Did you give him a 1099? >> Looks like I'm a little overdressed for this group. That heavy. How many suits do you have, Justin? >> 40. No, maybe 15. Change it out a little bit. We're ready
to go. All right. Pair of socks for every indicator. >> So, our work session this morning is going to involve elective commissioner roles in local government. You got Justin here, Dana. So,
you know, and it's been a few years since, you know, I came and, you know, had this conversation, and I think there's been a lot of change. Um, not necessarily in the faces, but in
what the the board has for goals and just want to make sure we're all aligned on that same questions. Um, you know, there's also been subated debate
amongst the commissioners and there's nothing wrong with that. Different people have different opinions, you know, and that's I guess where I'd like to start. Um, board members can have personal opinions. There's nothing wrong with
that. Um, you know, I think what is important when you're talking to your constituents or you're talking with your partners to differentiate between what your opinion is and what the board actually did.
Um, we can't go out and represent something as a county position when it's not the county's position and it's, you know, only the personal opinion of a commissioner.
you know, we're going to have a a public meeting and we'll talk about more of, you know, how at least I envision or if there's differences or if there's questions on, you know, the various settings that you guys are put in. Um,
you know, it could be, you know, Dwight's opinion was, you know, shotguns kill people and rifles kill people and, you know, there's not, you know, a differentiation between the two for
purposes of hunting. But if the board ultimately says we're going to be a shotgun zone, you know, you'd have your personal opinion, but, you know, you also have the board stance and you can disagree with the board stance. You know, I think the one thing that
the board has done a good job at is developing this committee structure and part of the committee structure. you know, the chain of command making
sure that, you know, if if Troy gets a complaint about roads or highway, okay, it's not Troy's role as a county commissioner. He can have the conversation, but you know, those
issues, that's why we have a highway committee. Um, you know, certainly there has been questions and there will always be questions over, you know, compensation benefits and things like that, you know,
and, you know, I think the board has tried hard to stay competitive in that, but not everyone is always going to be satisfied, you know, but that's why we have, you know, a personnel committee. um you know so
the point I'm trying to make is we have these committees to address these various issues and those need to be referred to those committees you know for a variety of reasons for consistency for transparency
um you know I like that the the board has been consistent in their committee assignments because you know those commissioners who serve on the various committee then you know have a you know particular knowledge about the issues
that are being addressed um you know and that's I think the process that we want to have you know someone is unsatisfied with their compensation well that's something we need to talk to the
personnel you know someone's not happy with their their garbage And yesterday it was my fault that I put my can too close to the road. Got a call from my wife that well now I
got to go pick up garbage. um you know but that's why we have you know those committees to vet them and to lift up to the board as a whole um you know recommendations which the board may or or may not you know accept
but particularly when um you know we have war bargaining units now in the county and we have to be you know vigilant that we're uh
you know you know at all levels at a commissioner level, at a department head level, at a committee level, even at a board level, you know, especially with our our union partners, we have to follow a protocol
if there are things that, you know, are missed that need to be adjusted. Um, you know, we try our best during negotiations, but um, you know, I don't know if Ashley has brought it or is bringing it. Um, we included new
language for courthouse employees and failed to recognize that the custodian is kind of a different animal within, you know, that bargaining period. So, um, you know, as a as a general rule,
um, you know, if a department identifies an issue, you know, and they bring it, you know, to a committee or, you know, there's a a chain of command that, you know, I think this board has recognized would work the best to address the
issues before the board. You know, certainly we're going to rely on our department heads to um you know, identify those issues and certainly department heads, you know, have different relationships with different county commissioners. You
know, a slew of department heads are going to have a great relationship with White because they work with her, you know, and they may lift up an issue to him. Um it might not, you know, and that's fine. they might lift it up
directly to the committee, but I think that there, you know, the structure that you want to have in place um is to, you know, follow that department head committee and up to the board.
Um any issues with the committee structure questions at this point? >> I have a question. I can't think of a very specific example, but let's say there's something that is quite important and maybe
debate a little controversial in a sense. Should the committee members be conversing with a respective commissioner ahead of a meeting to get their consensus to bring them up to
speed rather be debated in in in a formal meeting? We're from an informative. This is where we're at. that ended up, >> you know, I think it generally depends on,
you know, the issue, you know, and I think that when, you know, a board member is a representative of a committee, you know, brings, you know, a recommendation to the board. um
that the dialogue that you know occurred that resulted in a recommendation and it might be a unanimous recommendation you know is brought forth so the board has that complete
structure and and texture. Um, you know, we also have to be mindful about, you know, open media laws and that we're not, you know, conducting business, you know. So, if there is,
you know, a significant or, you know, insignificant but yet controversial issue that, you know, it would be appropriate for the board to have a dialogue on. You know, that would be, you know, a good forum for
um, you know, a work session just like this to, you know, talk through those issues, get the committee members, you know, any effective department head employees present to, you know, vet the issues,
you know, and not take up board time. Um, you know, I think, you know, we just went through a contract cycle and the personnel committee of course is engaged with the unions on that. It involves the, you know, the livelihood of our
employees. It involves, you know, the use of taxpayer dollars and, you know, what health insurance does. we know what wages have done you know and you know I think it's important for the board as a whole to know you know how we
arrived at this patch you know what are the good things about it what are the bad things about it you know so the new legislation about you know the rifles you know it was appropriately identified that that was
going to be a an issue where there's going to be opinions on on both sides, you know, and the board, I think, appropriately held a, you know, a work session to get that information. So,
you know, in that bay, um, you know, we have, you know, your interaction, you know, is probably going to take five different sorts of
you know, settings. You're going to have constituents, employees, department heads come to you with issues. You know, that's going to happen. That's information gathering. You know, I I think we're identifying issues of our
employees, of our constituents. Um, you know, of course, if someone's bringing a new topic or a new issue to you, um, you know, you can certainly give them your thoughts. I'm not trying to hamstring anyone here. Um, but
you know, giving an assurance that you're going to get something done other than, you know, addressing the issue, you know, is you know, it does the wrong thing. You know, I I don't tell private clients. I
don't tell crime victims. I don't tell cops that we're going to go to court and we're going to win because courts, you know, judges are human beings who sometimes make mistakes. And you put 12 people or six people in a room and
you don't know what's going to happen. I I remember the first case I tried. It was a gross misdemeanor criminal damage to property that happened up in Ashb bathrooms or something. And I thought I had a good case.
I didn't know the people and I had a member from a family that strong DFL and I had a member from a family who was strong uh Republican and that jury went 5-1 this way and then
five this way and you know there was just a personality conflict that presented any resolution and that jury you know I think you know the message is to hear them and to let them know that you're going to funnel it, you know, in
the right direction to get addressed, you know, and, you know, the second issue or the second setting is going to be those committees, you know, and I think all of you do a good job of gathering the information and working within those settings,
whether it's public safety or, you know, even even the outside boards And you know, one thing that we did when um it was suggested that we should someone other than board members and
county employees on the strategic planning committee is make it very clear that um you know there is no position unless it's a position of the committee. You know, and the position of the committee might not be your position,
you know, and there's nothing wrong with bringing up that descent. you know, and then we have the meetings where you guys are all going to be together. You know, we're going to have work sessions like this. Um, that's for
discussion only. Um, no action is being taken. It's it's educational. I don't, you know, it was appropriate when we had the one with the rifle shotgun issue that there wasn't a
informal poll. It's not a caucus. um you know where you guys meet. In fact, you you know taking a straw pull might in and of itself violate the purpose of having a work session. It's just to get information. Um it's an
opportunity for the board members to discuss amongst themselves um anything they want to about a specific topic and to ask a question of those in attendance. it's, you know,
still the board running the meeting. Um, you know, and then we have your regular board meetings, you know, and those are where official business is taken. Um, where,
you know, the policy of the county is established. Whether it's a 3-2 policy action or a unanimous policy action, it is nonetheless. Um the directive of the board less and until it's changed and you know then we
will have, you know, public hearings, you know, and those are range from conditional use permits to ones that are called by the board as a whole. And that's where, you know, members of the public get to come and express their opinion.
Um, and you know, the board is there to listen and to to answer questions. So, I say anything. >> I got one thing. Yes. Yeah. the I I know what you're saying because all the years
I was working well with you guys stuff, you know, we we would gather information from people and I would always say to the victims or just even to the suspect, I suppose, I can't guarantee anything here. I can listen to you, but I can't
guarantee anything uh to you and I I can't promise you anything. So, so that that's always been in the back of my head. I I've told a lot of people since I got to be a commissioner. >> I'm just I'm just one person here. Here's my opinion, but I'm just one. And
uh and that's that's that's that's how it's got to be. Yeah. So, you know, and in our structure, my job is, you know, to advise you what you can and can't do, you know, and not what you shouldn't,
you shouldn't do. You know, I have I had a constituent one morning over coffee. I was sitting in my row and my wife thought that Grant County should keep a license bureau. I go, "Well, here's Dwight's number. He's your county
commissioner. You give him a call." I, you know, I don't have any special authority with the coordinator structure. the coordinator has, you know, it literally is a verbatim sort of
role, you know, to make the committees work together and get things to the board. And sometimes there are questions about you know what committee should
you know when you have turnover in departments you know is that a strategic planning is that a personnel you know so there are you know some crossover you
know there's not always bright lines But you know our jobs as department heads is to you know once you determine what the policy or what the decision is it is to
make that decision happen. You know, I've seen things at the board's time where I shave my head, but that's not my role. You know, I think every, you know, when you were sheriff, I think you had the same thing. And
>> Oh, yeah. A procedure question. If now you can have a member revoke and Troy was gone, we had to have all the votes. Well, roll call. >> If Troy had I'll use your example. If
Troy had said looking at the agenda, I'm going to abstain from all votes. Could we have done it? The other four of us just had regular votes and he would have been just observing the meeting. Not that I didn't want you to vote, but I'm just saying >> I get what you're saying. It's a little
bit >> No, I wouldn't have separate abstensions on each of the votes. >> So then we if if Okay. So each vote he could say I'm going to abstain because I'm not president. Then we could have had a traditional in-house vote just I
rather than roll call >> out of an abundance of caution. I would still have a roll call vote >> for everything. >> Yeah. >> Okay. As long as a person has heard the discussion, right? That plays a big role
in that roll call. Right. I do. I recall sitting in the courtroom. Commissioner Hop was remote and he lost his connection and was not permitted to vote on the topic again.
Seems I remember that meeting. Thank you for bringing that up. on the line of procedures. Um I I think maybe another important part would be when Justin talked about you know the different types of meetings, the official board meetings, the work
sessions and then public hearings. Um Dwight and I had a conversation about procedures or how public hearings would be handled and just as long as you know everyone's together today and we have a public hearing coming up next week. Um,
and Dwight, you can speak more to it, but we're we're going to and Dwight, you've done it a couple times in the past, too, where we kind of there kind of set up some ground rules of how the meeting or the public hearing will will be conducted. And maybe you want to talk
about that a little bit since we have one coming up. if I can remember all of them. But the biggest thing is that uh you know we don't want a bunch of people just jumping in uh you know talking back and forth. So we're going to have a
podium there where they come up to the podium and tell us what they're thinking. Um and then uh um you know it just it just takes away some of the you know confusion. It gets confusing when everybody's talking and it's going to be
a very, you know, it's going to be a emotional meeting for these people and uh so so that was one thing that I wanted to do um limit you know to a couple minutes um
over some of the other stuff there of that rotating making sure that you know I it's good to have the protocols. You know, sometimes it, you know, and I'll share an example, not
from Grant County. After Eric Jordan had went to Mloud, I helped Stevens County out on a methane gas injection site
and their room was full with the planning commission meeting. Commissioner Wers did his best to abide by, you know, you have three minutes, everyone gets their turn, everyone gets their chance.
Um, things should not be repetitive. Um, I like the idea of a podium be because then you know who is addressing the board. I think that's a good idea. And then then uh like you said earlier
the the straw that's that's kind of a thing >> that work sessions especially. >> Yeah. So, you know, there are public meetings where you're going to have and then this down here now this hearing
is a work session, right? >> Is that what it called? Or >> it's a public hearing. >> Okay. So, it's a little bit different. Work work session, I suppose. Well, the how it was explained to me through the AMC training is that a work
session is for the board to have discussions amongst themselves and to take, you know, if there's people in the room, ask them questions, things like that. A public hearing is more of a listening session for the board to be present. It's more for the public to come and provide their feedback on
issues. There are public hearings. Um so take for example um an application for a conditional use permit, you know, and we had one where there was
significant public hearing surrounding patchin and and shower. Okay. That's part of our our process and our ordinance that you know when we have conditional use permits the public gets to come in and they get to say but ultimately the board you know can make a
decision on whether or not to grant that what conditions are appropriate deny it or table it which I think was done uh you know the important thing would be to >> the planning commission does right and then that recommendation comes to a
board to board official board meeting >> and then the board I think took that from the planning commission because it was >> well that public hearing was inside of a regular board meeting. >> Yeah. So once the hearing was over then we took action
>> and this >> we didn't take action at the hears >> right >> so but this public hearing is going to be separate apart from a regular board meeting um and unless it is noticed that you intend to take action no action will be
taken. >> I got another question Justin. So, we're talking about a role of the county commissioner. What happens if there's an appearance or a situation where it appears another elected
official department head may be off the rails or out of bound or out of role? Who's in charge? And I hope the public is the voters, but where are the guard rails in that?
Where are the guardrails? You know, there has to be a complaint or miss visits or no fees. We're not Jesus, you know, and there's process of um deal with that.
you know, I think if there's a issue or a concern that would likely go to the personnel committee. >> Yeah, that would be the committee that the personnel would weigh in on that also. >> Right. >> Okay, that's that's a little bit what I
was wondering. Which committee? It wouldn't be you directly. would be more adversary, >> but me being obuse or argumentative with the board is my prerogative.
Yeah. Not fulfilling my statutory obligation. Okay. Do we have any other question for Justin? Dina or All right. Thank you, Gustin. That's the
end of this work session. We got three minutes or what the truth is that I'm glad it went good. Yeah, >> never know what the ice and the weather with. >> Never seen so many fish.
>> You probably would like to not see it again until you know the next tournament. >> Is there a lot of way? >> There was only about probably maybe >> maybe maybe 15 20. >> Okay. But I mean uh the big walleye was
27 in. Or was that >> uh bass? just >> Yeah, that was a monster. >> Jeez. >> Yeah. Not a single crappie came in. >> Really? >> Yep. 10 and a quarter perch and a 9 and
1/2 in sunfish. >> 15 Tina's got one on the wall at 16. >> Yep. size. >> I got an 186 and then I kept a 14.
And then Tony Kemp, he was standing outside with his grandkids outside cold cuz he was being his catch wall which is a good step in it was like >> he was warmed up and then he went back out and
then he come back in way It's been a good >> extended 45 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. >> All right. Rearranging the furniture here. >> Okay. So, we're approval of the agenda. There any additions to the agenda? If not, I'll hear none. I'll make a
motion, Mr. Chair. >> Okay, we have a second. >> Oh, sorry. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second uh for the approval of the agenda. All in favor say I. >> I approval of the minutes.
Morning. Approve the minutes. >> Okay, we have a motion to approve the attendant. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> We have a motion or a second. Any further discussion on the minute? Hearing none. All in favor of approval
of the minutes by saying I >> I guess and it's approved. >> Approval of the warrants. What are we going to do with the auditor? We don't have those.
>> I will send them out as soon as I get back. >> Okay. So, when we look at approving them, are we going to just approve all of them and then like I'm not going to sign that until I've seen them. >> The the checks wouldn't go out till
Friday. >> So, if anyone if we're going to approve, then anyone that would object would have to let Tina and Chad know to not pay that partition. >> Okay. >> And then Tina will just have to sit on that. I mean because I don't I'm not going to sign it until I've seen them
and then I don't know what everybody else's thoughts are but that painting just hold on to that till >> so just so the full board is where I made a mistake I received the warrants on Friday and I thought that I had forwarded them on to the board and I did
not and I accidentally deleted them and so when I realized that it was after hours so I couldn't get them out to the board. So, you have the commissioner warrants in front of you and I will um ask Hillary for her help um to she can
reissue them and I can forward them out. But that is my mistake because they were sent to me on Friday. >> So if when we get them review them if anybody has questions they can't get answered let Tina in chat and have to either have a special meeting or to have
it. Okay. So then this this uh signature sheet, we bring that to the next meeting then. >> Well, what I would say is between now and Friday, if you reviewed them and you're okay with them being paid, stop
and Tina will have it and you just sign it then. Okay. >> And my apologies again, my they were sent to me on Friday. >> What warrants are you missing? um the auditor warrants. I I I somehow
deleted them and when I realized that um it was after hours, so I didn't want to call you guys after hours. >> But you have the commissioner warrants in front of you. >> Yes. >> Okay. Well, the commissioner the commissioner warrants are the only warrants that the board would approve.
The the board does not approve the auditor warrants. The auditor warrants are warrants that that we do twice a month that our office has been delegated to make payment on and those audit those warrants have already been issued. Those payments
already gone. >> Okay. They've already been they've already been approved like through contracts and that >> they're reoccurring bills like your utility bills and your contract payments. Um any any bills that have not been previously approved or designated
um to our office to be able to pay with an auditor warrant would be included in your commissioner warrants. >> Okay. Thank you. Then I'll make a motion to pay the bill and all I'll sign. Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Bill. Okay. Uh any further
discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I >> motion carried. that part right. Um, okay. Reed, you're up, I guess.
>> Morning, guys. >> Morning, Reed. >> Oh, I got handful things for you. Um, the first one is, so I'll say sorry, these were supposed to come last month, but then with some stuff with my little one, it kind of got delayed for a little while. So, uh, this is the first one I
want to go through is how our 2025 went. Um, it's virtually about the same as 2024. We don't usually see a lot of fluctuation in percentages or, you know, increase in soft recycled or anything like that, but um, we did have some uh,
pretty good participation in keeping recycling the way it is too. And we had uh, another four or five um, businesses participate in the organics program. And then we had some more folks in the non-mandatory. So those, you know, not on Lake Shore or not in fitties, got
some service set up, so we kind of got rid of some of that self hauling or the burn barrel stuff. So that was good. Um, we completed our 10-year plan. So now we're good for another 10 before we got to go through that again. So um,
far as that part, those are kind of 25 updates for the coming year 26 this year. We're going to keep making those updates and changes to the routes that we've been talking about for a little while now. Um, we're going to start looking at the ordinance because that's pretty dated and try and coordinate that
with some of these changes and make a much better document than what we have. And then I'm going to work with Tina and do some of the increase education stuff to try and get some of the recycling or theics numbers up and get some folks figured out there. So
I don't if you guys want I can go through that report deal that shows tundas and deals but it's pretty similar to what we had in years past. It's each city is about the same. Ashby had a pretty significant jump but he me and Michael talked about that part why it
jumped and all that but they're up to about 2% almost which is kind of a lot for a lot of our stuff usually it fluctuates like a half to one maybe. So, but other than that, that's kind of all I had for that one. That's more just FYI, unless any of you had questions on
that >> question. So, okay, >> we're going to move on to the East Side Oil Company license and contract. Is that what we're doing there? >> Yep. So, what that is is in our ordinance, in order for a company to business here, we have to have a
contract with them and all our license and solid waste ordinance. So this one is with Dside Oil. They handle our used oil, oil filters, and antifreeze down at the recycling center. We've used them for a number of years. They come show up when we want them to. They're pretty reasonable priced, and they do a lot of
the other businesses here in Holland. So what I need from you guys is approval of the contract with it and then the hauler license together. And the pricing is the same as it was last year and I think year before, but you have changed. If
you change it to Dwight Latney instead of Doyle Spear, I'll motion to approve it. >> Yep. That part got fixed too because it went out in November, but a lot of these companies end up getting back to you about now. So, >> I still got one more that's working on
that. So, yep, that part will be fixed. Okay, Troy made a motion. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll call a question. All in favor?
>> I I opposed. Motion carried. >> All right. And then the next one is a very similar one with the retrofit company, which is the folks that handle all our electronic waste and our batteries and light bulbs and that kind of stuff. Their pricing also stayed the
same for the last couple years. So that is basically the same idea. They need a license in order to haul stuff from center to their place through processor. So, and then there also be that change where it'll say Dwight instead of D at
the end of that contract. So, so do we have a motion on the uh retrofit company hauler licenses contract? All right. Do we have a second? Second.
Bill made the second. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Motion carried. >> All right. And the last one is the solid waste and uh score budgets. Um they are
now pretty much done. Just have to wait on one thing for the discussion with you guys here. So, if you remember a couple months back, I came to a work session and we talked about the uh issues and some stuff with the rule routes and how they've kind of been left alone for quite some time. They hadn't
seen any increases and that's where I made this year. I said, "Okay, these are where I think the increases should go based on I know that in you know 27 or 8 we're planning to make some decent changes to this program like we' mentioned before. So that's where we did
that. But there's also a second option where you could pick to go back and try and back figure out the years past increases and then kind of average that out which it gets pretty complicated because you're trying to figure out past
budget, past typing fee, past stuff versus the other way. We kind of know where we're going in 28. it looks like based on the solid waste committee stuff on making those switches to doing more vendor based building versus the county being the middleman. So that's kind of
your version one versus version two there on the row routes which is there's a two page cheat sheet that is in that packet that Tina had sent you. So and when we're done here then I'll kind of ask which route you want to go with but I'll kind of just go through
the two budgets first here. So, uh, for solid rates, there's only kind of two ways we make money. The bill folks on taxes or we build cities. So, then as far as things that cost us money is disposal of stuff and hauling stuff
away, those are kind of the two two main things that cost. So, and this year the tipping fee went up from 101 to 105. So, that's that 4% that Douglas is allowed to increase. So, and we're under contract with them till 2031. That's kind of the gist on that one.
Other than there's a line item you'll see at the very bottom for uh schoolwork county share and that is the amount the recycling program is short every year to cash flow to make it a zero sub balance or a balance budget. So, that's kind of
where we offset that and pull the money from solid waste back there. So over some recycling stuff unless you guys have questions on solid waste. Yeah. So recycling the main couple ways we make the money there. We have money
coming in are we have some rural assessments on the folks that don't live in town and aren't on the lake shore. And then we get uh state money and then the recycling center brings in a little bit of money there. Not really much to cover but it helps offset some of the costs. And then we get some city money
and then that money we take from solid waste is a big portion of where money comes from about half of what it takes to run the program. So and that is a state required program. So um as far as what cost us money is running the recycling center and then again hauling and disposal of those
items. Those are kind of the main main deals. It's a pretty straightforward stuff. I really tried to make the line items and the uh amounts as close to the actual dollars that cost us as I can and make the line items say exactly what it's
for. Not and try not to lump a bunch of stuff. It's a lot of splitting stuff out and making it so this is what A costs, this is what B is and straight line. And you'll see at the end of the score budget there, it looks like there's like 8,500 bucks left over, but that is what
we use then to do the once hazardous waste program. So it again was a balanced budget. So um far as that there wasn't too many changes in either budget this year other than organics went up at Pope Douglas. Uh recycling is set to be the same till
about September. Then we'll have that conversation with fee. It's last meeting we approved that contract out through there. So other than that I'll take kind of the high points. Um, now the question I have for the you guys is how do you want to do the rule
assessments? There's the looking forward, how we know where we're going kind of way or there's the looking back and try and calculate it and you'll see that the difference in dollars isn't like it isn't very much. It's $5 a year at the top end. So it it is a lot to me. It's more the principle you're looking
for. You know where we're going. We got our plan. trying to make things a lot more fair, easy to understand as opposed to that volume based deal where you all make sure folks got parts this year and it sounds like that's going well so far through the first month here. So, it's kind of up to you guys how you want
to which route you want to go there. Mr. Chair, I got a question. Well, our state score grants coming out. It shows a permanent increase of about 3%. >> Yep. >> Okay. Okay. Now, is that a yearly thing that they're going to give us on inflator? Where's that >> They not last year, but the year before
they did a 3% increase from our 70ome,000. >> Yeah. >> So, then they had a that was the year they had extra money and then I think they decided permanently now that they're just going to keep it at that increase 3% level that we get now, that 83,000 bucks.
>> So, that's their plateau now. >> That'll be >> they decided >> unless they decide less or we get more. Yeah. whatever they >> last year. Let's see what they decided this year. >> Yeah. See, that was what they said before, but >> Right. Right. >> I'm kind of that way. >> Well, it was 57,000
way back when. So, it's bumped up a little bit there. >> And it it does help a decent bit offset a lot of the costs that we get and you know, it's never enough to cover the program, but it does help. >> Never was meant to, though. >> No, it's just meant to help off cost, which it helps run our recycling center and do all those things.
>> Thank you. Any other thought? >> What do you think? >> Well, the committee's asking which uh version do we want to go go with? One or two? >> I mean, if you do the version one,
pretty straightforward. It's the midpoint from where we were last year where we'll be next year. Okay. And it's at most. But $5 that's two, four. >> That's not much. It's like
>> it's five at the most expensive. It's $5 more for the year >> to just split the difference. But I don't know that that's necessarily a recommendation from the committee as this is just your two options. Yeah.
>> And note that either way when you pick you're still the folks on those routes are paying less than the folks who are not on the routes. So if you were like Troy not on the route you you'd pay 380 set versus folks on the route here you're going to pay 325 330 depending on
which route you guys go. So you're still a decent bit less. It's over 360 for every other Well, twice a month being picked up. >> Yeah, that's like the 387 is that it's a contracted once a month pick up.
>> I would go with version one just because it's a lot more straightforward. It's we know where A and B is and we just split try to make the changes as easy to discuss with property owners and other folks.
Based on that, I think we should go with number one first. >> It's less than 50 cents a month. >> Yeah. So, do we need a motion on? >> Yep. So, what I would do is a motion to pass the budgets and then a motion to
pass the rule of testing special assessment for recycling to be. We traditionally haven't done a separate motion for those two, but talking with a couple of you that sounds like that is maybe how we should do that part now. So,
>> okay. So, we're going to need three different motion. That what you're saying or >> so there's the budget and what was the second one? >> The assessments for uh rural presence. So the lakes shore folks and then the
recycling of one as well just to approve both of those. So do we have a motion? I'll make a motion budget here.
>> Yes. Yeah. Sorry, there there's mostly ahead to let you guys kind of pick. That was Troy's recommendation, too. Instead of having me trying to just pick one and go, give you the option, let you work your way through. >> The rural garbage assessment would be the one you're making a motion on. >> Yeah, that's what I'll say.
>> Which version was your motion board? >> One version. >> Yeah. >> Do we have a second? >> Oh, sorry. >> Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? Second by saying I >> I
>> opposed. Motion carried >> and we need one to the budget as well. Right. >> The budget. >> Yeah. S. >> Okay. So move. >> We have a motion by Doyle. We have a second.
>> I'll second it. Bill. Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Uh all in favor signify by saying I I opposed. Motion carries. You got them, Gina?
>> I do. I am just going to re read them just to make sure. So the first motion um made by Ken Johnson and seconded by Doyle Spear was for option one regarding the assessments for rural votes.
Um the second motion that was made by Doyles Spear and seconded by Bill Valley was to pass both the solid waste and score budgets. >> Oh, good to meet you. >> All right, I'll leave you.
>> Yeah, thank you. Good morning. Um, I am here this morning to give a 2025 year um end update for the recorders office. Uh, we've collected a total of $445,86312. Um, this past year we recorded 1,604
documents, which is up from 2024. Um, of those documents, 792 of them were e-records, which means they were sent um electronically. We had an increase in marriage um applicants this year, so or
maybe 45, so we ended with 31. Um passports kept us busy. Um we had 270 um applicants and we took 363 pictures. So that was a big increase for us as
well. Um we continue to back index daily when time allows. We are currently back indexed to 1994. So our Laredo subscribers um and people searching Tapestry can find documents that go back to 94. Um our Laredo Connect went live in
November and that's going well. We're adjusting to the online payment portal. Um but it's going well overall and winter conference is coming up next week that I'll be attending um Tuesday through Thursday.
I have a question for you. So you said you were indexing back to 94. >> Okay. How does that all work? >> Um so >> so you got to just go under your books and >> Yeah. So we have all of our deed books scanned in. Um so many of our mortgages,
all of our miscellaneous and I don't know the exact number of satisfaction books, but they're scanned into our system. So we pull up um different cues through Avid and we enter in the grant or grantee information and the legal
descriptions. So if there is a um Laro subscriber or somebody searching on Tapestry, they can go in and search by name or legal description and partial numbers, but not all of our documents have personal numbers attached to them. >> Good. So, so yeah, if somebody comes
into our office, we can either pull the trackbooks that go back to the beginning of time or we can pull it up on the radio and depending on um how far back it goes, they'll be able to search that way as well. >> Okay. >> So, Mr. Chair, I got a question Joe. Um
it looks like it's 100,000 more than it was last year on revenue collected. How much of that was MRT tax and state deax? Um, MRT was 151,3679. >> Okay, >> that was MRT and DTEX was 166,684.
>> Okay, so we range about that 300,000 per year, right? And that both between those two. >> Yeah, I can look back to 24. Um, DTEX last year was 164,24088
and MRT was um 72,12754. It's kind of stays with that. >> Yeah, there's an increase with mortgage um MRT this year, but yeah, DTax is pretty close. >> Well, you're going to see that probably in the regular mortgages, >> right?
>> Forest collective. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Any other questions? >> Oh, any anybody else have anything for all? Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Good morning. I'll be quick. Um, we just
have the central Minnesota emergency manager committee and I am on that. Um, Greg Lone was the was the alternate on that. And so, just an oversight, as Greg retired, I did not update that document, but as we were getting ready for the
conference this year, they mentioned that we need to make sure those documents are updated. So, we've just changed Greg out for Tina. She has a small amount of emergency management background so we thought she would be a good fit there and so um simply just a
new document with Tina instead of greater. So hey we need a motion to approve that. >> So move second. >> Okay we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. I'll call the question. All in favor say I.
>> I post. Motion carried. >> Easy. Thank you. And Mr. Chair, if I can talk a little bit, thank you for our our attendance on, you know, emergency services board and everything like that. We're up where we need to be and I think
it's a great thing and it shows because we get that attendance record on our board packets. Dwight and I go to every and we all talk about it. I think the only one that was down was what county was it down in the bottom of the part of their feet. I can't remember
those. >> Everybody's struggling a little bit. You know, we're up to speed now on it, which is great. Yeah. Perfect. Thank you. >> Okay, Ashley. >> All right. So, I am here um looking for some guidance on license bureau. So, that position did close. Uh we we
received eight applications. And so, looking for some guidance on how you want to proceed. Um, if you as a full board want to interview all, if you want to have a committee or a group of people narrow them down, what is that
magic number of who you how many you'd like to interview? I guess just looking for some guidance on how you'd like to proceed. >> Anybody have any thoughts on how how to proceed with that? >> How many there? There's eight.
Mr. Chair, I got a question. So, when you get that many applicants, don't you as a person on committee vet, you know, this the strongest three and move forward with that? >> Yep. So, we usually typically interview um, you know, most qualified, you know, depending on who they are and sort
through them that way. Um, so it's yeah, it's up to you if you'd like that done and then how many you'd like to interview. >> I have a comment. I think the personnel committee should look at it, but I don't know, excuse me, that we should put a
number on it. Rather, it should be what their opinion is on most qualifier that we the potential to to fill the position >> because it could be four or five, whatever. I'd say that just need to make that decision to bring to the total
board. >> I agree with Ken on that because there might be four or five of them that are really good. So I think they should take a look at that and report back I suppose. >> Yeah. So then yeah. Would you like me to report back of how many we've came come
to or would you like me to set those up for a a board meeting or a special meeting? How would you like me to do that? Well, >> we're like we'll take the recommendation. So, I'd say just keep the process moving. I don't know how
that process it feels best. >> Would you prefer to have it the afternoon of already scheduled board meeting or a special board meeting? >> Well, I I guess I I would just assume see it the same day if we can do it. >> We don't know that.
>> We don't know what the board meeting looks like. Yeah. in two weeks and we don't know, >> right? >> You know, if there's six individuals moved forward, if the board meeting is even done by 10:30, you're going to struggle within your business day to get those.
>> Yeah. What the personnel committee comes up with and then we can either call a special meeting depending on how many there are or meetings. >> Well, I would say is find a day that if we need to have one, then we already know the day, right?
Yeah, that probably would be the best. So, I have currently I have the full the day of the 13th to the Friday, the whole day over. I won't be here. Glad I
fixing back for that special meeting. So follow comment generally unless we've been getting done with this meeting at a fairly efficient time. I would say we should try to conduct them on the day of our meeting if we
have to have a break. If we start at 11:00, then we have two hours. I would think we'd be able to get through this meeting in two hours and start at 11 and go till we're stop for lunch and go till we're done.
>> Cuz what do you usually allow? Half hour or 45 minutes a piece? >> 45 minutes. >> I'm fine with long as we understand that it may not be done by four or five. Are you thinking uh the next
commissioner meeting up? I >> I think so. If we can get one done in the morning and the other two or three or whatever it is in the afternoon. >> Okay. So then you are recommending the first down committee
uh look at the applications to narrow them down to make the selection. >> Yeah. >> Get it on the 17. >> Yes sir. role makes sense. >> Okay.
>> All right. Do I watch that? >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Um so the next thing I have is um adding language to the highway informant position. Um it would be um communicates the language in here
would be communicates with school school districts regarding road conditions for bus routes. So that' be one of the the line items that we would be looking to add in the job description. It doesn't change anything, but we wanted to get it in. I'll make that motion to add that in.
Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay, motion and a second. Uh any further discussion hearing? None. I'll call the question. All in favor say I. >> I.
>> I. Opposed. >> Motion carried. >> All right. The last thing I have is the cadet position. I came to you last board meeting to get that one approved to hire internally. Um, and in talking with uh
the sheriff, chief deputy, and the dispatch supervisor, we're looking to add language in there um to allow to allow them to pick up uh dispatch shifts uh with the approval from the supervisor. So, under the discretion of
the supervisor, they may pick up um dispatch shifts. So, we can just add that gives us a little bit more flexibility uh to to work in that role as well. And then that would be um advertised internally.
>> I got a question, Mr. So how many people are going to fit this role? Just one. >> Okay. >> And you being But we're not going to go back and take it back up. >> No, it'll stay because it's under that's the discretion of the supervisor if the
person in this position will pick up shifts. >> Okay. So you said internally Okay. So, there is >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Chair. >> All right. We have a motion. Can we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second. Uh,
any further discussion? Hearing none, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carried. >> That's all I have. Thank you. I see that Pat is here. Do you you want to say something, Pat, or
>> Well, I was thinking if you guys will bring it over, but she's already done it. It's been approved, so >> Okay. Okay. >> All right. I think they're going out there for the workforce. >> Yep. They were plowing a lot this weekend again.
>> Yep. >> Well, they were so >> Okay. So, >> all right. um uh Lakeland Mental Health Center um sent a letter um in regards to the commissioner appointment that's been on
their committee. It's been Ken Johnson and his term is going to be expiring. Um, Ken is willing to continue that committee appointment, but we're just looking for a motion from the board so I can let
me Mental Health Center know who that will be. >> I will make that motion. >> We have a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Do second that. Uh, any further discussion? Okay. Hearing none, uh, I'll call the
question. All in favor say I. I oppos. Motion carries. >> The second item that I have for the board is um Lake Region um has submitted their
application for the ARPA funds. Um it was included in their packet. Um they have not paid for the ambulance yet because it's not ready. Um, I did speak with Chad, the county auditor, and he is um okay with the docu
documentation that was submitted um for the application, but it would take board approval to approve that application. >> We all got a chance to look at that application. Do we have a motion to approve it? >> I'll make that motion as a member of the EMS committee. And we have a motion. Do
we have a second? >> Yeah. Second. >> Okay. Uh, we have a motion, a second. Uh, any further discussion? Hearing none, I'll call a question. All in favor of said motion signified by saying I. >> I.
>> Opposed. Motion carried. And they're thinking that ambulance will be here maybe in the winter of 26. That's correct. Okay.
It is the winter of 26, but I think it's the second winner of 26. >> Clarify early winter, late winter, late winter of 26. >> I don't like this. I'm the second winter. I don't either. You brought it up. I don't That's cuz I'm depressed
about it. >> But it makes good split it up. Otherwise, it get really long if you put it all in the same year. Yeah. >> Okay. So, board committee updates. Is that what we're doing, Tina? >> Okay. Budget and finance committee.
>> We haven't met no for well since the budget was approved. So, >> and I did talk to Chad, our county auditor, and we're going to look at quarterly meetings and obviously we can meet more if if needed. Um, and so we're looking at trying to get one on the schedule for the first quarter here,
either the end of this month or beginning of March. >> Okay. Building committee, we got a meeting coming up. >> Yep. I want to see tomorrow. >> Okay. EMS committee. >> Bill, you got anything? No, we haven't
we haven't had a meeting for for a little while. But >> um I would add for EMS committee that um we're looking on another work session in March to bring back some new information that we've learned as as a committee with working Rasmusen's legal team and
and and that. So um when when the board chair allows we'll do another work session to sure have have more information sharing. >> Okay. personnel committee. >> We're meeting tomorrow. I believe it's
tomorrow. Yeah. But I think our time is going to be limited. So, we'll have to meet again to narrow down candidates. So, we won't have them by the end of the day tomorrow. Narrowed down. >> Okay. All right. Okay. Highway Committee
Billy. And everybody's uh working hard and blowing corners back at intersections and sanding and halting and doing a good job. >> We've had a few repairs, but other than
that, it's been pretty good. >> Yeah, considering the wind and the drifting that's going on. I I haven't really gotten any public complaints. I don't know if you have, Bill, but um but they're working hard out there. It's been a tough winter. But hopefully it'll
get better. Okay. Public safety committee. So there sheriff's office is redoing some policy about taking squad cars. There's going to be a set number of miles out of the county. So rather than just saying a
limited amount, there's going to be an actual number. I don't know what that is from our last meeting. >> Okay. >> Okay. were like mediums or >> no that's so like if you live so the in the sheriff's contract residency
requirements in towns are taken out so now the realization that people may not live within the boundaries of the county so whatever that mileage is if you live farther than that you cannot take a broad car
>> and one thing that helped there was when was it you know we got 24-hour coverage, so they uncall is quite as you know, >> you don't >> but still they can't be driving 50 miles on squad cars to go to work, you know.
So, yeah. So, that's a good thing. >> If you don't set a specific number, a little bit changes as you go. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, okay. Uh solid waste committee. We just kind of got a feel here for
that. Yeah. Okay. strategic planning committee. >> There was a question. So since we appointed the two, there was an I don't know was it an application or just somebody showing interest in the third spot? >> Yeah. Um so we put the notice in the
paper for two weeks and we had a deadline for accepting applications for the three public seats and we received two applications and the board did approve them. We do have that open third seat and there was an inquiry
recently about that and I told um them that I would come to the board and see what the board consensus was since we're past the deadline. Um >> do we open it up and advertise again? Do we just allow them to apply and appoint them? I we're looking for guidance how
to do we just say we're not we're only going to allow application once a year. I I don't know the answer to any of that. That's >> Well, I guess I guess whatever, you know, if somebody
applied, if somebody has applied, you said >> they would like to apply, but I told them to to wait until I talked to the board because I wasn't sure. >> I think that if they want to apply, let them apply. >> You don't without opening it back up,
you know, running an ad in the paper for two weeks, just let them apply. anything. So I mean and then we can just you know in the future we can say the application once a year when they come up take take them throughout the year if that's what the you know cuz we want
people on there. So yeah I would certainly entertain them showing up to a board meeting when we're talking you know these these different committees and board stuff like that they should show up to the meeting. So I that doesn't have to be a requirement. It just you know my opinion
they should get involved. If they want to get on the committee they should get involved and sit during this discussion. >> Yeah. They're you know they're probably on Zoom too. >> They could be. Yeah. >> So is the board consensus to go ahead and send application out and then if it comes back it would obviously come to
the board for approval. >> Yeah. That's what I'd do. So anybody wants to Okay. uh Horizon Public Health. Uh well, we're we're we're going to start
the process of looking for a new director there. So, but I'm I'm the vice chair. So, they said maybe uh it's not a firm date, but maybe on the 18th of February, there'll probably be some interviewing going on to replace is
going to be done I think July 5th somewhere there. So, so that'll be quite a process there because that's that's a it's a lot of Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Right. It's a lot of
responsibility. So, so anyway, that's kind of what we're doing there. Um, okay. Western Prairie. We're meeting Friday, right? >> Yeah, we're meeting Friday here. We're
uh having a work session on Thursday with Senator Rasmmanson. He's going to get a a showing of the SSIS system that needs some modernization. >> Is that your >> Yes.
>> Yes. On Thursday. >> 3:30 to 5. >> Yep. Has Stacy sent out or director sent out any kind of a kind of a questionnaire kind
of a something that some of the subjects that are going to come up to anybody at all? Like you should probably run it by you as a board chair. >> What do you mean subjects that are things talking points for the legislature? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You got them last month at our board meeting.
>> Yeah. But I mean, she >> when we approve the legislative platform, that's what >> that's all that's going to be. That's >> that's what we have currently. >> Okay. I didn't know if she'd run something by you or not. Okay.
So, that meeting on Thursday, is the formal board going to be all there? It will be posted as a meeting, but it's more of a work session. It's not okay. It's not a there's no decisions made. It's going to be a work
session. Okay. >> So, then we're on Zoom plus here, right? >> I do not know about the Zoom part. >> Okay. >> I don't know that that was discussed. Okay. >> So, that would require
>> that would be >> Well, we would have to post that. >> Yeah. >> And I don't know that there's if it isn't already. I don't know that there's time. I don't think it is. >> Okay. If they don't quote me on that, I told my computer to update so I can't go on
the website and look. >> Okay. But that meeting is 3:30 to 5 here. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> And then and then uh Western Prairie is 9 9:00 here on Friday then. >> Correct. >> Okay.
All right. >> I just have one more quick update for the board. Uh on Friday, I believe Dwight attended a meeting um >> regarding the resource that Money has called Eagle Wheel Eagle Eagle
Vetometry. >> Yeah. >> And um we went over uh what that looks like and and you know what it could it's a tool that we currently have and how it can be used. And um I believe the
consensus from that meeting was is we were going to create um groups or the abilities to get the commissioners access to that. So um if you wanted to go on and and and look at something you can as well as county employees. Um and
so we're going to be working on that. And in the future you might get an email from Eagle View Pictometry. It's not spam. you'll get it once your contact information has been entered into the program and then you would just accept
that and then you would have access to that tool. Um and it's just that you know the county has the fly over and they take the aerial views. Um Eagle View is a tool that can be used to look at properties from different angles and
measure and things like that. Um and so the commissioners um and employees will all be getting an uh email once those groups are created to accept the invitation to be able to have access to that tool. So >> should send a or someone should send a
reminder email because otherwise it's going to get deleted or reported as spam. Yeah, we'll we'll give you an example of what it looks like so you know what to look for or what it should look like, but we just wanted to make sure that everyone um knew it would was
coming and that um it was a good meeting. I thought Dwight >> was very good. I uh I I really enjoyed it. I mean, the uh benefits of that for the assessor and all county offices are tremendous.
There's there's things on there that just tend to blow your mind what they can do, you know, measuring buildings and measuring distance setbacks and and uh and then the uh the view of the you can look at any angle on the properties, you know. Uh
and then I don't know if they did they say do we fly every 3 years or two years or don't we know for sure? >> I I think it's every three years but I need to confirm that with either read or Cary. Okay. Yeah. And then like for Carl there, you know, we it it greatly
reduces the need to go there at least from the outside of the struct buildings and stuff cuz you can see it all. That was pretty pretty uh amazing actually. So, it's got to be defendable with >> some type of an assessment. Yep. Yep.
>> But even for public safety or emergency management, there's there's other offices that can be a very valuable tool for. But >> the idea was to get access um for everybody including the commissioners. And so yes, we will send out an email with what the invitation email will look
like so you know that it's necessary. >> Okay. Well, anything else? Okay. That's uh concludes our meeting then. It's 9:52 a.m. Thank you.