Well, it's 8:30 and we'll get the work session going. Reed, well, morning guys. So, Tina and I have been kind of brainstorming for a little while here and we put together this work session kind of timeline deal. Tina did
a lot of the putting the words together so you could understand what it said. So I'm give Pina lots of credit because I don't think my brain flow is quite as straight line as hers. So it was good. It solved a lot of problems for me. So just going to do this quick. So all of you know in beginning of 24 we took over
solid waste and then we spent that first year basically just trying to figure out the program and in all honesty we are still figuring out some things with the program that are not either happen every year or very straightforward some. So, we're think we got a pretty good handle on it, but there's always some stuff
we're learning. So, then this year, what we did is said, okay, there's some stuff that's either outdated or some stuff that could use updating. So, then we spent a while with solid waste committee and folks trying to get to where, okay, these sets of things need to happen because they just aren't quite right.
So, that's what we spent most of the first part of the year doing. And then we said, okay, we got these three goals. We're going to try and make things basically fair for everybody which is equitable for all stakeholders. We want this to be a volume based so you basically are paying for what you get
rid of. We want it to be simple. So I can tell you in like two sentences how the solid waste program works and there's no circles. There's no having to backtrack. There's no well there's five scenarios and all that. So that's why we set it up this way. So, what we have now
is in August, we sent out a letter that said, "Hey, we're going to get carts for all you guys out on the lakes." After in July, you guys said, "Yep, that's a good idea. That's a easy way to get rid of all those problems we talked about before." So, what we're going to do is they got are getting all those carts hopefully starting the end of this week.
They got delivered yesterday. So, we did that. And then there was another letter that went out at the beginning of October informing them that these are coming again. And when we did that, Inger Bretson said, "Okay, if the original plan was in 27, so we spent 26
where we updated carts and we got rid of that orange bags piece because of nobody using it and trying to get down to that those three models there." Mcnar said, "Hey, the difference in what someone will pay in 27 and what we
charge them in 26 is quite a bit different because of the two different ways we charge, how the county charges somebody and how Ingram charges are not apples to apples. So when you make that jump, there's going to be a pretty good
up, you know, price on some of these folks. you know, anywhere from 130 to 200 plus bucks a year, which is quite a bit more than what we normally would increase those uh tax assessments a year. You know, you try and do that 30, 40, 50 bucks to cover everything. But so
what we did is, okay, we got to figure out what a different solution or a better route is. So Tina and I said, well, let's do some quick history figuring out. So we took and said, okay, what's the tipping be from 2000 to now? Well, it's a straight it's gonna up. We
all know that it'll go up again January one. >> 4% >> 4% a year for the last five at least. Otherwise, it's around that. And then what we did is we said, okay, those tax assessments, have they kept up with that straight line? The short answer is no.
Because since the last five years or so, maybe six, they have been stagnant. They've been flat at the same rates as they were in 2019 till today. They haven't changed. But the price to get rid of all that stuff has gone up. So there should have been or we needed to
do some sort of adjusting. So now we are less than what it actually costs get rid of some of that stuff which was backfilled by levy dollars or by the city or by those on mandatory routes. It kind of help with that big budget circle. So what we did is we met with
Anger Bretson and we went okay we got to figure something out here. So then what we did is we met with Ken and Troy and we met with the solid waste committee and said we got to come up with either a different plan or we need to accept the fact that in 27 there's going to be a big jump and the holler is going to take
a black eye look like they're trying to make handover fists by jumping those prices. But we said and Troy was big help in this part. He said, "Hey, maybe we need to push this one more year because that way the county takes the licks there in 27 when we try and get
prices and our model closer to what it will be in 27 or what would be would be 27 but in 28. So then the county kind of takes the brunt of, you know, unhappy people or okay, we jacked the rates a little because of AB, C, and D. And now
we're coming 27 to8 the transition is okay, it's $10 difference or whatever that difference is. It's a lot more manageable, a much more easier bite to swallow. So, those are kind of our two options. And then Ken said, "Hey, we're
been dragging this out a little while already. Are we going to want to drag it out a whole another year if it just pushes stuff down the road?" Kind of like that card for the horse or rip the bandit off deal. And there's not really a good yes or no either way. It's
kind of a who do you want to take the brunt of this county not making up that tipping fee mixed with the rest of the stuff that has all gone up over the last five years part in in my brain I would I don't want to push it to 28 because now
we prolong this unequal un messed up part of this whole system another year but I think that would give us time to then fix a bunch more things and have it basically easy peasy hand off to Inger Britson to do the billing and then the
cities are on board, the rural folks know what's going on. Everybody's in the same boat versus well half of them aren't nobody's no idea what's going on or all of a sudden it's happening and giving a black eye to the hauler which you're really trying to not do because they're a really good hauler. Especially
if you've talked around to some of the other companies that have some of the other haulers, they've had some issues with even just pickups or not showing up or picking up the wrong days or getting charged way extra for things or extra for every little nickel and dime thing. Anger isn't that way. And they've been
very helpful in trying to point out things that, hey, since we took over in 2020, here's some things that we've noticed here in Grant County that are not like any of the other three, four, five counties they work in. For better or worse, some are good. Some aren't because they're just old ways of doing it. So, one of them was that orange bags
deal. No other counties really use those because it's a old system and now we're kind of transition away from those. But those are kind of our two two plans. We either got to go to 27 and the rates will get crazy because
>> Did you run out the cost of the county? Yeah. So either no matter what route you go, so in my my budget, there's a line for hauling and there's a line for tipping fee. That's two basically each of them are 200 220,000 a piece. So you
pretty good chunk of change, but which you pick, they'll both it'll go away whenever Inger Britson goes to hauling goes to doing the billing because what they bill a customer for is the disposal fee, which is that hauling and the tipping fee together. Right now, the county is paying ingabits and haul it
and I pay pope we pay Douglas to dispose of it versus the customer is actually paying for it to be hauled and disposed like you would anywhere else. And that's in the city right now. We they pay us whenever we tell them here's what you got to pay. Then they pay us and we turn
around and pay the hauling contract. We pay the tipping. The city would be the same kind. >> How many ton a year is it? countywide is 2,700 tons roughly and about between 500 and 600 are those that are already
contracted directly with Niger. >> So 27 plus that >> uh 27 or minus that. So about 2100 is the mandatory routes and in town 2700 total tons for the whole program. But the stuff that's not that's the other 5600.
>> The other 5600 are like folks like Troy who are out who are not on a route and not in town. So they're not >> he pays Britson or >> he pays Britson. So his fee he what he gets charged a month or a year from Inger Britzen is he pays the hauling and he pays tipping directly to them.
>> So is the choice of the world been increase the tipping fee? >> Correct. >> They have. >> Yep. Every year. So in that contract we have thinking every year the price to dispose of a 65gallon goes up 45 cents 50 whatever the whatever their formula
is to cover hauling increase and tipping fee increase. >> So 2700 for everything else in the county >> 2100 for everybody else 20 >> 2100 >> y 2700 is countywide with the choice. So yeah, so everybody else has seen the
increases and the folks in town have seen increases a little, but it gets absorbed by some other options in the budget that doesn't show like it does to choice or the non-mandatory people >> because I've got a dumpster and mine's about uh
>> around $60 a little one way or the other. >> Yep. And so you've seen an increase of that because you're also in that same boat. >> So it's >> Yeah. Yeah. So what's happening is like Troy, myself, you do, we're paying the tipping fee and we're paying the
disposal fee. And then what's also happening is that we're also picking up what the mandatory routes in the cities aren't paying. We also take on that other $200,000 in a budget. That also gets pushed back to us. So what's
happening is like when it goes to the hauler the savings is going to be that $200,000 is all the people who are in world who are double a little tipping fee now >> they're only going to get one tipping fee now. So it's a it's going to be
cheaper for all the non-mandatory because we've been picking up for what the mandatory haven't been paid. And >> so that number follow up on that 2100 since 2019 it's gone up about $25 a ton
that's 52,500. >> Yeah. If you >> just in the tipping fee alone >> in the tipping fee that we haven't passed on >> per year. No, right. That's total. >> No, no, that's total. Total for the five. So, because
>> the tipping fee only goes up four or five bucks a ton or four%. >> It's about 67,000 a year. >> Yeah. Seven grand a year that hasn't gotten pushed to the taxes or pushed to wherever. >> It will help us track it for score dollars.
In my opinion, create efficiencies in it. And then you can track it, right? A lot way easier. And it would push people to recycle. >> It would help. And we >> especially the dumpster people. >> Yeah. >> Which I'm sure you guys do, right? You
recycle. >> We We started recycling about probably eight months ago and we noticed that our dumpster is way less full. Like we started using everything else. And after hearing how recycling actually benefits
the county and I think a lot of people don't have this like being part of the solid waste committee, you don't realize how much money it saves the county by recycling. >> Absolutely. >> And it saves taxpayers. So that's it helps save on our dumpster space, but
now all of a sudden it helps the county in the tonnage for the recycling as well. >> And regardless, you're going to get build regardless if they come or not. Right. >> Right. So the hope is like you you could then downsize your dumpster or go to a cart instead or a bigger cart and get
away probably not where you are but there's folks on the lakes that had dumpsters that when we rolled the carts out they've now decided to go the carts are out because it was whatever was on the taxes and they don't have to go pay that different I don't actually think I need a dumpster cuz it was never full it
was never you you know that'll be a lot more efficient on the hauler side because you just roll up grab the cart and go versus the dumpster is a lot are back and forth and open stuff up to them at the end. But >> so I I think the thing to consider is
if we're going to make up this cost difference in the program if you do it in 27. The concern is that it would look like fingerprints and taking on the new system would be characterized as the I would
say the bad guy, but the one that's made up for this. If you delay it and you split it, we can take some of the blame and then rips and picks up scraps on the on your later. At some point, it's going to get
it's going to happen. It's just a matter of and I don't know how Troy Richson feels about it, but that's to me it's >> So when I met with him last week on Tuesday, he liked the idea of 28 from the fact that the county is kind of
correcting some of its deals. He said he would he'll roll with whatever route we're going to go is fine, but he just wants to know which route we're going to go so he can have things ready to go because either 27 or 8 the grand scheme plan is okay instead of the county
billing you on your taxes billing you directly billing the city this now bills city for x number of canister to this size this side and that they bill you directly on the lake they bill you directly on not on the lake and it's all
the same price no matter what. So if you have 65 or you or you, no matter where your 65 is, it costs exactly the same. That's our end goal. >> So where does it fall into on these dumpsters that are out here by the lake on the east and west side of the lakes? >> So the folks around the lake who are
forced to use the dumpsters would get So in Stevens County, there's a similar deal. They have a couple subdivisions in the same boat we are. What happens is that whole subdivision just splits the bill for the cost for the year and that's what they do. >> Okay. But it's a direct bill then. Yeah. Good. Okay.
>> Because I that's was one of Carl's question said, "Well, does that have to stay on the tax ro since they had the dumpster and I talked to Troy about said, "Well, in Stevens, we do this with a couple of them." And said, "Well, if you already do it there, I think we can probably do that here. If as long as we, you know, do the letter, do the call, let everybody know what the plan is,
what's happening." >> So, on the west side of the lake, they get an additional dumpster for the summer, that will be a direct bill to them as well. >> Correct. That's what they'd like. Yep. >> Okay. And some of, you know, some of these lake places went from fully seasonal to like the golf course a lot. A lot more full-time residents out
there. Yes. >> So maybe they do actually need that dumpster year round or fulltime. Whereas right now it's in the contract. It's only there half the time. >> So if we wanted to be there full-time, probably should go through all the hoops of adjusting all that to do that versus you just say, "Hey, I'd like garbage
service an extra dumpster from this day to this day or fulltime you go." Like right now if you're seasonal, you get a seasonal rate, but you still have garbage all year round. Versus if you were direct to the hauler, you just call and say, "Hey, I'm gone from September,
October till April. You don't have to come to my house." Then they don't. It's already you're only paying for the months you're using. That's kind of trying to simplify it down too because it's pretty easy to say, "Oh, you want garbage service? Here's our hauler. Call them. Here's the
rings versus well if you live here or here or here here it's different. So I mean where do you live? It gets the county out of the garbage game or the garbage business because right now being the money middleman for all this we're really are your business
in the middle of all these other players. What I would propose is we use 27 to transition from building per tons to gallons. So that's how it's going to be built. And 28 going on is gallons or
yard. You know, if you have a dumpster, it's yards, not gallons, but it's a volume base, not a weight base. So, we are transitioning to what will be used in the future and it's still on the county rather than the hall.
That's what I I mean to me that's what that additional year is is it's the transition year from everyone now has a canister. We're trying to standardize rates and now we're in a transition in that last year where it's county build. We're going to transition to a volume based
building rather than a rate base. Because currently the non-meditary folks are already at that uh volume base. They're paying for whatever size dumpster, whatever size cart they have. The cities and rural are paying based on their percent of the tonnage the year
previous. So Ela Lake here is 32% in 24. They paid 32% of the solid waste budget minus a couple items that don't apply to them. Which creates again another complicated way of figuring out what to charge them and how to do this versus okay, Ela Lake has 50 of these carts,
500 of these carts, 60 dumpsters. This is what it is. >> So in 2027, will the cities get built based on the percent of the weight? >> The hope would be >> like they are now >> in 26 yes. in 27. No, they would be transitioning the same as the folks on
the lakes. >> How many carts do you have? And we would try and get it as close to what it will be in 208 before any increases so that this transition is smoother. >> Okay? because we want the transition from the county lead to the hauler doing
the billing to be smooth so it doesn't affect the residents don't even know what's happening other than they got a bill versus their taxes or the city got the bill versus from ingretson versus me the >> so it's my vision of it in the 27 would the cities would not be paying on their
based on their weight from 26 it would be the amount of gallons they have available for garbage in that month or quarter, what, however you want to run the volume, >> the volume, you may not have to wait.
>> And by waiting for 28, it also gives us another a couple months and half of 26 also to figure out exactly how to build the cities like that. Okay, these the cities would like to be build a month or do the cities need a quarter of time? What? Because Angry Birth is pretty open to either one because they know they're
going to get paid. They don't have to worry about not getting paid from the city or from the county. They'll get paid. But the little lady that's only got a little bit in the bottom of that great big container per, you know what I mean? She's going to get build for the the container >> currently in town, she would get built for that same container or if she lived
out in the country, she'd get built for that same container. >> I don't think how we operate allows for >> so changes there. >> So the scale tickets won't you we won't be tracking the tonnage. No, we'll still
weigh everything because we still need to know all that tonges for our end, all the reporting for all the other things and we can still do the same thing we have been as far as okay this this city has this percent if they would like that information >> that's easy enough for me to put in Excel and that's all for
>> well you have to know your tonnage you have recycling there recycling standards that have to be met and that's based off of >> yeah soul question very if in 26 that We're going to have the containers volume base
and the cities are going to pay pay based on their 25 times >> y >> in 27 we'll have the containers but the cities won't be based hospital won't have 15% of it they'll be based on
something >> they'll be based on the amount of carts they have which will be the amount of gallons available to them >> okay So, at some point, we know that the tipping fee has gone up $25 a ton since
the county changed it. >> Y what point, let's rip it up. At what point then is that 25 coming? >> So, is it coming right away? Is it coming right in time or? So I think what
we need to do from go from this year to next is we have okay we know the cost of the rental is already going on the taxes. We need to at least make the 4% that's coming this year and maybe the one from the year previous. So you'll get eight of that 24 back and then the following year when you make the jump
again that's when you're going to have to hit the the additional percentages that were short. >> So we going to communicate that to the customer. We have increased there's been >> there'll be a letter that go out to all the folks. There'll be a public meeting
where we do all the same stuff we do with carts, give you all the info or just come and listen or watch on the website, do our and then put it on Facebook quick sheet of here's what it is and why and do our best to communicate to everybody
what it'll be and regardless they're still going to call talk to them still walk them through what we can that's the route >> they're going to be angry about that that eight or that what But the different the thing is that all
people who are on the non-mandatory route are still going to be picking up the other part of that. >> So you have you know around 500 people who are going to be angry but you have the other 3,500 who are not going to be
angry about her because these are the people who've been talking subsidizing these 500. >> Right. And I guess from a overall comprehensive county perspective, we know we're going to get the cost savings right in the
budget. We know that that's coming and you know, in a perfect world, we'd love to have that as soon as possible. But I think to um nurture and foster a relationship with the vendor, you know, we have to ask ourselves, is
it right to put all that pressure on them from things that the county has chosen to do historically, or do we want to keep a good working relationship with them and take some of that pressure off them so it doesn't it's not perceived that
it's them hiking up, you know, and it's going to take a lot of education, but I think having a good strong working relationship with our vendor is something Grant County wants to consider doing because, you know, we we couldn't go out and find a better
vendor probably for those rates. So >> and the service and so you mentioned that that reminds me now what I wanted to ask the statement you got it highlighted in yellow regardless of the option chosen
the county will see a savings in the solid waste budget of roughly 218,000 in your hall contract and another 220,000 tipping fees. Correct. It's not really a savings. It's a shift. >> It's a savings as far as it's no longer
on the tax levy. It is directly on the bill you as a person are paying. You're not paying the county taxes on that extra 440 grand. >> It's not I'm not collecting that money on your tax. It doesn't go away that I pay
>> I pay my own tipping fee because I have my own beverage can now because we haven't been enough for the mandatory route. I'm also paying in my levy dollars to subsidize for the mandatory
route people. So I'm I'm in essence I'm paying twice on the tipping fee. That's that's where the savings is. If the hauling contract isn't go going to go down 220,000 >> the county will pay zero dollars in the hauling contract. Our contract with
Bretson will just be to be the hauler and have pricing. We won't pay Benson a penny anymore for that because it'll go away. The it is shifting from the county paying you in like tax paying. >> You have an expense and you have income.
>> We don't get any income off. I you got a contract. You build Ken Johnson $264 a year. It includes an expense and income. If you take it away, it doesn't get to be a savings because both of them go
away. Correct. Am I right? It it's still an expense to the person utilizing the service. >> Right. But when you talk about the county necessarily, we're we're able to take that out of the
county budget though, >> but we won't have the expense either. >> But we won't have the expense. >> There'll be no expense, but there's no revenue. >> I'm not trying to call your statement out, but all you just didn't find 220,000 400 and some thousand bill.
>> The difference is is our income was less than the expenses >> already. So that's the savings is the difference between the income that you're receiving and the expenses, not the 450,000. >> No, but I just want to make sure I'm
thinking right. >> No, I mean it's good to have these conversations because we got to really think about how we're going to educate the public, too. Um, and we're all learning. None of us are solid waste recycling experts. So we're all learning
trying here again. Go back. We want to make it equitable for all stakeholders. We want it volume based and we want to simplify it so we can explain it to people. So this conver this is good. This is why we are having a work session and we'll probably have more just to make sure we all are understanding as we
move through the process >> with the goal of recycling and getting to a certain percentage and that needs message needs to be conveyed because you know our our we've grumbled about this for years. the $19 million that gets
collected across the state and we get token money coming back, >> right? >> Solid waste management tax, >> you get our 3% and that's kind of >> which it's based, you know what I mean?
>> You know, we shouldn't grumble about price tag because it wasn't like it is today though. They bumped that up a little bit. Oh, we got about 3 minutes left. So, we're going to have to wind this up. Anybody got anything else for Reed?
Anything else, Reed? >> Nope. I'll see you at whatever time I'm on next. I don't >> think I had a meeting down in Morris. I better go check it.
I think we could pull it together if we did it the next year. It's just trying to say the black eyes. >> Yeah. >> Different because we put the owl up on the ceiling.
>> So when you're on, we need you today. We need you to sit here. So >> we've got to do some adjustments here. Driving. When you guys are is this is the old system,
they're going to know the new system is X and then consoles. pass out the bingo. We weren't sure before whether that or not. Does anybody know
>> turkey cities department used to do it years back and then that migrator and then >> on some of the dollars but it don't sound like they they want to do
invoice. You want to put that on the >> No, I never Okay, I'll >> on the agenda, right? >> When we talk about the warrants, I'll bring it upstate. >> He's over there discussing that. Do you need me for your work? If that's alliance
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. Uh question. When we do the Western Prairie
Committee update, do we want to have a shutdown update from Western Prairie? Casey said she'd come on and give us one on it. I don't >> the closed meeting you're talking. >> No. >> Oh, just to have an update. >> Get an update of what's going on. She
got the the link. >> Sure. >> Why not? >> Okay. So, approval of the agenda. What had to be Stephen? So, in the board
packet was um October 21st um meeting minutes, but then I would like to add for approval the meeting minutes from Friday's meeting, October 31st. >> With that addition, Mr. Chair, I will make that motion.
>> I'll second. Any more discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I both the board meeting board meeting minutes >> warrants >> for the warrants. Yeah.
>> Okay. So um Chad reached out to me um and indicated that um the warrants that were emailed out there is a correction and it has to do with the ARPA funds. um West Central Minnesota Community Actions. If you'll notice in in the
commissioner warrants, um they requested 62,500 of ARPA funds for the second house they're going to be building. It should have been 52,500 and that is the new invoice you all have
in front of you. So, you can see that. So with that correction for the warrants is what we would ask the board to consider approving. I'll make a motion to pay the bills. Have >> a motion. We need a second.
Second. Open. Second. Any questions on any of the bills? All >> in favor? B. I carried. >> And I was super eager to get the bills paid. So now we can do the minutes.
>> Yeah. And I'll make that motion. Mr. Chair, for the last two meeting minutes that were presented, >> including including the October 31st. >> I'll second that.
>> Any questions on any amendments? All >> saying I hear that. So we started doing solid waste. Remember that you wanted updates quarterly. So this is your quarter three
update. I'm less than anybody wants to. My plan is kind of just going to give you a broad overview of the kind of the three. So the solid waste numbers are looking pretty much the same year to year. We don't tend to fluctuate much except for right now are not mandatory. It's up
like 50 tons for quarter three. So, I don't know if we just had a lot more folks sign up for garbage service or what or there was just more folks chucking stuff right now or what, but we'll see at the end of the year what that looks like, but that's kind of the
only difference there. The cities are all pretty similar to their percentages for next year. So, they all were kind of given the head up. Here's what your percentages are roughly looking like for next year when I added in quarter four from last year to get them full years
worth of data. So other than that for solid waste everything is kind of chugging along. Um like we've mentioned a couple times before tipping fee at Pope Douglas will go up that 4% January one. Far as recycling um the numbers look
basically the same as they did from 24 to 5. hasn't seen a lot of change that way. So, they're pretty pretty stagnant, but we're going to try and do a couple things and get some education pieces out and have some conversation with some cities if there's some things we can do
try and get some of those numbers up. So, we're seeing a little bit maybe with those larger trailers tend to hold more. So, less folks are having to drive away and come back and be able to use those. Oh, then for organics um the numbers are
well sorry the drop sites are up the it's after the curb side is recursor recycling then it's the drop sites and that's where you're seeing a little bit increase but not much. That last page is organics and that is down a little bit cuz we had a couple places that used to
do it that aren't doing it but they've started they didn't do it for the first like six months of the year but for whatever reason they've kind of started to do a couple more in some places. So we're we're chug along. Uh starting the second week of October, Riverview Dairy
started doing organics out there and they had in three weeks six uh five and a half tons. So our whole quarter three was about 12 tons. So they had basically half what we had for the whole year in three weeks. So our organics tendencies are going to jump quite significantly.
And out there what their organics are the paper towels. They used to have a robot that would come in and clean all the utters. But now the cows don't like it. It doesn't work. They go back to guides and bags and which should mean that the tonnages out in the rule or non they would be
non-mandatory will go down because you're not putting all that in the waste. So >> nothing they can reuse out there. They buy a lot of their stuff in bulk so that they don't have a lot of recyclables even because we thought if they had the big totes that you bought any of the
iodine or any of the stuff they use in house but they buy it in thousandgallon tanks or 2,000gallon tanks that they fill and go from there. We had the same talk and then we talked with Stevens County Bill over there who's got four or five dairies and that's where him and Troy Edwards both said you should get to do organic because you're already doing
it in Stevens County. So it was basically drop the dumpster off and go. They didn't no training, no nothing. They already knew what the gig was. So, and then Barrett has started getting a bunch of places up and going. Herman got their gas station going. Um, they're
working on a place in Hoffman. They just have to see if they want to do it. So, making some headway there, which contribute to that getting closer to that 35% recycling rate by 20. We're good with uh Riverview. That should help a bunch. That's quite a bit of tonnage
versus what we normally have to get. So other than that, that is kind of the quarter three update for me. Unless any of you have anything else or questions. >> Anybody got any questions for Reed? >> Okay, thank you.
Hey, >> morning guys. Just looking for approval to order my pickup. Um, and it just needs the $500 deposit. Think Tina sent you right
invoice, I guess. budget and everything. >> It's it all fits in the budget. >> When uh are we expecting delivery? >> He said I think he said 12 to 16 weeks or something.
>> It'll be springtime. Yeah. Yeah. It all fits within our budget. >> Send Jamie an email letting her know there's unusual. Yep. So, you had a 100,000 truck service truck
350. It doesn't look like you have this. >> No, we moved some stuff around. Um, this felt like it fit into a better spot for us. So, >> when you say fit, so if you look at the spreadsheet, the the numbers dollar-wide
budget doesn't >> it doesn't change the number of the budget dollar. It's just Yep. It's just moving some stuff from next year to this year. It's moving some stuff around. >> So, yeah, you guys get that approved
that we get that check for the deposit before the next run of builds. >> Yes. So, be Friday. >> So, are you trading anything in? >> No. keeping the Tacoma for a runaround and
then >> kind of replacing the old Chevy just kind of board >> and we we what what's going on is we took one of so they had a truck for the surveyors before we just took that and put it to one of the outline shops so we won't be purchasing a truck for that
shop next year it's just sort of moving stuff around is all it is so yep Mr. Chair. >> Yep. >> I'll make a motion to purchase the truck. >> Okay, we got a motion. We have a second.
>> Second. >> Chad, did you want a motion or anything to pay that $500 or >> you just do it? >> What is consensus for the board will issue the payment on Friday? So I would suggest Pat since that is
somewhat of a working document that I would suggest you update your spreadsheets and >> I will I'll take care of that. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any more discussion?
All in favor motion sign everything I >> hear. Thanks. Thank you. >> Did anybody object to that pause that is being paid on Friday? No. All right. I got two items before you and all about the same thing.
First item is the uh bid recommendation for the County Road 52 bridge replacement. We received bids uh let's see back on the 21st. We did get two bids. Uh the low bidder was Redstone Construction out of uh they're not out
of Marshall type out of Mora, Minnesota for uh $91,223.75. It is about 5% above the estimate which was 853,000. So it's within uh the realm. So we would recommend uh I would recommend awarding
it to Redstone Construction. As a member of the highway committee, I will make that that motion, Mr. Chair, for the Redstone Construction LLC out of Mora. You said >> y 91 22375.
Okay, we got a motion. We have a second. Second. Any more discussion? All favor. Motion sign by saying I. I. >> Oppos. Okay. The next item I have is the local
bridge replacement program grant agreement. This is a standard document anytime we're receiving bridge bonding. Originally we were encumbered $695,000 towards this project. the county about 52 bridge based on estimate once the
bids came in they revised the the their amount that of the granted would be $729,100 so they upped it by a little over $30,000 um in this agreement there are three parts to it the first one would be
exhibit C which is on page eight this is the exhibit for bond finance property certification this is essentially certifying that we're going to hold, we have the rights to do the project. We have the proper land rights and that we're not going to sell the property for
37 and a2 years. So, we would need to have approval to approve that certification. Uh the second item is a resolution to accept the bridge bond funds in the
amount of $729,100 and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the grant agreement. And I guess the third thing would just be to approve the grant agreement overall and would require Doy.
So at the end of the day, we would get what was it? $729,100 and the amount the county would pay towards the project would be $172,123.75 for construction this summer.
>> So you need those as separate. You could approve them all as one document or if you want all you work best for you, one document works great for me. >> Okay.
>> I will make the motion to approve the package Matt had brought us. >> I'll second motion in a second. Any more discussion? All in favor say by saying I >> I both
here. That is all I have. Thank you. by Joseph Ashley. >> So I am here today um to ask about health insurance. Um so the insurance committee met a few weeks ago. Um Gallagher is our broker and they went
out for bid. We received two bids. One was from both three including heat but um Blue Cross Blue Shield and Fel. The insurance committee met um and looked over all of our our bids from the two and then also from PE and PE was our
best option. Um so with the increase that we are getting it was the best. we do have some high claims which affects our rates and so been here today asking for approval to go into a four-year contract with PE. Um however it is new
this year that we would go into a four-year but if there's a 20% increase we would be able to get out to go look for something else. That is the change. The other change is that they are um getting rid of the value plan. So would it just be the high and agency plan that would be offered?
I have any questions about that? You need a motion to accept the >> insurance committee's recommendation. I will make that motion. >> Second >> a motion in a second. Any more discussions? >> Yeah, I got a couple questions, Mr.
Chair. So, a four-year agreement moving forward. I don't know if that's good business, but it probably could be and it's so much uncertainty to it, but there is a motion in the second on the
floor. So, as a member of the insurance committee, you know, we we got to cover these people and we got to make sure that this thing is fluid. So, that's all I got to say. Any more discussion?
>> All in favor signify by saying I >> opposed. That's all I have. Strategic planning committee license bureau. >> Yep. The strategic planning committee met last Tuesday
and you wanted to come just present to the board that we would like to have any department that was interested in or had ideas of how to combine license bureau to let strategic planning committee know.
As we know, we have uh an unknown levy impact coming next year, 26 into 27. We're currently one of the lowest levy increase amounts in the regionly
lower. We've got probable egg land value going down, which is going to shift tax burden to homeowners from the agricultural land. We've approved $1.3 million worth of new
spending in the last month and a half or two months. We we got uh my opinion is we got budget issues coming hard next year and if we want to try to keep this service in Grant County, we have to try to find
ways to because next year when we're sitting here, if that's a $70,000 price tag on that department and it's not mandatory that it's provided, it becomes a pretty easy target if you're looking at a million dollar increase to your levy. So if we want to keep that
service, I think we need to look at alternate ways of providing it. And that's what as that cover sheet said, that's what it is. What can we do to continue providing that service? >> I'd like to mention
One of the biggest challenges coming with the sick and safe time we all know it's coming in 26 every small business small department face going to be faced with challenges
from to follow up on what Troy is saying if we can offer the service and have some cross training. We have more people available
to do the functions within the county. So if someone needs to be gone that it doesn't pose a huge level of stress or whatever that word I want to use. I think that's something that we really
got to be conscious of that safety time is a major issue and I think as we look down the road and even 26 that's something to think about. >> I got a question Mr. Chair. So what
department is interested in combining? >> I don't know that any are. We're just asking to see if anyone has anyone has any ideas. And just because a part a department might have interest doesn't mean it's going to be a fit that works.
So I got a question for Don as long as he's here. Does uh do you think that another uh department could do this or is it a standalone deal or what's your if another department is going to take
over? Who's is that person going to be available to come down to the DMV and help out when they need help? Or are you going to move the DMV up to that office?
One person to run the license bureau is a nightmare. I've done it and it's a nightmare. So, are you going to move the DMV office completely out of that space and into, let's say, Chad's office if he
wants to take over? >> Not forcing you. Um, you know, >> no one's going to force me. I know, but I mean, are you going to move the camera, the license plates, everything to that office, you know,
to me >> budget is a big deal, you know, and I listen to these meetings and I listen where one department gets this much money, then other person gets a raise, now this, and now it's coming down where I'm retiring and now my office is on the
line. for whatever a budget cut. It's fine. I'm going to be retired. I've done my service to Grant County. Whatever. For me to say another office can take
over this. I don't know how you need fingerprint, background check, training, daily training and updates, monthly training and updates to keep ahead of all that. And are you going to only have one
person in that office? You know, is that other office going to be available to fill in when they're on vacation or call in sick? I mean, I don't see which office is going to be capable of having the
availability to do that plus run their office. But that's not my decision. That's your guys's decision. And another point is if another office
does take over and they're not in the license bureau as the director, you're going to be paying someone that works in that office full-time to be a manager of office. That's state statute.
So to me that should be a pay increase for whoever's going to fill in as manager if the director is not in that office full time. So if you're going to weigh all the options
they think whichever office is thinking of taking over or would like to take over or wants to take over needs to sit down because it's not a simple transition. And I'd like to know before I do all that paperwork with the state
when I do my resignation. So because there's a stack of paperwork that needs to be done for the new director to take over. >> Mr. Chair, I got a question. >> Yeah. >> So Don, when you ended up with a new
employee, how many hours of training does that person have to take >> just to be able to get on the state website? First, they have to pass fingerprint background checks to get on to do at least driver's license part, right?
>> Training depends on how fast they did training. Training it can take probably a couple of months and then it's continue training, right? >> Because they're continually updating stuff, changing stuff. So, you're doing training constantly.
Uh we have training once a month with the state on new changes in the system, new updates, new legislature changing, it's constant. And if you're not working in that office
full-time, you fall behind. And even if another office takes over, they still need to do all that training. they still need the fingerprint back on justice. You can't get onto the system without all that.
So, it's constant. So, whoever does take over is constantly training. We do I do training every day because there's new stuff that's added into our training sessions on the computer
system. So, it's a constant one. There's constant changes and it's constant learning. >> Well, especially with the CDLs, >> there's there's some big changes that are going on there across the nation. So, it's, you know, that's continuing. >> And it's not just one department, it's
three departments. You have driver's license, motor vehicle, and BNR. >> So, you have three different departments you're dealing with. >> So, it's very specialized. >> It is. And for me to try to change train
someone to do my position right now, if it's someone other than Mary, it's going to take at least six months to get somebody trained in to take over. It's not a simple you go in, you start working, and you go take over. It's not.
So, you know, I'd like to get it started if we're going to do it because my time is running out, too. So there's a lot to learn in that office
and there's a lot to do. It's a constant everyday training learning processing and if you're not in there, you know, you have maybe three slow months out of the year. The rest of
them, you need two people standing in there. Which means if Shad takes over that position, is he going to come down there and stand and help or am I training his two employees to come in and fill it? You know, is he willing to give up his
employees to come down there or any other office that wants is thinking of taken over. You know, it it's a decision. It's not an easy job. I think what Don has explained
really demonstrates how vulnerable we are and the importance that we look at a system where there is cross treatment. I mean if you look at our other departments and if it took six months to to keep the
bid just it's really vulnerable and so whenever there's natural attrition and there's change there's also opportunity and I think it important that we look at the opportunity so we don't have one or those two people
that are that vulnerable and and that's what we have and yeah we've gotten by forever. Doesn't mean we shouldn't look at the opportunity of being offering a service yet having
backup and support in the department. >> Okay. I I've always been a supporter of the license bureau in Grand County. 25 years ago they tried to get rid of it. I think some of us remember that and uh
got a work group together and met up where I was the state was there and they've never seen so many people at that type of meeting. So no, I I don't think me personally or I don't think too many board members here want to see this
thing go away. It can't. people use this license bureau from all the counties around her and uh you know there's been some rumors the last week that it shut down and I think a few of us heard some of that stuff but I set the record straight on that. I
don't think Grant County is going to be without a license barrel. Uh, at least I hope not because a lot of people use it because it's a it's a good deal and it brings people to town and and they buy things other than license tab and they
come and communicate with the county employees and things like that and uh so you know I know how important it is and uh so but we just looking at some options here that's all I know what Don
saying She's that's that's not a job that uh that's uh that I would probably want. Uh you're dealing with the state all the time. >> You are retired. I'm kind of but but anyway, it's a
complicated deal over there when you're dealing with with everything that they deal with. So, but I just want to set the record straight that uh that's an important function for this county and uh and uh I just want people to know that I hope
it's not going anywhere. At least it'll be a no vote for me if that's the case. >> All I have to say. So, let me when you say a no vote you >> I don't know where the whole we're shutting it down. I mean the yeah on the
strategic planning the cover sheet that was sent out on Wednesday clearly states we're looking at ways to >> it was never mentioned in there to shut it down. >> No that that's my point here. >> Are you open to looking at other alternatives to providing that service? >> Well we've got to look at a lot of
things I suppose you know you know >> because I mean I don't want to go through that exercise of asking departments what are your thoughts and ideas that we come back and just says yeah we're not Well, it would be No, I'm I'm open to
looking at thing, but uh I do understand that uh it's complicated if uh if uh if it goes into some other office, it'll be complicated, but and I truly don't know of any department that No, I mean, we'd
be back here in two weeks. Yeah. We don't have nobody expressed any interest. Yeah. >> So, but then I can say we tried to figure out a way to help reduce that. I to me if you want to truly protect it,
we've got to make that $70,000 of just straight levy money much smaller. It becomes a less less of a target in a financial pinch. Right? If it's $20,000 cut rather than a 70 that it changes
your mind on it. >> No, I think I think keep on meeting and trying to figure things out and you know move forward because uh you know we're kind of in a time pitch but uh
I guess looking at other things well expressing interest is I mean if nobody express interest we'll be right back here in two weeks if they do I mean obviously we've got have an expedited timeline but the only thing I want to make clear is that
that that license the the availability of people purchasing their stuff for their vehicle and permits and driver's license needs to stay in this county and I think you know I think that that'll be the case. No,
the the budget was 73,400, but there's 15,000 for office furniture and equipment and not a rule that maybe we'll need that. But if you did X that out, that's 58,000. So, it does move closer
in choice eight. And I I know we participate in a number of other organizations. Maybe we shouldn't quite focus totally on 73. I think we should do something less than that. Unless there is a big office remodel that's in
>> my office remodel. I ordered two desks and a workt. It's estimated at less than $3,000. that was in this year's budget, but I didn't know if that was going to go through this year because there was a lot of conflict on that. So, I lowered
my budget for next year, but it it can be lowered even farther now. Anybody got anything else? Well, I got one thing. Okay. A little bit like the Dwight saying when
he says I'd be a noble. Let's see what kind of boat I would be, but I would have trouble looking at doing the same thing in the future. In other words, having that a two person
department, I don't know how many transactions or how much traffic you have. I think we're at a point we're crossraining and utilizing staff that are higher levels. We have a know the team concept in areas
that can offer the services. So someone does have to be gone that there's someone else that can step in. I think when you are able to cross trainin it it's be more of a team effort and to
have two people kind of out there and nobody else in this county can do what they do. I don't know if I support that. I think we got to look at a vision that's broader and and more futuristic than that
cuz I think it can be different and better. You got anything else we'll move on back here? Go ahead. I think I know where you're coming from and
I see your problems and predicaments. But if the dollar is our only concern, please remember the constituents, the people that depend on services. I live in Thomas County.
For years, I've come over here to get my license. I got the option. I go to Fergus. I go to Alec. Don't take that for a reason. In Alec, I would stand in line.
I hear many many disgruntled constituents and I've recommended a few of them. Well, why don't you go to Elbow? But I see your problem with your budgets and the cuts and the cost of everything
that's rising around us, the updating of equipment that needs to be. Anyway, I wish you the best and I hope you don't close the thing and say
that's all of us. This is it. We're not moving on. >> Thank you. Anybody else here? >> Legislation followup. Um, we did get the letter. Um, Sheriff's Combmes brought it
over to to me. Um, it did come and so I just wanted to let the board know we got the packet. It's not really a packet. It's more of a letter that says we have until uh May 5th to to make that's the deadline, but we have to let the DNR
know if we're going to do something, not the state statute says. So, it was just a followup to to let you know that we received the information and that is is the deadline. Um, I also included in your packet the
Morris Electronics contract for 2026. You can see that. Um, it's just it was just for your review, not looking for a motion or anything on it. We'll be bringing it back with other annual contracts, but um they provided it um to
us early so you had time to review it and um for us to talk about anything that you might want to talk about. So that was just for re review. And then the other technology item was the uh I
can never say the word right. Ashurion I think that is is what it's called. Ashurion Shurion um it's it was a system that was used to back up three offices and um it was replaced with a so used to back up the
recorder assessor and land management. I don't know how long ago but in the past it was replaced or a bigger backup server to back up the whole county. So, the cost did go up to that $14,287
and that is being paid for out of the computer fund um that each department contributes toward towards that. Um so, we wanted to make sure you were aware of that. And then also um Holly Joe shared
with me that the recorders unallocated funds will pay for the maintenance contract for the Canon scanner and also the application extender. So, it's just more of an update for you guys so you are aware of of how those systems are
being paid for. >> Do you need approval on that contract yet or that next year? >> We we're looking at doing like a consent agenda where we put all the annual contracts together and list them out. So, it was just forformational
purposes now so you guys know what will be coming. be better to keep them all together in one pack so that you can I agree with it. So the technology I got I got a question Mr. Chair with this Assyrian I mean get
you know this from 8 to 16 and they're talking I don't know 12 $13,000 or 112,000. I mean, what are we getting for the $11 for 12? >> It's a backup for all the county departments. >> Okay.
Back up to Cody as a whole. >> Yeah. Before it was three departments and now it's everybody. >> Okay. So, that makes sense. Any other questions on any of the K, you got something? >> Yeah.
The board committee updates, budget, finance committee. We met not that long ago. I don't think we got a general consensus out of that meeting. I think it was just more of a food for thought
moving forward. I would entertain another one if so choose. Well, my question for the rest of the board is there information. Is there stuff you're looking for? Want me
It's for me not right now. >> So run budget and finance. >> Mhm. >> So we I'd gotten asked about the levy for H. It was 200,000
and wondered what the budget was. I said, "Well, I don't know. I don't think we received one." I don't know if we did or didn't, but there is statute that permits the H to levy a certain amount in well with
underneath that. However, in the same statute, it does say that if the county has a policy that u a budget's got to be presented by a
certain date that we have the right to look at it in case it's excessive. And I guess the question is, and I don't know if we have a um a policy that relates to that or not,
I mean, we get reports from the historical society. We get reports from the fair. We get reports from the library. We get reports from pretty much every other entity that requests us to levy the
taxpayer. I think we should get a report from the H substantiate the request of $200,000 from the taxpayer. And I think that should be an ongoing whether we need to
set a policy by before levy is set. We can request one now before the final. But if we're going to get reports from the others and the statute states you
should get it from them then someone should reach out to that organization and request this you can address it before our final
Mr. Sure. I got a couple of statements I'd like to make. You know, we've back the license bureau and the H and all these all these different, you know, entities that, you know, dollars and and things like that. This is Yeah. and
they've come with board presentations and, you know, clarity and where things are at and the trust that we've, you know, instilled in them to make sure that they're fluid and, you know, there's transparency and they're we're
getting something for those tax dollars. You know, including our department heads. You know, this Grant County has been a welloiled machine since I've been on this board and I put a lot of trust in these department heads. And that's one thing that that I I'm I'm a strong
believer in that. You know, they got their eyes on this stuff daily. And, you know, and right down to H, you know, these these positions and direction of the county as a whole is,
you know, unprecedented over the years and we've done well. And in my opinion, the table's been set moving forward with space needs and where we're headed. And I get budget cuts because we're all facing them clear across the state and the nation. But some of it you can't
measure, especially when you're talking HR because that's a lot of elderly. And if you get your eyes on a lot of these buildings that are in these different towns, including El here, that level of service is immeasurable. I will say
that. Okay, that's it. I I understand my intent of the comment had nothing to do with their effect of the public, the operation or the organization. It's just a matter of accountability.
And if we're the ones responsible and if we get that report from this other organizations, I do not think there's anything wrong to ask for the same report from them. That levy has gone up almost
$50,000 in the last five years anywhere in budget. Well, one that came up in budget but is probably more of a building thing is I was not aware there policy apparently that
we're not supposed to be adjusting the temperature in the courthouse on the thermostats. You can only the employee can only adjust them four degrees one way or another, but it's possible for that to be gone into and adjusted more inside of there. So, you can still
adjust it four degrees. the amount of space heaters we have running in that building and we're going into winter. I think we really need to look at revamping doing away with that policy so that we have a little more control of offices temperatures. I don't think
space heaters running is the best use of our resources. They're going to be significantly more expensive than adjusting the temperature in there. So that we have it wasn't a agenda item on here, but can
we kind of revoke that and come back with a proposal for something better so that we're not locked in on everybody running space heaters? Anybody have a problem with that?
>> No, I think we should have comfortable work space. without using for those years. >> Anything is possible. If we you want to do a full audit of the building and it's or what do you want to do there? >> I want to be able to have the
temperature adjusted so people aren't running space heaters in their offices because that's going to pull a lot more electricity than running >> the heat pump. Since that was brought up, I did do some research and I went back all the way to
2020, no, excuse me, 2010 and I couldn't find a policy um that was approved by the board in any of the board minutes. Uh, and I did talk to facility maintenance and um, an email
went out to county employees telling them to please contact facility maintenance if they would like adjustments in their office to see if it can happen and that you know that is the preferred method rather than
space heaters. >> I got a question. So, are we talking in each individual office your temperature is set at 70? You can go to 74 or >> Yeah, I I can't I couldn't find a policy, so I don't know what it said, but >> I think Yeah, if it's set at 70, you go
to 68 72, right? But it doesn't even tell you that. It's just got up or down, right, >> why you looking at me? >> Well, you were in there. >> Mine's up and down. Hey, this is Maya. Can you hear me?
>> Y >> um yes. So the there's parameters in the system that set where your heat is set at, where your cooling is set at, and then your thermostat on the wall can adjust you plus or minus 2° from that setting. So in there's a window of
opportunity for each room right now. And what would be the thought is is if you are set at 72 and you're going to run a space heater all day, it makes more sense to bump you to 74 and see if that works better than running the space
heater all day. That's the thought here. That 74 get rid of the spaces. other way. I think building committee meets on Monday. >> Yep. >> It does. I can see you can find out yet.
>> EMS committee. >> The EMS committee met I think it was last week. um had a really good meeting about um the plans for the EMS funds that have
been appropriated last year and are proposed for next year. Um, and we've put together a bunch of information. Uh, and we are hoping that Doyle will agree to a work session for the November 18th
meeting um to be able to come and present to the full board all the information and what the the sustainability plan that the committee is working on looks like. And she asked you a question. Can we do a work session then? Yeah.
Okay. >> So, more information will will be coming then at the next meeting about what that plan for those funds looks like. >> Okay. Personal committee >> negotiations are I think today we meet the last of
the week. the one commit the one union we haven't met and I shouldn't say the last one but the the one we haven't met with yet so we will have met with everyone after this afternoon I committee you want to talk about looking at that
ditch >> okay so we had you're talking Roger >> yeah Bill and I we met with Roger D about a week ago and uh you know with
his driveway and I can see where he's coming from the he's got a swale coming up to the top uh and and that that kind of hinders him seeing traffic coming. Uh we talked to him about that
and then there was a culvert there that I think that nobody really knew was there. Right, Bill? the ground and when they rebuilt the road, they they covered that up and uh plugged the culbert and he'd got somebody there to hand shovel it out. So, it was backing up into his
field and uh but uh but the county went out there yesterday and redid that uh culbert with a skiitter. They reshaped it so that water is going to get to that culbert now. Uh and then next next year we're going to take a look at that uh
swale or that whale in that in that driveway and just see what we can do. But uh but yeah, we had a good meeting with them. I'll call them today though and tell them that they got that grading down there. So that cover
>> which was a which Bill said we found out it is a county cover. >> Yep. It's in the rightway and there's a power pole right there >> and uh that pole really probably shouldn't could be moved to some point to the north but
>> I can show you videos of what happened when we get a lot of rain. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I could see that it looks like there's a lot of water that pours off of that fields. It heads right to that very >> it's got in the spring when that culbert's plugged. It doesn't really go anywhere. >> No. No. And it could have they had dirty
this high over the top. >> Yeah. Right. Right. Right after construction, it was buried. So there was no culvert. It was there, but it was buried. >> So, but anyway, we had a good discussion. Roger. >> If that pipe was ever to be replaced, we'd have to address the electricity
because the pole is right there alongside the pipe. And you start doing the excavation and there's it's I mean there's primary that goes across and then the feed goes into his yard with with a transformer in there. So, everybody's got to be there. if we were
going to do any more and it can't get any we can't add to that driveway until that power pole and that that service line has to be addressed. So I don't know if that could even happen public safety.
So did you see I just emailed to put the contract formula into more of an addendum. So Dustin got the contract rewritten. Hopefully we'll get that all out all all the diddies this month yet. >> Yep. >> So they can review it. Hopefully we'll have them all done and signed by the end
of the year. >> Okay. Wait a hammer to that today. You got anything else? >> No. We basically went through a little session. >> So we had uh
an elected official come and asked about becoming appointed. So then strategic planning met with the three appointed or elected excuse me that it's my understanding can be made appointed. And here is the hands out the
information that we've gotten about that and about that process. So where do we go from here? We've had someone ask and they have indicated they want to you know we so
they asked about it. We met strategic planning. We went through this information you just got and then so step one is on this one here this tenant file house file document agreement we reached with elected officer and we've had someone asked to
come and meet and try to come up with an agreement or at least meet and then we would start that process. But again, that's not a strategic planning. That's where they came and asked and now
we're here. So, how do we proceed? I got something to say, Mr. J. >> Go ahead. >> Um, okay. Well, I I was an elected official and uh this issue has come up before in the past and uh
I I understand where some people want to have job security stuff like that, but you know, the people in a lot of the people in Grant County want to vote for their treasur, auditor, sheriff, uh
reporter And and I guess I'm I I I I did talk Dean a little bit about this the other day. I I I've been sitting there thinking about it for three days. You know that
I you know I know the sheriff's elected and everything, but I I don't think I'd have ever been the sheriff of Grand County if it would have been an appointed position. >> Well, so that my understanding is the sheriff and the county can. >> Yep. I don't but uh but these uh
the other departments you know uh I think some of them they got to look at would have I been appointed to be the treasurer or the auditor or the reporter or you know
or or would have they or wouldn't have they you know so I I don't know just my feelings are that I I want to protect the election ction process here. You know, I know other counties have gone away from it and uh and I know what
it's like to not you got to run every four years. So, you got to it it it can be a challenge, okay, for you because financially you're sitting there with mortgages and stuff and you're wondering, gosh, if I get beat, you know, what am I going to do? But I think
in this county and and our department heads, they work hard. They do. And I don't I don't see any of them at this point losing an election. But but I do understand where they're coming from because they're uneasy and times are
tough and things like that. But that's just my two cents on this. I I just uh wanted to say that after thinking about it for three, four days. So that's just my two cents. So >> Mr. Chair,
so I'll use D's analogy when we build some facilities for the next 50 75 years. If we looked at running the county and the opportunity to be more efficient or to combine some
offices to cross train to do the things that a lot of counties, the majority of the counties do in the state. If you have them appointed and it's part of their job description,
that's their job. if they're elected, it's not in the wheelhouse of the elected. I'm not going to do that. I'm not saying they would, but I just think if we're going to look at a vision for this
county, we've got to change our thinking. And I know Dwight, you were elected. Doesn't It's time to look what's what's important for the future.
Are you done? Yep. Mr. Chair, I got a statement that I'd like to make on this. And we got election coming up next year. And in my opinion, we should be asking the public what do they want? And if
it's an important part and piece of their lives to be able to pick their elected officers for their for their county level government, that should be on a ballot. And we ask the people, not have five guys make that determination.
So that's where I'm at. Put it on the ballot. Ask the people. See what they got to say. I have no problem putting it on the ballot. Me neither. But also, I don't have any problem if
we're willing to put it on the ballot. If one of them came forward and asked, knowing that we need four out of five yes votes, that we grant him or her the wish.
>> Well, if if like we presented this, if one of them elected came forward and said, "I'd like to be appointed that hopefully we would get four yes
votes because it takes a super majority. I think this this kind of spelled it out though." Well, cuz the uh you know it says the 10% of eligible voters sign a petition within 30 days. The board resolution is rescended and proposed changes stop.
After 3 years, the public can initiate a reverse referendum to return the office back to an elected position. That's Yeah. I mean, yeah, there's absolutely a way to go back, but
I don't think there are very many counties that have elections for this division. a little bit bunch of numbers that could be found out pretty easy, but Oh, I'm sure would have that number
right anymore. Public health meeting on Monday, I guess it is. Western Prairie. There's a meeting on Friday. This Friday is on. You want to
ask Stacy? >> Good morning. >> So, Troy had asked if I wanted to give an update on the um federal shutdown. If you're interested, I certainly can. >> Go ahead.
So, um, and I've talked with, uh, with your emergency manager a couple, well, at least once, and he certainly has done a ton of work on this, so I don't want to take away from that. Um, I can tell you that we we've looked at the numbers for Western Prairie, and we've we've
done our best. We can't separate out exactly what's Grant, what's Pope, because um well, because all of ours are co-mingled, but we separated out based on like our formula and how we separate other things. And based on that, we believe we have approximately 248
adults, 127 children in Grant County who um have no will not get snapped this month, at least effective on November 1st, um pending the federal court, which I'll talk about in a second. So, we have about 375 people who are not going to
get their full SNAP benefits pending the federal shutdown. Um, we have been working with lots of different or you know like Maya's been working with the food shelf so he can talk about the food shelf. He's been working with them. We've been talking with lots of different people. But I will talk about
a thing that concerns me as much or more than that. So Minnesota has a cold weather rule um because Minnesota's also federally they're not going to get the heat assistance either. So, electric heat and um gas heat will not be able to
be shut off because of the cold weather rule, but propane heat does not apply to that. So, we're actually pretty concerned about people who who have propane heat and that's what they solely exist on is propane heat or that's what they primarily exist on. So, when we talked about this in our executive
committee last week, um they asked that we let our administrators and coordinators know, and I did, who then let our fire departments and emergency managers know. So, I also talked with Maya about that. Um, and we do have concerns about that piece, like that we're going to have people who not only
won't have adequate food, but they also will not have adequate heat because propane isn't going to be required to be delivered. Um whereas gas and heat will not be allowed to be shut off during the cold weather rule which goes until I think until April actually. Um so that's
a big concern that we have because that money will not go out. So there was a federal lawsuit that was filed um by 26 days. Minnesota was one of them that said that there was a $5 billion contingency fund that the federal government had for SNAP that was exactly
for things like this and they needed to use it. There were two federal judges that ruled last Friday that they did have to use that and that they had to give the administration had to give a plan for how they were going to use it. I think by tomorrow. Um we have gotten zero information yet on how they plan to
do that. They have said that that money is only enough for 50% benefits approximately 50% benefits. So, we anticipate that we will be able to give out 50% benefits, but we don't know how
the state of Minnesota is going to do that. We haven't received anything from them yet. Um, what we got on Friday, October 31st, was um actually I got this morning too, was an update from DCF that said that we haven't received anything from the federal government telling us
what that amount is. I believe when they get that amount, they're probably going to try and figure out like how many people they have, what that amount looks like and they're going to try and figure out a way to give some to everyone, but no one's going to have full SNAP benefits um for November unless or until
the federal shutdown ends. Um so I think that's part of what we're trying to figure out is will the state do it? Will we have to do it? Um, we're we haven't gotten any data and I don't believe the federal government has given those federal judges any information yet on
how they plan to distribute those monies to the state, but the state of Minnesota has not received the money at this point. Um, so I think that's one thing that we're really watching closely is the SNAP and the food portion. I know food shelves are very um they're primed,
they're ready, they understand what's going on. The governor did allocate, I believe, I want to say $4 million to food shelves. I'm not sure how much of that's going to reach greater Minnesota, frankly. We're part of a much larger network of food shelves, so probably not
a whole lot. Um, I know Maya talked with Deb about that and they didn't think a lot of it would. Um, I I think that that I would really encourage if people want to donate to the food shelf that you first contact the food shelf, see what they need. I think what she'll tell you is is cash is what they need because
they won't know what they need on hand. Um, but I do plan to talk with our board. We have a larger concern, well equal or larger concern about propane because there isn't going to be any relief for that. There's no that's
not going to change until or unless the food or until unless the federal shutdown ends. So, I think that's kind of where we're at. Um, those are the two main things that we're watching. As of right now, our understanding for medical assistance is that it's funded. Uh but we don't have any hard timelines for how
long that will continue. And there's always questions like about what our how much of our time and administrative portion is funded through, but we haven't again gotten a lot of hard deadlines for that. It's an assumption that our third quarter will be paid for and our fourth quarter might be delayed
in we we might be delayed in getting some of that. So that's kind of where we're at. Are there questions that I can answer? I see Maya on here, too. So, I don't want to take away from the work he's done. He's really done a lot of work on this as well. >> I would just add to what you said. Um,
yes, uh, Deb did say that cash would or money to the, you know, would be the best just because of, um, even just the rotating of stock piece. If you donate a canned item and it's got expiration date on it, then she has to have the staff to be able to rotate that and and ensure
that there's no expiration dates where she said if it's cash, I can continue to purchase things that we need in a timely manner and and it just keeps that moving. Um, I know we looked at I asked the question of can the county could the county help that and and I think there's
a my understanding is there's a real fine line with what the county could do for purchasing food, but potentially like the the bill side of the house might be helpful. She, you know, just as I was asking questions, you know, she just said, you know, if if let's just
take an example, if the county were to pay the rent for the month, they could then use their rent money to buy food, right? So, there would be some options that way, but I don't think the county can just say, "Well, we're going to give you, you know, $1,000 to purchase food or whatever."
That's a tricky piece. But, yeah, definitely the the cash side, she said, is just simpler. So, then she can ensure that the expiration dates are where they need to be for those those foods. She did say that they're looking pretty good for November. Uh, December gets a little
bit sketchy. She said if this continues, they will probably be closed by January 1 if uh the government does not reopen. So, um it could be a a much bigger issue if this doesn't resolve soon. So,
>> right, I would also say and we we have on our website and a link on the of course the link to our website is always on the Grant County website, but we have on our website the list of resources. So the Ruby's pantry and as well as this what the the food pantry and well which
Deb runs in Elbow Lake and in Hoffman and like their hours of operation, the ways to contact them, all that kind of stuff. And we also have kind of a statement about one of the really important things that we want people to understand is we are still processing applications. So if you get a renewal in
the mail, fill it out. If you think you're eligible, if you lose your job, if you if you're going to need food, fill out an application. We're still processing applications because then when the federal government opens up again, that application's processed and it's queued and ready to go and you
don't have to wait 30 days or 45 days or however long. Um, especially if we people aren't applying and we get a whole influx of them when the federal government reopens. Um, it's much much better if people keep applying. We are continuing to process renewals, applications, even emergency assist,
even emergency applications. There's no money in them right now, but there will be once the federal government reopens. So, um, we've continued to stress that to everyone I've talked to that we are continuing to process applications. People should renew and apply as normal.
Um, because that will that will help the process once we are able to issue benefits, will help make it go smoother and allow people to get their benefits quicker because they'll be in the system and queued up and ready to go. So, um I know we have um Crystal, our supervisor
in this area, and I are heading to the cities. We have some meetings with the state in the next few days. So, hopefully we'll hear more information before our board meeting on Friday. But, as of now, my sense is that the state is not getting information from the federal government. It's not that they're not
sharing it because we're getting daily updates from them. It's that they're not getting it. That's what the email I got today said. >> Mr. Chair, I got a couple questions for Stacy. Has is NAL been in conjunction with you guys and and actually getting
feedback from some of that Stacy out of DC? >> Yeah, AMC has been working with them and I and yeah, we've been working together, I think, just to figure out the impact and to try and address the impact. So, yeah, I think so. like we've been working more with the state of Minnesota
just because we're at that program level right now. But yeah, we have been and I think NATO is trying to help figure out that nationwide impact. I think that you know one of the things that it's really important to remember is that each month each month 440,000
motans rely on SNAP. So I think that's kind of where Nico is trying to get that nationwide message out. Minnesota is working hard on our own messaging and and in that what I would really stress is that of the so I think it's 36% of
those are children 18% of them are children or or seniors I'm sorry and of the percentage of adults um that can work 70% of them do work so I think there's a real misconception that like people on SNAP or people that don't work
or people that are sitting at home doing nothing that's not true and the majority Majority of SNAP users are if they're not seniors and children are people who are actually working in supplementing their food which is what SNAP is for. It's a supplement to your food. So yeah, we have been working with NO on
messaging AMC has been. >> We we just got an email from those guys in a little bit of an update. County impact while county government generate over twothirds of our own revenues to provide services to residents. counties also receive 62 billion dollars in
intergovernmental agency revenue from the federal government. >> So this this is bigger than you know what I mean just on a state level. >> Well the other thing that I think people need to always remember we've talked about this before is the amount of money that is generated in your grocery
stores, your gas stations, your Dollar Generals and and all those places in our small counties and small communities from SNAP. We know that it's upwards of um the last time there was a cost report done, which was several years ago now,
it was it was $700,000 of SNAP funds that came through Grant County for people. So that's a big hit to grocery stores and to the gas station in those little towns that take SNAP and EBT. Um that's a big hit to those. And so this
also has an economic impact on people that sell groceries and the people that take SNAP because they are also losing significant income. So I think that the economic impact is pretty broad too to not having those dollars moving into the economy as well as of course the human
impact to people not having enough food. And we are getting phone calls. We are getting calls for people who don't have enough food and don't have heat and we're trying to refer them to the right food shelves and to the right places, but you know, we're people are scared and they they're they're hoping we can
help them figure out when they're going to get those things. And it's it's a tough spot for our staff to be in cuz we know those people like they're not nameless people. They're clients that we've worked with before. So, >> so are these food banks, they got enough food sitting around that that is can
actually backfill this need like the one that's up in northern part of the state, Krookton or wherever that is. Is there enough food in the state for these food shelves? >> I think that Maya might be a better one because he spoke directly with Deb. I
think what I'm hearing from what he said and from what I've heard from the other ones I think we have potentially u we can bandaid it for a while but I don't know that there's enough like I think if they get cash they can buy more they can
buy some but enough food to I mean feed 440,000 people in Minnesota I don't know I don't have any idea >> the the one thing she did say is they're she's pretty close to full right now like they're they're in pretty good
shape currently today or well as of last week. Um for her regular customers that would take her through the end of the year but the influx is the part that's hard to measure you know um will all of these resident you know will all 400
people that are on SNAP and Grant County go to the food shelf we don't know that. So, it's hard to judge how quickly that could depre, you know, deplete her resources, but um yeah, as far as we talked about the $4 million, um you
know, she just mentioned that in the grand scheme of things, with 440,000 people, that's less than $10 a person that's on SNAP. So, even if all that money reached everybody, you're talking about a a meal probably that everybody gets out of that those dollars. So, it's
not a it's not a great thing. And she wasn't confident that it would reach our outstate. It would probably stay more into the metro area. So, that was kind of her concerning her, too. >> I think that they guaranteed $1,000 per at least. I'm not 100% sure. $1,000 per
like um food shelf, but I'm not 100% sure. I also know just based on talking to other counties that some counties are donating to their food shelves, but I don't know how they're doing that because I do think it's sticky. So, like Ramsey County said that they are donating $400,000 to theirs. I don't
know how that works. I don't know what that will look like. Like I get that that would be kind of a state auditor issue and auditing difficulty for and for us especially like our dollars are state and federal. Um, I know we want to talk Friday about potentially increasing
our um our emergency assistance more for propane because we are very very concerned and we're already getting calls for propane and we're already pretty much out of those money those dollars and like even the $5 billion for SNAP didn't provide relief of course for our
people who need propane. So that's the area that we've been really um kind of honing in on and hearing a lot about. Are there other questions I can answer or anything you want for Friday for a meeting Friday? >> No, I don't think so.
>> I'm sure we'll have updates by then. I'm hoping we'll have some sense of how that food will be that money will be distributed. Um or hopefully it'll be distributed, but um I I hope we'll have some kind of sense by that time. >> Okay, thank you.
>> Thank you guys. >> What you got? Anything else? Little J at 10:26.