Well, it's 9:30 and we'll get or 8:30 I guess we'll get started with this work session. >> So, um Reed came to me um with some information about an application cannabis application that came um came
about in Grant County. So, we thought today we would take the opportunity to um not discuss the applicant themselves, but rather the application and the process because this is the first one we've had. Um we just thought it would
be a good refresher for all of us. And so, um, the document that you guys got, um, in the board packet is just I'm just going to I'm not going to read it verbatim, but just kind of go through the timeline and then read, um, we'll also be able to answer hopefully most of
the questions. And if questions come up today that we don't have answers for, we can we can research those and get them. Um, but we thought it'd be important to just kind of review. We have our cannabis public use which does not ordinance and that does not affect this
application. We have our cannabis ordinance regarding retail only which does not affect this application. And then we also have our shoreland ordinance that we use for cannabis and again this application falls outside of
Lakeshore. So the ordinances that we do have in place this application falls outside of those. Um the scenario or the application is um the the applicant received a provisional license for a cultivation facility and through the
process the applicant came to to environmental services and requested a letter um from them saying that they there's no uh zoning um requirements for for their application. So,
um, after that happened, Reed did reach out to OCM and asked, you know, how does the county get notified and is it, you know, through Excel and at what point of the application um, do we get notified? And, um, OCM indicated that they notify
the local government with the zoning authority, which in this case is the county, for any cannabis business to verify that the proposed location follows all the zoning ordinances. um as well as um complies with fire and building codes. And so the notification
does come through through exella. Um OCM uh does send an email out to the land owner or the applicant when they receive preliminary approval. And this in this case, the applicant in Grant County did receive that preliminary
approval. Um once they reach that preliminary approval sta stage that's when they have to start working on the site registration with OCM and OCM then sends that site information to the
county through Excella. So we know we have um an applicant in Grant County who um their application is outside of all of the ordinances we currently have. Um but now that the applicant needs to work on that site
registration. Um OCM does encourage applicants to talk to their local government before submitting the site registration and that is exactly what happened. The the land owner came in and talked to Reed. So the land owner the applicant received
a pre-approval um for a micro business that falls in Grant County. A micro business, as a refresher, is um a business that can either grow, make, sell, buy cannabis to
include plants, seeds, edibles, and hemp products. So, in this situation or this scenario, the applicant has been approved for a 5,000 square foot plant canopy canopy indoors.
Um and in verbal communication, the applicant um said they plan to focus on indoor cultivation at this time. So now that we know that the applicant is in the pre-approval stage, they have 18 months. So in this particular case,
they're they're uh they have 18 months and that started back August 28th to go through that OCM process. And then unless that applicant wants to do retail, we won't be involved. If they decide
they want to do retail, then the county and Verizon public health would get involved at that time. So at this time, the applicants building and grow operation doesn't require anything from the county. It's outside of the shoreland management district
where our ordinance applies. Um, again, if the applicant would want to sell any cannabis at this property to the public, then the county would get involved and we'd rely on all of the ordinances that we have.
But currently, how this applicant has been preapproved, it um is all outside any of the setbacks that we have. Again, Horizon Public Health only gets involved when there becomes retail to the public.
Um, and one kind of side note to to understand is as a micro business, the applicant can sell to other retailers or handlers. They can do that outside of
our ordinance as it currently stands. um in the future if the applicant would want any kind of mobile unit to go along with this um then we would have to work with public health on how to handle
that. And then just again a refresher is the application fee for a micro business is $500 and after a year to renew it it's then 2,000. So that's all the information we have. I'll turn it over to Reed if you want to add anything and then we just thought we
can kind of have question and answers and we can again we don't have the answers we'll we'll take the the questions down and and research those answers. >> So like Tina said we have somebody who is outside of Shorland and since we
don't have quite zoning there's no regulating what building they're going to put up what size any other things like it would be in Shorland. So, I had somebody come to me about a year ago and said, "Hey, I'm looking at doing this. Does anything apply?" And I said, "The as far out in the building, nope, nothing applies." And at that time, we
didn't have a can ordinance yet. And then he came about 6 months ago and said, "Okay, do you have a cannabis ordinance?" I said, "Nope, we are working on it." And then he came last week and said, "Do you have one?" I said, "Yes, we do." He was happy. He said, "Okay, does that apply to what I'm doing?" And I said, "As long as you're just growing, no, that's all handled
through most of them. We are really kind of out of it." So, right now where it stands is he has I believe his building is completely framed and now up, but I don't think he's got all the inside stuff done. The last I had drove by. Um, he's indicated that he wants to grow
everything inside right now. And he has some later plans to maybe do some work outside with some water and storm water and some other things that a lot of those other things he wants to do would require maybe some input from us with some wetland stuff there and we left with the state for all the storm water
and how he wants to recirculate water with that whole operation. But so for right now he's basically going to get a green light from us too. I gave him his letter that said, "Hey, here outside of any county ordinances that apply here," cuz none of them do. You outside of all
the setbacks, you meet him apparently for and there's a caveat I put in the letter that says for cultivation facility. He's not exempt if he were to say, "Okay, now I'm going to sell out of my property to the public or have something similar to sell to the public." That's where it triggers all of
our stuff. And that's the model earns we got from state and all the other counters that pass as well is just that. that's just for retail business. So, like Tina said, there's 18 months from August till he decides here's where I'm going to have my site for my cultivation
facility, which he's basically got it. What he needs to do now is the state will come in and he'll say, "Okay, here's my plans. Here's all my fire stuff. Here's all my building code. Here's all these things." Then the state will come and do an inspection and say, "Hey, A, B, C, and D need to be fixed before you can get your license." And
then you'll have to fix those. because generally if they say something inspects you don't you don't make it through the first inspection without them finding some kind of something that's out of whack. So that's at least been the experience we've had. So that's kind of where we're at. He's just
kind of in limbo now waiting to pick his side and with his micro business license he can pick they're called endorsements basically. So he'll pick his main license is a micro business then he has to pick okay I want to do cultivating I want to do retail I want to sell to
suppliers I want to sell to people who make other things from what he's grow is he has to select all of those and the only one that we end up getting really involved with is when he sells to the public that retail side and he indicate the reason he brought up that mobile piece is because he
indicated that didn't necessarily want people showing up to his house his property where he lives to be buying this. So, he was thinking of having some kind of mobile units that he could drive to somewhere and do it out of that. I don't we have
to look with OCM and Horizon how that works. I don't I don't have the podcast ideas how that would work. But right now, he's mainly going to focus on getting started getting growing to try and start recouping some of the money he's got in there. So,
We just thought because of the first application that it would be good to do a work session with the full board, kind of refresh all of our minds about our ordinances and then let you know what we know to date and this might be evolving
but um the important thing I think to note is that the applicant is following all the rules, the county is following all the rules and because it's the first time there might be a little grace, right? They might be learning a few things as as we go, but I think um to
everything it is all the boxes have been checked so far for this for this to happen. >> So I got a question, Mr. Chair. You know, the the feds made hemp illegal after a year. So the state would or OCM
would do the enforcement on the hemp products if that doesn't get changed throughout this coming year. kind of a thing, right? 26 I think they have to have it off the shelves. Correct. Okay. So, that is out of our hands completely. It's the state that's going to do that.
Okay. And these mobile units, you know, I I have mixed feelings on that cuz where are they going to set up? So, you now you're going to get the towns involved because they're not going to sit out on some township road somewhere, right? So, you're going to you're going to have the towns do a some
type of a you know, were they get a license to be able to pedal that? Were there, you know, you know, did we did we mean uh mobile like mobile? >> Not not like a temporary event kind of thing like mobile like Okay. I've got >> business on wheels. >> Well,
>> is what he's master plan is what was explained to me. >> Okay. I guess I was thinking more on the fact of I've got to be able to transport my product to a resale >> uh individual. >> Not that. No, he's thinking a full like kind of like a food truck >> dispensary. Mobile dispensary.
>> Yeah, a food truck for cannabis basically. >> And I don't know how OCM would look at that. I don't know if they would even allow that or if there's something in their rules. I don't that's not something anybody's ever brought up before. Well,
>> I tell you, if you get that vehicle weighs over 10,000 lbs, you get a lot of trouble. Now the federal Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would like to say something about that. But that's not anything the applicant
>> is wanting to do right now. Right now >> the focus is the cultivation. Um and it's nice to know that the process from OCM worked because
um they you know talked to the applicant. The applicant came and talked to us. We got the notification >> made a wait. >> We haven't got we won't get a notification from OCM until he selects his site. >> So once we get that then we'll have our
30-day window to say yay or nay on the zoning. That's where we're still kind of I think he needed a zoning letter for some of his lenders or for some of the finance pieces mixed with to show OCM that where he's proposing is an
allowable spot to start with >> so that way OCM wouldn't go just to figure out oh you're 200 ft from a school or something that would so uh was that a comment or was it a
question looking for an answer. >> I I will reach out to OCM and ask if they have regulations on mobile units. Yes. And and Horizon Public Health. >> Um just to kind of see because that is something I don't really recall through
the committee work that we we talked about. >> Yeah. That's not >> Well, I thought it would fall under just like like a temporary liquor license for, you know, we're talking mobile >> if it was temporary >> and that's what it is. I mean, mobile is
temporary, you know. So, if they're if they're showing up at a that's how we could treat it, then we could say, well, it's temporary events like that. >> But again, these guys, Mr. the sheriff if I could talk to um if these guys are going to who the enforcement on any kind
of a dispenser they got to have locations where it's at where you know what I mean I mean you guys are you're the point of the spear to make sure that you know that this isn't going to kids and wherever you know what I mean out the back door if you want to call that
drive up if you can't decide if Thursday night you're going to go somewhere Friday Saturday Sunday all of a sudden and I expect you guys to mad scramble I assume there's So what's >> what what if there was a mobile system that got put in place? What's to stop
people from driving out to the you know the grow operation and buying there if it was sitting in the you know on the end of his driveway? It won't be at the end of his driveway. He's been in it in the back half of the property where in a big basically looks like a
steel shed >> stand. There you go. >> And P didn't have any color out when I was there by any minute. >> Yeah. Blue light. You never He could sit on the road right away. Right off the end of his driveway and do whatever he wants.
>> Well, I think we should focus on what's currently at hand since we're not there yet. It's just on the micro business side and the cultivation has some rules around his >> grow operation. He has to have locks, he has to have this, he has to have all
these things before he can be a fully open growing and then sell it to somebody in the state to make something. So, there's some hoops he's going to have to go through. I don't see if he makes it through all the hoops. I don't know. But
I think we need to find out an answer if there's going to be mobile dispensaries and then we would need to change our ordinance to not allow them, >> right? Because okay, great. We licensed this one, but the one from Ottertale County we don't know anything about and
now they're just set up here one day. I think OCM is kind of, you know, make it kind of keeping this as an exclusive for the tribes for now. That's kind of what I read up on a little bit that they possibly mold units that are going to be coming on their reservations.
So, that could be a possibility. Well, once they allow that, then I don't know if we can stop it. And again, today it was just preliminary FYI that this this application has been started and it's going to, like Reed said, take 18
months. Um, but we thought it would be important to just refresh everybody because, you know, if you hear about it to understand the ordinances we currently have and and what they regulate. Um, and so again, there's nothing that says
we can't revise ordinances in the future. Um, but just so so we understand that this application falls outside of all of our current ordinances to date and that as Reed gets information, you know, he'll
definitely share it. But I think it's just good for us as a whole group, everybody to to just have a good understanding about what's going on and start writing down our questions and and looking for answers so we don't get caught, you know, having to make a a
decision, you know, on this spot to vote anything. We got to make sure that we're methodical, we're following all the laws and the rules. And so far this this applicant is um and the process is is working because you know he came and talked to the county and so all of that
is is very very good best case scenario. >> He's right now doesn't all the ordinances don't apply but say we change the ordinance some point in time between now and 18 months as long as he hasn't submitted his location and he's got all that approval it applies to him. But as
soon as he's got it all approved through OCM and we've signed off on the zoning, then that stuff gets a little trickier whether he's grandfathered in or not. So there's some shoreline rules where oh you already had your existing building was there before so you're in or you're >> right. And one thing one thing that we
need to keep in consideration as well is >> so the ordinance that the county currently adopted for the cannabis >> ordinance is I went through the process to get it submitted uh the state make the addition to our records management
system ticket writer. So that ordinance now sits within our ability to issue a citation off of that ordinance. Now, um, ordinance, addition, subtraction, or
editing, um, with that whole process does take some time. And so, if if we're going to make changes to ordinances, um, you know, we have to get out that almost immediately >> uh, to be approved because, you know,
county attorneys involved in that, state judicial system, judge, it's all involved in those things. So it it's a little bit of a process. So we just need to be mindful of that moving forward. Mr. Sher, one more question I got and
actually little to talk about micro businesses are just like a family setting. There's no employees tied to this thing. Correct. Messo is more with employees. Am I correct on that?
micro it says I don't know if there's really it's tied to basic your locations you can have so they can have one retail business they can't and their grow operation a couple grows versus I think mezo means you can have up to three retail locations and
probably every grower it's more tied to that versus not employees per se >> but it's out of our world that's an OC >> yeah that's that's an OCF I have some chair. >> Okay, Reed. So, have have you seen where OCM has all these guidelines? What what
are their guidelines for row operation to >> that part? What what are they going to come in there and say, "Hey, you got to have this, you got to have that." How come they don't have a list out there for us? >> That I haven't seen. And I suppose it's because it's under them, not us, I suppose. So, I've never because it's
never been like a county issue and something the county was going to have to do because there's nothing I could do about it. I haven't looked at the here's what he needs to do that. I was always it's on the applicant to know what they need to have to meet OCM's rules. But we could look and see what those A, B, C,
and D are. >> It'd be nice to have that. >> So, is OCM then going to notify you that the person or the applicant has met everything or are they going to notify us? They notify me once he submits his site and then once we
approve it and I don't I think then he once he says he's approved then we get some kind of I assume it'll come to a seller like their initial one so I assume it would come to me sometimes >> good it' be good to know that you can
ask I think a lot of people out there think this wiz you know an easy deal I don't I don't believe it is >> well if you want to see that checklist, just ask for an application packet. I just Googled it and they can get an application packet and they're going to tell you everything you need to do in
that packet. Okay. >> Well, I'm guessing they'll check on you from time to time, too. >> Yeah, they're required to inspect once a year. >> Well, yeah. >> Anything else? >> And if I'm correct, you're we have no control over how many of these are in the county.
Everybody that applies gets to go through the process. >> It'll be a thousand >> and if they if they meet the regular rate of >> all the regs and stuff they they'll get a license, >> right? >> It's an unlimited license deal to the states and as long as they're outside of
Shorland, we're kind of out inside of Shoreland is where you can maybe link it with some conditional rules or some sort of commercial business stuff. We'd have to look at exactly where it is, what they're planning on doing, what all they would do. It's all case by case.
Mr. Chair, to the point of Deutsch's question and Troy's comment, would it be a good idea for us to access if it's through the application process? So, we have that information in case we're asked. >> Yep. We can
>> Yeah, we can download the application and >> the resource in the office. >> So, always remember that there's like 13 or 14 license types. Our ordinance covers one. So, that's where it gets
like our office is not the one-stop shop for OCM's cannabis laws. Ours is one-stop shop for county's ordinances basically. So that's where it gets I have to be careful how we we can help them like we do everybody else through all the things, but as soon as it comes
to filling anything out or doing the apps, that's when we kind of are hands off. We say, "Okay, here's where you find that stuff." >> Yeah. >> But we could do some research and look at the application packets and try to develop our own list just to help us
learn, I think. got any questions? >> A good session. >> Well, we'll work. I made a list here of things that will work on and then um we can share it and
we'll just kind of go through this process together. Like you may hear from some of your other counterparts that OCM can be hard to get a hold of or struggle to talk to them. So far that hasn't been an issue here. I've them and they've got right back within the same day or the next.
So, so far I haven't had issues, but knock on wood and I'm sure you never know. But whether a state agency is hard to get a hold of or not depends upon your expectations. >> If you expect them to answer the phone when you call, that's probably not.
>> They don't answer phone calls. >> Who at what state agency? >> They're still targeting social equity. These applications, >> veterans and social equity bill, >> what's that? That's the part that's going to be back under right. What's that?
>> They'll answer you if I call. Yeah. Well, a lot of times I'll do a like a group conversation with governor. >> Is there any other questions for for the cannabis application? at this time.
>> Well, like like we said, we'll work on this and it might be something that we come back just forformational and learning since it's the first time. Um, but so far the process seems to be the communication has seemed to be well
again between the applicant OCM. So, um, I think highlighting the positives and then we'll just keep learning as as the process evolves. Thank you, >> Reed. transport while they clean
No, what I mean like you know the federal government is building Yeah. >> I looked at transporting. >> Basically just hiring armored car service. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, yeah. Same thing with
the cash until they get through. So the banks can actually So these bank off business expense and things like that and the banks get involved and things like that. The biggest share of cash. So these people, you're right, Troy, they're hiring armored cars through the cash, hauling it to places in Brazil.
>> That's not what No, to transport it like from >> Yeah, you're talking a cargo van. >> The tribe uses the cargo van. Just a standard cargo van. >> They had some security guys on the truck, but all of them are told, "Hey, somebody brought the truck, give them
keys." Like, it's not working. No. No. That's what the tribe told us when we were standing there. They're asking about it. >> That's what we've always told people. >> But but you got pay tax. >> Yeah.
>> You Google it, you'll find that out. There's armored cars that are all cash somewhere in Virginia. >> As soon as you mention cannabis and the what you're buying it for, the price if it's the same machinery and equipment, they stay the
operator. You know what I mean? hundreds of millions of dollars. That's how they behave. >> So the banks don't do anything. >> It'll be a dead issue. >> Sure, you can states rights and you can navigate in and out of these
big right to the bottom in my yard. I know it's not >> for 25 years old stuff. Charity City and you got to keep those clean.
So, Commissioner, you think I'm up for the state? Is that why you're asking? How you doing? Not bad yourself. What do you say? Give us a report. >> He was tied pretty tight to the walls. >> Nobody even
talking about >> Thank you. >> lunch. I call meeting and order and pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Okay. Approval of the agenda. >> Don't bag it. >> Did anybody want to add I in the uh email yesterday that Excel Energy document as well as the letter
from the city of Ela Lake. They were included with the warrants. >> Yeah, we should that should be part of the agenda there. Nope, it ca they came in yesterday. The agenda was already sent out. So, if you want to discuss them today, they would need to be
additions to the agenda. >> I'll withdraw my motion then. >> Give to Okay, Mr. Sure. I'll I'll amend the agenda that includes XL Energy of the transmission line project and the city
of Bubble Lake uh First Street Southwest and Second Avenue Southwest reconstruction project. Okay. With those two additions to the agenda, we need a second.
>> I'll second motion and second. Any more discussion? All in favor? Mot sign by saying I >> I >> both carried many minutes for Sar. >> Make a motion to approve them.
Second >> motion and second. Any discussion on any of the amendments? If not, all in favor say I. I both carried orange we pay the bills. >> Second
motion and second to approve the warrants. Any more discussion? Not. All in favor signify by saying I. I post carried the MC report. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Uh good morning, Mr. Chair, board. My name is Richard Miy. I'm a risk management consultant with MCIT, Minnesota County's Intergovernmental Trust. Uh, happy to be in Grant County this morning. You are the last board report of our membership. So, we started
when it was quite warm and had a beautiful frosty drive out this morning. So, what we do this time of year is just try to give kind of a state of this date of the condition of the counties, let you know where things are are at, and uh let you see where we're at and and ask any questions. If I don't know the answers to them, I'll I'll bring them
home and get back to you. Uh but what I wanted to do is just take a moment and uh either refresh or introduce MCIT, what we are and maybe what we aren't. Uh we provide coverage for 81 of the 87 counties uh in the state. Um we're up to
about 500 members total with the various historical societies, bear societies, soil water conservation districts. Uh once we hit 500, there will not be any confetti or celebrating. We don't have a a growth motive. We don't have a profit
motive. We're a joint powers um entity. Um we exist as a risk pool simply to provide coverage for our membership. So we won't be sponsoring any hockey tournaments or paying commissions or anything like that. We are a risk pool. We take a contribution from the
membership. Uh we use that money as an investment and we pay claims and if things go well at the end of the coverage term, we like to return a dividend if it's financially responsible to do so. So we've been operating since 1979. We've been happy to have Grant um in the trust since 1985. So 40 years of
membership are greatly appreciated. What we ask from our our membership specifically from uh the commissioners is engagement. If you have projects or programs coming down the pike, we like to get engaged and let you know what things will look like. Get let us wrap our heads around um any coverage
concerns and the like before. Uh riding that horse looking forward is always pretty enjoyable. And then obviously if you have issues or losses, we want to be engaged with you through that process as well so that we're very understanding of where you're at and where you need to be. So it's not my intention to read
this brochure literature verbatim, but I'm going to kind of highlight some things. I'm going to jump into on the second page what we're looking at as far as stats and graphs. And most of this is pretty generic to the pool. I'll get a little bit Grant County specific at times. I'll let you know clearly when we're doing that. So right now I'm
looking at um uh reinsurance costs. So uh there are not a ton of of parallels you can draw from say your personal life to how we look at the coverage or insurance um through MCIT or through a risk pool. This would be kind of one where you might draw some similarities.
Those graphs are are are ticking up. We meaning MCIT we purchase reinsurance which is just insurance for insurance for catastrophic levels. the cost for us to buy that coverage has gone up exponentially as you might have seen in
your own personal home. >> What we did was we raised that barrier, that retention rate. We're taking on more risk as a pool to try to keep those reinsurance costs down to the memberships. And those numbers are kind of drawn out there um on those two
graphs. Dropping down uh another kind of harsh reality here, the total number that we are insuring as a pool has gone uh to 9.2 2 billion. Uh a substantial gain from uh if we look back from not too
long ago, 2021 to 2022, we were jumping, you know, a little under half a billion at a time. Now, in the years time, we jump about a billion. So, that pretty gentle trend line is starting to look a little bit too much like a hockey stick. Just kind of indicative of the world that we're living in now. It's very
costly to build or rebuild uh to staff uh materials cost, labor costs, all that kind of get factored into why it's so expensive or why we're seeing such sign significant gains there. Um I'll talk about rates now. Um I don't know if you caught about a month and a
half ago, we did announce that MCIT will not have an a rate increase uh for 2026. Uh your contribution could be more, but that means the rate that doesn't mean that it's it's zero. So if you have added squad cars um or staff or things
like that uh you your bill your contribution might be higher but our aggregate rate is is remaining uh the same. Um and as you can see in that graph we're just looking at some kind of fluctuation where those rates have come and gone every year up and down on the different lines work comp and and
property liability as well. Uh do want to call out the dividend. Um we're happy to return there. Now, if this isn't as uh large as you maybe have seen in the past, what what the dividend is really indicative of is uh claims and investment performance. So, um the
investment market is just not quite as robust as maybe you have seen historically. Um so, therefore, the return is not maybe as big as what you've seen when when it's a little bit richer of a market there. So, not a punishment, just kind of a victim of circumstance there. Uh next, I want to talk a little bit
about u cyber. Now this is a pretty frustrating and interesting peril that we now provide coverage for. Uh very simply put in risk safety insurance we operate on two pretty simple metrics frequency and severity. How often and how bad. Typically when things happen
more often or more frequently they tend to get worse. Uh we are pleased to report here that from 23 to 24 the the severity meaning the cost actually went down. So, um, you know, there from a coverage standpoint, when we have inclement weather on the way, we just
kind of hope it doesn't hit our things, our vehicles, our buildings, that type of stuff. Very little we can do to kind of brace for impact there. In the cyber and data security world, there are things we can do through uh technology advancements, training, education, awareness, those types of things. So,
it's apparel that we do want to try to uh get involved with from a loss control and mis risk management standpoint so that we can try to meaningfully drive those things down. Uh anytime we get one of those metrics to tip down, we like it. We'll celebrate it. We don't want to take credit for it because if it goes up the next year, then we got to take some
blame, too. But what we'd really like to do is get that frequency number down. It's excellent that the severity went down, but what we want to do is get the number of instances or claims that we're running into um down as well. So, um again, if you uh listen to your IT folks and the IT groups, uh they will tell you
what they want and need. Um and then very simply put, you all have technology in front of you. We're we're incredibly reliant on email and the like, but you know, I don't know how many classes you took on email security and training and etiquette and all those types of things. So, we're really catching up to the bad
guys. We're also really kind of catching up to what's appropriate from a data practices and security um standpoint as well. Um, I'll kind of start wrapping up here. I do want to call out on the back page now. We'll talk about workers compensation. So, this is very specific
to Grant County. U, as I mentioned earlier, the rate is the same. Uh, you are charged the same to ensure your squad car is your neighbors are. Uh, the only time we have a different uh system for that is in workers compensation. You are charged off of the experience that
you have. It's called an experience mod. It's how the entire insuring world works. The you get a nu a number, a numerical score based on your your performance. Uh it's a very sophisticated formula. It's your batting average. It's your golf index. It's your
slugging percentage. It's your report card. It's kind of all rolled into uh the mix and it judges you. It grades you compared to apples to apples. So if you have a significant there are occupations that are inherently more dangerous. law enforcement, highway, garage, a little
bit more risky than a clerical or staff type person. Everybody is graded uh off of that, you know, specific to their code. You want to get a 1.0. That's kind of level par. Anything above that, we have to charge more. Anything below that, we get to charge less. Very happy
to report that you are under that that level par. So, um we get to charge less uh for uh for coverage and workers compensation. And it's a very uh it's a very sticky number. It's a three-year average. So, one great year doesn't move the needle significantly. That that's great. It hangs around, but a really bad
year sticks with you, too. So, um I appreciate your um your positive score there. That's really good for the taxpayer. It means you got a healthy and happy workplace. That's good for your staff. It's it's it's good business to have a safe uh work environment. So, kudos there.
Again, as I wrap up, just some kind of uh numbers that are showing you what where we're seeing claims and the dollar amount associated with them. My eye tends to go to the law enforcement liability. You know, a significantly higher amount than most other apparel. Um, and that's not a that's not a grant,
that's not an MCIT, that's a that's a law enforcement issue across the board. 365 20, you know, uh 247 very expensive equipment. Uh it's just uh it's just how it goes in that world, right? Uh just as I wrap up here, the few things that we
really like to highlight that we we bring uh to the fold beyond, you know, traditional coverage that you would get from a private carrier, we're happy to help sponsor the employee assistance program. Um those are for uh not only county employees, but elected officials as well. The obvious ones there, grief
counseling, financial counseling, uh relationship counseling, those are kind of the obvious ones. The other things we like to highlight in that program are things like leadership development. So if you have somebody new to a leadership position and they're having to have difficult conversations, maybe for the first time ever, perhaps they were peers with the people that they're now
leading. It's not just for the tragedies, it's also for the growth and development as well. So something to keep in mind there. Um we get a report on engagement. Grant County is a wonderful participant in that above what we hope uh makes meaningful investment. So appreciate that. And then lastly, I
wanted to call out uh patrol, peace officers accredited online training that helps us, we co-sponsor that that helps us allow uh provide online training for our sheriff's offices. I'm not going to call it the lowhanging fruit, but it's the compliance-based training, the bloodborne pathogens, chemical
awareness, that type of stuff. We can get that to them in a a quick and easy format where they're at so that they can get out and get on the roads and and help the taxpayer and the communities where they they are needed. All right, that's as fast as I can talk and a lot of shining information. Is there anything you want me to drill into
more or any questions you have for me? >> Mr. Chair, I got a question here. So, you guys are are tasked with with labor industry to do uh boiler pressure vessel inspections. >> You guys You guys are >> Yep. We would we are reinsurance carrier for that
Hartford steam and boiler. So, they offer some inspection help there. So, that was one area. I kind of glossed over it. It's on the second page. We've enhanced that coverage. So, there are some more services that are available to you should you need those. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
>> Highly regulated industry there. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Thanks for your time. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Okay, Mr. Ken Johnson. Yes. So, this probably
originated I got uh contacted from uh Mandy Westerm. I don't know if she's online or not today, but uh she did include a letter with packet uh with some questions. how the H
and their levy requests and how it's changed over the last few years. And I look back and in 2024 I had received a letter from H as when they requested $200,000 and it and it um
quoted statute on what they can levy and it's a percent of the tax capacity. Um, so after visiting with Mandy, I did a little bit of research into that said statute and there's
somewhat more to it. And the deeper I dug, the more I knew that I needed some help. So, I reached out to Justin Anderson and um I believe he did some research and I don't know Justin if you want to
weigh in a little bit on what your finding was as far as maybe where the board needs to part of the process type of deal. So what the statute the statute authorizes us of course to bond for
not bond levy for the HR. Um the amount levied shall be the amount approved by the governing body but shall not exceed 0185% of estimated market value. The authority referring to the HA shall
each year formulate final budget in accordance with the budget procedure of the city and city is interchangeably used with county in the same manner as required for executive departments of the city. Um or if no budgets budgets
are required to be filed by August one, the amount of the tax levy for the following year shall be based on that budget. So, I did that. I had some conversations with Ken. Um I reached out to Kent
Marshall. Um explained that um this topic was going to be discussed when the agenda was set. I sent a copy of the agenda to Kent. Um you know, and that's what I know.
So at that point um when Mandy had I believe had requested some data um and I believe Jen Stannis supplied some of that information and so
the 2025 levy increase there was listed seven items. Four of them were remodeling the HR current office, furniture and miscellaneous expenses associated with the remodel of the new office, maintaining their new office, utilities, ground maintenance, and the
new storage space of $100,000. So, the increase from $100 to $200,000. Um, and then he says that does not maintain a budget. They have a budget for each of
their projects. Um subsequently on page two under the financial assets he does state that the two 2024 operating budget was $1.6 million.
So I guess one could say at some level they have a budget. Uh my point would be that for 2026 they again asked us to levy $200,000
and I I feel like and I think that's what Mandy was is reiterating is that the reason for the 25 increase the majority of the items the first three items are normal business issues.
insurance, utilities, da da da da, but the rest of the items appear to have been completed. And so, one could say, why would we ask the taxpayer for another $200,000
without a budget? Um, and you can see as part of your packet how it's the levy's gone up. Um, I did get a copy to the 2024
audit and on page 22 under cash and investments, the HA lists under unrestricted 1,355,000 which would be about 84% of their 2024 budget if that one point.
They have a lot of money and absent of a budget I do not feel this board since the statute statute states that we
can't levy to the unknown that absent of a budget that we should not ask our taxpayer for $200,000 because I don't think the numbers bear out. I can't explain why anyone from HR is not here today.
Um, but I would make a motion that absent of a budget that we reduce that ass to $100,000 which was the 24 request because it appears the reason for the 25 increase has been satisfied
and to continue it would not be fair to our taxers. And that would be my motion, Mr. Chair. Okay, we have a motion. Do we get a second? And we have some discussion or I'll second it. If there's any
discussion, >> Mr. Chair, I think it would be fair for the H board and its administration to be present during the board meeting for for any kind of a direction that this board is headed. So, that's where that's kind of where
I'm at. And I'm going to be a no vote because they're not they're not in the in place here to be able to actually defend what they're up to here. So, Mr. Will will approve the final budget at our next meeting December.
>> Will we have to approve a final budget to have a levy and that has to be done by December 27, 28th that there's a date that it's not our next meeting that it has to be done by. There's a date and I
can't tell you what that is today, but I mean it's not >> it's not two weeks from today. It's after that >> before the end of the year though. >> Correct. So, and I understand Bill's comment. The the one thing I think is
important for us to understand is our county attorney Justin has done the research. It states that we can't levy the taxpayer without a budget. Absent of a budget. irregardless of the numbers that the same numbers I would say if
they were present they have a lot of money for us to to weigh in and I have no problem having them I think they should be present and at the next meeting that we have this similar discussion but absent of a budget
we can't levy anything it would be zero >> so my question concern here is we don't have the county a process for how we appropriate whether
it's Historical Society anyone we should have a policy that by X day you need to get us your levy request your budget all of the things that we need to do this and we don't have that policy we haven't been doing it my next concern with that
is we don't follow our policies Anyway, and yes, I'm talking about the H. We set a policy on how we appoint board members. First time it come up, this board completely and totally ignored it. So, do we have a policy how we're going to apply it fairly across everybody? And
if we do, are we going to follow that or are we just going to completely and totally ignore our own policies? I'm I'm not saying what you're saying is wrong. Saying the board needs to look at ourselves and say, "Okay, we need to have a policy on how we're going to deal with this. We need to apply it fairly
across all of them. I agree. I agree 100%. My point to that is absent of a policy, if you're going to quote statute on your ability to levy, you also then got to quote the rest of the statute.
You can't take one piece of it and apply and not look at the whole thing. And that's why we have a county attorney. So absent of the policy, I think we still got to use the statute. Otherwise, we won't really have any control in this, you know, anywhere in government. The
statute still stands. I think we should have a policy, but the statute's got to apply to this year on whether we tax our taxpayers $200,000, which based on the numbers,
unless they prove differently, is way too much. and your financial statement says it. Mr. Chair, I would make a motion to table this until the December 16th.
I think we've got more issues than we're going to solve today. I'll second that. And Mr. Chair, if I can add in invite them to the meeting with the budget, as many board members as possibly can show up.
Okay. Anything else? >> I would like to mention they were fully aware of. Would that be accurate? Jeff I came with Kent. We need the budget. This is going to be discussed today at
9:15. I didn't specifically invite but I was not trying to hide a ball or no just a point of clarification. We have two motions on board. Yeah, we do have another motion. >> Deal with the first one.
>> Why can't I make a motion to table that motion? >> That's what my intent was was to table the motion in the second until the >> December 16th meeting. >> Yeah. All right. So we have a motion in the second to a
table the this decision on H bill the next meeting. Any more discussion? >> I I got one thing Mr. Chair. So but with in that motion then the HR gets notified they get they get a chance to get their
people here. >> Yeah. They'll put that in the motion. Yep. Discussion. Any more discussion? All in favor of the motion by saying I >> I both carried
a someone to reach out is someone else to reach out Mr. chair got a question. I would say our coordinator probably should >> or Tina draft a letter to send to the
administration and all the board members and have oily sign it. >> Yeah. >> So I guess the point of clarification since they have had contact with their council should be included in that or is this going
>> I'll I'll follow up with Kent. >> Okay. just as a matter of professional that. >> Thank you, Justin. Okay, >> all right. So, the first thing I have is
um restructuring in our assessor's office. So, we we received a retirement um from our deputy assessor. This will be at the end of the year. And so, the strategic planning committee met um to discuss the restructuring options. I represented a few options we discussed.
Um, and what we went with with the options was um, reclassifying the deputy assessor. Um, and Carl can talk a little bit more about what the reclassification entails, but adding some more duties than what it originally had. Um,
and then the other position would be to create an assessment technician position. And so that would be more of a clerical in office data entry type of position. You want to add them to that? >> So we essentially what I did is I took
out the critical functions out of the deputy assessor um and moved in the assessment technician and I moved more of what a typical deputy assessor would be is I brought forward some of the appraiser part and put it into the
deputy as well. Um and then the deputy assessor will also be in charge of some of the some of the other department of revenue um guidance uh given um and then they'll also be like overseeing some of the
other programs within the office. So, it was kind of just realigning and making the deputy assessor more in line of where other counties what their deputy assessors kind of look like. Um, and again, um, but the assessment
technician will be again more the the clerical side. They won't be expected to go out and view properties. Um, so that so they're not going to be an appraiser. So there's going to be a couple of different >> um and this isn't an additional employee
to the office. So what we would do is you'd open it up if there's interest internal then you know we would move the position or move >> it's a new >> the assessment >> new position there's still going to be four individuals there we're not adding
>> we're not adding no we're not adding so the assessment assessment technician is a new developed the deputy assessor was just reclassified the deputy assessor came back the same at a grade nine so there's no change to the deputy assessor the assessment technician came in one
grade below the appraiser at a staff credit grade six. Um, so I'd be looking to get the reclassifications approved and to >> I will make a motion to approve the two new classification.
>> Well, you have to hire >> I'll second that with a question, M. Mr. Chair. Um, so this this technician is is that what other counties are doing out here just to kind of, you know, kind of retool staff and we're just again with
the assessment technician, we're taking out the appraisal side. So the things that assessment technician won't be able to do is they won't be able to classify or value properties. They'll be able to still interpret like applications and those types of things. Um, but that's
that's another license in order to get them to be able to classify and value properties. So, we're again we're trying to make this kind of a stepping stone position position so that if there was ever an appraiser position open eventually they could step into that role because they they've already got
the procedures down. Yeah. >> But how long is it open? >> Um, go ahead. all that stuff. >> Well, how long have we been since has it been since we went to being a true county?
>> Uh, I believe we switched over in 2018. >> So, it's been six years we've just been running by adding. We didn't really retool how the office ran, right? >> This allows the cross trainining tool for, you know, the deputy assessor to learn more from Carl.
were to be um you know this person could go up into that which we don't have right now. >> Yeah. Any more we have motion second? >> I second. >> I got the second. Who was the first
motion? Sure. >> Any more discussion? All in favor of the motion to signify J I >> I oppose car. >> The next thing I have is the Minnesota paid leave that will be starting January 1st. Um this is the official policy that
I have in your packet. Um the other one is the family and medical leave act. I just updated it. So starting January 1, all employees will be eligible for Minnesota paid leave to take a max of 20 weeks um off or 12 weeks for medical and
then um or vice versa for family but up through a max of 20 weeks. Um I sent out the official poster and the acknowledgement yesterday for signatures um and then we'll start you know per the acknowledgement form I did you know
state that we are in negotiations. So anything that may change can be adjusted but right now um the employees part would be 395 um and we would split that 50 or we would that's 50/50 split so
we're 78 um working with that life um and so I have the portal ready to go if anybody wants to apply the policy states there's no notification um how you notify how you submit um your application and things like that. So,
it's a general policy going over what you're eligible for, what it covers. Um, Minnesota Pay leave will run concurrent with FMLA. And so, I stated that in the FMLA policy as well. Um, and then some
updates I have to the MMLA policy is that it will run concurrent um with Minnesota Fleet League. Um, and then that the offset I have in red. I think in your packet um that if you're on work compes
obviously with that and the extent um also parenting will run through with this. So, those are the few changes I did to the FMLA and then the official Minnesota what I would be able to approve.
Could those be two separate motions? Yes. Two separate policies. I mean, I guess we could put them together if we're going to do two separate. >> Okay. First, we'll do the aid family medical leave. Motion to approve that. Motion to
approve, Mr. Sure. Second motion in second. Any more discussion? All favors will take I >> I carry FMLA policy update.
Approve that. I'll second it with I mean any of this language change it can be changing in any of this protocol you know the with the state change it then we can kind of follow suit if there's any change in this >> I'd come back for to change it
>> any kind of language change >> okay >> it seems like it's changing now >> because it looks like they covered it statute now if that statute is correct or if they're going to change it down there then we would have to change it >> we'd have to change it then >> yeah okay
>> so the 78 that that's like the state is88, right? So we got a little less because Yes. working with Metife. >> Yep. And with the state we are on with Metife, we're in a calendar year. With the state, it's a fiscal year. So they're in July and so we don't we
weren't guaranteed 888 by July. So we could have gotten six months of that rate and it could have went up. So, but right now it is finally >> more discussion. >> All in favor by saying I. >> I both carried.
>> All right. The next thing I have is um our auditor requested to meet with the personnel committee to request cafeteria for living coverage. the 850 that is received it would be part of his
wages and so it would be eligible and so in discussion with personnel committee we stated that the the um expensive meeting with the county and so he did some bigger and I think that was included in the packet um where he
figured at $850 and what he figured at 800 um and what the deduction would be and it came out to $6.17 a month And that would be opened up to anybody that leaves insurance. >> Well, the 617 if you drop it down to
800. >> 800. Yes. >> So, we're actually saving 600 and spending 7404. I mean, so the savings are over $500 for the county >> because the individual
is willing to give up that $50 to get it out. And this this would be anyone who's eligible would then be allowed to do this. So this isn't just one individual. So anybody that takes cash and l would be able to do this.
I'll make the motion. >> Is it for the correct? I'll second. >> Any more discussion? All >> in favor of the motion sign by saying I. >> I carried.
>> All right. Uh the next thing I have is received a retirement official retirement letter from Sheriff Holmes. Um and his official retirement date is February 27th, 2026. Um so I thought I would just talk a
little bit about his um time here and movement. So we have 32 years and three months of service as of today. He was hired on August 26th of 1993 and May 4th 2009 he was promoted to
sergeant and on one 2017 he was promoted to chief deputy and 1 one of 23 he was promoted to sheriff and will be retiring February 27th 2026. So presenting the letter for um approval
of that um for that retainment. to thank him for his 32 years and three months of service. >> I'd like to say something, Mr. Chair. >> Go ahead. Okay. Just just that uh this
man truly had a serving heart and he worked uh tirelessly to protect the citizens of Grant County, to investigate your crimes and protect their property. He took things to heart. He didn't go home at night and uh say that I'm just going to leave that on my
desk. he took over like uh like good peace officers do. They they don't want anybody left out in the cold. They don't want anybody to get hurt. They don't want anybody to be taken advantage of or hurt in any way. And he did that. He was
uh hardworking. Definitely county got their money and yeah, so that's that's what I want to say about a good man. So, I'm going to get a motion to accept the
retirement. I I'll make that motion. I hired him. I'll make it a motion. Being the former sheriff, I'll make the motion to accept it. >> And I will second it. A motion to second. Any more discussion?
All favor. The motion signify by saying I. I opposed. >> All right. >> All right. The next thing I have is our holiday schedule. So, same holidays, nothing has changed, just the dates. Um
maybe some of the dates, but it's the same schedule, just reflecting 2026. the day after the Super Bowl or Matthew. >> Well, the one I was a little more concerned about is I don't see Bill B. >> I see mine.
I will make a motion to approve the holiday list. Second motion and a second. Any more discussion? All favor motif by saying I I both carried.
>> All right. The very last thing I have is um years of service. So we currently have a recognition program for um employees that hit milestone years of service. They are able to pick a item of of clothing um or an item from a specific uh store to reflect their years
of service. So I am here just to run through the list as all of them have for milestones. We recognize them in their years of service and dedication to Grant County. So five years we have Vicky Match. She is in our assessor's office. We have 10 years we have Dan Webb. He's in our highway department. Matt Palmer
Ford in our assessor's office. 15 years we have Jamie Cruz in our treasurer's office. Tina McGrath in our sheriff's office. 20 years we have Justin Anderson in the attorney's office. And 25 years we have Tina Riley in the court's office. So, just want to thank them for their years of service.
That was just an FA. That's all I have. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Minnesota nuclear energy resolution. >> In your packet um was the draft resolution.
use the template that was provided and per the board consensus from the last meeting. The resolution as you as you read it is supporting the toll of urging the repeal of Minnesota's on
nuclear energy production and as directed I brought it forth to this meeting to be approved. I will make that motion for the resolution 0251202-1. Go ahead.
Okay, we got a motion and second. Any more discussion on this topic? >> Where's the second from? All >> in favor of motion say by saying I. I >> opposed. There's one thing I'd like to touch on
here a little bit is I've did some leg work and did some research on joining the alliance and there's does not cost any of the counties any money. All it is is just it it just basically we you know support
to make sure that that the alliance has got the following throughout the state as a whole. And I know it wasn't popular last board meeting, but I'm going to bring it up again. And I will make that motion to join the Nuclear Alliance.
Hey, we have a motion. We get a second. Will we get a second? >> No, I'll second. Okay, we have a second. Any more discussion? >> So, how do we dictate what their priorities are? How are we informed? I
I'm not in favor of putting Grant County's name in there so that they can say, "Oh, yes. Well, when they change priorities now, all of a sudden, well, Grant County is a member of this alliance." And they they do approve of what we're targeting, even though we
maybe don't know anything about it. We have no representation on their board. Well, we're just joining an alliance. We're we're we're not actually sitting as a as a board member on that alliance, >> right? You become a member and now all
of a sudden they can use your name as being a member. >> Sure. Well, why not? I mean, you're talking clearly the the whole southern part of the state is I talked to Gene Mats. He's a county commissioner in Nobles County and he's he's on this this power board that they're talking about
and it's just the discussion and moving forward to make sure that that the state is notified as a whole that there is alliance and I would have to believe that you're you're uh your board that you're on with with uh uh what do you
want to call Minnesota road counties MCC MRCC that's going to come in front of you guys as well and I would guess they're going to want some type of a position there out of MRC. So that's I would guess the conference they're going to start, you know, light
fighters and trying to figure out just who who wants to be part of this thing. But this is a critical direction and the city lake and the power commission here would entertain us along with MMUA and great river energy and and which is
Western par associations to join this alliance. So, Mr. Chair, I would entertain that, you know, that you guys think about this a little bit. It there's no cost to the counties. The big power companies are going to do all the lobbying for it. All they want is just Grant County as as a
supporting LGU. We're we're seeing things coming through the county here now where you're going to see paperwork coming through where you got XL Energy and you got I would guess CAP capex 2020 that's going to be part of this and they're going to try to
generate you know some of this power and it isn't going to be enough to be able to feed the systems along with the AI systems in the region. So this is a critical thing. So, this is a two-piece uh direction that that the state, county
commissioners, and everybody's on board with it right along with the PUC. So, and I think Grant County would would be served well if we would entertain joining the alliance. That's what
So, Mr. sheriff. Yeah, it I kind of agree with probably last meeting when he stated about the goals and I guess I'm questioning if we join the alliance. Obviously, we'll have an opportunity
pension in the future, but I'm just wondering if this doesn't border on a stay in your lane. We really need to make that decision, especially now. Uh whereas we've stated we support it in the goals,
but I'm not too sure without representation and some additional information that I I think I agree with Roy Jones's on theft. In that respect,
any more discussion? Okay. All we're all in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Both. >> I. The motion fails. Environmental services brief
a month ago, two months ago, I came and said, "Hey, they're going to put that solid waste management plan out for public comment." There was no public comments, no agency comments, nothing received. So now I'm back and says, "Okay, the PCA has reviewed it, we
reviewed it, the public reviewed it. Now what we need is the county to approve it and approve their resolution saying, "Yep, this is our 10ear plan moving forward." And then if you guys do that, then MPCA will issue a document that they call planning effect that says, "Hey, here's what this 10ear plan says."
And then we would be done and safe for another 10 years till we got to do it again by statute. Yes, the rinse and repeats every 10. So, >> I'll make a motion to approve resolution 2025 122-2. >> We got a motion. Do we have a second?
>> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor motion signify by saying I carage emergency management morning a little little
So most of you are aware that our uh code red alerting system um experienced some issues in the last month or so. Um, essentially if you look on your sheet there, iPod is the uh
nationwide alerting system that you can send out. The Amble alerts come across. All the all the automatically pushed to cell phone stuff that you get on your phone comes from the iPod system. You're required to have a third party vendor in order to access that system. and then
you get a certificate that allows you to use your in our case we use code red and we were able to access through code red um so when their issue happened and again I don't know the the depth of their
security breach or whatever um iPod in in a attempt to be as secure as possible restricted those certificates that went to the code red system. So, anybody that was on the code
red system no longer had a certificate to be able to access the iPod alert system, if that makes sense. Um, so working with the other counties that we were uh in a cog with for the code red, we started to search a new third
party vendor to be able to issue those alerts. Uh, we've um gone through a couple different demonstrations. Uh the group chose this regroup is what it's called. Basically regroup is the same as code red. They just started you
know their name is regroup. So um what you see there is we were paying 51.8327 a year for code red. The regroup cost is 51.40 for a three-year contract. So basically we'll be paying less for three years than we paid for one year through
code red. U what we gain with that is now we'll have a credible source that we can get our certificates back to be able to make so so essentially currently on code red if you signed up for code red I could send you a message
but if we had something that we needed to get every cell phone in this region we don't have that ability because that comes through the iPod system so um regroup will give us that we'll be able to get those certificates back and be able to make those messages just go out.
Um but in addition to that, they also have the ability to send to desktops as well. So um each county that is involved with this conglomeration, there's five um will have the ability to send messages to desktops as well as cell phones and landlines and all those
things as well. So we kind of gain a little bit of extra ability that we didn't have with Code Red. Um and a significant savings over the course of we'll pay less for three years than we pay for one year through Code Red. So, I'm just kind of trying to give you an
update for that. Um, this week we're working to get our information, our 911 data, um, so that those alerts that go out to every 911 address, those things will be imported into the system and
we'll be able to set up our basically change our little button on our website that goes from code red to a regroup and people can start signing up. the the goal is by the end of the week to have that available for everybody to start signing up again. Um they are working
pretty hard to get our group back up and running. Um and so um in the interim our our option was to call down to the state um duty officer and have them send a message should we have needed to do something in that interim. Um, luckily
we have not needed that ability, but um, that was our backup plan at this point. And now as we move forward, hopefully by the end of the week, we'll be up and back available do those things on our own. So, um, it'll give us the ability to send out countywide messages for our
county employees. Uh, we'll be able to send out to anybody obviously that signs up for the the notifications through that. Um, but we'll also be back to that ability to just pick a geographical location on the map and hit every cell phone in that region that we need to
have. So, um, just a quick update. Hopefully by the end of the week that'll all function. The desktop is that an email uh comes as an alert similar to what our uh um our little green button. When you push the little green button, it pops up on your
screen that says so and so at this desk location and it'll it'll be like a a ribbon of what do you want to call it? >> Yeah. So, um it'll just pop up on your screen and give you that alert. So, we'll be able to send that for if we're
going to they decide to close the roads or whatever, we'll be able to send that to everybody's desktop as well as um all their phone notification as well. So another question to tear the apologize the window the work you did the what
>> a weather radar >> what's that called >> it's an expand weather radar >> is is that a available are we utilizing it part of this or where's that at so >> that that's separate >> y
>> than the notification system um the bill that was written to get five more radar stars up and access to the data was cut um during the session. So our group is um we've applied for a
grant with the department of egg because they have their own meteor meteorologists on staff there and they have the emerging issues grant funds and so we made application there and um Candy Ohio County is sponsoring that
grant application. We should find out soon if we are able to go and be interviewed for potentially receiving that grant. We're feeling good about it. And in the in the event that we get awarded that, we'll get um the additional radars up in Minnesota and
then the data would be um available to local units of government. Right now, our radar is functioning and working in in our regional pilot. There are, I think, six or seven counties that are able to look at the data like we are.
Um, but we're still working on it very hard to to to make it happen. But this would be connected to any kind of notification system in the event the National Weather Service uses that data from the Wendell radar to
issue a weather warning and then we could use our notification system to get that out to the public. >> So since we were a pilot and you do have the data, can that be disseminated people in our county?
>> Not the public. Nope. It's just to our our responders for fires, law enforcement. >> It can then you reuse it. >> So Grant County BMS or fire and you can
use the data. You just got to disseminate it. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Yeah. And they are actually going to be here this week to uh weatherize that. There was some issue last year with extreme cold temperature. They had some uh
functionality issue with that radar and so they they're working on that process as well. So actually this week they're going to be here to basically winterize that tower. So somebody gets to climb up on that water tower today
>> and uh hang up with >> better today than tonight. So >> yeah, the radar in Rendle is the first one that the company has in this cold climate. >> So I got a question, Mr. Chair. So it looks like everybody's on board with this and we're moving off. I mean,
you're talking Swift, Hope, uh, Stevens, everybody in the area is tying up. >> So we were in a cog previously with Pope Stevens Grant was all together. Travers is now they they have moved to this and and with that conglomeration
there's about a $5,000 savings for the for having all five counties go together. So we'll be honor previously we had a threecounting cog and for the most part prior to this last year Stevens County kind of managed that cog right Tina just so I make sure I'm clear
on that but um we were in the process of splitting that apart so each county operated their own piece of that puzzle. Well, this will allow us not only to split out and each county will have our own we'll have our own account for Grant
County, but we will also be able to work with them and for instance, I may be an administrator for Stevens County and Pulk County and their emergency managers may be an administrator for our county. So, if something comes up and we need to send a message and we have no ability here, we can call to one of those
counties and they can send our message for us. So, we'll have that redundancy in this process as well. And it'll be the same with Travers and the same with Script as well. So each county will be able to designate administrators for our county and we'll be able to work back and forth similar to what the COG did
before. Um it'll just be a little bit different process. So So you said you have the ability to send message all cell phones. Is that the all cell phones of the people that have went online and signed up or do you know all cell
phones? So, so there's two different processes. If we go strictly through the reader program, we can send to anybody who's signed up for that uh resource. Okay. If we go in regroup,
there's the ability to go into the iPod system, which requires a certificate and all that stuff. Then we have the ability to hit towers and and hit geographical areas. You can set time limits. For instance, if there's an accident by
ash feed and we want to send it to everybody that's traveling through that area on the interstate, we can make a a circle or polygon or whatever shape you want to make around that area that you want to cover. And you can set a time.
So for the next hour, we want every cell phone that comes into that area to get this message. And that will hit everybody driving down the interstate and they'll get alerted for that accident. So we could have done that. I don't know. They probably did it with >> And one caveat to that. >> Yeah.
>> So the message in iPod goes to the cell towers, >> right? >> And then any phone or device that's affiliated to that tower message that end user does have responsibility because in your phones or your devices,
you have a settings where you have to make sure it's on to receive those messages. Yeah. It's >> go the alerts down. You got to scroll all the way to the bottom and there's a government alerts place where you can get weather alerts. You can get Amber alerts. You can get you can turn on
they'll turn those things on or turn them turn them off obviously. So if those are off for you, you won't get those. But >> but the app is still on everybody's home. Correct. You just got to once it surfaces there, you just got to >> you know whatever, right?
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So >> it gets very confusing. It's the information overload. Um, but yes, Regroup will be a self-registered. >> It will be just like code red was. People will go and they'll log in and they'll put the information in that they
want and those messages will come directly from Grant County Sheriff's Office >> or emergency management. >> iPods is another resource that utilizes cell towers. So it can hit the geographical area for anybody in that area who has a device affiliated to the
tower. And the caveat is they have to in their settings on their device be willing to accept that alert. >> It's a heck of a deal by >> right. I mean I've been on park and you get them a deal.
But it'll actually show up on a phone like through an email and >> it'll be like the It'll be like when you get an Amber Alert. You see that bar that comes across? >> That's all that's going to be. >> That's what they'll be. Yep. >> And you have to self-register on your >> P. No, not for the iPods. You just have
to have it turned on to allow those alerts. >> Okay. >> We can show you that afterwards. >> I suspect if you haven't gone and turned them off, they're going to be on. >> They should be on, but some carriers are different. So, your Verizon uh presets may be different than
T-Mobile or may be different than AT&T. So, you just have to make sure your carrier has the correct, you know, has your settings correct. So, >> on >> Yep. So, each one is a little bit different. So, that's the key. >> I think we'll check that after. That's
why in the past, like if a a weather warning went out and your neighbor said, "Well, I didn't get one on my phone, but you got one on your phone." More than likely, for some reason, their settings were turned off, >> right? >> And and again, this is a good work session because >> notifications can be overwhelming
because there's so many options and so many ways you can get alerted. And um >> and the other piece then is with that with it going to cell phones, it also has the ability to go to radio stations and TV. the old beep beep that comes across the TV. If you're a TV station
that's affiliated, which obviously we don't have TV stations or radio stations in Grant County, so it doesn't really affect us as much, but um with Stevens County, they would have a radio station there. They can also choose or not choose to publish those as well. So when
you get the BB beep across your radio saying we got this message that radio station has chosen to take those um that one is called the the AEES right Tina emergency alert system
>> EAS sorry EAS so that is your BP going across your TV or coming across your radio those things they can now choose whether they which most places most of our local radio stations do send those But it's they have that that is part of
that ability. So, >> but we're still going to need to go to the Grant County site in a short while and sign up someday. >> Right. >> And I would imagine that once the system is ready, there will be a lot of public outreach >> through through Facebook and the paper
and >> and stuff to let the public know. We've already alerted the public that Code Red is no longer a working service. And then as soon as the the new um service is put in place, um information will go to county staff and the public about how to
to sign up. >> Right. >> I'll make a motion to approve the regroup. Second motion second. Any more discussion? All the vot I
>> both carried. >> Thank you. Thank >> last meeting we talked about approving the EMS getting that approved and at the budget committee I asked why we couldn't just go ahead and approve what you see before you. the last sheet on the
packet, whether they're appropriations that have their own line or they're out of the commissioner's budget, those lines. So, I would present that list and we would just unless anybody objects or
wants to change amounts or take somebody off of there, I would make a motion to set those appropriations at the level we see in front. >> I'll second that, Mr. Sure. I got a couple of questions. So, we have
we haven't done a reduction in in the local levy there, including our commissioner's budgets. They're all the same numbers from last year. Troy, >> these are the numbers that were in there other than the Grant County AO association. These are the numbers that
were approved in the preliminary letter, >> right? These would have been based on whatever budget and information they would have given us. >> Correct. Numbers. >> Correct. Y. >> Okay. >> So, we did I mean in the preliminary the
Grant County Aocation was at 50 just for transparency. We did lower that to the 25 that had been talked about. Otherwise, all the rest of those should reflect what was in the preliminary bud preliminary budget. >> Okay. and the Chipo Chipoa River
wershed. I mean you guys aren't planning any one wershed one plan revenue for that that wershed or you know or is there any talk on any of that where SWCBS are looking for revenue there >> that's going to go up
>> right >> well if it is notified of that >> say if that go if you want that number to go up we're way past >> I'm just asking yeah we're past that but what I'm driving that I'm just asking the question as far as any moment
momentum then. Okay, this question I have. Thank you. We have a second, right? >> Yes. Any more discussion? All be mot I
>> does exile energy. >> There's a question. >> So So Hoffman can order their ambulance. I didn't say that. I said we sat there. I I didn't say that. You got to come out of committee then. So we have committee next Monday for this coming Monday. >> Then you can ask that question. All
right. I I don't know nothing about that. I got try to ask the answer's not >> well follow up to that question. is that
obviously the final budget's going to be at our next meeting more than likely, right? >> Well, we've set these so we don't have to go and reset the >> I asked Chad I asked them that the date we have to be have the levy done is December 29th. That doesn't mean we
shouldn't try to have it done on the 16th. >> Right. >> Right. It just means that if something does come up, but we have questions, we need to get those asked well before the 16th. So I guess if we approve this, which we did, right? >> Mhm.
>> Then to the committee, the way I didn't build in the question, if we approved it, should we answer the question or should there be more comment from the committee whether Hoffman can afford their ambulance? I think the committee what I
was taking is the committee still has work to do before this question can be answered right meeting >> Monday >> on the 15th >> an EMS meeting on Monday. So if you if it at that point you know fleet in this meeting that that can commence to happen
>> correct >> okay they know how much money is coming in next year so they can make their plans for next year and we know we know now what we'll have for next year >> it wasn't conclusive but now they're sense
>> okay XL Energy buys them to Alexandria's second circuit 345 KV the transmitting line project information.
Everybody got the letter um yesterday um with the warrant and um that is the only information we've been given is that that transmission line um
after reading the letter it looks like the transmission line the amendment to it is some of the structures need to be rebuilt. Um they're going to be in the same location. They're not moving location, but they need to rebuild them. And so that amendment has to go through their process, which looks to be a
couple year process through 27, I believe, if my memory serves me right. So the letter came shows the northeast part of the county. Um, that line's already been approved. Again, it's the amendment because some of the existing
structures will need to be changed. Um and so there will be dates and times that there'll be meetings for public comment and things like that. So as that information becomes available um we can share it on our website and Facebook so
so people are are aware. But because the letter came um we just want to make sure that full board got the letter. It was discussed at a at a meeting that everyone was aware that there are some amendments in the next two years. there's a timeline of meetings and such
to talk about those amendments. >> I am sorry. So Tina the when I read it I I seen you know like the the added wires are going on the same structures and you know some of them have to be either redone or
added on added to that what I would agree >> you know they I suppose they need more support in certain areas like 70 or 80 more towers or something like that added to that line. So >> they go it basically follows the freeway right? Yeah, the same line.
>> It'll stay in the same rightway. It's just >> Yeah, everything's the same. They're just going to hang more wire from >> some of it's going to bounce in and out of right away. So, it's not going to stay there. But the underbuild that they're going to put into place needs more towers because they don't need near
the the structuring that they have for the 345 up top. So, they're going to they're going to try to cut some cost and cut corners and stuff like that. Straighten that thing out. That's kind of what I I talked to with the Darren Gross city of LA for those superintendent. That's >> it's just moreformational that there's
going to be meetings coming up and when th when we're notified of those meetings, we'll make sure to get give that out there so people are aware. >> We're ramping up for these AI systems. What's happening these data centers?
I'm the city of El city of bail or wherever you want to call it a letter of support. Do they >> they do? We do because we are the LGU. We we have to support we get the revenue from the state and it's a pass through for the project. um they're going to
apply for a million half dollars for the elevator road. And this is from from 5559 and then and then it'll compass um First Street Southwest and then Second Avenue Southwest and and create a culde-sac on
the west elevator and and again they need our support on the county level because we are the LGU supporting system mechanism out here for the draw from those funds. and it is it's lip funds from towns of 5,000 and under will make
that motion Mr. Chair being that the letter was drafted to me to be the letter of to to be we will support the city of Lakes improvement construction reconstruction whatever you want to call it or first street
southwest and second I'll second Mr. Sure. So, Billy, let me just get my map up here. Is it going to the highway 59? >> Well, it's black top, you know, for it's
just to the where it starts on gravel. So, it's actually that first street or first it could be first ad. Not redoing that section. >> No, that's all black. >> That is black. >> That's we that was built. That's 10 road. >> Okay. That part is >> Yep. So, it's just a stub where source
gravel on the west elevator to the west and a culde-sac and then second avenue um southwest reaching up to our county railway on the county road number. >> Yep. >> Yeah.
>> Well, QB Park is to the north of this. >> Yeah. North of the road. We've done this already once before and we got denied and we ended up, you know, pushing through and Matt got a little bit more u paperwork put together for L funds of
towns of 5,000 and under and you city Hoffen received 1.4 million for the last round of funding as you know and that would be in 27, right? So it's about the same process. >> So you didn't just tell give them a go yet or what?
I'd love to, but get here. It's an eligibility thing. >> So, back to that question I had on this east end of this going to the 59. That's kind of a free-for-all. If you're
leaving the elevator and you're going to subsequently take a left or go north, you grab you go to the south on the gravel and you that kind of that it's all cog grain property. So they can kind of do what they wanted
>> right away kind of changed it all. >> No, the map shows just exactly the hard surface and the curb lines and and the drainages and what they had planned. Well, by addressing I think my opinion, Ken is by addressing
the what is Second Avenue or whatever it is that runs north so trucks can leave that way up to County Road One, that alleviates some of your congestion, right? Because right now, they don't want you on that road. So, everybody has to come and go from the same spot. So, >> by going north up to County Road One,
you're alleviating the departing traffic. So, it makes it a much better transition. That would be the solution then. >> Yes. And plus the corn trucks that are sitting on the, you know, the west elevator, they're sitting in line there and a lot of times there's a
congestioner just like what Commissioner Johnson was saying there. So it gives them a chance to make a left and go go north to our corner. Yeah. In around circle. >> Okay. The most we can possibly draw from is a million and a half bucks. And that's
about that project is going to cost. If it's a little wet, it gets to be a mess. >> What's that? >> If it's a little wet, it gets to be a mess. >> And then it's icy and slippery and they need they need drainage issues. QB Park gets flooded and they put this in the
application this round that anytime there's any kind of a high rain events and things like that. They got I mean QB park down there has got three, four or 5 ft of water standing in it. So the drainage is going to get taken care of through this project as well. I don't know that was cold. Well, they have one
for periodically it surfaces down there. Okay, we got a motion on the second. Any more discussion? All the motion signify I >> I both here they want that by December 8th.
>> Yes to put the application in. We've already done this once >> and letters of support from a lot of different you know other than us and co-op grain plug got something plugged in there so they could utilize that. >> Well you should have been getting so
Douglas County has a significant amount of grain that moves through that elevator. Ottertale County had a significant amount of grain that moves through that elevator. >> I don't I know it'd be pretty hard to have a response by the 8th, but I mean those are >> there's >> that's how we got
the money in Hoff and we went to Proag and had them go to Ottertale, Douglas, all these other counties that have I mean the farmers that run through here coming from Evansville, they're coming from Otterale. Get those other counties involved. The
more The more you can get, the better. >> So, Mr. Chair, will you anticipate or bill you anticipate that they'll rename them that road that goes north, the Bill Boulevard? What's in there? >> What's in there? >> Yeah. >> The signage you're talking when they're
all said and done. Okay. Yeah, they've already got that covered. 54 is the build of Memorial Highway, but I got to die first. Okay. >> Okay. Budget and finance committee. a long building and finance building
>> building what building and finance >> or budget and finance I mean I can't read I guess sorry >> well we met and what you had today was what we met about it >> yeah okay >> on that though how do we want I mean do we want pretty much the Same thing for
the rest the rest of them or what is a plan for two week from today when we want to set the the budgets. >> You want to have another meeting after you get back from AMC or what are you thinking? >> Well, I'm not saying that. I'm saying are there questions? Are there things I
mean don't wait to ask if you look through the budgets and there's a a question don't wait till the 16th to ask and no one Well, the the preliminary was.9 something or less than three, right?
>> Well, no, it was pretty closer to four. Yeah, >> cuz if there was the the number used for last year's levy was the remember we took like 1% off, >> right? >> The number was that was used originally
figuring the increase was the number before we took that percent off. So it changed what the increase was >> 3.97 that's the number I was going to strip back here shortly. So originally it was
that 2.4 but now it's% more. So, you know, some of the things that we will wanted to make sure everyone on the board understood is that when we get into next year now, the LEC building payment, we still will have $150,000
that US Bank that they will pay. So, that $667 we levied or we're leving for payment will not go to US Bank. They already have that money. One of the things is we were we're having an additional payroll next
year because January's first payroll of 2027 will wind up on the 1st, which is a Friday. So, we're going to pay it on the 31st. So, the recommendation is to not take that out because you just turn around and put it back in anyway, but that'll cover that that shortfall. The
25,000 we took off of the air. The fair goes to covering that. That's about a $200,000 noon shortfall. So those things would go to cover though. So the last meeting there was not a
recommendation to cut from the prelim. We may have to move like from the le payment to some of the numbers may have to move but the levy doesn't happen. So from the
finance and budget committee looking at any individual departments there wasn't any glarying reductions that you identified that needed to be addressed by the board. No, it was it was some of those bigger
things that we know we would be removing from like the the fair. >> Yeah. >> But we know we have a need elsewhere. So the budget itself and I mean so one of the things we talked about was putting
the salaries and payroll expenses and stuff back into the individual department's budget. And what we did was we're going to wait and see if we can get negotiations wrapped up before then. If not, we wanted to wait and then we would put those back in. So
we would amend the budget in January, February, March, whenever those things are resolved. So it's the budget itself. We will approve one in in two weeks or when we do it, but we may need to come back and amend it just because we kept
for because of the negotiations and the wage study and all the things. We kept the budget separate or the payroll separate from department. >> Yeah, >> we will eventually want to put those back in. >> Right. It's 1%. Help me out because originally
it was the 2.9 something. So in that we got in the mail for our taxes. Is that 3.9 or the 2.9? >> So percentages are just for your PR that is based on nothing in the re in the real world. So we set dollar figures. Y
we don't set percentages. The percentages for you to go to AMC and brag were only 4% when somebody else is nine. >> Yeah. >> But the reality of we deal with dollar. So, how we got a a miss in our percentage is
remember at the end of 24, what was presented to us was we needed to certify a levy of let's just call it $8 million to receive, but we said we're going to take 1% of that off because we always overestimate. So, we actually set
the levy at $7,920,000. So when we figured this year's increase, that was based off of the 8 million, not the 7,9. So that's why there's a discrepancy in the percentage from what we thought back in September to now. We
know that that number was a little bit. So the notice we got in the mail, I understand the percentage, but at some point it does get the dollars. Does the notice we got in the mail reflect the dollars which translates to the 3.97?
So the notice you got in the mail would have said 24 25 let's say 25 and then the projected 26, right? So those would have been based off of actual number but and I'm going to verify this later but those
are going to be actual numbers. But backing into it, is it the 2.97 or the 3.97? >> It would be the 3.97. So it it is accurate what we got in the van. >> I got it. It's laying on my table. That's what it said.
>> It's proposed. It isn't, you know, it is a projection. Proposed, >> right? >> No, no. But what I'm saying is cuz we left here in the preliminary and we had 2.97 in my head. >> Am I right, Dwight?
I think it would. But that and I don't have a problem with the chain. I just was wondering if all that that's how it happened is we went and essentially shorted our budgets to $80,000. And when this year we're
figuring out that percentage, we went off of that bigger number, not the true number of what we set the levy at. So that's where the discrepancy comes. That's what the percentage not even say that way. I understand >> the the information that was provided in
the truth and taxation statements is accurate. >> Perfect. Thank you. Yeah. So, is there anything that if we need to have another budget finance committee? Great. We will. That's not a problem. But if we anybody
has questions, get them to Tina and we will get or Chad or get don't send on a question you think of tomorrow until the 16th. You done with that? Hope so. That would be even committee.
We haven't met since the last time. No, we met just you just Monday. That was that was ridiculous. >> Not yesterday. The week before that we were going we're going over security safety policing part of that courthouse security. Just trying to get
that some of that stuff wrapped up. >> Oh, we are still looking at some flooring options. So that's there's something else here that got covered up. Oh, equipment stuff. I am working on EMS committee.
We're meeting what day, Dina? >> December 15th. >> 15:00. >> Yeah, we'll have more information there. Thanks, Commissioner. Meet >> Personnel Committee. >> Negotiations are ongoing. We'll meet
again this afternoon. You are I don't know if I am. You are. >> Anything else? We I mean you have >> Yeah, you have the assessor's office
here. >> Okay. Highway Committee, can we meet this afternoon at 1:00? We'll give you a followup from that meeting. Public safety >> contractors are out. Haven't heard. There was one question that got answered through email. I haven't heard anything
else from read today and we got that document approved. So, and I was at the last time negotiations planned. >> We haven't met since last meeting report.
>> We did post or we posted the three open seats for public. Um we've had a few inquiries but no applications received yet. >> All right. House. >> Um, Mr. Chair, we got a finance
committee meeting tomorrow at 8:00 and then for the final budget and then present that to the board at meeting on the 15th. >> Okay. Western Prairie. So, one thing we should, and I forgot to
mention it to my I talked to him yesterday, but when we have our next building security meeting, we should Western Prairie wants to be invited. We start talking about lockdown buttons and some of that stuff. They would like to be
I don't know if we need to I mean, Horizon's here as well. Do we need to improve we can I can mention that I mean that >> I think it's going to reflect on anybody in our building. >> Well, so one of the the things of
discussion with with Western B and been included in it is when we get to especially the lockdown button >> Yeah. >> is you're not going to be able to get in. So, we need to make sure everyone know that I mean I mean
>> that's everybody's got to be privy to the information and at the same meeting. I agree. Well, we just I'll talk to her about it that meeting morning and then we just let them know by email. Let her
know and I guarantee you they'll be there. Anybody got anything else? >> Okay, we'll turn the meeting at table 33. We got We got one.