Okay. It's 08:30. We'll call the 07/11/2025 emergency meeting of the three Warren County Commissioners to report. All please rise with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I'll let the meeting for a motion to approve the meeting agenda. That should be made by commissioner Stevenson. Is there a second? Second by commissioner Casa.
Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. The meeting agenda has passed. Consider a resolution to accept the resignation of Kelly Hendrickson, auditor treasurer. Someone wish to make that resolution? Yes, mister Sharon. Quick question. On on the emergency meeting, can you talk about how this qualifies for emergency meeting? Because there hasn't been any court cases on it that there's been an opposite budget for administration is this administration here the state has had an opinion on it?
Under the open meeting on the city of Minnesota, boards are supposed to be very transparent to the public. It's important for the public to see and appreciate the actions the board takes. So routinely, the board provides notice of their regular meetings, meets in a regular meeting place, and, and the public is allowed in so the public can see exactly what the board is doing. That's what this board does routinely. On some occasions, there may be a need for immediate action by the board that supersedes that ordinary notice and routine meeting,
requirement. Emergency meetings can take place because of unforeseen circumstances that require county government, resigned and asked the board to accept that resignation. The board is taking immediate responsive action. That's important for the function of, of county government. The position involved here is an important position for the county, for the residents of Fremont County. They need someone in a position to make decisions in the auditor treasurer's office. And there's a potential, financial, burden to the, residents of this county. There's a a potential liability issues for the county if we don't have some response
to the person taking care of the issues that arise in the order of the treasurer's office. So I think the board is fully justified in taking, action as quickly as you can to replace the person or to make some sort of arrangement so that the things that the auditor treasurer is responsible for can be taken care of? Yes. I mean, looking that up, the opinion of the business administration was that, emergency meetings, in their opinion, was relegated the hiring process. And, you know, we have this high risk for the bank and stuff like that.
So, I mean, timing of the year, you know, while I see the absentee voting sign out, you know, it's not like we're having tolls open tomorrow. Do you know how to do that? So those are the questions. And as far as specific public safety issues, I don't know that I'm qualified to say exactly what arrived or may arise. My concern is that there is there are potential issues all in many different respects, with the absence of that of an official in that position. So I you know,
it would certainly be rational for the board to opt up for a different position here. You're not forced to make a decision today. I just think it is wise for the board to move as quickly as possible here. I think it's in the best interest of the county and the best interest of this board, and the the residents of Greenmore County to have someone responsible in that position, whether it has to do with elections or whether it has to do with property issues. They're just recently, now within the last few days, I believe, they sent out notice the the auditor treasurer's office sent out notices to vacate because
of, property tax forfeiture issues. Sometimes those, matters involve eviction. The the board has authorized that just recently where a person had to be evicted from property. That involves a potential of a public safety issue. I don't know of any specific case now that's before the audit or treasurer where someone's been evicted, but I just signed a number of, and I think it was exactly 10, notices of, tax forfeiture because a person is failing to pay the property taxes. And those situations can involve,
law enforcement literally physically having to remove a person because because of the the issues, that would, I think necessitate the leadership and the good discretion of an auditor treasurer or some procedure to move on those cases before something bad happens. They're nice that it could be construed as a public safety issue in that one. I think so. Yeah. And I think that's an older opinion. A few years old, like I said, there hasn't been any court cases. All the other special special meetings, regular board meetings,
there's been court cases through the years that have looked into that. But in this case, it hasn't. Maybe it needs to take take state level for the newer opinion or something like that. That may be helpful. And I will say to the board, it it is my opinion that this meeting is authorized, as a as an emergency meeting. So the board has my opinion as kind of attorney, but that is the case. Gotcha. I mean, in addition to everything you just shared, Dave and I have been talking about, Friday checks, with the person's name on it.
We can't use her name when she's not in a position as assigned to police, but we do need to have an emergency meeting to get all of the bank accounts. Specifically, the magic account that holds a lot of our money was placed just in that person's name and had the only authority internal burden from it. And so we we need to make sure we're taking care of our dollars. We just have that responsibility as well. They're gonna make the Friday checks They are for the chair. And so we can't we would have to redo all of those checks removing the
board chair and having the deputy sign. But, again, we would be working on her for her name. And and she agreed for that. To reiterate that, there was a huge concern the county being able to move forward with business as you would because of the inability to, process checks, process checks, item checks. So and then at some point, it could cause a safety issue. And mister chair, if I may add one thing that I think we should probably add to the record here. And the our county administrator, I think, has addressed this notice was sent out, public notice regarding this meeting.
And, this meeting is being held in public place. And it is this is the, meeting room that this board uses routinely for workshops and most recently for public meetings. But if we could just address that notice, the requirement, doctor help them. Absolutely. In emergency meetings, we we could have the responsibility to reach out and do that. We did let the newspaper know, Chelsea get posted as best as she possibly could, and we are reporting the team as well to meet those requirements. Anything else on that? Alright. Again, would someone like to enter a resolution to accept the resignation of Kelly Hendrickson or
our auditor treasurer? I'll enter that resolution. And, chair Brad Edmond, someone would like to second that resolution. Second by by commissioner Severson. Any discussion? Mister chair? Yes. Just had one question on the timing. You'll see, her letter was dated July 7. But we have an agreement with her that we can use her signature to get our business through until we could have an emergency meeting. So, if if and of course, the board has the Any other discussion? Hearing none, will the clerk please call the roll? Mister Stevenson? Yes. Mister Kratzoff?
Yes. Mister Trapp? Yes. Mister Edmond? Yes. Resolution has passed. Now the board consider a resolution to fill a vacant auditor treasurer position. Do I have a resolution for that? I like that. Enter by commissioner Shaw. Is there a second? Second by commissioner Casa. Any discussion? Hearing none, will the clerk call roll? Commissioner Commissioner Sigerson? Yes. Mister Kasa? Yes. Mister Straub? Yes. Mister Edwin? Yes. That resolution has passed. Moving on, consider a resolution to appoint of the emergency appointment of an interim auditor or treasurer.
Someone wish to entered by commissioner Severson. Is there a second? Second by commissioner Casa. Any discussion? Hearing none, will the clerk please call the roll? Mister Severson? Yes. Mister Casa? Yes. Mister Shaw? Yes. Mister Edwin? Yes. So at this point in time, we do have an individual that has stated he would take on the task of an interim auditor treasurer. Do you have an individual's name? Patrick Hickman. K. Just like his son. Yeah. Okay. Are there any others that would be looking to,
fill that position? We didn't have anybody knocking down our door. So we're very grateful that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that role on a temporary interim position, position. Would someone like to make that resolution? Interim vice commissioner Severson. Is there a second? No. Second Yes. Mister Troff? Yes. Mister Edwin? Yes. Welcome. Thank you. Now we have a quote of August. Okay? With my bad eyes. Raise your right hand and repeat after me.
I, Patrick, Wakim. I, Do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support Do solemnly swear and affirm that I will support the Constitution of The United States The Constitution of The United States. And the constitution of the state of Minnesota. And the constitution of the state of Minnesota. And I will faithfully discharge the duties. And I will faithfully discharge the duty. Of the office of auditor treasurer interim. Of the office of the auditor treasurer interim. In the jurisdiction of Breborn County.
In the jurisdiction of Breborn County. To the best of my judgment and ability. To the best of my judgment and ability.