Good morning everybody. Doyle asked me to go ahead and read the handout that's in the back. There's a onepage handout. If for short copies, we'll get more copies and that will start that will start the work session. Um I'm Tina Riley. I'm the clerk of the board. So,
I'm just here to do the clerking. Obviously, this is the board. Um Drew is here. Drew, if you want to come up to the table. Um he is the gentleman that has um we'll be able to help answer some questions.
And with that, and then also there's some agendas coming too. If you didn't get an agenda and want it, they'll be placed on the back table. Um this is a 30 minute work session. No action can happen here. It's just discussion purposes and so I'm just going to read this just to make sure that we're all
on, you know, all on the same page to start with and then we'll go from there. Uh the review of the proposal that was presented at the November meeting was the uh business potential business owner would like to offer the current employee of Grand County a position. The potential business owner will be ready
to open business um June 1st of 2026. We have some points of clarification for for Drew today of the things that were discussed at the November meeting as listed. Um, as far as procuring own supplies, um, working with the state to
provide space for testing. Um, potential business owners willing to notify the county if plans change in the future. We talked about that at the last meeting. Um, business owner um, does not expect to receive any equipment from the county. the business owner will work with the state um potential business
owner will work with the state to secure permission to keep an office in Grant County. >> Review of some of the county's discussion to date is that the courthouse spaces for county services. The county is willing to let the state continue to use a conference room for
testing if needed. Um and if there would be a transition to a private business, there would be no financial exch exchange. Um, how it would work is the county would close a department to allow a business owner to open a business. Um, one of the big points of concern that
have come up through conversation is the level of service. So, today we're wondering, you know, a asking the business owner if he would be willing to share the level of service expectation that it would have for business. And then just some public um education points that have come up through the
discussion. As uh the licensed bureau's services is a state function, the county provides staffing and that um the overall goal of the county has been to just look at the overall levy and looking for ways to decrease it as the county plans for future potential cost
shifts. So with that, we'll open it up for the the work session discussion for the board. David, who uh if you have a question about this uh
different scenario, if it would happen to close or whatever, you can address uh the guys willing to take it over and limit your questions to a couple minutes anyway because there's quite a few people here. So,
>> I'd like to give a little background first if that's okay. >> Yep. So, I currently own the Morris County Deputy Registars Office and so I'm kind of in a unique position to be able to share some of the staffing between here and there. That's one of the reasons I think I can take this over. Currently, the under the existing
way it's set up, uh, the county is losing about 54,000 57,000 kind of depends on how you do the math per year. And part of that reason is I believe it's kind of overstaffed. And I currently have two employees at any given time working on mine and we do significantly almost twice as much
business as what the current one does here in Grant County. So one of the ways I'd like to do that is to reduce the staff. So there'd be one full-time employee that would be managing all the time and then I'd be bringing a second employee up for about half of the time and then when that employee were to go on vacation or sick or anything like
that, I could bring additional staff up to fill in when I was there. So that's kind of the plan that's not included on the sheet that you have in front of you. That's all I wanted to share. >> What happens when there's inclement weather? >> Same thing that happens now. We We have
staff there whenever they can be there. Sometimes they do shut down early. >> I guess I don't agree with your reducing your staff like that at all. I we use the office a lot and every time I go in there's a lot of times there's people waiting in
line. I mean almost every time. And I don't think you and that's the two people in there. And I guess I don't I don't agree with uh I don't know how one person could handle it to be honest with you. >> Well, I kind of did the math and $119,000 in sales and it works out to
about 30 to 32 transactions per day. Take 32 transactions per day and divide it by eight hours at four transactions an hour, one every 15 minutes. But usually the transactions aren't all in the eight hours. >> I understand that, but still it's not enough to justify in my opinion two
people to be there. Especially when you're losing over $50,000. >> How can you say they're losing $50,000? Their budget is in the county budget, right? So it's already set for next year. We know that we're going to be paying our tax burden and our portion is
going to go to that office. How are they losing money? Because in staffing alone, they pay $170,000 a year with benefits and pensions and everything like that and they bring in $119,000. So they have a loss of over $50,000 a year. >> Sacrifice service for saving some money
on transactions. >> Oh, $50,000. Yes. >> We're we're losing service. >> We walk in there anywhere from three to five people in line >> with two people working to get in. So, we're going to have to drive to Hoffman or Morris and wait longer.
>> Like I said, it's about it's literally a transaction every 15 minutes on average. Yes, you're going to have times when it's busy at the noon hour, etc. And there will be two people there about half the time, but I'm planning on bringing up and I've already talked to my staff in Morris about bringing a person up here. So, you'd have
equivalent of what's called 1.5 ME full-time equivalents to be here. So, you're not going to lose what you think you're going to lose. Was there was there rumors that it was going to be set up in Hoffman because they got an empty building? >> I don't know anything about that. No, I've never heard that at all. I was
asked by the county called contacted me, asked me if I would be interested. I put together a proposal. >> My son-in-law comes from uh uh up by Fargo to come down here to get stuff done because it's quicker and faster than waiting in line and making an
appointment. >> Yeah. >> Well, that's what I was going to say. I grew up in Norman County. So I always go to their courthouse and get it. And then 25 years ago I moved up Clay County which is north of Morhead and they you go in there and you grab the number and
you sit for an hour and a half. Yep. All the people that work here is so grumpy. You can't talk to them because >> I just think that the county here the board and they can provide some service here for all the money that we spend >> and you know and you got older people
here that are that it's such an accessible deal for them to just to go and go right here and look at all the farmers. They got all their trucks and licenses and everything else. They're going to have to travel some other place to get all that stuff >> and bring all that stuff with them. All
the papers and stuff. Bull. >> Generally what people do when they have large numbers of trailers or semis and things like that is they drop them off. Same thing with car dealerships. >> We don't maybe if the county wants to send save some money, maybe we should take a look at what's going on this building and
who's getting there. >> Yeah. I just want to mention I represent Hoffman district three. There there's been no discussion that I'm aware of of that moving to Hoffman as they represent. >> And where would it move to?
>> And how come this hasn't been given to other people a chance to do what he's doing? >> How come how come he haven't put it out for >> other people? Put an ad in the paper. >> I don't even know. >> Nobody has ever come and asked for it.
Let's not everybody talking. >> Go ahead, Troy. >> Nobody's ever come and asked. It's not a mandated service that the county needs to provide. We have an individual who's come wants to expand his business and
apparently we're against private business. We would rather have the county do this than the public. I I don't understand that. >> For once, you're right. Because we're for guaranteed service. We're guaranteeing that it's going to be here. for guarantee and that's not going to leave. My my question to the board is
you have you have all kinds of department that are services. So how many of the other departments if this is all about money also lose money? I would guess there's a bunch because county government just like city government provides services and most of those
services are at a loss. That's why we collect tax revenue. >> Which ones of those are mandated and which ones are not? That would be that's no different than if one of the small businesses in Grant in in Alberta Lake couldn't make it
work. That's not guaranteed that. Let's be honest, that's not guarantee that any small business could stay afloat in Grant County. If we don't support it, if we don't support this man and his effort to keep the service in Grant County, then of course it won't roll. I mean,
it's just like utilizing services at Haley's, utilizing services at I'm just looking Red River, utilizing services at any other business. If we don't support it, we don't have it. But it's also a situation change is inevitable. If everybody looks at what's going around
in the county, in the state, at any level of government, um change is coming, people, whether you like it or not. And and I'm not saying that it has to here, but it's a situation. I think what Troy said with the mandated service
is this is a portion that could be changed, but there's a solution because Drew has come with a proposal because he wants to start a business in Grant County, which I think everybody should kind of take a moment to say, "Wow, there's a person who wants to start a
business in Grant County." That's pretty significant >> when you're proposing over staff and you're making it sound there's availability at all times but I have someone down here. Are you already over
staffed? >> That's not sell anything to say that you'll always have someone >> ready to be here. >> So I have two full-time people and two part-time people and those parttime people are willing to come here when needed. >> And who will who pays the wages? Me. And
>> you're still making money. Yes. And all you're doing is uh the plates and stuff. >> We do the the DNR, which is the you know your boats and will ATV stuff. We do the driver's licenses. We do passport photos and we do all the driver's licenses.
>> We don't Okay. And we still make money on that. >> We do. The biggest difference is is the wages. When you start to include things like a pay pension and health benefits, it does make it much more affordable to be able to do it that way and then having to reduce the staff. That's how it has to be done. The majority of small
towns, the deputy registars's offices, which is what they're called, are privately held. It's usually in the bigger cities where the cities and counties own them. >> So, what if who's earned a dollar a plate for everything in there? >> It's $9 for a transaction like that. Yes.
>> Well, that's what it is. Who's who's covering for the expense of transportation from Morris up to El Lake? Because that's got to be included in the expenses. I just like to mention something from Ken's standpoint.
Whenever there's change after attrition, in this case a retirement, it also offers an opportunity. And I think back and I remember I was on the Hoffman City Council and if I would have thought that every city in Grant County
would have not have a police department and we'd have a joint effort with the county law enforcement. I'd have said I just can't see it. If I would have thought that Horizon Public Health could offer public health services to five, let me finish the to
five counties more efficiently. A lot of people might have said like we can't if id have said that three counties could offer social services through Western Prairie. We might have said I don't know. The point is it it's an opportunity
that I think behooves us to look at because that's I think okay leadership there. Go ahead. So you had mentioned the DR DNR licensing and all that stuff for
>> you have to work in the DNR licensing department. Has that been approved by the state? >> So when talking you have to be we have two places right now in the county. >> We're talking about two different things. You're talking about hunting and fishing licenses. I'm talking about boat
and ATV licenses already. >> Right. So I actually worked on the project that converted all the licenses over to the hunting and fishing licenses that are electronic now. So I'm very familiar with that and I hope to be able to do that as well. >> So you mentioned passports passport
photos, not passports. >> So what's going to happen with Mary then you offer for the current employee position? >> I I can't speak to that right now. I plan on offering it to the as I understand it. One person is retiring and want to stay. My goal would be to offer employment to the one who is
staying. I don't know if she will accept it or not. I haven't had any real conversations about that. >> I mean, that should be brought to the table because if she's going to be taking a huge cut, I mean, for health concerns, you have all that stuff.
>> We do not this time. No. >> So, I got a question. So, you're saying the county loses money as president and you make money. How are you making money on it? >> Because I don't have two full-time people there. So just like so you stop by staff. >> Correct. And that's how you make money.
Correct. Service right there. And I guarantee you we'll be waiting in line an hour and a half. >> I guarantee you won't. We're waiting. >> There are a lot of times when someone
comes in to renew their driver's license or significant that they need to get additional information from other parts in the courthouse. Um, an example might be a title that is not there or whatever. And the people
there have been very helpful at providing that service and getting them what they needed. Now, I don't know if any of experience that. I have not personally, but that is a big thing that would take a lot of time for your
employees to make that happen. Well, I've had questions where I wanted to check on the legality of licensing a truck at the right weight or whatever. And I can go right over to the sheriff's
office and they can tell me right there. Is the state of Minnesota on board with this as far as moving the office out of there? If they don't have it there, is there anything that says that the state will say no, it's not going to be there. you go to Fergus Morris or Alec
>> rather than let them the state can say, "Yeah, we'll just let somebody else have it." >> The state is on that. >> The state would not want it to close. >> Well, and I don't think >> I'm not asking that. I'm asking if they're okay with it that if it's not there, then they're going to say if it's
not there, then it's not going to be here. It's going to be Fergus Morris or Alec. >> You mean the state wanting to move it or me? And if if the county says we're not going to have it here no more, then the state comes in, takes all the stuff, their property, state owns this,
I assume, the tags and all that. >> The tags, yes, the >> to come in and take their stuff out and said, "Okay, that's it. We're not we're not going to set it up somewhere else." Does the state have that authority? I mean, who's to say that, you know, you can just move this stuff somewhere? The
state could say this is it. You're going to go to Fergus Morris or Alec if you're not going to be here. When I purchased the one in Morris, it was a matter of literally filling out a bunch of forms, going through background checks, etc. A lot of a lot of paperwork to make it happen. But there was no talk whatsoever about the state coming in and saying,
>> "How long ago was that?" >> um June. >> That was private. >> That was private then private then. >> So I'm willing to come in here in Grant County and do it for $100 a month. >> Do what?
>> Do what you're doing. Oh, >> I got I got so much money I can just get rid of it and I don't care. >> I got a question. >> Why does it stop me? >> I got a question. How many transactions goes through >> every year? How many how many transactions are there?
>> Well, we got the department head in the room in the corner there. Would you like to touch on that, Don? >> Yeah. How many transactions? >> I'm just here to listen. Okay. >> Do you want Do you want to go by the year or the state fiscal year? >> Year. because the state fiscal year is from July 1st to June 30th. That's what
my transaction count goes by, not by January to December. >> And how many transactions are there? >> For last year, I did, if I can remember correctly, I didn't bring any paperwork because I wasn't prepared to speak. Um,
I have it in my office. I did over $15,000 or 15,000 transactions between July 1st and June 30th last year. >> Well, so you you said how much we're
losing there each year now? How much are we going to lose with you doing? >> Won't cost you anything. >> Cost me time. >> I'm sorry. Am I missing something here? We're talking about Drew. I thought we
were talking about the county pulling it from the courthouse. >> Yeah. >> And another question. Would you be offering behind the wheel testing? >> That's through the state. That has nothing to do with the That's two. That's a separate entity. But that would stay the same.
>> I think where focus should be not about Drew. I thank him for being a private businessman and operating there. I think our question should be why is it leaving there? If that's the case, why don't we look at all the rest of the departments and what it's costing per employee
there. If we're going to start scrutinizing this one here, >> start with the county commissioners. >> As a taxpayer, I like it the way it is. I don't think we're losing money. I think the money is well spent for very good customer service. I think that
customer service will continue. I think our county commissioners are able to hold that department and all departments accountable to the taxpayers and I'm willing to pay what I currently pay and more to have that in the courthouse. And I think a lot of your constituents think
the same. >> I'm not saying all of them, but I I think you want to use your time go down to the state and get spend your time there and get some more of our money back to the county. >> How much goes to that? What? 7% right of our taxes.
>> Our tax money goes to it. >> Whatever it is right now, I'm okay with it. Whatever it is, okay, right now I'm okay with it because we're getting good customer service. Our young people, our old people are our young people got to change their driver's licenses three times between the time they get it and the time they turn 21 years old and they
need advice when they're buying new cars and trailers and things like that. and our current staff and I'm sure the staff moving forward, they do a heck of a job helping these folks navigate those situations. And then when you get into the our elderly community, they need the
same help and they're getting it. So there's no reason to change anything. You're doing a good We're doing a good job. Our tax money is being spent wisely in that department as far as I'm concerned and and that's the way it should stay. >> I agree with Darl. I 100% I agree.
>> Yeah. What is it? Two, three bucks, Billy. Not three to five. >> You can spill that. Otherwise, the guys can increase it to a dollar. >> That's You're just talking Grant County residents. What about the ones that come
from Douglas County? >> Because that's a lot of regional traffic. There's a lot of regional traffic that comes this office up there and I don't believe that you can staff that office with one person. You guys are working through your breaks
and your lunch hours and they got to have some. >> So, you know something to tell you? There's one person can't handle it here. >> There's no way. So, in my opinion, you know, we you if you have something that's working like it is and we were, you know, say we were struggling to try
to keep it open and staffing, which is not the case here. >> So, that's where I'm at. I mean, if we were struggling to keep it open and things like that, I would I would go the other direction and we would revisit this thing. And I've talked to county commissioners down to Stevens and Douglas. Okay. And Stevens tells me, "Do
not don't don't let that go. You keep it because then you have local control and hours of operation." >> I would like to know the name of those commissioners you talked to because that is not the story. >> Commissioner Bill Johnson, you can wait your turn. So what Douglas County had it at private
and they turned it back to public because it wasn't performing over there. So in my opinion, you know something, these guys have the have the flavor of the crowd and the people and the levels of operation and things like that that has to be actually met. So people are
served and we have that now. There's no reason for changing. >> What percentage is $54,000 of the whole budget? >> I got I got something to say, too. So uh Okay. So like 25 30 years ago, the state
came in here and they were going to take guard license bureau at least the driver's ed portion of it and they wanted to discontin it. So I went down and got the businessman and we had that we had about the same amount of
people here up in the courthouse and that guy we got to got his attention and then they they left it. Okay. So, you know, yeah, we're probably in the deficit a little bit with that with that deal there, but you got to look at what
that brings into the town or into the town. They're coming from all over the place. I was sheriff. I sat there for years watching that lineup out there. And uh for the most part, I it was positive comments coming out of there as far as the length was served. So, uh,
you know, I I got concerned because, yeah, I'm sure this gentleman's a decent guy. He's probably well intended. I'm sure he is. But what if he decides to sell this thing? >> Then what are we going to do? >> Do we take it back? Can we get it back?
Uh, you know, I I I don't know. You know, >> why isn't it put up for bids? >> Because we we have no control over that. The state, it must be a state. They don't come to us to like uh to ask to get into that. That's through the state, I'm sure. Is that right?
>> I just approached by people within the county. I'm not going to say who, but to come up here and make >> No, no, no, no. But I mean, if other people if other people wanted to toh get into this like you do, is there a process that's got to go through the state, doesn't it? >> The approval process of whoever would be
selected by you would be approved. They have to go through background checks, etc. But the state would have no say in who you would decide to go forward. >> Okay. Well, that that but anyway, I I'm concerned about uh we got to keep that
level of service there. We got to keep that traffic coming into this county and I don't want to lose any of that because it's very important to this county. They're not just buying licenses up there. They're bending money. >> That's right. >> Amen.
>> So, no, I'm with that one. I for >> keep keeping it here. And uh that's that's how that's how I'm going to >> I've been up there and there's been people from down by St. Cloud, even Minneapolis
up here to take a driver's test to get a license. They do it all the time. >> And you can't tell me they aren't stopping in town here at the restaurant and everything else or buying gas or whatever when they're here. That's a different thing though. That's the
license testing. >> Mr. Chair, may I have a moment? >> You got to make an appointment down there to have a test here, you have nothing to do with any of that. That's a separate thing. >> Yeah. Go ahead. So, I have no doubt if we go and close
down the license bureau so a private business can come into Grant County and pay taxes that if he were to close down, there's plenty of votes on the board to start a license bureau back up. I have no doubt about that at all. >> I just don't know why we would be
against a private business coming. All we'd be doing is closing down and if he can't make it, we start back up. >> Okay. I got a question for you. What would the cost be to that restart? >> Say if it happen take over that, bring in all the
equipment and do everything else. >> I think it's worth the the chance to have a private business. >> I'd like to mention one more thing. And we've talked about the numbers and our projected 2026 budget is about $58,000 cost. But I think more important is we
got to make sure that that Don and Mary work really hard and yeah, we're deciding we're talking about a private business and we're talking about the numbers, but they've done a really good job and I know in the room and we got to
make sure that that they know that we appreciate what they've done and I think that's really important >> and they're really friendly. >> Yes, >> they're really friendly. Uh, how many plates and how many tabs go through there?
I would pay a dollar each each that instead of Would that be be a lot of money? >> You're look like you're addressing me. I can't answer questions. So, help me out there or dawn. >> Okay. If I paid a dollar to get a new
tab or a plate and f a dollar, you give them a dollar on each one. How much money would we come up with? Would anybody know that? How many pleds? How many tabs go through? >> I I can't say tabs, but you said it was 15,000 transactions. So, that would be
$15,000 transaction. But how about you buying 10? That's one transaction. I'm wondering how many plates. So, if I was the farmer and I had 10 plates or 20 plates, I would give them a dollar just to be here on each one. What I'm saying
I can't answer your question but what I can tell you is that she said she did 15,000 transactions right >> that transaction total transaction everything yeah >> you had a dollar a plate at a time or a tablet >> I can't answer that what I can say though is if the total transactions for 15,000 and you were willing to give a
dollar for each one of the total transactions that would only total $15,000 if you gave $4 for every transaction you would cover the cost. >> What do you what's your fee office? It's usually it's $9 for a tab and it's $13 for a title transfer.
>> Is that currently what we're at right now? No, >> that's what you get now. Everybody, whoever does this anywhere in the state, that's what they get for doing the transaction. >> And how many transactions did you do last year with staff that you have there? >> Um, I don't have transactions. I have
total dollar numbers. So, I I'd have to look that up for you. I'm sorry. >> You have a comment. you may be missing something in your analysis. Uh if you're in the Morris area, I'm sure there's a lot of people come in with one title.
You know, we're in an egg community here. When, for example, when I come in, I may have 10 or 12 or whatever. Um so the workload is really bunched. It's kind of like harvest time, >> you know, and so when if if a number of
people come in because that's the way I get them in the mail from the state. Okay. So, when a number of us come in, I mean, I've seen the line where there's been eight, nine guys standing in line, >> uh, because we're all bunch. So, when you analyze your numbers and average it
say so much per day, I think that's pretty inaccurate. >> Actually, I addressed that earlier. Um, most of the people that bring in the large stacks like that, >> no, that we don't that's what I'm trying to tell you. That's what we do is most time they drop off. We also have dealerships. So, the dealerships drop off their stuff. We have Superior, which
is a large company that does a lot of transactions for trailers. They drop them off. So, we don't make people wait in line. We will bring it back then. We even deliver them out to them in some cases. >> Well, I can only speak for myself, but at times when I trade vehicles, I have questions. Yeah. And that's where I need
to talk to the person. I can't drop them off and say, "I'll be back at later." Otherwise, I'd be on the phone later and that's not the way, you know, we prefer to do it. >> Those are two different scenarios, though. or one where you're saying what's going to do a bunch of tabs and one where you have a bunch of questions. Two different scenarios. If you just
have tabs that you want to be done, it's a large number. We do not want to hold up the other people behind you. Even if you've got two people working there, you would drop those off and we would either deliver them back out to you or you pick them up at a later date. They come in sometimes we get stacks like stacks and there's no way that that we could hold
up the people behind to go through all those kind of documents. I say stacks, I'm talking like a hund. We need to support our farmers and our truckers. This is an agriculture community for us >> and service has been here ever since DMV
has been in the courthouse. I hope it should stay there. >> The choice statement saying that this were happen the county it goes to you and then you end up selling them. I mean basically the county has no control over
business. Is that correct? That's not what said the county can get another bid. I mean, if the countyy's out of it, the state's going to take care of the private bid. Is that correct? >> No. >> Okay. So, there's a couple things that
can be done. There can be contingencies put in there. For example, we could put a contingency that says I can't sell it for 10 years or that the county have first breed of refusal or there's lots of things that can be put into a document to ensure that things like that would not happen. We haven't talked about that, but those are things that
could be done. One thing >> I think the county's only decision is whether you have it or not. One thing you have don't have it anymore. You have zero control over whether it's him or somebody else >> unless there's a legal agreement in place. >> One thing that hasn't come up here is location. Now, now this setting that
you're talking about set putting this business in, is it all handicapped accessessible? So, actually you can get in and get out and you know it's all set up like that. So, I looked at a couple of the places in downtown that are up for rents and that's as far as I've gotten because I didn't know where this was going to go. So, I haven't gotten any farther than that.
>> See, that's a that's a big one because we have 6,000 people in the county, 3,000 or 65 years and older. They're they're an elderly community setting. They they plan they budget to buy their tabs >> buy it. They don't want to go and they don't want to send a check down to the state. They just want to walk in, buy
it, and go stick it on in the parking lot. But that 3,000 people have to be served. And you got to have handicap searchable for probably at least probably a third of right the accessibility is huge and we have that up there. And I I question whether
there's a setting around that gives that level of care and service. The state wouldn't force you to have handicap accessibility. They come out and do inspections just for that. There are quite a few businesses that have closed because they've been unable to accommodate that. That was I forgot what
the act is called but uh they enforce that. They make it so you have to have a handicap accessible. >> I still don't think we're losing money. I don't think we're losing money. We're getting great value for our service in that department. So, you can't just go by dollars and cents because
>> what value do you put on the customer service that we're certainly getting and and that our residents plus the ones like she's saying that come in, which I know our safety guy comes here to get his license because he like he likes the service and he comes from Holly. So the
value for the dollar is very high in this department. So >> the communication about the $50,000 I don't even think to me as a taxpayer it doesn't even exist because it's one of the departments that we're getting the best value for our dollar in Grant
County. >> What what would >> you know we've heard from those two in Troy but we haven't heard too much from you. What what would you >> and putting you on the spot as the county commissioner? What's your opinion? >> Well, we're just the only thing that
only reason that we're doing this is is was because of the of the loss of the thing. There's been nothing there's been no decisions made. There won't be no decision made today because >> Well, I understand that, but I just want to know what your opinion is.
I don't care one way or the other because I go here and >> you don't care about the people of Grant County. >> I care about the people of Grant County, but I'm only one person. >> Well, you're one person on that board. >> You're one person on the board. >> What would he on the board? You look like the head honk to me.
>> What What would it cost for an individual in in in time and gas to go somewhere else? >> Are you taking that into account, too? How much it costs each individual and how many people are doing it? That's a lot of money spent going somewhere else in gas and time than some of the people
that can't do it. >> I don't think we've I know I haven't ever considered not having it available. Once again, I talked about change and opportunity.
And so I don't think that's one of the boxes we're thinking about checking is not having the service. It's looking at the opportunity. >> Can I say one thing? >> Sure. >> I only want what's best for Grant County
and for my office, >> but everybody in this office and everybody that or in this building, this room right now, and everybody that walks into my office is not just a number. They're like family to me, right? >> They come in for helping, advice, and
that's what I give them. They're not a number to stand out in the hallway. That's my feelings in all of this. But all I want is what is best for Grant County and best for my office. And if you guys think giving it up back to the
state, that's your decision. I have nothing to say about it. It's out of my control. It's up to you guys. But these aren't people. They're not numbers. They're family to me. And they always will be. Okay.
I don't know if we'll just sit in the thing and hear what's going on. Right now, the board here has control of it. So, on an off hand, not that this is anything that's going on now, but we did have a discrepancy with the office. The people in the public actually have you
guys come to and voice those concerns. Now, as a private business owner, and I'm not throwing shade on user, but as a private business owner, they can just shrug that off and say, "Hey, this is what we're doing." There's real no voice of the people anymore. You're just the customer. You're a number. >> That's right.
>> Whereas, if right now, if something was going sideways up there, you know, we could come to a county commissioner meeting, say, "Hey, what's going on with the DN?" and actually have a course of action to take care of it as a voice of the people and not a private business owner.
Can I just ask a clarifying question? You said that someone comes in, they get to have they have to pay $9 plus their cat fee or right and 13 for a title. >> Correct. >> When we come into the office up at the courthouse, >> what do we pay?
>> Just exactly the same. >> What's on the table? >> It's mandated. What? >> Okay, that I just wanted to clarify that >> 90% of the money that's collected goes to the state approximately. It's not an exact number, but approximately 90% of it goes to the state and the other is the transactional fee which is kept by
either Grant County, Morris, whoever happens to do it. It's all the same. >> Can that number be increased? I mean, can you say I mean even like in the office? No, that's it's set in law. It cannot be raised. They couldn't say let's add $1 per parcel or per per unit.
>> I don't raise as a fee. >> Yeah. Yeah, the only fee that there is that can be increased is for if you use a credit card. There's a transaction fee for credit cards and that actually just so you know 100% of that money goes to the state. None of that money is kept by any of the deputy registars's office. >> If I can clarify that we have not done a
wheeler tax in this county or have a sales tax. So that would be additional if we have done a wheeler tax and we have not done that. >> Right. That wouldn't be based on that that would be a different way of going about >> but it's it's an additional cost. I have one more question about um to
Drew or whoever wants to answer with regards to staffing. How would Grant County well to with the paid leave situation that's going to be happening here come 2026? How is Grant County and
or how would Drew handle if someone was out? Um and what kind of flexibility can you offer for paid leave that maybe Grant County couldn't? just the way that that works first of all is that employees pay a half percent and then the employers pay one and a half percent
and just you know I think that's the starting fee I think we're going to see that number go way up in the next few years but having said that I have four employees I have the ability to bring up people and fill in when people are not going to be here puts me in a unique position that I don't think anybody else
around here could possibly do and you talk about service um you know you don't know what's going to happen here either you're going to have two people call and say You could have somebody go out and leave like that. Then what happens when the other person wants to go on vacation? Things like that. Your service could go down. I'm not saying it is. There's a scenario where it could. You
just brought up the perfect example. Somebody goes out for 12 weeks and then another eight weeks or out for 20 weeks. You've got one employee here. What does that employee have to work every day, every hour, every minute, and then they're going to do it by themselves. I've got four people, potentially five, potentially six that we're going to do. And there's expansion plans which I'm
not going to get into, but I'm in a unique position to be able to actually provide better service. And this idea that everyone's going to become a number. No, it's going to be the same. You're going to have a person that works in the community that lives in the community that's going to be servicing the community. That's not going to change just because it's going to go
from more public employee to a private employee. And the people that come into our office, we've got donuts, we've got cookies, people sit around and talk. It's the same kind of atmosphere. Because currently, is there anyone in Grant County that can do what the ladies do right now to fill in currently? So,
no. So, right now, today, if they were both sick or somebody got hurt or whatever, we would have no service. Correct. >> Well, I think that they could get somebody from a different department to come in and help out. So I mean this is this is something that we really need to think about for the
future because the workforce is changing, the people are changing. I mean this is not if it >> that has to be considered when we discuss this topic >> the hurt that it's going to do on the community just on on mine alone. Before I came here I looked at how much I spend
of a DMV in the great 20 each year and it's it was a little over $13,000 annually. I can't afford to leave you a stack of crap that I got to come back and write a check out for all at once. So, I'm in and out of town throughout the season.
>> Okay. >> Getting taps for units that >> you don't have to do that. I'm just saying that's how we quantities. >> I realize that. >> I'm saying my unefficiency of not doing everything at once. I come to town each and every time that I need that and I'm
not just stopping like they're saying. I'm not just stopping at the DMV and going home. Why would that change? I'm just asking why would that change if he's got a downtown business? >> I'm in the support of this great county.
>> And we're little by little getting rid of >> the that county building. >> It's not a mandated service. Does everybody understand that? >> We realize that. We realize that we have something very special here. A DMV. >> DMV.
>> Huh? >> We'd still have a DMV. That's what I don't understand. >> They could pick up and leave whenever. >> Our voice won't matter. Put a contingency in there. Nobody's going to come and tell me matter. There'd be a business. I mean, the business he needs to be successful just like your business, just like Dr. Lisa's business,
just like Casser's business, just like Bob Gery's business. If we aren't successful by working together, none of us are successful. You guys are being so narrowminded. >> Such narrowmindedness. Oh my gosh. >> We're already 14 minutes past. We're
going to have to wrap this up. >> So, Mr. Chair, if I can entertain ask the group >> who wants to privatize and have a show of hands. Thank you so much. >> I think we could have a vote.
>> Couple hands I want to privatize. >> You guys got to take your hands out of your pockets. >> In other words, no one wants to privatize. >> Show of hands. Who wants to privatize? >> But I'm not really voting either way because I I just want to DMV and count
and I don't want to risk >> the state shutting them down and having nothing, >> right? got to be some other ideas like I think we've heard of one idea. Are there other ideas on how to reduce >> the 54,000?
>> Add another and we have other people on the agenda that have made time to get here and we're already pushing them way back and and this was scheduled for 30 minutes today as a work session just for discussion. So actually no action can happen and we can do
another work session. But I think in respect to the people that are waiting who are on the agenda um for specific time have other jobs to get back to. I I I think we you know like Doyle said it it's 9:15. We're already 15 minutes
behind and so >> kind of like a doctor like they can wait like we wait. >> Okay. Let's see a show of hands. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Here's the hand. I'll collect three bucks from everybody and
>> set up another discussion. >> Add another dollar or two to it. >> Set up another >> Thank you for coming. Appreciate >> it. Are you narrowminded? Since you call it next time now that >> you should have said what said to him.
>> You know what he said? key. This is obviously I'm going >> Yeah. You must be really sick. >> Yeah. biggest tired. So, we're not supposed
>> to Okay. >> Our little Yeah. >> United States of America. for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice
for Okay, we have the agenda and there's the minutes from the truth and taxation from hearing last night. We're we'll add them to the agenda. Is there anything else? Yeah.
>> Um yeah. >> Okay. All with that added to the agenda, I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda. >> So move, Mr. Chair. >> Second. Second.
Okay. being Troy is on uh Zoom today. We have to do all everything has to be done a roll call vote. Uh all in favor of the motion signify by saying I can >> I
>> I Bill >> I motion carried I >> motion carried. Okay. Meeting minutes. Motion to approve. Mr. J.
Have a motion to be a second. I'll second it. All in favor of the motion. Ken. I. I. Boy. Hi. Bill. Hi. Troy. Hi. Motion carries.
Okay. The warrants were sent out. >> The TNT rules. >> Okay. The truth and taxation manage. >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Chair. For December 15th, the truth and taxation.
>> I'll second it, Mr. Chair. May we have a motion? Second. Any discussion? All in favor? K. >> I. >> Doyle. I >> Bill I >> I'm abstaining. I wasn't there.
>> Okay. >> Motion carried the warrants. Approve. A motion to get a second. >> I'll second it. >> Any discussion on any of the bills?
All in favor? Kim? >> I. >> Doyle. I >> Bill I >> motion carries. Okay. Uh, Commissioner Johnson 10.
>> Yes, Mr. Chair, I would ask to the December 2nd meeting u to reduce the levy request for H from 200,000 to 100,000 pending the review of the their budget today.
Anybody have any >> objection to that to that? >> Oh, if you're withdrawing your motion, I'll second that. Okay.
Tightil type. Okay. Uh, Mr. H who's going to have you got some more work in or >> well I I think if we go back to the last
meeting there's uh was discussion in reference to uh to uh some input from community members and a data request and also it gravitated to looking at statute which
it appears in statute that we're supposed to review uh when we're laying dollars to review an entity's budget. And so uh I've communicated with Mr.
Standish and uh I'm assuming that he's probably has something for us. So I've asked Jim if he'd like to come forward and prevent You know, Right. Hold on. Please leave here.
Good morning. >> Morning. >> Morning. >> Thank you. Inviting uh myself and the Grant County HR to um discuss the HA and the request for the levy. Um
just as a a premise, the top blue sheet. Um I just wanted to give you a brief background that the HRA was um created in 1972 by the grant money board of commissioners determining that there was
a need for a HR um to look at the needs of the county for housing. Um, just to be clear, uh, the Grant County HR is certified to operate by the state of Minnesota and operates as separate
entity in accordance with Minnesota statutes. Uh, why I think this is important, I think there's been some thought or confusion or discussion out there that the H is a uh, department or a committee of the county board. It
is not. It's a separate entity onto its own by Minnesota statute and that's how it operates. Um we can um borrow money accept loans, grants, gifts. Uh the one thing is the H is a fiscal component of the government
of the Grand County and the reason for that is that the county board appoints the HR commissioners and um reason number two is that a few years back the Grant County Board of Commissioners
issued a geo obligation bond uh to uh the for the HR developmental housing in the uh in the county. And because of those two reasons, that's why we are a fiscal component of the government. But importantly, I'd ask for clarification
that we are a standalone uh entity uh in the county. You want to turn to the letter. Um >> dear Mr. Spear. Thank you for the invitation to the Grand County Board of Commissioners meeting December 16th, 2025 concerning the 2026 Grant County Hy
request. While the Grant County HR acknowledges Minnesota statute 469.003 003 subdivision 6 which states the H file a budget with the county in the same manner as required of executive departments of the county or if no
budgets are required to be filed by August 1st. The H has requested and been approved a levy since 1997 and the county has not required a budget to be filed previously. The Grand County H does not have a consolidated agencywide
budget. The Grant County HA has multiple projects and programs budgets of which funds cannot be co-mingled to be shared rent on a random basis. The funds are dedicated to each project and or program. Each program has strict rules
regarding the use of the funds. I have attached the 2026 project program budget for the following and these are our major project and programs of the HR. We have other minor ones but these are the major ones. Public housing section 8
housing choice voucher rent assistance market rate project and it's a 2025 the 20 26 has not been approved subject to rent increases January 1. Ashby apartments H1 and Ashby Apartments H2.
I have been within with the Grant County HR since the inception in 1972 and I'm not aware that the HR is required to have an agencywide budget. The 2020 county levy request $200,000 represents 37
of the maximum allowed by Minnesota statute or $547,12166. Also, I have catched the most recent H audit 2024 excerpts of assets and revenues expenses which representative of a of a complete
financial picture of all the H project and program activities. I would like to address the impact of the Grant County HR and accounting both housing and program activities. Grant County HRA owns 20 buildings which
which are 114 rental units. The approximate value of these properties is 500 is $16,800,000. We potentially house 114 families and provide housing assistance for another 24 families, bringing a total to 138
families. Each year over $90,000 is paid out to Grant County landlords for rent assistance to help families with their rent. Also, each year we pay approximately a total of $28,000
from all our properties for payment L of taxes. In 2024, the HA bron paid out to contractors vendors a total of over $161,000. HR pays cities thousands of dollars for
utilities. The cost of operation H office is approximately $30,000 per year. That's about what goes in 2025. The HA own properties non HUD 20 26 units. Six buildings are aging which are
25 years to 40 years old. They are requiring more and more maintenance. The types of maintenance include roofs, siding, windows and so on. Also there is a consistent need for replacement of items such as refrigerators, rangers, water heaters, water softeners, air
conditioners, some pumps, generally washers and dryers. This would be related to ash departments. One also there has been extreme rise in insurance premiums for all our properties. Other uses levy funds are employee wages
and benefits represents about 20% of the total or $50,000 a year. The remaining is paid for by federal funds or 80%. In 2025, the Grant County HRA as an applicant on behalf of the Grant County
through the partnership of Minnesota Housing and Area Lenders, there were seven firsttime home buyers that were purchased in Grant County for a total of 932,571 in loans. That particular program, um there is no
county levy money or money. We just applied for that money. So, it's dedicated to Grant County. Since Grant County is the largest lander in any county, we have a major impact on housing families and financial support to contractors, cities, and vendors.
I'd like to add that we are also uh Grant County is also in need of additional housing. Uh we know this through waiting lists on our uh apartments and we are looking into the possibility of developing more housing
into the future. Um with that I'll leave it open to questions. If you would like to go through each one of these budgets individually be more than happy to do that. Um that's up to you. I got a question, Mr. Standish. Uh,
your response to the data request referenced the need to move the levy up to $200,000. Uh four of the items was remodeling the H current office, furniture and miscellaneous expenses associated with the remodel of the new
office, maintaining their new office and new storage, $100,000. And I guess my question is um the other three items were normal business expense, insurance, utilities,
and so on so forth. Uh my question is how does that because it appeared most of that is completed how does that extrapolate into 2026 when you're asking for 200 again? Well first of all we're not asking for
an increase same as 2025. Um we are again we're seeing increase in cost of insurance premiums the cost of maintenance. Uh basically um we do not have a dedicated reserve for replacement
of equipment. We don't have a dedicated reserve for uh maintenance of buildings. So that's something that we would need to um look at as far as having something um as a reserve for those items.
I mean, quite honestly, it costs a lot of money to maintain these buildings. You know, that they're aging and each year it's costing more and more to operate and maintain them. So, I'd reference page 22 of your 2024
annual statement under cash and investments that unrestricted cash on deposit investments and CDs of a,355,781. I understand it costs a lot of money. It appeared according to your annual statement that you may have a lot of
money. So, would you compare that to then your comment? Certainly um if you look at that I believe I don't have that page open um but if it's the referencing the audit statement that you look it's broken down
to multiple projects and programs and if you take the very first one I think it's in the first column it's public housing and at the bottom of that column is part of the reserve you're referencing and I think it's like is it
like500 or $600,000 Cash on deposit. >> Yeah. No, I mean unrestricted. >> It's one one million. Well, it's cash on deposit investments and CDs and it's a million 355. >> No, I mean I'm talking about public housing.
>> I'm I'm just looking at cash investments. I don't have that page open either. I guess you'd have to help me with that. >> You're talking about page what I handed out today or what what are you what are you referring to? Well, >> I'm referring to your December 31st,
2024 audit which would be I believe you are looking at uh the handout today would be hand note page number 13 and 14. That look familiar? Is this what you're referencing to? >> Well,
I mean I can't answer the question unless I know what you're >> in the audit and under the summary of the significant accounting policies. It references the various fund accounting and it references a lot of stuff and one of the references
is your net position which includes cash and investments and I guess What I'm saying is it looks like you have one I'll just round it to $1.3 million of unrestricted
money. And so I get if and I understand that yeah it's there's different programs but if you put it all together and you've operated 144 units for a number of years
and the levy has gone up significantly and and I'm looking at your projected replacement budget. I just don't know that. I'm trying to calculate
how we get from 25 or 50 or 75 or 100 or $200,000 when there's not may p basically been a significant change in the operation. Other than that, your answer to the data requests referenced
the office and the addition. I don't question that request at all. I question whether when you look at the operation to ask our taxpayer for another another $200,000
trying to find the math when you have $1.35 million in reserve. >> Okay, but let's go back to your original question. Um the statement you're making is a consolidated total amount on in the narrative in the audit. >> Yeah. Yeah, what I'm pointing out is
page 13 and 14, which breaks it down into the assets of what the total makes up what you're you're referencing. So, if you go to page 13, look at the very first column, and this is my my point of of reference is the public
housing. It's a HUD program. Uh we have 80 units of public housing. So, if you go down to the bottom, which is part of the total of what you're making reference to, and it says unrestricted, 632,334, that's unrestricted funds we have in
public housing. That does not mean we can use those funds for other projects within the HR by HUD regulations to dedicate that money only for public housing. >> Right. So since >> and that and that's true with I go
through each one of these and that's my point is that each one of those unrestricted balances which total up to what you made reference to in the audit narrative is all restricted items within those programs and and projects. We
can't just take money out of one and use them for another. >> So this is a balance sheet. If you take current assets mined current liabilities, you have $6 and $27,000 of working capital. >> I again I'm not sure where where you're >> Well, I'm looking at page 13 and on a
balance sheet if you take assets might occur at my business working capital. You have $627,000 in working capital. You have a lot of money. >> You're you're Okay. I'm I'm sorry. Again, I I'm not sure where.
>> Well, on page 13 under public housing, you reference if you take current assets minus current liabilities as working captain, >> the the restrict the restricted ass the unrestricted asset building, 33434.
Yep. Which is very close to your working capital. >> Okay. So my point is if you have six under that one that's part of the $1.35 million it's how does that tie into the reason
that you want to ask for another $200,000. That's what I'm trying to get at it. Well feels like Jim that you have a considerable amount of money in reserve and I understand why you in needed more last year. You answered the question on
the data request specifically. It does not appear that those numbers carry forward based on your historical data and your future plan. I I'm not there. I'm not I don't know
board members in the room. So, >> well, let let me make this maybe I should have made this point before. Let me make this perfectly clear. Grant County levy dollars do not go into federal programs. They do
not go into federal program. The the Grand County levy dollars are only for projects that are owned by the Grant County H. They are not that are not regulated by HUD or state government.
>> Maybe to dump it down a little because you'll be a little smarter than some of us probably. Um like for like for this public housing one where we have 600 who may thousand whatever in there we have to do a five-year agency plan for the
public housing. So say for the bar time and the the ones behind the the church here and in Herman and all them we have to have a 5-year plan. So they'll give us $250,000. We have to say we're going to use it in
2026 and we're going to get new refrigerators that haven't been replaced for 25 years and that's on the budget. We have to put money aside for that. They give us money for that. It's in our thing, but we haven't we haven't used it
yet. Then the next year we're going to we're going to get new garage doors and shingle. And this is all just public housing. So, we have to have that all in there. We get the money ahead of time. We have to show them what we're going to do every year for five years. So, so
that stuff that isn't really it's it's not our money to spend. They give it to us. We do because these ones like um their housing they're all on income based. So, we have people that have an apartment and they go by what they are
what their income is and you take any expenses they have every year and then subtract utilities. There's a formula. Some of them are only paying $50 in rent and we don't get that money back. We get a portion of it, but we don't get all
that money back. So, we're losing money. We're not making money on those ones. So therefore, that's why the federal is giving us money to help keep up those. So that money is sitting there and it looks like we have all this money, but we really don't. It's ear tag to what we
need to do it to. Now, like you said, the levy goes to all our ones that we don't get a dime for. So we need that's where we need the money to help if you know if shingles go down. It costs a lot of money to reshingle all those places
and you know just everything like you said all the issues. >> So if you're at page 14 and if we look at each fund which Jim is referencing there's only one of them that's a negative which is market grade envelopes and if you go across to total or
adjusted total that's $1,63,000 of unrestricted money by account it's on page 14 third line up in the bottom. Well, that's now I'm glad you point out because that's a very good point. The
market rate rental column, that's our that's the H owned buildings. And just like Dan was saying, we have a negative unrestricted uh amount of money of $56,000.
That's where the levy makes that up. >> Good. Jim, I got a question for you. The building in Hoffman that exploded, is that H own or is does that fall into the category where you don't get any funding for that building?
>> Which one do you like? >> The one in Hoffman. >> We have more than one in >> Oh, the one that blew up. >> That's that's Northstar Manor and that's a HUD building. >> Okay. All right. >> So, yeah. All right. I got >> No. So again, and I want to make this clear, there are no ranch county levy
dollars going into a federal program or a state program. Okay? It's only the ones that we do not get federal funds for. Like I said, the third column, market rate rentals, so that's a that's a good example right
there. In 2024, >> we were in a negative of $56,000. That's where we would utilize levy funds. >> How about Jim in Ashby? There are the uh units one and two there. Well, one one
is government one uh department number two is rural development which is a federal government which we do get funds to operate um on those. The Ashby number one which is a twotory which used to be rural development is basically what we
consider market rate. They're not. We don't have any state or federal uh restrictions on those, right? Dave. So that that'd be another example besides the the market rate column. It' be it actually department's number one. >> So in 10 years the levies down from
$45,000 to $200,000 and you from $1.35 million. You have a lot of money. >> Sorry, Ken. You keep referring to that totals that that that that's a accumulation of all the projects.
>> I understand. But at some point >> and we can't we can't co-mingle the money used for one for the other when one is when one needs it. That's that's my point. But we just pointed out you only had one market rate uh the market rate rentals
that was in a negative. All your other operations have a lot of money and that's coming together in your audit. Jim, you asked for $200,000 to do specifically four items from the request. Your answer to the debt request
to me simply states you needed $200,000 and 25. You do not need $200,000 in 26. The numbers bear out. And that's why the statute says we're supposed to look at the numbers before we ask the taxpayer
for this money. >> It's in the audit. Mr. Chair, I got a question for you. So what back to echoing what what Dwight said something about, you know, that that issue that happened in Hoffman. >> Okay. Over and above because I'm sure there was insurance that played a role
in things in things like that, right? covered covered except for the deductible. Yeah. >> Yep. So, and you know this if it did it if it happened again which it could happen in the next 15 minutes you those funds I mean you depleted probably what what it cost you for the deductible on
that to get that fixed back up again $25,000. >> Okay. >> But but apparently I'm not being clear on this. the money that is in each one of those asset
audit you have to stay within your own lane. >> Yeah. Dedicated. >> It's not an accumulation of a totally referring to pin that now we can use that total for any one of those programs or projects. We can't.
>> I draw you to page 26 of the audit. Note 8 extraordinary gain. During the year ended 2024, the authority received insurance proceeds totaling $476,000 in relation to significant damage
sustained in the public housing building in Hoffman. The insurance proceeded exceeded the net carrying value of the damaged assets resulting in an extraordinary gain of 476,000. $864 which has been recognized in the
statement of revenues, expenses, and changes in the net position. Does that mean you made $476,000 on that incident as extraordinary gain? Can you really believe that? >> No. I asked
>> the the the statement and the audit and I'm not sure you're you're on the findings. Where are you? >> I'm in the notes of the financial statement. >> Okay. >> If you read onto that,
that's how we reported the income in the office when a check came in. That is not revenue. That is a capital improvement. So it goes in, it gets converted to a capital improvement, not revenue.
>> So the construction progress, the $500 some thousand is the offset to that. Is that what you're telling me? >> It's not revenue. You and I probably on a cash basis accountant would look at it as revenue because we ought to check for that
amount of money. countywise on approval basis that goes into the value of the building. >> You answer my question. I asked it. >> Okay. >> Getting back to uh the seven points that
you made reference to the need for the the money. Um and here are the seven points. Number one, due to the cost of maintaining HA properties, most HA properties
non-federal over 25 years old. Two, utilities in each city keep increasing annually. Three, insurance premiums have increased dramatically. Four, remoding the H current office. Five, furniture and miscellaneous
expenses associated with remodel of the new office. Six, maintaining the new office, utilities, grounds, and maintenance, which is about um we found it's about $40,000 a year. Seven, new storage space, $100,000.
These were responses to Mandy Westerm's question about the 200 the 2025 funds. So, it wasn't just the $100,000 for the new storage space. It's all of these responses four through seven completed.
>> Um six is an ongoing expense because that's the operation office. Seven were almost complete. Uh furniture and miscellaneous expenses. Uh yes. Uh and pretty much remodeling the H current office. Yes.
>> So the storage is complete >> almost. But yet >> based on that, Mr. Chair, I'd make a motion that we levy $100,000 because those items demonstrate the 200 is not needed.
>> Just our insurance cost $71,000 a year. You know, it's stuff like that. >> The numbers don't bear it out. I made a motion, Mr. Chair. >> Okay, we have a motion on the floor. We get a second and we can have more discussion.
Anybody want to second it? >> I'll second it. So then we can have more discussion if there's more discussion. >> Mr. Chair. >> Go ahead. So I I realize I'm not sitting there,
but my understanding of what if we have not met the statute requirements, we cannot levy anything. If we have met the statute requirements, we don't have a county policy that says we can go from the 200 asked for to the
70 or the 100, whatever it is. So, short of having that, if there's a motion to approve anything, that tells me we've met the statute and we don't have a policy to say we can't do the full 200. That's where I'm at
with that. >> Uh, Troy, are you saying that since we haven't met the statute, we can't levy anything? I am not sitting there today seeing what was presented. So I can't say we've met the statute or not. I'm saying by you
making that motion, I'm going to assume that what was presented meets the statute. Now, okay, we've met the statute, we can levy money. I don't know that it says we can arbitrarily pick an amount. If we didn't meet the statute, we didn't meet the statute.
But let's say we've met it. I don't know that we have any internal policy that says we can go from the 200 requested to the 100. >> So let me ask you another question, Mr. Chair. Uh so when you're saying met the statute, are you referencing
Mr. Stannis's presentation of information as it relates to the budget and his various the the financial information? Is that your reference to statute? I'm saying we talked at the last meeting that without a budget
we can't levy the $200,000. So if we have not met the requirements of the statute, we cannot budget anything. We can't levy anything. If we're saying that we're going to levy a hundred instead of two, that tells me then that those sitting in the room look
at that and they say we've met the requirements for a budget presented. Otherwise, we can't levy anything. Then so let's say we've met it. We can budget something or we can levy something. I don't know where we get the
authority to go from the 200 to the 100. >> Chair on whether we accept Mr. Sandish's budget before to deal with the discussion. Is that >> Well, yeah, we got discussion. Go ahead, Dory. >> Well, certainly there's information that
I'm looking at. he's met his requirement. That's that's that's what I see. I mean, what else can they do? >> Yeah. We don't have any more information. >> Yeah. So So that part's fine. And as far as the 200,000,
look at what's gone on with H the last three years. You know, they had to move. They had to move. So, they had to move everything and they had to have storage and and uh you know, I I see what goes on with H
because I'm around those buildings a lot in Ashley and uh I don't see a problem with $200,000 for those buildings um in Ashley. It probably would take $200,000 on just
there to to get them up, you know, to snuff. They're good, but you know, and we have uh there's just a lot of expenses going on there. And I I I get to know all these people in those housing units and they need it. So I don't I don't see why why you know
this budget here is fine for me and I don't see why we don't go to 200,000 cuz every town depends on this stuff and it's it's a need. So
I Mr. Mr. Chair, I don't question the need at all and it's not to me and it's not in H whether they need the service to me is that we levied $200,000 in reference to items four, five, six, and
seven based on Mandy's data request. They're completed. The math doesn't bear out the need for 200,000 and it's not been demonstrated. And the balance sheet and the the audit and the statistics
show 200 is more than our taxpayers should need to pay. The the proof is in the numbers, not in the need, but in the numbers. Really? You got any more?
>> Costs go up, you guys. Insurance to cover these dwellings goes up. You know, there's there's always updates. There's flooring. There's, you know, faucets, there's air conditioning units, there's bridges, there's roofing. You know what I mean? There's there's always issues
that that arise that you can't forecast. and to maintain as many buildings as you guys do in the county as a whole. $200,000 is not that much to ask to keep that level of service for our elderly. And that's what this does. Make a share
of our elderly. I mean, there's some other people in there, but in my opinion, that level of service, you know, that compliments Grant County because we do take care of our own people, right? Well, that the true cost of that 200,000, you know, is not a burden in my opinion on the taxpayer
code. It's not because it performs and we look at it on all these regional boards what our dollars and how they perform and whether they perform and well whether we could retool it to perform. Okay, which we do all the time. Dwight and I sit on Rainbow and there's
things going on and we, you know, we sit on these regional boards and we we get, you know, that there's some dollars that are sitting around in some of these boards, but it isn't. It's more of a and and I wouldn't call it a nest egg because $600,000 ain't that ain't that
much. It's not. It's it's a you know what I mean? You could have two, three incidences in a couple of fires and you know, pretty soon, you know what I mean? You're not back filling what's sitting there. So, that's where I'm at with it. 200 isn't that big of a price tag. >> Could I say something too? And people
don't realize that that they're elderly, but they're also people who are a little disabled, whether that it's mentally or physically. I know people that have kids, friends, family members that live with adult foster care who those people
get paid $80, $100,000 for one person, >> right? >> Where we are housing a half a dozen of them. Think how much money that would cost if they had to leave and go live >> and the county has to pay for that foster and the state does whatever. I mean, we're
>> we're taking burden off of other places, too. >> And we're not building homes like we're doing in like they're doing in Alec and Fergus. What these settings do, these HA settings and things like that, it open up homes so people can actually sell their real estate and move in and rent
and have a anything a double garage to go into a double garage if they can get on the waiting list, you know. So, and and of course, we're not building it fast enough for the public out here. I know that they're they're chomping at the bid. You hurry up and get this stuff done, you know. Well, in my opinion, you
know, that need is addressed here for the elderly to open up homes in our communities. And it's every town in the county that that that happens. Mr. Chair, on in 2020, we had 114 units and
the levy was 50,000. I agree cost went up. My motion was for a 100, not 50, not zero, but not 200. So, I'm recognizing that costs have gone up. I do not believe if, once again, the
numbers bear it out, and I do not believe any of those people are at risk. The audit shows that. You have anything else? I I can't I'm not disagreeing with Ken. I'm just saying I don't Where is the authority to change from the 200 to the
100? If we've met the budget, if we met the statute requirements, where do we have the authority to change from the 200 to the 100? We don't have an attorney in the room to address that. So, in my opinion, the county board has the latitude to take
care of its residents in the county and this is a form of it. And we've already addressed it last year with the 200 and we seem to be here any penny. The sky isn't falling. I think another 200,000 moving forward. We can certainly revisit this every year, but this 200,000 to get
them up, get them running, get make sure that these these needs and and and you know, the processes are met. I mean, a lot of times this is all local contractors that they hire, whether it be plumbing and heating and things like that that revenue heads that direction.
So, I it doesn't leave the county. So, in my opinion, it's it we're we're we're benefiting businesses throughout the county as a whole. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the $200,000 amount. I just don't see where we have the authority to change it.
>> Well, Mr. Chair, I don't You're making reference to statute to change. Isn't the statute that we're supposed to review the budget and make the decision? So, I'm just >> Right. Right. So, so if you look at the
statute, it says you have to have the budget to levy anything. >> And by making a motion for $100,000, that indicates to me that we have what is required by statute. Where does the authority then come in to say we
disagree we can only do a hundred? >> Call for the question, Mr. Chair, you got a motion on the floor. >> Okay, we have a motion on the floor. And >> uh team, you want to read a motion again?
>> Motion was made by Ken Johnson, seconded by Doyle Spear to approve a $100,000 tax levy for H. Good. Yes, Bill. No. No. >> Croy.
>> No. >> Doyle. Yes. All >> Mr. Chair. Can I say one thing now? >> Go ahead. >> Okay. So next year, let's just sit down a little bit here and uh before the you
know talk to H beforehand so we have a figure that falls into everything that we're looking at. I mean the uh the proof budget and and we there there's nothing
wrong with talking about this beforehand. >> No. So that's >> Mr. Chair. >> Go ahead. >> We've talked previously about having a policy for the county that says preliminary levy requests need to be in
by let's say June or July 1st so we can get what we need to verify the amounts are are truly required. This is a conversation we should have done prior to the preliminary levy, not a week before or two weeks, but whatever it is
until the levy has to be set. We need to be doing this in the summer >> by statute. Is that what you're you're referring to, which I've never seen? No, we just need >> No, not by statute. By internal county policy, which we would have to develop.
So I get a question Mr. Chair. So we we don't have policy and based on the statute do 100. Do we have policy and statute to do 200 >> or where where does the statute barely
wait? Maybe that's a question for Mr. Johnson. I asked our attorney after the last meeting and he said we have if without the proper budget we can't levy anything.
So we have to have a budget to levy something. So whether it's 200 or 100 that would tell me that there's a budget there. I don't know where we then change it. That would come to me that then comes in
the internal policy that says okay well you have to show us the need for it. So then based on that but you're saying we can't levy anything unless we have a special meeting and review what Mr. Johnson's saying.
Well, I didn't say that at all. I also haven't voted to approve the 200. I don't know what was presented there today. So, if there is I I don't know where we would get the justification to change it.
>> So, later in the meeting when the budget is approved, that's on the line. You're saying that that'll get approved or just changed at that point. We're not there yet. I I don't know the answer to that.
>> Okay. Well, I guess then to be continued until the auditor. That's what I'm hearing, Mr. Chair. >> Okay. >> May I ask a question? >> Go ahead. what what we submitted today
is that acceptable budget is what you felt was being requested. >> I mean I I asked specifically a few days ago what you wanted by from both coordinator Linquist and and Ken
Johnson, what are you looking for? And I didn't get very clear answers. So based on that, that's what we submitted today. >> So my question is, is this acceptable budget according to statute? Is this is
this what you're accepting? >> I guess I don't know what else you would have to forgive myself. >> If if this was a Mr. Chair, I got I got a statement to make. This was a hot button issue. We created a precedence by
moving forward with this. And I've been on the county board and this this has never come up. Okay. So, we should have created a policy a long time ago that created the the SOP to move forward where we can levy these funds for you guys, right? And get a budget in a
certain set time, right? Never come up ever. So, and now we're sticking to Standard when it's probably been on the books since whatever the 50s, 60s,7s, who knows? >> Don't make any sense to me. We're
creating a precedence, Mr. Chair. Got a question back there. Go ahead. >> What percentage of the budget is this? 200,000 of the total budget for Grant County >> of the levy >> of the levy for the whole county. What are we talking about? 10%.
Are we talking 1% or talking half a percent? >> All I know is I paid $8.50 on my tax statement this year for it >> because they are you are a taxing authority, >> right? >> Okay. >> Let's do a D. >> Yeah. >> What are we talking about here?
$100,000 on what what's your budget? >> Well, is it >> how many millions are our total all leverage? Chad is right outside when he he has us all the information. >> Just give me a round 8.5 million. >> Huh?
>> 8.5 million >> local. >> There was 100,000 on that. >> Right. 80 bucks. >> Yeah, that's my point. >> Thank you.
Well, let me just comment on that and you're right because that is math. That's not leadership and that's what we have to do. If you can justify going the same units up that much in that many years,
fine. But if you look at the financial statement, the numbers don't out. The need is there, the emotion is there, the math is there. Other than you had a lot of money and the request I believe is
look what other costs have done the last 5 years since co look at what look at what it's done and to me that doesn't seem like a high jump to me for the for the benefits we get out of that and the
people that are in them and and when I heard know that. Yeah, I know there's people in those units that if they weren't in them units, they'd be in the nursing home. They would be. >> They wouldn't be in G County.
>> No. So, and uh you know, but I but they're happy because I know them. They like it there. And uh those are the people there that need to be helped. And H is doing that
through this whole county. I guess I'm not sure if I got an answer. What we presented today, is this an acceptable presentation of the budget that fulfills the Minnesota
statute of the H levy budget request? It is to me. >> I don't know what else you're going to prevent. Again, I don't have a copy of the statute, but we've never had to live by the statute before. So, I'm on board
with the 200. >> If not, we I not we'd like to know so we can make a presentation that is satisfactory. >> So, are we going to vote again or what are we going to what what do you want to do? >> Oh, it was just discussion after the
vote. No, we're going to get an opportunity to approve the budget when Mr. and Hatton presents it and it's on there at 200,000 but whether we accept that at that point will be
against the determin determination we are going to look at the county budget whatever I'm on we had our meeting last night the H levy request is not part of the county budget this is a special levy outside of the county so we
approve the budget It does not include the H levy. No. Just just so you're clear on that. >> But Chad, is it part of the resolution you provided though? >> It's part of the resolution for the levy. >> Right.
>> As a separate levy, but it's not part of the overall county budget for levy. >> Right. But it is it is resolution number on there as a separate levy as requested by
the H. Yes. >> Right. >> But it's not part of the county budget and rural levy. >> What do you want to do? >> I don't know. I'd ask Troy Johnson. So, like Chad said, it's not part of the budget.
We need to set a final levy. And what I'll say is if the board sitting there is split, I haven't seen what H has provided. So, I don't know if that meets what we need for a budget anyway. So, that
part's going to have to get tabled at I can't see it. We have until Chad can correct me, but I believe December 29th to set the final levy. >> We can do everything else. We can set the budget. We can do the county part, but the final levy, I haven't seen that.
I haven't seen what was presented by the H today. >> Well, Mr. Chair, should we address it or wait until the resolution that's on the agenda later? >> We'll just wave. >> Okay. No, Mr. Chair, we're going to have to
have a special meeting before the 29th. >> I would imagine >> for the budget and the HS ask >> the H not in the budget. >> No, but it I asked the H ask. It was not in the budget. It shows here and Chad will come up with you know this is the paperwork that we talked last night in
truth and taxation. So it shows this is not being part of the budget. Anybody want to see any of this stuff? Dis you probably got copies, right? So at least everybody's aware. >> So the motion fail. Yep.
>> Okay. So we move on and on later on the agenda is the county auditor who's presenting the information and part of the in your packet was the resolution that Chad just referenced um that shows the budget and then there's the separate part of the
resolution that talks about H. So depending upon if this fails or doesn't fail, if it depending upon how the vote on this resolution later in the agenda goes, then I believe then that's when you would decide if there needs to be a
special meeting because if this passes with that, then it's passed. >> Yeah. >> So the motion that Ken had fail 3 to two. >> Yeah. >> So that that's fail. >> Done deal. That's a done deal. Then when
you get to the the budget, um when Chad's on with this resolution, which you all got in your packet last week, that has the H levy request that was requested of $200,000, then the five of you will decide on
this. And then from there, you'll know what you have to do. >> That's right. It's an every year thing. We do it every year. I got a question chair. Okay. So,
my thinking is I'm okay with this for a budget. What was your thinking? >> Absolutely. Yep. >> Don't Don't you think we should ask right here if we have a majority here that think this is okay? Why do we got
to do anything else? We already voted. >> We Yeah, I was I was asking what you wanted to do. Well, I guess I I would like to have you ask us if >> is it >> for me with it?
>> I'm fine with it. >> You want a vote again or what do you want to do? >> We need a motion on the floor. Right. I'll make a motion that we have a vote to see if this document that H presented to us is sufficient
uh in terms of being a budget that we can make these decisions on. I'll make that motion. >> I'll second it. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any more discussion? So, let me What is the the question?
Are we just asking if that is a a budget or are we asking to approve the $200,000? >> No, we we already made a we already voted to not do the $100,000.
This is just a motion. Is this good enough for us to work off of as a budget for H? And it is for me. >> My second is they they provided a budget. Now we'll move forward. There's
a motion on the floor and a second. Mr. Chair, call for the question. >> Ken, you got any anything else? >> No, I I I don't I think I agree with Jim because this is the first time we've asked it ever and and there's a lot of numbers there and so to ask for more, I don't know what it would be. I think it
needs to supply. >> So your motion is that >> information that this is the budget information the board wants. >> That's your motion. >> Yes, it's sufficient for us to make the decision. >> You second.
>> Correct. >> I think it's important. There's only four of us that have seen the data. So >> I will be abstaining. We'll see what the vote is. And >> I don't have I can't see it. Yes. Bill.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Be careful. >> I'm going to abstain. >> Okay. Let me ask. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, H, for what you
guys do. got an indie boxer donut. No. One project. Minnesota program. So I mean I need help. >> Yeah.
>> Oh, you got full session right now, Ashley? >> Yep. Oh, well that I mean this is what you're doing. >> We don't have we don't have the greatest
time. >> Okay. I might I might stay here. I mean, >> that's a long time ago. What class there when you graduate?
>> I'm sorry. >> Oh yeah. How can you also remember? >> No, I don't know. >> Yeah. Tell me I'll go 10 years ago, you know. I'm not
a long private Merry >> Christmas. >> Can't believe it. promotion. >> I don't want to listen. >> Thanks for the text. >> Huh? Thanks for the tax, dude. We need and we'll need a motion to
close the that the meeting >> for negotiation >> motion to close the meeting. Mr. Chair, >> I'll second it. >> Okay. All in favor of the motion? Kim >> I
close. >> All right. It's a close session. We're gonna roll up. >> We're gonna come. We're gonna open them back up. >> Oh, later. >> Yeah, it shouldn't take very long. Just a couple minutes. >> Yeah.
>> I'm going to get the hell out of here. >> All right. So, this meeting would be co be the labor negotiations proposal under Minnesota statute 13D.03 subdivision 1 Z. I need to turn the video up. Hey Matt, I got a question here. Nothing
serious. Grover keeps asking me up at about street light. >> Whose jurisdiction are they on 82 and 78? >> No, they're ours. >> And and they're fixed. They are fix them. He He was talking to me about it
two nights ago. They probably been fixed for a week. Didn't you think there's a lot more down there to skip around >> as they since then. No, we had open them. >> I No, we open need a motion to open.
>> Oh, I'll make that >> and I'll second it again. >> All in favor of motion. Kim. >> Hi Doyle. >> I hi >> Bill. >> Hi Troy. >> Hi.
>> Motion carried. >> All right. So I will start with um we are looking to implement um our wages for 2026. I'd be looking for non-union non-cont employees at this time. Um so our insurance contribution um looking
I'll look for that motion first but the insurance employer contribution would be single for single health coverage taking single health coverage would be 950 a month. Um employees taking family coverage would be 2,000 a month and then everything else remains the same. So HSA
would remain the same at single the employer will pay $50 into an HSA a month and it would put $125 a month into a family HSA. The other language that would stay the same is the employers hired employees hired before January 1, 2024 who wave coverage with pro proof of
other group coverage or insurance shall receive cash in Lu of 850 a month even if an employee makes an insurance change and the employees hired after January 1, 2024 would not be eligible to receive cash in. So that would be the proposal for the employer contribution.
Can we get a motion to agree with that? >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Chair. >> A second. >> Second. >> Motion second. Any more discussion? All in favor? Ken
>> I. >> Doyle. >> I. >> Bill. >> I. >> Troy. >> I. >> Motion carried. All right. So, next is the implementation of non-UN wages. And so,
what the proposal would be would be um how we figured it would be adding a 3% onto their employees 1231 2025 wage, taking that wage and putting them on the new scale of the wage study um on the
closest step on their assigned grade. And this would be effective 1.6. Okay. Can we get a motion for that? >> So move, Mr. Chair. >> I'll second it. >> Any discussion? All in favor? Ken >> I.
>> Doyle. I Dwight. >> I. >> Bill. >> I. >> Ken. >> Troy. >> I. >> Motion carried. >> All right. The next part piece of that would be for 27 and 28. the time you
spend for both years. >> We get a motion for that. >> What was that actually? >> Three and a half%. >> Oh, sorry. >> I make that motion. Get a second. I'll second it. Any more discussion?
>> Wait, wait. What are we approving for 27 and 28? >> Three and a half. This is for the non-union. We've never done that before. We've always just done it on a year to year. >> I mean, we've always done what's in the contract, but
>> right. And we can do that and just follow the union contract. >> Yeah. I I It's just new. I just wanted to make sure we knew we we hadn't done this. We do it annually, but >> Yeah, we can wait. That's fine. That was just the last part of it. >> If we have a If we have a motion in a
second, we might as well That's what we're going to do. >> Yes. Exactly. Call for the question. Mr. Chair, is this a a deflection from what norm is normal? >> It's in the contract. >> We would we typically just follow the
union contracts or non-unions um >> and this is what we'd be doing then? >> That's what we'll be doing with the with this the union I'll be bringing up. Yes. Okay. I >> Dwight. >> Hi, Bill.
>> Hi, Stroy. >> Hi. >> Motion carried. >> All right. So, the next thing I have is just more of a correction. So, last board meeting, I brought the deputy assessor job description um to get approved and then the um the assessment
technician. However, in the board packet, our discussion was the same, the correct information, but what I submitted was the incorrect, not updated job description. So, I would just be looking to get approval for the correct deputy assessor job description that was in the packet that reflects the 11 2025
um review for both positions. Um, for the deputy assessor and then the assessment technician, the 11 2025 review date. However, the assessment technician, there was an update in the um license for the certified assess assessment technician certification. So,
just looking to get those approved the right job descriptions that were submitted. >> Make that motion. >> Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Ken? Hi >> Doyle.
>> Hi. >> Hi. >> Milly. >> Hi. >> Motion carried. >> All right. So, the next thing I have is um we have um come to an agreement with the law enforcement um union, the
sheriff's office union. And so, I will go through the things that we have discussed um to look for a motion to approve the contract for those three years. Um the first thing was discussed was employer writes its grievance. It's
just adding state statute into the grievance part of that article. Um so it's just following state statute. Um article 10 was work schedule. So right now um employees get a uniform allowance and the the proposal was employees that
leave employment with 10 years of service or more with a remaining uniform balance would receive the funds put into their healthcare savings plan. So they wouldn't be paid out. They'd be paid into the healthare savings plan. The next one would be vacation. So employees right now um cannot go over
306 hours um throughout the year. And so this proposal would be employees are eligible to have unlimited vacation acral throughout the year but not exceed 36 hours by the year. So right now if they go over they have to ask for vacation get denied and they get it paid
out for the union contract. This would allow them to get unlimited vacations vacation so you don't have to worry about that payout throughout the year. But they have to be down to 305 306 or they will lose it. >> What was that number again? 30 what? >> 306. Um probation period right now. Um
everyone in the sheriff's office has a one-year probationary period. They're not able to use vacation during this time. Um so the proposal would be it would still be a one-year probation period but after six months they'd be able to utilize their vacation. still be on a one-year.
Um, the next one would be insurance. So, what we talked about previously was employer contribution of single 950 a month for a single coverage. Family coverage would be $2,000 a month. And then everything else remains the same. HSA remains the same at single plan $50
a month. A family plan $125 a month. And employees hired before January 1, 2024 who they have covered with proof of other group insurance shall receive cash and lo of 850 even if the employee makes an insurance change. Employees hired after January 1, 2024 will not receive
cash and move. And then rate of pay would be adding 3% onto the employees 1231 2025 um rate of pay using that wage to then put them on the new scale closest to the step to the
step of their assigned grade. And then the duration would be a three-year contract. U 27 and 28 would both be three and a half%. And then some housekeeping items would be um in the contract right now we don't it it
specifies deputies, sergeants, and dispatchers, but we have investigator now. So we wanted to add the investigator into that language as well. And then right now we have anou for employer contribution language. We want to add that into the contract. And we're
and then we also have anou for incentive pay and we want to add that into the contract as well. So those are the few housekeeping items. So that is the proposal um from the LS group. The other one I would be coming forth with an MOU like they talked about was
the firearms, >> right? >> Um utilizing being able to they'd be able to take that if they leave in good standing um able to take their firearm with them um paying the filing for that. But I will be bringing that at a later
date. So right now you're just approving the previous things that I had discussed. >> Well, could we get a motion to accept the contract? >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Chair. Second. I'll second it. Any more
discussion? So what happens at the end of the year if theyification Ashley did they if they're over at the end of the year they lose it pays >> any more discussion. >> Yeah. Just
yes. Are we creating a scenario where if you could carry over hours and gets to be December, we might have if it's use it or lose it, we could have a pretty slick group. >> They department heads can deny vacation
on the needs of the office. So that's still >> that's still >> same as same as then I'll vote I >> Bill. >> Hi Roy. >> Can you repeat that please?
I vote I voted I >> motion carried. >> All right. So the next one >> the LS chief deputy agreement. So this is a new contract. Um the they have agreed to the contract. It would just be
approving no contract and then the insurance which I'll repeat would be the employer contribution single 950 a month family 2,000 a month. HSA would remain the same. Single 50 a month, family 125 a month, and then employees hired before January 1, 2024, who wave coverage with
proof of other group insurance shall receive cash and lo 50, even if the employee makes an insurance change. Employers hired after January 1, 2024, would not be eligible for cash and loan. Rate of pay would be the same, adding a 3% to the employees 1231, 2025 rate of
pay, using that wage to place them on the new wage scale on the closest step of their assigned grade. And then the duration of this contract again would be 27 3 and a2% 28 3 and a2%. Anybody have any questions on that? You get a motion. Is that the move? Mr.
Chair, you have a second. I'll second it. Then we can have discussion. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any more discussion? All in favor of the motion.
>> I Doyle I >> Bill I >> I >> motion carried. >> The last thing is just theou that go with the chief deputy contract. So they um the representative prefers to have
theou for the cafeteria plan or the employer contribution separate from a contract. So this is just anou like we had had before. It's just not going in the contract outlining the um employer contribution of the 950 and the 2000 and then the HSA language and then the
employees that wave coverage. So this is just theou that would be attached to the contract. Okay. Can we get a motion to I'll make the motion, Mr. J. Second.
>> I'll second it. And when were you bringing that in front of us again? January. >> The otherou? Yes, it'll be January. >> This is just with the chief deputy, the employer contribution. >> Any more discussion?
All in favor? Yeah. I hi Billy. >> Hi. >> Motion car. >> Thank you.
>> Yeah. Well, I am uh agenda budgets and levies and resolutions. So, we started working in the county's uh budget and uh pre preliminary budgets
and levies which were adopted in September. As you know, uh we've had meetings with the budget and finance committee in preparation for the final levy and budgets. Um we had our meeting for taxation last
night which you were at attendance at with the exception of Troy. Um, I have sent out the what was approved and adopted as the
prelim preliminary levy and budget kind of the summary sheet uh that you adopted in September. has sent out a revised budget levy sheet that shows the total budgets even those that do not include a
levy uh or require a levy on behalf of the county. We discussed those last night. So I think you guys are aware of those. Um so at this time I believe it is the recommendation before you to approve the resolution
that uh was provided as it stands for these county budgets and the county will revenue. You guys have any questions? Anything from up since last night at 7:00 when we were talking about it since
then? So that motion doesn't include the the non or maybe the H piece >> on the resolution. It does include that doesn't mean you can't strike that part of the resolution. It's just a resolution that was
going to table the $200,000 request pending. All five board members should be reviewing the data and everything else is fine and everything else. We get a motion That wasn't that was the motion. That
was your motion. So a motion. We need a second. We get a second. >> I'll second and then we have some discussion. >> Can I get that motion read back? A motion was made by Ken Johnson and
seconded by Doyle Spear to table the H tax levy request portion of resolution 20251216-1. >> So you need to put a date table it until when? If you table it indefinitely, it
dies. You need to put a date on there. Mr. Chair, I would say prior to the end of the year what our final budget has to be. >> 29th. >> 29th. Thank you. >> I believe it's I don't have my computer in front of me, Troy. I sent you an
email. >> Yes, it was the 29th. I I can't get into that computer right now either. So, >> I just confirming. >> Yep. I think rather than have it that broad, we should uh make a determination if we
can right now as of to a day. Well, do we have it the morning of the 29th? >> Well, I mean, if you want to set it for the 29th, I'm fine with that. Let's just not leave it up in limbo. Let's put a date in the motion.
>> I put the mot the date in the motion December 29th, 2025. And What do you think at 10? Did you say 10 o'clock? >> Yeah, >> I said nine, but 10's fine.
>> Well, let's go nine. Normal meeting time. >> Okay. So, I'm going to read this back to make sure it's accurate. A motion was made by Ken Johnson and seconded by Doyle Spear to table the H
tax lever request portion of resolution 20251216-1 to be reviewed December 29th, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. >> But you said the reason to do it was for Troy to look at this.
>> Yeah. To review the data. >> To be reviewed. Yeah. Any more discussion? >> So, we are approving we're tableabling that but approving the rest of this resolution.
>> Yeah. >> Did you hear that? >> You said yes, right? >> Yeah. Mr. Kina, will you have a copy of that for me when I get back?
>> Yes. >> Go ahead. I have a question, Mr. Chair. The uh So, what good is it going to do to you know, I I understand Troy wants to read that, but we already said four of us said that that's sufficient for a
budget. So what what what good is it going to do? >> Mr. Chair, the the motion was whether the data was sufficient to the statute. That's what we voted on.
>> Yes. Okay. >> That doesn't necessarily mean the data that's sufficient for the statute is sufficient for the motion for the resolution. That's two different issues. I don't quite get that. But >> well, Mr. Standish asked if the data was
adequate for the statute and and we rendered a decision that was >> and it passed. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> So why are we retracing our tracks? Let me repeat myself that it's adequate for the statute. That doesn't necessarily
mean absent of everybody seeing the data means that it's adequate for the resolution of 200,000. It's two issues. Doesn't matter. It's passed. >> I don't I don't voting for it. >> I don't get it because
basically who are we to say that 100,000 like like was discussed the request was for 200 Either it's all or nothing. Four of us said that this was a sufficient budget
and are we going to going to meet on the 29th to change that? >> We voted on it. >> Yep. >> That's a what was the motion? Tina, >> a motion was made by Ken Johnson and
seconded by D Spear and fail to approve a $100,000 tax levy for HRE discussion. Does the county have authority to change the levy amount requested? Troy's discussion point that before be
that we need to put a policy in place that before the preliminary budget is prepared we meet with the county meets with all the people requesting money to review the budgetary need. A motion was made a motion was made by
Dwight Walley and seconded by Bill Valley saying that what was provided as a budget was sufficient >> and the vote was for abstain.
the the first motion that failed failed three to two to reduce it to $100,000. Then the motion that was made to say that the information that was provided was sufficient
passed by one troed vote but it passed by four. Correct. >> So, we were voting if it was sufficient for the statute, not the 200,000.
>> The motion does not reference the statute. >> Yes, it does specifically Jim asked. He said right there. >> Jim, >> it's not statute. The budget, right? It was sufficient budget to move forward with the 200,000. Statute was not
dictated in that resolution. Johnson discussion Johnson answer that >> answer what >> that the motion was whether the data was >> uh he can't he's not seeing it.
>> So there's I I'm not a lawyer but I don't know that it spells out what the budget has to look like. The board said what was provided constitutes a budget. That's correct. >> I can't I can't and won't weigh in on that because I haven't seen it,
>> but the board's four vote said it is. >> There we go. >> And now I said we're tableabling it to review the 200,000 so all of us can view the data. That's approved. Well, if Mr. Noali, if you're changing
the the motion, that's not what I voted for. We're not changing the motion. Yes, you are. The guy who made it did not make it that way. Okay. I I made the motion to accept this as a budget. That's what my motion was
and it went four to nothing. So does that I I I don't believe that that uh we can change that 200,000 from 100,000. Okay. But my motion was to accept this
as a budget. So that's four to nothing. But I don't think that uh I don't think we can come back later and say, "Okay, but we're going to still go to 100,000." They presented their budget and uh next year, let's sit down way beforehand and
get this all straight out. We don't have to sit here and do this. I Mr. Chair, I 100% disagree with that. I Well, we got a motion on the floor. Any more discussion? >> Well, I'm going to vote for this just because I haven't seen it and it would
not be appropriate to weigh in on something I haven't seen that I suspect is going to be contested two to two. So, I'm going to vote to table it till that time. Okay. All in favor of the motion signify
by saying I. Kim. Hi. >> Doyle. I Dwight. >> No. >> Bill. >> No. Troy. >> I carried. What's the next thing, Keith? Is it the resolution for
um the funds? >> Yeah. >> Okay. You should have that resolution in front of you. Uh what we're planning on doing or what I'm planning on doing is uh terminating or dissolving the human services social services fund in our
financial system moving those funds into the general fund. Um it's just an accounting thing and then establishment of two debt service funds uh for the or a debt service fund for
the uh ditch. You got to help me out. Three 21 >> three and 21 >> uh bond that was issued uh this year >> for repayment. >> We got to do them individually though. Correct. >> I >> it's one resolution. believe it's all in
one resolution that you should have. >> Yeah, >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Any more discussion? All in favor of the motion? Kim, I do I
Bill. Hi, Troy. Hi, Jerry. That's all for me. >> Well, Chad, while you're still there, we did want to bring up Does the board want to have a motion
to pay the 27th payroll in 26 because it's been precedent to do it the day before a holiday. New Year's Day is January 1, 27. It's a Friday. It would be payroll. There was a question of whether we
needed a motion or not to pay it on Thursday. I don't think we do, but let's Well, Chad's sitting there. Let's have that conversation >> and and we had that discussion last night at the meeting, so they're aware of of that. It is not my understanding that you would
need a motion for that. >> It's a practice that >> we have been doing for years. >> I wasn't there last night and I know that was talked about in an email. So, thank you. >> Grand Valley.
>> Okay. So, I'm here to prepare the 2025 reports for D1 13 23 30
judicial ditch one. Um, and set the levies for those ditches. >> Votes one, 13. Yep. 23, 30, and 31. >> 1 13 23 30 31 and judicial D one.
>> Y um I I'll go over them pretty quick. Um Brand County Dig One >> is mainly an open ditch with some 15inch clay tile. summer 2024. Clean out was done a little less than a mile. We did a redetermination of
benefits in 2024. Um, a landowner asked me if I would do a cleanout in the future of section two. I plan to have a ditch meeting in winter 2526 to discuss that.
And we have $36,000 approximately of ditch damages we still have to pay. And that was borrowed out of the fund. And then I'm going to levy $10,000 for
future maintenance on that ditch. Um ditch 13. Nothing to report on there. I'm ditch 23. Maybe $2,000
just to recoup some of that. Uh did a repair of a stand pipe on that ditch this year. Ditch 30, nothing to report there. 31, nothing to report. Um summer 24,
some beaver dams were removed. Judicial ditch one. Um, I had a landowner talk to me about some potential maintenance and that one hasn't been touched in I don't know, probably 60 years. So,
there's nothing we can do on that one either. >> So, well, there's only two of them then. >> $10,000 for ditch one and 2,000 for ditch 23. >> Well, you want to do them separate or
together or what? It's >> up to you. >> I think we can do a 2025 ditch report. >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Chair. That be the appropriate ditch for us. Got a motion. Do we get a second?
>> Second. >> Any more discussion? All in favor? Motion? Ken. >> Hi. >> Royal. I >> Bill. >> Hi. >> Troy. >> Hi. road permit.
We've been going through our permits and updating them as we go. First one we took a look at was the approach. Uh we made three updates on the permit that I wanted to bring to the board for it because we put in the types of pipe
that are allowed. There's always been discussions or questions about what's acceptable or what's not. We put them into the permit itself. So, this was acceptable. Uh the second thing we changed was the maximum width and the
drive 70. Uh typically all the counties around here have a standard maximum 40ft wide road of the approach. So, that's what you'd like to stick with. It'd be hardress to find a 40 foot road in this company. So it would be difficult to buy
a 40 pump it larger than that. Then the third item the cost share of culbert. Yes. Meaning we've been spending roughly 10 10,000 12,000 a year paying
for 24 ft of culbert for each approach that goes in. While 90 95% of these approaches that we're paying for culverts are pretty much widening our field approaches and widening of approaches paying for know that's the
best use of that money. I mean, I've seen it in other places where cities will cities and counties will pay for a portion of culbert through all we're seeing for the most part is widening of coaches and we're ending up
having to pay for covers for that. So, just checking to see met with the highway committee about this, discussed these things and they were okay with us going away from that paying for the cover. So just looking or okay with it
approve this permit. If not they want to discuss it certainly discuss it further. So other than 25 the 24 ft is standard. >> Yeah. >> So it' be the extra. >> Well to pay it for 24. >> Yeah.
>> So it' be if they wanted to go to 40 or >> if they wanted to go w Yeah. 200 that be on them. So when you say 40 ft, that's the top or that's that's the top is 30 feet. I'll make the motion, Mr. Chair, as a
member of I committee >> in a second or I'll second it. Mr. Sure. Any discussion? All in favor of the motion? H >> I Troy, can you hear us? hearing me apparently.
>> Yeah. Can you hear us? >> Troy, can you please repeat your bullets if you can hear us? owner listening. He got his hand up. He got the the motion in the second, right? Got his hand.
>> Okay. Motion car. >> That's all I have for >> Okay. Thank you, Dad. >> Thank you. Verizon was all Verizon up there. That's Stacy. >> Oh, that is Jessica. >> Jessica.
>> Hi Jessica. Can you hear us? >> I can. Thank you. There was a little bit of a delay. Um, good morning everyone. Um, Jessica Peterson, supervisor with Horizon Public Health. Um, today I'm bringing you 11 2026 tobacco retailer
applications for approval. Um, Horizon Public Health on behalf of Grant County has a responsibility to process tobacco applications annually for retailers that aren't otherwise licensed by cities or townships. Um, our process for reviewing
the application typically involves looking for accuracy and completeness, ensuring that the applicant meets the requirements that are set forth in the Grant County tobacco ordinance, and also ensuring that proper payment has been made. Um, the 11 applications um that
are in front of you have met the requirements and today I'm seeking board approval to issue tobacco licenses to these retailers for 2026. I'll make that motion to approve them. I have a motion. We had a second and I'll second it with all 11 applications
included. If that's if you're okay with that, Mr. Mr. Johnson. >> Yep. Yep. That's what it was. >> Okay. Okay. Kim. Hi. Do I? Hi, Bill. Hi, Troy.
>> Hi. Can you hear me now? Yeah. >> Okay. I just my phone. >> Okay. Uh motion car or passes. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> How are you recorder?
>> Good morning. >> Morning. Um, I'm just here today to give an update on my Laredo print fees um that I brought to the board in August. Um, we approved the Laredo script subscription fees um then, um, because Hiddler's um, licensing fees were
increasing 15%. So to offset that cost, we increased our subscription fees and print fees. Um, I was not specific on one of the print fees um, for Laredo users. Um, so I just wanted to give you an update that there is a search results
print for 40 cents per page um that was included in the schedule D that was approved. So I just wanted you to be aware of um that fee that um is new but was approved. Um so I wanted to update you on that and then let you know that
was also included in our online Laredo um agreements that are sent out for Laredo. So we just wanted to give you an update on that. >> Okay. So there's nothing we have we have been >> no I just wanted to
>> Okay. >> So thank you. >> Thank you. >> So I have two things. The first are the hauler licensing for Ingerbudson. So in our ordinance we have a line in order to
haul solid waste or recycling materials in our county license. So this is what you have the first page. They're an annual license with the fees spelled out in the ordinance. So they're pretty minor fees and then I got the rest of the documentation that they're insured
and everything else from that. So I just need you to approve those two for 2026. >> So both the organics and the >> No, so it'll be just so it'll be solid waste and recycling. >> Okay. >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Chair. Okay,
we have a motion. Do we get a second? >> I'll second it if any more discussion. All in favor of the motion. >> I do I Dwight. I >> Bill Troy
>> I motion carried. >> The second deal on the agenda there is the organics contract for 2026. It is identical to the one we approved in 2025 at the same rate per hour. Uh just a
quick note, we have some more folks and businesses using organic. So there's a little bit of a cost increase on the end of the year part, but that'll be approved or part of the budget package here next. So this is just approving Bretson to be the hauler and then to
transport it to Glacial Ridge over there just across the county line of Doug by Hoff. >> I'll make that motion. Mr. Chair motion in a second. Any discussion? >> I'm sorry, Bill. You made the motion. Who is the second?
>> Thank you. No discussion. All in favor? K. >> I. Dwight. >> Hi. >> Bill. >> Hi. >> Troy. >> Hi. >> Motion car.
I didn't bring a sleeping bag, so I remember the other state. >> I'm going to get you back on schedule just like this. Any questions? >> Uh just uh coming to you today. Just a little update on where we've been, what we've been kind of up to. Um you can kind of see the list of items that we've
gone through here this uh summer fall. Um you know, a couple highlights. the high the highway department helped us out a lot with that uh bank embankment back behind the law enforcement center. So, we really appreciate that. They did a good job back there. Um that should take
care of the issue that we had and and uh moving forward that shouldn't be a problem anymore. Um we're kind of working out the kinks of the snow removal process here. >> Well, we had it that one time. >> Okay. >> Right. Um anyway, uh so we're we're kind
of working through that just seeing what you know what works the best and where it should all go to. And so I think the snow is done for the year anyway. So that should be good. We've taken care of that. So um we have uh kind of working
through some of the control pieces as far as the heating and cooling. Um the law enforcement, just to give you an update, they had a little issue this last weekend. I don't know if it was cold around here or what happened, but um their temperatures did get pretty low this weekend in the low 60s in a couple
of their rooms. And so we're looking into with the the controls and and how they're preset and and what limitations they have. And so, um you know, obviously today they're going to be just fine, but we're going to try to get that figured out before we get the next cold
snap. So, um the uh the processes continue. So, um, other than that, we're still working towards the, uh, the boiler licensing. Um, Mr. Nibby has been doing a great job, uh, keeping us in
compliance to this point. Otherwise, are there any questions on projects? We got some upcoming ones there. Uh, we did get some quotes. We still have to have a building committee meeting and talk about the flooring quotes and that sort of stuff. Um
but otherwise uh any questions on the list that was there? Anything I can clarify? And otherwise I'll just give you a quick update. We did switch over to regroup. Our code red system is now regroup. So it's just kind of interchangeable names
at a different vendor. Um we have already have this morning as I looked 308 subscribers in the county for that those notification systems. Um we currently with our 911
um uh upload we have 853 contacts that would get a notification if we had to send out an emergency notification currently. Um so the 308 I think is a pretty good number for the week or a little over a week or so that
we've had it in place. Um, so we still advocate for people to go and sign up for those notifications as it is a new, but it's right on the website. Same place it was before, just got a little different picture there. Um, and you can get those notifications to a landline,
to a cell phone. Um, eventually we'll be able to send to some desktops, probably county employee type deals. >> What's the cable TV for? >> It doesn't go to that. No. Um
so that's a little different um getting into that piece but that part it does not go to um and then we are still working um there are some lensure or some certificate issues with the iPod system currently and we're working
through those but we have a backup with Stevens County currently to be able to send those out if we need to. Um, so we're we're covered at this point, but we should have our own internal sources here shortly. So, uh, just an update on that where it's at right now. Any
questions on that? That was it. I didn't come to ask for any money. I didn't come to ask for any special anything. Just get anyway. >> Just telling you guys where we're at. So, good job. >> Okay. Thank you.
Okay. So, um at the end of the year here, there's a couple things we have to do in a um resolution to uh set the salaries to the commissioners and meeting pay amounts. And so, the
resolution was included in your packet, both of them, right? Resolution 2025 1 and26-3 and four-3. We're going to just do just
>> -3 is is a revised one, right? -3 is a revi there's a revised one. It's not the one, right? >> Yep. So, when the warrants were sent out, there was an updated resolution that had to change in the last paragraph. So, they're two separate resolutions.
The first one is establishing the 2026 annual county commissioner salary and meeting pay. The updated one came to you Monday via email >> with the revision in the last um the last paragraph because there's three meetings that commissioners cannot
receive meeting pay for and they're listed in there. Um we also have to or the board has to determine your salary. your current salary is $15,310.99. Um,
it can stay the same or I did, you know, do the math on the 3% to be consistent with what um is in the contract and that amount is $15,770.32, but obviously it's up to the board to
set that salary with this resolution. thoughts. Well, >> I'll make the motion that we've done the same as the others, the 3% 15770 >> $15,770.32. And anyone feel free to check my math,
but >> go ahead and make that motion for the for the resolution. pass three. >> Yes. >> Meeting pay the same and >> yeah, >> I'll second. Okay. Motion and second.
Any more discussion? >> So, I just want to question before we vote. Now, commissioners, we are understanding we're going to be dividing our salary because it is truly a salary by 27, right? Instead of 26. I'm not sure if
>> our salary is going to be divided by 27 and 20 instead of 26. >> Yes, you are correct, Troy. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure that was out there. >> Yeah, that that come out of last night's meeting. >> Yep.
>> Yep. Okay. Any more discussion? All in favor can >> I. >> Doyle I Dwight >> I >> Bill >> I >> I >> motion carried.
Okay. The next one is the resolution 201251216-board establish establishing the 2026 annual salaries for elected officials. >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Chair,
for the resolution that was Tina just stated to approve the 51216 dashboard. And just forformational purposes for those in the room, um it's the county attorney, county sheriff, county auditor, county recorder, and county
treasurer. >> Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second? >> I'll second it, Mr. Chair. >> Any discussion? >> Bill, you can read the first. All in favor of the motion. Ken I >> Doyle I Dwight.
>> Hi. >> Bill I >> I >> motion carried. >> Okay. Um the other item is we've uh at a past commissioner meeting talked about
our phone system and what we're going to do when the state sunsets the phone system we're currently on. Um I shared with you at the time um the the pricing and the discussion was we wanted to to make sure that room we could still keep
our room numbers if we switched to the voyant phone system which is was the um the least amount of money um and still provided all the services needed. Um and our IT vendor has worked with runstone and they have found a way um on the back
side to make our runstone number still work. Um and we are going to bring this forward at the January um meeting, the first J meeting in January. However, um Western Prairie has uh approved to move forward with the Voyant phone system and they can't do it until the county
decides what they're going to do. And so I said I would put it on the agenda today to see if we could get a motion um to see if we're going to move that way or not. So they can collectively get Western Prairie who's very anxious to
get going on their transition um started and then we you know we'll follow. >> So you say we could keep our same numbers? >> Yes. >> Good. Yeah. and I made the motion to go with that system.
>> We have a motion. Do we get a second? As a member of the building committee, I'll second it. >> Any more discussion? >> It should be noted that to keep the runstone number, there is a cost, but that cost is less than what we're still
currently paying when included. >> No discussion. Ken. >> Hi. >> Doyle. >> I Bill. >> Hi. >> Troy. >> Hi. >> Motion carried.
And the last uh I believe it's just an update and I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but um the board when we had talked about Artha funds in the past um there was that hundred just around $100,000 dollars uh
designated to go to Lake Region EMS for an ambulance. Um and the board had said we wanted to, you know, get that cleaned up and get the money distributed by June 1st. Um the hard deadline for the ARPA funds is December 31st, 2026.
And um Lake region found out that the ambulance they ordered has been delayed. It was going to be here in the spring of 2026. It's now the winter of 2026. So, I just wanted to bring that forward to the board because the discussion was to try
to finish up that that process by June, but because of situations outside of anyone's control with that ambulance being delayed and and we need an invoice to make that transaction with with getting them the funds if the board would be okay if we waited until the end
of the year when the ambulance came in to to close out that ARPA fund. And I don't know if that needs a motion. It was just board consensus discussion at the last meeting, but we wanted to bring that forward because this would be changing that.
>> What if we do any change? We'll have to have a motion, >> but other than that, moving forward, it should be discussed. >> There was just no motion to say June 1st and just said as a budget committee, we talked about trying to clean that up. >> Um, so it's up to you guys how you want
to handle it. So my question becomes winter of 26 that's really really close to 27. Do we have a hard deadline that says what I mean what day do we say okay well
it's either going back to just say 20 winter of 26 is is pretty vague when that's cutting it really close. I'm not saying we can't wait. I mean, we want to bring Chad into that conversation, too, but we need to have a plan, a date that says, "Hey, at this date, we got to
spend it or it's just going back." So, I don't want to be on December 31st how we're getting an invoice. >> Chad, are you on? Could you >> you know anything about it, Eric? Or >> Well, to me, the invoice will come on
delivery. um if you want to disperse the funds to Lake Region um they're you're taking the money to the ambulance anyway. So to us it doesn't really matter when the the deposit to us comes. Um just knowing that we won't be able to
give you an invoice until the ambulance of delivery and that's at the end of the year. Um but if there if a check happens to be today or in the spring um it's going towards that ambulance service. Well, they said it will definitely get here in 26 or
>> I wouldn't I wouldn't bank on it. >> No, I they're so backed up. >> Said it was the spring right off the >> I don't Yeah, I agree with Troy. It's It's a little too close to be waiting right at the end of the year to get that taken care of because you guys have a a
timeline. >> It's a deadline, >> right? I mean, it that's where the money's going. We already ordered. We already purchased the basically purchased the um ambulance. It's being it's not being built yet, but once it hits production,
they'll have a better date the arrival, but you guys can do it out any time you guys feeling the need. So, in know midsummer is fine, too. But I would it'd be pretty I'd be pretty cautious if you're going to do it right at the end
of the waiting for that invoice because it might not make deadline and it could push out the 27th. >> Yeah. >> Can the EMS committee can the EMS committee work with Chad and maybe we get an invoice for a down payment on the
piece of equipment that now we have that invoice? I mean, let >> let's work with Chad and see what he needs >> so we don't wait till the end. Yeah, that's a good idea. >> Get an end game there so that you six months in advance or whatever. Right.
Right. Yeah, >> we can do that. >> Right, Mr. EMS committee member? >> That' probably be the safest route. >> Yeah. So, anything else on that or are we done with that or Okay. Board committee updates.
Try bill budget finance. >> I guess we'll address it on the 29th at 9:00. Okay. Building committee. >> We don't have anything. >> We need to schedule a meeting. >> Yep. But you got some updates from your
emergency manager on just exactly what they've been doing. And it looks like you guys are doing a great job. There's a lot of things to that, you know, you'd be surprised once you start opening your eyes up and start walking around, you find out there's a lot of things to do. EMS committee.
>> We met yesterday and the group decision that pulled off an ambulance order. Okay. personnel committee. We're still working on >> We had uh
Yeah, we had we had the negotiation update. That's what we've been doing. Iowa committee nothing to add, Mr. Chair. public safety. I don't
know anything I guess all the ways nothing happened what didn't bring us strategic planning we haven't met since the last
since the last time. >> Yeah. All right. Public health. met yesterday. >> Yesterday. Yeah. >> And uh everything going fine. >> I got nominated for pushed into second
chair, right? >> Yeah. You didn't get pushed in, you raised your hand. >> I sure did. But we'll we're okay with that. church >> western prairie. >> We had to have a our discussion on the
pay period, but that was a highlight. I think >> I think another important update is it'll be official January 1st. Traverse County will be officially part of Western Prairie.
>> Well, we will be doing we will be providing services We're assuming the role of provide. They're delegating their authority to Western Prairie. Anybody got anything else? Well, I I can touch a little bit on
Jordan Ras or Senator Ras sent a letter or actually look like this card that was stating that thank you for attending the local leaders summit on securing state funding for local projects. I appreciate your dedication and service to our communities. I look forward to continued
partnership. If I can ever be helpful, please don't hesitate to let me know. And I and um um our county engineer Matt Yavaro, we drove up there for that. That was at Thumper Pond and he's just sending out response. >> How was the food?
>> Was that was the food? >> We didn't eat. >> We ate it at at They didn't serve food. We ate at the Short Lake on the way back. Okay. >> So that's what went on there. But there was different buckets of money and I
mean deed was there and Mandot was there and West Central Initiative was there and I mean there was a there was many many parties there that that did that was a very good presentation. I'm sure it's out there online if
somebody wants to research it. Anybody got anything else? 11:45. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.