County Commission Minutes

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on June 7, 2022, with the following present: Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, Lynn Brackel, Josh Buchmann and Jerry Jeffers. Chairman Braaten called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Pastor Charles Johnson shared a prayer.

Braaten asked for corrections or additions to the agenda. Royce Hammer, Cougar Land Services, called after publication and asked to be added to agenda. He will be coming in at 2 PM. Jeffers moved to approve the agenda. Buchmann seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

The following June 7, 2022, vouchers were approved by a motion made by Brackel, with Buchmann seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Recorder/Clerk of Court, Jan Werre, gave an update on her office.

Abrahamson moved to approve the May 17, 2022, minutes with Brackel seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Treasurer, Anita McLaughlin, met to present the May 2022 Treasurer’s Daily Cash Settlement/Bank Reconciliation Report. Brackel moved to approve, with Buchmann seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Abrahamson moved to approve the May 2022 Recorder and Sheriff Fee Collection Reports. Jeffers seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Brackel moved to approve the May 2022 Month-End Bureau of Land Management Report, with Jeffers seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Abrahamson moved to approve the two gaming site authorizations from Bowman County Development Corporation for calcuttas to be held at Sweetwater Golf Course on the following dates: June 11, 12, 25, 2022, July 11, 2022, and August 13, 14, 2022. Brackel seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Discussion was held on a request from an individual to hay the grassland that the county owns at the old airport property. Abrahamson moved to put haying the grassland up for bids. Buchmann seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Highway Superintendent, Shane Biggs, and Lucas Doerr, Brosz Engineering, met to discuss road projects. Scott Jansen and Charles Kennedy, APEX, met to discuss the Bowman County Haul Route Agreement. They have concerns with the County’s current agreement. Also present: Jodi Freier and Billy Doerr. The commissioners have already approved the haul route agreement that is in place, and do not wish to alter it.

At 1:15 PM Chairman Braaten called the Unorganized Township Equalization meeting to order.  Guests present: Anita McLaughlin and Frank Eberle. Tax Director Jodi Freier outlined state mandates and stated that there were not any valuation changes for Unorganized Townships. Jeffers moved to approve the assessment rolls as presented for the Unorganized Townships, with no change on values for agricultural, residential, and commercial properties.  Brackel seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was requested with all members voting aye. Motion carried.  Brackel moved to adjourn the unorganized township equalization meeting at 1:18 PM, with Abrahamson seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

At 1:30 PM Chairman Braaten called the County Equalization meeting to order. Guests present: Anita McLaughlin and Frank Eberle. Jodi Freier outlined state mandates and stated that there were not any valuation concerns presented from the floor during the April Equalization meetings. Abrahamson moved to approve no change in values, county-wide, for commercial and agricultural property, and a three (3) percent increase in the City of Scranton, and a five (5) percent increase in the City of Bowman, and a five (5) percent increase in Bowman Township residential values, based upon the City of Bowman and Scranton and Bowman Township Board’s recommendation.  Brackel seconded the motion.   A roll call vote was requested with all members voting aye. Motion carried.  Buchmann moved to adjourn the county equalization meeting at 1:59 PM, with Jeffers seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Discussion was held on a request from the Bowman Fair Board Association. They have commission approval of $75,000 from BLM funds to go towards constructing a new storage building at the fairgrounds. The Fair Board is inquiring if they could use the approved funds towards possibly purchasing a skidsteer loader. The Commissioners agreed that they could use the funds towards a skidsteer purchase.

Royce Hammer, Cougar Land Services, met on behalf of Denbury to discuss a Geophysical Operations Agreement between the county and Cougar Land Services. The agreement requests permission from the county to conduct geophysical operations on county-owned land. Brackel moved to approve the agreement. Abrahamson seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Sheriff, Frank Eberle, gave an update on his office.

Bowman County Auditor, Mindy Schumacher, notified the board that the Scranton Community Center, which was approved to be the Scranton Precinct Polling location, does not currently have water to the building and the street that it is located on, is not easily accessible to voters. The project was supposed to be completed before the June 14^th, 2022 Primary Election, but due to rain, the project is behind schedule, and there is no guarantee that the building will be ready in time for the election. Schumacher spoke to the Scranton Public School, and they would allow us to use the school library on June 14^th, 2022 for the Primary Election. Buchmann moved to approve changing the Scranton Precinct Polling location from the Scranton Community Center to the Scranton Public School located at 52 Fries St NE, Scranton, ND. Abrahamson seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

With no further business to discuss, Brackel moved to adjourn at 2:57 PM. Jeffers seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Rick Braaten, Chairman, Board of County Commissioners

ATTEST:  Mindy Schumacher, Bowman County Auditor

County Commission Agenda

July 7, 2022 – 8:00 AM

Call to order Chairman Braaten

Pledge of Allegiance – Prayer – Pastor Terry Bagley

• Consideration for Approval

1. Agenda
2. Vouchers
3. June 21, 2022 Minutes
4. July Treasurer’s Report– Daily Cash Settlements/Bank Reconciliation Report
5. June 2022 Month-End BLM Report
6. June 2022 Recorder/Sheriff Fee Collection Report

Unfinished Business

1. EMPG Program

New Business

1. 1. Mileage Rate Increase

Scheduled Appointments Made in Advance

9:00 -10:55 AM   Bowman County Department Heads – 2023 Budget Requests

11:00         Bowman County Highway Superintendent, Shane Biggs

                                                      LUNCH

1:15 PM     Hay Bid Opening 

1:45-3 PM     Bowman County Department Heads – 2023 Budget Requests

            Elected Officials Office Updates & Other

• Public Notices

The County Commission has been invited to attend the following events and/or meetings:

Bowman County Planning and Zoning Public Hearing at the 4 Seasons Pavilion, East Wing, 12 Hwy 12 East, Bowman ND to discuss the Zoning Variance Applications and Application for Conditional Use Permit submitted by Apex Clean Energy, Inc., Bowman Wind L.L.C. Following a decision by the Bowman County Planning and Zoning Committee, the Bowman County Commission will immediately hold a hearing for their consideration of the Zoning Variance and Conditional Use Permit.

• Important Meeting Dates

• Next Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting –July 19, 2022 8:00 AM

        NOTE –The meeting will be starting at 8:00 AM rather than 9:00 AM

Adjourn