all the other components. I was able to attend virtually the CAPL LP meeting that was presented on by Commissioner Kavanagh on
the 26th. I attended a legislative strategy meeting uh not only with the non-secured detention but the PRTF and how we move forward in advocating the concerns that Klay County has to the legislature. Uh feel like it's a really
great opportunity for us to um gather some information to share to the legislative representatives. On the 29th, I attended the uh goodbye lunchon for Jackie. I appreciate her work there and wish uh both her and her husband the best. On October 3rd, I attended a
legislative strategy meeting uh as outlined with the chamber, the city of Morehead, Klay County, the water district, and also our team with the non-secure detention piece. Yesterday, I traveled to Alexandria and attended the Minnesota Rural County's fall business
meeting. We're able to set our three legislative uh priorities, which uh really closely align with what AMC is doing. uh counties are really seeing the biggest shift that we are incurring is occurring from the state and a lot of
that has to do with social services as was discussed earlier. So our number one priority is uh uh the programming SSIS modernization component uh mental health capacities and then the solid waste issues uh which also aligns with one of
the uh environment natural resources policy committee pieces. And then we did have updates from folks on what they're seeing for levies. Um I think Roso and Hubard are seeing uh 15 and 11% increases on their levies. the lowest
yesterday I think was 3% but they were having to really um cut programs big time but uh certainly all of us are um trying our best to sharpen our pencils in the best way possible but it is an uphill battle when uh stuff seems to
roll downhill from DC and St. hall. So, uh yesterday I also attended the Metrocog meeting uh executive committee meeting while we did discuss the meeting outline for 26 and future presentations. And that concludes my reports. Thank you. Before I um start on mine, I
just want to go back to our um budget discussion uh just for a second. And you know I think uh when we talk about 80% of our budget being employees and one of our greatest opportunities that we can make changes is through attrition and you
know so when we start talking about bringing things forward to pick you know I I think all of our supervisors uh at the same point in time might be able or should be looking at how can things change with uh somebody leaving and what
could we might do different. A good example is what uh was done when we received notice of Jackie leaving. Right? So that's a perfect example of that. Uh you know, it's not laying anybody off, but at the same point in time, how can how might we do something
different? But I just for clarification, I know Commissioner Mo, we talked about if we're going to do this going to pick starting now. Is it is it the consensus of this board that that's what we want to start now? Are we good? because I don't think there was a motion made to that. But
and I don't know that we you want a motion. Okay, we can have a motion. I'll make a motion that all the new hires go to go through pick before they come to us. Yeah. Open positions. Okay, we have we have a motion uh by Commissioner Bear and second by
Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose the same. Motion carried. Thank you for that clarification. So, I'll go into my report. September 24th, we had a Prairie Lake solid waste meeting. I'll
keep it short. I uh we were about 30, let's see, $45,000 uh less in our cash balance than we had uh at the end of August than we had the previous year at that time, but we're still in in good shape there. We are on
schedule to have about 51,554 tons processed. we had budgeted for 55,000 which isn't the greatest news. Um and then our deliveries Klay County is a
negative 320. Um but I that was also at the end of August but by the time we had our meeting it was down to 220. So it's still within that range where we all felt acceptable. On Thursday the 25th, we start started
the day with uh solid waste advisory committee. Uh Commissioner Mojo reported on that. I think the biggest issue there was the um you know reporting that we've entered into that agreement with the
city. I really uh Corey gave a really good update on different solid waste issues whether it's at the landfill or the resource recovery facility. Mr. Sure. I have one question on that agreement. Is that long-term or is it still a year you're out?
Uh so, so the current are with city now? Yeah, with the city. So the new agreement and and again it's this is an add I think what what I asked for was an addendum to the previous agreement. Okay. which basically extended
the contract out an additional three years and in addition to that it clarified the position on the 57% being paid by Morehead because we we don't have the separate meters and so that's in there just clarifying that that's because in the previous agreement that
wasn't in there and then the other thing that I wanted put in there to show that you know and that was the scale house position which was a which is a county funded position which wasn't in the previous agreement. So we wanted that in
there to show that that's just another thing that we picked up as part of that whole process. So Okay. Does that answer your question? That answers my question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yep. So then um then from there I went to Fergus Falls for the Lakes Country Service
Cooperative and I basically represent uh that's a separate I represent just county boards u on that co-op and several different things were talked about but um I'm not going to get into the weeds on
that at this point in time. Uh then I got back here in time for the Mor Clay County Joint Powers Authority meeting which Commissioner Mojo um gave a complete report. So I don't have anything to add to that. And then later
that day then we had the diversion board of authority meeting. And again um you know we certainly get updates on we got on the consent agenda. We had issues regarding different areas. Um we have a compliance
specialist position update. Um we had a recap of project tours. Um, and we continue to um really monitor uh that budget u moving forward. Um,
and that's all in that. And then lastly, on October, excuse me, two more. I on September 29th, I had the West Central Regional Water District meeting. Commissioner Bear um talked about that. I don't have any more to add. And then on October 3rd, I also attended the
basically through our chamber public policy committee. We we re we had a review of the um house visit to um all of our different project as well as um planning moving forward for uh dealing
with our legislative asks. And that continues to end talking about our pri priorities and strategizing those. That concludes my report. Steve, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, on the 23rd,
participated in the bonding uh planning meeting, bonding tour, planning meeting, which has been covered. On the 24th, I met with Mr. Jacobson in regards to today's public hearing. On the 23rd, also met with Lori Johnson, uh, continuing to look at our budget. uh on the 24th participated uh in the bonding
tour. Again, thanks to uh commission and uh all of uh our staff including our communications department uh for the work that they did in preparation of of that uh that meeting that that went extremely well. Uh on the 25th and met with MCAT and several liability claims
ongoing. Uh on the 25th uh I participated in the MCC JPA board meeting which has been covered. uh on the 29th participated uh at the West Central Water District board meeting that also has been covered. On the 29th and 30th participated in the public
health uh director interviews on the 1st through the 3rd I was at with Darren at the Ma Maccame annual conference. Uh appreciate the opportunity to be there. AMC provided heard we heard updates from Matt Hillgart, Julie Ring. Also heard
updates on pay equity uh dealing with change opening laws and PTSD and workman comps changes that have happened. We also saw had paid family medical uh discussion and also looked at the first
draft of the uh of the legislative priorities that we're going to be talking about at at AMC district meetings and then ultimately the policy conference in December. It was awesome to see that one of the priorities deals with mental health. And while it doesn't name our facility uh by name, uh it
talks about the importance of investing into both adult and juvenile facilities. Uh so the work that uh this board's doing is is uh reaching the areas that we hope it to. Uh on the 26th or excuse me on the 6th uh worked on MMB documents
uh both for updating the information for flood mitigation and also our non-secure detention facility. uh that those updates are due by the 17th for funding requests. Uh also uh just a update for our employees, we'll be having a
fall flu vaccination clinic on the 9th from 8:15 to uh 2 p.m. over in Sweet 105 at the Family Service Center. And just note for the board, I received a notice yesterday from the state historical preservation review board uh that Klay County has the the GR Lutheran Church in
Roolog uh is up for consideration for the natural registry of historic places. Uh and the nominations are going to be uh discussed at a meeting on August 6th. That concludes my report, October or November. Sorry. No, let me
see. I've got it right here. You want the date for the notes, Darren? Tuesday, November 18th. There you go, Darren. Okay, thank you. A lot of mine has already been covered on the 24th. Um, I worked on an evaluation,
uh, worked on updating a risk assessment form that we've been using, and I also attended the PRTF house bonding tour. On the 25th, I attended the SWAC meeting as well. Um, completed the VSO's evaluation, prepped for attorneys
negotiations and compiled the data from other counties in preparation for further negotiations uh from our comp compies. Um, on the 26th, I had the attorney second negotiations. Uh, on the 29th, I participated in the
public health director interviews as well. And on the 30th, we finished up those public health directors interviews. Um, as Steve said, uh, from October 1st to the 3, I was also at the MACA conference, which has already been
covered. And then the six yesterday uh just preparing for three negotiations that we have tomorrow and Thursday with the uh LEC admin assistance, the corrections and the detox and also
worked on um the 2026 budget estimate update which um you talked about a little bit in your budget discussion today. That concludes my report. All right. Thank you. Sarah, anything for us today? just get done, right?
All right. If we have nothing else, we will be adjourned. Thank you.