--------- Good morning and everyone. Welcome to the Klay County Board of Commissioners meeting for Tuesday, June 2nd. Uh can we have a call meeting to order? Is there approval of the agenda today? >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda.
>> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Anybody oppose? Motion passes. We have a number of recognitions today.
Thank you. So, uh, for employee recognitions today, first one goes to Tara Adit of Adette, I suppose, and part of public health. And Sue, I think, is going to come up also.
Thank you. This is in recognition of your 15 years service. >> Thanks. Uh, next we have Jacob Bum Jarnner, 15 years of juvenile tension. uh in recognition of your 15 years of service and thank you from the board for
all you do. >> Do you have a leisure? >> Um yeah, Jake began as a part-time staff member um then became a full-time staff member and then he he helped develop our our residential program to where it stands out in the state. He was the case
manager there for many years and now he's the supervisor of our new transition program. Um Jake has he's very intelligent. Um and his social emotional intelligence is top-notch. He's able to connect with the youth and staff and make some good good memories
and stuff for the staffs and kids. So um yeah, congratulations. Thanks Jake. Next, we have Elise Don, 15 years in detention. >> Appreciate him service. Appreciate it. >> Yeah. So, this is actually the third
one. Jake was the second. This is the third one. We don't get people that last and stick around too long over there. So, um this is pretty exciting that we have two in one day and it's been a long time coming. Um but yeah, Alise started here as a intern um and then she was part-time and then full-time and then
she got a lead counselor position and that now she is the supervisor of our scared detention unit. Our scared detention unit is our our cornerstone unit. Um and that's where we get a lot of the most difficult cases. Um she's seen a lot in her 15 years. Things
continue to change as again, you know, facilities keep getting closed down across the state, including East Bethl last month here, um is causing a bigger crunch and a lot of those youth end up um on her door. Um a lot of times they're untreated. Um and they have a
lot of issues. Um she's very flexible. She gets she leads her staff to be flexible to respond to the needs of the youth. Um and that's where we are. Um, basically, you know, with Jake and the juvenile center, um, we're just a building. Um, we got people. Um, and
policies change. We've changed a lot over the years, continue to change. We're going to continue to change in the future. Um, but the one constant we have is good people like Jake and Elise and our staff over there. Um, that makes it successful. So, thank you.
Next we have Jane uh Robonauts social services for 15 years. Thank you. Recognition of the award. >> All right. Uh today I have the privilege of recognizing someone who is
celebrating 15 years of service. Jane. Uh, many people know Jane as our specialized eligibility worker who manages our 4E case load, but that title only scratches the surface of what she does every day. Jane works closely with CPS, probation, judges, attorneys,
foster care providers, and countless others to ensure the placements are handled correctly and that the financial and eligibility pieces supporting those placements are in place. It's work that requires an incredible amount of knowledge, attention to detail, and persistence. and Jane brings all three
in abundance. Over the past several months, I've had the opportunity to work more closely with Jane and learn more about her role. Every conversation leaves me amazed. She keeps track of details that most of us didn't even know existed, and somehow she can recall them at exactly the right moment. There have
been more than a few times when I've walked away thinking, "How does she keep this all straight?" What stands out even more than her knowledge is her passion. Jade genuinely cares about doing the job right because she knows the work matters. Behind every case is a child, a
youth, or a family depending on us to get things right. And Jane never loses sight of that. One unique thing about Jane is that she works on the fifth floor alongside the social workers, so she can stay close to the action. While that sometimes means she misses out on
some of the day-to-day happenings with her eligibility co-workers, it has also earned her a special distinction. I like to think she has two work families. She's part of our eligibility team, but is she but she is also very
much a part of the CPS team. And if we're being honest, I think both groups would be a little lost without her knowledge, guidance, and willingness to help. She's become one of those people everyone turns to when they need an answer. And fortunately for all of us, she usually has one.
Outside of work, Jane enjoys riding a motorcycle with her husband and has a special appreciation for Highland cows. In some ways, that combination makes perfect sense. She can spend her free time riding down the open road, but when she gets back to work, she's as
dependable and steady as one of her favorite Highland cows, just with considerably less hair. And much like a motorcycle rider navigating miles of winding roads, Jane has spent the last 15 years expertly navigating complex systems, changing
regulations, court processes, and countless cases, always keeping her focus on the people we serve. Jane, thank you for your dedication, your expertise, your compassion, and the countless ways you've supported both your co-workers, the youth, and the families of Klay County.
Our next is 25 years with Ryan Terry. >> Hey, Ryan. Yeah, congratulations. >> All right. Congratulations, Ryan. Uh, thank you for your 25 years of service. Ryan has been here uh when he started. He started as a patrol deputy and during
that time he was one of our K9 officers. Now he works in our court security division and he has become a rather valuable ass asset in court security not only for those that uh work uh in this building but also for the visitors that come here each and every day. So he's
been uh very um very knowledgeable in that position and I know he's helped our new supervisors that come into that role call and uh he's just done very well and has excelled in the role. So your first 25 years went relatively quick I assume. So the next 25 years maybe slow down but
we look forward to that. >> Steve, are you going to come? >> Oh okay. Very good. Next I'd like to present 25 years for Sheriff Mark. Thank you for all you do. Steve's got a couple words.
>> I've been waiting for this for a long time. >> No, seriously, >> we all get a turn. >> Today, we're here to recognize Sheriff Mark Empt for his 25 years of dedicated public service with the Klay County Sheriff's Department. Throughout his
career, Sheriff Amp has exemplified certifi servant leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Klay County residents. His rec career reflects a steady progression of earned trust, increasing responsibility, and a
dedication to serving both the department and the community. Over the course of his service, Sheriff Empteen has advanced through the ranks of the sheriff's department, serving as a both a deputy, sergeant, lieutenant, and assuming additional responsibilities and leadership roles that ultimately led him
to the election of sheriff in 2018. His leadership has been marked by integrity, accountability, and commitment to excellence in public safety. In addition to his service at the sheriff's department, Sheriff Empt has devoted multiple decades to the Dworth Fire Department, further demonstrating his
commitment uh to protect and serve the community. His willingness to service multiple uh public safety capacities reflects the dedication, selflessness, and sense of duty that has defined his career. Sheriff Empt's contribution have strengthened public safety, enhanced
community trust, and positively impacted countless residents throughout Klay County and the surrounding regions. Yet, those who know him best understand that he is quick to defle deflect personal accolades instead directing praise to the dedicated women and men in Brown who serve alongside him every day and who
are here uh many of them here tonight, this afternoon or morning. um instead of directing praise, excuse me. His leadership has always been rooted in teamwork uh recognizing uh the successes of the sheriff's department that are built on professionalism, commitment,
sacrifices of its deputies, corrections officers, and support staff. On behalf of Klay County, we extend our gratitude and congratulations to Sheriff Mark Empt and thank him for his 25 years of distinguished service to the citizens of Klay County. And just a big thank you to all of you
for your commitment and all that you do for the county. And thanks from the home. We'll continue with our agenda. Are there any citizens to be heard? Any We have one in the crowd back there.
Uh, anybody online, Steve? >> Uh, nothing, Mr. Chair. >> All right. Thank you. We'll move on. Approval of payment of bills and vouchers. >> Mr. Chair, I move for approval of payment of bills and vouchers. I'll second that. >> Commissioner, second by Commissioner
Bayer. Any discussion? Any other discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Anybody opposed? Hearing none. Motion passes. Then we have our approval of minutes for May 19th, 2026. >> Mr. Chair, I move for approval of
minutes for May 19th, 2026. >> Have a motion by Commissioner Evinger. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Commissioner Campbell seconds. Any other discussion? Any other discussion? All in favor say
I. >> I. >> And anybody opposed? Motion passes. and we have uh no agenda or motion items ahead of us. So, we'll move on to our committee reports and we'll start with Commissioner Amber.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Last week on Tuesday the 26th, uh myself and uh Commissioner Campbell attended the Red River Regional Dispatch Center Board of Authority meeting. which I will find
in just a minute. Uh we had uh executive committee update from Sheriff Joiner. uh talked about um a law enforcement response that they had uh invol involving uh a need which identified a need for notification of
child care uh facilities and areas during emergency lockdowns and private schools to be included in the call out on uh on u responses that require notification for school lockdowns. And that's being worked on right now to get
the data into the system at trip RRDC so that they'll be able to do that when a a lockdown is called for. They also uh had come up with a procedure now from uh officer initiated medical calls. There's
been a little confusion on who responds. Did they notify the fire department and the ambulance services or what? and they've now got a policy they're working on where um when officers initiate a call for medical assistance, local fire
departments will be notified. Uh they're also working on a program right now to uh use the old dispatch center up on NP uh as a office space for emer emergency management. This isn't done yet, but
it's being worked on right now to bring emergency managers all around the the service area into one office environment where they can communicate. Plus, having people come into that facility on a regular basis be good for security of the
equipment that's there. Um we had a a very long discussion involving uh budget submission for the uh uh 2027 budget which is something is still under discussion both
with the authority board and the executive board and there'll be developments to come. On Wednesday the 27th, I attended the uh the diversion authority finance committee meeting remotely. It was just general business. We
approved some contract actions andou agreements and uh got an update on on the budget. The following day on the 28th, I attended the diversion authority board
of authority meeting. Um had had a Minnesota legislative update. It was uh a partial funding of our request on the Minnesota side came from the state legislature. We appreciate what we could get. appreciate
the efforts that we had uh Commissioner Kravanov, Commissioner Mojo, uh our lobbyist, and um the executive director of the diversion authority all went up the capital and did some good work for us on
that uh general counsel update. um and had the the regular uh project update and we had a uh closes executive
session regarding some discussion on crop loss claims and potential legis uh litigation out of that and that completes my report. Very >> good. Thank you, Commissioner Campbell.
Thank you. May 26th, I also attended the Red River Regional Dispatch Center board meeting. Um, I really don't have anything to add to the report that Commissioner Erbinger
gave on that. Uh Wednesday the 27th, I attended the Prairie Lake Solid Waste Authority meeting in PUM and we went through the normal business expenditures and that type of
thing. We're about even with last year in terms of our operating cash that we have. Our internal service fund was drawn down by about $200,000, but that was anticipated for the equipment that needed to be purchased.
Uh we continue to um stay right around that um 100 tons shy of our deliveries and that's because they're still allowing Wadina County to catch up. We had significant discussion about what
is the what is that plant's true capacity. Um I don't believe no none of you were on the board at the time but when when Klay County and this is kind of important historical information be down the road.
Uh when we were originally presented to be partners in that organization at that time we were told that that facility could could handle 62,500 tons. And so when when we bought in at 15%
then that that is how we equated that our share of the annual deliveries was 9,400 tons. Well, obviously uh since that and then of course on that 9,400 tons, the first 6,000
uh was a trade for with with Prairie Lakes and Klay County for uh bringing the fines to the landfill. So, in essence, we own we pay 3,000 we were to pay 3,400 tons. That was our
share. And atund, you know, $60 a ton. Now, you just do the math. It's it's expensive. Well, then when we determine that, you know, we're only we're only able to
process 5,400 tons, you know, they you do the math on that and 15% of that comes down to like 80 8,200 or something like that. So, that's our new number. Um there were some who still felt that we
should still be responsible for 9600 for budget purposes and I argued that and was successful in that argument. Um so just for the for the future uh when they you know because the original contract
said 9600 tons but it was based on so in the future there might be future boards that saying well the contract says you have Klay County has to pay 9600 tons. Well they can't forget the rest of the story right and the rest of the story was that that
was based on a different total. Um then then we had the uh we had some dis the ash management uh as you know we're I've reported that that ash landfill is
just about full. We've been able to I think we send about 8,000 tons there a year. 8 to 10,000 tons of ash to that. And we we're down to like one or two years left. But the last two years now,
we've been able to clean 6,000 tons of that ash and use it on road road projects. One was in Wadina County and the current one is going to be in Becker County this this summer.
Uh but along with that um Prairie Lakes and I think our board here even also uh supported um legislation in the bonding bill and Ottertale County was awarded 7.367
million uh for in the bonding bill for the combination of the ash plant and a new transfer station. they want to move their transfer station on that same property. So, what's going to happen now is we're
going to have to determine what portion of that bonding bill is going to be for the transfer station and what portion is going to be directly related to the ash plant. And and everybody's in agreement that we don't foresee that to be a
problem at all. Um, of course, like any of the bonding dollars, it's on a 50-50 cost share basis. So, so that was overall that was good news. Um,
they've we've been meeting with the highway engineers and primarily Justin Sorum has been a really good uh source for Chris McConn regarding um the odor and metal recovery out of the ash for
roads. I think Justin's been a really good uh source of information for them because ultimately we'd like to be able to get get that ash that it's a level where Mandot might have an interest in it. Then of course that would open up to many more opportunities to
reclaim that ash landfill. Uh we had some discussion about a uh local road improvement grant application that was at this time not successful. Um they just did a stack testing on
there. We haven't gotten the reports on that. Uh that concludes that one. And then we that same day then I um came back and attended the land management meeting of the diversion authority
and we just we basically dealt with a couple of authorized a couple of excess lands to move forward in the process to be um up for sale to the public. Thursday, May 28th in the morning, we
had our solid waste advisory committee meeting. Um Ashley Mcelki gave a really good report and some statistics on the cleanup week. Uh Corey gave um a report on sol solid
waste activities both at the transfer station and at the landfill. And then I reported on what I just reported on with Prairie Lake solid waste. That same afternoon, we had our uh Klay County Joint Powers
Authority meeting more at Klay County and we went through, of course, we received our property acquisition report as usual. We had an excess lands update uh legal. I think there's several
properties in Wilin County that are going through the and a couple in Klay County still that are going through the eminent domain process to and when we talk about that the diversion authority and MCCJPA
have already received all rights necessary for the lands for both the construction of the project and so really what's left in the em domain process is the valuation and the sum that will need to be paid to the to the land owners
as there's been some disputes on what that value should be. But we are settling uh a few more of those it seems each time. Um I think that pretty much sums up that
meeting. Then um we had the diversion board of authority meeting. Commissioner Ebringer um reported on that. I'd like to say that I had missed the previous meeting when when I was given an award by the
core of engineers and the US Army. And I I was pleasantly surprised at how I mean that was quite quite the plaque. I was going to bring it today and I forgot it. But um >> I'm gonna add to that. I I failed to report that. That was a very important
moment. Uh, Commissioner Campbell was one of four people that they identified with a decoration from the Army Corps of Engineers for civilians for the contribution they've made in public service. And the four of them along with
some folks that no longer serving in place, but a lot of folks started this thing a long time ago. I just have been riding the last five years. Uh Kevin was one of the movers and shakers. And next time the red gets nasty,
it's going to go in a diversion, not in crop fields and neighborhoods and and businesses. And it's because of the efforts of a lot of good people that have done this for a long time and that recogni recognition was welld deserved. Um congratulations, Commissioner
Campbell. >> Thank you. >> And it's pretty neat. >> Yeah, it was. Yeah. >> Metals and everything. >> Yeah. Um, I, you know, going back on on that, that, that was a, I mean, a, a real, I really
appreciated that moment. And there was another one that um kind of in a really smaller detail, but it just uh when the original project partnership agreement was signed between this then that was signed by the city of
Fargo, the city of Morehead and the um core of engineers and that goes back to when this when the diversion authority was basically first established. Dennis Walliker was still the mayor um mayor of uh Fargo at that time and he was one of
the signers and they had I believe they had four or five copies of that uh original document to sign and and Mayor Waller signed each one with a separate pen and he gave me one of those pens and I I
I still I think I treasure that probably more than anything else on that on that project. Uh I I hope that someday that they will recognize or give some recognition to that diversion based on Dennis Waller, similar to what Duff's
ditch is in Winnipeg. And for those of you who don't know, just read just look up and read about Duff Stitch. And that's basically the diversion around Winnipeg. So anyway, that's that. And then um and see I was going to make sure that you didn't get by with just having the
shortest meeting in the history of >> Kelly. We're far from done. >> And so then then we had the um uh West Central uh board meeting yesterday morning. Um, we had several things that
we talked about an an awful lot of funding things are starting to fall into place, including uh $5 million from uh the bonding bill this year from the state of Minnesota, which we're thankful for. Uh, and I I want to give a good
shout out to Commissioner Bear. uh he did a he did a fabulous job down there uh regarding this particular topic especially uh with their with our legislators that really helped us with
with that 5 million. It really allows us to really advance this project and really get a good foothold on its long-term viability. So thank you Commissioner Bear for for your efforts in that regard. Um there's a couple of things going on and maybe Steve can
comment or somebody can comment on the the 2024 dollars that we got. We're we finally got u a grant agreement signed I think on this 2024 and so hopefully the those will start to flow through pretty soon. I know
Commissioner Bear might have more to add on that. Um there is a um in the 2027 EPA we have heard that there's um right now uh there's $2.68
million in for Neilsville and $3.61 in into Hendram. All those dollars if they're successful will also kind of flow in to this overall uh project that we have. Uh, of course I think um our
engineer who's also been involved with helping establish these grant applications, the likelihood of he he thinks the likelihood might be more closer to 3/4 to a million dollars for each one of them by all time is said and done, but it would still be money well
money well um well needed and put to good use. Uh, I think I'll I'll end it there. I know Ezra will add some more to that. That concludes my report. >> May bear.
>> Thank you, Matt. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I only had one meeting. It was the West Central Regional Water District. That was yesterday that Commissioner Campbell was also at and reported on, but I'll add to it. We'll talk about the FY24 EPA grant. So, that grant has been signed
and we should be starting to receive money soon on that one. And that grant was for $3.5 million. And then we have FY26 EPA grant that we we got we received
$750,000 on that. That's for PK County, but we have not started to receive that. We do not have a grant agreement signed on that, but that one should come a lot faster than FY24. because we've already gone through this once with FY24. So that money should be
coming in sooner and that money we are looking at ex putting in a larger pipe between Climax and Neilsville to bolster more water in that area. And then FY27 we have the Neilsville and the Hendrum
grants on that have moved to the next level. And with that being moved to the next level, it's very likely we will receive some money. It might not be that $5 million, but we should be on the hook for some money at least as long as they pass a budget here in October, I believe, with the feds.
And then we are also looking at doing a bus tour in August with all our legislators, the local ones and the feds to get them out to show them the project, show them a few local water plants, the project, and taking them over to the water plant that we're going to be buying into
just so they can get their wrap their heads around it. And so then when it comes to the next legislature season, they they remember the project moving forward and we can hopefully receive more bonding money and more EPA grants that look we're looking at that tenatively for August 12th.
Um what else? We had just uh project updates on the whole project with uh Neilville and the Neilsville line that we should looking to engineer and to bid out at the end of the summer
slashfall and the H Hallstead line that we're hoping to bid bid out by the end of summer as well to move the water from Climax Neilville and from uh over to H Hallstead and cross the river to H Hallstead. That is pretty much everything we
discussed there. Then we we're also having out doing outreach with the cities in phase one to hopefully get signed contracts with them by the end of summer. So this whole project can be moved forward with receiving the grant dollars and the EPA dollars. This move this project is should be steamrolling
very quickly hopefully and get people the water that they need. So that is all I have to report. Mr. Chair, >> thank you. uh my report uh going back to Tuesday the 26th. I had a food commission uh steering
committee meeting. We talked about the successes of the last meeting commission meeting we had involving the integrating orchards into public space spaces as was given by West Fargo parks and forestry.
And then uh later or toward the evening there, I went to the Morid City Council along with our executive director uh Laura Ford and Laura gave a great presentation to the Mid City Council regarding our 2025 report. Uh we'll be
hearing that here in a couple of weeks at this commission. On Wednesday the 27th, I have the uh historical culture society monthly board meeting. We had the introduction of two new uh our two new board me uh board
representatives at the meeting. Uh Dan Anderson from Morehead and Beggy Hogan from Holly. We welcome them aboard. We also are doing reviewing and updating of our bylaws and our membership levels. So there was a great or big larger
discussion on those two items and that will probably we get most of that summed up I think by next month. Uh we also um were getting members in line for to staff the Humbult school house at the county fair which were we're were active
with during the those uh days of the the fair in July. Um we also had I also part of meeting involved our non-secure facility the strategy movement ahead. Thank you to
legislators for their uh bonding funding that we did receive and that was uh we're doing this with our lobbyists um in St. Paul with Tom and Haley with Winrop and um Weinstein. We'll be
hearing from them here at this board in a couple weeks, right? Yeah. Oh, next week. Okay. Uh they'll come and we'll get a overall from them. And again, thank you to all the legislature for again the bonding dollars that we got
regarding the diversion nonsecure and most central um made for a successful um session. Um on Thursday the 28th um I had the monthly CAP LP meeting that involves
finance uh finance committee. Uh things are in good standing. Uh federal funding is coming in as anticipated actually in some areas even a little higher. And then we're uh Minnesota came out with
some uh increase in um housing support. So that was good that we got that as part of our part of our um um session. Uh under the board meeting, we approved three grants. Uh they um this group over
there knows how to write grants and they write lots of them and three more came through. Um and uh we also approved as part of uh Head Start uh which then spreads to the total staff um the
approval of cola uh of 2 and a.5% uh which will be starting on um on say fiscal year in July 1st of this year and we had the uh introduction and a new
of a new board member It's Paul Larvin um Villerin, I'm sorry said that wrong the first time from Felton. Uh he now serves on the Marshian Township board. We have a position o open for a elected
official that was held by uh long term serving Lauren Inger Bretson who retired from the position. So welcome to Paul. And then uh we continue our work with uh work out in Hollywood with reach u
building up the thrift store. Uh also uh elevating the road bus routes which are increasing uh at very high levels in the involvement and that has a lot to do with the bus being stored out there, the driver out in that area and just
reaching out further and further into the uh rural community of Klay County. Um yeah, I think that's my report. It is my report. Um administrator Larson.
>> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh on the 27th, I met with Darren and Anna on a HR personnel matter uh that uh morning or afternoon. Also met with the legislative update with Winthrop and Weinstein. As the chair mentioned, Tom and Haley will
be here uh next week provide an update on how the the legislative session went and potential plan forward. Uh participated in the MCC JPA meeting which has been well covered and on the 29th participated or met with Mr. Milton
on a series of county issues. um on the first uh participated uh virtually with the West Central Regional uh water board water district uh as was mentioned by uh Commissioner uh Commissioner Campbell and Commissioner
Barrett. It's exciting to see uh that uh this is going to be coming to fruition uh this fall the spring and so that's great great to see. Uh just a couple updates again on Friday we do have an AMC district meeting in Fergus Falls from 8:00 to noon. Uh and also we
received notification from uh Christine Goden, administrator of the Buffalo Redwater District, uh that we will have we have two managers who are whose terms are up at the end of August this year, Mr. Van Amberg and Kurt Mr. Kurt Stubstead. uh they will have the the
ability if they chose choose to to resubmit for those positions. But we will be putting ads in the the paper for the appointments on both June 29th and July 6th. And for those who are interest letter letters of interest are due uh to
our office by July 22nd. And then this board will conduct interviews and appointments on July 28th. Uh so they're able to start their term by September 1st. And that concludes my report. Thank you, Narin. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, most of my
meetings have been covered on 527. Uh, Steve mentioned the meeting with the detox department head, Anna, and himself. I also attended the legislative planning committee and also that afternoon, uh, worked with the data practices group to get our, uh, data
request forms squared away on the 20 and I'll cover that in a second. Um, on the 28th, uh, I also attended the SWAC, which Commissioner Campbell, um, covered already. Had a meeting with the sheriff and chief deputy, Anna and Steve, on a
EEOC and Department of Human Rights case that is, uh, is ongoing right now. On Friday the 28th, uh, worked on the data practices project and the citizens concern form. On Monday the 1, uh, I had
a meeting with MC MNC C and improv. Also a meeting with Anna and Steve and worked on the 2025 performance measurement program. Um, just a note on the data practices uh, requests in the program and the group that we've been meeting
with. Um Quinn, Mark, Matt, Erica from Planning and Zoning, and Rory and myself have really been working hard on getting our data practices requests system in place so that we know how many are coming in, who they're going to, and so
uh that group has really set up the process to respond to data requests, and then have the followup as well to make sure that that that loop is closed out. So, that went very well and I think we're we're pretty much good to go on
that. Um, we kind of did the same thing with the citizen concern form. That form was working very well, but it never had another form to say this has been completed. And so, we kind of did the same thing as we did with the data practices request form, we did with the
citizens concern form, and that seemed to go uh very well. Um, I handed out uh early retirement stats for you. Uh, that program ended, well, it actually ends
June 30th, but uh, employees had until May 29th to submit their requests for early retirement. What you have in front of you is the seven people that took the early retirement. And let me explain that chart a little
bit. It was very difficult to figure out what the savings were because some people left earlier, some people aren't leaving till later or the not the replacements aren't maybe coming in till later in the year. Um I know social
services they're doing some things of moving people around. And so what I did with this chart is I took the people that that took advantage of the early retirement and anticipated their wages of what they would have been in 2027 had
they stayed there and took into account parah county contribution FICA Medicare and and paid leave and that total expense would have come up for those seven people of $890,250. Then what I did is I took if they were
replaced and if they were replaced on one July of this year, which is probably about right, uh, some will be hired earlier, some will be hired later, and then work them as they came in on that grade at
step two and then moved to step three in 2027, those total wages would have been $655,947. So, a savings of $234,33 minus the 67,200 that we paid out in um in the early
retirement uh program, leaving a total savings of 167, uh $13. So, that's a that's a pretty good estimate. um it's it's not pinpointed to exactly who left and who who replaced
that person because there's a lot of domino effects that happen. So um I just took it in 2027 what it would have been and then the people that we hire is is uh is taking their place. Um and also the
people that are leaving um they are under the grandfathered county contribution. everybody coming in next year or this year will be under the the county contribution for new employees. So there was a savings there as well. Um
so if there's any questions on that um just thought you might be interested in what the early retirement program did for us this year. I have I have one question for the 2027 anticipated wages for new employers hired July 1st of
2026. Is that for 18 months then or is that >> Yeah. No, what that number there is um >> what I took them is if they were hired in July 1st, they would be hired at step one. What I did was I started them at
step two because they would get a step they would start 2027 at step two. So then I took step two and step three because that's a six-month step. So that's what those numbers reflect. >> So that number reflects for 2027.
>> Yes. >> Numbers, not the six months of 2026. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> But you know when we look at this, we knew that the first year the savings wouldn't be as great because of the payout. >> Correct. >> Right.
>> Correct. But going into the second year, the savings is greater. >> Yeah. And that's why I kind of did the 2027, right? >> Because the 2026, um, even though all of the early retirement payments went out in 2026, I
just said, "Okay, this is how much we paid in 2026. I applied it to the 2027." But in reality, that's being applied this year when they leave. Another thing that this doesn't calculate and it and it goes to when when Quinn was here
earlier and I um and it's something that I that I actually appreciated that they did is they they looked at restructuring there had they had the ability to restructure and with that process and this doesn't take into account that with their restructuring
not they they were added two new positions >> correct >> that they probably would have come to us and asked for anyway out of need, >> but they were able to do it with the savings of this as well as uh still having one position
not filled. >> Correct. >> So, so there's there's some other savings in there besides this that and I and I agree with you. It's it's it's hard to make a perfect calculation of it, >> but it I think I'm just Well, I'm I'm
kind of surprised that we only had seven. I thought we would have >> I I anticipated 10 so I was a little shy. >> Yeah. All right. Very good. Thank you. >> Um and also uh I will have to say that
in my 15 years here um knowing Commissioner Campbell's heart and soul was put into that diversion project and that's only for 15 years I've seen that. Um, I just want to congratulate you and and that award that you got was very
welld deserved for the amount of work that you put into that diversion project. So, just wanted to say that publicly. >> Thank you. >> And that concludes my report. >> I'd appreciate it if you bring that plaque in. >> I'd like to see the plaque. I hope you
can bring it. >> Well, the the plaque is really nice, but what's nicer is the metal. >> Okay. Yeah, >> I'll I'll try to remember to bring it next time. >> Yeah. Very good. Um, Sarah, anything?
All right. Any other business before we return? Hearing none, we're returned. Part: 2
Good morning and everyone. Welcome to the Klay County Board of Commissioners meeting for Tuesday, June 2nd. Uh can we have a call meeting to order? Is there approval of the agenda today? >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda.
>> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Anybody oppose? Motion passes. We have a number of recognitions today.
Thank you. So uh for employee recognitions today, first one goes to Tara Adit of Adette I suppose and part of public health and Sue I think is going to come up also.
Thank you. This is in recognition of your 15 years service. Thanks. Uh, next we have Jacob Bum Garner. 15 years of juvenile tension in recognition of your 15 years of service and thank you from the board for
all you do. >> Do you have the snack or um yeah, Jake began as a part-time staff member um then became a full-time staff member and then he he helped develop our our residential program to where it stands out in the state. He was the case
manager there for many years and now he's the supervisor of our new transition program. Um Jake has he's very intelligent um and his social emotional intelligence is topnotch. He's able to connect with the youth and staff and make some good good memories and
stuff for the staffs and kids. So um yeah, congratulations. Thanks Jake. Next, we have Elise Don 15 years in detention. Appreciate your service. Appreciate it. >> Yeah. So, this is actually the third
one. Jake was the second. This is the third one. We don't get people that last and stick around too long over there. So, um, this is pretty exciting that we have two in one day and it's been a long time coming. Um, but yeah, Alise started here as a intern. Um, and then she was part-time and then full-time and then
she got a lead counselor position and that now she is the supervisor of our scared detention unit. Our scared detention unit is our our cornerstone unit. Um, and that's where we get a lot of the most difficult cases. Um, she's seen a lot in her 15 years. things
continue to change as again, you know, facilities keep getting closed down across the state, including East Bethl last month here. Um is causing a bigger crunch and a lot of those youth end up um on her door. Um a lot of times they're untreated. Um and they have a
lot of issues. Um she's very flexible. She gets she leads her staff to be flexible to respond to the needs of the youth. Um and that's where we are. Um, basically, you know, with Jake and the juvenile center, um, we're just a building. Um, we got people, um, and
policies change. We've changed a lot over the years, continue to change. We're going to continue to change in the future. Um, but the one constant we have is good people like Jake and Elise and our staff over there. Um, that makes it successful. So, thank you.
Next we have Jane uh Robonauts social services for 15 years. Thank you. Recognition of the award. >> All right. Uh today I have the privilege of recognizing someone who is
celebrating 15 years of service. Jane. Uh, many people know Jane as our specialized eligibility worker who manages our 4E case load, but that title only scratches the surface of what she does every day. Jane works closely with CPS, probation, judges, attorneys,
foster care providers, and countless others to ensure the placements are handled correctly and that the financial and eligibility pieces supporting those placements are in place. It's work that requires an incredible amount of knowledge, attention to detail, and persistence, and Jane brings all three
in abundance. Over the past several months, I've had the opportunity to work more closely with Jane and learn more about her role. Every conversation leaves me amazed. She keeps track of details that most of us didn't even know existed, and somehow she can recall them at exactly the right moment. There have
been more than a few times when I've walked away thinking, "How does she keep this all straight?" What stands out even more than her knowledge is her passion. Jade genuinely cares about doing the job right because she knows the work matters. Behind every case is a child, a youth, or a family
depending on us to get things right. And Jane never loses sight of that. One unique thing about Jane is that she works on the fifth floor alongside the social workers so she can stay close to the action. While that sometimes means she misses out on some of the day-to-day
happenings with her eligibility co-workers, it has also earned her a special distinction. I like to think she has two work families. She's part of our eligibility team, but is she but she is also very much a part of the CPS team. And if
we're being honest, I think both groups would be a little lost without her knowledge, guidance, and willingness to help. She's become one of those people everyone turns to when they need an answer. And fortunately for all of us, she usually has one. Outside of work, Jane enjoys riding a
motorcycle with her husband and has a special appreciation for Highland cows. In some ways, that combination makes perfect sense. She can spend her free time riding down the open road. But when she gets back to work, she's as dependable and steady as one of her
favorite Highland cows, just with considerably less hair. And much like a motorcycle rider, navigating miles of winding roads, Jane has spent the last 15 years expertly navigating complex systems, changing regulations, court processes, and
countless cases, always keeping her focus on the people we serve. Jane, thank you for your dedication, your expertise, your compassion, and the countless ways you've supported both your co-workers, the youth, and the families of Klay County. Our
next is 25 years with Ryan Terry. >> Hey, Ryan. Yeah, congratulations. >> All right. Congratulations, Ryan. >> Uh, thank you for your 25 years of service. Ryan has been here uh when he started he started as a patrol deputy and during that time he was one of our
K9 officers. Now he works in our court security division and he has become rather valuable as asset in court security not only for those that uh work uh in this building but also for the visitors that come here each and every day. So, he's been uh very um very
knowledgeable in that position and I know he's helped our new supervisors that come into that role, Colin. And uh he's just done very well and has excelled in the role. So, your first 25 years went relatively quick, I assume. So, the next 25 years maybe slow down,
but we look forward to that. Steve, are you going to come up? >> Oh, okay. Very good. Next, I'd like to present 25 years for Sheriff Mark. Yeah. Thank you for all you do. Steve's got a couple words.
>> I've been waiting for this for a long time. No, seriously. >> We all get a turn. Today we're here to recognize Sheriff Mark Empt for his 25 years of dedicated public service with the Klay County Sheriff's Department. Throughout his
career, Sheriff has exemplified certifi servant leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Klay County residents. His rec career reflects a steady progression of earned trust, increasing responsibility, and a dedication to
serving both the department and the community. Over the course of his service, Sheriff Empteen has advanced through the ranks of the sheriff's department, serving as a both a deputy, sergeant, lieutenant, and assuming additional responsibilities and leadership roles that ultimately led him to the election of sheriff in 2018. His
leadership has been marked by integrity, accountability, and commitment to excellence in public safety. In addition to his service to the sheriff's department, Sheriff Empt has devoted multiple decades to the Dworth Fire Department, further demonstrating his commitment uh to protect and serve the
community. His willingness to service multiple uh public safety capacities reflects the dedication, selflessness, and sense of duty that has defined his career. Sheriff Empt's contribution have strengthened public safety, enhanced community trust, and positively impacted
countless residents throughout Lake Klay County and the surrounding regions. Yet, those who know him best understand that he is quick to defle deflect personal accolades instead directing praise to the dedicated women and men in Brown who serve alongside him every day and who are here uh many of them here tonight,
this afternoon or morning. um instead of directing praise, excuse me. His leadership has always been rooted in teamwork uh recognizing uh the successes of the sheriff's department that are built on professionalism, commitment, sacrifices of its deputies, corrections
officers, and support staff. On behalf of Klay County, we extend our gratitude and congratulations to Sheriff Mark Empt and thank him for his 25 years of distinguished service to the citizens of Klay County. And just a big thank you to all of you for your commitment and all that you do
for the county. And thanks from the home. We'll continue with our agenda. Are there any citizens to be heard? Any We have one in the crowd back there. Uh, anybody online, Steve? Uh, >> nothing, Mr. Chair.
>> All right. Thank you. We'll move on. Approval of payment of bills and vouchers. >> Mr. Chair, I move for approval of payment of bills and vouchers. I'll second that. >> Commissioner, second by Commissioner Bayer. Any discussion? Any other
discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Anybody opposed? Hearing none. Motion passes. Then we have our approval of minutes for May 19th, 2026. >> Mr. Chair, I move for approval of minutes for May 19th, 2026.
>> Have a motion by Commissioner Evinger. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Commissioner Campbell seconds. Any other discussion? Any other discussion? All in favor say I. >> I.
>> And anybody opposed? Motion passes. and we have uh no agenda or motion items ahead of us. So, we'll move on to our committee reports and we'll start with Commissioner Aber. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Last week on Tuesday the 26th, uh myself and uh Commissioner Campbell attended the Red River Regional Dispatch Center Board of Authority meeting. which I will find in just a minute.
Uh we had uh executive committee update from Sheriff Joiner. uh talked about um law enforcement response that they had uh invol in involving uh a need which identified a need for notification of
child care uh facilities and areas during emergency lockdowns and private schools to be included in the call out on uh on um responses that require notification for school lockdowns. And that's being worked on right now to get
the data into the system at trip RRDC so that they'll be able to do that when a a lockdown is called for. They also uh had come up with a procedure now from uh officer initiated medical calls. There's
been a little confusion on who responds. Did they notify the fire department and the ambulance services or what? and they've now got a policy they're working on where um when officers initiate a call for medical assistance, local fire
departments will be notified. Uh they're also working on a program right now to uh use the old dispatch center up on NP uh as a office space for emer emergency management. This isn't done yet, but
it's being worked on right now to bring emergency managers from all around the the service area into one office environment where they can communicate. Plus, having people come into that facility on a regular basis be good for security of the
equipment that's there. Um we had a a very long discussion involving uh budget submission for the uh uh 2027 budget which is something is still under discussion both
with the authority board and the executive board and there'll be developments to come. On Wednesday the 27th, I attended the uh the diversion authority finance committee meeting remotely. It was just general business. We
approved some contract actions andou agreements and uh got an update on on the budget. The following day on the 28th, I attended the diversion authority board of authority meeting.
Um had had a Minnesota legislative update. It was uh a partial funding of our request on the Minnesota side came from the state legislature. We appreciate what we could get. appreciate the efforts that we had uh Commissioner
Kravangh, Commissioner Mojo, uh our lobbyist and um the executive director of the diversion authority all went up the capital and did some good work for us on that
uh general counsel update um and had the the regular uh project update and we had a uh closed executive session regarding some discussion on crop loss
claims and potential legis uh litigation out of that. And that completes my report. >> Very good. Thank you, Commissioner Campbell. >> Thank you.
May 26th, I also attended the Red River Regional Dispatch Center. U board meeting. Um, I really don't have anything to add to the report that Commissioner Erbinger gave on that.
Uh, Wednesday the 27th, I attended the Prairie Lake Solid Waste Authority meeting in PUM and we went through the normal business expenditures and that type of thing. We're about even with last year
in terms of our operating cash that we have. Our internal service fund was drawn down by about $200,000, but that was anticipated for the equipment that needed to be purchased.
Uh we continue to um stay right around that um 100 tons shy of our deliveries and that's because they're still allowing Wadina County to catch up. We had significant discussion about what
is the what is that plant's true capacity. Um I don't believe no none of you were on the board at the time but when when Klay County and this is kind of important historical information be down the road
uh when we were originally presented to be partners in that organization at that time we were told that that facility could could handle 62,500 tons and so when when we bought in at 15%
then that that is how we equated that our share of the annual deliveries was 9,400 tons. Well, obviously uh since that and then of course on that 9,400 tons the first 6,000
uh was a trade for with with Prairie Lakes and Klay County for uh bringing the fines to the landfill. So in essence, we own we pay 3,000 we were to pay 3,400 tons. That was our
share. And atund, you know, $60 a ton. Now you just do the math. It's it's expensive. Well, then when we determined that, you know, we're only we're only able to
process 5,400 tons, you know, they you do the math on that and at 15% of that comes down to like 80 8,200 or something like that. So, that's our new number. Um, there were some who still felt that
we should still be responsible for 9600 for budget purposes. And I argued that and successful in that argument. Um so just for the for the future uh when they you know because the original contract
said 9600 tons but it was based on so in the future there might be future boards that saying well the contract says you have Klay County has to pay 9600 tons. Well, they can't forget the rest of the story, right? And the rest of the story was
that that was based on a different total. Um, then then we had the uh we had some dis the ash management. Uh, as you know, we're I've reported that that ash
landfill is just about full. We've been able to I think we send about 8,000 tons there a year. eight to 10,000 tons of ash to that and we we're down to like one or two years left. But the last two years
now, we've been able to clean 6,000 tons of that ash and use it on road road projects. One was in Wadina County and the current one is going to be in Becker County this this summer.
Uh but along with that, um Craig Lakes and I think our board here even also uh supported um legislation in the bonding bill and Ottertale County was awarded 7.367
million uh for in the bonding bill for the combination of the ash plant and a new transfer station. they want to move their transfer station on that same property. So, what's going to happen now is we're
going to have to determine what portion of that bonding bill is going to be for the transfer station and what portion is going to be directly related to the ash plant. And and everybody's in agreement that we don't foresee that to be a
problem at all. Um, of course, like any of the bonding dollars, it's on a 50-50 cost share basis. So, so that was overall that was good news. Um,
they've we've been meeting with the highway engineers and primarily Justin Sorum has been a really good uh source for Chris McConn regarding um the odor and metal recovery out of the ash for
roads. I think Justin's been a really good uh source of information for them because ultimately we'd like to be able to get get that ash that it's a level where Mandot might have an interest in it. Then of course that would open up to many more opportunities to
reclaim that ash landfill. Uh we had some discussion about a uh local road improvement grant application that was at this time not successful. Um they just did a stack testing on
there. We haven't gotten the reports on that. Uh that concludes that one. And then we that same day then I um came back and attended the land management meeting of the diversion authority
and we just we basically dealt with a couple of authorized a couple of excess lands to move forward in the process to be um up for sale to the public. Thursday, May 28th in the morning, we
had our solid waste advisory committee meeting. Um Ashley Mcelki gave a really good report and some statistics on the cleanup week. U Corey gave um a report on sol solid
waste activities both at the transfer station and at the landfill. And then I reported on what I just reported on with Prairie Lake solid waste. That same afternoon, we had our uh Klay County Joint Powers
Authority meeting more at Klay County and we went through of course we received our property acquisition report as usual. We had an excess lands update uh legal. I think there's several
properties in Wilin County that are going through the and a couple in Klay County still that are going through the eminent domain process to and when we talk about that the diversion authority and MCCJPA
have already received all rights necessary for the lands for both the construction of the project and so really what's left in the em domain process is the valuation ation and the sum that will need to be paid to the to the land owners
as there's been some disputes on what that value should be. But we are settling uh a few more of those it seems each time. Uh I think that pretty much sums up that
meeting. Then um we had the diversion board of authority meeting. Commissioner Ebringer um reported on that. I'd like to say that I had missed the previous meeting when when I was given an award by the
core of engineers and the US Army. And I I was pleasantly surprised at how I mean that was quite quite the plaque. I was going to bring it today and I forgot it. But um >> I'm gonna add to that. I I failed to report that. That was a very important
moment. Uh, Commissioner Campbell was one of four people that they identified with a decoration from the Army Corps of Engineers for civilians for the contribution they've made in public service and the four of them along with
some folks that no longer serving in place, but a lot of folks started this thing a long time ago. I just have been riding the last five years. Uh Kevin was one of the movers and shakers. And next time the red gets nasty,
it's going to go in a diversion, not in crop fields and neighborhoods and and businesses. And it's because of the efforts of a lot of good people that have done this for a long time and that recogni recognition was welld deserved. Um congratulations, Commissioner
Campbell. >> Thank you. >> And it's pretty neat. >> Yeah, it was. Yeah, it's >> edles and everything. >> Yeah. Um I you know going back on on that that that was a I mean a a real I really
appreciated that moment and there was another one that um kind of in a really smaller detail but it just uh when the original project partnership agreement was signed between this then that was signed by the city of
Fargo or the city of Morehead and the um core of engineers and that goes back to when this when the diversion authority was basically first established. Dennis Walliker was still the mayor um mayor of uh Fargo at that time and he was one of
the signers and they had I believe they had four or five copies of that uh original document to sign and and Mayor Waller signed each one with a separate pen and he gave me one of those pens and I I
I still I think I treasure that probably more than anything else on that on that project. Uh I I hope that someday that they will recognize or give some recognition to that diversion based on Dennis Waller, similar to what Duff's
ditch is in Winnipeg. And for those of you who don't know, just read just look up and read about Duff Stitch. And that's basically the diversion around Winnipeg. So anyway, that's that. And then um and see I was going to make sure that you didn't get by with just having the
shortest meeting in the history of >> Kelly. We're far from done. >> And so then then we had the um uh West Central uh board meeting yesterday morning. Um, we had several things that
we talked about an an awful lot of funding things are starting to fall into place, including uh $5 million from uh the bonding bill this year from the state of Minnesota, which we're thankful for. Uh, and I I want to give a good
shout out to Commissioner Bear. uh he did a he did a fabulous job down there uh regarding this particular topic especially uh with their with our legislators that really helped us with
with that 5 million. It really allows us to really advance this project and really get a good foothold on its long-term viability. So thank you Commissioner Bear for for your efforts in that regard. Um there's a couple of things going on and maybe Steve can
comment or somebody can comment on the the 2024 dollars that we got. We're we finally got u a grant agreement signed I think on this 2024 dollars and so hopefully the those will start to flow through pretty soon. I know Commissioner
Bear might have more to add on that. Um there is a um in the 2027 EPA we have heard that there's um right now uh there's $2.68
million in for Neilsville and $3.61 in into Hendram. All those dollars if they're successful will also kind of flow in to this overall uh project that we have. Uh, of course I think um our
engineer who's also been involved with helping establish these grant applications, the likelihood of he he thinks the likelihood might be more closer to 3/4 to a million dollars for each one of them by all time is said and done, but it would still be money well
money well u well needed and put to good use. Uh, I think I'll I'll end it there. I know Ezra will add some more to that. That concludes my report. >> Thank you, Mayor.
>> Thank you, Matt. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I only had one meeting. It was the West Central Regional Water District. That was yesterday that Commissioner Campbell was also at and reported on, but I'll add to it. We'll talk about the FY24 EPA grant. So, that grant has been signed
and we should be starting to receive money soon on that one. And that grant was for $3.5 million. And then we have FY26 EPA grant that we we got we received
$750,000 on that. That's for PK County, but we have not started to receive that. We do not have a grant agreement signed on that, but that one should come a lot faster than FY24. because we've already gone through this once with FY24. So that money should be
coming in sooner and that money we are looking at ex putting in a larger pipe between Climax and Neilsville to bolster more water in that area. And then FY27 we have the Neilsville and the Hendrum
grants on that have moved to the next level. And with that being moved to the next level, it's very likely we will receive some money. It might not be that $5 million, but we should be on the hook for some money at least as long as they pass a budget here in October, I believe, with the feds.
And then we are also looking at doing a bus tour in August with all our legislators, the local ones and the feds to get them out to show them the project, show them a few local water plants, the project, and taking them over to the water plant that we're going to be buying into
just so they can get their wrap their heads around it. And so then when it comes to the next legislature season, they they remember the project moving forward and we can hopefully receive more bonding money and more EPA grants that look we're looking at that tenatively for August 12th.
Um what else? We had just uh project updates on the whole project with uh Neilville and the Neilsville line that we should looking to engineer and to bid out at the end of the summer
slashfall and the H Hallstead line that we're hoping to bid bid out by the end of summer as well to move the water from Climax Neilville and from uh over to H Hallstead and cross the river to H Hallstead. That is pretty much everything we
discussed there. Then we we're also having out doing outreach with the cities in phase one to hopefully get signed contracts with them by the end of summer. So this whole project can be moved forward with receiving the grant dollars and the EPA dollars. This move this project is should be steamrolling
very quickly hopefully and get people the water that they need. So that is all I have to report. Mr. Chair, >> thank you. uh my report uh going back to Tuesday the 26th. I had a food commission uh steering
committee meeting. We talked about the successes of the last meeting commission meeting we had involving the integrating orchards into public space spaces as was given by West Fargo parks and forestry.
And then uh later or toward the evening there I went to the Morid City Council along with our executive director uh Laura Ford and Laura gave a great presentation to the Mor city council regarding our 2025 report. Uh we'll be
hearing that here in a couple of weeks at this commission. On Wednesday the 27th I have the uh historical culture society monthly board meeting. We had the introduction of two new uh our two new board me uh board
representatives at the meeting. Uh Dan Anderson from Morehead and Bey Hogan from Holly. We welcome them aboard. We also are doing reviewing and updating of our bylaws and our membership levels. So there was a great or big larger
discussion on those two items and that will probably we'll get most of that summed up I think by next month. Uh we also um were getting members in line for to staff the Humbult school house at the county fair which were we're were active
with during the those uh days of the the fair in July. Um we also had I also part of meeting involved our non-secure facility the strategy movement ahead. Thank you to
legislators for their uh bonding funding that we did receive and that was uh we're doing this with our lobbyists um and in St. Paul with Tom and Haley with Winrop and um Weinstein. We'll be
hearing from them here at this board in a couple weeks, right? Yeah. Oh, next week. Okay. Uh they'll come and we'll get a overall from them. And again, thank you to all the legislature for again the bonding dollars that we got
regarding the diversion nonsecure and most central um made for a successful um session. Um on Thursday the 28th um I had the monthly CAP LP meeting that involves
finance uh finance committee. Uh things are in good standing. Uh federal funding is coming in as anticipated actually in some areas even a little higher. And then we're uh Minnesota came out with
some uh increase in um housing support. So that was good that we got that as part of our part of our um um session. Uh under the board meeting, we approved three grants. Uh they um this group over
there knows how to write grants and they write lots of them and three more came through. Um and uh we also approved as part of uh Head Start uh which then spreads to the total staff um the
approval of cola uh of 2 and a.5% uh which will be starting on um on say fiscal year in July 1st of this year and we had the uh introduction and a new
of a new board member. It's Paul Larvin um Villerin, I'm sorry said that wrong the first time from Felton. Uh he now serves on the Marshian Township board. We have a position o open for a elected
official that was held by uh long terving Lauren Inger Britzson who retired from the position. So welcome to Paul. And then uh we continue our work with uh work out in Holler with reach uh
building up the thrift store. Uh also uh elevating the row bus routes which are increasing uh at very high levels in the involvement and that has a lot to do with the bus being stored out there, the driver out in that area and just
reaching out further and further into the uh rural community of Klay County. Um yeah, I think that's my report. It is my report. Um administrator Larson.
>> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh on the 27th, I met with Darren and Anna on a HR personnel matter uh that uh morning or afternoon. Also met with the legislative update with Winthrop and Weinstein. As the chair mentioned, Tom and Haley will
be here uh next week to provide an update on how the the legislative session went and potential plan forward. Uh participated in the MCC JPA meeting which has been well covered and on the 29th participated or met with Mr. Milton
on a series of county issues. um on the first uh participated uh virtually with the West Central Regional uh water board water district uh as was mentioned by uh Commissioner uh Commissioner Campbell and Commissioner
Barrett. It's exciting to see uh that uh this is going to be coming to fruition uh this fall the spring and so that's great great to see. Uh just a couple updates again on Friday we do have an AMC district meeting in Fergus Falls from 8:00 to noon. Uh and also we
received notification from uh Christine Goden, administrator of the Buffalo Redwater District, uh that we will have we have two managers who are whose terms are up at the end of August this year, Mr. Van Amber and Kurt Mr. Kurt Stubstead. they will have the the
ability if they chose choose to to resubmit for those positions. But we will be putting ads in the the paper for the appointments on both June 29th and July 6th. And for those who are interest letter letters of interest are due uh to
our office by July 22nd. And then this board will conduct interviews and appointments on July 28th. Uh so they're able to start their term by September 1st. And that concludes my report. Thank you, Narin. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, most of my
meetings have been covered on 527. Uh, Steve mentioned the meeting with the detox department head, Anna, and himself. I also attended the legislative planning committee and also that afternoon, uh, worked with the data practices group to get our, uh, data
request forms squared away. On the 20, and I'll cover that in a second. Um, on the 28th, uh, I also attended the SWAC, which Commissioner Campbell, um, covered already. Had a meeting with the sheriff and chief deputy, Anna and Steve, on a
EEOC and Department of Human Rights case that is, uh, is ongoing right now. On Friday the 28th, uh, worked on the data practices project and the citizens concern form. On Monday the 1st, uh I
had a meeting with MC MNC C and improv. Also a meeting with Anna and Steve and worked on the 2025 performance measurement program. Um just a note on the data practices uh request and the program and the group that we've been
meeting with. Um Quinn, Mark, Matt, Erica from Planning and Zoning, and Rory and myself have really been working hard on getting our data practices requests system in place so that we know how many are coming in, who they're going to, and
so uh that group has really set up the process to respond to data requests, and then have the followup as well to make sure that that that loop is closed out. So, that went very well and I think we're we're pretty much good to go on
that. Um, we kind of did the same thing with the citizen concern form. That form was working very well, but it never had another form to say this has been completed. And so, we kind of did the same thing as we did with the data practices request form, we did with the
citizens concern form, and that seemed to go uh very well. Um, I handed out uh early retirement stats for you. Uh, that program ended, well, it actually ends
June 30th, but uh, employees had until May 29th to submit their requests for early retirement. What you have in front of you is the seven people that took the early retirement. And let me explain that chart a little
bit. It was very difficult to figure out what the savings were because some people left earlier, some people aren't leaving till later or the not the replacements aren't maybe coming in till later in the year. Um I know social
services they're doing some things of moving people around. And so what I did with this chart is I took the people that that took advantage of the early retirement and anticipated their wages of what they would have been in 2027 had
they stayed there and took into account parah county contribution FICA Medicare and and paid leave and that total expense would have come up for those seven people of $890,250. Then what I did is I took if they were
replaced and if they were replaced on one July of this year, which is probably about right, some will be hired earlier, some will be hired later and then work them as they came in on that grade at step
two and then moved to step three in 2027, those total wages would have been $655,947. So, a savings of $234,33 minus the 67,200 that we paid out in um in the early
retirement uh program, leaving a total savings of 167, uh $13. So, that's a that's a pretty good estimate. um it's it's not pinpointed to exactly who left and who who replaced
that person because there's a lot of domino effects that happen. So um I just took it in 2027 what it would have been and then the people that we hire is is uh is taking their place. Um and also the
people that are leaving um they are under the grandfathered county contribution. everybody coming in next year or this year will be under the the county contribution for new employees. So there was a savings there as well. Um
so if there's any questions on that um just thought you might be interested in what the early retirement program did for us this year. I have I have one question for the 2027 anticipated wages for new employers hired July 1st of
2026. Is that for 18 months then or is that >> Yeah. No. What that number there is um what I took them is if they were hired in July 1, they would be hired at step one. >> What I did was I started them at step
two because they would get a step they would start 2027 at step two. So then I took step two and step three because that's a six-month step. So that's what those numbers reflect. >> So that number reflects for 2027. >> Yes.
>> Numbers, not the six months of 2026. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> But you know when we look at this, we knew that the first year the savings wouldn't be as great because of the payout. >> Correct. >> Right. >> Correct. But going into the second year,
the savings is greater. >> Yeah. And that's why I kind of did the 2027, right? >> Because the 2026, um, even though all of the early retirement payments went out in 2026, I just said, "Okay, this is how much we paid in 2026. I applied it to the 2027."
But in reality, that's being applied this year when they leave. Another thing that this doesn't calculate and it and it goes to when when Quinn was here earlier and I um and it's something that I that I actually appreciated that they
did is they they looked at restructuring there had they had the ability to restructure and with that process and this doesn't take into account that with their restructuring not they they were added two new positions
>> correct >> that they probably would have come to us and asked for anyway out of need, >> but they were able to do it with the savings of this as well as uh still having one position not filled. >> Correct.
>> So, so there's there's some other savings in there besides this that that and I and I agree with you. It's it's it's hard to make a perfect calculation of it, >> but it I think I'm just Well, I'm I'm kind of surprised that we only had
seven. I thought we would have >> I I anticipated 10, so I was a little shy. >> Yeah. All right. Very good. Thank you. >> Um and also, uh I will have to say that in my 15 years here, um knowing
Commissioner Campbell's heart and soul was put into that diversion project, and that's only for 15 years I've seen that. Um, I just want to congratulate you and and that award that you got was very welld deserved for the amount of work that you put into that diversion
project. So, just wanted to say that publicly. >> Thank you. >> And that concludes my report. >> I'd appreciate if you bring that plaque in. >> I'd like to see the plaque. I hope you can bring it. >> Well, the the plaque is really nice, but
what's nicer is the metal. >> Okay. Yes. >> Yeah. >> But I'll I'll try to remember to bring it next time. >> Yeah. Very good. Um Sarah, anything? All right. Any other business before we
return? Hearing none, we're returned.