Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

I'd like to call the meeting to order. Lene, any additions or corrections to the agenda?

Mr. Chair, we have one addition for Dave Rush with Land and Resource. He's requesting permission to hire up to a step four for a land use permitting specialist. We are starting with resolution 26-53 today.

Thank you. I'll make the motion to approve as amended.

I'll second.

Thanks, Jerry. Thanks, Tim. Any further discussion? Lene, please.

Rapp. Yes. Way. Yes. Meyer. Yes. Schmidt. Yes. Kalina. Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you. Looking for a motion to approve the minutes.

I make a motion to approve the draft minutes of June 2nd. Second.

Thanks, Jeff. Thanks, Charlie. Any discussion? Lene, please.

Way?

Yes.

Meyer? Yes. Schmidt? Yes. Kalina? Yes. Rapp? Yes. Motion carries.

At this time, I'd like to call Troy Wolverson to the front. Troy's gonna talk to us about Boat and Water Safety Grant.

Good afternoon.

And you're right, that is what I'm gonna talk to you about, is Boat and Water Safety Grant. It's an annual grant, so the dates are, I believe, May 23rd of 2026 to June 30th of 2027. What this grant is, like I stated, it's annual. It's to help offset the costs of water patrol, both educating and enforcing water. laws on the lakes, plus the time that it takes to put in the navigation buoys and so forth. And also it can cover training as well, but it is for the actual water patrol and safety aspect. And I'd ask the board to accept the grant. It's in the amount of $21,275.

Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve resolution 26-53 for the grant. I second.

Thanks, Charlie. Thanks, Jeff. Any further discussion? Lene, please.

Meyer. Yes. Schmidt.

Yes.

Kalina. Yes. Rapp.

Yes.

Way. Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you. Thank you. At this time, I'd like to call up Mary Skillings, our recorder.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

I am requesting approval of the Tyler Technologies Vital Access Online Payment Agreement. I currently have in place like a credit card integration for my land record system. This is kind of similar but for vital records. So birth, death, marriage. It gives me an online portal like records manager program where people can go online and request their records electronically and pay by credit card. Tyler Technologies would manage the credit card payments and pay us the revenue from that. There's no cost to the county. The customers would have to pay the fee for this service if they would want that.

Mayor, is this someone new?

Tyler Technologies, yes. My current land records vendor doesn't offer this option for vital records, so yeah.

Processing fee is 3.5.

Yes. Currently, they call us to, so if I was to collect your credit card payment over the phone, that $1.50 charge, we currently, that is our current charge for credit card payments that a customer has to pay. It's $1.50 up to $50, and then $1.50 per $50 over that. So that is the same. The only difference in fees with this model is if someone wants to order it online and they want to pay by credit card over the phone and have it handled and shipped out to them, there's a $7 fee. They do not have to do that. They can come to our office. They can mail us the application form. There's no additional charge for that. This is simply for those people that are out of state. They want to pay by credit card and they want it quick. It's just an option to maintain PCI compliance and staff time with that.

Do you think there's going to be a lot of use?

Yes.

Okay.

Currently, we already do accept faxed electronic requests. And then to maintain PCI compliance, we say you cannot give us your credit card information. So then our staff is trying to call them on the phone, trying to connect with them to connect that payment. This just takes that part out of it. They'll request it through a portal then.

Okay, I'll make a motion to approve. Second. Thanks, Jerry. Any further discussion? Lene, please.

Schmidt.

Yes.

Kalina.

Yes. Rapp. Yes.

Way. Yes. Meyer.

Yes.

Motion carries.

Thank you. Lee, you're next.

Good afternoon, commissioners. I'VE GOT THREE ITEMS FOR YOU HERE. FIRST ONE IS ASKING FOR BOARD ACTION TO APPROVE A NEW POSITION. THIS GOES BACK TO SOME DISCUSSIONS WE'VE HAD PREVIOUSLY ON A COMPLIANCE TECHNICIAN FOR OUR LAND AND RESOURCE DEPARTMENT. SO I'VE WORKED QUITE A BIT WITH DAVE RUSH, LAND AND RESOURCE DIRECTOR, AND BRENDA MEDE, OUR RECRUITER, AND SO WE'VE GOT SOMETHING ALL BUILT, READY TO GO. I did have this position description reviewed by David Drown and Associates to make sure we knew where it would fit in far as grade. So we have that answer too. So I'm asking the board to approve this position. It would be a grade five position. We keep track of all our openings. So this would be slot number 12026 for the Land and Resource Department.

I'll make a motion to approve the grade approval for slot 12026, adding a new position.

I second. Thanks, Tim. Thanks, Jeff. Any discussion? One A, please.

Kalina.

Yes.

Rapp. Yes. Way. Yes. Meyer. Yes. Schmidt. Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you. My next item is actually to reactivate a position that we've used before. And so the purpose is to prepare for succession in our payroll department. We need to get other staff trained. And fortunately, I think we've got a good opportunity right in house. And so we are looking at reactivating a trainee for payroll. And what is going to be a little more unique about this is the job description has been altered a little bit from last time we did this because we're still incorporating some of the front, what I call the front desk duties. So we don't have to add anybody to our staff. I've talked to the person who would probably be a strong candidate and That person feels they would be able to balance both and payroll feels the same. So we'd like to give that a try and get someone in this payroll technician trainee position. So I'm asking the commissioners to allow me to fill that spot. It's slot number 5007 for our job inventory, so to speak. And we would not be back filling after that then at this point.

I'd like to make a motion to approve reactivating a position of payroll technique training.

Second.

Thanks, Jeff. Thanks, Jerry. Any further discussion? Lene, please.

Rapp.

Yes.

Way.

Yes.

Meyer. Yes. Schmidt.

Yes.

Kalina. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you.

My last item is periodically the coordinator's department updates the policy handbook for employees. And so our whole department was involved this time in going through that policy handbook and kind of flagging or updating language that we thought might need to be updated. So I think I sent you a list of about nine items. Nothing really mind blowing. The one new item is a 30 day advance notice for resignation on department heads. Currently it's two weeks and it's a pretty big job. And I think 30 days was something that I think everybody can see would be at least a little more advantageous in preparing for someone's departure rather than just two weeks. The lunch breaks was a state change there and the employees have been informed of that already when that started this year. We had some old language that was pointing to a past year that could go away. On the positive, the commissioners reactivated the longevity bonus for employees who've been with the county 10, 18 or 25, got that right? 10, 15 or 18 years, yeah. And so that was very nice, but we needed to get that in the policy handbook. We've got some accruals, just clean up language, nothing changing there. We have our healthcare savings plan where some of our severances go. We had some real small accounts that were being paid out to the HCSP, as it's called, and they were just kind of a nuisance accounts. The healthcare savings plan or Minnesota, they did not want those small accounts. employees rather have cash in hand, which is understandable. So we just put a minimum in there. So now it has to be over $1,000 before it goes into that retirement account. And then as you might remember, we added Christmas Eve as a holiday. So that's been updated in the policy handbook. And as also you might remember, maybe can't forget that we have Minnesota paid leave now. So that's been added to the policy handbook. And then we just sharpened our language on internal promotions. asking the Board to approve these changes so I can send out the new policy updates to the employees.

I'll make a motion to approve.

I'll second.

Thanks, Tim. Any discussion?

Mr. Chair, I want to commend Lee for taking care of this and put a lot of time and effort in doing this and learned a lot through the labor negotiations, Shane and I, and you had a little bit of a head start in what you're going to do. So we appreciate you doing this.

Well, thank you. Yeah, it was a staff effort, so thank you.

Anyone else? Lenay, please.

Way?

Yeah.

Meyer? Yes. Schmidt? Yes. Kalina?

Yes.

Rapp?

Yes.

Motion carries.

Have a great day. Thanks, Lee. Have a good one. At this time, I'd like to call up Tabitha, Human Services Director.

Good afternoon, Commissioners.

Good afternoon.

I just have one item for you today. As you'll recall, I've come before the board a couple of times regarding Douglas County being awarded something called a Next Gen Grant with the Department of Children, Youth and Families, which supports employment services for non-custodial parents engaged in child support programming. In February, I brought before the actual contract with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and it's been a little bit of a slow process, but we are actually at the point where we are processing the contract with our employment services providers. So we are going with Roman, as which we have another contract with, as you might be familiar with, they will be the contracted party to provide those employment supports that are individualized based upon referrals from our child support team regarding those non-custodial parents engaged in the process. before you is the specific contract with Rural Minnesota SIPP. They will be doing a lot of individualized services based on tiers, and we will provide reimbursement to them based on services. So that's how the contract is set up. The term of the contract, you will notice, is through September 29th, which is a pretty short time period. New contracts will be expected both for the Department of Children, Youth and Families and Rural Minnesota SEP, effective October 1, as that aligns with the fiscal year for child support. It has a little bit different timeline than typical grants. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Otherwise, I am looking for board approval for the contract and signatory authority to complete that.

Sir, are you coming back in October then to do it again?

If it's ready in October, you better believe it. Yes, that would be my intent.

Probably September.

It runs from October to... Might be September.

Perhaps, yeah. I hope so.

I'll make a motion to approve.

I'll second.

Thanks, Charlie. Thanks, Tim. Any further discussion? All good. Lene, please.

Meyer. Yes. Schmidt.

Yes.

Kalina. Yes. Rapp.

Yes.

Wade. Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you. Tabitha, I got a question for you. How are you holding up with the paid family leave? You got a lot of people out or keeping your head above water?

I'll lift the above. We have had several people out. We've had actually a few people return from leave, which has been very exciting. We've also had an employee transition at the end of paid leave. And so we have tried a few different recruitment efforts. in an attempt to secure maybe a temporary staff. As I mentioned before, the biggest vacancy that we had was really within our Child Protection Unit, which is a really specialized staff area. And so we've tried a few different efforts to recruit staff specifically. The board has approved me hiring above a staff one in order to recruit a candidate. Unfortunately, we were not able to bring in anybody to alleviate that. And so we have closed out that temporary position and have just been managing internally. I wouldn't say that it's the most ideal circumstance, but I think we've been really creative in an attempt to try to find a solution and are really trying to be intentional about what that could look like moving forward. But we do still have several staff who will be going out on leave in the future too, so trying to manage the trajectory of that.

Okay, so Mr. Chair, just a note I heard on the radio, they were saying that the Family Medical Leave Act was used far less in the northern counties in Minnesota than in the southern counties. That's what it said. And I thought that was kind of a.

Interesting. Interesting, yeah. Thank you.

Thank you.

Well, that would include the city. Auditor Treasurer Vicki Dolan.

I almost said good morning. Good afternoon to you all. I have three items. The first being a request for an abatement of late penalty on a property 51-0165-674. This is over in Osaka's Township. Typically, we don't try, you know, on, like, how do I say it? contemplate late penalty abatements for current year taxes, but this is some extenuating circumstances that affect them financially due to an unexpected medical situation. So therefore, I am bringing this before you. They are requesting late penalty of $106 to be abated. And in the past 10 years, I did look back, they've paid their taxes on time, and even in some cases, paid the full year all at once at the first half payment. So they've been, it's kind of like a one-off situation, hopefully.

I'll make a motion to approve that they.

I'll second.

Yeah. Thanks, Jerry. Thanks, Tim. Any further discussion? The nay please.

Schmidt.

Yes.

Kalina.

Yes.

Rapp.

Yes.

Way. Yes. Meyer. Yes. Motion carries.

All right, the next item is a one to four day temporary on sale liquor license for Spruce Hill Foundation. They are looking at hosting a two day event in July, that being July 24th through the 26th, commonly known as the Rose City Threshing and Heritage Festival. They are applying for this temporary on sale liquor license for the purpose of serving intoxicating liquor or beer at the event. The township has already consented. They have no problems with it. Notification for state approval will be delayed until we have proof of liquor liability at the time of them submitting this application. They didn't have that secured yet. So we won't send that on until we have that. And then county approval will also be contingent on a clean background check from county sheriff and county attorney as that hadn't been done yet either at the time of application.

I'll make a motion to approve that.

Mr. Chair. Yes. Vicki, what two days is it? That's 24, 25, and 26. Oh, yeah.

Well, it's a one to four day event.

No, I know that, but then you say it's a two day.

Yeah, I said two day event, but they have in here 20, let me make sure I got this right.

Yep, 24 through the 26th. That's three days. That's a three day event. Okay. Well, I know it's a one to four. You can do that with the non-profits or foundations. Yep.

I'll second it then. Thanks, Jerry. Thanks, Charlie. Any further discussion? Lene, please.

Kalina?

Yes. Rapp? Yes.

Way? Yes. Meyer?

Yes.

Schmidt? Yes. Motion carries.

All right, and then the last item is permission to form a committee to discuss and consider the food truck temporary liquor license. As you know, and just for the public's information, a local food truck vendor did seek out some special legislation to allow food trucks to be eligible for a temporary one to four day on sale liquor license. In response, the 2026 legislative session did enact that special law allowing food trucks to obtain the temporary license for private events held in Douglas County only. This section of special law will be effective upon approval by the County Board of Douglas County in compliance with Minnesota Statute 645.021. If the board does not approve it, then the special law just falls off if we don't approve it by the next special legislation date, or regular legislative session whenever that opens. If we do approve it, it expires in one year. So it's like a one year temporary experiment.

After we approve it.

Yep, after the county board approves it, it'll expire one year from that effective date. Since this kind of came as a surprise to us, it would be beneficial to form a committee to look at and see if we need to establish any additional ordinances in addition to state statute and kind of take a peek at this of where this could go.

Well, the other question is, do we want to continue down that road through the committee? Some of the stuff I heard from some of the food trucks when they found out what the liquor license was, insurance, was like a shock and awe to them.

Sure.

I'm going to make a motion to approve it. It means we've got it in our lap. We might as well try it. Right.

And it's my goal that the committee would form and come back to the board by the end of the year so that we could capture this if you want to approve it.

Okay. I'll second it.

for the 2027 year. This is to put the community together.

Just to put the community together.

Yep, just to put the community together.

Any further discussion? Lene, please.

Rapp.

Yes.

Way. Yes. Meyer. Yes. Schmidt. Yes. Kalina.

Yes.

Motion carries.

Thank you.

All right, that's it.

At this time, I'd like to call up Jill, our finance director.

Good afternoon. I just have one item today. Just looking for a motion to approve bills totaling $2,644,328.01. I'll make a motion to pay the bills. Second. Thanks, Tim. Thanks, Jeff. Any discussion?

Lene, please.

Way?

Yeah.

Meyer?

Yes.

Schmidt?

Yes.

Kalina?

Yes.

Rapp?

Yes.

Motion carries. Thank you.

Thanks, Jill. Tim, come on up. Public Works Director.

Shouldn't have touched that. I've got three items for your consideration this afternoon. The first one is to approve a quote for some roundabout maintenance and a little background on that. This past winter, I was approached by our MnDOT district and they're planning a mill and overlay at the roundabout south of town on 29. They're gonna do the circle and then they're gonna do just the parts that are on trunk highway 29. They asked because the county has the other two legs of that, do we wanna be in on that? Which of course we said, yes. That's a great time to handle all that when they're gonna do everything at once. However, after talking with MnDOT a little bit more, they said, we don't know how that would quite work because we can't have the full contract Blah, blah, blah. So ultimately, they went through their quotes. They had multiple quotes. This is their low one driveway services out of Detroit Lakes. And they said, you can just contact them and you can figure out how you can get your work done on your two legs. So that's how our state works with local partners. I'm pretty frustrated by that. But at any rate, that's why you only have one quote in front of you, because that's the low from what MnDOT put together. They have to have this work done by September. Last we talked to them, they're planning to do this in July. They have to do it overnight. one night. So that's how they've lined everything up. So this is just for mill and overlay for the two legs on Casa 28 and Casa 87. So from the circle out to the end of the center median.

Mr. Chair, I got a question. Did you guys figure out how many ton it's gonna take? It looks like 150 ton is quite a bit of mix for for what we're doing.

Those are our numbers.

Those are your numbers. Okay. I was just wondering because I don't know how far out you're going into the existing 28 and 78. Yeah.

Well, and keep in mind both of those would have some of the turn lane.

Okay. We got turn lanes on both of those. That's right. Okay. That adds up then because I forgot about the turn lanes.

So Mr. Chair, one more question there. It says on here, no bond. What's the deal on that?

So because they're all bonded through their MnDOT work, that's why they didn't want to have to put a second. They're going to come in just once to do the work. And that's why.

It's just the first time since it was installed.

I believe so. I'm not positive on that. It's definitely the first time since I've been here. We haven't done this since before 2020 if we did do any type of work in there.

As far as I know, this is the first time anything's been done.

Yeah, as far as I'm aware.

It really looks like a poor way to go at this. I don't know. That's just...

I have a meeting set up with the district.

I'm not a real big fan of taking the state's word on this is the best. And oh, they happen to be out of Detroit Lakes. Where the hell does DOT sit for us? Detroit Lakes. Oh, really? I didn't know that. Gosh.

I have a meeting set up July 1st with the district engineer, and we're going to be discussing this because I'm not happy about it.

And then no bond. That's another beautiful thing, like you said, and I get it. It doesn't look like a terrible price for the work that needs to be done. I get it, all right, because about 65,000 or something, I don't know, 52, 60, yeah, almost. And that isn't bad, but I'd rather, like you said, we normally have to have more than a bid, and especially an unbonded bid, whatever. I've said enough.

I would agree with you. I'm not exactly thrilled with the procedure that the state had on this.

Mr. Chair, just one question. What would happen if we would request a bond? What would happen?

We can request one.

Well, I'm just saying. I mean, that's the only way we want to cover our butt. Only way. I know.

Mr. Chair, go ahead. Chad, what do you think? I mean, I would recommend them. Yeah, I was good. That's what I was good.

I think we should. Well, I'm just wondering what kind of reputation this company has.

That's all.

You know, and without a bond on it, but if there's issues.

We need a CYA.

Yep, yep, we do. See, will you make that into a motion?

Yeah, I'll make it a motion that we do need a bond. to approve this.

So basically, we're saying it's approved if they have a bond.

That's what I'm saying.

If they don't do a bond, then you have to readdress it. Yep. Make sense? I'll second that. Any other further discussion? Lene, please.

Meyer?

Yes.

Schmidt?

Yes.

Kalina?

Yes.

Rapp?

Yes.

Way? Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you very much. Next item that I have is to approve a purchase agreement for 5052 and 5066 County Road 23. So this is what we had a closed session on your last meeting. We've sat down with the sellers. Our overall price, both lots, $550,000. Lot 1, which is 5052, that's the one we're going to purchase this outright at closing. We're going to build our construction stormwater pond out at County Road 23. That's the lot that we truly want. Total price on Lot 1, $295,000. We're purchasing Lot 2 as well because that's what the... We can't get lot one without lot two is what the sellers are telling us. They wanna sell them both. So we have a price of 255,000 on lot two. At closing, whenever we get that set up, that's when we're the 295 plus 5,000 for earnest money on lot two. We'll also sign a purchase for deed or a contract for deed, excuse me, on lot two. And that one will satisfy somewhere between January 1st and January 8th in 2027. The other thing that I need to bring to your attention, so Thursday afternoon I think is when I sent that out to you guys so that you guys could read through the purchase agreement. Friday the sellers requested one little change, so that's in section 21, the version that you have in your packet. Section 21 is the buyer's contingencies, so essentially it means we don't buy lot one without buying lot two, we don't buy lot two without buying lot one. Linnea, can you scroll down to that for me real quick? What the sellers were concerned about, keep going, please. There you go. There you go. So what they were concerned about is the second part of that sentence where the version that I sent to you said on the performance by seller of all obligations in connection with the purchase. They were concerned about the buyer and the seller. Talking to Scott Johnston, I said, is this really adding anything? He says, no, but it does add peace of mind for the sellers and if that's what it takes. I was okay with it at that point, but that's the only thing that's different from the version that you guys saw last week and the one that's before you today.

So, Mr. Chair, if you would, Tim, just make a comment on the reason we are purchasing this because of the savings that we don't have to continue that to the south.

Okay. Yep, so... As we were looking at widening out the road, so we got to take care of the construction stormwater, and our initial idea was to run stormwater pipe all the way to the south, so just to the north side of the interstate. It would be adding about an additional 2,000 to 2,500 feet of 36-inch concrete pipe to the tune of about $300,000 to $350,000. in addition to finding we'd still have to pond. So we'd still have to buy some property to build a stormwater pond to treat that water before we discharged it. So we found this lot, these two lots technically kind of in the middle of the job. We need the material anyway, is kind of the other thing. So we've got the material now for widening out the road when we dig the pond. They're close by and we don't have to put We don't have to put that much pipe in the ground and maintain that much pipe in the future. So it's a savings initially on construction without having to put that much pipe in. It's a savings in the future for maintenance because we don't have that much in the ground to maintain.

That way the public knows that's all. Thank you.

So my recommendation would be that we go ahead and approve this purchase agreement. The one other item is if you guys do want to go do this, if you could give me the authorization to sign at closing on behalf of the county, that way I don't have to get one or two of you guys out of whatever you're doing. If I can represent the county on that closing, we can just schedule it when it's ready.

Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve and with adding Mr. Erickson can sign for the closing. Okay.

I'll second that.

Thanks, Tim. Do I still have to sign it then as the chair?

So you'll sign the purchase agreement, but the actual deed is when we close. That is what I'm signing.

Okay. We're trying to get this done before winter.

Correct.

Yeah. and then eventually we're gonna sell that other lot.

That's the idea, yes. Thank you.

Any other questions? Lene, please.

Schmidt.

Yes.

Kalina.

Yes.

Rapp.

Yes.

Way. Yes. Meyer. Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you, and then the last item that I have for you is to approve the ACCS Freedom Fund Run Event Permit. I know Brad Bonk is in the back. Do you have any? He sure does. I'm gonna grab a chair here real quick. Oh, he's got it.

Mr. Chair, I just have to ask, what's that acronym stand for again?

Oh, Alexandria Community Christian Schools.

Okay, all right, thank you.

So I have Jacqueline Lewine from Community Christian Schools here to help answer any questions, but just a little background on this. So... They've run this event for five years. The last two years they've been at Brophy. We didn't know about it. They'd filled out a permit online as just like a private event. And we've since changed the website tomorrow. The new wording will be up there to try to alert people that if you're having an event, you need to call in to get your permits. And Julie came across the advertising, which led us to our discussion. I got ahold of Jacqueline and we talked last Monday about that's how quickly this has happened. So on Monday, I told her if she wanted to talk to the board to host the event this year, she'd have to have the information to us the next day at noon. And she was able to do that. Pretty quick turnaround. So they've got their stuff, they're organized. And the reason we're at the Board is not because of the event. It's a 5K event at the park. It said it falls on the 4th of July of this year. And to have an event in a county park on the holiday weekend, you need to have Board approval. Their event, I believe, will be done by 1030. on that morning. So I don't see it as a huge hindrance to the public on the 4th of July, but just to make you aware. So in the future, this isn't a big enough event. It won't come to the Board unless it continues in seven years again, or six years with the leap year, it falls on the 4th of July again. So if you have any questions for Jacqueline, I'll let you do that now.

Jacqueline, are you using the shelter at all? Everything's going to be outside? You're not even using the shelter?

Yeah, we just do the packet pickup in the shelter. And that's what we thought we just needed to reserve the pavilion. That's what we've reserved the last few years because we don't really use the park. They just go out on the trail, go out and come back. So it's mostly the pavilion. I mean, kids are around. It is the only event this summer in ALEC for athletes because the triathlon isn't happening anymore anymore. and nobody else really does. FCA doesn't do their race anymore, and it does bring in people from South Dakota, Arizona. I think we had five states and 25 cities represented last year.

Mr. Chair, are you gonna have food trucks?

No, we do not.

We talked about it, but.

How many people are gonna be there?

Last year, we had 180 runners.

Wow, that's pretty good.

I think we have 100 registered right now.

I think it's a great event. Without a doubt, they just happened to hit the 4th of July as well. The rules, that's why she's here either way. I think it's wonderful. I'll make a motion we approve.

I'll second. Thanks, Charlie. Thanks, Jerry. Any further discussion? Lene, please.

Way.

Yeah.

Meyer. Yes. Schmidt. Yes. Kalina. Yes. Rapp. Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you. I hope you have a great day. Come out for a run.

Thank you very much.

Thanks. Stacy Honkamp, assessor. Honkamp, Honkamp. Honkamp, yeah, Honkamp. I think I said it now. Hi Stacy.

Hi guys. The reason I'm here is every year we send out renewal contracts for some of the jurisdictions where their contracts have expired for assessing services. And this year it's just three jurisdictions that are doing renewals and they've signed off on them. at their meetings, Alec Township, Lake Mary Township, and Garfield City. So as part of the regulations, we have it signed by the County Board as well, if it's approved.

Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the assessing contract renewals.

I second.

Thanks Tim, thanks Jeff. Any further discussion? Lene, please.

Meyer. Yes. Schmidt.

Yes.

Kalina. Yes. Rapp. Yes. Way. Yes. Motion carries.

There you go. Thank you. Easy enough.

I tried. Easy peasy. That was just for Ellie Township. Oh, oh, oh, oh.

Okay. Okay. Thank you. That didn't go far enough, man.

Good afternoon commissioners. Thank you for adding this item to your agenda. We've been in the process of attempting to fill a position due to a retirement of an employee that was with the county for over 30 years in our office. So there's been some little bit of challenges with that. I opened this position up several weeks ago and just interviewed. We have an applicant that is extremely well qualified for the position. And as you can see in the RBA that I just handed you, they've been performing these duties for the last four years or so in a county office in Utah. And in addition to that, they also have some experience with geographic information systems, which that's one skill set that we would really like to have in this position, because now a lot of that subdivision work is drawn out and shown on our computer GIS. So with that, what we're asking for is to be able to offer this position up to step four rather than starting at the step one requirement.

Well, Mr. Chair, I just want to ask, is this going to be like just a one-year experiment, or are we gonna, I mean, it was just, how are you gonna handle that?

I mean. This isn't for the compliance officer. This is the backfield position that the lady retired.

Okay, okay, am I wrong? You and I talked earlier. Okay, okay. Yeah, it's wrong. All right. This is a position that we've had in our office. Okay. Well, the staff person was there for 30 years. This position has existed for 10 or 12 years. Got it, thank you.

Motion to approve at step four.

I'll second.

Thanks, Charlie, thanks. Tim, any further discussion? Lene, please.

Schmidt. Yes. Kalina. Yes. Rapp.

Yes.

Way. Yes. Meyer. Yes. Motion carries.

Thank you. Thanks. At this time, I'd like to open up the floor, items from the floor. Is there any items, anybody wanna come up and talk? Any items from the floor? Any items from the floor? Lene, do I need to read both of these to go into closed session? Mr.

Chair, we will first need a motion for the first closed session. You're right, to move into closed session. Yep.

Sorry. I'll make that motion. Thanks, Jerry.

I'll second.

Thanks, Tim. Lene, please.

Just to announce that this meeting will be closed as permitted by Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3B, to discuss matters subject to attorney-client privilege regarding pending litigation regarding current property tax appeals. Kalina?

Yes.

Rapp?

Yes.

Way? Yes. Meyer? Yes. Schmidt?

Yes.

Motion carries.