How are you today? Good. Good. Good. Ready? Yep. Well, I uh I guess I was asked to come down and talk um about budgeting or property taxes.
you guys decide you want to do. Well, Troy, I didn't ask to be on. So, I don't know what exactly you guys wanted me to talk about. So, >> I haven't been in as many of these as you have, but you can start with budget and end up on property taxes or start on property taxes and end up on
>> D. Well, I kind of typed up a couple sheets, I believe, Tina handed out to you. Um, I think we'll start with the understanding of property taxes. Just a quick outline of kind of how the flow goes with property taxes each year. I'm not going to read
through this in its entirety. The the property taxes are based in Minnesota. The property tax system is based on the estimated val market value of the property. Um and that is the major source of revenues for the local
governments. It would say that line share of the uh the revenues for most local governments. Um there are some additions to your county, your city, your township, and your school tax. Some properties have a
seasonal or a state tax that's on a seasonal wreck property or commercial property and those those taxes are um certified or those rates are certified to the county auditor for calculating taxes um by the state and then when we
collect those taxes those state taxes on those certain properties they get sent back to the state. Um so each year the local governments set a levy or a budget to determine their levy as to how much money um
should be raised and the local governments use the levy process to control their full revenue. Therefore like the local government only will receive the revenue that they've levied. you know, they if values increase substantially in one
year or decrease substantially in one year, that doesn't mean they collect more or less tax. They're collecting based on what the actual level was certified at. I think it I hate to interrupt you, I think it's important if you listen to KFGO a lot, we do not have
mills for our property taxes like North Dakota. No. So if you're in North Dakota, Yes. If your property value goes up, your taxes, if the mill stay the same, they automatically goes up. >> Yeah. >> We I got a I got a question for you, Chad. So the state what do they tell you
every year what their tax is going to be? They tell us what the rate is going to be. >> Yes. Yep. So, so they're they're much like every other entity where let's use the county for example in you know in September the county will certify to the
auditor the levy amount. We want you to put X dollars as a levy. The state does the same thing only thing they certify a rate meaning you know it's you know it's it's 14% or whatever that percentage is.
Yep. Cut. And then they do the same again in December for the final. >> Yeah. But that that that rate that's not reflected in our levy. I mean >> no not >> not in the county. The only thing in the county is the county. >> Yeah. >> Yep.
>> So much like the city of El Lake is the only Elake. The school district is only the school district. >> But you collect that rate for the state. Send it to the state. >> Yes. So we collect all of the rates for all the taxing authorities on your property taxes. If you look at your
property tax, you know, up in Ashb, you will have county, you will have the city of Ashby, which certified to us how much money to collect, not a rate, but how much um the school district and then any other um taxing authorities. taxing
authorities, one of which if you owned a commercial business or a seasonal recreation um would be a state tax. >> Where does that state number show up then on this text? >> Under the state line. Yeah. But you would probably have
never seen that if you don't have a seasonal wreck property or a commercial property. It's only >> So it's not on your house. >> Nope. It's only on those two properties or >> in general it's only on those two properties. you know, >> if you have a lake cabin that you if you have a lake, let's say you have a lake
cabin or you have some hunting land, um that is not your homestead, it would be on that. And if you you know had a commercial main street commercial business, >> I don't ever seen it. Well, because I wouldn't have seen it. >> You wouldn't have seen it. Sure. It's it's much like if you don't live in the
boy wershed district, you don't see a boy suit tax, >> right? >> Or any of those types. >> So, it's just on those two classifications then >> primarily. Yes. >> Yep. Yep. >> And there's a dozen classifications throughout the state. Correct.
>> How many classifications? >> Property classifications. >> Yes. Correct. >> Well, if Carl's on here, he can tell me exactly, but I think we're over 70 don't quote me 70ome. >> It is. >> Okay. Property can be classified in many different
>> I think the next most is in the teens. >> Yeah. Minnesota has a very complex tax property tax system comparatively to other certainly to other surrounding states but to other states in general. So back
to Dwayne's question. So if the state gives us the rate but it's only on certain property what amount of their that tax how much of the state how do they determine the dollar amount to apply to the the classification?
>> Okay. So because throughout throughout the year um many times throughout the year between the assessor and the auditor's office we submit something the state is called a prism file. Um it's an acronym. We're not going to go that deep
into the woods but what it is is basically a a very large spreadsheet I guess we call it. It's a some whole bunch of data that is our tax system and all of the counties will submit that that multiple
times throughout the year and they take that and put into their system. So statewide they know there's x uh value uh >> $und00 million >> commercial and there's x value of seasonal wreck throughout the state.
>> Yeah. >> And then much like we do when you think of it we know the value of grand county. Yeah, we can we can determine that. They're doing the same with these these certain properties and they're saying this percentage goes to this and this percentage goes to that one. So they
know or they have a very good idea that throughout the state these are dollars we collect. >> But then for the state what part of their budget do they apply to that value? >> Oh, I have no idea that this >> No, I could I don't know. I have no idea
what overall how much the state collects on state general tax. I have I have no idea. >> So, we collect it and send it to them and it goes into their general fund. >> Yeah. >> A big figure. >> Yeah. >> Well, in the state tax went into play,
um I didn't realize we were talking about state tax, so I would have gotten some dates for you on some numbers, but uh the state tax went into play. I'm going to say probably in 2005 or six is the first time they did that. And it started
um with way back in who know 20 years ago. It started with at one point the schools were all funded by the state, right? And then state kind of backed off and these schools were starting to pass referendums, operating referendums, this that and the next thing. Then the
legislators were were uh kind of taking some heat from the constituents about hey what's the deal here? So the state decided to put on the state tax which was on these what we see typically commercial
seasonal right properties and in lie of the state tax if you're a seasonal right property that means then if there's a if there's a referendum that's passed and you have a let's say you have a cabin on El P
then you would not pay the referendum to school on that property but in le of that you pay tax. So, it was this kind of give and take type deal. Um, and that's still true today. And then the state those dollars they collected in
the state tax was in theory was going to go back to the schools. So, these schools wouldn't have to pass these very large referendums. So, it's kind of kind of where it started. But that then when you hear about the egg credit for these >> Oh, that's way different.
>> That's a whole different work session. >> That's a whole that's a whole different deal. No, that's a whole different deal. But this is that's that's the state tax portion. And for for those of us that have a home or have just eggland or have whatever it is, we don't see that. Yeah.
Well, and when we talk about the egg tax, I'm assuming at some point we will. We should also talk about the state sets the value on commercial. So like what happened with Embridge when they sued the counties even though the counties really didn't have >> and that's you know and that's probably
a good topic you could have at your um your meeting with Carl in June uh because the state does assess certain properties you know your power lines your railroads your transmission lines those types of things you know Carl does not do that
locally or Carl's office does not do that locally so the state does serve Y, hey, this this power line, this this that the next thing. And it's become this year for us, it became kind of a little bit of a headache because
there were there were varying uh certifications that came to us. So, we used the certification we got at a certain date. Well, these folks can go and appeal and go a tax court, do this, do that. The next thing we spooled up
our taxes for 26 based on those certifications. Come to find out that the state had lowered, you know, a few of them, which now we had to go back and redo tax statements. And yeah, that's that's a whole I would say
that's that's a really good meeting for your uh meeting in June with Carl. Um, that's a good conversation to have because I know he's worked with the state or working with the state to make those that process more clear for others, especially for those that are now not been at it for a while to know
where to look and your new editor can be somewhat confusing. Um, so the to start off the process with taxes with taxes, it starts it starts with the assessor's office. The county assessor determines the estimated market value and the classification of the
property on January 2nd of each year based on the information that they collect with throughout the months leading up to the January second. So they'll go out and view your property. They'll probably get some if you're homesteaded, you'll get some homestead applications. You'll do whatever whatever they do. And then then that is
adjusted by any exclusions you might have or reductions to get your taxable market value. um they they classify your property on its primary use such as homestead, apartment cabin, eggland, those types of things. And then each of
those classifications is taxed differently. So it even gets more complex. a $100,000 house or $100,000 piece of eggand, $100,000 apartment. All of these things may have the same value, but they're
taxed differently based on their classification. So, your value and your classification are very, very important things to have. So, they'll send a notice out in March um notifying the the property owner. It'll be a valuation notice and that'll
say this is your value and this is your classification for the coming year. So it's in March for the next year of what you'll be taxed at and they have their meetings with their cities, townships and again now in June we'll be having that meeting you'll be having that meeting review as a county board. So
that starts early. Once those values are finalized um then the auditor's office takes those values for all the properties in the county and they that will be what we will use to calculate our taxes for the following year. So usually starting in
July um through December that's when we start working on our property tax calculation. We will get um certifications from the from the townships, the cities, the schools, the state, the watersheds, all
of the entities that have taxing authority will start certifying information to the auditor's office. And then in the um usually late August, beginning of September, the county
portion of that will be certified. It'll be will be discussed with the board, the county running in the budget. So by the end of September, by September 30th, all of those certifications have to be in. And then as the as the auditor's office, we do what we call a a preliminary tax
on each parcel. truth and taxation. So, those notices get sent out in November and they will list this. This is your estimated tax. Um, if you live in an area that has a lot of special assessments, whether that be for roads or streets or water towers or whatever
it might be, ditches, coming ditches, it does not include any of the special assessments. It's just the actual tax. that'll list any dates and times that that um those those taxing authorities would meet to discuss their budget and
levy. So that's when we talk about having our truthful taxation meeting and I come and ask and say we need to pick a date because that's listed on all of those notices we send out in November. any uh the schools will have all of
those and then any city over population of 500 I know it's just Hoffman and Ela and and Grant County um they they are required to have those meetings so anything any rest of the cities are not required and townships not required to have meetings they can
go to a regular meeting and discuss if they want but they're not required to have a special meetings for that um so the taxpayers will get their information. We'll work through that process. We'll have our tax and truth and taxation hearing and then these entities after that by the end of
December and so many days after this day before that day is usually on the 26th of December. Um those entities then are required to certify to the auditors a final levy. Now your final levy cannot
increase. It can but there are very few reasons why it can. But in general, whatever you set your preliminary levy at cannot increase um at the time of the the final. So most of the time you'll see it a city of town or a city or the
county or whomever it might be even the state tax they do this they round up they'll say commercial is 18% by the time the final comes it'll be 17.54 you know they they kind of in I don't know if they want to use the word
inflated but we're looking at a broader number and then between September and December they kind of get that down to a final we will then take all of that information. That's when we start working on our special assessments, doing our final levy, and then those tax
statements get mailed out by March 31st of the following year or the current year of April. So, it's kind of a it's almost like a year-long process just to get to mailing out a tax statement between the assessors and officer by the time you get down to
March 31st. Taxes are due, of course, on properties, and I think most of you are aware of this. Um they're they're split into halves or first half second half taxes for the most part. Some are some are due all upfront. Um May 15th and October
15th for for homes um agricultural property is May 15th and then November 15th. So there's an extra month property. Once those property taxes are paid to the county for a designated period of time, and I'll use
now, um, we're right in the middle of this. So, we've collected taxes that were due on May 15th. We use January 1 through May 20th, um, and we call it a settlement. So, I'll be we'll bring all those reports in and I'll determine that
of all the money we collected X dollars. This much was county tax, this much was school tax for that school, that school, that school, this much was for that city, that township for the state. You know, we now we we turn all of those dollars, we collect it back overboard
those taxing taxing authorities. And we do that the state and the schools each get a estimated amount of 50% back in May. 50% now early June and then we will now in June I work on what I
call the the settlement. That's when we'll transfer money back over to the the county to the general fund or the gold bridge fund whatever it might be. And then I will send checks to the cities and the townships and the state and all that. That'll be your January. We do that again after um after the
November 15th date and then we do a clean up early January which is from like November 20th to December 31st. So those are kind of your guidelines of how taxes kind of all work. Um
we'll get into the budgeting process now a little bit. Um budgeting um it's kind of a several monthl long process to determine the uh department costs and the revenues um ultimately
coming down to a levy amount for each department. Uh so throughout the summer months the departments prepare their budgets work with the budget committee uh to present a preliminary budget to the county board and those again the preliminary budget is what we'll be uh reviewing hopefully in August through
September. U to come up with a preliminary levy which is due September 30th. Um after the preliminary levy is certified can be reduced. Well, there we go again. It can be reduced but not increased for the final uh before the
adoption of the budget in the levy in December. Any needed adjustments um are made and added truth and taxation meeting held to obtain public input. Commissioners adopt the final levy or final budget levy in December and certified to the county auditor. And
then we wanted that bold tax collection. So we do the budget to determine what we need to certify for a levy. The levy then becomes under proper tax statements. Um so each department is responsible for preparation monitoring of their
respective budget. Uh typically the county auditor will work with the um what the departments to and I will work with the wage portion of it. We'll talk to them to talk about their staffing levels. um if there's any changes to the staffing, those types of things. And
then I'll work with them to say, well, I have the contracts or the union agreements that the county board has approved for wages. And then I will say, well, there are make sure there are no changes to like our PAS and anything that's associated with wages and benefits, you know, did we make a change
to u insurance contributions, any of those types of things. So, we'll go through and we'll run down our employees, do the wage portion of that, and then it's for the most part left up to left up to uh the departments to come up with the
rest of line items. Um you know what they're going to spend on you know like a training or travel or dues paper envelopes pens you know whatever whatever line items in their budget.
Uh, I'll work with if there isn't there's a budget that's really not associated to a department head. Um, like the countywide that we use for different things. Um, you know, there's some insurance stuff. There's there's some there's some
departments that really are just general. They're more for the whole county. I'll work on those. Um and what we do is uh the process involves looking we'll look back at prior year trends and that isn't a static we go back three
years two years 5 years it depends on what we're looking at you know this particular thing we started two years ago where we at this thing's been going forever let's look back five years let's we know what's a consistent number you know so each it's it's it's kind of
each line item or each each thing we kind look back to try to get to see where we're should be budgeting for the current year. Um the same goes for any revenues. We we'll talk about there's going to be any revenue fluctuations though is the state going to increase
decrease funding for line item we might have. Is this grant available? Well, we had this grant last year but now that's that grant has gone away those types of things with the departments. And then we'll meet we meet with the budget committee and the budget committee and
the department heads they can review their current budgets and then we'll provide some guidance or the budget committee will provide some guidance and they'll obtain information so that if the county commissioners would have a question about a budget or a budget line
item. Hopefully the members of the budget committee, the two commissioners on the budget committee should have some knowledge possibly of what the question might be so they can relate to you. So we're starting that process now with
budgets. Um this year will should go better than last year because lions share the largest part of most of the budgets in the in the revenue fund. I'll use I guess known as my office for example. Um
you know the largest portion of our budget is wages. Last year at this time we did not have union contracts settled. We did not have a wage study settled. We did not have all these things. So the very largest portion of my budget is unknown.
It made it difficult to determine where we should be. This year should be a little better. Question Jeff. So in the budgeting process, do you use
the data from the prior audit and as far as overall some of the needs whether it's reserve or just the overall financial position and needs of the county and then apply that to the current year process. We will not necessarily use the audit
itself, but we do know what our cash balances and our reserve balances are. So, and those are embedded in the audit. Well, keep in mind right now we don't have our 2025 audit completed. So, we would have to be looking back,
>> but you do look at why. So, if you need but that >> we look at that and we know what that is. Um during the budgeting process if the levy required X you know we said hey we got
to kind of ask for a levy that now there was a large increase if there was something that is a one time one time project. Um
that would be something that would be made aware of the board or made the board aware of you guys. You would you find a gentleman determine do we want to levy this or do we want to take it out of reserve because our reserve is X I mean we don't we don't calculate and
when we do budgets we do not calculate in use of use of fund balance we calculate a budget for >> as if we had zero you know what I mean >> if we want to use that reserve balance that's a that's a bloody discussion
Thank you. So hopefully I covered some of this stuff. I don't know why I was kind of shooting from the hip here a little bit because I didn't do very good, Chad. Yeah, we need to hear that every year. Well, you you you'll hear it if you're not in
a couple months. I told you we have all the budget stuff done. >> Yeah. >> And then you'll probably hear it again in December at Truth and Taxation. Yeah, but it's >> it's just >> Yeah, it's it's um it's not something that you just sit down in the day and
write a bunch of numbers on a piece of paper and you guys need in these departments and I know you know for the years I worked with you there you help each department head out with whatever they need. You you've helped them out with the funds and it's kind of
our job. >> Yeah, that was a that was a big thing >> we get paid to do. Yeah, I know. But with you, you have a good sense of that. And I guess if nobody has any questions, I
have one other two other things. Um, first of all, just a reminder for everyone that today we are going to be open at 5:00 our office and it's the last day to file for office. Um, well, the office is the whatever you want to file for. So, if you want to you want to
be the state senator, you got to come see me by five o'clock. Um, >> oh, that's Bill. >> Or if you or I don't know, if you want to be the secretary of state or whatever you want to be, you want to be the county auditor, bring 50 bucks. Um,
so that's first and foremost. So, that ends today at 5:00. The second thing is is um in your bills today, you will see a bill for C change. Um it is around $15,000.
That is for three pieces of election equipment. Those are funds plus all the accessories. Those are funds that we're utilizing and priming finishing up from a grant from 2005 um for his Ford election equipment back
when Hava the help America vote came into play. And that's how we got our first machines. That's how we paid for our second machines cuz I was very frugal with the amount of money we got. Well, our our assisted voting devices, the ones you can put the ballot in to help you fill in that we got way back
when. They're big, clunky. They're 20ome years old. So, we're getting three new those machines now. And get with the process a little bit. Um, so those funds are gone now. So, I can quit reporting three times a year on those and we can get some updated equipment. So, if you
do see that bill in there, that's that is for they're going to be delivered on the 16th, I think, of June. And then we'll do some training for us soon. So, we're going to get some new equipment for for assisting your voters with putting up their balance if they need. Okay. And zero zero zero tax
dollars. We're going to count 2005 money. So, that's good. We've very good shuffled away back in the day. Anybody have any other questions for Chad? Oh, we thank you for coming today.
>> Not a problem for sure. >> Some days it is. Houston. >> Yeah, it's 1887. >> 87. >> Well, there's 87 classifications for >> Is it 87 to? >> Yeah. >> One bridge nine.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Hold on. I missed about But you used to be they kind of want they talked like they wanted to shrink that was down to >> what was it? North Dakota's five. >> Yeah. Oh, you so they talk like a dozen at one point. >> You know what happens in St. Paul,
right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It It never becomes less. >> No, you're right. >> It's more confusing. >> Very much so. >> Yeah. >> Okay. It's 9:00. Don't call me. >> Okay. See, I pledge
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. We have a short period here for public
comment. Do we have any public comments today? Anything in public? Okay. Okay. So then I'll look for the approval of the agenda. Mr. Chair, I was asked to table the overtime budget discussion for two
weeks. Okay. So I would make a motion to approve the agenda with tableing that item. >> Okay. Do we have a second to that motion? >> So move. >> Okay. We have a second by Doyle by any further discussion. >> Okay. All in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. Opposed. Motion carried. Approval of the meeting minutes. Mr. Chair, I'll make the motion to approve the minutes. Do we have a motion by Bill? Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Troy. Any further discussion?
Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I forwards. Motion carried. Approval of the warts. >> Got a question on the one for Peterson sheet metal goal issue that LEC and remove replace reversing valve.
The question is the billing committee or gener building is very old and now I see another $4,200 worth of expense. Is there any warranties or any implied expectation that stuff should last
longer? >> I don't have any sort of >> Hey, this is my the reversing valve is in the courthouse um on a unit here in actually in my office. So that was not um
I missed the first portion but the other portion of that was uh controls error in the in the law enforcement center that took some time to troubleshoot. So essentially we we were stuck with the
bill for the troubleshooting portion of of that. But the reversing well and the most of that was from the courthouse, not the law enforcement center. >> Okay. So the
$1,700 for troubleshooting of that troubleshooting equipment that needed to be done, is there any warranty or implied expectation as far as whether that should be incurred?
Well, we're beyond our initial year for one, but um the the one issue that we have is the Peterson Sheet Metal that does our controls, they come from a long ways away. Uh they're based out of Baiji.
Again, I I don't know how that came about or how they won the contract, but um one of the downfalls of having them as our control contract is they are a long ways away. in. So we we pay a lot of drive time to get them here to work
on that stuff. >> Okay. Motion approve the warrants. Okay. Penny made a motion to approve the warrants. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Bill. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Okay. Red County Assessor Bra. All right. Well, I'm here more for information this morning. Just uh remind you that the
county board of appeal and equalization will be on June 15th at 4:30 in the afternoon. So, um the only thing about the reason we have it so late in the afternoon is because in the event that we need to hold meetings until 7:00, that is a statutory requirement. So, we
just kind of push it later in the afternoon. So, um, so we do need a quorum at least at the county board of appeal and commissioner Ken Johnson, you will be required to show up because you are the only commissioner with, uh, training for
the department of revenue. So, um, in future years, if anybody else would like to take the training, it's on the Department of Revenue website. It only takes about a half an hour to complete. You cannot fail it. So, >> and that's open now. that is opened up
but that won't be effective until >> next next year >> but if you expect me to do it in two months I'm not going to remember unless you remind me >> so so I always like to tell people that it it's not difficult the training is difficult um but I do recommend that we
have at least more than one person certified so is there anything be beyond my normal that you gentlemen like to see with my my packet that I created. I haven't put it all together yet, but I'll be
generating that here as in the next week here. So, otherwise, if you have any questions, you can hold them until that point, too. So, all thank you very much. We'll see you on
the 15th or the 14th. No, 15th. 15th. Yeah. Okay, thank you. >> Human resources. >> Morning. >> Anything here? Looking for some guidance. We received 15 applications
for the veteran service officer position. Um, so looking for some guidance as to how you'd like to proceed with the interviews. The past department head department head positions have been interviewed by the board. So just looking for some guidance on what you'd like to do, how you'd like to proceed.
>> So how many application? >> 15. >> 15. Okay. >> And we have to interview all of them. You have to >> veterans. Have to interview all 15. >> Veterans have to be interviewed if they apply.
have to be a veteran for the job. So that's everybody. >> So the question whether the the full board does the interviews and personnel committee do the 15 and
you bring us four and satisfying that requirement. But that would satisfy the interviewed everybody. >> Yeah, that's if we can do it that way, that's the way I'd like to see it done.
But I guess we'd have to ask Justin if if that's okay to do it that way. >> It's just you'd be bringing them in for second order for the scenario down that they get the initial interview. Well, I think if we could do it that
way, that's probably the way to do it. I >> mean, it's going to take some time either way. But, I mean, I think that's the way to do it. Have the personnel committee do that bring it down there four or five or
whatever. What >> that was what I was going to ask. Is it is it going to be set at four to do bring an appropriate a smaller number forward. So what do you guys say? >> I think that probably the answer to that
question would relate to the pool of applicants is if you have six really top notch applicants that we really should hear from then I think the answer is six. >> Yeah. >> But I mean you said four of course I want to be sure.
>> Yeah. Well, that was a so >> and it might be more >> but so I think I would probably suggest the process and let the personality committee make the decision of what they bring forward. That would be my recommendation.
>> Yeah. So, Mr. Chair, I got a question. How long till we got to fulfill that role? I mean, two, three months, four months. >> Well, I was looking to an August 1. So, we got a little time to have. >> Yeah. So, we're hoping to have the month
of July for training. >> Okay. >> With him. Um he does have, you know, colleagues and around other counties that would be willing to help um after he has is gone. Um but we'd like that one-on-one training if possible.
>> Thank you. Okay. Well, uh why don't we just do that then have the personnel committee do the do some interviews and see how many the appeals should be presented to the full board.
>> I got a question Mr. Chair. How about you know instead of just four but give it a range maybe four up to seven so at least you get in half. >> Yeah. Well that's great. Yeah. We'll just take the recommendation of the personnel committee is how many they'll
get a good feel of of that. So, >> okay. Does that mean a motion? >> I have a question. Logistically, um will it be a special meeting or will it be a part of a regular board meeting? Well,
>> because if there's >> I would say let's find out what we have for a number because if we come back with if the personnel committee comes back with seven, we're not going to get them done on the board meeting. They go >> that was my question. >> If it's four, you could theoretically do them in an afternoon >> and depending upon the timing. If we did
need a special meeting, we'd have to get that posted. So that's just we've got to keep logistically the coordination of that timeline. >> Okay. I I do have a question. Well, when you when you posted this, what where did you post it to get that many ads?
>> Um, I posted in the paper, Facebook, our website and Indeed. >> So, these people are probably coming from all over the place. >> Um, yep. There are other communities >> okay. So, you got to clear a motion on
that. We can just we got a consensus. So, that's all. Thank you. >> Thank you. We're a little ahead of time, Dina, but you can go ahead if you want to. >> So, I got a question from the Grant County Collaborative. They received the
letter about the county board's appropriation request policy, and they're fine with doing that. However, um it was brought to my attention. I wasn't aware that we have two commissioners that sit on their governing board. Um, so
the way I understand our policy, they would be exempt from having to come to a work session to to meet the policy requirements. But I just wanted to bring that forward to the board to uh as it's
the board's decision. So >> that's that's for that 50,000. Right. Correct. Historically, that's what they've requested. Yes. >> And I think uh you know, Bill is for the county, I'm for Horizon. Wonder if Doyle is for Western.
>> There's another Yeah, it's >> Western Prairie. >> And they are included in Western Prairie's audit. >> Okay. But I think there's another one from Western Prairie, but I think because we can't have a porum out there. I think it's a Pulk County. Yeah. And we have a Grand County sitting in Pulp, I
believe. >> Could be. Well, yes, Western Prairie is the fiscal host. So, when you you turn piums in, I turn them into Western Prairie. I thought I was supposed to turn them into the auditor's office, but it's got to come down here.
I when I'm with a child who council, the line goes through the ride. Okay. So, >> so yeah, I I I think they fall into that category where, >> you know, they're exempt from Don't you guys
>> I would make a motion to put them on the exempt list. >> Okay. So, we have a motion by Troy to go to the exempt list list for grand child. >> Yeah. So, a second.
>> I will second that, Mr. Chair. is a member of the the county collaborative. >> Okay. >> Actually, the delegate of the county collaborative. We have a motion, a second. Any further discussion on that? Hearing none. All in favor say signify
by saying I. I. >> Post say sign. Motion carried. So, we're 10 minutes early on this talking about the state law enforcement contract. So, should you just you want to just go
ahead or >> Well, I don't know that I really have a lot to add other than I mean it was the options are in the packet and we're not I guess I'm not looking for a motion for anything like that
today. It's uh here's the options. We'll meet with city representatives tomorrow and present them with the options as well. We've you know we have a an offer for a contract out there from our public safety committee meetings. It didn't
sound like there was the group that was there was not super interested in just signing and continuing forward. And I haven't heard anything about I mean so tomorrow we'll ask if there's other options that the city see. I don't
I mean today it's just here's what I see as options. Are there other things the board thinks we should put on there as options? It's it's the start of a conversation that's going to be longer than today. The goal is to I mean there's a
timeline in there. So by September 30th we got to set that preliminary budget, right? So we've got to know Are we going to have contracts? Are we not going to have contracts? So, we've got to get our budget balanced at that point by the 30th. So,
>> Troy, would it be helpful if we read the timeline? >> No, I got to go find it. >> I got it here. London. So June 2nd today we options are presented review them. The 3 tomorrow is
a city meeting. >> Is that with all the cities? >> All the cities have been invited. I think you said there was one that potentially is not going to be able to make it. where you make >> um
>> county board meeting. So the well here we go right from June 3rd to July 7th with county board meeting to get optioned. I thought we were going to meet in two weeks. We were going to invite the cities.
>> Yep. June 16th is the work session from 8 to 9. So we're missing that one on this timeline. This goes from June 3rd to July 7th. So June 16th we will add in where the we have that it's not a work session but we
have an hour scheduled. >> It's 8 to 9 in the morning. Yep. >> Is that ahead of our meeting? >> Okay. And then all the cities are invited to that >> tomorrow. Yeah. And then >> Well, no. I think you're getting confused. So today the board received
the options from the committee because that's what Troy supplied for the packet. Tomorrow is the meeting with the cities to discuss those options. June 16th is the work session from 8 to 9 and all the cities are invited to come and they'll have opportunity to speak to the
board. No decisions will be made on June 16th. Then it goes to the July 7th meeting >> where I guess public safety slashbudget, whichever one's gonna we kind of at that point, we
kind of need to start, my opinion is eliminating some of those options that are listed so we can kind of get focused in on where we want to go. Would like to see a formal direction by August 4th to, you know, to get that
gives you a month and a half, almost two months to figure it out budgeting wise. And then we got to know by September 30th, >> July 7th. Is that a board meeting or is that a budget finance meeting?
>> That should be a full board mechan. >> Yeah. >> So the 342,000 is what's collected on the existing fund drives. >> Correct. So for the point of discussion and I know we table part of it is that really
the number that we're looking at because we don't know the potential for the future budget. That is what was brought in in I'd have to start dating back through but I believe that is the dollar figure brought in or scheduled to be brought in
in 2026. That's what's in this year's budget. >> Yeah. Now, that amount has never been we tried last year to get it so that it would be tied to the county's actual
spend, but even that has not followed through. So, that amount that the city contracts are has never been in relation to the county's budget. So, a question for the committee or and
do we have any reference information from other counties that are potentially in this situation or are we a outlier? Are we kind of run-of-the-mill or where are we adding ratio to other
maybe Jen can this >> so I reach out to a lot of counties and it's kind of all over the board. There's one that's kind of in our same boat and that wants to know what how we're going
to proceed because this is probably how they're going to proceed. Um, but a lot of them are it's on the levy and then they are contracting at least 20 hours a minimum of 20 hours per county. Like if you want
if you want enforcement enforance enforcement, if you want extra contract time, that's on top of but it's across the board like >> Yeah. I think it I think it's like your solid waste program. There's 87
different counties. There's 100 different ways to direct. >> Yeah. So, I've got a question for our chair and I remember I don't remember what year it was, but I remember I was on the city council in Hoffman >> and it and I know we referenced this and
it appeared at the time this program made sense because it was a lot less expensive for the respective cities to run their own department. And I think that's continued to be true.
Now, has something changed so much that that is not a driving force to continue or what what's kind of has our budget blown up or what's happened to that concept that created this to happen back in whatever year?
>> Okay. Well, Hoffman first contracted with a company in 1989 and their first contract was for $20,000 a year and uh they used to have a full-time police chief and part-time
workers. So, their budget back then, I can't remember what it was, but it made more 20,000. So they got rid of all the liability, training, personnel problem issues,
all of that 20,000. And then in 19 91 when Shelene won the election then they he hired Marlin Riley out of Herman and they went into a contract
and uh the uh the deal was there was a deputy supposed to be living in Hoffman and so when Shellene got sheriff he talked to Herman City Council and Hoffman And he he cut that in half.
He said, "We'll we'll give it to Hoffman for 10,000. We'll give it to Herman for 10,000. If the deputy doesn't have to live in Hoffman, then he hired Riley and Marlin came to work and lived at Herman." So their budget used to be way
more than than that, too. And then over the years u and it's a good deal for the for the cities this deal because they don't have to buy equipment, don't have to buy insurance, they have no liability. If they have a complaint they
can say go talk to the sheriff and uh so you know I know what a good deal this is for the city in this town in this county. It's a real good deal for them. if they had to have their own police department, they'd have all those problems. But uh and u it's not
it's not that way now for and uh city of Ashby, you know, they're they're happy with these contracts because when they got into it a few years back, their budget was like 150 120,000.
And now, you know, they'll tell you, well, now we pay whatever it is. I'm not sure it's like 40 something 45 maybe. So I know they're happy about it because they don't have any of those other issues. So >> well I think if anything chain is a good
question for the cities the next meeting where >> Yeah. So but here here's the issues. You know a lot of people will say well we're paying double tax. Well, you're they're not because the crime and the
city ordinances that have to be enforced. It's not really happening out in Stony Brook Township Township there. There's really no ordinance violations out there. And that's where the cities, at least when I was a sheriff, we had problems with enforcing
city ordinances because people wouldn't clean up their property. you know, you'd issue them the warnings and the all this paperwork and they still wouldn't do it. So, when you cite them, when you cite them, then the
the prosecutors comes in. And then there's an expense there with the prosecutor. They're charging by the hour to prosecute these things. And if I was on the city council, I wouldn't like that. And I know they don't like it. Well, that's that's that's one of the problems. But but it's it's there's
there's things that will get you in trouble with these police contracts. And one is dog complaints. The other one is city ordinances. You have to stay on top of it as best you can. But uh it's it's difficult for uh
uh for to deal with these people who won't clean up their property. It's a difficult deal. So, but anyway, I'm uh I I think, you know, I've told Troy this and he's the one that that's
working on all of this that it is a real good deal for the cities within Grand County to have those contracts. It's a money saver. But these other little problems, they have to be taken care of so that everybody's somewhat happy. That's
that's how I that's how I see it. So, that's my history on it. Been going back since '89. Uh we gradually we Hoffman, Herman, Barrett finally come in there and then Wendell Norcross
and uh then finally uh this the city of Ashia and Deli. Yep. And and just keep in mind that the problems occur where the human beings are and that's in the town mostly.
There's some problems that'll happen in the county once in a while and they can get pretty serious too, but most of the stuff that we deal with is directly related to the cities because that's where the people are and people are the
ones that need the services and that stuff. So, but anyway, hopefully we can get through this and uh keep everybody as happy as we can. You know, Mr. Chair, I got a question for the sheriff. So, these
other counties that are, you know, pursuing different contracts here and there, we're were city staff um subject to the ordinances and then, you know, the sheriff was only traffic safety and and misdemeanor, not misdemeanor, and felonies and things like that. And the
rest of the ordinances package was, you know, going on city staff. So the cities had to go out and police, you know, the people that dog complaints or or you know, nuisance property or, you know, blighted property or cars sitting around
that weren't licensed and things like that, you know, I mean, is did they I mean is that contracts migrating that direction in some of these other counties? >> So a lot of them are, you know, a minimum of 20 hours which would include the enforcement of the ordinances. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. So there's still it's a full package the ordinances and everything. Okay. But ours calls for how many hours a month? 60. >> 60. Yeah. Well, it depends on which which town, but yes. >> Right. >> Yeah.
>> Right. But the city of Elake 60 is Herman 60. Right. >> City of Blake is 8 hours a day. Okay. No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yeah. >> So that's 240 to 248. >> Yeah. The 60 comes from Hoffman Barrett Herman. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. So, none of that has changed. You know, I just think the cities are saying that it's just too expensive and when even when Sheriff Con was here, you know, he listened to this for many
years, um you know, knowing that something is probably going to have to happen because it's just continuing to go up. you know, we have the sheriff's office, you know, we're being mandated for more training and more, you know, more everything. Just it's just being
compounded. And so, Sheriff Commes used to say, you know, it it's going to have to be addressed at some point. But >> you mean he was saying that the contracts have to be adjusted to not go up?
>> Yeah. But the contracts aren't what the contracts that are now are a lot less than what the police >> department's budget used to be years ago. >> I think I think like with the city of Herman,
>> I think that their police contract right now is less than it was in 1991. I think they're I think a lot of towns are losing people and they're having to replace streets and they are not able to fund this the projects because of of
these. And so it's >> but but here's the deal. U you know the uh you have to supply your law enforcement. Uh you got to have people answering calls in your town.
>> Yep. I I know and they and they all all of the cities, you know, stated that they need they know that they need some contracting, but they're I think that just because it's getting so expensive, I think
they're going to want to lower their numbers just to make it feasible. Is that what more equitable I >> Right. So, if you look at the the concerns was they there was an understanding they wanted to contract hours But yet the contractor was too high. So
I mean that's and I don't want to get into the whole discussion about dollars and cents today. >> I mean that's I think that I think the probable solution is somewhere in a
combination of the options. I don't think any one of those is going to be what it is. I think it's going to be a combination of because those options are not exclusive. You have to pick this one or that one. You can combine them. So,
no, the the concerns I heard I have listed and there could be more that I did not get written down. I haven't thought of. I mean, so if there's more in there, get them to Dina and she'll certainly get they'll get to the public
safety committee to add them in. But if we don't fully understand the concerns, we can't come up with something, right? Well, one of the things that and I commend Ro and Doyle for working extensively on this from a committee
standpoint. Thank you for that. However, I think it's important that I know we tabled it that we look at we're looking at a 2027 budget, but this isn't just about the city contract. It's about how we're operating our department and
what our costs are. There will be dollar figures showing up attached to some of this. It's just today, let's look at the policy, right? Without I mean, because no decision I I completely understand. No decision is going to be made without dollar fingers attached to it by
anybody. But I think it's important that we understand it's not just about the cities and their contract. It's a bigger issue and from our from a leadership standpoint and I know I'm speaking to the choir. I know you you
guys know that, but I think it's okay to be set that the June meeting or excuse me, the July 7th meeting was when I intended to attach dollar figures to some of this because decisions aren't I I get it.
Decisions aren't going to be made without dollar figures there. But today, it's just let's think about the policy of how we want to go and then from there we'll attach dollar figures. Otherwise, if you do that too early, then it just becomes about the dollar figure.
>> One of the things I would ask also the committee staff pulling and I I agree that it might be a combination. Are we going to let cities exempt out and apply a different process to respective cities
and how that comes back around to the >> remember last meeting we made that motion and it approved that the five core cities that have two hours or more per day all have to go in or we don't do anything. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Getting old and forget
>> so that that issue has been answered. Yes, >> that's right. So on the 16th then we're going to have a one-hour work session and then all the cities are be invited so we can talk back and forth to the cities and uh go over things. So that'll
be good. That'll be good because you know uh yeah it' be good to just find out what what's going on talking to the whole court. So, but there won't be any
decisions made at the official meeting on the 16th. That will be on the 7th. >> Well, so on the 7th is I don't even know that we in my mind I don't even know that we're looking at a motion on the 7th. What I would say is let's look at a consensus and say that and I haven't
looked at them remember which one it is, but options X, Y, and Z are not really feasible. We're going to throw those out. So now you've nar you're starting to narrow it down. The August 4th is where I think we should start getting more. The fourth or what's two week
18th? By the 18th, I think we certainly need much more direction to that gets us down to about five weeks for budgeting. Then, Mr. Chair, I got a couple things I'd like to add. So, we we need true numbers. We need we need factual numbers
of what these cities had for law enforcement and what it cost them. Okay. Okay. Now, the city of Ela Lake, League of Minnesota cities for you to cover a police department in on your insurance and things like that. That number needs to come out right along with Leverne's
old budget and where those numbers were at prior to us taking over those contracts. much like, you know, uh, Ashby, much like, you know, uh, Burman, what what did it truly cost u those
cities for that law enforcement, you know, in their communities and them as employees of of the city? That needs to come out. So then we know when we have true numbers to work with. So we're not we're not playing the, you know, the he said, she said, well, we don't
know these numbers. No, no, no. We need all the facts. is going to come out of that the the first you know the next meeting you got tomorrow and then for our next board meeting. Okay, if I can check that
>> when this what they were paying back when they went contract >> before they went to county contracts. What were those numbers? What Lee Minnesota City's insurance coverage budgets where things were at operating budgets and things like that. So then we
know a true number moving forward because that is a true number. It'd be pretty easy probably to get that information from Elm Lake and Ash. I'm not so sure about Hoffman because that's how many years ago
>> 89 37 years ago. I don't know that >> but are digitalized. I do firmly believe though that back in 1991 when Herman went with that city contract that their budget hadn't been more than what it is now because you know they were buying
cars and they were paying full one full-time wage and uh and a couple part- timerrs down there. Don't you think, and I agree with you, Bill, but if you're sitting on a city council in one of these communities and
you're trying to go through this budget and levy process just like we do, it's different. If you look at the tax base, you look at the impacts. I mean, I sit on the solid waste and recycling committee and we're this is changing and that's changing and they're they're
looking at a way to to address their levy just like we are and so and I think the number is okay to know but that's really not the arena we're playing in if you're a city council person. >> It's where where the true cost was
before you moved off. But the two cost back then doesn't relate to today. >> No, it be >> No, it's never going to, but at least we know >> it would be a lot more. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, you got you got to have a starting point. >> So,
anyway, it'll be a good discussion on the 16th. That'll be that'll be fun to have everybody in the room and and see. But I I I do know that would get you in trouble with police contracts is city
ordinances and dog complaints. I had a lot of them and I I I I handle a lot of them myself probably like the sheriff's doing now because the deputies are busy with criminal activity. uh the sexual assaults, the uh the uh thefts,
uh the uh domestic assaults, uh the criminal stuff that that takes basically you have to give that a little precedence over the city ordinance. Okay? And uh and so but uh but but they
need to be taken care of and uh it's not all that much fun dealing with people in violation of city ordinances because they're tough to handle. They they do not want to pick cleaner property up and they'll push the limit on every every uh
little level that you're on leading up to uh writing the citation and then they'll plead not guilty in court and then county attorney or your city attorney is billing by the hour. he has to go to court and then all of a sudden you got a $10,000
attorney prosecuting bill and I wouldn't like that if I was on city council for a year but anyway so do we have anything else today on that good so
guess we're down to board committee update um budget finance committee We met last week and kind of went over where we're standing. We're going to meet again for review the first week of July.
>> Second second week, >> the second week of July, but in the meantime, we are going to start meeting with departments in June for budgeting purposes. 202 building committee chambers.
>> We uh >> met recently just went over things we talked about like that >> diffuse or whatever it was in the courthouse that had issues. We talked about >> the big thing is tomorrow they're going
to move um the IT equipment out of the small data room in the courthouse over to the LEC data room. >> So more early facility maintenance and get that moved so we can get that issue of overuse in
that small room. >> Good luck there. >> Okay. uh EMS committee me and Billy. Um we have we have a meeting coming up on the 11th.
>> Yes, there there's a meeting coming up to to look at the the plan and get some of that financial information from like region to bring it back to the board. >> Okay. And then on uh
Friday, I do have a sprint paramedic meeting at 2:30. That's where they they meet. They meet monthly that's on the EMS. And our sprint paramedics been doing well. I
even met one myself last night, the emergency room. So, little fishing problem I had, but they were they were good. Uh, they were helping out some other people there, too. So,
okay. Personnel committee Doyle. We met with law enforcement again. We're working on some of that stuff. We agreed to with the contract and we're we're working on I already had text about lining up days to start
interviewing for the VSO. All right. Highway committee. That'd be Bill and I. Uh we're going to have a meeting. Matt wants to have a meeting on uh Monday at 1 p.m. to go over some future
stuff with the highway committee. I don't need to get back to you with that date. Uh No, he might have. He might have, but it it'll work for me, he said. Okay. So, >> okay. >> But, uh, so other than that, I did go out check on that uh, deal
where we were helping Pelican Lake Township out on those two culberts up there by south of the interstate. That was a couple year long process where we were looking for bridge bonding and stuff. And that that one's all done. They got that one all done. And then I
don't know if they cranked up Harrison Bridge yet, but the equipment's out there. The crane is out there. So that So anything else? I do know the guys are patching on County and kind of getting that all prepped up, but I would guess
they're probably doing I haven't been down on you know the Donnelly Road from 27 to Stevens County line. I would guess they're probably doing some patching on that getting ready for chip sale. So I've seen them come from the from the south. So they've they're working down in that region, skid loaders and rowers
and trucks and people and sign guys and all kinds of stuff going on. All right. Public safety committee Troy and Doyle. >> I think we've covered that where where we're at.
>> Yeah. Okay. Solid waste can and Troy. We didn't meet we last August. >> Okay. Strategic planning committee Troy and Ben again. >> There was a survey sent out. I don't know. We'll hear the results of tomorrow.
>> Yep. There's a meeting tomorrow um to talk with it and the future of it in Grant County. Um, we did send out a survey to tell the department heads to collect some information about it, um, and what they think, you know, for their departments in the future it might look
like. And we'll go over all that information tomorrow and Sean Larson will be there to talk about Morris electronics and what their continuity of operations plan is. So, should be good discussion. the gest of it and we probably talked
about it is that from a succession plan what's Sean's view we're more electronic he's aging like the rest of us and I think it's important that we're part of that
very much so Horizon Public Health Doyle and I >> meeting on Monday is there >> yeah meeting on Monday and and uh Angie now has uh taken over that leadership role there. Um Ann will be there till
I think July 1st, but uh but Angie now is uh taking over the role and uh they're trying to they're in the process of filling the couple slots there to position. So haven't heard nothing on
that yet, but we will tomorrow or on Monday I guess. Okay. Western Prairie. >> Yeah, we don't have that. That Western Prairie got pushed down to the 12 because we have uh region region
district agency meeting on at 8 a.m. on Friday. this Friday. We're all invited out there to go. So, there is some implementation money for the act. There was come
through the legislature. There was some money for SNAP, but it was not very much. So, there's potentially going to be large increases there still because there was some money that come through, but not what we were hoping for.
>> Yes. I wish it would follow. Yes, you did a presentation to do on Friday on purpose. I think our coordinator will be doing that, won't you, Tina? >> What's that? >> Don't you speak for the county at the
AMC district? >> The chairman does well for Bill. >> No, the coordinator. That's her role. >> She did the last time. She did a good job. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Is there any other thing to come
before the board today? If not, I'll adjourn the meeting at 9:49. Thank you. only the 12 from the