Good morning everyone and welcome to the Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 meeting of the Kandandy County Board of Commissioners. Everybody, please stand for the pledge. of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Want to welcome everybody who's watching on uh YouTube and uh everybody who takes an interest in Kandai County government. And uh
we're coming off of a very successful uh I believe Candy High County Fair and happy to see Commissioner Dale Anderson survived it as well. So uh we have a relatively short agenda today and so first of all we will begin with a
request for approval of the agenda. So move Mr. Chair. Commissioner Mck moves. Is there a second? I'll second that. Mr. Chair Commissioner Dwayne Anderson seconds. discussion hearing. None. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Motion passes. We also have
the consent agenda which consists of the routine items. The approval of the August 5 county board legal minutes, approval of the auditor's warrants and claims, approval of human services warrants and claims, and consideration of a special limited deer hunt at
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center. Are there any of these consent items that any commissioners wish to pull from the agenda? Hearing none, then I'd accept a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Also move.
Commissioner Dale Anderson moves. Is there a second? I'll second that, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Corkyberg seconds. Discussion. Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. All mo. All opposed. Motion passes. Thank you. Uh we will have at this time
uh consideration of resolution 2025-27 declaring a state of emergency for Candy Ohio County. Uh and emergency management director Ace Bonama will present. Ace. Good morning. Good morning. Ace Bonama County Emergency Management Director.
It's been a busy summer. Um, as you're all well aware, um, I'm going to be talking about resolution 2027 or 2025-27 in a in a second. Just a little update on the June 13 floods. That was our our
first storm and and as you know, we did the declaration on that. We are still waiting to hear from the governor's office. I did speak to Homeland Security Emergency Management yesterday. They assured me that the the process is where it needs to be. Um and um things are still set for us to get approval on
that. Um it's been a busy year for them as well. Um we are still going through our crisis cleanup. People that had called in for assistance and on our hotline and stuff. We still have a few people that are are looking for some help. Um we're currently working with some lo local churches and stuff to try
and find those people the assistance. Um we did have some volunteer organizations come through um shortly after the Bumiji storms and stuff. it it kind of volunteers are being taxed all across the state. So, we we appreciate the help that we got and we are we are getting
things cleaned up. But this uh resolution that I'm talking about today is is not really flood related. It's related to the storms that we had in the Sunberg, New London area, the high winds, um rain and hail um on July 27.
And um this declaration starts that that process again with the state of Minnesota. we will not fortunately I guess be uh reach federal levels for any assistance but this is for public infrastructure and mainly it's the power
company Candy Co-op Power and then the city of Sunberg. Um we're going to have a preliminary damage assessment with the state today to to gather all those numbers. But as we talked about before our threshold is $103,000 for the county. Um we're currently at 105,000 in
our estimates. So, we know that uh like public works and stuff, they did a lot of work on the storm and stuff, but um some of those um some things don't meet the thresholds depending on which category it is in the public infrastructure. So, those are
things that that we need to look at in this estimate today. So, um currently looking for approval on um resolution 2025-27. Um, with that, we hope to uh get the
governor to sign this one when he gets time, and that would allow 75% reimbursement on some of those expenditures. So, I'd be happy to answer. Mr. Chair, I would move on resolution 2025-27. We have a motion to approve the uh uh
resolution. Is there a second? I'll second it. Commissioner Dale Anderson seconds. Uh discussion. Commissioner MDC. Thank you. Um, Ace, do you know if um opportunity costs can be included? Like
the city of New London and City of Spicer lost almost a full day of business because of power being out uh uh following that storm that you referred to with Sunberg and New London. Uh as well as internet service for much of the area. Can that be counted?
Uh not towards the public infrastructure. It doesn't fall under one of those categories. We can check on the small business stuff. I don't think it's going to meet meet it on on this one, but those are questions that we can ask during that preliminary damage assessment with HSCM when they come out.
And then I I do have a comment if I may follow up. Go right ahead. I saw this morning I I'm feeling a little bit uh nervous that the governor or whomever makes the decision is going to uh allow for those storms
because Mano and um the valley area those events happened afterwards and they got approved was in today's paper and so uh nervous about either one of our two events. I I totally understand that from what I'm
hearing from HSCM. It's a a process and in my personal opinion, there's more media coverage in some of those areas because of the um it's the dollar amount especially for the Belrammy County one um making it a more
of a front page than ours. And that was some of the reason too that it's harder for us to get the volunteers in and stuff. Um, but they set these criteria based on counties per capita and we met that criteria. So, I don't I've never
seen it before where the the governor says no, we don't like that county. It's here's the rules and do you qualify or don't you? Um, from what we're seeing and from what the state is telling us, we do qualify. Just be patient. Everything's in in process. So,
it's kind of where we're at, I guess. Uh and uh to Commissioner Mck's point, I saw the same article this morning and uh I asked you the same question ahead. Uh it's it's a little unnerving. I think
that's uh I think that's the right thing to say. Uh but would it also be possible that part of the reason is that uh we don't know for sure the full extent of uh damages given that we've still got high water in parts of the county.
um potentially that could actually could possibly play as far as the the governor signing. I would think that that that wouldn't stop him because we know that those numbers are going to go up. One thing that when when I came here on July 1st, I believe it was, um to get that
last declaration, um and then I came back to give an update on July 17th. I had called HSCM to give us an update as far as has the governor signed it and they said it hadn't even been submitted to the governor's office then because there were other counties that didn't have their their homework done the
numbers in so that those counties are still associated with that June 13 storm. So that was kind of slowing the process as well. So it may be something totally unrelated to us. I would say let's not panic yet. Um they're telling us that everything's okay and on
schedule. Um, so I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and, uh, we'll come back in a in a month if if we're not hearing from them. Well, um, when you next visit with them, uh, we're we're impatiently waiting. Uh,
anyone else with any questions for, uh, the director? Commissioner B. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh I uh director Bonama I just was wanting wondering or want to know if you will be able to guarantee us that this is the last emergency resolution this year.
This is what number two now. No, you've been working really hard and very busy with this in your group and I want Thank you for all you're doing. Thank you. And it's important you bring these to us. Yeah, I I feel that. I mean, there's a lot of Mel Mel can attest that this isn't an easy process and there's a lot
of paperwork and and they don't easily just, oh, you need money, here you go. Um, you kind of got to fight for it a little bit, but um, the way I look at it, especially like this one, this isn't going to affect a lot of our agencies, but the co-op, there was a lot of power lines down. And so, for them to get
reimbured for 75%, that's tax dollars that we pay that are staying in the area instead of going to Bel Trammy or helping them out. So, I think that it's worth us fighting for. Any anyone else? All right. We have a motion to approve
resolution 2025-27 declaring a state of emergency for Candy County. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All opposed. Motion passes. Ace. Thank you so much. Thank you for your hard work. At this time, we'll ask uh Christa
Krupa, Kendra County Environmental Specialist, to come to the podium. And this is in regards to approval of a professional services agreement. Christa, good morning. Good morning, Mr. Chair, members of the board. I'm here before you today for approval of a professional service agreement and and signing of that
agreement between Candyo High County and Stantech Counseling. Um, back in 2019, the board passed a resolution to submit um a technical assistance grant application to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for Big Candy Lake.
Um, we did that in three stages. This is our third stage. So, this is our souths southwest portion. As you saw in your packets, you kind of had that map that showed you the southern part of Big Candy Lake. This is actually a a grant that is headed by the lake association
and Candy High County is just acting as the financial entity for the lake association. So, we're just kind of that pass through for the funds. So, we're just asking for approval of the technical assistance. All right. Uh, any questions for Christa?
Um, yeah. So, this is just uh do a study right now or is it further than that or because I know we've talked about this a couple years ago for other parts of that of Big Candy. Yep. So, this is the third study on Big Candy Lake. Okay. Um, there's been two other community um
assessment reports that have been filed for the other portions. um recommendation has been to keep it as is or to connect to the Lake Lillian community. Um but that infrastructure isn't able to support at this time. So
it's basically up to the lake association as to what steps they want to take next. Okay. Thank you. With that, Mr. Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve, uh, let's see, uh, to approve the professional service agreement between Candyway County and
Stantech Consulting Services for a community assessment report on Big Candy. Thank you. Commissioner Dwayne Anderson moves approval of the agreement. Is there a second? I'll second that. Commissioner MDEX seconds. Thank you. Discussion. Hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I. I. All opposed. Motion passes. Thank you, Christa. Thank you so much. Thank you. We are at the 9:20 uh time and uh Valfor uh county assessor is bringing a request
for a fire abatement. We see these from time to time. Val, good morning. Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. My name is Val Seore, county assessor. I'm here with request today for a motion for approval for a fire baitment for Richard Houseki. The
property was at 220 High Avenue Northeast in Wilmer. The parcel ID 9573010. [Music] The house um had complete damage and it was actually October 31st of 2024 that the fire occurred and we didn't get the
application till much later than that. The home does have more than 50% damage and currently the home is to the bare studs. though we will be going back in the fall and reassessing it and putting it on the tax roles um for whatever has been completed as of January 2nd. So
this reduction in taxes would be for the two months prior the fire. It has to be for the complete months. So it would be for November and December. And so the reduction in taxes would be $200.34. This is what I would request for approval.
You've heard the request. Is there a motion? Mr. Chair Io so so move to abate the taxes in the amount of $200.34. Commissioner Berg moves. Is there a second? I'll second it. Commissioner Dale Anderson seconds.
Discussion. Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All opposed. Motion passes. D. Thank you so much. All right. Thank you. At this time, we will have uh uh administrator Kelsey Baker uh presenting
in regards to the completed uh Candy County strategic plan for 2025 through 27. Kelsey, yes. Kelsey Baker, Candy County Administrator. Today, I would be asking for approval on the strategic plan as the board chair said for 2025 through
2027. Uh, we worked with Dave Onmock LLC on creating the strategic plan. As you see, we had staff involved, commissioners involved, and I think it was a well-rounded process. And I I think Dave did a phenomenal job on helping us navigate
what these priorities are and what our goals should be for the next few years. Um, we looked at a mission statement, we looked at values, um, we looked at key priorities for the foundation for our progress. So, I just kind of want to talk through this a little bit. Um, once
approved, this plan would be emailed out to the all county employees. Um, and I'll walk through that a little bit. Um but one of our priorities is to contain or to continue progressive leadership to create a culture of one to review our physical assets and to be a community
centered partner and um the community centered partner I feel like was a was something that we re also referred to a regional hub. Um, and then I think Commissioner MDK had a really good point about that at our last work session. And so I kind of pondered on what that word
also means, but we're also very community centered and collaborative on how we approach projects and goals and how we work with our partners within the county. And so I thought community centered partner was maybe a a better word better words for this um for one of
our priorities. And so some of our implementation throughout this plan is to create an organization and direction to unite everyone towards a common purpose. Provide a roadmap to guide policy decisions to the county board. Um
improve the ability to commit time and resources to important priorities such as staff and opportunities, aligning employees around common strategic uh strategies and goals, and communicating the important priorities to residents, businesses, and stakeholders.
And so there was a a mission statement committee that got together that came up with some options that the board reviewed as well. And so our mission statement once this is approve if this is approved would be we lead with integrity serve with purpose and empower potential.
And our vision would be to be a driving force for prog for progress fostering trust, collaboration and resilience to create a vibrant and sustainable future. And I think a lot of these word choices are who we have been, who we are, and who we want to be moving forward. And so
I feel that in reviewing this plan with the department heads, with the board, I feel confident in that we're bringing our past to the present and into the future. I think these are some strong goals, strong priorities, but I think they're all sustainable and achievable.
And so the document kind of lays out each of the strategies with the objectives with the goals goes into more depth. Um each department has reviewed it. Some are specific, some might be specific towards um human resources. Some might be more specific. We bring up
the weather radar gap. Uh we bring up technology. We bring up being fiscally responsible, being financial stewards, uh roads and bridges. And we but we also loop in in the infrastructure word, we loop in technology into that because as we're looking at our buildings and our
technology um we sometimes just think road and bridges are our infrastructure, but we got to we're we're uh widening that circle. And so what are we all including when we say infrastructure? And when we mean that or when we say infrastructure, we're looping in roads and bridges,
facilities, technology, all of that brick andmortar infrastructure, hard hardware. And so, do you have any questions or comments regarding the strategic plan? I was hoping to have a logo ready to roll out as you all were aware of. Um, we're
just not quite there. We are almost there. Um, but that would be something that would be approved at a later date in time. Um, but I didn't want to keep holding off on this strategic plan to be approved by the board. And so we are doing this in a twofold. Um, but I feel
comfortable with that. I feel comfortable that we'll have some options to you soon for an updated logo. Um, but within this document, this would roll out and be implemented right away. Are there any questions for administrator B? Commissioner Berg.
Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. And I think you also feedback you wanted as well. uh greatly you put this together in a very fantastic way. were very well done and as you you said these are things we've kind of believed all along but to see it in print really is very helpful and
there's a little bit in there for everybody to look at and some people may like other things or uh versus certain things more so to grab hold of but I'm looking at one of the goals and the strengthening fiscal responsibility and transparency by reviewing the budget
process to improve efficiency public understanding and being prudent using our taxpayer funds And I think this year we're really looking at that from that perspective going forward with our budget and feeling really positive. So, thank you. Good.
And everyone else that took part in this? Yeah. And all the staff. Uh any other questions or comments for administrator Baker? Uh I just uh I just want to reiterate uh and this is in the document itself that
this is not a static document. This is going to be a living, breathing document, and it's a reflection of our direction, decisions, and dedication to uh continuous improvement. That's a paraphrase, but it's in there. So, uh I want to thank you for all of your work
in getting this all lined up and getting us getting everybody to the table. And uh uh I really like the idea of uh culture of one. That to me is the standout piece in all of this. uh where we're strongest when we it's one team.
So, and I think some ways, excuse me, if you go through is the initiation, the planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. One of the things as uh Dave recommended throughout this process is we'll be adding some of the some of our strategies and goals to
board agendas. You'll see some of this information pulled out in maybe all staff emails, and some of the publications. Uh Melissa and I have been kind of figuring out ways and I'll be working with each department on how we um communicate this uh throughout the
department throughout the departments and the county as a whole. Outstanding. Mr. Chair, I would move on adopting the strategic plan as presented. There's a motion to adopt the strategic plan as presented. Is there a second?
I'll second that, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Dwayne Anderson seconds. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Motion passes. Kelsey, thank you. And now you have another item for us as well. Correct. Again, Kelsey Baker, Kio County
Administrator. Uh with two commissioners being gone for the September 16th board meeting. I would request that we leave the September 16th board meeting as is, being that we will have a quorum. Um and then we that way we can still approve
warrants, claims, things like that where there can beformational updates as needed. Uh not approving the preliminary levy and then to hold a special board meeting on September 23rd, that's the following Tuesday, the fourth Tuesday of the month, uh to solely adopt the 2026
preliminary levy. We wouldn't have any other agenda or sorry um topics on the agenda. it would just be to uh execute action on their uh the levy resolution for 2026. Um
part of me why leaving that the 16th is we there's still someformational topics that I think we can have staff or partners come and present on um that will still be beneficial for the board and the public and it's uh to keep the warrants moving forward instead of
pausing for another week. All right. Are there any questions for Kelsey? Does a 23rd work for everyone? That works for me. I think you uh told us to uh hold that. Yep. But I just 9:00, right?
Yep. 9:00 a.m. Um Mr. Chair, Commissioner, uh it'd be it'd be probably be beneficial that we uh have time to discuss the budget because today we're seeing it for the first time
or since last week. I got my first glimpse of it. We'll talk about it somewhat today and then then we're going to be approving it uh at that meeting hopefully the preliminary. So if we'd allow some time, you know, in the in the agenda and it looks like there'd be
plenty to have some deeper discussions if there's any questions that still remain. Mhm. And uh to that point, Kelsey, do you want to just take us through the process between uh today and uh and for the
public uh so they know what the work is being done here uh what the process is going to be to get us to that date where we have to certify the preliminary levy. Absolutely. So in past practice, uh the board has always held a budget work
session in August. And so uh for my process when we have this August budget work session is a time for the commissioners to review the initial budget. Um in this initial budget is also the administrator's recommendation to the
budget. Um, there are some things that I've worked through with department heads prior to leading up to this date and so there are things that have been added and removed throughout this process. And so this is in in essence the first run of the what could be a
preliminary budget um and also the administrator's recommendation that's coming in. And those are times that we that I need to hear from you. So today would be a time that you would provide insight where you're comfortable with coming in at where are some of the key drivers the the questions that you have
and then if there are is a lot of discussion then we would come back to the September 2nd board meeting um and do another overview of the budget answer some of those questions and concerns that you have and typically then at the second meeting in September you would
approve the levy in this situation it'll be the fourth Tuesday that we would come back and at that meeting we would be finalizing the resolution. So the finalized uh levy dollar amounts would be in there in that resolution and I would be asking for approval at that
meeting. The 23rd isn't meant for a deep dive into a work session. It's meant to here's where you're comfortable at setting the preliminary levy and then we continue to look at it. If it's too high then we can keep chipping away at it. So that's kind of that final process. So,
um, in between today and September 2nd would be the time if you do have some of those in the weeds deep questions would be now to ask Karen or myself so we can provide more of that information. You just heard our second quarterly reports for 2025 and we're we're right on
schedule. We're our numbers are looking good. Um, and so I think where you'll see further into the budget work session is kind of the unknown within the human services and they're not so much that we can control even at a state level. they're at a federal level and so we're working through some of that. Um, but
like I said, today is the day to kind of let let it all sink in, see what you're comfortable with. September 2nd, we'll do more of a overview again on the budget and then we'll come back on the 23rd for final preliminary levy approval.
All right. Uh, thank you for clarifying that uh for for us and for uh informing the folks out in the public. Are there any other questions for Kelsey? All right. Thank you. We got a vote. Did you you have to vote? Oh, I'm sorry. We have to we have to
vote on on setting on setting the uh There's no motion, is there? There's no motion. No, we need a motion and a second to uh uh add the agenda, add a special board meeting for the 23rd of September. Uh Mr. Chair, I'll make an a motion to approve a special board meeting to
approve the 26 preliminary budget for uh September 23rd. Commissioner Wayne Anderson at 9:00 a.m. Sorry. 9 a.m. And that's right. Thank you. Yes. Held here in the county boardroom in this location. Yes.
Okay. Very good. And is there a second? I'll second that. Commissioner Mbeck seconds. Discussion. All right. Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All opposed. Motion passes. No. Thank you.
Uh and oh, you're still up here. I am. Uh you're going to present on an RFP. Uh Kelsey, go ahead. Right. You guys are just moving along. Um Kelsey Baker again, Candy County Administrator. Before you today, I have a request for proposals for lease and
recreational use of a county-owned uh property. This is the recently purchased landfill property just south our new property that we just purchased south of the landfill. I worked with Gary Gear on this um as
there were a few questions at a few meetings ago maybe about what what are some options moving forward. Um county attorney Shane Baker has reviewed this RFP. Uh, but I think it would be in the best interest of the county to send this out for an RFP to see what we would get
to want for entities who would want to utilize this and what that cost would be. And so really the RFP is very straightforward a because we have to print this in the paper. Um, but it's very straightforward. I'll just do a highle overview. It just talks
about where the parcel are. We list out the parcel numbers. um the property description, the scope of use. This would be something that I think you know I would want your naughty kn head nods on is that we would be looking at um a
variety of uses and programming that this property could be used for um while preserving its rural character. So, guided hunting, horseback riding, equestrian boarding or training, uh, seasonal events, rentals, utilizing the home and the barn, the cabin, uh, food
and beverage focus events, uh, pop-up dinners, things like that. It lists out the term, the terms for the lease, um, what they would need to submit for the requirements, the how we would evaluate. I think this is another key area that
the county board should be aware of is alignment with county goals and community benefits, operational feasibility and sustainability, financial terms and projected value, prosper qualifications and experience, environmental stewardship, an ability to
begin operations in a timely manner. We don't want to sign a lease and something's not going to get moving right off the bat. And then the instructions. And so my thought process um depending on discussion with the county board today, I would submit this to the papers to be printed. Um once we
would get those back um we would review the submitts and work with the county attorney to create a contract bring back to board for final approval. Um I know you want some tours. I I have let Gary Gear know that and so he will
line up tours of the facility also hopefully within the next few weeks to do that. Um, so I'm looking for any feedback. Is this um comfort level? Do you have any concerns or comments um regarding the RFP process? Commissioner Burton.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I think it's a very uh option that looks very positive and from a couple different points of view that um hopefully we can move forward and we've talked about that with the landfill that mitigate that problem
down the road. And if we can look at that 5 years, maybe 10 max, if we do that, you know, that then at that point be in a position we can turn around and sell it. I I don't think uh government makes good landlords at all. And but I like the
idea that we're not trying to rent it on a monthly basis or anything like that, but if we look for a lease for five years, that is a very good option. And I'd be curious to see how this would come out. I think though that we uh as a result though I think the board still
should keep an open mind once these come in to see are there any other options other than this and I can't think of anything that would be better than this right now but we should maybe address that too is just that because we get something back that we automatically have to choose one of those you know we
still have to keep looking at options if we we could but very good I'm glad we're moving forward I've had questions from the community like well what are you going to do with property and and I think this we have a potential plan here. Very good.
Commissioner Dale Anderson. Um I guess the only question I had was fiveyear lease if if it isn't something that's going to be able to use it for that five years. I mean I'm guessing we have options to do a one-year lease or or something like that. I mean I I know
there are certain things that would work great to have that long term, but I just wanted to make sure we had that flexibility. Yep. And I think if we um looked at the language specifically, we could work with Shane on adding language like that within the contract. Absolutely.
Commissioner and Deck. Thank you. Um and and it might be somewhere other than on this document, but the maintenance management plan um gives me a little pause because uh you know maintaining a piece of property like that can be quite
expensive and uh um you know we could go back in there and find things that you know need attention that uh um could be costly to us if it isn't taken care of. So you might want a little bit more detail in that.
Um, Commissioner Burke. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. I really do like the idea though that we really push the five-year that we get people uh with uh responding to this request for proposal that are looking at five years versus the one-year proposal. Uh because
we don't want to keep going back and forth as Commissioner Mck talked about too that with a five-year proposal, I think that type of lease, the the renters would take on a lot more responsibility to keep the keep the place up. Absolutely. And that was the thought
process behind that a little bit. As you stated, sometimes county government, we are not the best landlords. I think we all can say that and maybe agree and um learn to do better. And so that hope with that um why and also why I added
that language that that makes me a little nervous as well, Commissioner Amdike, regarding the maintenance management plan is because and I can maybe add language to be more specific in that um because it is a large property. It, you know, those are costs
coming in. I think why I wanted that some sort of um for them to provide us a maintenance plan was that they whoever wants to take this on it's it's their responsibility. We're not going to be sending out public works at a time or we're not going to be sending out
facilities to go mow and you know um care for that property or the home or the barn or things like that. And so this is a big undertaking um for an RFP like this. And so I can look at that language before we submit it. Um, but in hopes, like Commissioner Berg said, it's
that fiveyear and so that we get someone in there that's going to be uh serious about leasing this property long term and not just a one year and then they're out and then we're doing this again. And and if I can piggyback on that a little bit, I think the way this is written,
we're we're we're we're really aiming this at entities who have the bandwidth to uh submit a proper plan and have the bandwidth to be able to take care of that uh property the way that at the very least that the county would uh uh
would other would otherwise do that. And I didn't see it in here, but I'm I'm sure because it's so standard that there are going to be financial guarantees uh demanded of the uh uh of the folks. Uh I assume there's uh if they have to Is
there anything like a performance bond or anything like that that they that they have to provide in in this instance? No. And I think you're getting a little bit ahead of yourself. This is just the request for proposals. We have not I I don't know who's going to submit anything. Once that's done and reviewed,
then that's when we would work on probably a contract and what the the language is in the contract and then that contract or agreement would be brought back to board for final approval. Well, thank you for putting up the pause sign for me. I appreciate that, Commissioner Mdeck.
Thank you. However, if I'm going to make give a proposal, I'd want to know some of that information. Maybe a good source would be other uh uh landlords. Uh I'm thinking about like a well. I mean, you wouldn't expect someone who's leasing at
five years to have to replace the well if the well goes goes to pot. So some of those major capital improvements, you know, whatever our end we end up with, uh, uh, there might be some set aside for those kinds of things. But, you
know, another, uh, another landlord might be able to help you out like Doug Fra or somebody like that who works those kind of things. Commissioner Dwayne Anderson. Thank you. U, mine, I don't know if it's a question or more of a comment, but we don't have to accept the proposals if we
don't like what we see. Um, and it's just kind of kind of like fishing, right? I mean, just to see what's out there and see what we get. So, well, we'll be watching that particular bobber pretty closely. So, with that, uh, this item is for information only.
Are there any other questions for the administrator? All right. Hearing none. Thank you. Uh, at this time, and, uh, I'm just going to tell folks what we've got going on here right now. Uh we're going to in a moment
recess the county board meeting. Uh and we will immediately reconvene as the drainage ditch authority because we have some uh a couple of items that we need to take care of in that regard. Uh although I don't now when I look up I
don't see Austin and that's probably because we're a little bit ahead, aren't we? Wow. Take a break. Well, and then then we will recess the county board meeting. Uh and when we come back, uh we'll
reconvene and then we will recess again or something like that. We'll figure it out. We will recess the county board meeting. it. Are you it? Are you ready? and all in favor say I. I. All opposed. Motion passes. And then we
are uh being requested to uh execute a conflict waiver with Rinky Nunan law firm. Yes. Yes. Correct. So it's with the conflict waiverss with the county district 20 drainage authority and that's with Rinky Nunan. Um Rinky Nunan represents both Candy County Dist 20 drainage authority
and the middle fork of the Crow River wershed district. There's a state project sponsored by the middle fork of the Crow River wershed district to reconstruct the Green Lake and Lake Calhoun um outlet structures that exist within a portion of county 20. The project will need certain approvals with
the drainage authority. Um Ricky Nunan is asking to wave the conflict of interest created by this situation um and allow them to represent the watershed district. The county attorney would represent the drainage authority on any future ditch proceedings for this matter specifically. The waiverss
exclusive to this matter. Uh thank you. Uh any questions? Mr. Chair, I would move to um uh allow for the waiver uh of conflict with Rinky Nan. Thank you. We have a motion to approve
the conflict waiver uh as requested. Is there a second? Mr. Chair, I'll second that. Uh Commissioner Bergens and uh Commissioner, you had your hand up. Uh yes. Uh uh Mr. Mr. Baker, I was wondering if you had any comments about um
Oh, this has happened before with Rankini Nuna where they've represented and you're comfortable with that. That's that's what I wanted to hear. And we've had a relationship over the years, too. So, that's never been a problem with them specifically. Thank you. Any other questions,
comments? All right, then we will move to a vote. All those in favor of the uh request signify by saying I. I. All opposed. Motion passes. Austin, thank you. If I could, I have one more thing for
County Ditch 20. Um, that's the main outlet for Green Lake. I just wanted to point out that we did float that with a kayak. I've flown it with the drone. Um, Green Lake has experienced relatively high water levels right now. Um, the the main issue we're seeing is actually
aquatic vegetation and wild rice patches in the channel of County Ditch 20. Um the water's still flowing through it relatively fast, but I that that most likely is um part of the issue that Green Lake is experiencing right now. Um
once that aquatic vegetation dies off the you know I expect water levels to to move faster through there. I am talking with the DNR on options that we could look at for for the channel itself. So outstanding. Uh, Commissioner MD, would the equipment they use for doing
uh curly leaf pondweed work for for cutting that vegetation? In theory, yes, it should. Nest Lake owns a piece of equipment like that. Okay. Okay. That's something we can look into. Yeah, it is. It is wild rice beds um is
what we actually it's it's one of the main aquatic vegetation that's in there. So, and then that protected. Do you want to explain that a little bit? Yep. Aquatic rice probably is protected. We would have to again work with the DNR to do get a permit or
we'd have to look at maybe having the DNR take care of that. Um yeah. All right. All right. Anything else? Nope. That's all I have. All right. Well, thank you very much.
And uh uh at this time I'd uh uh accept a motion to uh close the drainage ditch authority meeting. I'll make that motion. Thank you. And a second. I'll second. Thank you. And uh discussion. All those
in favor say I. I. All opposed. Motion passes. We will close the drainage ditch authority meeting and we will reconvene the Candyo High County Board of Commissioners meeting. At this time we
are at general business discussion and updates uh administrative updates appointments uh administrator Baker is there anything else that you would uh have uh ahead of our work session that's
uh and uh uh I was just going to say we do have uh uh someone looking in on our meeting today uh and mention would you mention yeah I I've mentioned uh Lisa Whis was recently promoted to the auditor
treasurer position. She's been our HR generalist for the past seven years. Um and uh she brings a lot of strengths and qualifications in for this position. And so we're excited for her to start um full-time on the 15th, but she has been
doing some training um also along with her current job that she's uh helping us throughout this that transition as well. but she'll full-time start September 15th. So, we're excited for that trans transition to happen and um we will be able to fill the HR general list. So,
that will be a smooth transition internally for both departments as well. Uh, so I've been kind of uh working very closely with Karen Anderson, our CFO, and the other staff that are in the auditor treasurer office, just reviewing some schedules and updates and um
cleaning out a few things and going through things and just uh getting the office set up for when she starts. Um so yes, I did ask her to come in today to uh just watch the ditch hearing as the county auditor. She'll be involved with a lot of the the minutes and things like
that, some of the administrative side of things being that her department, um does all of the financing on our ditch assessments. And so, uh, I thought she'd get familiar with that today and then just for her to, um, be in the room during the budget work session with the
board and kind of start gauging some of that because within this transition, we'll be looking at duties and responsibilities within the department head role within the CFO and amongst the staff and how that uh, plays in like we'll be go um, like I said before, we'll be going into an election year for
2026. So, she will have her hands full. she'll be busy, but um I don't question that she's qualified and she that she's ready to do the job. So, I'm excited for this transition. Um I always think it's a really cool opportunity when things like this can happen. Um we have a lot
of good staff and this um it wasn't an easy decision, but we um are moving forward and I think she's eager to start. Uh, and I won't presume to speak for the board, but uh, but I would guess that uh, my colleagues would agree with
me that uh, our interactions with you, Lisa, uh, and all of the work that we've uh, done with you over the years uh, we've we've we've seen nothing but exemplary work from from you and uh, uh, we're extremely excited to see you in the uh, auditor treasurer position. Does
anybody uh, Commissioner B? Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was wondering if everybody as well as her be comfortable just coming up to the uh podium so the public knows who she is and and maybe ask her for about a 15 minute speech or
but to introduce herself anyway so people can say or charades if you don't want to do it's an important position so there she is I I I I would have asked you if I'd have if I had had the chance to uh earlier and I apologize for that. So,
Lisa, welcome. Thank you so much. Um, I guess I'm not sure what you're uh looking to hear, but um my name is Lisa Whis. I've been with the county for the last seven years. Um I graduated from the College of St. Benedict um with a degree in accounting
and organizational leadership. And my first position out of college was um working in public accounting for Larsson Allen Wisher, which is now CLA. And then I relocated to Wilmer um as the
trailing spouse. I worked at uh Bremer Bank for 5 years. I was a financial analyst there. And in that position as a financial analyst, I actually worked with Sam Mman on the overnight pledging for uh the securities agreements for the
um funds that exceeded the FDIC insurance balances. So kind of go way back to that. I spent 12 years at affiliated community medical centers as a senior accountant. In that role, I did general ledger. I oversaw accounts
payable, payroll, benefits. Um, and then I took a step back and I worked part-time for Border States management also in those same roles of doing accounting across the board from different sales tax things to payroll, general ledger. Um, and then when I
wanted to go back to work full-time, the position of uh, benefits coordinator was available at Candy Ohio County. And I do I love payroll. I love benefits. I love that interaction with people that you talk about. And so um, step back into
full-time employment. And then this position becoming open was just another opportunity to continue to grow in my career and um, take on new challenges and learn new things. So, I'm very excited to be starting. Like Kelsey said, we've been working a lot together
on some of those things and signed up for a lot of training and we'll hit the ground running, learning lots of new things. So, Commissioner B. No, I just Okay. Uh, well, Lisa, thank you so much
and thank you for that uh introducing yourself to everybody and uh look forward to seeing you in the in your new role soon. We'll miss seeing you here. Uh but uh we know where to find you. You sure do. Yes. I'm excited. Thank you so much.
Thank you. The one other thing I just thought I would mention um is that I would like to host or hold, sorry, propose another building work session um possibly in October, get through this budget cycle.
Um, and then we have a health and human services work session after the first meeting in October that's already pre-planned. Um, and so this probably would be outside of the first or third board meeting, but I would like to and so maybe towards the end of the month.
Um, I know a lot of staff have um, and maybe commissioners have training or conferences at the beginning of October. I know I do. So, I was thinking more towards the end. I don't think anybody is pushing to get this um have a decision made, but I just don't want this to fall to the wayside. So, you
don't have to give me dates right now, but I am looking more maybe more towards the end of October. So, if you do have any uh conflicts, just let me know. Let me or Melissa know and we'll kind of um I'll work on a couple dates so we can get something planned for that. And
other than that, it's probably just been hitting the ground on the budget um and working closely with the auditor treasury department these last few weeks. So other than that, I don't have any other administrative updates. I just wanted to uh talk about that calendar and that possible work session.
Thank you. Uh and uh with that uh we'll go to uh uh commissioner report outs. Uh who would like to go first? Commissioner Ber. I can go first, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Uh actually I've had a lot of meetings this last couple of weeks but really nothing
much to update you on from them. But I do want to take this opportunity to uh uh to mention that the captain's academy open house is going to be uh on the 21st or Thursday from 10 to 12. And I believe
the chamber might be there for a ribbon cutting about 11. That's the last I heard. So, it might be a good time if anybody's going that want to be part of that. Uh, this is located at uh uh uh 1005 Lakeland Drive Northeast. And it's
a uh it's a big house that was renovated and for Prairie Lakes youth program because of the lightning and the fire at the old place. we need to do something and we uh the Prairie Lakes program uh uh owned that property and they
renovated it and they assured us and they guaranteed us and I've been telling everybody it'd be all ready by the first of this year but actually it's going to be ready now finally. So that's the last time I'm going to go by that advice. I should have known better that be get
done that quickly. Uh but uh it's going to be an open house there. I'd like to encourage everybody to come to see what the facility is. It's uh it's going to have uh uh rooms for 12 uh males uh juvenile males there and uh there's also I believe like three swing beds in the
base in the lower level. So um I just want to remind everybody that. All right. Thank you. Uh Commissioner Dale Anderson. Um just a couple of things. Uh we had a Middlefork watershed meeting uh just the
other a week ago and um they were working on actually the project that we just okayed with the with the uh Ricky Nunan. Um they're that's one of their big things. Um they've had major staff changes there. So it was kind of fun to
see the uh younger and energetic people. They had a couple interns that were leaving now at the end of the month and um and going back to school, but a lot of things that they're working on monitoring and um doing testing for different lakes to make sure and seeing
how much um LJ and stuff like that is going on just so everybody knows for the future of projects that they're looking at and things that they're doing with that. Um had a great fair. I guess you already mentioned that a little bit, but um I
think it was a hot, humid, but yet I think we had a lot of people show up for it. That was kind of a cool thing. Um I didn't get a lot of time to sit in our booth, but I did jump in there a couple times just for a few minutes when people weren't there. Um and um it's fun to see
people and see their interest that come through that area to to check out what's going on. um had a quick uh CCT meeting, very quick CCT meeting uh last week and um and that was that is interesting to
watch and see how that's going to go. Um but other than that, that's really all ahead. Thank you. And and I did see you at rest once uh during during the fair and I let you know about it. So
uh Commissioner Dwayne Anderson. Great. Um yeah, so I I had well of course the county fair so not not a lot of regular meetings I don't think really going on but uh I had the county fair so I was there on the 7th and uh got to
visit with people there. Um, and then of course we had a road and bridge meeting which was August 11th. And then on from the 13th through the 15th I was at a mob conference which is Minnesota Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards uh
conference and that was up in Duth. It was jam-packed. You you think you'd have a little time to go see things but it wasn't. It was pretty much from like 8 in the morning till 9 at night. And so I I get done with the conference and pretty much went to bed. So, but it was
it was interesting. They talked about AI uh technology and and of course how that can affect uh counties and maybe some of the those type of things. If we go that route countywide, maybe we have to consider to have it be like a internal
type of setup so that uh the AI basically will take your information and then they keep it and uh so you can't get it back. So if we go that route with the county uh we might have to find a way to uh have some sort of uh secure
type of software to use that would uh keep it internal and not allow it to get out in the public. So uh so I I thought that was kind of interesting. Um a lot of other information businessoriented and so sometimes you had to kind of struggle to keep awake for some of those
uh type of meetings but other than that it was uh there was a lot of you uh good information and I learned a lot at that uh conference. So that's all I have. Uh thank you uh Commissioner Mdeck.
Thank you Mr. Chair. Um so like you guys I was at the fair but I took a break from it on Thursday to attend an MCIT sponsored land use uh seminar. It was a very good there was four of us from the county from the from the staff and
commission and as well as myself. Uh very useful very good information on land use. It was presented by uh four attorneys that each had kind of a specialty area like variances or setbacks or whatever. Uh and then I had to take break from that. I am on the
mind local road improvement program advisory committee and so they went over the criteria for applying for LRIP uh grants this year. Uh I think they're going to be open on the 16th of September and go through December. So
there'll be a lot. They weren't expecting any money out of the legislature for local road improvement. Uh but they ended up with $47 million. So that was a meeting we didn't think we'd be having, but uh we're very glad to have it. Um and then I spent a half a
day uh with the uh EDC director last week um just kind of giving her lay of the land in the northern part of Candyoy County, showing her some areas that uh she hadn't already discovered on her own. uh and talked uh about the importance of
uh tourism in uh in the county and introduced her to some of the other uh uh EDAs and and chambers in the area. Uh coming up uh this afternoon, we'll leave for I will I think Steve's leaving tomorrow for the AMC board retreat which
will be in uh uh Hastings. And then on Saturday, uh just a reminder that uh there's a fundraiser for two of our staff members from um probation, Prada and Thompson at the American Legion in New London from I think 11 till 3, but
um somewhere in there for hours. Thank you. And between all of you all, you've covered just about everything that I was going to report on. Uh I do uh uh I do want to mention uh something
uh that is uh uh upcoming and it is a uh uh it is a webinar on the uh 26th and I believe it is extension that is uh uh putting this on and you probably you may have received an email on it uh but it's
called the economic impact of a rural house the private benefit of public action and it's a discussion on uh among other things. Uh what can uh local units of government uh in in collaboration
with community partners do to help preserve uh and expand on uh uh especially uh entry- level workforce uh housing. And one of the uh presenters is
going to uh be from Ottertale County uh where they have something called the big build uh which is a goal of building 5,000 uh homes uh either building andor uh
remodeling refreshing f 5,000 homes within uh Ottertale County. And this is something they've been working on for a number of years. And I'm really excited to be uh uh especially putting the uh uh KCED hat
on uh be uh looking at and the as as well as the HA hat uh because I serve on both of those uh both of those boards. So uh looking forward to that. If you don't have a uh uh invite sent to you uh
and you want to attend that uh let me know and I can uh I can help get that for you. So, uh, with that, I did attend, uh, Prime West, uh, meeting on, uh, Thursday. Uh, uh, Commissioner,
uh, Berg was able to join us, uh, virtually, uh, on that. And so uh uh that organization is in the process of receiving the uh retirement notice of its longtime uh founder and director and
looking for uh uh for that person's replacement and uh they're currently working within that process. Uh it's been a little bit of a tough year, a tough year for county-based uh purchasing, but uh uh it's an exceptionally strong organization
financially and uh no uh no doubt that uh uh they'll get through this uh through this time of uncertainty uh and uh and come out stronger for the end. That's uh that's been their uh history from the word go. And I don't
know if uh Commissioner, you've you've been on there a long a long time. if you just want to on that at all. Oh, thank you, Mr. Chair. No, you you summarize it quite well. I just want to add uh it's been a tough time for all kinds of health care plans struggling
big big changes taking place as we all know in healthcare and expenses and costs. It was a struggle for all of them. All right. Uh does anybody have anything else that they wish to uh uh bring forward under the uh administr
administrative updates? If not, then we are at the end of our county board meeting and uh we will uh we will adjourn that meeting in just a moment and we will take about uh five minutes uh and then we will go into a
county board budget work session. uh this will be for discussion and for information and uh uh working towards getting that preliminary uh levy set next month. So with that, we will adjourn the county board of commissioners.