Hey, it's 8:30 and we'll get the work session started. So this morning we wanted to give the full board an update um from the EMS committee because we had a committee meeting and Eric and Maya were there and
Dwight and Bill and I and we put together the information that you received in the board packet. So I thought we'd just start with that um just to kind of to get us in the right mindset as as we as we talk about this. So when we met, we we kind of
broke it down into a few categories. Why the committee felt that the the Sprint paramedic program it how it impacts the Grant County taxpayer. Obviously, we know it saves lives. Um but we also think it's important that we highlight
other success stories um that are happening here in Grant County and in our surrounding areas with the program. It has become a reliable resource um for more than just the constituents. It's also a reliable resource for firefighters and law enforcement officers. Just last week or the week
before, um the the unit um helped in a mutual aid call in Ottertale County um on a call to help um the be there in case responders got hurt. Um the time efficiency that we've seen with the sprint paramedic program has been
topnotch. It's also helped u bring access to care um to a lot of rural residents that hasn't been available before. And we also feel it's important to highlight the fact that it's an asset to our area. It could be a reason why someone chooses to live here because we
do have um paramedic EMS services that can respond. The program has helped with a whole um a whole list of different kinds of of incidences from diabetic crisises. Um so this fall some farm
related incidences such as um you know the combine and dryer fires but also auger injuries, respiratory things, cardiac arrest. We actually have two documented cases right here in Grant County of Grant County uh citizens that their lives were saved and they're here
walking around in Grant County still today because of this program. Um so we just we thought we needed to start having conversations about what does the future look like if in the event the state puts a sunset to the
state the state program of the sprint paramedic um program. There's two other areas in the state that are doing it and we we're not sure of their success or not, but we're really focusing on our local success. And right now, um, Grant County has appropriated 165,000 um, last
year and then again, it's on in the preliminary budget for this year. Um, so we we talked about how we could utilize those funds. There's been lots of ideas in the past and we've, you know, research has been done about how the money can be used. Um and so we broke it
down into two categories with our new um idea of our AM EMS sustain sustainability plan. And the two categories are large capital purchases which would be ambulances. Right now as of today 2025 ambulances cost about
$400,000 a piece. So, we felt as a committee like having that rotating schedule to help fund ambulances um for Hoffman, Ashby, and Lake Region to make sure we we keep those viable resources a reality here in Grant County. And then
the new idea that um we we put together as a committee and Eric did a lot of the work of is in a partnership agreement for services. So, so like a fees for services that would include calls for service, um the program providing
classes to local entities and the program attending local events such as you know one example would be at like the fair. They go down to the rodeo and things like that and they're there to have those community events.
Um this partnership with a vendor um the vendor's commitment would be to employ the staff, provide space for the staff and the necessary equipment and then to provide the training for the staff and then that those fees for services so we can continue to have the services to go
on calls to offer classes to attend our community events um would kind of be the full package of um what that partnership agreement would look like. So, when we talked about it, we we talked about again the money that's been appropriated and how that might be used.
And, you know, we were just brainstorming and we wanted to bring these ideas to to the full board. But, um, looking at $100,000 of that funding annually going to that rotating schedule for for capital improvements with with
ambulances. And then the $65,000 annually looking at that partnership agreement, that fees for service. We feel this is really important to have a plan in place so if the the state program goes away we can sustain and
keep a local program here. Um it'll help with recruitment and retention of responders. Um another really important factor I think for the full board to to know is that surrounding areas with bigger communities are relying on our program.
I think in the past we out there was maybe a mentality that if if we're short here, we can call on the bigger communities and they can come and help. They're experiencing the same um shortages that we are and and staff. And so what we're finding is a lot of time
we are getting called to go and support them. Um during the daytime hours, many of the responders that live in um volunteer Grand County work outside of Grant County. So during those daytime hours, we have a shortage of responders
in Grant County. So this sprint program has really helped, you know, during those hours. Um there's a public expectation that these life-saving resources are available when they call 911. Historically, when you call 911, I think we would think 5 to 10 minutes
somebody's going to be at your front door to be able to help you. We want to keep we want to keep that expectation a reality. Um, currently we have paramedics that live in our county and they're available anywhere from 16 to 20 hours a day, which is an extremely
important resource to Grant County constituents. Um, the sprint model allows the the paramedics to get to the scene much faster and that's why we're seeing these life-saving efforts really um pay off. And this program, like I said earlier, has proven already to save
lives because we have two Grant County constituents that are currently alive today because of the program. So, we thought it was really important to highlight that. And then um on the last page of the packet, we put together some stats. Um there's also stats and these
guys, I'm going to let them talk about it now and I'll be quiet, but um the the ones in the packet are for just Lake Region, but we also have stats from Ashb and Hoffman. um about how this program has been utilized in just this year. So,
I'll let turn it over to you guys to kind of fill in the blanks there. >> You just want the sticky note. >> Yeah. >> Get your color grab. >> Yeah. Um you have the numbers for so that I
guess you see the the numbers for the lake region calls but also um Ashb had a total of as of 1117 261 calls um which of that 111 were in Grant County.
Obviously, Ashby has territory that's not in Grant County, but um then seven mutual aids and um the Hoffman calls um I don't I see Hoffman had 87
calls so far in 2025. Um, and if you see at the bottom, you see the intercept on your sheet. There's 14 intercepts with the sprint medic from with Hoffman and 12 with um, Ashby and
then 93 for Lake Region, which obviously they work pretty closely together. So, they go pretty pretty routinely, especially on the weekends. Um but most almost most almost every day there's a paramedic that's going out
with the lake crew. Um anyway, it just it just goes to show that this is being utilized really well in the county and it's benefiting the entire county, not just a a central piece that seems like sometimes people think that, oh, Ela
Lake has all the resources, but these resources are countywide and because of the vehicle that's provided with that, they can get there a lot better than, you know, somebody's ready to go versus somebody having to go get a vehicle and
then go in. So, it's a big difference in time. So, first of all, yeah, go ahead. >> I got a question. Can I share? So, you're you guys are tracking you're you're going out with an ambulance coming back with nobody in it. Are you
tracking any of that now? Where is that at? >> Well, I I guess I can only track for for the for our own service. >> Okay. Um so our own service we have uh 43 non-transports right throughout up until today. >> Okay.
>> Um which is about normal. it's a little bit higher. Um, you know, it used to be about that 25, but now as people are staying in their homes longer um because of health care costs at at these organizations, long-term care centers, um they're they're electing to stay at
home um and then we're going to get we're getting those falls, those those issues that we have to come and support um and then we don't need to transport. So those are you're seeing more and more of those. Um and those create burnout um you know because it's always at
inopportune times in the evenings and nights where people are sleeping and then they have to get up and then you know obviously they're going to work the next day. Um, so with with this sprint paramedic thing, if if it evolves, we wouldn't need to per se call those those
volunteers out, if we we start to see a benefit and a shift of of working together, saying we'll send the sprint paramedic and a law enforcement officer if they're not busy, we'll take care of that instead of um waking up all of our firemen and things like that for a
nonmed call. Um it's it's going to decrease burner out of it's just going to make everybody's life much easier. >> More efficient, >> right? More efficient. Yeah. >> So and and again those those no non whatever you want to call them transfers or whatever you can build the state
>> well for those >> for a grant for this coming this coming year there's right there's going to be that grant for I think 26 and 27 but again that's going to that's going to be gone right. So it's a very very small chunk of money when you put it over the
600 and some ambulance services across the state. They're all going to want a chunk of piece of the pie. That's only that's really not going to do a whole lot for us. The biggest part financially um I don't think that's any of our major
problems um to a point. Um yes, we need capital expenses, but operational stuff isn't that big of a deal. We can make that by with the with the funds that we create by charging. I don't want to go down the path of saying, "Hey, you fell.
I'm going to charge you for me to come and pick you up when they're already paying law enforcement and fire and all this other stuff for taxes. This isn't really what we we need to get into because then people aren't going to call 911, >> right?" >> Um, half the time people call on behalf
of somebody else. I fall on the street, I'm not hurt. I just need some good Samaritan to help me up because I can't get up and now you're going to bill them 250 bucks. No, that I think it's a bad thing to to to go down. And if we we look at it and we just spread those
costs towards everybody instead of billing those people that probably are low income anyways, um I think we'll have a better success story in the end. Um so that's kind of that. The next thing I kind of want to shadow is the 16 to 20 hours a day that we have coverage.
We're still myself, Carrie, uh Jake, we're giving the county the rest of those hours, right? So Carrie and I are on call 24 hours a day. Um Jake is there. We're we're we're
supplementing when they're not when they're not getting paid. there's not very many entities or or jobs where you work 8 hours a day and then you volunteer for the next 16 hours a day, right? It just doesn't happen. Um, so keeping us the the people that are are
working in this entity is EMS at home working in our community is only going to benefit us, right? If now Carrie and and those guys go away and start working in Fergus or ALEC, they're going to be reluctant to come back at night and say, "I want to help out my
community." When there was no support in the beginning. So, right now, if we continue to look at how many paramedics we have, you know, 18 years ago, we had zero paramedics. Now, we have myself, Jake, Sinowski, um Carrie, um and Travis. There's a
handful of us. Not that our EMS or not that our um EMTs are are are bad care, but once you get to a level of of um of acuity, those EMTs cannot take care of that patient, whether it's severe
respiratory distress, some cardiac arrest stuff, um major traumas, their level of expertise is is now they're a volunteer and and and you need those professionals that have the experience and have the tools in your bag um to take care of those patients because we're so rural that you're dealing with
these trauma patients. Uh the golden hour rule. I think almost everybody's heard that you want them to a definitive place, a level one trauma center or level two within an hour. That time is chewed up right in our own county. You're 20 minutes away from an ambulance
down by Hoffman. So now you have that 20 minutes. You're taking care of them for 25 30 minutes. you're you're already pushing that envelope without good care, without IVs, without managing these patients, their airway and things like that. Um the the the
likelihood of survival is just dropping every minute, right? So to having a higher level of care is just is just uh in my opinion as a taxpayer something that I really want in this community. So >> So do we know like those falls or those
transport they're seniors when is it does Medicare compensate that however um we don't know um yeah so they will they will pay um at some point um a
small stipen for those um but again um when people get bills even if they don't necessarily have to pay for it they cringe they think it's they're a burden on the system I just don't think it's a very good you don't know if they have
Medicare, right? I can't ask you, do you have insurance? That's illegal. So, if you start billing people, there's going to be people without insurance. There's going to be people with uh um some uh low insurance or, you know, where you just don't know. Um and I just don't want to get into that battle of of
picking and choosing and trying to figure out is that really the problem. Is it is $250? So, take $250 time 40. What's that? if I could math right. >> What? >> Okay, so 10 grand. Is it enough? So
maybe we get half of that. Is $5,000 worth it for somebody to not call 911 um for somebody? I I just don't think it's that's the issue. The issue is we don't have enough responders in my opinion. And how are we going to um continue to
operate at a high level um and and function together right? I think we're going to have to start figuring out working together. Hoffman, Ela Lake, and Ashby are going to have to start coming together. We may have to like you guys are talking, I see it in the paper that
you're trying to figure out how we're going to mold things together, putting Maya in as a leader in the the maintenance world as well. If we want all of these um um >> efficiencies, >> yes, you're going to have to do
multi-roll functions, right? So now Carrie's a sprint paramedic. Um, is every day truly busy for her? Probably not. So now why don't we work with the county per se and say, "Hey, why isn't she going out on these non-emergent law enforcement officer things like a dog
complaint and she works alongside of our sheriff's department and says we can she can take care of some of these issues or works with Maya and says, "Hey, Maya has some emergency preparedness stuff that he needs taken care of. she can take care of some of that. I think we have to
dual roll people um soon in Grant County to keep all the services that we we need. Um it's just going to cost us too much. Um and that's what's going to have to happen with EMS, you know, and I don't know, I think this is the start of it. Right now, we're working with we're
pretty much taking care of all of Hoffman's day calls or not I shouldn't say taking care of them. we're supplementing them heavily during the day, which is fine as long as we because it's not really Lake Region's responsibility at the end of the day. Um, but we want to work with them and we
want to keep them going um as long as possible. And Ashb is going to have some issues too once their top five guys retire in the next few years because then none of us live in or work in Ashby. You know, there's just absolutely nobody that works in Ashby anymore. Um
it's going to be tough to get responders here shortly. >> This fire bill, if you call for a fire call, do they bill the award? >> Not for medical yet. Not for medical. But how about fire? >> For fire, they they do send a bill out. Now, I don't know. I don't know what the
rate of return on that building is. But typically, if there's a structure fire, grass fire, those do get bill set. >> Is it like a $500 bill? >> It's something like that. Historically, Barrett has charged $500, but if the insurance doesn't pay, they don't pursue it.
>> Right. Ashb pay Ashby has a set fee and then per hour and if they use full and stuff, they charge for that. And that Thank you. You kind of ask my question. I'm just wondering rather than apologize for a free month. Maybe that's the concept
is let's just say myself, you know, out there on Medicare. If I if there's a call and we have supplemented blue cross and they'll pay $150 or $200, there's some way you bill us with the idea that or we
facilitate the insurance piece. Maybe it doesn't come out of our pocket. Well, it comes out of the insurance we're buying pocket like the fighter, right? Using that model, right? Um I'm not sure legally um ambulance services can say
I'm okay with you know like it could probably get a little sticky if if I charge you this much and you this much and we don't make you know like you get a bill for $1,000 and your insurance pays $500, you
still are you still do the $500, right? In the in the in the in the health field, right? Does that make sense? No. Say that again. >> Okay. So, let's say I What's that? Do I see what you're saying? >> Right. So, >> you go to the doctor, right? >> You go to a doctor and the bill's $1,000
and your insurance pays $500. You still are on the hook for $500, >> right? >> So, if if all of a sudden they say, "Well, you can't afford it. You're fine." As a entity like Lake Region, you're going to start having some issues probably there. I think it it probably
be as a if we look at it as a a fee for service, we're taking care of the the community, the the taxpayers. You just spread that that $5,000 over everybody and now we take care of everybody that has these
issues for years to come versus saying you're going to pay it all for the next person. I think it's probably a better system that way, but that's my opinion. I guess went back to once again what Troy said about bear that it's $1,000 our insurance paid 500. You don't you
just write that 500 off. You did collect 500, >> right? Because that's what we paid premium, >> right? So you got to look at who is who owns that service. It's a it's a in my opinion, it's a it's a a government entity owns versus a a a a
nonprofit organization. Save the fire, though. No, it's not. >> Who owns the fire department? >> The cities. >> Well, that's a government organization. >> Yeah, but we're not a government own, right? So, we have different in >> Right. So, we have different services
like uh Morris is private. Ringall is private. Um, uh, part or PERM is a is a, uh, what's that group of what's it called? Joint powers. Um, Ashb is city-owned, Hoffman's city owned, and
we're hospital owned. So, there's so many different ownerships of types of ownerships, it gets really confusing. If it was all government based, it's not a big deal. We don't even need to build. We just we've just figure out our our uh
our cost and increase it by 10% and say there's no bills at all. we'll just everybody that gets a a free ride and not a free ride, but that then it's uh put out across the tax base. Um run it like that 165,000 when we're kind of
doing that. >> Right. Exactly. And that's my thought is is is it is it is it better to spread it across everybody in case everybody has an issue or go after people that are low income people that you're probably not going to
get the revenue anyways from? Um I I that's not my decision. That's up to you guys. But to me it's it's it's probably a better solution because one thing is now do you if you fell leaving here and
you called 911 on his behalf, do you and you didn't want it? Should you have to pay? Well, once again, if if I'm asked, do you have insurance? Like, but what if you don't? Okay. Well, that's my point
is if I don't, then there's no bill. Well, it's ripping off that that's I don't think >> so. I think today was more like this is like operational kind of discussion. We're kind of getting in the weeds >> and I the committee hasn't gone down there yet. We're just we're we came up
with the concept of thinking it's important to look at how we could sustain this program, why we think this program is important and how we could sustain it if the state program goes away.
>> And so we also, you know, the talked about having a plan for the money that's been appropriated um for EMS. And so today or this morning was just to share the concept idea of of
how we could see um a local program moving forward with the appropriations with those c two categories. the capital improvement for a rotating schedule of replacing ambulances and then that you
know agreement of how we could offer um you know do the fees for services so we could have um the sprint program to go on calls to provide trainings and classes for local entities and how we
can keep them involved with our community events that need these kinds of services um as a goal as a grant county. So today was more about pitching that idea to to the board to make sure that the board is in favor of moving
forward in that direction and exploring it. And then all these different deep conversations about insuranceances and costs and things like that would be later in more of an operational kind of discussion >> dayto day operation.
I have a question. Okay. Eric, when uh when is this friend paramedic program going to be looked at by the state? How how much more time do we have? >> Well, where it's going to sunset in 2027.
>> Right. Right. So, we have a few few years to continue pulling data, seeing how much this is this program is working. We already know that it's worked because we've been doing it for five years prior to this. Um so in my opinion it's
working. Um Dwight's seen it because he's on the board. Um our our geographical area has a a different um way we operate. So it works really well in our community versus up in Ottertale. They're they're having some issues up
there. But um it just like Tina said, this is more of a plan of of if and when there's no funding for this this sprint paramedic, how are we going to continue to keep this thing going? Because now right now it's it's it's supplementing
um all of our services and giving back to our community. >> Correct. I got I got a question, Mr. Chair. So would you rather instead of billing for these dry runs, would you rather have that revenue move into a sprint program and then as a as a state taking care of that sprint program out
here in rural Minnesota? Would you rather do it that way or build for dry runs? >> Well, one because you're going to it's going to be one or the other. Sooner or later something's going to get vetted out there, >> right? Well, okay. So, there's always great ideas down down there to to fund things that are going to come and go
constantly. like I can't bank on on uncertainty. I can't continue to operate an ambulance service on unknowns and things like that. So if if we want to take care of our and what what I don't like is is this when the state comes in and says this is what we're going to do.
This is what we have to do. I would rather have local government saying this is what we're going to do and this is how we're going to run our services. This is what makes it work. We fight we Dwight and I see this all the time that are that sprint paramedic. Now we're constrained to their rules and their
obligations which are are terrible because they didn't they didn't they don't understand how we operate locally. I think all of us here today have always said small government wins but yet if we don't do anything at the small level we're going to let them win because they're going to step in and say hey you
guys can't run it. We're going to tell you how to run it and then it's going to be a really bad day for us. Um, so if we start out with something small at a local level and say this is what we want our funding for, okay, this is how we're going to operate our three services in
our county. And then you tell them that, hey, by the way, now you guys can go and say we need some funding for programs like this. We can push on to other counties and say this is what needs to be done. But again, it has to be starting off in my opinion locally small
um and understand what we need as a community versus it's different in Grant or Otterip. >> Their services are completely different. What they need is different than Grant County. So, we can't always run it the same as the next guy over. We have to figure out how we're going to move
forward for the next 30 years. And that is what we feel is this program. I think that's the biggest piece. I was just going to say just quickly that this is about looking forward. We know that Hoffman already struggles. We know that in a few years Ashby's is really going
to struggle. We know that right now we're currently in good shape and we're trying to set up the entire county to be in good shape going forward. Not just oh it's good enough right you know it's good enough right now. That doesn't last very long and we can see it and it's and
it's already happening locally and it's happening all around us. They're all struggling and we're doing pretty well with what we have currently going. That's why we're trying to keep it and make sure that we can maintain >> we got into this that some of this
165,000 couldn't go to certain things. Are you saying this agreement, the 2026 that will be part of our budget that we're funding an agreement and do we know the money that goes into this partnership agreement is eligible to for
us to levy for? Is that an unknown? >> Why? >> That I talked to Chad about that. He was going to check into that. Uh because uh because it is an unknown right now. Um the uh can we contract with the Lake
Region or whoever to fund a paramedic? That's that's the deal, right? And uh right now we don't have an answer for that, but we're checking into that. >> But we would still keep our 165 even if that is an unknown. >> Yes. Right. >> I I would strongly suggest we do that
for at least the next two years >> until this program ends. >> Right. >> And and what we can use it for still is our our truck funds. Right. We we got the okay from the attorney general that the truck funds can come in. You know, we've used some money for graciously for
El Lake. Now Hoffman's ready. Ash will be ready in in years to come. But the the whole thing of having a long-term plan. The problem is that I get scared about is you five guys may change, right? um if we don't have a good set
plan um moving forward for the next 25 years, the next guys or next women that are are sitting in your table, we have to re-educate and and teach what we're seeing as EMS professionals and leaders of the community. Um and so to
have something in place that is that has a ton of data and says this is why we do it. That's what we want, how we want the budget moving forward for for for the to be successful. Um, if we just kind of go by the wind and ask, okay, well, we need it this year and we don't need it this year, it's never going to be successful
in my opinion is we have to have this robust plan for many years and and then we got to be able to shift and and and change if something doesn't work like our plan was or my plan was is maybe a a pension plan that didn't work. No big deal. Now we got to move on to the next
thing. We got to push that away. We got to be able to shift and and and conquer the issues that are going to come because there's going to be more issues that come. >> Mr. Chair, I got two questions that I don't really expect answers to, you know, right now. But
>> will you be able to track uncompensated transportators? Not where we go currently and we don't transport. I'm talking about if we go into insurance being lost. Individuals aren't going to go into the doctor as they should and now we have to transport they don't have
insurance. So, you know, you send a bill over, >> right? So, that's one. I mean, just tracking that in the future. The other one is we talked about spreading the cost out over a larger group, right? just Ashley alone 111 in Grant County
and 150 outside of Grant County. >> Are we subsidizing other counties? And like I said, I'm not looking for an answer today. It's just if you look at, you know, let's say there's a that total of a thousand runs, >> right? >> All three services, but only 500 of them
are Grant County. Are we are we doing 500 and $165 700 calls? >> I'm using a th000 because it's easier math. >> Okay. Yeah. But, you know, are we now subsidizing $165 a run, but half of those are outside of Grant County? Are
we subsidizing other counties that should be paying >> if we're spreading it out truly over everyone? And like I said, I don't need an answer today. This is I put it in your head. >> Yeah. And we we need to Okay. >> It's just a work session and we're going to be coming back. I mean, I think this is good because now the committee has
>> go back and formulate answers. >> The one question that I'll ask next time. >> Yeah. I got the answer already. >> Is it okay? But we I mean we'll be coming back with more information about this because we feel pretty passionate that EMS is is a critical service that
the constituents of Grant County need. So we will definitely come back with more information. Today was just kind of the first >> and questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> After 9:04 we'll call meeting order. Stand for the pledge.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Thanks.
>> Okay. Anything to add to the agenda? Not the agenda to approve car. Get a second. All in favor of the signify by saying I
>> opposed car meeting minutes. >> Mr. Chair, I got a couple things. It looks like there's some spell check that needs to go on in some of our bills. It says brains repair and central Specialies and things like that. I think if we're going to put these on the record, which
we have to, that we should probably have some of that taken care of. That's all I got. We get a motion to approve minutes within I will make that motion, Mr. Chair, change it. that Bill, were you addressing any
spelling errors in the minutes? >> Yes. >> Then Chad Vans spelled wrong also. >> Oh jeez. >> Okay. I didn't see that one. >> Any more discussion on minutes? Not. All in favor say I. I.
>> Oppos. Orange also sent out. there. I'll make a >> second motion in the second. Any discussion on any words? Not all in favor sign by saying I post
carried three. All right. Next. So, what I have for you is the NRV NRBG grant, which is a natural resources block grant through Bowser. It also is basically money we get from DNR and PCA. So, it's used to fund planning
and zoning stuff, WA, uh, water plan, and subject systems. It's a two-year agreement for 26 and 7. But what I'm from you guys is just the approval to have sign it and send it
back to the state public. There is note that it is down about 20ish rand 25 grand from the 24 and 25. That was pretty short expected.
for a motion to live. Anybody else have any questions on this or discussion or second? All in favor signify by saying I >> I posted
that. >> All right, commissioners. I have three items for you today. Uh the first one I believe you've seen in the past. It's uh El City of Elbow Lake applying for L grant to uh where is it? First Street Southwest,
Second Avenue Northwest over there by the city park of the north side by the elevator there. Uh we would have to be project sponsor since they are under 5,000 population. we would kind of help oversee the
project and the funding if they do get a grant would run through the highway department. So obviously the organ is for Google to sponsor their application for the grant >> and it is no cost to the county. We're
just a sponsor >> and the max that they can draw from is a million and a half bucks whether that happens or not. That's the max y on this grant. I will make that motion. Mr. Chair
motion a second. Any more discussion? All in favor the motion signify by saying >> I car second I have item I have is an engineering service agreement with engineering group. This is for Cassai 8
through Norcross to go from the pretty much southern limits south of 27 the northern limits or 27 right before the intersection there. Uh Apex uh we have talked with the city about their waterman and their
utilities. So they're fully aware of everything that we're planning to do down there and we'll keep them in the loop as we move forward. For the most part, the wolf work is going to be fairly standard, mostly just uh rehabilitating, resurfacing
pre-curve gutter. Uh we do have to upgrade everything to meet current AVA standard. The uh one thing that is kind of questionable out there on the project is the current storm sewer situation down there. Don't have any existing records
for everything that's there. So that'll have to be some investigation to figure out what's going. So that's kind of an unknown that's they would have to the total agreement here is for $141,500.
That's uh actually typically when it comes to design, it's normally right around 10% of the anticipated construction cost. This comes in right around probably about 8%. So it's right in line with where it should be. I would
anticipate that if we go forward with this probably about 2027 would be where we target the structure of this project. So today I'd be looking for authorization for myself agreement with Apex Engineering Group based on this
agreement. Well, Matt would be understood if we enter into agreement that the unknown of the storm sewer will become a known. >> Yes, that gets addressed. >> Yeah.
I'll make that motion chair, but as a member of the highway committee, I will second that. >> Motion and a second. Any words, Scott? >> Yes, I got a couple. Um, so again, you know, you think that that 141 will stay
there or you know, some of the storm sewer that's maybe there's catch basins in different parts of the town if they got an assessment policy in place for anything such as >> uh since it would be for training cas.
>> Okay. Okay. But anything off of our eight irresponsible. >> Yeah. Any uh if they have any water may or storm sewer that they want to do repairs on in that would be all their cost. And if they have other areas
outside of our 8 rightway they like some work done on that would be a cost to the city as well. Any more discussion? >> All in favor say I. I opposed. >> Last item I have today is pretty straightforward. Uh we awarded bids to
redstone construction for the county 52 bridge here I think two weeks ago. In front of you now is the contracts for construction of that project. We received it back from Redstone. So we we'll be looking for chair to sign off
on these contracts with the county approval. So >> second any discussion all in favor signify by saying I
hear. >> Thank you. That's all I got. I didn't expect that. You did very Good morning. >> Um, I'm here this morning looking for approval to set please for the judicial
security legislation that was passed this year at the legislature. Um, my request is a fee of $75 for each um, real property notice, consent to access, request to access, and consent to terminate um, received under the
statute. This was an address protection program built spec it is an address protection program um, built specifically for the judiciary. Um so beginning January 1st of 2026 um judicial officials, their spouse,
domestic partner or child um can submit a request to our office to shield um their records from the public record. So that's what that real um property notice would be. The official would come in with a document um to our office to
request their um information be shielded. Um there'll be a lot of extensive work that goes into this law because it allows all of um the prior documents that have been recorded to be shielded and then there will be a lot of extensive work with the other county
offices too. So um you can comply with the statute. So the statute does allow us to charge up to $75 which is why I'm here at $75 for notice. So,
so the uh will this see this wasn't in effect before, right? >> Pardon? >> Was this fe in effect before? >> No. Yep. It's a new >> second. All in favor signify by saying I
>> I hear Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance letter of support. >> You're up to now. >> Well, Mr. Chair, >> yeah. Would you like me to sit out there or should I sit here? >> You're fine.
>> Okay. >> Reached out. Actually, you got we got a letter from Sherbet County as and Ken has put it in your packet along with a letter that was sent to to Grant County and then the letter of support from the city of Emil Lake as far as moving
forward with with you know this nuclear power and and repealing this moratorum that's clear across the state and AMC I brought it up at the last district meeting and they kind of took a position where they were kind of on both sides of it. Well, now it in our general
government, we're moving forward. It's it's pretty much number one on our platform move. So, and we're going to talk about this at a Zoom event coming up here. So, I would entertain just a short missing up. I would entertain a motion to pass this
and move forward with the rest of the counties and the states and the m municipalities to move into a position to repeal the mortorium on nuclear. >> So we don't have the resolution today. It was just the discussion piece and I
can bring the resolution the next meeting. >> Okay. And we can do that. Sure. I would support the goals of this. I read in here that this was actually they're asking us to join the Minnesota Nuclear Alliance and I'm not in favor of that. Supporting repealing this moratorium is
one thing. Joining an alliance is something completely different. They they'll end up with some type of fee I'm sure to be able to do all that. So I but not today there'll be one soon. Yeah. unsure.
We pay AMC's dues and things like that. So, we'll use them as a lobbying effort, you know, moving forward. So, so I would support the goals of this. I'm not in favor of joining an alliance and again, I'm one person. So, whatever
the board wants to do, but that's my stance on it. I kind of agree with Roy in that topic and I certainly don't have a problem with that.
We we you'll use AMC to because we pay those guys already. We'll move forward with some of this general government committee, you know, at >> we can we have a resolution put together that we support the goals and vote and pass that. It's just we're not I my view
is we shouldn't join an alliance. We can support what they're doing but without joining >> well if it if that will get through the board here then I will make that motion. >> We got further. >> Yeah. But make a motion.
>> Okay. We can do it like that too. You can get it put together. for the next board meeting. >> So the board consensus is to put together the resolution to support the goals of the of it but not joining the
alliance. >> So were they asking in here to join the allian? I seeing it that's that's why I Yes. Yes. >> So more work to be done and then we'll bring that resolution to the next board meeting.
That'll work. It's baby steps, but that's okay. >> Your motion, how do you want your motion to read? I don't know if you need one. >> Well, we don't need one today. >> No, just more for information. I was just looking for make sure that
the city of Lake was represented, but it can all go into one resolution. This is way bigger than just Grant County and it needs to have some serious discretion because sounds like the Democrats I talked to Stuart
Raspersonson about that or Senator Rasperson and he said some of the Democrats down in the municipalities down in the C and things like that. They're not real on board with it quite yet. So, they're moving forward. There is a house file 2002
to repeal it and I talked to backer about it cuz he called. So, then he was a co-sponsor of it. So, they're moving forward, but we'll just see. There is a Senate companion. So, I'm sure it'll come up. It'll come up in our legislative conference coming
up in February. Then there'll be more to follow. So that that should what Troy is saying there should >> we can join it but we just don't just just say we support >> we're not given a seat on this board and I am not in favor of joining an entity
that can change their position and now all of a sudden they can say oh Grant Pony's in favor of this do they join your alliance traditionally when when you do an alliance like that a lot of times they'll come with it'll be some type of fee an activity fee or registration fee or
something like that. So, it'll cost us money and you never know it things could change where it nothing comes of any of this. >> Well, I think supporting the concept is better than going your main route and
saying the goals Go ahead. Little Actually they took the Taylor Houston.
So they wanted to keep up to they skated was and then we skip the rest of the way. Is there anybody on Zoom? >> How many people?
Okay, we're a couple minutes early, but we can go into the license room discussion. >> Morning, commissioners. My name is Drew Bolio. I'm currently the owner of the Morris County Deputy Register's Office, commonly referred to as the license center and I've submitted a proposal to
you, a preliminary proposal I guess at this point to take over the license center in Grand County and I'm just here to kind of answer any questions if you've read it over or if you want me to expand on anything I can do that as well. >> We had a couple questions, Mr. Chair.
Okay. Why quite my name? Hold on. Obviously. So, like if we go this route, will the actual physical testing still be done in Grand or behind the wheel with the >> I'm not involved in that. That would be
through the state. I'm guessing they do the same thing here that they do in Morris where they have people come out and do the testing here on site several times a month, like twice a month. >> Okay. referring to. >> So that's that's that's not uh that's not what your full >> what we would be doing would be the
driver's licenses, the title transfers, and then on the on the DNR side of things, both stone build ATV licensing, transfer titles, etc., things like that. Uh we do not get involved at all and that state won't allow us to do anything with that. So we don't do any of the testing, but we do all the paperwork
that goes along with the licenses and titles. >> I'll do that. >> Yeah, they do. But uh but they they would still need a separate place to do that. Then you wouldn't provide those room or anything. >> We would have no problem doing that. They bring us a lot of business. Matter
of fact, our busiest days in Morristown at Morris is uh when they do the testing, which is the second and fourth Friday. And then what they essentially do is they say, "Okay, everybody, now you passed your test. Go over there and get your your permit." So that's a busy day for us. So they really don't do
anything other than a place for people to wait until they take their testing. I think that would be the only thing I would I would have no problem providing that if that was something they could do. >> So more of a facilitator you're saying? >> Well, it's a place actually for people. We wouldn't do any of the scheduling. We
wouldn't do any of that. That's the testing that's through the state. I can't see why they would change that. I you know, if they're currently on the schedule to do that, having a different place to do that shouldn't change what they're doing. That was that was my question because we
we do understand that this license uh process brings a lot of people into the county. They come from all over to come in here. They probably do in Steven County, too. >> Exactly. >> But we need we need this here and we need them coming in here and spending their money.
>> The testing is actually so backed up that people come from a long way away sometimes to do their testing. >> Cool. >> That was just my concerns. I didn't know exactly who set all that up, but now I do. >> Yeah, that is to the state. But again,
it doesn't really matter. But they actually use the community center, which is across the street from where my license center is in Morris. They don't even use our building. They don't have their own building. They use the the senior center community center for that. and you would move right into
the office spaces was it existing or >> I was told that's not a possibility. If it is, I'd be more than open to it. Um because the I do have two other places that I'm going to look at today after this meeting. >> Then where is that? >> Um one is um
>> you can I think you can say they're in El Lake. >> They are in El Lake. Yes. Sorry. Yes. Uh, one is an office space that's located in downtown that is currently vacant and the other is an office building that's not too far away um from Dave who I currently rent from and Morris also has a building up here and
so I'm going to go look at that space as well. It sounds like that's not as good a space, but I'm going to look at it and see what it is. If if it's possibility to stay here and pay rent, I'd be more I'd be more inclined to do that. I was led to believe that wasn't really a possibility.
I I did pull the data for the financials from 2024 and uh the license center did have a negative balance of $54,000 during 2024 and that did not include any rent or utilities that would be added on top of that. So it's it's not money
making at the moment and most of that is due to the salaries that are in place. I have the ability to move my people up here to work some of the time and reduce some of the staffing that's here. So we would probably go from having two full-time people to one and a half people. And what I would do is bring one
person up from the Morris up here one or two days a week and then also fill in for vacations, sick, whatever would happen like that. So it puts me in kind of a good position to be able to make this happen. >> You go ahead. You anticipate uh from a vision
standpoint this DMV processes. you know, you hear about kiosks or just online. Do you envision many changes since you've been in it now for a while? There's already been some changes that I've seen happen, and those kiosks are
one of them, and those are mostly down in the Twin Cities area. Um, if you had asked that a few years ago, I would have said no, but I never thought I would be depositing a check with my phone either. So, yes, there is strong possibility that technology could come into play and do that. I I really anticipate that
they're going to go another direction that the business will actually increase because there's a lot of talk of having titles for ATVs and snowmobiles which hasn't been there. So that actually increase the amount of business that happens at this location. One of the other things I would do is apply for a
hunting and fishing license through the DNR as well to have that available there. I would like to have credit cards available and possibly even doing passports. So those are those are not immediate things that would happen, but those are things I'd like to see happen. That's ways of increasing business. So
>> how long have you been operating in Cleveland? >> July, but I have a background. I actually came from the Department of Natural Resources. That's where I worked for a long time. I started out the Bow Wheel and ETV section and I did titles and all that. This was back in college. And then I moved over to when they did electronic
licensing. And I'm sure most people remember when you used to have the carbon paper where you'd write and turned over electronic licensing. That was that was me and the three other guys that did that. And then I became in charge of agent management was with working with every place that sells hunting and fishing licenses in the state of Minnesota. So I was in charge of agent management there for eight and
a half years. I have a background in doing a lot of this. But I never owned one until recently because they don't come up for sale very often. I've been looking for quite a while. >> So was this a was Stevens County? I don't know. Well, was that a private person you >> Yes, it was. I purchased from a private person.
>> Okay. >> You know how long it's been private down there? >> 1980. >> Okay. >> Actually, it started in 1980. There was no before that. >> How many counties in the state are privately owned?
>> No, I don't know. It's it's a small percentage though. I can tell you that. Majority of them are run by cities. Even a county is a little bit unusual. Majority of them are run by cities. Yeah, there's we're number 42 and I think there's 100
I might be wrong. I think it's 123, but I might be wrong on my number on that that are throughout the entire state. >> Okay. And from what I'm hearing sounds like Douglas County went to private and now they're back to public again because they couldn't make it work over there. It it it would take the for this to work
the salaries that are being paid would not be sustainable with the repair contributions, the health insurance, etc. and the wages. It would not work the way it is right now. So, yes, it has to make some changes to make it work privately and the private ones do work. I mean, we're doing we're doing quite
well in Morris County in Morris County. >> Why did Douglas go back to public? >> I don't know. I don't know if they had somebody there didn't know how to run it. I have no idea what the situation was. I did hear that but I didn't know what the situation is. Um I tried to
Google why and I couldn't find anything under the financial requirement section you got the acquisition and establishment of within that is there any use the word commitment not going to assume it's not going to
work but if if we commence to do the acquisition and establishment to you. Where are we at down the line? If >> Can you leave us high and gray? >> No. U we can put some language in there
to effectively say that. I didn't think about that, but I have no intention of doing it. Um this is sort of my retirement job. I know that sounds like a bad thing to say when you're making a proposal, but this is what I want to do when I retire. This is what I'm intending to do and want to do is to run
these um possibly even getting some more and do this. This is something I actually enjoy doing. Um I have no no promises that I doing it right now. We can put that into the languages there if you want to like a year commitment or we put some kind of language in there. What
would happen if it doesn't come or or if I pass away or you know whatever would happen something like that. A contingency plan. How's that? >> There you go. That's how it works. I can tell you that things are going really well since I've taken over. I got rid of some problem employees. I've
increased the wages. We have added some different features. And we're looking at adding quite a few more. All the ones that I just discussed with you a few minutes ago. And it's going very well. And those people that you've added, they're the ones that got to do the education to keep that number alive and
well to go in and out of the system and and be able to operate. >> I'm sorry. What do you mean by number? Well, don't they have a certain number that they got and and basically, you know, some type of a license or something like that to get on that Department of Public Safety website.
>> Um, there's there's a background. You have to do fingerprints and you have to go through a whole background check like that. And there's an education, you're right, that you have to go through. As a matter of fact, I'm going through a fraud training here coming up very soon where you basically have to go and look at the titles and try to examine if they're fake or real. That kind of a thing. And then there's ongoing training
that takes place along with it. It's more of a voluntary, but it's not really voluntary because if you don't do it, you're not going to be up to date on the things that are going on. So, there's no certification per se other than the background check that they have to go through. But, I have really good employees, like great employees.
It's a lot to learn. You know, it's there's a lot of things. People think signing a title is very easy. You just go in, sign it, out the door. It's not that easy. There's a lot of little nuances that come up that they have to learn about. Yeah, I've learned quite a bit even in
the last six months. >> You got the support of the county down there and people are using your service. >> We've increased business quite a bit due to the fact that we had some employees down there that people didn't like. Now we have really friendly employees and we changed things. Business has definitely increased. The financials over the last
few years, even before I took over, were going quite a bit better, but they've jumped up dramatically in the last six months or so. And we're out actively soliciting people that were maybe going somewhere else uh to let them know what we're doing and how we're doing it.
>> I can tell you I did a little research and what you just said is true. People do like what you're doing down there. >> Well, thank you. >> Well, I'm glad you did some research, but I'll do the same. Please, I'll talk to commissioners and the general public.
Don't come on down because I'm not a big fan of going anywhere. I will be clear that right now. It's been seamless forever and it's got to stay that way. And if it doesn't, we're all going to get a black
eye out of this regardless of vote m. I think the biggest reason to do this is financial, not necessarily the services. It is service I think we need to keep as well, but the finances on it. I negative $54,000 a year is pretty substantial. >> You figure it out. We got 6,000 people.
Divide that into 50,000. What is that? >> $3 and gas driver. Any other questions for me? I just got I got to say what Bill said there is people really enjoy coming here
because I I was a sheriff up there. I was sitting in there for 22 years during the daytime most of the time and people would come in there from other counties and uh always they stop and talk some of them. They'd say how much they enjoy our
license bureau. People are friendly. Uh you know they get they get things done. So, I wouldn't I wouldn't want anything to change as far as uh how people are greeted and taken care of when they come in to to that office.
It's very important. But I don't know how many people come a year, but there's a lot of them. They come for everything. They brought their kids up through generation for testing and things like that. So, it's it's a big deal and it's
worked well here our service. So, so I had a question to you. So, you you quoting some analytics as far as the financials in relation to in relationship to costs. Are you able or able to access the
number of transactions business in a sense and then how does that fit your model as far as staffing? Hi. Hi. >> Is it a very busy office or deal? >> It's about half the size of what we are in Morris. Um, and I I don't have the
number of transactions, but I do have the financial. You did $119,000 uh with your income based on your transaction fees that you received for doing that. Um, so that's where you're at. You're bringing in 119,000. You spent $170,000. So that's where the where the numbers
don't match up. Um, so I can probably guess the number of transactions, but I can tell you what you did as far as profit goes. >> So you can tell 119 in ratio to the 250 or 40 you do in more. >> Yeah. Just shy of that. Yeah. >> Okay.
Anybody got anything else for him? Well, I would hope, Mr. share that this is just for information. Yeah, I think uh they may do a little research if that's what they want to do and
we can determine a outcome on a later time be my way of thinking. We don't have any resignations yet. We have a resignation. We have one that done officially on honor before June 1st.
I don't know if that's correct. We go back and look in the minutes, but we accepted a resignation honor before June 1st. Mr. Chair, I help. >> Well, that there was a resignation. I don't know. >> There wasn't a D. It was just a the
letter of intent. There wasn't a date. >> Are you sure? >> We'll have to go back and look. I mean, obviously, we need to talk to Don. Um, but I think there's other other pieces for her, you know, resignation from the
county, but also like she has other people she needs to notify and I, you know, we need to sit down and talk to Don about this. >> Yep. Well, I was just going to say from business planning Drews from his standpoint
at some point. It's kind of like the chicken or the egg if he's going to do his additional due diligence and some of the things that we can look at. We almost got to have a date for we kind of get off the
Help me. You see what I'm saying there? >> Yeah. I just wait >> on that. So it takes about two months to transfer the deputy register from one person to another. I've gone through it now. So I think maybe I can do it slightly less than that. But if it comes down to leasing spaces and build out things, there would have to be definitely some some time. I would say
at least three to four months to make something like that happen. >> So the first of the year type deal that >> I I was given the June 1st date as well on or before that date. So 3 to four months prior to whenever you think that might occur that would be enough time to
do that because there would be training of people etc too. So yeah three 3 to four months 3 months of make something happen. Anybody wants to go over the financials or wants to go over what I'm actually thinking and planning I'm more than
happy to talk to somebody at any time. think I'm in a unique position of having staff that I can move up here somebody were to call in sick go vacation etc. That puts me in very unique position. So Mr. Chair, would it be appropriate to
put this in the the strategic planning committees wheelhouse as we move forward before it comes back or what are your what's your thoughts? >> That would be a good idea. I would say >> in my opinion it should go in front of
the P board again. We're talking about a department that's been in place for a long time. >> Well, it would have done it after the street clean. >> Shouldn't Why do we need to have committee discussion on bring in front of the board again?
We've got it all our committee discussion right here the way it looks. What do we need more committee discussion for? A motion was made by Bill Bill of Ali, seconded by Dwight Pvaki carried to approve the retirement of John Johansson
as of June 1st, 2026, the October 7th meeting. So, and I hear what Bill's saying, but I guess whenever there's change, it opens up opportunity. And our job, I
think, in this leadership role is to look at the opportunities and whether we do it through a strategic plan or a complete board, that doesn't matter. and it's going to be what it is. But to not look at the opportunities afforded us, I don't know that we're doing our job
either. And so I think that's really important. Mr. Johnson, I I agree with you on that. Only I lean towards support of our grant employees. If it was an open office and we were looking for other options and stuff like that, it' be a whole different animal.
But that ain't the case. Well, they can take it to the next strategic planning board meeting and report back when they're done with that. >> Can I make a suggestion, Mr. Chair? Go ahead. >> I would say if if we do that then we
should have another work session where we can discuss this like in a 30 minute time frame with the whole board. Sure. >> Maybe instead of going to strategic planning, we should just do a work session. >> Yeah.
after we do some new. >> Yeah, >> that's that's what I I would that be the second meeting in December. I guess I'm not familiar as this is only my six months of of board meetings as a
new coordinator, but isn't the second meeting in December pretty full or is it just setting the final? >> We can go into the afternoon. It's okay. >> Okay, we Okay, we're we can be here all day. >> Okay, whatever the board would I just
didn't know if it was the second meeting. I know the January meeting is quite extensive. Truthfully, if we want to have a a meeting that we need enough, we can have more than just the two meetings a month. I mean, it if it's we
we have done that before. We've had a special meeting just to set the final budget and it was the day before I think on the 29th I think it was the 28th of December. >> Well, I'm not proposing moving that. I'm saying if this subject we need to have a special meeting for this subject, let's
do that. I We don't have to limit it to a half an hour. The second meeting in December, we can have a meeting. Wouldn't hurt to get some of the public here cuz it's their service that Grant County been providing for
my whole life. And I am 63. So I've been in and out of that courthouse for at least 50 years. Oh, I always schedule a work session at 8:30 on December 16th. That's prior to
our next meeting. And if it's better than more meetings might be our next meeting, but no, it's the second meeting in December. We're coming here anyway, so we come here a half hour earlier.
I agree. have that work session and then if we need to have a royary you know then set one. >> So the first or the second meeting? >> Second meeting. We could do that in January, you know, too, if we want to
have another meeting and we'll schedule a work meeting for the 16th at 8:30 and go from there. I got >> anything else for >> I got one more question I just thought
of. So if we went this route, would you just have one employee up there most of the time? >> About half the time. >> I would do one and a half full-time employees. >> I ran the numbers and that's what works for to be proper.
>> I guess you said that earlier. Yeah. >> Well, I think we should thank you for what you split together and encourage them to continue to look at the opportunities that are coming. >> Thank you. If anybody's interested, I can I have the financials for 22, 23, 24. I know you have access to those, but
I have them anytime anyone want to. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Drew. So I've put back at the quotes the new phone system going with Voyant. We've got three quotes electronics
together for the county. Voyant was the cheapest um was still all the same services. So you can see that we're currently um we discussed it at the department head meeting and we're currently um or I'm currently collecting the inventory so we know exactly how
many phones we have. Um but out of the three the three quotes were continuing to stay with the state Voyant and Runstone. Um and Voyant was the one that um was the least amount of
money um again with all the same services um that that we currently have. Um so Morris Electronics um is working on the back side of that. Um, and like I said,
as a county, we're doing an inventory of exactly how many phones. Um, but you can you can see um what the quote was for that 6 to90 phones, which is going to be pretty close as the inventories come in. Um, what we're looking for for what that
would be. And the other thing we're working on is looking at doing an inventory of how many uh devices we have for um in the future if the county decides to go with Microsoft 365 licenses
so we have an idea of what that cost would be for budgeting purposes uh next year. So, I just wanted to put those in the board packet and bring them up for your information. Um, because they will, you know, be expenses that, you know,
will be discussed in the future so everyone could see kind of where we're at. >> Tina, can you explain that we lose functionality with current B? I mean, what? >> So, um,
where do you see that? stay with the state will lose. >> Oh. Oh. >> Yes. Because the phones are um when with the state's new new system, we'll have to change phones because otherwise we lose functionality with all the phones we currently have.
So yeah, there is a a call with Minute who provides the state service coming up. Morris Electronics is going to be on um to kind of talk with them again and see kind of where they're at. But uh a lot of other counties have gone away from using the state as their provider
um simply for the cost. And so Voyant is a a company that others have gone with >> and they all do Microsoft licensing. >> That's separate and I'm not sure what other counties do for Microsoft
licensing. That is kind of based on where we're at now with current licenses and what's going to be expiring and looking at the cost of you knowing those light licenses comparatively all go to 365. And then there's, you know, Zoom licensing that is currently being paid
for with 365. We have Teams as an option. So, um, it's a lot of information to digest and understand because it's it's very complex because there's different types of licenses, different types of apps, but Morse Electronics is leading um the research
um for us and, you know, are familiar with it and giving us good guidance. and we talked about it at our department head meeting this last month. And um I think just getting an in front of everybody and everybody understanding that, you know, if a if a change is made, there's going to be a cost and what that cost might be.
>> I think it's really important that we try to keep the same phone number. We changed a few couple years ago, still kept the 685. I don't I hate to see us go some because that's a big deal.
Yes. Um, Morse Electronics is working with um, Runstone. I know there's like they have a good working relationship we do and the county does with Runstone. If that's a possibility, that's obviously something we would like as well.
>> And Runstone is a co-op versus boy is not a track. So, I don't know. Do we get capital credits and dividends from Runstone? Does grand I've never asked that question. >> I know. I just got the notice they're
paying on $2 million of stock. >> Yeah. >> You got $2 million? >> No, not me. >> I might get honored. >> Oh, come on now. Tell me more than that. >> So, this is just we don't need to make a motion. This is
an update. >> This is just an update. We talked about it at department meeting. I just wanted to share with the whole board um what we got for quotes. Um and then yeah, just no decision today. Nothing's final. It's
just the information we have to date. >> I think getting off the state system is important which how that works out and today I can't say. I mean obviously we would rather stay with the room but let's see what we get. So, uh, our Zoom events will work. I
mean, if we're getting them from other people, right? I mean, our we'll be teams here, but like, >> well, we're not making a change yet. This is just collecting information to see if we decide to make the change um
to go to teams. Um, but I am not a technology. Is there another entity that's using Zoom? You'll be able to log in just like normal. >> That's >> you just wouldn't you Grant County would be hosting on Teams rather than Zoom. >> Correct.
>> And another entities using Zoom, you you wouldn't notice a change as just being a user >> and we would not pay for the Teams meeting application. Correct. >> If we went with 365. Um >> Yes. and Darren and Sean are willing to come and do a work session or be on the
agenda and talk about things in more detail, but this is just FYI for your information. We talked about a department head meeting. These are things that'll be coming up in 2026. So, just wanted >> Well, Western Pur's already done that transition, the 365.
>> That part of White Zoom is now considerably more expensive than it was prior to splitting. Yeah. Anybody got any more questions on that? Okay. Board committee updates,
budget, finance, building committee. We had a meeting security to building committee. Great. That's the one. >> EMS kind of went over that. I think >> I got one little thing. >> Okay. Hoffman, of course, they're
they're uh would like to order that ambulance as soon as they can. I guess when we set the preliminary budget December, then we'll know either way, but but uh you know, it takes several years to get it
and I think they're they're wanting to order it, right, Bill? They're waiting in the wings just to see where. >> So, we've been just telling them, you know, you got to wait till we make the final decision, but >> it would be it would be nice to get that
going. But, but, you know, December is almost here, so there are or I guess I wanted to know what your thoughts are on that. You know, are we, you know, consensus here that that's what we're going to do for the capital end of it or
or not? But that So, you're asking about uh let's just say the 165,000 for 2026. Is that going to be in or out or? >> Yeah. Yeah. Because if it's if it's if it's out then So, that's not really a
county budget. If you wanted to, otherwise I can go and ask Chad, but I think we should be able to approve that line in the budget at then. I mean, because you approve a budget, right? So, we got to go through approve our budgets and then what's left
over is our levy. So, if we've already approved that line, we just don't have to do it at the end of December. We've already done it. Then we could give them to go with it. And I would I don't know why that wouldn't work. I go and approve that line of the budget and just say, "Okay, well, we're done with this line.
We won't we won't address that again at the end of the month." >> Yeah. >> So, along that line, like what I heard was the hundred and then the program of 65, right? But that's a little bit of an unknown. So would we be telling often
they got 165 or 100 and the 65 is program? >> Well, was discussed at the work session is for the future. That's not now. >> Yeah. Well, it is now because if we're going to tell off when they get 100,000 about different 165. >> So the conversation in the meeting was
that the 165 is what you put in the budget and down the road when the sprint medic goes away the 65 would peel off for that portion. But right now that would help boost those >> capital >> those capital purchases right off the bat. So it's not saying Hoffman's going
to get 165. It's just saying it would be in there for those capital. >> We haven't allocated any money now. We've approved that number for a budget. We haven't allocating any amount to Hoffman or to Ashby or it's just approving that amount to go in.
>> Let me let me go back to my comment. If Bill go to Offman and say, "Go ahead, order your ambulance. We have X. Is it X00 or is it Y 165? It is pertinent." Oh, yeah. I I see what you mean there.
But I think if we tell them to order the ambulance, we we but we we levied last year for 165. We've got that and another 165 is coming if we leave that line item alone. So most of that probably could
would go to capital and see and we wouldn't need that other 65,000 a year until we find out if that sprint paramedic program is going away and then you know we can go from there. But yeah, if if if we give them the go-ahhead,
then either we do it, you know, in December 1st or again, but uh but yeah, we're we're saying coffin, you're going to we're we're supporting you for 300,000, the 165 for last year and then so yeah,
and the last meeting we had with the city down there, as you remember, Dwight Jana was going to get with their auditor to make sure that everything was above board and where we're headed with the revenue and if they could be the receivership of that revenue. So that's
the last that I got out of the city when we were down there both Dwight and there. So it's we we got to reach out to the city clerk too to make sure that they've got to their bud people where it can head and how it's all going to work.
So that's that's a piece that probably we should Dwayne and I will reach out. We we'll get a confirmation on that for the next meeting. See where they're at. I see what Troyy's saying though. If we they were going to leave that alone.
>> Yeah. >> Well, I mean, if we approve that line item, then it's done and they know that it's been approved. You want to talk to Chad? I'm assuming do you want to talk to Chad? I'll talk I'll talk >> but I think he I think
we've discussed that a little bit what you just said. I'll I'll re I'll ask >> if it if it is let's just get it on the agenda for the first meeting in December. Then >> always if you get to the end of the year there may be and believe there will be
but there may be a rush on am right >> you get pushed back 6 months well then there might be a 4% increase you know it's crazy yeah >> what they cost but uh >> they like to get their order in Randa Smith was talking about that
>> okay well thank you committee negotiations are ongoing and going and going highway committee. Well, the county road 52 bridge is going to go in next spring. So, well, we we already heard that. >> Yep. >> We pass resolution.
So and then North Lake pretty much you heard everything that is happening. Yeah. The 20 next year. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. I think we brought that
up to last meeting. I think I remember lot of stuff going I got one question for Matt the uh bridge bonding Matt for next year what's that looking like do you have any idea you know
>> all the money they allocated previous session is already spoken for >> yeah for for so then for 26 what about 27 you talk about that it should be on a year. Just don't know.
It's been a haywire past five, six years. So, but hopefully we got a lot of bridges that we're going to be finished up. Probably two, five, six, maybe seven bridges we're going to have ready to go here. Another
year, a year. Oh, and everything everything gets held up because of the bridge funding because we can't afford to do it without it. Yeah. And then >> but that's every county the road the roads just and I think if you're driving
all the counties they're they're in the same boat. I think >> public safety with Jan last Friday and she was going to get the contract out to the cities. Re continue to work through the process
and say >> I wasn't at that meeting the last time I was in negotiations >> strategic planning. So, I was asked by the public if there can be public members on the strategic
planning committee. And what I said is I don't know. I'll have to ask the board what they think. I mean, we would follow the the process we have laid out where there'd be notification that there's openings to be on a committee and follow the application process and then the
board would appoint. So, the question, well, there's a couple of questions in there. One is are we going to have the public on strategic planning? If the answer to that is yes, then how many spots do we
have? I would say like two to three spots and then you would, you know, make them like a three-year commitment, but you would stagger that first appointment like a one, two, and three year. But that is
that is my thoughts on it. We need the board to decide if that's something we want to set it for. So that would be a pretty unpaid position. >> Yeah, I would assume they would get I mean they're a committee appointed.
>> That'd be no different than any other committee, >> right? One of the advantages is that it also potentially opened up some training or exposure if one of those members are interested in be on the
board at a later date this quarter. So it does give you some get their toes in the water a little bit and that'd be a benefit. you know, just including people in their
government is it's a good idea. I don't have no problem. So, I I don't know that we need a motion today. I mean, a consensus if we're okay with that, we can have Tina start that process of adding. I mean, we can decide how many later,
but if we want to wait and make that decision and two weeks whenever we need again. >> I would think we'd want to try to get it so that we could have them come in in January. >> The other committee. >> So that would be up to the board chair
here. You're the board chair next time. >> Yeah. So only you're following your do that. >> So the first step would be to put a notice in the paper. Well, we would follow that. We've got a process.
Whatever that process says, I think that said, put a notice in the paper, put it on social media that we will uh be looking for community. I mean, we can decide if it's two or three or whatever somewhere in December. But
we might as well let people get started with the application process if we're thinking we're going to do that. Well, do we need a motion to do that right now? >> I don't think because we're not officially adding anybody at this point. So, I think just like Dina could take go
through that process. >> I think she can just start the process. >> The first step is posting paper for two weeks >> shouldn't be made or anything. No. >> Yeah. Any
other questions on that strategic plan? Because then we had uh the assessor come and he wants to reorganize. There's been a retirement end of the year. So he wants to reorganize his office. Currently there is a
assessor, a deputy assessor and then two appraisers if I remember correctly. and he would like to go. We met with strategic planning and we kind of agreed he would like to go to the assessor, deputy assessor, one appraiser, and then
a technician. So, there's no new people. It's there's really no the duties have been changed from job description to job description to fit how the office runs today because it was when we went to a true county, we just
added an appraiser. We didn't really reorganize. So there's again that's anformational there'll be when the new job descriptions come back they'll come here for approval and >> so that retirement excuse me
>> believe that retirement is the end of the year. What was the question, Bill? >> What was that what would that role that that technician would of how would that perform in the level of you know what is he going to just stay in the office or is it somebody that goes out in the
field or what do >> right it would be the appraiser Carl would have and Carl will be here >> in two weeks I mean that's a good question I didn't it's more of the office it's the data entry
you know the appraiser would go out and collect the data and the technician would be more the entry. So, so it doesn't have the licensing that the appraiser or the new deputy would have to have that appraiser right
>> duty. This would not have those those just office staff. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Anything else on that? Rising just the same same stuff. You know, they're working on grants to fund that operation.
They they were they were talking a little bit about the measel, you know, measel outbreak here and there. Murray >> I think B committee meets this week, don't they? >> Yes, >> but I believe so.
>> I don't know where else I know. >> We we had a technology committee meeting. Yeah. >> We talked about this whole system and things like that. So, it's we're moving forward with that. the traverse and getting the connectability in place
with bone systems and just moving forward with them merging into western bries and their employees. Anybody got anything else for
the good or bad? I think we'll meeting at 10:20. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. >> Gina, would you suggest I go talk to Ashley about my computer? >> Yes. >> They have no
computer. Well, so I explaining so >> the numbers