--------- That's not Everybody, it's 8:30. I will call this morning's meeting of the Klay County Board of Commissioners to order for Tuesday, July 15th. Our first item is the approval of the agenda. And under the consent, we do have three items and
administrator license would like to just make a brief comment on item A. Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. As you recall, earlier this year, the board uh took a look at our Riperian Aid funds and designated uh designated those dollars into specific
categories for funding. Uh as part of that discussion, one of the questions were would the but board be notified if funds were spent out of that repair aid? Uh to which uh the at the presentation we said that they would. And so um what what we're looking to do in with the
riparian aid moving forward would be we have two commissioners that are part of that committee. Uh that we would reach out to them and ask them if they support the utilization of that based on the criteria that this board established. Uh and then if if they did approve of that
funding rather than bringing the committee together and uh bringing our staff and paying a pdeium uh we would bring that towards toward the to the consent agenda item. It would also then serve the point of of keeping uh showing how that riparian aid out of which
category that it was being spent for our documentation. Um and so uh with with that uh we have that on the consent agenda this morning. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer. All right.
All right. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? I'll make that motion. Second. Motion by Commissioner Bear, second by Commissioner Abinger. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I.
I. Oppose. The same. Motion carried. Our next item is citizens to be heard. Do we have any citizens to be heard on items not on the agenda in the audience? And I'm assuming we have none online. None online, Mr. Chair. Next, we have the approval of bills and
vouchers. All for approval. Second. Motion by Commissioner Mojo. Second by Commissioner Krabanoff. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by
saying I. I. I. oppose the same motion carried. Approval of minutes from July 1st. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from Tuesday, July 1st, 2025. Second. Motion by Commissioner Bear, 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. All right, we'll move into our 835 item. request approved to hire a full-time
deputy sheriff due to resignation. Good morning, Sheriff. Good morning, Mr. Chair, commissioners. Thanks for having me here this morning. I am here to request to uh replace a deputy who has uh indicated that uh he is going to be leaving the sheriff's
office after 17 years. Be Deputy Lee is going to go into the private sector. Uh we are happy for Deputy Lee. We're sad for us, but uh we wish him the very best in his next chapter in life. um he spent several years as our SRO up at Yulan hitter all school district and um he was
also one of our SWAT team negotiators. So it's a big loss for us but we're very happy for him. Um with this request you will find the wage calculator that was put in uh your packet as well and you can see that this is a $13,560 uh savings if we were to replace Deputy
Lee by December 1st. I don't know if we would be able to get somebody hired by that time. Um, we're still not getting um a lot of applications when we put when we put advertisements out there. Questions?
One question. Yes. With with the SRO up in Ulin, do you open that up to everybody in staff to apply for that position or how does that work? That is correct. Yeah, we will open that up in house for all the deputies to apply to see if there is somebody
interested in that position. All right, Commissioner Ever. Mr. Chair, I'll I'll make a motion to hire full-time deputy sheriff. I'll second that. Motion by Commissioner Everinger, second by Commissioner Bear. Any further
discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I oppose the same motion carried. And I did uh neglect to mention that in the um consent agenda, there was also another
donation that was made on behalf of the uh K9 program by John Cerno. Am I pronouncing? Okay. If I pronounce it right. But anyway, we certainly appreciate those uh contributions to the K9 program.
All right. Next we have um request approval of the purchase of cradle points for the sheriff's office. We got reinforcements up here for this one. Yeah. Well, this is the IT guy. He knows what he's doing. And the uh chief deputy put up a uh put up a good memo as it
pertains to how we're going to pay for this. What cradle points are is that they're uh they're like a Wi-Fi internet connection for our squad car. So, we would be able to replace our SIM cards that we currently have in our cars for this. They're going to dramatically increase our uploading of squad car
videos. Um, with the cradle points, we would be able to upload our squad car videos from anywhere within Klay County where currently we have to have deputies drive back to the law enforcement center or our southside storage to be able to download videos. Uh we have been running
into some issues lately to where those videos haven't been downloading in a timely manner and then we're not able to get those videos to the county attorney's office, the city attorney's office or court. Um and then that causes kind of a disruption in the court service with our county attorney and
everything. So, this is to streamline some things, make things a lot more efficient, um, not only within the sheriff's office, but for it, for the county attorney's office, for courts, um, in in hopes that these will work as they should. So, what would happen is
when the deputy stops their video in their car, it'll automatically upload into the cloud. Um, thus having hopefully we won't get a bunch of videos sitting in the queue. And then like I said, wherever they're at, they're able to download those videos. So if you get
something that happens at the end of their shift, um maybe one one deputy is coming into town to transport somebody to the correctional facility, the other two deputies are heading home, their videos are going to upload as they're driving home, and we'd have them right away in the morning. Um its cost per
unit is about $2,231. That is for five years. We pay about $200 per year for the net cloud service per unit. Um, and the other $1,200 would be for the equipment and things of that nature. Um, again, we'd be able to
remove our SIM cards from our vehicles. We pay about uh $1,000 to $1,100 per month um for those SIM cards. So, that would be a potential of a $12,000 savings there. And then I would uh I'll turn it over to the chief deputy if he
wants to review uh how we would pay for it. And then if Rory has anything as well after, what we looked at was we knew we had four positions this year that went either unfilled or partially unfilled for the year and we did up worksheets for each of those positions to see what
the the net savings would be for the 2025 fiscal year. Um when we looked at Deputy Lee who will be leaving, we also had to look at or subtract the payout that was going to be going to him for his vacation and leave time. Um so those
numbers should be actual dollars um according to the worksheets that we'd be looking at savings for for the year of 2025 um which is almost 75,000 so well well above the amount that would be needed to cover the costs for the next five years for the cradle points. We
would take it look to take it out of this year's budget to pick up those cradle points. Correct. The the other thing that that the sheriff didn't mention was the amount of time that Rory staff has been putting into this and the amount of time that our deputies are taking when it's when it's not working. They're coming
into the station or going to self storage to do these uploads and they have to wait there at times hours to get a few videos to to upload. Um these would keep essentially our deputies out on the streets and in the public for more time for the year.
Mr. Is there a um was there an advantage by paying the or paying the five years in advance or was that the only option available? That was the only option available through code 4. We could do you have a Yes,
I'm sorry. We could do a three-year option as well, but for for less of a cost, but the fiveyear seems to be probably the better way for us at this point. Okay. Ry, did you have a comment? Uh just uh one other uh addition here. just uh from speaking to other counties,
it seems like the uh cellular signal of these devices is improved out on the road as well versus the uh internal SIM card on the laptops that we have in the squads. So, that's that's one more benefit to going with this solution. Okay, Commissioner Mojo. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Sheriff
and staff, for pulling this together. I think there's so many variables here that really uh point to this being probably the best case scenario for not only the department but Rory's department and um you know I I really think that we need to honor staff when
they have uh when their off time is. And so it's it gets tricky when all of a sudden you're requiring folks to come in when they're not on shift for several hours to make sure this is done. And I know there's an overlap too with um the attorney's office uh and with the courts
things that are needed maybe uh the next day. So uh certainly um when it comes down to the financial point it makes uh seems to make the most sense. So I would make a motion to approve uh the request as presented. I'll second that. Right. We have a motion by Commissioner
Mojo, second by Commissioner Bear. Any further discussion? Just just one comment. Yes, Commissioner. This makes sense also that most of our deputies live in rural Klay County. So instead of having them drive into Morhead every day to upload those pictures, it makes sense that they
can do it when they're making more being present in the community. So any further discussion? I think our county attorney would be appreciative of this as well for your purposes.
Yes, Mr. Chair. I join in with everything that Sheriff's talked about. It definitely will help us and help make sure we're getting things timely. So, very good. Thank you. All right. Anything else? All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I.
Oppose the same sign. Motion carried. All right. Very good. Thank you. Thank you. Next we have a request to hire a motor greater operator. We have another resignation. Yes. Good morning. So the item I have
today is requesting approval to hire a motorgrader operator due to a reason recent resignation. Um this is a budgeted position and as per union policy, this position would have to be posted internally for 5 days. So, I don't have it on the uh board agenda
information sheet, but I would be looking for backfill in case somebody does internally apply for it. I'll make a motion to approve the hiring of motor grade operator with second motion by Commissioner Kraov,
second by Commissioner Bear. Any further discussion on the motion? Further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I oppose the same sign. Motion carried. All right. Thank you, Justin. Thank you. Next, we have a request approval to
replace registered nurse position in public health. Morning, Kathy. Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. Um this is a request to replace a nurse position um that is soon
to be vacated. Um this individual has only been here since 2022. So there wouldn't be um a whole lot of savings. You see the um salary calculation as it's being handed out, but there wouldn't be a lot of um
savings. We're finding that um we need to negotiate sometimes starting on step one, especially nurses if they have any amount of experience. Um that's a that's a hard sell. Um so it's a budgeted
position um in our adult health program. One question. Yes, Commissioner B. How many nurses are we trying to hire right now in your department? Six. Would this be number six or number seven? Number six.
And how long have we been trying? Um for a few months. We did hire one nurse so far, but um it's pretty difficult when we have quite a few openings. Yeah. Okay. With that, I'll make a motion to advertise and hire a full-time
registered nurse position for public health. Second. Have a motion by Commissioner Er, second by Commissioner Ebinger. Um, so is this a is this a RN position?
Correct. RN. No. Um, are we filling in at all with um LPN's or um in the programs of adult health and our family health? Um we cannot use LPNs. In detox we can use the LPN but we
cannot use those in these programs. There you go. All right. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppos the same. I we have 41.
All right. Next uh next we have the budget presentation from Barnesville Ambulance. Make sure it's green. It's green. Hit the button. There you go. I'm Averil Whiteford, the director of Barnesville Ambulance. Uh you guys probably haven't met me yet. I've only
been the director for about two years now. So, um, I was coming to you guys because, as you probably have heard around the area, all ambulance services are kind of struggling in North Dakota, Minnesota, and around the country with
their budgets. Uh, Marsville Ambulance is no exception. Thankfully, we do have a lot of community support compared to most ambulance services, some of which are actually shutting down, but we still do have quite a few struggles and struggles to find volunteers.
Well, I was just going to give you a brief introduction. This is Brad. He was our EMT of the year for 2024. Uh, he was volunteering for us for the last 13 years. Our volunteers staff was making $1 an hour for the last 13 years. We
have actually moved from that $1 an hour to all paid staff within the last year, which is going to be the biggest difference in our budget. We don't have many people like Brad Left who are willing to volunteer for that $1 an hour. People don't have the time and they don't have the money to give those
resources anymore. Um, we were established in 1966 and we've been providing services for the whole southern half of Klay County for the last 59 years. Our medical director is the same as Sanford Ambulance, Dr. uh Jason Van Bevelinberg from the Sanford
ER. Um, so for me, we have me, the ambulance director. We have six community educators on our department and two more that will be added at the end of this month. We have two EMRs, 19 EMTs, 11
paramedics, and four peer support staff for us. Yes. Are all those paid paid positions? Um yes, they are paid positions, but we
only pay people to staff 24 hours a day to staff like to staff the ambulance. So that's the only fully paid position, is it? That's the only fully paid position. So these community educators, they're donating their time. Um they get paid, but they get paid
based off of they only get paid for jobs that we get paid for. like if they teach a CPR class or things like that, but they actually bring in more money than they So if like so like community ed, if I will, if if community ed puts on a a
training class, they're getting paid during that time to put on, you know, the the workup to the class and the actual class, but then oftent times that's recouped by what community. That's always more than recouped by what community ed does. Uh all of our
community ed money actually goes towards supplementing the ambulance service. Okay. Um as well as we have several ways. I'll go into that further in the presentation, but our community education, our standbys, and basically anything we do extra
goes back into supplementing the actual ambulance service and our actual work. There are things that we've picked up to try and supplement the costs of what we do. So, we provide 247 911 response. Um, we
have ALS availability greater than 90% of the time. We provide community education and CPR for daycarees, healthcare providers, and local youth groups in our community. We do EMR and EMTT training programs in the area. Uh,
refresher courses for safety officers at local companies. Refresh refresher courses for local fire, rescue, and PD. babysitting safety preparation courses and all of the money from those courses goes back into the ambulance and helping us keep our doors open. Uh peer support
our peer support teams that is a volunteer service that we have where we offer immediate diffusings and debriefings and re sources for our emergency staff and the community after critical incidences. And then we also cover many special events that help supplement our income
such as the rollog steam threshers reunion, the Fargo Forest Youth Tournament, hockey tournaments here, FM Derby Girls Meets, uh local concerts, potato days, the Klay County Fair, and many others. Any events that we can pick up to try and supplement our income, we
try and do that. Uh we do the upkeep of the Barnesville emergency sirens as all as well. We provide continuing education for Sabin Fire, Holly Hurt, Cardinal Glass and others. We do provide mutual aid for Samford and Pelican Ambulance. We do
other ambulance services as well, but those are the two most frequent. We cover 442 square miles within Klay County and Wil County. It's just a tiny section of Wilin County. It's mostly all in Clay, but we do have a small section of Wilin County as well.
One question there. nothing in Ottertale or do you supply also cover some in Ottertale County? Um we don't officially have anything in Ottertale. I think we cover like half a mile once we go over um towards Ross say just a teeny tiny
bit but it's not enough to even add to our coverage spare mileage. Uh we do sometimes though do mutual aid there. Jenny did Yeah. I just wanted to follow up on that seen though that you offer aid with Pelican Rapids Rescue. I mean, isn't that's
that's if they request us. So, that is something that is actually set by the state. Um, we have to have for our PSAs, everybody has to have mutual aid agreements with certain other ambulance services where you allow people to come into your territory. Um, so in the state
of Minnesota, you have a set PSA that you are required to cover by the government and nobody else, like if you were in an ambulance and you happen to be going through a PSA, you can't pick up somebody there just because you see an accident happen in front of you and you're the closest. You can't just help
that person. That's against the law. So, we have like preset agreements where we can call Pelican and be like, "Oh, hey, I was bringing somebody to Fergus and on our way back, we saw this accident. Do you want us to pick this person up?" Or they could be like, "We were already on
an accident and we've got like five patients here. We don't have enough ambulances. Can you come and pick one of them up?" Just things like that. So, it's not a super frequent event. It's just an occasional when they ask us to. So without trying to jump too far ahead into your I mean I think we're
we're here so maybe I might ask this question given what the response area is and and given those PSAs and also given deficits in regards to um budgets I know it's tricky. Has there been discussion with Sanford on a realignment on those
PSAs for Southern Klay County at all? Like you mean to have Sanford cover it? So, if I'm looking at this map that I don't know if our staff gave it or or you provided it to see what what the
coverage area for Sanford Ambulance for Klay County is and then what Barnesville Ambulances is. Have we Yes. I mean, has that been part of a dialogue with Sanford? Um, Sanford has no interest in that. Yes, we have talked to Samford about that. They have no interest in taking
over our coverage area. It would be a tremendous cost to them. They already have uh tremendous costs that they've been trying to look at for covering their own service area such as Ulin Hitter Doll. Right now they when they
can they staff an ambulance in uh Glendon, but oftent times the response times out there is 40 minutes or more. Um and we don't want people waiting 40 minutes for an ambulance. That's why we're trying to keep our service going in the southern half of Klay County
because we are closer to a lot of things and we will oftentimes actually if Sanford asks we will even go into their Tor and provide coverage for them. Okay. Last follow-up question on that piece. If they ask to to cover is there a reimbursement rate from Sanford?
Yes. Thank you. Um, oh that's if sorry I should say that's if there is like if you were to do an intercept there's a reimbursement rate if you just cover someone's call you get
paid out for that call entirely and you do the billing for it I should say got its uh any other questions about that part okay uh so as far as actual towns We serve the towns of Barnesville, Baker,
and Roolog. Uh we cover 27.5 miles of the interstate from mile marker 10 to mile marker uh 37.5 near Rossi. Uh we work with Holly Emergency Rescue, Rosi, Pelican, and Sabin Rescues on
scenes sometimes as well as any of the local fire departments who show up to our scenes. Ah, how often we are needed. So, the last few years we've been needed around uh the high 300s to 400 times a year.
It's not incredibly often compared to how often Stanford is needed, but it is still fairly frequently for the members of our community. And that kind of gives you a breakdown there of the types of calls that we're getting. So, the black is going to be
calls that are uh Barnesville calls. The lighter blue is townships. The dark blue is on the interstate and then the tiny purple one is our mutual aid to Samford and the larger purple one are
transfers that we have added this last year to try and supplement our income because transfers do give more income than actual uh calls for service usually. I have a question there out of all I added it's about 411 calls
last year. How many of those are actually transports to the hospital that you came on the scene needed to get someone to the hospital? Um I have that I think further down but I believe it was
of all of that everybody was transferred to the hospital I believe it was only 277 were transferred to the hospital. There is um a variety of reasons not to transport people to the hospital between people uh refusing care and
self-transporting uh people no longer needing our care which is one of the things uh that probably is the biggest for us is we do a lot of onseen care where then we don't get reimbured for that. So ambulances
are considered transportation services still they're not actually considered medical services. So, we can't bill for medical services rendered. We can only bill for transportation. If we don't transport, we don't get to bill. We can bill like a tiny little $250 for showing
up, but that's about what we get for that call, which doesn't cover a lot of our more expensive calls. like uh if somebody were to have a diabetic reaction, we can go there and they're unresponsive, barely breathing, we have
to get out a bag, we have to breathe for them, we have to use oxygen, we have to start an IV, we have to give D10, maybe we have to give a glucagon shot, and those shots are almost $300 each. So, we're using all these medications. that
person comes back around. Um, their insurance usually isn't going to cover any of that if they want to go be admitted to the hospital and they'll know that unless they get admitted. If they're just going to the ER and they don't need anything, so half of them will be like, "No, no, I don't
want to go. I'll just eat a sandwich. I can manage my diabetes from here. I just couldn't do it because I was unconscious." Right? But then we're not transporting them. So, we're not getting reimbursed anything for that other than $250, which isn't even covering the one shot, let alone the bags, the IVs, the
gas for getting there, the time, any of that. You c you can't build that individual. No. Any of that? Do not only the 250. No. Uh that is a different thing that we have been working on with like legislation is getting us recognized as
a medical service instead of a transportation service, but that is a long ways down. As well as we've been working on unlike law enforcement and fire departments, you guys probably know we're not considered an essential service. So, we don't qualify for like
state and federal grants like law enforcement and fire departments do. So, that has been like the biggest thing that's holding EMS back from getting funding and keeping themselves going moving forward. Isn't there um Steve, isn't there some
recent legislation though that uh they could qualify for? Yeah, there this legislative session there were some different issues or different things that that were passed along for deficit operating deficits. I think uncompensated care pools and uh earn while you'll earn grants and I did pass
that pass that it on Barnesville. Yeah, I did see that and hopefully that will be something that will start to help us here with some of our deficits, but we're already pretty far behind. That is going to be something that might help us in the future as we get along and as we get
more of it, but there's going to need to be a lot more legislation before ambulance services will start being functional. Um, with that being said too, another one of our biggest one is cardiac arrest. If we go to a cardiac arrest, we're going
there and we're using our monitors, we're putting on pads, we're intubating the patient. There's nothing that can be done for most cardiac arrests in the hospital that we can't do on scene anymore with the technology that has advanced in our care. So, we can go
there and we can do everything that can be done in the hospital. And if it ends up that we call it on scene because we've done everything that can be done and the person isn't going to survive, well, then it's not a transport. But we're not going to transport that person and then just leave the family with the
bill because that's unfair to them. So, we're going to leave them on scene and then we just eat that cost for whatever happened with that patient. And those can be tremendous bills with those. So, that is something
that has cost us a lot over the years. And that's something that we have to look at more legislation, but that's part of why we're growing more and more deficit is we can't bill for a lot of the services that we do that are our most highric services. April,
you when you uh I'm sorry, when you have your you mentioned like you might have to use some um diabetic um procedures that cost you a lot of money. Are there you have access to
um discounted prices for that stuff or or where do you where do you get that? Yes. So we have access to discounted prices compared to what most people pay. We're not paying like what most people are paying. We get most of our medications through the Sanford
pharmacy. Actually, they're very Samford Ambulance in Sanford in general has been very good to us as a rural service and has helped us to keep our doors open. They're actually Sanford Ambulance is very good to a lot of rural services and helping them. They call us their sis,
their sister service all the time. And we get our most of our medications through their pharmacy because even like the places that most ambulances get theirs, they cannot price match what Sanford will do for us. Um, however,
some stuff is just still very expensive. Just a quick question, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Ariel. In that in that email that I sent you, there was a there was a link that uh for a for a web meeting that talked about the the funding. Were you able to participate in that web meeting? No, I ended up getting a call on the day
of that meeting. I w really wanted to do it, but I was not able to participate. That's the problem with rural services is I'm almost always on call. So, if a call comes out, there I go. Um, ready for the next one? This is a
breakdown of uh kind of what you guys I think were asking before where this is calls that are actually in the town of Barnesville versus calls that are in the county versus calls that we get outside of the county in like Wilin, Ottertale,
other places. Just that little, as you can see, we kind of have expanded there in 2024. So, that's mostly our transfers. Um, like I said, we're doing transfers out of Detroit Lakes and Fergus Falls now, trying to supplement our income because those do pay more
money than actual calls. And we're obviously always transporting transfers, so we can always bill for them. So, so I have a question there. So, if you're doing a transfer, say from Detroit Lakes to Fargo, and you have a call in Barnesville, what happens then?
So, we only send transfers to a second crew. So, our primary staffing is always staffed. Uh, when we get the opportunity to do a transfer, we page it out and if there's other people who are not on call who are available, they can take our
secondary truck and do that transfer. And our primary truck is always within our PSA. All right. Okay. So, and then this is kind of a breakdown of the last few years of what
everybody has been paying to help supple supplement our service. So, this is what we were getting uh from financing our taxes. As you can see, we've significantly raised our taxes the last couple years in the city of Barnesville.
That's why we were asking for so much. I know that you guys probably noticed it was quite an increase from what we have asked from you guys in the past. Um, kind of hoping to keep that uh what we're getting from the townships, what we're getting from you guys at like the 25%ish
range of what we overall get. So, we're not asking so much from just the citizens of Barnesville among these people. Can I ask a question? I've only had one cup of coffee, so the numbers aren't numbering here for me. Can you explain
like the 160,000 300,000? What is what does that mean? Okay. So, the 160,000 is the uh taxes that came from the city of Barnesville in 2024 and then the 300,000
is the taxes that are coming that are already coming in 2025 and that we expect to continue to come in 2026 because we're hoping not to double them again in 206. So, these are levy dollars. Yes. that
are being appropriated for each entity there, right? Yes. Okay. Or these are just for the ambulance, correct? Yes. My my question there is if you look at why why are we picking up more of the tab
other than the the city of Barnesville should be picking up just the same same percentage we have. Why why are we getting hit hit with that bill and the city of Barnesville isn't having an increase. Uh the city of Barnesville is the one that's at 300,000.
The 25,000 is the townships. I know, but if you look at last year's was 300,000 for Barnesville at 84%. Yeah. This year that you're asking for for 26 is 300,000 at 75%. That's because uh
last year we had uh doubled theirs from 160 to 300,000 and to 300,000 and we had asked you guys for an increase which had been denied. Um can I came to ask for it this Okay. And maybe if I might, I guess
where where maybe the confusion I see that you're trying to get the pie closer to what 2024 was, but I think it was 2022 or one. We went from 10,000 to 30,000, right? 2022.
Okay, that's correct. I think basically they've been asking for like a,000 each year for they hadn't been putting our budget into it at all. They had just been nobody had been looking at the budget. I just started here like two years ago started looking at the budget.
Before that they were just like, "Oh, Klay County sometimes gives us money. Let's ask them for a thousand. Ask them for a thousand." And that's what they were doing. Okay. And then ask and we were just paying our deficit of $70,000 or more a year.
Okay. Is what was happening. Okay. So I So I have a question going back You've you've turned everybody into full-time that goes on calls. Um, we've turned them into part-time. Parttime. How if Holly Hurt, Ulin
Rescue, Felton Rescue, they can find volunteers to staff their rescue squads? How are you guys having a tough time finding those volunteers? They're not transporting ambulance services. They're rescue squads. I know, but they they still have volunteers for all those positions.
They do not. I don't know if you've talked to them, but they I just was at a meeting yesterday with Felton with Felton. They They have a fully staffed rescue squad. Are you talking about fire? Are you talking about their rescue squad? Rescue squad. Their rescue squad. Cuz I know people on their rescue squad
and they have been talking to me about their struggles. I guess they still have they still have a fully volunteer staff there that goes out to calls and waits for Sanford to show up to I I guess on Sanford we often go to Felton and they don't have anybody
available to go to scenes to meet us. We usually meet one of the deputies on scene. I have rarely seen a felt and volunteer show up to a call, but that um I don't know, I guess without going
up and talking to them personally. That's a good question. I'm I'm just saying can you said you're having a tough time finding volunteers for this? Yes. As Lzo is the largest city out of the metro and you guys are having a tough time finding volunteers, so you're going to
go part-time paid positions. Yes. A jump of $45,000 is quite a bit for everybody in the county to pick up that tab and double taxing the city of Barnesville and the townships on that. Well, we were already doing that before
we were doing the part-time. We had to do that before we were doing the part-time. the part-time we're actually supplementing with all the other things that we've been picking up such as the transfers, the um CPR courses, other things like
that. We're trying very hard to supplement, but we're going to if we can't we couldn't staff our ambulance. If we can't staff it, we're going to lose our PSA. If we lose our PSA, it's a 40minute drive for people who are in
cardiac arrest. If you have a cardiac arrest and it's 40 minutes till someone gets there, you're not surviving. No, I I understand that. That just is what it is. You can say that Felton is staffing if you want to, but I am on Sanford
Ambulance as well and I go to those calls. They're not showing up on the calls. So, all right. You you want to continue with your Yes. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, I'm sorry, Dave. I didn't see your hand up there.
Have you discussed an increase from Holl or from uh Barnesville? Have you have you asked to work that into your budget or are they going to stay static at 300,000? Um, I think for this year they'll probably stay static at 300,000 for this
year just because we did have that large increase last year. Um, and we're hoping to just try and supplement our income with that and see how it goes and see at the end of this year if we can get that all working
together. And are the townships in any way uh is there any kind of discussion on that? Yes. Um, we actually met with the townships and they were all very receptive. So, the townships in the past when you guys were talking about your budget, they actually were only paying I
think like four or 5,000 in the past. So, we've also increased them quite a bit as you could see from that last slide. Um, and they have actually asked to pay more after we had this meeting with them. And so they were willing to do that and we
were going to negotiate something with them this fall before their budget. And again, you know, there was a lot of work in public safety to get some legislation through. Um, have you familiarized yourself enough to where you can apply for the
funding that is coming from the state? Yes. So, you've got an application in or I don't have my application in yet, but we already we put our application in for the last one that came uh this last year that covered
oh I think like 70% of a new ambulance for us because our one ambulance had broken down. Um that's another part of our budget is just covering an ambulance. One ambulance is close to $1.5 million completely stocked.
Thankfully, our ambulances are stocked, but they're still quite expensive and keeping up our materials is quite expensive. This meeting is just about meeting our deficits. In theory, we would also like to buy things and keep
up our equipment in the future to not just meet our deficits. Okay. Thank you. Chair. Yes. Just a quick question. April, several years ago, um when the when the request
came in from Barnesville, I did get a document that came that broke down um the county, Wilin County, Klay County, and then townships. It looks like it was based on some valuations and and then your budget was broken down uh on a percentage based on that valuation. Is
that still how it's done or it Yeah. Okay. All right. Um, this is just a quick overview of kind of what day of the week and what time of day we're getting calls. Mostly always the same except for that 2 a.m. we're only getting we're getting probably the least amount of
calls in that time frame. Uh, this is the top five reasons in 2024 when we broke down that we were needed. Um our top reason was acute uh injury due to traumas mostly falls and motor vehicle accidents as we do have uh nursing home
in our area. We do have a lot of falls and then we have that large area of the interstate. So we do have a lot of motor vehicle accidents as well as highway 9. We cover a good portion of that. Uh the next one was sepsis, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and seizures for
our most frequent requests for service this year. Our top five medications we gave were uh fentanyl, epinephrine, zopran, albuterol, and versed, which kind of goes along that same line of reasons we
were called. Uh we administered 156 medications, placed 114 IVs, did 119 12 leads, uh 37 pain management patients, seven advanced airway placements such as intubations or eye gels, three CPAP
placements, and three IO placements. In 2024, we build out $654,314 for service and we've collected around $248,75521 of that. We had to write off $330 or $330,164.34
in Medicare and Medicaid discounts and other insurance discounts. So that is another thing that we have. Uh Medicare and Medicaid as I'm sure you are aware have set discounts that they basically demand of people.
Other insurance companies go by the same discounts as Medicare and Medicaid by default. Companies such as Samford will negotiate some of those and get a little bit higher rate from some of the other insurance companies. However, we don't
have the ability to do that because we can say, "Okay, well, Barnesville Ambulance won't cover your services then and they don't care." Whereas, if Sanford's like, "Well, we won't cover you in any Sanford facilities." They do care about that, but they don't care if Barsville Ambulance says that. So, we
don't have the negotiation power that larger ambulance services do. So basically, everybody gets the same write offs as Medicare and Medicaid, which is once again something that they've been working on in legislation to try and change a little bit. I don't think it's
been getting very far recently, but it is what it is. Um $40,988 has gone to collections in 2024. We have moved to the majority of paid staff in December of 2024.
Anyhow, uh we appreciate any continued support that we get from you and any other questions. I I know I can't um ask you to explain how Sanford does things, but just looking at this chart and we look at the
so we basically in in Klay County we have two different emergency medical um providers and one is Barnville Ambulance and one is Sanford Ambulance. Sanford Ambulance uh does not ask Klay
County for any funding. Is that is that all based on um their ability to bill? Is there something different that what's the process that's different for them? Do you know? Uh so like you saw our 400 and some
calls a year. Uh Sanford ambulance gets about 40,000 calls a year. So that is probably one of the biggest differences for them um for meeting their budget goals. Uh as well as they have the hospital
backing them. Uh they do interfacility transfers. I don't know if you've ever gone to Sanford, you've heard about somebody getting sent from the ER to Broadway. They get paid from Sanford for every patient that goes from the ER to
Broadway that goes from the one Samford account through the Sanford ambulance account. Like really helps with their call volume. Okay. And can you tell me how long these service areas have been in existence? I I I'm looking at some of
the Barnesville ambulance um area and it and it seems like there's an an awful lot of it that's much closer to um Sanford Fargo than it is to Barnesville.
Um I don't know about that. It's been in existence since 1966. I don't think that there's anything that's closer to Sanford than it is to Barnesville, though. As a matter of fact, some of Sanford's is actually closer
to Barnesville than it is to Samford. Like I know I can get to their Yulan hitter doll territory in about 25 minutes and it takes them almost 40. Um, and their closest posting
to our territory is either going to be post one, which is going to be in Fargo on 25th Street and I 94, or it's going to be post two, which is going to be here in North Morehead, right?
Or well, south technically just south of by the Hornbuckers. I think that far west boundary of yours um if they have the ability to jump on 29 and go south I I do think there that's when I had asked that question
earlier about reooking at that PSA that's that corner that seems to be curious to me as to why they've not I 94 at mile marker 11. Um, no. If you just um the far west side kind of you know that county 7
west is I94 at mile marker 11. Pardon? Our farthest west is I94 and mile marker 11. Not on County 7. No, I'm looking at down 7 on 40th Street south. Way west. Oh, you're talking about outside of
Comtock. Yeah. Uh we can take So the city of Barnesville is right here and we go out that way. That's about uh less than 15 minute drive for us. Right. I'm saying it's curious to me
that Sanford hasn't been willing to pick that something like that up. If you look at their broader coverage to the greater closest post to that is going to be post one which is 25th Street and I 94.
That's still going to be over a 20 minute drive. I've done a lot of calls in Comtock. It takes me about 23 minutes to get there from post one. Even Yeah. So, wait. But do you work for Sanford Ambulance as
well? Yes. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, first of all, I just want to preface by saying I had a kid that was in one of your ambulances this weekend and I just want to say that uh, sorry to hear that professionalism. He's fine, but the
professionalism and the care was uh, uh, high standards. So, congratulations on that. I appreciate the service that you provide to Klay County and I'm I'm really grateful for that. With that said, I'll also say that um I know nationwide there are many counties that
have ambulance deserts and so that's something that um you know rural residents are painfully aware of and grateful that Klay County doesn't have such a desert. So I I I know that that's hard to continue that level of service
given the the climate of reimbursement rates and insuranceances and and uh refusal to transport all of those pieces. Um I am going to say that uh you know it's a really tricky budget time and you'll
you'll hear in the upcoming um presentations that there's a great amount of uncertainty about what budgets federal uh decisions mean for our budgets locally and there are going to be some really difficult decisions here. And to that, Klay County has been really
active in lobbying for changes in legislation that will allow services like yours to continue. So, I'm glad that I think you've worked with Senator Coop and Representative Joy on those pieces uh statewide, but um this really needs to be a dialogue that you're
meeting with Fishbach and really um and the city of Barnesville to talk with her about how if something isn't changed drastically, how that will affect many agencies kind of like yours uh in
regards to the financial stability moving forward. Um, I'm kind of a a creature of uh old like to read old minutes and so I um spent some time reading this board's minutes
from 200789 um in regards to the funding for Barnesville Ambulance and and where we thought the priority was and how it would look sustainably moving forward. Um back then there was a smaller amount uh of funds that were allocated as
you've talked about. Um and that any there was a set amount and then any additional overage would come from some unanticipated revenue the un unanticipated revenues at the end of the year and that um the county board would be view the county asked would be viewed
as something kind of not a large percentage of what your operating margins were but kind of that additional maybe piece that would help keep it afloat. and that the priority really was on the city of Barnesville because it
was such a a a heavy pe um the the calls for services were so heavy in the city and and I understand and appreciate that you've asked for the townships. The townships have been gracious in that you've asked from the city. Um, I am gonna say that I it the
ask this year is really hard for me personally just because we hear so much from Sabin Fire and Rescue and Holly Hurt and Ulin and I I get that they're different components. Don't get me wrong, I get.
But it's always been easier to justify that it's a small, you know, you're covering a third of the county and there's a the the levy pieces here, but to almost or more than double what it is in one year is just really going to be hard. um that you know that's that said
I I know there's different financial avenues that we can try to find funding for and and and and be part of dialogues but um I I often around this desk look at partnerships and I think we've viewed Barnesville
Ambulance as really a partnership over the years. I know that you're a great partner to our our sheriff's department in regards to um helping meet that need. Uh and I I also view working with the city of Barnesville as a partnership.
And I know we're part of dispass dispatch partnershipships with them and other partnerships with them. And and in order for us to meet this ask, we're really going to need them to meet us at the other ask with dispatch 2. And um it
really um encompasses what the need of our entire county is. Um and so we need to have more of a dialogue outside of this room about that partnership uh in order for me as a commissioner to vote
for what this ask for the partnership is. Thank you. Yeah. I just um you know this ask it's a it's 114% increase is what is what this really is and it's uh um that's that's significant
um and I when I look at the pie chart and I and I see that you know Barnesville itself is remains the same as the previous year. I I understand that two years prior to that they they took a significant hit, but we also took a 200%
uh increase from I believe it was 2022 to 2023. You know, at the county level, we went from 10,000 to 30,000. That's you know, that's a that's those are big numbers. And you know, um fortunately, you know,
Barnesville is doing well. they're growing and uh their tax base increases and um yeah, so I we we're going to have to have some strong and I do want to uh like Commissioner Mojo said, part of a lot of the things that uh we as a board
make decisions on are are partnerships in a lot of areas. Um, and when you know if if we can assist in one area, then we're maybe looking for them to assist in another area. And another one that
Commissioner Mojo just brought up was dispatch. and and you know, there was several years ago now that that um Barnesville was involved with the equation for helping with dispatch and and now they're coming out and saying that that they don't want
to be part of that anymore. and you know, so we have to we have to weigh all of these things um u as we look financially at at a county level and how we're how we're dealing with things. So, but I I you know, we'll
we'll take your request under submission. Um we um obviously we set our preliminary levy in September and usually once we get to that level um we certainly can go down
but we can't go up and so um we should have an answer for you on your request by September. Is it the end of end of September? End of September. That sounds good. I appreciate you guys. Listen, I know it's a huge ask and any
amount you can do is helpful. That's just my dream number. Don't think that I'm very good. Um, so can I just ask what's this dispatch that you you said bronz dispatch commissioner you want to?
Yeah, we have have been discussed we have a lot of partnerships where we provide funding for various things to city of Barnesville. Uh one of the things that is expected from our rural cities is that they help in paying uh
for the overall cost and is proportionate to the their use uh for the funding that we need to keep the Red River Regional Dispatch Center going. And there is a discussion right now and feelings from the city of Barn Barnesville that in our partnership we
should be responsible for the entire amount. Um the levy that the county puts together every year to tax all the citizens Klay County is not something that we take
lightly. And as costs increase on our citizens, we don't want to double tax them by leaving the funding that Barnesville's got on their levy static
and allowing and opening up some of the payments like to the dispatch center for them to use on other things. And then we have to raise our levy and hence tax all the citizens of Klay County uh for for basic needs like
dispatch centers. We're certainly trying to support proportionally your operation which is critical and we think it's important to fund it but we have other things that we need to fund and if the costs on those increase
in Barnesville or that the costs that they expect us to to absorb in operations within Barnesville that money has to come from somewhere and that impacts on our ability to increase and indeed even maintain some of the funding
levels that we currently have. We can't just keep slapping it to the property holders of the entire county to just support essential services that we expect some at a more local level some assistance in meeting. So that's the
issue right now with with the dispatch center. uh you know we we certainly I think recognize the need for your ambulance service in the area of the county. It does and that's reflected in the amount of money we've we've given in the past
and I hope we can maintain a level of support that's commensurate with the partnership we have with the city of Barnesville. Uh but that's a two-way street. And just to echo what both the chair and and commissioner Mojo said, that's something we have to determine during
the budget. Yeah. So, sorry, this is the first time hearing about the dispatch. Yeah. Okay. And and you're and it's I hadn't heard about it's probably out of your realm of needing to know, you know, for for what you do. And again, we
certainly appreciate the service that that Barnesville Ambulance provides. and and it becomes um you know it's and again Commissioner Abri just talked about Commissioner Mojo just talked about it and and as a county we try to
collaborate as much as we can with our local units of government. And when we do that, we establish criteria on how we might share in funding of many different things. And we base a lot of our
decisions on that collaboration on a holistic picture. And when somebody wants to all of a sudden start yanking something out of one portion of that, it kind of it kind of changes everything else.
And you know, so I think that's why we need to be very careful when we start uh having entities want to want to all of a sudden make changes to um percentages going from say a you know
30% share to zero. Uh and then we're left holding that bag and and it's kind of like the what the state does to us. Commissioner Kraov. Yeah. Thanks for all the comments. The
only thing I'm uh I'd like to add is that I think just to know more what the new legislation is going to do for you. I think that's really important. So we find out your efficiencies, areas of
concern in the future, how that's going to be helping you. I mean, obviously that was a new chunk of money that was just put out, and it'd be nice to know how that does affect you before uh in the next couple months. Yeah,
that'd be really helpful in and uh positioning ourselves with you. Absolutely. And I can send in a letter once I know more about how much because I would and if you need if you
before September If you need help with something like that, maybe look look to that guy there. He might be able to if he can't help you, he may be able to find somebody that can in terms of the application process. And Mr. Chair, I did find that that they did record record that webinar on Jan or
July 1st. So, I did forward that to you. Very good. Yeah. Well, thank you for your presentation and and we will we will be in touch and there there may be additional questions moving forward. So, absolutely reach out anytime. I might be
on a call, but I'll get back to you when I can. Very good. All right. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Next, we have the Soil and Water Conservation District. Good morning, Kevin. You want to share your budget with us?
Why Tony and I are here this morning. So, yes. Um, we're pleased to be on your agenda and thank you for allowing us to be on on again. And these things seem like they come around more than once a year, don't they? My hard to believe that they go fast. Anyway, you all know I think that we are
a very small office. Um, we survive on state grants, self-generated programs like our tree program, our no tail drill program rental uh that we do to land owners, but also on your allocation which is which keeps us afloat. I'm going to look at the expense side first.
Um, expenses are salaries and benefits for this coming year. We follow the county's cost of living adjustment. And when I supplied this uh proposal to um Steve over there, um Kevin, yes,
we we do not have the handout you're referring to. If we could get this that. Yeah, you got it. No, that's for theensor. Which handout? You're referring to something there, right? I had I have these and I gave I had sent
this to Steve some time ago, but Oh, he I'm sorry. It's all right. Just before you get too deep into it, I understand. Looking around wondering what you're talking about. Yep. Me, too. Sometimes. Let's stop it now and get it. Sure. printed out.
Yeah, that's fine. For as much paper as we got today, you're going to probably have to plant some more trees. Well, we that that is our business. Yeah, we actually we just finished up putting our last we put matting on the trees basically as a weed barrier. We finished up our last job yesterday. So
Tony, Alyssa, and Dylan um we've had trouble down in that comtock area and that heavy rains and that heavy clay soil, it is really is tough stuff. So anyway, good to get that season behind us. I don't know in all the years I've been here, I don't think we've ever gone into July. So, here we are. It's middle
of July and so it's time to get done and when it get to be 90° outside, you want to be done. Yeah. So, you were saying while Steve's you were you were talking about your sal you're basing your salaries off of what the county does and that's you know our cost of living
adjustments. We have followed those uh what what you folks have done for years and I know of course we haven't set that yet. That's that's where is I was going right away because I know you know we also have our insurance through a different company than what you folks do and I know that's an issue with your all your
nine unions that you're dealing with. Um I was was basically not privy to that you guys are holding off on those at this time for your department. So, ours went in with with that uh with the five with the 3% cost of living adjustment is what tentatively I was told early on.
And then with our health insurance provider um unwilling to give us a dollar amount or a percent increase, they gave me a range to expect and I just went in the middle of that. I'm at I'm at 10% right now is what our our proposal is in at. So, um, so that like
I say at at this time, and I apologize for not, uh, I guess I didn't know that the county departments and were were not providing that or including that with their budget, uh, proposals at this time, but anyway, ours went in with a 3% cost of living adjustment and a 10% health.
So, Kevin, was your range for the insurance rate increase 5 to 15? 5 to 15, I believe. I I went like I say at I feel like that's low lower considering where some of those yo-yos have gone. Yeah, I've heard some horror stuff with Don't get me wrong, 10 is still
Yeah. still a lot, but Well, like I say, I I just at my department meetings with with the your folks. Um yeah, that range sounds like uh I mean, I've heard something maybe up to 30% that I I that doesn't even seem plausible, does it?
Hope not. Yeah, I hope not either. So, yeah. And I don't know I don't know where this ends this I'll tell you what if it was 30% we'd be selfinsuring. Yeah. So I mean it's kind of kind of crazy. So but anyway I I can go on and
there Steve. Okay. The heart rate going Steve. Thanks Steve. Thank you. All right. All right. Here we go. Okay. So yeah, like I say, the salaries and
benefits, that's where our request came in. As um as a rule, we typ typically see very little to turnover, but in the last seven months, we've had a third of our staff has resigned, and I realize it's only two people, but for us to fill a hole there is, you know, something that is instrumental. We did hire a new
employee in March, but due to the uh seeing the state's um financial and and deficit projections, our board being fiscally responsible are looking at holding off on hiring another employee just basically until uh economic
conditions hopefully get get better. Um office in expenses yearly increases that we see with our equipment storage space incre increase our audits increase computer software related items server and IT support all seems to increase um
employee training with a new employee we've we've been seeing new new ones come in in the last couple years and training is is just important to keep up the tabs on things and new employees definitely need to go through the training as well as some of us older ones right Tony
And also uh last year uh we did purchase a new no tail drill. We received a grant from the department of agriculture for 50% of it. And the no tail drill that we purchased is $100,000. So we had half of that paid for through a grant of which remaining portion that we we funded. And
then also um the new paid leave act is something that we uh are as you guys are well aware um something that we're going to be have to hit with this year. Most the most of our programs continue to stay pretty much the same year after year, but uh soil health programs are
something that are very much in the in the talk of the uh federal and state government and in overall things are just costing more on the revenue side. Hey Kevin, can I ask you on the Sure the paid leave? Did you did you incorporate
the 044 as your as your share? Right. I know. 88 was the full rate and at this time our um super board of supervisors are going to do the half or point44. Okay. So that's and that's what's represented here. Okay. Yep. Thank you. You're welcome. Um last year at this
time we expressed, you know, concerns for the future and the 2023 legislative session appropriated a number of one-time grant program increases for us and all indications were that those were going to be go back revert back to what they were previously. And at this stage
in the game, I've been unable to get those dollar amounts from our our board of water and soil resources board conservationist. But everything that I've been hearing is that those figures that were increased over the 23 and 24 um budget site bianium are going to
revert back to what we what we had seen previously. With those would be the Wacka, the wetland conservation act portion um and also the local water management dollars. Both are two programs that Tony is pretty instrumental and pretty much the go-to person on those things. We're seeing
about $11,000 decrease in those for for those two programs. Also, our cost share program for land owners to cover things like tree plantings and those type of things. We're also seeing about a $3,000 from 19,000 to $16,000 reduction. And as
far as buffer law, I don't know what's going to happen with that yet. That is something that we have yet to be uh seeing. also. So overall, we're looking at from our state grants about a decrease of $13,000. Um Minnesota Pollution Control unable to get those figures as well from from the
feed lot officers position there. Um MPCA last year was about a $10,000 base grant of which we got $4,200 of uh performance credits. Basically, that's our conservation
um person, the the feed lot person going out doing um compliance checks with land owners and and complaints that we see in the county. And uh the county match in that part is roughly about 70%. So, and if you recall back in I believe it was
2007, the county came to us asking us to take that program over and made a $25,000 program out of that. So, that one is uh we're hoping that you honor that, I guess. Um the Minnesota DNR, another state agency that we work with,
AIS funds, the aquatic invasive species program that was transferred from the county to us to take over a few years, 20 I believe was 19. Um we're not seeing any decreases in that for this coming year, but we're told in 2027 we're going to see a half half of those funds cut.
and our observational well monitoring program that we check for the department of natural resources. Those funds $3,200 are going to remain the same. SWCD aid was one that we was we were very fortunate in receiving getting into the line item on the governor's budgets here
in 2023 after about eight years of our our MASWCR association going going to bat lobbying for those efforts. We finally got into the budget in 2023 at a $15 million statewide um number of which
those dollars were spread throughout the 88 SWCDs in the in the state. That's going to be knocked down to 12 to $12 million. So from what we had hoped uh to our lobbying efforts this year were hoped to at least retain back to that $15 million figure that was
unsuccessful. So to us that means a a 30 20% reduction or $36,000 this year. um our self-generated funds also um we're seeing reduced tree sales and all and uh it just seems like with wet years I think a lot of times people hesitate
and I think with the with the the whole financial world and budgets are tight in in in the households even though we have cost programs available our tree program seems to be decreasing a little bit as well as our no tail drill usage what we're seeing there we've been in the
business with the no tail drill programs to renting those out to landowners we've been in the business for 30 years. 19 I believe it was 93 when we started. So a little over 30 years and numerous times repeat customers and year after year those individuals have gone on to
purchase their own no till drills seeing that it does work in the county. So there's a you know a hit to our program that maybe don't aren't rented out anymore. So, we're just seeing some of those things, I think, just have some effects on um our trying to educate land owners to get no tail drill business out
in the county, seeing that it does work. Those things have progressed to see land owners actually go and purchase their own equipment. Um, what's our plans for moving forward? Well, I I know we're not looking for 114%, which I I I'm hope you're okay
with that, but we're looking at a 2 point overall 2.3% uh increase over our 2025 budget. And hopefully uh like I say before, we even included our 3% cost of living adjustment in there as well as our health insurance benefit of 10%. So,
that's all included in our budget request. Um, like I said, I I think our board being fiscally responsible really is are looking at holding off hiring that sixth employee as when we were fully staffed. We always found things for them to do. We're seeing the same
hopefully the same customer service that we're providing with with five of us now. And I I guess until we hear something that the the general public is not happy with what we're doing or a few folks here, um, please let us know. But so far, I think things are going well. So, any any questions?
One of the questions that I like to ask is um and I and we're always kind of after the fact here because we set a budget and so the most accurate information we have on on a previous
year would be the year ending 2024. Right. Right. And how how did your budget to actual turnout for year ending 2024? I have some of those figures in here. I
guess you know we went backwards as far as our audit was concerned. We did go backwards last year. I don't remember what the what the number was. When you say you went backwards, you had expenditures over revenues, correct? Okay. Yes. And you know that's something that is always a concern and we have you know the ability to take on
grants as they come in. We have a number of programs that we work with the wershed districts that we have monies going in and out. Um typically we're we're seeing a a uh increase in activity in those. We see a lot of stream bank
erosion projects. We see um wash outs in fields, those type of things. But like I say based off our audit from last year, we did go backwards. We had uh and and so when you when you do that, Kevin, um so you must you must have some reserves, right? We do. Yes, we do. Yeah.
And at what point, you know, we like we like to maintain a certain level of reserves. And you know, once we're there, I mean, there's no no reason to increase the reserves. Well, obviously if you went negative, you
didn't increase your reserves. But are you still in a stable position with your we try to keep you know we'd like to maintain about a six month in reserve. Um we're probably at that 3 to four month range right now. So, um, and like I say, with with having one less employee, definitely there's some some
savings going to be had there with not having those, uh, you know, benefits and salaries to go out. But, um, like I say, working with in the previous few years of having six employees, it really it really works well. And we, you know, we're constantly trying to keep our our
prices down, our tree program, our no tail drill, all that, try to our services to offer without having, you know, being being in excess. and we try to coordinate with surrounding counties so we're somewhat in line with them. So, Mr. Chair, yes, Commissioner,
thank you. Going back to your previous comments, I think one of the biggest pieces if I look at your actual and uh proposed in 24 was that you took on $157,000 worth of state cost share projects when $20,000 was budgeted. And so sometimes
in in your world and with the the watershed world too, those those state funding grants, you know, if you have the ability to knock off some of these projects with these grants, um that's maybe why you supersede what was probably budgeted. And and like I say, those one wershed,
one plan funds basically are a two or threeyear cycle. So some of those funds get spent in one year and then get carried over till, you know, so all that isn't coming in one year, but not all going out the same year. Yeah, it's I think that whole budgeting thing is is kind of difficult with our entity. It
seems like there's a lot of uh you know funds that are out there and based on projects. There are a portion of those dollars that can be retained by us for some of our technical and and engineering assistance, but a lot of it goes our main we're paying 90% of the cost of these projects to land owners,
which is a pretty good deal in in in in what I've seen in my life. If I might really quickly then I you know I know you mentioned a little bit uh you access several different pools of money uh both federally and state uh not only with the county but um you know there is a lot of
of uncertainty there and there was a lot of dialogue about SWCD districts and what that aid looked like this legislative session for Minnesota. I know at one point there was an increase and obviously there were decreases in other areas. I appreciate that you're aware that there might be some
substantial cost shifts uh not shifts but reductions particularly in the AIS and what that capacity line item looks like. Um I'll just say I think that your office uh just provides such a huge
service to Klay County. uh you're always on the front end in regards to dialogues with land owners, but also I know you're really active with county staff and management in regards to that piece. Um you're always the constant uh for land
owners when they have questions or concerns on things. I I'm always shooting them to your office. You know, I know my my dad frequents uh your office, whether that's a good or a bad thing in regards to um conservation efforts, but uh truly, you know, I know we can joke about this, but uh thank you
Kevin and Tony and and the others at the office. Uh you do such a great job for meeting the need. I appreciate it. Well, just going to comment too that you know over you've been doing this a lot of years, Kevin, right? I'm when it gets
to be set in September, I'll be here be going on my 48th year. Good God. 40 48 more to go or I hope not. But anyway, I look at it too and I think that can't possibly be. But yeah, it is. Well, I you know, just to kind of echo
Commissioner Mojo, I the services that you provide are are important to especially in the egg community. That's really a significant amount of it. Um, but your your budgets when you bring them in, they're always to start with,
they're very reasonable and they're well thought out. And not to say that I'd like to be able to say that about everybody's, but isn't necessarily the case, but just look out for my own, but but anyway, I'd say I just appreciate it. Oh, thank you. Well, thank you. I
appreciate it. I'll make a quick comment. Yes. I don't I don't want to say much uh more to uh I'll make you blush in the fact if you get more compliments, but being around you for so many years
and and also watching you for month to month this year anticipating and I think it was long before our letter went out to you. you were you were talking about that last position and how to make that adjustment and u uh
your new hire Dylan is phenomenal and uh so I I do think you you have a way of making adjustments and when your your your hires seem to be uh wellqualified people to help you do that and I speak
to that Tony when you came to do it you know Dylan and you know and you've had some real winners Gabe, who left last year, but I think you filled those shoes uh completely. Uh as I watch your work, I I think you're going to uh my own
opinion, uh you'll do just fine without that that extra um that employ for a while. Uh but that depends a lot on the state too, right? And and and and demands. But I do think the one
watershed, one plan has really shifted a lot of your work also, which uh ends up being greater uh uh greater needs in the water um the water quality area, you know, so shifts down the road too,
right? But anyway, thank you for everything and it's always pleasure being with you. All right. Well, thank you Kevin and thank you for your presentation and you kind of know what we talked about in terms of when decisions are made and you've been to that rodeo before.
Thank thanks and the department heads again too. It's for including me in their meetings. Like I said, they're always always fun and they got a you have a good group working for the county. So, like I said, I'm glad to be part of it even though that we're not true fully county employees. I appreciate being included in your in
your meeting. So, thank you. All right. Very good. Thank you. Up the good work, guys. I know our board is really anxious to take a break, but we're going to just get this assessors. She's been patiently waiting here, so I don't think this one
will take us very long. She thought she was going to get in early, too. Good morning. Oh. I did prepare a summary. Do you have We do. Yes. Okay. And uh when I gave you my March
update, um I went into detail about our licensing requirements and our continuing ads. So basically that's the majority of our budget expenditures as well as sending out notice evaluation statements and um just the software that
we need to do our job. So um the revenue line um that fee billing to the townships and the cities for our work that was set by the commissioners in 2018. So, next year I will be coming before you um to look at any changes or
increase to that going forward. Um it's just been increasing on the improved parcels by 25 cents a parcel. Um as far as our staffing, no additional positions being requested. It's just the steps or cola or insurance um changes. And then u
majority of it is like I said is our licensing and continuing education and setting out the notice evaluation statements. Um there is a $4,000 increase to the other professional services that is um our contract was ending for
our KMA software and on April 1st um you approved locking in another five years so that we could lock that rate and not have annual increases to that. Um that does get reimbursed through the compliance fund um at the recorder's
office. And um there is a shift between accounts. The printing and publishing is reduced by 5,000. Um Lori the auditor has felt to shift that instead 3,000 to office supplies and 2,000 to professional services. Um in my
pre-budget meeting with Steve and Darren and Lori, um I did present forward um we're part of a MC tax link user group. It is a shared software of all the counties to share
data and information on tax court cases and I am um choosing to end that participation. Um that would save 3700 a year and instead we can use a free version as well as um I just have
developed um relationships with a lot of Henipin County and other counties that have a large load of tax court. So um but then to increase my budget, I am requesting to do an insert into our
notice of valuation and tax statements um that to inform people about the change to the um how we're going to value the AL land to the CPI rating. Um, so just looking at our expenses, taking
the KMA increase out of there, um, I'm actually reducing our expenses by $400. Um, one unknown expense is we do have five tax court petitions pending. They were
filed on the 24 assessment. Uh, two of those are vacant for sale buildings. Uh, one is a Walmart. Um, of those of the Walmart, there's nine outer state
filings and over 20 in the Twin Cities. So, it's it's ongoing with them. Um, I don't at this time have any known expenses that we will have outside of our general um staffing and work that we do. I don't um we'll get past the August
1st deadline uh and know more for you and I can come back at another time to give you more information if as we proceed with these tax court petitions questions one question
for me being new with a tax court petition is that normal having um we do not win the prize in our region for the most Douglas County has six. So we have I'll take that as a win. Some years we have none and like last
year and then right now we have five. But and it and it's not unlikely that we get the big box re ones that are always trying to contest. Yeah. One is Slumberland and Dworth, Walmart, Rasmuson College, and then the Wells
Fargo Bank. And then that 2810 is the Golden the former Golden Living Center nursing home that is closed. The only the only thing that I questioned on here is um you you're showing a negative in health
insurance. I do. Yes. Yes. I just took that forward from what was provided. Your previous year you had a budget line item of 83,412
and this year it's 78,081 and you can yeah Mr. Chair it may depend on the the employees that you have whether they take family or or single. Oh that may change. So there could be changes based on the
previous year and what's forecast. Okay. All right. Well, very good. Any other questions? Yes. Just uh one with the way we're on egg land with the new system coming in play. Do you think uh there's going to be to
help you any type of education that you'll need to uh give land owners out there with the change or do you think it's pretty well understood? there may be a need for some um I do
know you know like FSA is already using the same ratings I think you know most farmers are informed on it but that's part of the reason that we want to do this insert in with the tax statement and that a year's advance okay and then they'd be able to come in
I guess at that point but yeah and I have been asked well like I could also speak in more depth at like the annual township meetings or yeah, I wonder if we shouldn't uh um you know better than I how that's going
to shape, you know, or affect certain areas, but I think some people are going to be pretty happy and other are going to be um maybe a little startled perhaps. Yeah. But I believe in the new system. I think
it's by far a lot more equitable. So, okay. All right. else. Thank you, Joel. We will take a five minute break. All right, we are back in session here. It the next item that we have is a
budget presentation from our facilities department. And good morning, Joe. Yes. Uh good morning. Um I will uh take you through uh my budget here. I'll try I don't plan on going line by line, but I'll I'll hit the highlights and
increases and uh feel free to ask me any questions you see here. So, um when you when you look at my budget, I see a uh I I look at it as a two-part budget. Um the first one is the courthouse budget and um that that covers all the buildings and grounds and and
maintenance and operations of the courthouse, the LEC, the jail, the DMV, the storage building, government center, and then we've added a detox expense in there. And I I'll talk a little bit more about that in a little bit, but and then the second part um is the family service center, enterprise fund, and that that
covers the operations and management of the building and mail room central services, uh building manager, and grounds and maintenance. So, those are the two two um parts of my budget that I have here. So, looking at the courthouse buildings and grounds, uh as far as the
revenue, uh I'm showing um 64,45. It looks like I have a 49% decrease, but a reality that's uh we we had used um prior the year before we' used that line item for when public health had given us some uh had reimbursed us for some costs
out at the detox facility. And I'll explain that a little bit more, but typically that that line is um it's for the rent of the courthouse of and and so that 64,000 is coming from the DOC contract that we just got into with
them. Uh normally we would get roughly about 48,000 out of there. And uh by having the new the new um area that we're remodeling, um it's upped it to 64,45. So, moving forward, that's all you're going to see as far as revenue for the courthouse on that end. And then
you'll see that we did add a a revenue line for the 0111430. That's a revenue line for detox. So, so what happens detox is the enterprise fund. And you'll see their expenses down at the bottom here. And so, it's it's at
the end of the year. I I bill Kathy McCay's budget and she has this accounted for in her current budget today. So, so just to explain that um as far as uh salaries, you're going to see the
salaries are um actually up and down. Um you're going to see a de pretty good decrease in the courthouse, but uh we've tried this in the last couple years to track our our pe the employees per building. And um I think Lori and I have come up with a system I think is going
to work this year as far as how we charge each building. Our goal is to try to figure out who's working where and how much is it going to cost. And I think this year, next year, we'll have a better look at it. But you're going to see a a 43% decrease in in that line, but just
know that as you work your way down each each uh building, you'll see there's an increase in there. So, it's within the same budget. Um I don't have any unexpected overtime or any anything like that. So, um so you'll see a shift there. bill.
Um, as far as uh the only only item or the line in that this category here is professional services. I'm going to asking to up that for the courthouse. It's kind of an aging building. You could see it's been a trend of it's costing more money nowadays for
contractors. Um, and then we're going to increase the lawn by a little bit. I've teamed up with Matt Jacobson to help him kind of take care of a couple vacant uh lots around the county, too. So, we've just increased that just a little bit.
And then, um the other thing to note, the jail and the LEC are kind of the more important ones. We're in year uh seven now, I believe, of that. Uh our 5year warranty on all the equipments and everything is up now. Usually, when you hit that seven to eight years is when you start seeing some equipment go.
They're both 24-hour facilities. So I am asking to increase the building repair and professional services and equipment repair there to get them more in line with what I think it costs nowadays. So So that's probably the one um I guess significant increase to the uh budget
there. And then of course if you look down the detox um I've had that I have that category in there and that's basically covering everything um that has to do with facilities there. And uh like I say, I do bill that back to Kathy because it is an enterprise fund. So, so
expense there, but you'll see the revenue for detox come in there. So, as far as courthouse, that's what I have. Any questions you see on on those lines? Okay. Uh we'll just move into family service center. Um,
so the revenue portion is going to be staying the same this year as far as the number. Uh, we have a S for rent. Uh, we we have 1,249,507. Um, just to note though, uh, with with public health taking, you
know, the second floor, um, they're taking the new area and, um, Quinn's uh, fourth floor uh, social services, they're taking theirs in. Uh Quinn Quinn's is $41,000 and public health is $19,000. So that's so the shift there is, you know, the the tenants that did
leave were non-county dollars. And um so these these are still part of the enterprise fund. So it's not going up or down, but from a county expense, uh it's added into their budgets and we knew this as a um space needs or whatever. So So that's uh
showing that, but the revenue stays the same there. think I'm going to be working with the building committee on that. I think we uh are looking at um comparing what we charge for rent over there. I think in the past we've tried to not compete with the public and
that's going to still be our goal. Uh but we want to I think there's a little bit of a gap there that so I'm hoping to bring some numbers there. We wouldn't uh with that adjustment it wouldn't be you know 2026 budget for sure because there's contracts all over the place. So goal is to get a a a solid number that
we think that we should be charging and do that through our contracts uh expiration date. So that's that's that. Um as far as um everything else there, I guess in the family service center, it's we we don't really have any new changes there. Um
you'll see the salaries have decreased, but that they've increased other places too between the two buildings. So that should be good. Um yeah, other than that, it's same questions for me on the family service center. And just just to note, too, it's not in
here. You guys, you can't see it, but uh fun 19, we do put 150,000 every year on that. It's something I just want to bring up because it's not showing in here, but it's How come we don't see it? Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. I'm not sure where Lori tracks that in her budget. So, um it's 150,000.
Yeah. Yeah. That's why I thought I would. It's definitely somewhere she has accounted for 191. Yep. Yeah, fund 19. So, I don't know where that is. I can follow up though and see where that is for you and for you. And then uh fund 13 is another one.
I'm not sure where where that's tracked. That's the one that comes in through um we get 50,000 a year that comes in through um tax tax allocation there. So, so just wanted to note that. And anything you see you have questions on here?
Well, I always have questions when I see the word depreciation in a Right. Right. Uh like you say it with that family service center. Um you're what are we showing? We're showing a loss
showing a loss of $422,466. And then as Yeah, as you can see the $365,000 is depreciation. And I did talk to Lori. Um, actual cash, uh, 1.4 million. So, it
shows that we have a loss here, but, uh, we're sitting pretty good there. And I guess that's I don't Yeah. recall us ever writing out a check to depreciation. Right. Right. Yeah. But I can certainly look more into,
you know, if it's in here, it's it's like it's part of our it establishes part of our levy. Right. Right. Right. Yeah. Yeah. No, I can uh that's certainly something worth looking at. And I know sometimes Lori might,
you know, based on Gadsby rules or whatever. Yeah. There for that purpose or it could be um something to do with a principal and interest payment. Yeah. It's in there. It's described as depreciation. But we should get an answer on that.
Yep. I can I can do that for you. And then I you know and Joe you you know you've kind of redone your budget over the last few years because we've obviously we've added some different facilities and you've made some shifts from maybe
expenses from one to another or something and y and I I appreciate when you when you do that but I think it would be good for us to have a an overall consolidated Mhm. So that a report so that we so that we
can see how everything pulled together is you know because your salaries change from one to another. But then again on a consolidated one uh it gives us a better indication of Yeah. Yeah. The totals this year to last year.
Yeah. Exactly. Breakdowns are great but I I still I like the I like I like I I like to see the consolidated for comparative purposes. So, and one big number to compare from one to the other. Yep. And if you could provide that to us be just before the
we have to do the preliminary view that would be helpful. Yep. I can do that. Yep. I Mr. Chair, I was going to ask for the same thing. Yeah. That shows it all. Yep. Everything's kind of broken down to the building and it's up the track when you're looking at it, especially the first time you see it. So, yep. I'll put
something together. All right. Anything else for Joel? All right. Yes. Oh, yes. This isn't budget related, but I can you just please relate to your staff. The grounds look phenomenal. Yeah. Um Yep. The flower baskets I know you purchased
from a county Klay County business. Yep. Everything looks phenomenal. Thank you so much. Yes. Appreciate that. I will relay that to them. So, thank you. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Y All right. Next we have a presentation
of local impacts on federal reforms to SNAP and medical assistance. MA Quinn, good a good morning. Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. Get this fired up here. Right. Yes. I am here today to make you
and the community aware of kind of what the local impacts will be in regards to uh the new reforms for SNAP and medical assistance. Um to provide some context and background um HR1 otherwise known as the big beautiful bill uh was a reconciliation package that was passed
in early July signed by President Trump that makes sweeping changes to our tax policy, safety net programs, border enforcement, student loans, and energy policy. Um, specifically what we'll be talking about today are programs affected at social services, uh, which is our supplemental nutrition assistance
program or SNAP and medical assistance or Medicaid. Uh, I'll reference that as SNAP and MA. Um, just an overview of what we'll be talking about today. Um, what these federal reforms will look like is there will really be massive cost shifts from the federal to state government. And
what I'm concerned about is ultimately down to county governments. The expected impacts I believe will be reduced services, a higher local administrative cost, an increase in denied services, and a result of increased workload for our county staff. Um, I do include
implementation dates when we get into program specific areas, but these implementation dates range from federal fiscal year 26 to federal fiscal year 2029. Um, I do also want to note that both SNAP and MA are federal programs administered at the state level, but
specifically in Minnesota, counties are required to operate them under the direction of DHS. Um, counties cannot opt out of administering MA or SNAP. We function as an administrative arm of the state, not as an independent provider. Uh, I kind of want to briefly show who
does Medicaid serve. Um, if you look at the chart on your left, you can see that the northwest region of the state has about 28.1% of their population as enrolled members of Medicaid. Um, but if you look on the right there, Klay County specifically, as of 2024, 24.4% of Klay
County residents were enrolled in Medicaid, which equates to 16,357 individuals. I do think it's important to note as well parents, children and pregnant women account for 22% of Medicaid spending while adults 65 and over and people with disabilities
account for 15% of Medicaid enrolles and account for 60% of spending. Just kind of makes sense when you think about the cost of nursing home care and costs related to people with disabilities being more expensive. Um just uh again
as a reference point, the 16,357 individuals that are covered by Medicaid in Klay County represent about 9,000 cases and an additional thousand what we call long-term care cases. So folks in nursing homes. Um important facts about
Medicaid. It's the single largest source of health insurance in Minnesota and it serves as the foundation of our state's healthcare infrastructure. um it pays for more mental health services for motans than any other insurance provider in the state and covers half all
substance use disorder treatment costs in the state as well. Um, Medicaid also covers 50% of all long-term care costs for motans, especially as you can see here in greater Minnesota. Kind of broken this presentation down into into what I'll call the proposed
service changes and then the fiscal impacts that that go along with that for both MA and for SNAP. So, regarding the service changes to medical assistance, um, there's really two big ones. Um, right now medical assistance does not have a work requirement in the state of
Minnesota, but there will be a new one um that comes into effect. What it will look like is anyone ages 19 to 64 with exemptions for pregnant women, parents of children under 13, the medically frail, American Indians, foster youth, and medically exempt veterans will have
this work requirement. Uh they will have to complete 80 hours per month of work, volunteer, education, training, or community involvement. Um these uh citizens must prove one month of compliance to these requirements at the initial application and every six months
afterwards. Um we don't know exactly what this looks like yet, but in the bill there's legislation and language that says states are encouraged to use paperwork free verification via administrative records when possible. Um, I'm hoping that that means that some
of the SNAP and cash assistance programs where we do have work requirements that we can cross reference those systems, but right now those systems don't exist for Medicaid. Um, what I'm a little worried about when it comes to how that's worded is that it does seem that that is pushing the
burden of that administration onto the administers of the program versus having enrolles provide that documentation. basically saying, "Hey, you go find it before you ask enrolles to provide it for you." Again, just increasing the administrative anticipated workload. Um,
kind of what the timeline looks like for these work requirements is, uh, detailed guidance must be given to the states by June or by the states by June 1st of 2026 with these systems in place to support the requirements by the end of the year 26. Uh, however, the work the work requirement itself doesn't go into
effect until January 1, 2029. Um, and as I noted, right now medical assistance has no work requirement at all. Our computer system called METS doesn't even have a place to document this information. So, the state's going to have to come up with a completely new software or addition to the software in
order to be able to document those things. We really don't know what that looks like yet. Um, it's going to be a completely new data point for our healthcare team to administer. Um, along with that, we are looking at additional eligibility renewals. Um, previously how it works right now is
there's one eligibility renewal every year. So the 9,000 cases and the additional 1,000 long-term care cases, our healthcare team processes one renewal form per year. Um, that's going to two uh we have to do these renewals every six months. So is that is that renewal Quinn? Is that
renewal less um time sensitive than the actual first application? We don't know yet, but if it's just the exact same renewal as it exists now, it would effectively be a doubling of the workload. We don't know the specifics of if that six-month
renewal will be, I'm going to say, less than the existing renewal, but in the in the past, we did an annual renewal, correct? And that but the annual renewal isn't as time sensitive as the first application, is it? I or is it the same amount of work?
that I'd have to probably yield to that terms of the specifics of the difference. I don't want to tell you the wrong time frame. Good morning. Um so in regards to renewals versus applications, applications have a longer
timeline that we can process them um 60 days whereas renewals have to be done by the end of the month or the case will close. So, I would say renewals are more time-sensitive because then you have enrolles losing coverage especially because they may not turn it in in a
timely way. Maybe time sensitive isn't what I want wanted. I I'm looking at the amount of work involved. Oh. Oh, sure. Sorry. Um, similar. It's it's very similar. Yes. uh
depends, which is a gray answer, but if things have changed, there's a lot more work that's going to go into that versus if someone reports nope, no changes, it will go a little quicker. Um, in some of our cases, we still have to verify
assets or income no matter what. And again, we don't know exactly what that looks like, but there's potential for similar workload to the application. Thank you. Um along with the addition of the eligibility renewal every six months
versus every year, uh there will be quarterly residency verifications uh that go into effect January 1 of 2027. Um again, we don't know exactly what that'll look like because it'll be a new system. But I am hoping that this cross referencing to existing residency checks
and the systems that were able to operate will help with that. At least I'm crossing my fingers that that's going to be the case. Um uh an important thing to note as well, right now when someone goes on medical assistance, they'll provide retroactive coverage up to three months in the past.
Um that that's not just for medical procedures, but that's also for things like title 4E billing when it comes to children that are out of home placement. Uh the changes to uh medical assistance are going to cut that retroactive coverage from three months down to one month effective October of 2026. just
makes the importance of getting um all the kiddos that we have in foster care enrolled into Medicaid timely. So when it talks about how quick of a process, we want it to be as quick as possible so we don't lose out on that revenue because of a timing issue. Um when it comes to the proposed fiscal
impact, um the reconciliation bill reduces federal MA support by $880 billion over the next 10 years. Um, I have seen the number range when it comes to what Minnesota is projected to lose. Um, I believe that the range is really dependent upon what the state of
Minnesota chooses to do to the program itself. It's going to if it's going to keep all of the eligibility requirements or if it will change, but I've I've seen a number anywhere between 330 million to 1.2 to 1.4 billion uh annually lost in federal Medicaid funding. Um, I just
want to be super transparent here about Klay Countyy's impact and how I came up with these numbers. I use two different forms of calculation, if you will. Currently, our uh healthcare team has 13 staff on it. If you look at an average cost per salary or with salary and
benefits, it's $73,63 for one staff. Um, if you look at the fact that a six-month or every six-month eligibility renewals with similar impacts and these quarterly address verifications equating to about a doubling of the work
and just say we would need double the staff that equates to about $950,000 of additional administrative burden. Um, I also have numbers that say the state of Minnesota is projected to lose $160 million in this administrative funding
from MA. Um, we hold 78% of Minnesota's total MA case load. So, just using that ratio on the 160 million equates to $1.24 million of an additional administrative burden there. Um, again, we we do our best um to do the work
timely. our our case loads are on the higher end as it is right now and our staff do a wonderful job at maintaining compliance which I'll speak to in a little bit. Um really the key driver of these anticipated costs increase are this new six-month eligibility redetermination, the work verification
requirements and the quarterly address checks. It's going to dramatically increase the workload for our staff. Those are federal regulations, right? Correct. Those that's federal funding that come in due to the federal regulations. And again, the some states administer this program themselves, but
Minnesota has the counties administered. Um, important things to note about Medicaid just in general, it really contributes significantly to the state and community health care sector. Um, it really provides funding for public health infrastructure, hospitals, mental
health centers, home care, uh, community clinics, nursing homes, our medical providers, and Medicaid. uh not Medicare is the primary source of coverage for long-term care services such as nursing home costs. Um it really is the doorway
for a lot of the clients that we serve to access vital services like assessments, wavered programs like our elderly and disability waiverss, our home and community based services, our long-term care facilities, our targeted case management, our substance use care coordination, among many other services.
Um, these funds just aren't payments, they're lifelines for our counties, uh, mental health centers, home care agencies, nursing homes, etc. Uh, cuts to this funding could force closures of these businesses, jeopardizing access to care for thousands of our vulnerable citizens and impacting hundreds of jobs
in the health care sector, potentially threatening the infrastructure of our local economy. Before I move on to SNAP, does anyone have any questions specific to the MA changes? Questions? I have one question.
I have one question for MA. Can you put people like that on a waiting list to get through for you to work them through or is it very timely and has to be It's my understanding we'd be out of compliance if we didn't follow the timeline requirements. I mean, I you you you could, but I would not recommend it.
I I would worry we'd face legal repercussions as a result of that and and potential funding impacts as well. That was my only question. Thank you. Um when it comes to SNAP or food comes to our Quinn, can I just one one question in
regards to um Medicaid services and um long-term care. um you know there there's a lot of people who um
probably do have the ability to um pay obviously this these are for I I guess what I'm getting at is there are some some people who end up on
Medicaid and they have they might have considerable assets and if if if if they're accepting the Medicaid
at some point in time those assets are recoverable through the state and it and so I my question is is for those people are they aware when they're enrolling in Medicaid,
what the potential liability is to them to go back and capture assets of the people. Yeah. Do you want to maybe speak to the specific? Yeah, I'd love to share about this. So, when people apply for long-term care services, we actually look back, there's
a look back period, 3 to 5 years of going through their bank statements, seeing where has every dollar been spent. I mean, it's fine tooth comb that our long-term care staff go through their bank statements, their assets. Um, in regards to other assets, not
necessarily liquid cash, um, we look at all of the assets that they have. Some can be excluded, like for example, if their spouse is living in the home still, you know, they can stay there just until they decide they're going to leave that
residence. Yep. Yep. Exactly. And so we will require people to spend down their assets to to meet the threshold before they're before we approve any eligibility. So it's a really thorough review. And then in addition, we use digital um interfaces I I would say to
verify with their social. So if if they don't report, you know, a bank account, but their social security number, their name is listed on a bank account, we're going to find out about that before we even deem them eligible. So it's checks and balances also not just basically at
a station and that review is also done at the review time as well. So part of why I bring that up is there, you know, the the people who today might be um in the workforce, you know, if they if they have the
ability to um consider long-term care insurance, it's a good way for them to protect their assets as well because if if you don't choose that avenue and your avenue becomes Medicaid or MA,
then uh your assets that's become at risk. Right. There's a there's a big difference there than than if you have the long-term care where where you have an insurance policy where where it's not coming out of your Yeah. Absolutely. Coming from the state.
And our staff, they do what we refer to as a screening. When an individual or their representative, their their family contacts us saying, "Oh, we're getting to that time where we want to look into these services." they'll advise them how to protect good
um those assets. So could be a burial account, could be, you know, anything that is technically by policy excluded. Um assets that that are still, you know, legal and within policy. That's that's probably the one area that I as a commissioner been called upon
that folks didn't realize was that you know they're a family member or something got on MA and obviously then all those medical bills that are paid over time and then
when they went to sell their parents' home or something um you know those assets assets went to the state. Yeah. I wish that there was more education at the front end of things, you know, earlier before they before they exactly why I'm bringing this up today
that hopefully it's it can be a public service announcement to the public that that they should be aware of of the I mean medic Medicaid is a good thing for those who who need to have it. But at the same point in time, if they're not looking at a complete financial picture,
somebody can qualify for MA and have significant assets other than cash. Wonderful public service announcement. I didn't know that before I started working at social services, for sure. A healthy amount of estate planning and future planning is very important
because there are horror stories of people that have had to do that and then lost the home farm or lost the lake cabin as a result when they need to sell. And like for all of our employees, they have the ability to purchase long-term care insurance, don't they? Correct. Good.
All right. Thank you. Okay. Moving on to our food assistance and and SNAP program here. Um right now, SNAP does have a work requirement. Um right now it's all individuals age 18 to 49. Um that time frame is moving to ages
uh individuals age 18 to 64. Um, parents with any minor children right now are exempt from the work requirements. That is changing to parents with children under the age of 14 um in the new legislation.
Uh, effective October 1st, 2030, veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth will lose uh existing work exemptions that they previously held under policy. Um, I am anticipating reduced waiver flexibility, stricter compliance
enforcement, and as a result, that is likely um to result in increased denial, sanctions, and a higher administrative workload for our staff. Um, obviously I'm concerned with the denials and sanctions that are um anticipated to occur that there's going to be service
loss. Benefits are going to be decreased to our citizens and as a result I'm concerned as to what the strain on our community food pantries may look like when they're already feeling kind of the strain and the burden right now. Um, without getting too into the weeds regarding the compliance enforcement,
how the benefits are calculated will be changed as well. There are going to be limits to the utility allowance. There's going to be exclusions to internet costs. Um, and under this legislation, it will limit the SNAP program to US citizens and legal permanent residents. Uh, just a snapshot in time, we have
about 3,400 SNAP cases per year, representing about 7,74 Klay County citizens. Um, when it comes to the fiscal impact, again, the federal reconciliation bill reduces SNAP support by $186 billion
over the next 10 years. Um the biggest component for there's two big components fiscally. The federal reimbursement for SNAP admin costs is reducing from how it exists right now at 50% down to 25% and this will occur October 1st, 2025. Uh
the remaining 75% of these administrative costs are going to be borne by states or us as counties. Um, in fiscal year 2024, Minnesota received approximately $78.5 million in federal administrative reimbursement, of which
79% of that was directed to the counties. Um, we won't know exactly what this cost shift will look like, how much of that 75% counties will bear until the state andor DHS distributes this new fiscal responsibility.
um with any sort of shift. Do we know Quinn? Do we know what what proportion of the administrative costs are to the overall SNAP program and which would
include the benefit payments? It it be broken down into the benefit payments themselves and the administrative costs for supporting the implementation of the program. This reduction from 50 to 25% is only in the administrative costs.
Does that answer? I don't think. But on here you're saying there's 186 billion over 10 years that's uh reduces the federal SNAP support. Those are actual support payments that go to people. Um it's my understanding that the 186
billion is a reduction in all whe whether it's the benefit reduction and the admin. So it's it includes the includes both. Okay. That's my understanding. Um, with this loss of administrative reimbursement, um, obviously and these,
uh, new work requirements, I am anticipating increased local costs to help our eligibility workers manner manage these expanded work requirements. Um, we may need to look at additional staffing to keep up with these new verifications and renewal demands. Uh, without it, we would risk delays and
backlogs of our SNAP case processing or dramatically increase error rates. Um, and the reason error rates are important is what I'm going to speak to next. The other big fiscal impact is a new penalty-based cost sharing program. Um, that's going to be applied based on
payment error rates for SNAP, which measures the accuracy of the benefits issued. So things like overpayments or underpayments that go out or that don't go out. As you can see here, the federal government will reduce its share of administrative costs for states with high uh payment error rates. Um the
breakdown of where your state falls and the percentage whether it's a 5% 10% or 15% shift to the state is listed right there for your review. Um so it's really going to be Minnesota's statewide error rate that drives how much counties are
impacted. Um to give you a snapshot in time in 2024 Minnesota's error rate was 8.98%. Uh unfortunately as of July 2nd they are sitting at exactly 10% which would keep them into the 15%
admin share. Jenny has a question. Oh J. Hi. I'm just going to make a comment based on that one. What what's really tricky for me on that is that it's it's governed by what the error of the state is.
Now, if you break that down a little bit and look more regionally, statewide, that's the part where uh really is concerning for me. if the state will shift then to the counties, that dialogue we've talked about for months.
Um, you know, if we're governed by the error rate statewide and then that will filter down to us, that's not really an equitable way for um that to work out, particularly if locally we see low error rates, which I
anticipate because our staff is amazing. Um, you know, we'll just really need to keep a close beat on that, right? My What is Klay Countyy's error rate? You both had wonderful questions at the perfect time. My next sentence is uh
Klay County's error rate is 3%. Right. Yes. Um, I just I do need to give a quick shout out to our staff to their testament. It's really a testament to our staff's accuracy and dedication. I didn't have access to that error rate when I said they're amazing. They just are. I maybe I maybe buried the lead in the notes. That's good that you don't.
So, with that being said, if the state's 10 and we're three, we could get a little worse if you want. No, no, we don't. We We want to have the lowest error rate possible. Um but yes um again without burying the lead too much that is kind of an advocacy um side
of this from my perspective of I I fundamentally believe that if the state wants to just equally divvy out what that state share is um without looking at individual county error rates it'd be a disservice kind of subsidizing some of the counties with higher error rates. Um it would be
my position from an advocacy standpoint to say that if an individual county falls below um any sort of admin cost threshold by the federal government that there shouldn't be any yes cost share kind of I speak to that kind of at the end of the presentation but yes Klay County is sitting at 3% as of
right now. Wonderful job. Take care. And and when is the um when is what's the timeline for these changes? uh 2028 is when the up to 15% state cost share for SNAP benefits. I I think some of these things, Quinn,
I'm we're glad that you're providing some of these things for us now. And I but I you know I I think there's there can be such a financial impact to Klay County on some of these things from what I am seeing between now and 2029
that this should warrant its own uh uh meeting to discuss these issues and so that we can be better informed as to how to
um speak to those in St. Paul. Right. Absolutely. So, so I think it this might be something uh Steve that down the road we might want to just have a a separate meeting workg groupoup meeting with this with
this in mind and and potentially even invite our if we could do that work work group at a time when they're not in session even to have our legislators come and listen in on some of these things where our concerns are. I might also request that we have copies
of this for the Thursday meeting. Absolutely. Yeah. One of one of my hopes with this presentation today was to raise that awareness, get it on everybody. Yeah. And it and and we're we're we're grateful that you did that and that that you're doing that. But I some of these
things, you know, I I I don't know that we're ready to push the panic button yet because some of these things there is time for us to um review the consequences of the new bill, whatever
they call that thing that they did in July. Um anyway, yeah, big beautiful bill. That's what I was. Um, so again, you you all kind of hit the nail on the head where even if Klay County performs well, the state level performance may still result in the
shift. Again, I think there's some advocacy that can happen as to how that might impact Klay County specifically. Um, I also do want to note um there was a lot of say talk or or kind of feedback around what these payment error rates are as being fraud. Uh, this would be
like a cutting down on fraud, but not all payment error rates are fraud. Um, it's very very simple. Uh they could be very very tiny things. Examples of error rates could be a payub that was coded wrong in the system. It could be a typo. Could be a client reported an address that wasn't updated in a timely manner.
Uh could be a lease is updated and the worker typed in 250 instead of 225. Or the client has a vehicle and the DMV knows about it. We don't have access to the DMV's registration system and we don't know about it. So that's an asset that they had that would have impacted
their benefits, but we can't see that. All of those things are examples of what makes up the payment error rates. It's not all just broad. On the on the one page of your um handout here where it talks about the
federal reductions and it says the rec reconciliation bill reduces federal SNAP support by 186 billion over 10 years. Um maybe just some clarification on there. Is that is that is that actual reduction
in today's dollars or is it just a reduction in what their anticipated growth of the fund would be over 10 years? I'd have to follow up on that. I don't know the detail if that's with inflation calculated because I mean those those can be significant differences,
you know. I mean they're both probably not good for SNAP but but to know Y I one scenario is much worse than the other. I can find out and follow up. Okay. Right. Again, without I mean, you can see that it's kind of up in the air as to how the
the federal shift will look in terms of Minnesota. And then even within Minnesota, how it would be distributed to counties. I mean, I guess if you went kind of just the straight, they're going to say, "We have a 10% share. Here's 10% of what you gave in terms of benefits." Um, that's where I came up with these
numbers. So, in 2024, Klay County administered $15,328,000 worth of SNAP benefits. Um, without knowing exactly what that'll look like if they just went with the 5%, 10% or 15% based on our state error rates, that's where these numbers come from. So
even a 5% um admin share would equate to $766,000 based on the amount of SNAP benefit that we administer in a year with the worst case scenario of the 15% equating to about $2.3 million of administrative cost.
Um and right now Quinn you mentioned that in some of those instances that workload there there isn't even software right now that that's just for MA. Oh that's MA. Okay. SNAP programs. We do have Yep. We do have the work
requirement systems built into the SNAP. Okay. Data or system if you that's already there. Okay. Thank you. Um Oops. Uh I do again want to highlight that counties are not in control of the state's payment error rate calculations. It's just our individual performances
that make a difference. But obviously with that being the case, there's going to be an increased pressure on our eligibility workers to continue having accurate documentation and timely responses and keep crushing it the way that they are. Is a
is it considered in the in the error rate if an applicant provides incorrect information? Is that still considered part of the
error rate? It could be. Okay. Some of those logistical barriers that we face of folks that don't have contact information and we need to follow up. It's not looked at as the applicant didn't provide it. It's looked as we didn't meet the timeline. So, you can't get a hold of them and then it's
our our fault if you want to look at it that way. Um, to summarize what the big beautiful bill means for Klay County, um, we're looking at a significant loss in federal funding. Um, we're not seeing state unfunded mandates. We're seeing federal unfunded mandates this time. Um, there
is a risk with the MA loss to our local health infrastructure and this is not something that counties can opt out of. um we're going to be forced to absorb rising workloads and costs here at the local level without any additional uh federal resources to maintain services
for thousands of our residents. Um I don't want to end on a doom and gloom note and want to try and speak to what we can do about this. Um obviously with proactively planning getting this get getting out in front of this um we're trying to stay ahead of the curve. Um by addressing and knowing about these local
impacts right away, we can be well prepared for legislative advocacy to minimize the impacts on Klay County. Um for MA specifically, there is a uh cutout in the federal bill for $200 million of state implementation grants
specific to the MA portion that will become available in fiscal year 26. I'm hoping that the state of Minnesota opens that up to counties because if they do, we will jump at the opportunity to access some of those funds to help support if there is need to bring on
additional staff or training costs or system updates. Um, again, I'm hopeful that this presentation just raises a broader public awareness and we can start that leg legislative advocacy right away. Um, one of the big things you already hit the head hit the nail on
the head is that our air rate is 3%. and if if we're doing a great job, I don't see why it would be beneficial or why it would make sense for Klay County to have a share in those costs. So, it's just one area of advocacy recommendation that I would have for you all. Uh, with that, I'll
yield for any questions that you may have. All right. Any questions? All right. Thank you, Quinn. Stephen Lori 2026 budget update. Good morning. Good morning, Mr. Chair.
Increase. We're ready to pass the levy. Uh, not I'm I'm guessing the answer is no. Oh. Uh but uh just wanted to provide a little bit of a context to to the first summary of the 2020 tax or 2026 tax levy. Annually each year we start back
in uh end of May. uh our budget department heads uh complete their their budgets as we've talked there's was an extensive discussion uh this year which you're going to see in our in our requests of of with the uncertainty of what's happening uh next year uh of uh
uh looking at budgets looking at new requests uh if there's different areas that not only can we not add but cut uh we had those discussions have been having those discussions uh budgets were turned in uh in the third week of June u Lori Johnson has been uh been taking
them in and put compiling all the information uh into our first look. And if you recall uh at our his historically what we've done is we've taken that first uh first dump of data and information and provided to this board. We generally don't provide this
information until after we've gone through all of the department head reviews, but given the uncertainty of of of this year, we determined that we were going to bring it to you a little bit earlier. And so just wanted to to go through uh this levy fund and give maybe
give you some ideas of where the increases uh have have come from. Uh and and then at the end uh hopefully this board can provide some guidance and direction as you've done previous years to where you would prefer us to be and we get to work. So, um, if when we take
a look at our categories, again, we're broken down. The general fund are proposed, uh, based on all of the internal and external requests, uh, that have been made to to the, uh, to the county this year is 32,1212,527. Uh, this would be a 10.10% increase. Uh
just to give you some ideas uh of of why that increase is is happening in general general funds has to do specifically our steps that we provide our employees. our employees are are number one u I guess the backbone of what we do here and
ensuring uh ensuring that we maintain quality uh staff is something I know this board uh has made a priority and so a majority of uh the the general reserve funds is the is the steps uh we also have uh paid medical leave in in this
budget of 187,000 uh which is again 044% uh again please note that this is without without knowing what our COLA is going to be next year. Uh this is based on this year's staffing. Uh we have uh $300,000 of potential insurance
increases uh here as as our insurance is set to expire at the end of this year, health insurance. Uh and then we do we still do have $250,000 for future insurance costs. Uh as this board made a determination of this contract that's
that we'll be hearing in the coming weeks. uh opportunities of RFP or also doing our own self- insurance. Um last year this board made a decision to hire an assistant administrator after uh after the uh assistant county
administrator after uh the budget had been scheduled. And so this will be this is the first year uh that you will see that within my budget. We also had an internal service increase of $100,000 in the sheriff's department uh for vehicles and equipment. And as you heard from our
IT department, we had $120,000 uh of a request uh for internal service and cyber security uh in that department. Uh what this budget uh does not include is we don't have an exact cola uh because uh we are in the process of uh
negotiating with our non-unions and we do not know yet the exact amount of of the insurance what that insurance will be whether it's an increase flat or or a decrease. And so uh so that's where in that general fund those are the the big
shifts. Uh Lori actually yesterday we went through anything uh in in the budget the budget packet uh Lori highlighted $10,000 or higher and we walked through uh each of those items. And so uh these are the there are other items that are a smaller scale uh but
these are the the main the main pushes in general revenue road and bridge. Uh really I think here is a more of an inn-out. Again, we're we're proposed in 5.812566 million uh in projects next year. Uh
that's a 6.66% increase of last year. The building fund that Joe touched on earlier, $50,000 is there. The request that uh that has come from the library uh this year is $362,690. That's a 9.05%
increase over last year. Uh we are going to have I did hand out uh uh our our non-county entities that that we've provided funds for in the past. I did provide a handout uh to see where those adjustments are are being requested. Uh
and so we will have the library and several of those on your list uh coming uh to talk with this board over the next month. Uh debt retirement uh we last year we paid uh played a interest payment on the DMV. Uh this year we have the principal
and interest. Uh so that's $553,91. Uh and again the county projects uh that was a 7-year bond that we took out. Um this year's payment is $525,788. The last item in our categories is social service fund. uh the proposed
budget for next year with the shifts that we just heard about both on the state and well I shouldn't say uh these are are more on the state level. A significant uh number of the shifts that potentially could have happened early on in the legislative session. Some of
those did not come to fruition, but there was an adjustment. We'll be hearing from Quinn uh over multiple, I guess, budget updates here in the coming weeks. Uh but uh what I can tell you is that Quinn and his supervisors uh went through their budget uh when the state shifts were there uh and made some
pretty significant cuts uh or adjustments uh to to get that to where we are now. And so uh with that adding those up again you'd have a tax levy of 55 million 351 or 315,474.
You have a document attached uh in your packet also that highlights the the new requests uh for for this year. Uh and uh and the new requests that are impacted by the levy are $106,681. Uh and so um
within that within that new those new requests uh we have uh we have some increases uh in in other professional services. One of the things that this board talked about last year uh was the possibility of of having a lobbyist. Uh
again, we talked about $25,000 last year. This is something uh again as a board you would have to determine, but I was approached by several of you that indicated that even though there was great work that was done by Commissioner Mojo, Commissioner Kavanagh and and
staff uh that that undertaking uh was also uh pretty timeconuming for for uh for the for those people. And so that would be something to consider. uh with the technology services that uh that I addressed earlier uh again cyber
security uh issues some of the software costs uh prisoner board juvenile detention uh social services is looking for an the only real full-time position that we're looking for uh looking for in the new request is out of social services as you
can see uh because of funding that would be we would actually uh would be cost neutral we'd have revenues over expenditures uh in that area. Uh the next item, next area is solid waste. Um again, some of that has to do with the
with our staffing insurance. Uh and also Joe, as Joe continues to to tweak what exactly the cost of our our facilities are. And and so some of these as as um aren't really necessarily true requests as much as they are as as adjustments. a
juvenile juvenile facility is is looking at making some adjustments not in adding staff but in adjusting staff. Um, as you recall several years ago, James came forward uh to hire both a line 16 staff and a line 13. A line 13 staff had lower
educational requirements, may have had some great life experience uh that made them uh good at what they do. What James is looking at is shifting some of those line 13s to 16s. uh because of the tool tool belts that they need to to do our
teen to have in detention as that grows and changes um who we have taking care of those youth uh has to has to adjust a little bit and so um again from a cola perspective we don't know what that's going to be we did have a we do have a placeholder uh in here I think the
important thing for the board to understand is based on the snapshot that was taken uh in uh April that 1% cola adjustment uh to this budget uh equates to $421,855. And so uh with with those adjustments we
have that increases the total levy to 56,687,720. Uh next area is the county program aid. As you recall in the legislative session earlier this year, there was uh a significant uh challenge to look at
lessen lessening program aid. Uh fortunately for us, that that did not happen. We didn't we're not necessarily going to see a decrease, but we don't know up until until August 1st is is when they're statutoily required to provide us our program aid. in I think
the meetings that you've you all all have been in uh we're hoping to kind of just stay even uh we're not looking probably to see much of an increase this year. So in this document Lori used last year's uh fund to to offset that. Uh again that county program aid plays an
important role uh for all counties because what that does is acts ask acts as property tax reduction uh for for all people across the spectrum. Uh with that that has our spread levy at 50,966,99.
Uh we have had new construction proposed through Jill at 1.04%. Um and uh which would bring a which would bring a net levy increase uh to 12.56%.
Um this is uh this is fairly consistent to what we see on a an annual basis when we get that first data dump. Uh again it's eye opening from the standpoint of talking about a 12% increase. Uh as we know uh this isn't something that this
board would support and so uh we we would then look to go to work uh and get your insight and direction as as we move forward. Uh and with that I'd yield for any questions. All right. Well, we'll take this under consideration.
All right. I'm not seeing any hands up with questions at this point. So, I have one little one. Um, explain to me I I probably missed it missed it. You have the cola of a million or 1.2 and then
you have the cola down below. What's uh so what what what we're doing is just trying to plan to find a we want to have a placeholder number to have something there because had we not had a cola in there, this number would have looked if you do the simple math of three it's 3%.
A lot a lot better. And so the the cola on the top is identifying the 3% the the 1% on the bottom is if it would be anything different than than that. Okay. And then uh the other question was on insurance. When you say the word
insurance, that's a health insurance or is it a liability type thing? Oh, it would be health insurance that we're talking all of it. Yeah. Cuz I noticed maybe it was Oh, it was here. It was that letter you sent out yesterday. Sure.
You had 300 and then you had 250. So, if you recall that the the the initial we're we're just looking at a placeholder uh I think for for again an insurance increase potentially and that's the 300 again that could be higher or lower. Okay.
Right. And then the 250,000 is as this board kind of came to this year knowing that our cap of insurance uh was going to be ending that we would have to make a decision and part of that was potentially looking at self insurance. And so the board uh has made the
determination over the last five budget cycles we've saved that 1.25 million. Right. Okay. So I'm with you. All right. Thank you. Did you have a question? Well, yeah. I just maybe wanted to talk a little bit about fund balance pieces.
um you know they they kind of have eb and flowed and I know we like to go with what the you know the recommendation is on some of these but um you know the public health one really seems to have gone up quickly. Can you talk to me that one? I know part of it's
with detox. I know there's that piece but can you talk that through with me? It's basically all the detox building and so they they had a really good year a couple years ago. Uh but um below that it does show the portion of the increase that is the detox. I've got the two 2023
number and the 2024 number. Okay. So basically basically they've lost lost money in the last few years but but we've got 15 16 million in a detox that gets added to their fund balance. So in the 24 fund balance total of 18
then you take the eight eight out and the five out or the five would be for 23 though the total of the 23 and 24 you subtract that and that would be without the detox building. I know we've also talked a little bit about you know now that we have a standalone building with that maybe
separate parceling that piece out. Do these numbers justify doing something like that? Well, I think from a you know, we've worked hard as a county to find out exactly what the costs of our of our buildings and our departments cost. And so I think that it would it would uh be
beneficial to break uh break detox off on its own. Lori and I have had conversations both with uh Troy and with Kathy and I think that um that should certainly be something once we have a full year of operation uh to look at at making that adjustment.
Okay. And then maybe my my final comment is um I I'll agree with you in in regards to what that uh levy increase will not be that um you know and I I would actually
probably take it a step further. In years past we've understood there's kind of some some nominal increases that need to happen. But even if I look at this external agency, um, in my mind, I wrote no or cut next to a lot of them. And I I
think that's probably where I'm going to probably land towards the end of the summer is um, you know, this is a um, not only see reduction in asks. Um, I would probably um say this might be a
year where we need to to cut and maybe prioritize some of the areas where we feel like um makes the most sense. Uh, you know, the fair just wrapped up, so I'm going to go cost per wear type piece, but where those critical service
areas for our residents are. Uh, and they're going to be harder decisions. Um but knowing that folks that are writing out those tax checks um are facing those issues too. Thank you.
Well, you know, I it's I just did some simp um you know, when you look at before the program aid, you're you're at you're at a $6 million increase. You
divide that by 65,000 people in our county and it's like 90ome dollars per person increase just at the county tax level that that's just not sustainable. So but I I'll have more questions later
when we get a little further down in terms of again revenues over expenditures from previous years. we haven't taken into any consideration there. And when you do that, that number if you incorporated that uh it's a much bigger number than 12%.
Right. You know, so but can have we have time for those discussions. Ezra, did you have my one question was the new construction? What 1.04%? What is that? I mean what
that would just be construction um not added value to existing buildings but actual new buildings that have been added to the tax base. So it helps reduce everybody's we have more more tax base to spread the Okay. Okay. Yeah.
So general public building out building houses and Okay. could probably look at building permits. All right. That's what that means. also is part of that two-year refund. There rebate, correct? Excuse me.
There there's no money being rebaited. Uh there is a separate line. We've got $400,000 of rebate money in here. I'll have a better idea exactly what that number is when I get the new values from the city of Morhead, but I don't have those yet. Right. Right. Okay. But that's an expense line item.
That's an expense line item. Right. Okay. All right. Well, thank you. Thank you and Lori. That's quick question for you. Um, regarding Joe's budget you wanted to see consolidated. Did you just want the salaries consolidated or everything?
Well, I How much work is it to just It's not that much. It's just that you know consolidating the utilities and everything would be consolidating all sorts of different buildings. I mean I can it's it's not a problem to do if you want to see that. Yeah. I I just maybe it gives us a good
idea of our overall increased cost of all of our facilities. Yeah, no problem. Thank you, Lori. All right. Um, we'll move on to our committee reports. And we do have we're kind of really running late again today.
So, if we can kind of keep our committee reports to committees and Dominus Dave, we'll start with you today. Hey, thank you. Last Tuesday on the ETH, I met for uh preparation referenced the discussion we
had with Red River Regional Dispatch Center funds with local municipalities or rural municipalities. I met with with uh Mr. Campbell and and Steve and we
discussed what would would be coming up on Wednesday had a joint uh Northwest Emergency Communication Board meeting. There is very little I won't take us down the rabbit hole of of some of the things that were discussed. Only thing that directly uh
impacted on our locality was there's been additional busies uh where the systems kind of overwhelmed uh with Klay County. Um that is simply because they're working on an encryption program that puts strain on the system
and that's nothing that can't be worked around and Klay County uh was identified as where the new consoles are going but they've approved uh the additional consoles for the new dispatch center.
Uh and later that day we had a meeting on emergency services dispatch. Um this is going to be a conversation that goes forward. There's still an agreement that's in place for the next year and a
half and uh this is probably a situation we'll discuss at length over the next 18 months. Uh beyond the yellow ribbon, I attended that Thursday. Uh not a whole lot of uh essential
information there. Um, Friday I attended the Klay County government day at the county fair. Uh, other than the rain, it was uh it was a good good uh trip out there. And it's good good to see everybody
uh out in Barnesville and get a chance to meet with them and discuss. And that completes my report. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, two meetings. Uh the first one would have been last
Thursday on the 10th. I had the class abuse uh CD board meeting, monthly board meeting. I'll let Ezra take the top part um on the actions on the wind brace and that um as I wasn't there, but in
discussion items uh what we heard today with their bud um was detailing of the county budget. Um there are some programs coming through Bowser that will continue work through u statewide dollars for our cover crops. Uh also a
program involving irrigation u ongoing programs that are funded by the fed and then brought into the state. Uh also we got in discussion about precision um technology uh farming which
went into uh the um field days down Wil County and then a program called every acre counts. And then last thing I'll bring up is there was one uh buffer complaint on Lake 15 that uh was talked
about with soil and water. Uh but right now that's going to be handled by Matt Jacobson. uh with zoning to make sure that the u setbacks are in compliance. And that's my report. All right. Thank you, Commissioner Mel. Thank you. Last week I attended a
meeting with county staff and commissioner Campbell on dialogue with the resource recovery uh center hoping to come towards some sort of resolution there. want to remind this board that the numbers for increases that we were just presented with uh for the budget
does not include a major change in Morehead's participation with that facility. So that is uh a large piece on that and then another major issue would be any changes that we'd see on the tipping fee. So hoping that we can come towards resolution positively there. I
had a meeting with the AMC research committee meeting in regards to projects moving forward for um presentation at the um conferences and then also attended a part of the Klay County government day at the county fair.
That concludes my reports. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. On July 9th, I went to the wild rice wershed meeting where they passed seven permits and they discussed the proposed budget and they
would be looking for the water wild rice wershed and they're looking at a 4.7% increase on the admin side of things and a decrease overall on the the ditch levy. So, they'll be having a
public hearing in their August meeting, which would be the let me bring that up real quick. August third August uh 13th meeting, they'll have a public hearing to discuss their proposed budget levy.
Then on the 10th of July, I was at the S SWCD board meeting where they were they approved 19 field and farmstead windbreaks. And normally they're done before July,
but with the how wet it was in June, they had to push some of these into July. And Paul Krabanov reported the rest pretty much what happened at that meeting. Then on July 11th, I was also at the Barnesville fair for for the government day. I thought it was a very
good very good turnout for people. Even if it rained a little bit, it still a good turnout, I thought. And then last night, I went to the Mor Morin Township picnic where there was a couple county staff there. We had the highway engineer there, the sheriff's department was
there, myself was there, and the new hire from the resource recovery center was there. And we all gave a little presentation on what's going on at the county. So that was a very very good turnout there at that picnic. That's a very good very good uh group of people over there that put that on. So that is
all my reports. Chair. All right. Thank you. On Tuesday the 8th, um I met with Commissioner Ebinger and um Administrator Larson and I believe Brian Milton was there along with Sheriff Empting and Deputy Sheriff
Chris regarding um having some discussions with their upcoming meeting that was going to be the next day with the small cities regarding uh dispatch. Then on the the 9th, we had the um Commissioner Mojo
mentioned we had a meeting to further discuss the solid waste um contract issues with Morehead. Um that continues to um develop and we'll see how that goes. And then that
Wednesday the 9th then we also had the meeting with the small cities regarding um dispatch and as commissioner said we are on year two of three halfway year through through year two of three. I will expand
on uh Commissioner Everick's report to to mention that uh one of our small cities uh being Barnesville basically indicated to us that once this three-year um agreement is up that they intend to um not fund uh dispatch.
Uh that's the position that he gave to us at that point in time. Uh the mayor of Dworth was also there and and he did he did not suggest that he but he he did suggest that maybe in the in the
next set of agreements that we establish a way where it's phased the local small communities are phased out of funding dispatch. Um both Holly and Glendon were also there. they
u they kind of remain silent on those issues. They did not show anything. So that's kind of where where some of those discussions are going and you know I think if there's a phase out approach I think you know I mean that's
worthy to talk about but it like we mentioned this morning in our discussions when we were talking about the Barnesville ambulance situation is that we got to look at everything uh as a big picture and um you know if we're going to be asked to take over all the
expenses of these things at the local level and if we're supposed to take over everything that the state is putting down on us, we have to be able to make some changes ourselves and and um so I you know I just made sure that they were
aware of that. You know we um we provide assistance. So we give our small communities um funding from our wheelage tax which we're not required to. We give our small cities money in regards to our score
funding which we're not required to but those are some of those things what I talked about earlier that's a collaborative effort that we do things we do some things on for them and they do some things for us and um so those are those are things that we'll we will
be discussing uh in the future. So uh and then on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week, I was I was in Duth for their annual conference for the Lakes Country Service Cooperative.
Um it's a I duth is a beautiful place in Minnesota. That's just it's really beautiful. And but I did want to point out that they had for the second year in a row they brought back his name is Eric Thurw Thurwinger.
He was the keynote speaker for that and he is incredibly good. I I wish that it's some something that we could that we have here with all of our people that we could have him. I'm just not so sure we could afford him. But he is incredibly good and he's written several
books. He's a retired marine. Uh but he's had uh just a incredible story to tell and and his his enthusiasm and
ability to really raise and encourage people was incredible. So that concludes my report. Steve N I did forget one. What's that? I did forget one. One of my two. Okay,
go ahead. So, last night I was at the Buffalo Red WHED district. um main things there they they went over uh five cleanouts that are being done and uh two of them being
one in Holy Cross, one in Curts and uh there was discussion about um the fact that it definitely needed to be done but how tricky some of the ditches are in that area which we all know with uh uh potential slipping but so there was a
little talk about that being careful. Uh there were uh two Thailand per permits up in uh um Highland Grove uh Township and then the uh the uh project 82 which is London East tributary. Uh that
project is complete and that's uh a little bit north of Glendon and then going south. Um and then they got a new office uh office um assistant down there. um as the previous one had uh uh
left and was now working for the county. So that I'll uh that was it. Thank you. Thank you, Steve. Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh last week I participated in the meeting that's been addressed in regards to the the resource recovery. Uh we had management on the
9th. We addressed some HR issues, talked about budgets. Uh we had an update on uh on acceptable use policy of county equipment. Uh and uh the ninth had the attorneys pre-budget meeting with Mr.
Melton. Uh we had a resource recovery meeting with city of Morhead that's been covered already. Uh and then uh also met with the the dispatch rural cities that's also been addressed. On the the 10th, we did the pre-budget for the West
Central Regional Juvenile Center. Uh participated in the Klay County government days uh on uh on Friday. Again, thanks to to this board and also our departments that were there. It seems that each year we get we we take up a few more tables. Uh we'll we'll
we'll make sure we get some more tents uh for the heat or for the rain. So, uh and uh yesterday participated uh in pre-budget meetings. initially was met up to be with the sheriff's department. We ended up meeting with Carrie because of an event that uh the sheriff's
department had to respond to. Uh and then also met with Ann on a series of HR issues. Uh I did hear from Jill. Wanted to make sure I passed on from her budget that the insurance was uh due to an employee leaving and a new one coming on. Uh that was the decrease. We have
the EDC EDA this afternoon. Uh and uh just a reminder that the FM chamber legislative wrap-up Thursday at 4:30. Uh we do have that uh that uh posted so you're all able to attend. That concludes my report. All right. Thank you, Brian.
Erin, thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh on Tuesday, July 8th, I had a meeting with Kimberly Mark Jill. I don't know why I'm getting feedback on mine. Can I speak? Effective mic. Um on July 8th I had a
meeting with Kimberly Mark Jill and Lori referenced the judicial uh security law which takes effect on one January of 26. That's when the uh taking information out that from the judicial judges um records when there's data requests. On
Wednesday, July 9th, I participated in the manager meeting as well. a pre-bud budget meeting with the attorney um a discussion on the path forward for the resource recovery center which has already been covered and I had a discussion and meeting with Anna on
regarding the benefits uh renewal on Thursday I was out sick that's exciting um Friday July 11th had a meeting with Steve a meeting with Kimberly uh on she's Kimberly's really been working hard on the on online
sales. Um, and then we were talking about postage and handling fees that go along with that. Had a meeting with Rory on hosting a partnership for health data on a Klay County servers, which we're going to cover in the pick right after this meeting. And I worked on the union
costing sheets. That was on Friday. Um, Monday, we had a pre-budget meeting for the sheriff's department. uh M N C meeting for our RFP that we're working on a demo for Metife and the paid family medical leave module if we go that route
and uh continued work on the union costing sheet and upcoming this week on Thursday I have negotiations the first negotiations for the correctional sergeants and highway so we've already had three ne three initial ne negotiations and then these will be two
more this week So that's concludes my report. All right, thank you Sarah. Nothing. Okay, we are Part: 2
I took 12. mic, please. Everybody's here. So, we have a quorum. So, look for a motion to um approve the agenda as printed. Make a motion. Motion by Leo, second by Dennis. All
those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion is carried. Hopefully everybody got their packets in a timely fashion so they're able to review. Um, look for a motion to approve the minutes as printed.
So move. Motion by Tim. Second. Second by Dennis. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I to approve the minutes from June 24th. I opposed. Motion is carried.
Okay. Thank you. I'll look for a motion to open the public hearing. Motion by Tim. Second. Second by Travis. All those in favor say I. I.
Opposed. Hearing is open. Take it away. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, the applicant um is seeking approval of a variance to the minimum lot size standard in the special protection low development overlay zoning district at 27451 South
Highway 34, Barnesville, Minnesota 56514 on parcel ID 28.027.0102. This is in part of the northeast quarter, the northwest quarter, section 27, township, 137, range 44, Tansom Township.
So, this property is in the way southeast uh corner of of Klay County, just on the south side of um State Highway 34. Uh the property is zoned um agricultural
general but it does have a shoreland zoning on it special protection low development. Uh other properties are zone the same. Some do have just the special protection. Um there's a prop use of the property is residential. There is a single family residence on
the property here. And then this uh this building also has living quarters in it as well. And then there's some accessory solar systems on the property. Um so there would like to subdivide uh about 6 and 12 acres um from this 90
acre parcel. So right now there's currently two residential structures on the property and only one dwelling is permitted per parcel. So this variance would splitting it would would rectify that. Um the applicant provided a a practical
difficulty. Um one that the property line would be defined by an existing natural visual boundary. Um so really what they're seeking to do is follow this tree line here. Um they'd want to place the property
line down the center of the existing access. they have looked into um installing another access to the property and kind of reconfiguring how this would would work, but uh it's because it's to a state road uh with separation and things like that. Mindot
would not allow for an additional access. And then they also want to keep their solar arrays on their property too. So that's another reason why it's kind of got this L-shape is this. There's a solar array right here. they want to keep that on on their their their
property. Um, so if they were to split it, the proposed lot, it would technically be 10 acres, but about three to four and a half acres of that would be water. And in our code and um Minnesota state shoreland rules, only land that's above
the ordinary high water level of a public water can be used to meet lot area standards. So looking at it here, this would be a 10 acre lot, but yeah, you'd have
much of it comprised of water. Um, so the 10acre minimum could be met if they were to shift this property line down into these woods. Um, there is a there's a it's pretty wet down here. There is a significant wetland here as
well. Um the applicant also wishes to retain ownership of the trees and contends that the established tree line provides for a more practical natural and clear property line delineation. Um as I had alluded said earlier, I did speak with mindot and we had kind of had a meeting
on this and they wouldn't grant another access on the to 34. the lot proposed would meet all the other dimensional and setback standards. And so just from our comprehensive plan uh goals and objectives to consider, we
have a goal to protect and enhance the vital health and vitality of Klay County surface waters including lakes, rivers, and streams uh and reduce development pressure on natural environment lakes in Klay County. And that's why we have this zoning district, this special protection low development zoning district. It's
for smaller lakes. Um really just to prevent overdevelopment on some of these smaller lakes that wouldn't be able to to handle it. So ultimately I guess you would need to determine as you do for every variance request whether um this the applicant's
practical difficulty meets these three um criteria and in doing that in your findings of fact. Does anyone have any questions for me at all? Is Is this a building that was built and
then living quarters were added later? I think the building has always had had living quarters in it and it was used while they were building their house, I want to say. Um, but when the applicant has a chance to speak, I'll let him confirm that.
Sure. Because typically, I guess, uh, in all the other things that we've seen, when you're going to build something like this, you usually parcel it first. Yeah, that typically would be something you would do. Yep.
If you intended to have two living or dwellings on a property. Yep. So, so it's a lake is why it's a 10 acre minimum parcel. Yeah, it's just the the zoning district. So, our 10 acres is well above what the
DNR's um or what the state minimum is. The state minimum is uh for this zoning district, I think it'd be like 90 like just about two acres. So, it's well and above and beyond that for this particular zoning district.
And if this wasn't on the water, ours our rules would be two acres as well. If this was on um a different lake that had just a regular special protection zoning, then it would be Yep. two acres. Yeah. Roughly. Yep.
So even the 6 and 12 acre request would be well over what the state minimum would be or yeah state minimum lot size. What are the rules in our are our new rule new rules in place now for the
county? Yes. Okay. And in the new rules it's still 10 for special protection low development. It is still 10. Yes. Um, everything else for shoreland zoning matches the the state shoreland
rules. You can one of the reasons. So, a couple reasons for why that 10 acres or this sh this this particular zoning district um was kept and not just reverted to state shoreland rules minimums is
uh there was a desire again to not see overdevelopment of the these smaller lakes. And then two, one thing with the Minnesota state shoreland rules is you have you can have something called implementation flexibility.
So if you're more strict in some areas, you can actually be less strict in other areas when implementing the shoreland rules. So in the future, if there was some reason that Klay County desired to be less strict about something um having
this in here. Yes. Yeah. You have to balance it. Yep. Interesting. Yep. And we have dealt with something similar with Southern Water with the buffer rules. you know, as long as you had
you didn't need to have, you know, the three rods for the whole distance. You needed, you know, on an average if you had it, you know, you there were some there was some give and take there. So, it is something that the county does do.
Yeah. in other situations for the buffer wall and the the driveway. Uh being that it' be two parcels, is there need to be an easement or anything in that? There could be, but it could just be a
shared access where the property line would go right down the the driveway. I'd be wrestling with my neighbor who's cleaning it. Towns I'm like, is there any depth to that? Is there any I'm just looking at is there any depth
to that or is it just a swamp? Small lake. It's just a small a small lake right off of 34. No depth to it then? No. Is it a 100? It's not even 100 acres. It's like no 50 if that maybe it's it's a small lake.
Mostly smaller lakes are like 10 15 feet and hard to get hard to get access to because they're usually so full of stuff around the perimeter. Yeah. So there's only two other houses around that lake. Is that right? Pull it up here.
Or two other part residential properties. Anyways, one on the south, maybe one on the east. Yeah, really on this lake there's two Correct. Any other questions for Matt? Hearing none, would the applicant care
to speak? And if so, please state your name for the record. And I'm Laura Elely and my husband. I'm John Eely. And if I could just clarify, Travis,
what you had said as far as um the two built two buildings when we uh purchased this property and it was about I think three years, four years before we started the actual construction of the
steel building. Um our intent and we did live in there for 18 years. We have a two-bedroom apartment. Sure. With and um went through permitting with the county as far as sewer, well,
all that. And so we lived in 1,200 square feet on one end and then the remainder was garage, storage, that type of thing. And the intent at that time was that we would live there and construct our own house, which we did
over 10 years, moved in uh like two in 2023, January 2023 is when we moved in there. And as a result, um, John has, uh, an electrical business out of the
cities and was going to store and has stored his equipment there and that type of thing. But now, because it took a long time to build the house and that type of thing, um, it's just remained
and, you know, as we've kept it heated low level so things didn't freeze up, that type of thing. And now we don't we're nearing retirement in very near future and don't have a need for that property for any business purposes. So
that's why we come up with the idea to subdivide. Doing it to sell. Pardon? Doing it to sell. Yes. And then we live down I think I can't
really see it's kind of light there but then the house that we built on the same property is kind of hidden from the road. So that's where we're currently living. Thank you for the explanation. We didn't have the intent initially to
subdivide but and sell but now that we are there we realize that It's excessive for us. And you guys will have to arm wrestle whoever is moving snow. Anyone else have any questions for the
applicant? No. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Anybody in the audience or online wish to speak for or against this? Anyone in the audience wish to speak or
online wish to speak for or against? Anyone in the audience or online wish to speak to this hearing? None. Uh look for a motion to close the public hearing. Make a motion. Motion by Leo, second by Dennis. All those in favor say I.
I. Opposed. Public hearing is closed. Okay. Is granting the variance in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the Klay County Land Development Code? Yes.
Is the requested variance consistent with the Klay County Comprehensive Land Use? Yes. Yes. Does the applicant establish that there are practical difficulties in complying with the strict letter of the Klay
County Land and Development Code? Yes. Do exceptional or extraordinary circumstances exist that apply to the property in question and that do not generally apply to other properties in the same zone or vicinity resulting from
lot size, shape, topography, or other circumstances over which the owners of the property have no control or influence. Yes. Would the literal interpretation of the provisions of the Klay County Land
Development Code deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the terms of this ordinance? Yes. Is the variance being granted the minimum variance that would alleviate
the practical difficulty? Yes. Yes. Does the variance request meet all the below criteria? No variant shall be granted where any of the following conditions are not met. Adequate sewage
treatment systems or water supply capabilities can be provided. Yes. The plate of the land owner or hardship is not due to circumstances created by the land owner. Yes. Yes.
The variance would not allow a use that is not already allowed in the zoning district. Yes. The essential character of the locality would not be altered or there would not be a significant adverse effect on
surrounding properties. Yes. There would not be a significant adverse effect on the public health or safety. Yes. This variance does not confer on the applicant any special privilege that is
denied by this ordinance to owners of other lands, structures, or buildings in the same district. Yes. Yes. Okay. And there's a condition on here that both properties must have compliant septic systems. Is that something that
is um right now happening or does it need to be inspected? My understanding is right now that they are, but when the sale of the property happens, they will need to have an inspection anyway. But I would want both of them to be
checked because there is um Mr. Mr. Chair, just one more finding that we'd want to go through for shoreland districts just about conforming sewage treatment systems. Okay. My understanding that there is it is right now, but would want to upon
inspection ensure that is the case. Okay. So, we'll go through uh is there a conform conforming sewage treatment system present for the intended use of the property? The variance as issued
must require reconstruction of a nonconforming sewage treatment plan. Um, you say we don't know the answer to that. Well, and talking to our environmental health director, he said yes. That's fine. Yep. But they'll need to be inspected.
Oh. Anyway, so be okay. Yep. Okay. Any uh further discussion? Okay. Then look for a motion to approve or disapprove.
I'll make a motion to approve. Second it. Motion by Leo, seconded by Travis to approve the variance with the conditions that they both must, you know, pass the inspection. And if they don't, one or both will need
reconstructing. Hearing no further discussion, all those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion is carried. Thank you, kind of a side question. So in in the planning commission we would ask
the applicant and I had nods over there when I was reciting is that something that's required for this also? Uh not Mr. Chair not for a variance. Okay. Thank you. And I do also think there's a window. So
if you have a new septic system if you have to have it reinspected in a window you don't actually have to have it reinspected if it's been done in so long of time. Is is it a year? It's five. There's a five. Okay. Three for new systems
cuz their house would have a new system on it. Does that need to be inspected as well before? I would only assume the property that's in question. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Which would happen anyways if it's being
sold. Yeah, you're right. because they're living in the even though it is you know could be 10 years as she said it took 10 years to build it they've been in there for two that's not changing hands it's the other one so I thought under the new rules that
you were allowed to have two residents on a property the ones that is you can have an accessory dwelling unit on a property uh there are different rules for shorand shorand allows for
like a guest cottage Um, but there are certain requirements that would need to be met for a guest cottage. Okay. Yep. Plus, ultimately in this case, the applicant isn't looking for that. No. Oh, that's right. Yeah. They sell it off.
Yeah. Got it. This is a, you know, kind of a unique Sure. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Moving on. Mr. Jacobson, is there any unfinished business? I do not have any, Mr. Chair, unless anyone else does.
How about new business? I just want to make you aware I did send an email out about this to you all about this um navigating key land use issues training that's going to happen in weight park on uh August I want to say it's August 7th.
Yeah, August 7th, 9 to 4. um if that's something that you're interested in attending, just if you could let me know by the end of the week, that'd be great. Um pay for it obviously and can drive down with myself
and maybe Mr. Melton. Are are you still planning on attending? Okay. Um for the board of adjustment I think what would be is valuable what other folks who've attended this training um
would be mainly creating a defense defensible record and finding findings um there and then also there's some um kind of get a good update on just
some current legis or current um courta court court cases that might be pertaining to variances or things like that as well. So sometimes they have training that focuses on more board of adjustment specific topics like variances or
appeals of administrative decisions or things like that. Um this one not so much but still definitely worth worth attending if if you can can make it work. August 7th. Yep.
I want to say that's a Thursday. It is. Yeah, it is a Thursday. That's not going to work for me. Okay. One thing that I'll do is and I I had mentioned this I think before is trying to do some more training. So after going
to this training on the 7th for our August meeting, my intent is to have something depending on what's on our agenda for for training purposes. Is this one similar to that one that that we went to a couple years ago? Yep.
Okay. That was really good. That was actually actually kind of fun. Yeah. Yeah. They're definitely worthwhile. That's all I have for new business. Anybody else have anything to bring up before the board? Hearing none. Look for a motion to
adjurnn. Motion by Tim. I'll second. Second by Travis. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion is carried. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you everyone. would look for a motion to approve the agenda. If nobody has any additions or
corrections, make a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion by Jenny. Second. Second by Laura. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion is carried.
Thank you. Um approval of minutes from the June 24th meeting. Anybody have any additions or corrections? Look for a motion to approve. So moved. Motion by Sebastian. Second.
Second by Curt Stubstead. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion is carried. Minutes are approved. Thank you everyone. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes or online that wishes to speak to
something that is not on the agenda? Is there anyone in the audience or online that wishes to speak to something that is not on the agenda? Is there anyone in the audience or online that wishes to speak to something that is not on the agenda?
Hearing none. Move on to public hearings. First hearing is Northwest Excavating request for an interim use mining permit. Look. Okay. Motion made by Jenny to open the public hearing. Second.
Second by Sebastian. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion is carried. Public hearing is open. Thank you, M. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, this is a renewal request for an interim use
permit for gravel mining. Pull this up here. So, this one might be familiar to you because it was just uh granted uh in 2024 um a little over a year ago. So, they're seeking a new permit just because there
was a property ownership change um uh for for this parcel and uh per the standards of our development ordinance and um state law, uh an interim use permit does terminate um if there's change of ownership of a property. So,
um, really the only thing that they're they're seeking here is to just change that part of their current permit essentially. We did do a a pit inspection with them um on in May of 2025. Uh, looks honestly looked good. They
were um just a couple of notes on on that inspection um that should be addressed, but nothing major. Um, and so the suggested action before you would be because this is really based on an ownership change, there's not any violation of permit conditions that have
happened would just be to approve the inner muse permit with the same conditions. Uh, the other caveat is we do have new findings of fact um, since our ordinance was updated. Uh, so I'd recommend going through those um, just
because they are are new. Um, but really nothing has really changed about this specific pit at all. Just the ownership. Any questions for me at all? Okay. Hearing none. Would the applicant
care to speak? Okay. Um, no, I don't really have any comments unless you have a question. Does anybody on the panel have a question for the applicant?
Thank you. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak for or against? You may be seated. Anyone in the audience that wishes to speak for or against? Anyone in the audience that wishes to speak for or against? Hearing none, look
for a motion for the public hearing to be closed. So move. Motion by Kurt Shervin. Second. Second by Ashley Hang. All those in favor say I. I. I. closed. Public hearing is closed.
And as Matt said, even though this is just basically a name change, we need to go through the findings of fact. The interimm use will not be injurous to the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of residents of Klay County.
The interimm use will not be injurous to the use and enjoyment of other property in immediate vicinity for the purpose already permitted. The establishment of the interimm use will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding property for uses
predominant in the area. Adequate measures have been or will be taken to provide utilities, access roads, drainage and off- streetet parking and loading spaces as required by this ordinance.
Adequate measures have been or will be taken to prevent or control offensive odor, fumes, dust, noise, vibration, water pollution, soil erosion so that none of these will constitute a nuisance and to control lighted signs or other
lights in such a manner that no disturbance in neighboring properties will result. The interimm use will not create an excessive burden on current or anticipated public infrastructure or services that serve or are proposed to
serve the area including but not limited to parks, schools, public service roads, public service safety services, roads, water supply, sanitary sewers, storm sewers. Unless the county and the applicant establish a development
agreement that determines how such impact will be resolved, the interimm use allowed by this ordinance and conforms with any use standards established in chapter 8 as
may be applicable. The interimm use is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Klay County comprehensive and transportation plan and any comprehensive plan township or city may be applicable.
And staff has 14 And Mr. Chair, these conditions are the same as 2024. The only exception being the first condition. Um, this being a new permit, um, looking at a 10-year time frame, just bumped it a year from
2034 to 2035. This has the condition 14 has the rules that we've been hours of operation that we've been attempting to correct make uniform. Any discussion or changes?
Hearing none. Look for a motion to approve or deny IUP. Um, Mr. Chair, did you close the public hearing? We need to do that. I made a motion. Kurt Shervin and
Sebastian. Yes. A problem has happened. Look for a motion to approve or deny the IUP with the 14 conditions. So moved. Motion by Ashley. Second.
Second by Laura. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. IUP is granted. Next item on the agenda is Aspen excavating. Also requesting for an interimm use. Look for a motion to open
the public hearing. Second. Motion by Laura. Second by Sebastian. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Public hearing is open.
There you go, Matt. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, this is another one that would be probably pretty fresh for for most of you um just because the applicant has recently uh completed and received a completed an EAW and and received a negative u declaration of the need for an
environmental impact statement. Uh this property is a 160 acre parcel. It's in Holly Township, uh, essentially right across the street from the landfill. It's got a mix of uses on it. Cultivated egg, residential, and gravel mining.
Uh, it's in the egg general zoning district. There's a permit and uh, conditional use permit for a 20acre mine in 1991 and then a couple of variances for uh, setbacks to residents and septic systems done in 2003.
So the proposal is to expand the existing 56.1 acre pit by 48.1 acres. Um as mentioned then environmental assessment worksheet was completed uh at in April. Uh the property does have a
farming history but has been leased uh to Coast Brothers between 91 and 2003 and Aspen since that time. So this would expand the pit to 1048.2 2 acres um looking at about 115,000 cubic yards of material. Uh just a
typical mining approach that they would do. Um they would kind of have been moving in a clockwise position here and that that's the plan. This has been mined. This has been mined. This has been reclaimed. They're in the process of reclaiming this. And then we'll just kind of keep
moving on uh around in that clockwise motion. So they plan on using crushers and or crushers and screens. Um pumping would be used in conjunction with storm water basins to wash the mine material and that water is returned on site. Um it
will be in phases as previously described. There wouldn't be any structures that would require um any def demolition. Uh this expansion would is estimated to uh expand this uh mine's
life by about 10 to 20 years and would be reclaimed in a phase manner um per landowner specifications. The operating hours requested are March through December, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There'd be 3 to seven employees on site.
As mentioned in the the EAW, there really aren't any um water resources in within the pit that haven't been created through excavation. There are a couple of farmed wetlands. Um so it'd be good for our county wetlands conservation act
coordinator just to review, consult and review with the um with the applicant. a depth water depth varies. Um 18 feet below grade to uh nearby wells are at 31 and a half feet and 52 feet. Um previous
operation has shown that there's an absent of documented impacts to surrounding wells and the mining activities wouldn't uh impact groundwater. Won't be any waste water generated to uh discharge to nearby public surface
waters. uh a groundwater appropriations permit may be required from the Minnesota from the DNR. Um even for closed loop systems where you're not taking out any pumping any water from the ground but just using storm water to
wash uh if that amount exceeds 10,000 gallons per day or 1 million gallons a year. So that's something that the applicant would need to check with the DNR on. uh reclamation. It's kind of it's been
ongoing. Um the the uh intent is to return this to farmland and then to also have a pond in the northwest uh corner of the pit per land owner request. Uh reclamation costs are between half a million to $1 million.
um they'd monitor for invasive plant species and then again it's going to be um egg production or pasture. Um just based on the surrounding uses uh and you know with the landfill and other gravel pits in the area, not expecting a
lot of visual impacts. Um no air emissions. Um, fugitive dust should be controlled with either water or calcium chloride. Um, just running your running trucks below 10 mph should reduce that
dust. Uh, and then any any dust, dirt, or mud that's tracked onto County Road 23 should be removed regularly. That's been noted as well by our uh, highway department. So with this expansion, um there shouldn't be a change in
transportation at all. Um essentially they're not making this bigger. They're just kind of moving into a new new phase. And so just looking at 26 trucks making four four to five daily trips, looking at about 200 truck trips per day, uh which would vary um throughout
the the season and shouldn't increase the volume of traffic at all. as as well. The primary hall route would be up 23 to Highway 10. Uh we didn't receive any comments from Holly Township uh or the general public
use permit though may be required by the township and then excuse me just received the project uh the comment from the DNR that a water appropriations permit may be required depending on the volume. Um, any questions for me at all.
Thank you, Matt. The applicant care to speak to the application? If so, come to the mic and state your name for the record, please. I wouldn't necessarily have anything to add to it. if you guys have any questions of me. Uh Ben Aspen with Aspelin Excavating.
So I wouldn't have any questions or any anything to add unless you guys have questions for me. Anyone on the panel have questions for Mr. Aspen? Thank you. Thank you. Anyone in the audience wish to speak for or against?
Anyone in the audience wish to speak for or against? Anyone in the audience wish to speak for or against? Hearing none. Look for a motion to close the public hearing. I'll make that motion. Motion by Curtis Stubstead.
Second by Laura. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion is carried. Public hearing is closed. Okay, we will move on to findings of fact. The interimm use will not be injurous to
the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of Klay County. The interimm use will not be injurous to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purpose already permitted. Establishment of the interimm use will
not impede the normal and orderly development and improvements of surrounding property for uses predominant in the area. Adequate measures have been or will be taken to provide utilities, access roads, drainage, off- streetet parking
and loading spaces as required by this ordinance. Adequate measures have been or will be taken to prevent offensive odor, fumes, dust, noise, vibration, water pollution, and soil erosion so that none of these
will constitute a nuisance and to control lighted signs or other lights in such a manner that no disturbance to neighboring properties will result. The interimm use will not create an excessive burden on current or anticipated public infrastructure or
services that serve or are proposed to serve the area including but not limited to parks, schools, public safety device services, roads, water supply, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers. Unless the county and the applicant establish a
development agreement that determines how such impacts be resolved, the interimm use is allowed by this ordinance and conforms with any specific use standards established in chapter 8
as may be applicable. The interimm use is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Klay County comprehensive use and transportation plan and any comprehensive plan of a of township or city as may be applicable.
And staff has submitted 14 conditions here, Mr. Chair and Matt. Um, was this pit inspected like the previous one had been inspected? And if there was, was there
any problems found? Correct. It was inspected. When it was last inspected, that's when we had discovered the need for the environmental assessment worksheet. And then just to get it properly permitted just because the previous conditional
use permit only was for 20 acres. Anyone else have questions concerning permit andor the conditions? Mr. Chair, would you wish for me to read the conditions? I do not. Uh, however, I'm just one of
many here. I'm seeing I'm seeing mostly no. Well, thanks for the offer, Mr. Chair. Matt, are these conditions the same as the previous permit held? Yeah, essentially. Um the only only
difference is really being um the the size being 105 acres um reclamation bond being different. Um otherwise they're they're essentially the same. I would like to would remind um the
commission that they would need to ask the applicant if they if they are agreeable to these conditions. Okay. Before I go for a motion to uh approve or deny, does the applicant do you see any do you understand the conditions and see any issues in
complying with the conditions as printed? No, I don't see any issue with them. Thank you, sir. Hearing no objections from the applicant, look for a motion to approve or disapprove the permit.
Move to approve. Motion by Sebastian, second by Kurt Sherban. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion is carried. Permit is granted. Thanks everyone. Our next public hearing is
looking for a conditional use permit. Look for a motion to open the public hearing. Motion by Jenny. I'll offer a motion to open the public hearing. Thank you, Jenny. Second.
Motion by and a second by Ashley. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Um public hearing is open. Thanks everyone. Matt. Uh yes. Uh this is a conditional use permit request to convert an accessory use to a principal use. Uh was put forth
by is it Stephan Zecki? Uh this is a new kind of one um kind of type of request as well. I don't think our commission has heard a request like this before. um just because previously um with our code
we were not if you wanted to do an accessory use without a principal use on a property you just couldn't do it. Um the cup kind of gives you the path gives um land owners the path forward to convert an accessory use to a principal
use. Um whereas before it just wasn't allowed. So this property is um in the Harllo Estates subdivision. It's uh north of Morehead, approximately 2 miles and a mile west on 75. There's just a shipping
container on site zoned Egg General. Uh surrounding properties are zoned the same. Uh the applicant would like to construct a 2400 square foot 40x60 um shop garage. Uh intends the intent of it is to work on and store classic car
correction collection. Uh really the purpose of this is to ensure the use conversion is compatible with the agricultural and residential character of surrounding area that there's adequate space for any wells or septic drain fields which there is
and from our uh comprehensive plan um we have a goal to support the long-term protection of the countyy's strong egg diverse and agricultural economy ensure that all new development is compatible with the character and quality of egg areas. So, this use would be on a residential lot. Wouldn't take
any egg land out of production. Um, any questions for me at all, Mr. Chair and Matt? Um, just to clarify in my mind when you say convert and accessory use
building doesn't exist there right now, does it? It does not. So, is Is that just the terminology that's used in this sort of description? Because to me, it looks like it should be already there to convert it.
So, essentially a um a principal use in this case would be like a residence. So, if someone wanted to build a house, they could just come and get a building permit to do that. If someone had a house on this property and they wanted to do a shop or garage um like the
applicant wished to do and there was already a house on there, that would be the accessory use. Um so in that case, they could just do that without a conditional use permit. Um previously, if you wanted to do something like this, you just couldn't
do it at all. Um, so the conversion is really just making this what would be classified as an accessory use into a principal use. So when they build it, that will be the principal use on the property. So, and really kind of the main one of the main things especially
for like uh something like this is to ensure that it's going to be solely for personal use and it's not going to turn into like an auto repair center or something like or commercial property. Makes sense. Thank you. Yep. Anyone
else have questions or clarification requirements are met? Hearing none, would the applicant care to come forward and please state your name for the record? And my name is Safhine Zei and I have no
questions. Does anyone have any questions for him? Okay. Well, thank you. Anyone in the audience wish to speak for or against? Anyone in the audience wish to speak for
or against? Anyone in the audience wish to speak for or against this request? Hearing none. Look for a motion to close the public hearing. I'll make that motion. Motion by Kurt Stubstead. Second.
Second by Sebastian. All those in favor say I. I. Post. Motion is carried. Public hearing is closed. The conditional use will not be injurous to the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of residents of Klay
County. The conditional use will not be injurous to the use and enjoyment of other property in immediate vicinity for the purpose already permitted. The establishment of the conditional use will not impede the normal and orderly
development and improvement of surrounding property for uses predominant in the area. Adequate measures have been or will be taken to provide utilities, access roads, drainage, off- streetet parking and loading spaces as required by this
ordinance. Adequate measures have been or will be taken to prevent or control offensive odor, fumes, dust, noise, vibration, water pollution, and soil erosion so that none of these will constitute a nuisance and to control lighted signs or
other lights in such a manner that no disturbance to neighboring properties will result. The conditional use will not create an excessive burden on current or anticipated public infrastructure or services that serve or are proposed to
serve the area including but not limited to parks, schools, public safety services, roads, water supply, sanitary sewers, storm sewers. Unless the county and the applicant establish a development agreement that determines how such impacts will be resolved,
the conditional use is allowed by this ordinance and confirms conforms with any specific use standards established in chapter 8 as may be applicable. The conditional use is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Klay
County comprehensive and transportation plan and any comprehensive plan of township or city as may be applicable. staff has four conditions.
Mr. Chair and Matt, I'm guessing nobody in the audience spoke up or online. Did anybody send in any comments that you're aware of? Um, just one comment from Craigness Township and they were just basically wanted an explanation of what the request was and
they didn't have any other comments. Matt, just have a question here. There was an unpermitted shipping container. I'm assuming I'm assuming um when we transition this, if we do accessory to principal, is that just now permitted underneath?
Yep. That would essentially become the accessory use. Yep. So, we could actually go through and permit it. Yep. Okay. Does the applicant understand and agree that they could follow the four conditions that are
stated on the Yes. Thank you. And I'd like to say I'd like thank you for coming to us before you build the shop. I appreciate that. You're welcome,
Mr. Chair. And Matt, on the last page, something I don't remember seeing, there's three comments under the flood hazard districts and four under the shoreland. Is that something that needs to be noted on record?
This would not apply to this request as it's not in the flood plane or shorland. Okay. Y any further discussion, questions, comments? Hearing none, look for a motion to approve or disapprove the conditional use permit.
Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve of the permit with the conditions. Motion has been made by Jenny. Second. Second by Kurt Stubstead. All those in favor say I. Opposed. Motion is carried.
Our next hearing is from Northern Growers. Another request for a conditional use permit. Look for a motion to approve the opening of the public hearing. Second
motion by Laura, second by Ashley to open the public hearing. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Hearing is open. Yes. So, uh, keeping with theme tonight and continuing to blaze new trails here.
Um, thank God. This is a cup request for a cannabis micro business. Uh applicant is Northern Growers LLC. The land owner is Tyler Utter. This property is located just outside of of Morehead. Um it's about a
tenth of a mile east of US Highway 75. There's a 4,000 foot shop and about 1,700 ft of paid parking on the property. This property was reszoned in 2018 to remove um the urban expansion district tier one over should say
overlay zoning district. Um so leaving it just strictly highway commercial. It's currently used as a commercial property. So the surrounding properties um their underlying zoning is either agricultural general or highway commercial but they do have that tier one urban expansion overlay zoning
district. this property is unique in that it does not have that. Um so the request is uh CUP for a cannabis micro business. This would be to grow so cultivate and then also for retail sale and they do they have
received the uh green light from the state of Minnesota office of cannabis management. That means they got a preliminary approval from the state. So the next step in the process is to secure a site. Essentially, once they have that, then they can get the final
license issued. They plan on using um 4,000 square feet of this all structure. It'll be all indoors. Um they're using planning on using advanced uh HVAC systems with odor control, um sealed a sealed grow
environment as well. Um LED lighting and security accesses. And then the retail space has to be controlled as well. So, controlled access, age verification, customer flow management. Um, they just
as an example, the um the tribal dispensary in in uh Morehead uses this they all use kind of the similar process where you can't just walk in and buy something. Um it's there's steps that you have to go through to actually get in and and make your purchase.
Uh the business hours would be aligned with our local regulations of 8 to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. For security, they would have uh 247 video surveillance, secure storage as well, and they do plan on coordinating with uh
the sheriff's department. Um there is adequate space for off- streetet parking though would like to see a parking plan to be submitted um by them as well. uh they do uh meet or exceed all the
setbacks uh for this business. Um one thing I'd like to see addressed is a plan to um for storage and disposal of waste products and wastewater uh for cultivation. Integrated pest management plan is required as well. Uh Morehead
Township did uh choose they passed a resolution this year to delegate their retail registration um to the county. So, um, retail registration would go through our public health department. And so, once they get a license, they can't operate retail
until they have this registration um, local registration. And that essentially um, registers them with the county and would subject them to um, compliance checks, regular
compliance checks. just a closer look at kind of where where it is. I think this is one um I think we noticed like 320 properties for this just based just because of the proximity
to Morehead. So that's how many letters big thanks to Erica and Rita for that. Yeah. Uh, as far as public comment, we have not received any. Um, the city of Morhead did reach out and they said they don't have any issues with that with the
request. Um, we did not receive a comment from Morhead Township as well. Uh, I also did confirm with the office of cannabis management that yes, they have the preliminary approval um, and would just need to kind of go through this step before submitting all their
final documentation uh, for a comprehensive plan. How this would relate to that? Uh we do have a goal to encourage commercial industrial development that is in harmony with the egg and rural character of Klay County promoting value added egg commercial industrial development along in agricultural service center areas and
along transportation hubs and corridors. So this would be within that US highway 75 corridor to avoid or um mitigate against commercial industrial development that increases the potential for land use conflicts with rural residential or egg uses. This would meet
all those setbacks. Um, we have a goal to promote the incorporated communities of Klay County as prime locations for commercial industrial development and encouraging that to locate within incorporated communities of Klay County. So, it's this is not within um an incorporated
community, but it is in the growth area of the city of Morehead. And then also we have a objective under this goal to encourage commercial industrial development that is in harmony with future land use plans or city leadership to occur in future urban growth areas of incorp incorporated communities and
again the city of Morehead doesn't see any issue or conflict with this use. Any questions for me at all? Um yes. So water. So is there are are
there public utilities to this location? It's well and septic. So privately owned. Yeah. Private. Mhm. Will they have enough water to grow? I don't know. Be in a well. That'd be a question for the applicant,
I think, when it's their time to um or if you want to ask them now. I suppose. The only other thing that I'll say is the licensing process is pretty thorough from the state. Um, and really what the legislature has given to granted to
local um jurisdictions is to regulate the time, the place and the manner of these businesses. So that's kind of what the focus is um here. Otherwise, um the I guess regulations in terms of
um security, ventilation, odor control, all of those things um are regulated by the state. And so they would be receiving state inspections on all of those to make sure that the building is up to code and um that they have those
those systems in place. Mr. chair and that um is it am I correct in that it can only be this operation could only be in a highway commercial zone highway commercial or limited highway commercial
limited okay this is by nurtured nest too isn't it that uh correct is there must be within a regular distance is 501 ft feet from nurtured nest. What was the which was verified several times.
Um the setback is 500 ft. You got 12 inches, boys. So Okay. Anyone else have any questions for Matt? Okay. Would the applicant care to come up and speak? Please state your name for
the record. Hi everyone, my name is Mark Hedland. I'm one of the owners of Northern Growers or also known as Minnesota Cannabis Company. And I don't have any questions, but I'm guessing you guys might have some. So fire away. Um I have uh some regarding some of the
things that Matt had stated that weren't completed yet. um waste uh wastewater and waste management was one. Um when do you anticipate getting having your tees dotted and your eyes crossed? So we did we do have a preliminary now
that um we uh work through with our attorneys that we're kind of working coincide with the state still. Um we I have a copy of that if you guys would like. Um mainly a lot of our a lot of the water there's um with the indoor grow there's not a lot of water waste. We're hoping to reclaim most of it to
reuse in our um in our grows as well. Anything that's considered not reusable would be treated and disposed of properly by the state guidelines of what they're requiring. So, as far as product and um uh disposal of plants that are no
longer usable, any product that's deemed um not sellable or expired or anything like that, uh they they we would have to have a what's called a cannabis container, and it's a sealed container to keep it there until it gets to a certain point, and then we can have it
taken away and disposed of properly. Uh, as far as the plant itself, we're try we're hoping to compost uh some of it of what we can. Um, certain things like the root ball and uh things that aren't considered product that could be possibly used um can be disposed of just
through the trash or through however you would dispose of I guess of root balls. But um the plants itself will need to be uh either composted or a grind compost to where there's really nothing left to it. So, and then either reused or hauled
off. Thank you. Uh, sorry, Sebastian, to your we do have a well on property. Uh, we have it scheduled to be tested next week for the capacity. Um, we approximately about 200
to 400 gallons a day is about what we um looked at is what we would be using for water. Um, so it's mainly for us to um test to see the the length or the duration of that. Well, um, and then looking to see if we need to, if we would need to add it. Currently, as far
as I know, um, from previous tests, what we have would fit our facility if we expand, that would be something we just have to look at or or check again. So, we want to get it verified. The test the was tested uh, years ago and we just want to verify and make sure.
Mr. Jar, is there uh going to be retail out front then as well? Yeah, so um Oh, I don't know if we had a picture of it. So there's a a quonet style building um and to the off to the east of it would be um the retail as well. So
So the buildings are all would be all connected. Yep, they are currently connected. Will remain that way, but just different levels of security. Yep. Yep. So the grow facility itself will have its own set of security with um fob in indoors and full cameras and stuff like that. Uh the dispensary
would as well have the security doors and things like that. Um 24hour surveillance um on the property at all times inside and out. Mr. Headlin. Yes. You mentioned possible expansion. Are
you limited on how much square area you you can go up to and how much are you going to use as of now? Yes. So, the license that we applied for, we are allowed to grow it. They they they um they guide it by uh canopy space. So, how much canopy one plant
would use. Um we are currently for the license we are applying for could could potentially grow up to 5,000 square feet of canopy space. Um we currently the facility that we have does not. We're looking at um taking that building and turning it into basically two to three
grow rooms. We're thinking pro approximately 300 plants um would go through a grow cycle at a time with the facility or the drop that we have right now currently. And what would be the square footage of canopy as have available now?
If we had 300 plants you would look be looking at roughly about 1,200-500 square feet of of canopy. So, if we drove by other than bunch of cars going there to buy whatever, would we see much would we notice much
difference as far as equipment, uh, traffic? Uh, no, not really. The current owner had been using it a lot for storage, so it's actually going to be maybe a little bit cleaner. Um, our goal is I we we will have the signage as required by the county or the state that has it, but we
would like to keep it, you know, as quiet as possible or as as non how do you say nonchalant, I guess, as possible. We just we don't we want we know that the product itself and the and the business itself will draw attention. We just don't want to draw extra
attention if we don't need to. It's not our intention. Thank you. Anyone else have any questions? I was curious about the length of maturity from planting the seed to the
time that you can harvest it. So, um, usually varies, but it's roughly about 8 8 to 10 weeks. Um, currently, uh, to get into, I guess, the science of it, a lot of the process going from seed to actual sprout or plant, um, typically takes the longest. Uh, we can purchase
what's called clones, and it's basically a plant that has already been started and about 6 to 8 in high. That helps us eliminate that first 3 weeks. And so um but there's the grow cycle then for itself would be roughly about 8 to 10.
There's also drying time and there's um uh trimming time. So from I would say from plant until actually hitting the shelves would be 12 weeks would be my guess. So you'll get several crops a year then. Our our goal yeah is to turn you know
and there is a little bit of downtime in between because every every growroom is if you look at it like a surgery room. It has to be completely sterile and has to be started over and hosed down every time you start a new grow. Um we have to build these so that we can control and manipulate the environment inside of
them. Temperature, humidity, um lights and things like that. Uh and we're working with Mission Mechanical right now who actually built out Pure Dakota um facility in North Dakota. uh North Dakota's medical facility and getting
the right HVAC systems and stuff like that. So, it should filter everything as needed. So, Mr. Edlin, are you what your what you your and your team is going to produce there is that limited to just your
retail or can you supply somebody else? We are allowed to supply others. Um we can wholesale it. So, with our license that we currently have, we could grow and not dispense and sell wholesale to other dis uh dispensaries, um, from what we've researched and learned is that the
first few years especially, it's the the product itself is going to be a pain point. So, us being able to grow our own and then sell it is what's going to kind of keep us sustaining. So we do also have the option to bring in other product if we have other growers from different parts of the state that you
know want to maybe use and and sell other product from from different parts. Um we can do that as well with the dispensary side. So how many different types you talk about different rooms so they'll be all different types. So, with the size that
we have, it'll probably be about six to 10 different strains. Um, we're going to run a couple that are very, uh, common, very easy to grow, very consistent, and then we're going to do a few others that are um, popular and and we'll change up that rotation as well. Um, but yeah, a
about our size, we think we feel about six to 10. Is this the this is the first one? This is uh this is this is the first one then uh other than the tribal ones. Yes, we were hoping or and have been trying to become the first one. So, okay. For us, I think.
Yeah, that's what I mean. I don't want to look too excited. Is that why you wear green tonight? And if you look through our business plan, you will see that we also we we've developed a part of our business plan that we call a charity strain. So we with every grow, we plan on growing a
certain amount of plants that everything that's harvested and sold off of that and the community would know that. We're planning on gifting that back into our community. Um we have veterans on our that are in our company. We have um parents that, you know, I'm a big fan of
of donating back to kids, especially kids that um don't have it as well as others. Um so our goal is to with every growth cycle, we roughly could have, you know, x amount of dollars that we're going to give back into the community of Morehead. So,
thank you. Thank you. Um is there anyone in the audience that wishes or online. I don't know online tonight. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak for or against?
Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak for or against? Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak for or against? Hearing none. Look for a motion to close the public hearing.
So moved. Motion by Sebastian. Second. Second by Chris Tubstead. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. The hearing is closed. The conditional use will not be injurous
to the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of Klay County. All the boxes are checked. The conditional use will not be injurous to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purpose that's already permitted.
Um, so what businesses surround sorry you know there's there was a daycare within 501 ft. What else is in that area? There painting SM brothers painting brothers paint um a garage.
Yeah, there's a radio operation, but it's not operational. Establishment of the conditional use will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding property for uses predominant in the area.
Additional measures have been or will be taken to provide utilities, access roads, drainage, and off- streetet parking and loading spaces as required by this ordinance. Adequate measures have been or will be taken to prevent or control offensive
odor, fumes, dust, noise, vibration, water pollution, and soil erosion so that none of these constitute a nuisance and to control lighted signs or other lights in such a manner that no disturbance to neighboring properties
will result. The conditional use will not create an excessive burden on current or anticipated public infrastructure or services that serve or are proposed to serve the area, including but not limited to parks, schools, public safety
services, roads, water supply, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, unless the county and the applicant establish a development agreement that determines how such impacts will be resolved. The conditional use is allowed by this
ordinance and conforms with any specific use standards established in chapter 8 as may be applicable. The conditional use is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Klay County comprehensive and transportation plan
and any comprehensive plan of a township or city may be applicable. Staff has listed eight conditions and they address all the questions that I you know the questions that I had regarding
copies of solid waste and waste water. I think and I find it interesting that the pest management it's just like it was a food. I mean it's very you have to have that in restaurants and anybody have any comments or questions
or addictions? Thank you. I just uh want to comment. Um I think the deliberate planning that the county did um just to really work through um anticipating applications really
probably shows with the lack of substantial folks in the audience today. uh to have noticed as many people as we had um and to not really have anyone in the I mean we've had far more
people in audiences for other pieces. Um, but I think this is maybe just a sidebar comment about the testament to the work Matt and your staff did um, laying the groundwork and anticipation for um, when these applications started coming in to be very clear with
applicants about what um, what the county would like to see in regards to pieces um, is is good. So, I appre I'm appreciative of that. I I do really wish there was another like 10 to 50 feet between the daycare. I mean, that's not a deal
breaker for me. Um I do uh you know want and I think you will um there to be clear communication with the businesses that exist there because um what's good for one business really will be good for all of the businesses businesses in that area. Um but I really do feel good about
um the conditions that are on here making sure that we're uh protecting um not only this applicant but the other uh the other existing businesses Does the applicant understand and is able to comply with the aid conditions
and sprinted? Yes, absolutely. Um, if I can touch on what she said, Matt has been absolutely great to help us and work with us. Um, very attentive and very and gets us answers quickly. Um, I do believe if if to touch on the daycare, I do believe
it's the very closest point, which is actually the back of our building, which we won't be doing in the back of their building. If you were to go where our customers will walk in to where their kids are, it's quite a bit further, I think. Further. Yes, you're right. Because they're on the north side and you're on the south side. Yeah. And obviously, our goal is to
never interfere or to make it uncomfortable for them. We would gladly work with them and make sure that those kids aren't affected by anything. So, so on that same line, so how far is the grow area and from the daycare you you
know the o I'm you know concerned little I have some concern about potential odor and I I wasn't meaning to make it an issue. I mean it it really is the the the closest points really are the furthest points from it. Yeah. The access points are much farther than
what the closest pieces are. like the back building. I think that is the closest literally will there's nothing that we would use of it. We have a door on the back that we're going to seal up because we don't want that access into the building. And so that back corner would be nothing. I mean other than a snowplow would go through it. So all of
our deliveries would come up front which is a lot a much further um distance from where they would be. And the play area for the um for the daycare is much farther because that's on the north side and that's completely fenced in. Yeah, Mr. Mr. Chair, that'd be closer to
like 560 550 ft. Um, and then the actual building where but the majority of the daycare activities take place where most of the kids are for most of the day is like 506 ft from nearest corner to nearest corner.
Also including in there, just because it was so close, there's a sophet that comes out on the bottom base of that building. Sticks out about a foot and I measured from the end of that. Well, thank you for being very thorough and
thank you for coming and answering all the questions and having your ducks in a row. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair and Matt. Um, what far as the setback says this setback is not reciprocal. Can you
explain that? Uh, yes. So, some setbacks in Klay County are reciprocal. Meaning, for example, a feed lot um the setback from a feed lot to a residence um is reciprocal. Meaning that the setback from a residence to a feed lot
would be the same. Um for this, if say the daycare wanted to move their playground or wanted to expand a little bit, they could do that. So this the 500 foot setback does not impede on um the
ability of anyone else to develop within that setback. They are certainly welcome to come come in. It's just that the the the cannabis business couldn't go any closer. That's what I thought. I just wanted you to confirm it. And we're we're making a recommendation to the county board,
correct? No. Nope. Okay. This is it. Okay. I'll look for a I'll make that motion to approve at with the conditions one through four. 1 through eight. 1 through eight, excuse me. Motion by Kurt Stubstead to approve the
conditional use permit with conditions 1 through eight. Second the motion and a second by Jenny. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion is carried. Permit is granted.
Matt, item number seven, update of planning and zoning violations. Um, currently sitting at uh 17 for gravel pits, kind of the similar issues, um, setback issues, just getting copies
of permits and bonds. Um, one has already done all their dirt work to reclaim their issue. Um, just needs to be inspected. Um, and then we just have one administrative home occupation. Uh, that would require a boundary line adjustment essentially
because they're operating a business on they were operating a business on one property, then they moved it next door, but the building is still on it. Yeah, it's complicated. Uh and then um just two commercial storage properties with violations that are being actively
addressed. I think this is this right this time of year is kind of the peak for finding the gravel pit violations. Just want to commend Erica too for doing a really great job and um doing her pit
inspections and she's a fantastic ace drone pilot as well. Thank you. Any unfinished business, Mr. Jacobson? Uh no. How about new business? Um just that uh
the Minnesota county's uh intergovernmental trust is putting on a land use training in Weight Park. I sent you all an email about that. That's on August 7th. It's from 9 to 4. Uh if any of you are interested in attending or can attend, I'd highly recommend um
doing that. I'm kind of I'm interested most I think and there's going to be a whole session on um uh data centers. Um, that's something that we're starting to see more and more of. Uh, more in North Dakota, but there are 10 planned
in in Minnesota right now, too. So, see a lot more of those. Um, would be a great it's a great opportunity. Um, if you have a day and are able to do it, I highly recommend doing it. Just contact me if you could by the end of the week
because it they fill up really fast. Um, and I can get you registered. I think that's a Thursday. 7th is a Thursday. Okay.
Anybody else have any things to bring up? Hearing none, it looks like our next meeting will be the 19th. Look for a motion to adjurnn.
Motion by Kurt Stubstead. Second. Second by Laura. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion is carried. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you everyone.