Commission
Bowman County Commission
Bowman County Commissioners are elected at large on a non-partisan basis for staggered four-year terms. The County Commission is the governing body of the County responsible for overseeing County activities and working to ensure that citizen concerns are met, federal and state requirements are fulfilled, and County operations run smoothly.
The State constitution gives the Board of County Commissioners the power to adopt zoning ordinances (local laws), levy taxes, appropriations, authorize bonds, set salaries, approve bills, accept bids, approve the County budget and establish the requirements/policies for the Departments under its control.
The Board governs all unorganized townships of the County directly.
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOWMAN COUNTY, BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on August 5, 2025, with the following present: Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, Josh Buchmann, Jerid Janikowski and Nathan Miller. Chairman Braaten called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Guest present: Wayne Kromarek.
Braaten asked for corrections or additions to the agenda. The MOU from NDSU Extension needs to be reviewed. Abrahamson moved to approve the agenda. Janikowski seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
The following August 5, 2025, vouchers were approved by a motion made by Buchmann, with Miller seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
| July Payroll | $214,066.76 | |
| 40073 | First International Bank & Trust | $3,908.20 |
| 40074 | John Deere Financial | $101.20 |
| 40075 | MCI | $65.69 |
| 40076 | MidCo | $110.92 |
| 40077 | Montana Dakota Utilities | $2,387.43 |
| 40078 | Bowman County Treasurer | $200,000.00 |
| 40080 | AccuSource | $50.00 |
| 40081 | Advanced Business Methods | $488.01 |
| 40082 | Amor Township | $22,912.17 |
| 40083 | Boss Office Products | $5.00 |
| 40084 | Bowman Co. Housing Authority | $6,778.59 |
| 40085 | Bowman County Treasurer | $5,908.74 |
| 40086 | Bowman Sales & Service | $2,073.89 |
| 40087 | Bowman Township | $2,638.80 |
| 40088 | Brosz Engineering | $64,630.04 |
| 40089 | Cerberus | $7,000.00 |
| 40090 | City of Bowman | $330.52 |
| 40091 | City of Rhame | $96.00 |
| 40092 | Consolidated | $30,067.00 |
| 40093 | Creative Planning | $174.81 |
| 40094 | Dakota Dust Tex | $213.30 |
| 40095 | Dorene Lorge | $18.90 |
| 40096 | Falen Law Office | $176.00 |
| 40097 | NDACS | $50.00 |
| 40098 | NDACTVSO | $85.00 |
| 40099 | NDSU Extension | 9517.06 |
| 40100 | Newby’s Ace Hardware | $164.89 |
| 40101 | North Central Interstate LLC | $182.12 |
| 40102 | ND State Treasurer | $248.60 |
| 40103 | RELX, Inc | $184.00 |
| 40104 | Sunny Slope Township | $126.64 |
| 40105 | Talbot Township | $1,444.98 |
| 40106 | Team Lab | $99,015.00 |
| 40107 | The Badlands Patriot | $635.33 |
| 40108 | Western Dakota Energy Assn | $5,250.00 |
| 40109 | Wild & Weiss | $1,250.00 |
Janikowski moved to approve the July 15, 2025, minutes with Miller seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
Janikowski moved to approve the July 2025 Month-End Bureau of Land Management Report, with Miller seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
Bowman County Treasurer, Sydnee Kidd met to present the July 2025 Treasurer’s Daily Cash Settlement/Bank Reconciliation Report. Miller moved to approve the report, Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.
Abrahamson moved to approve the July 2025 Recorder and Sheriff Fee Collection Reports. Janikowski seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
Abrahamson moved to approve the Calendar Raffle Application from NDHSRA. Miller seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on the three applications received for appointment to the Bowman County Water Resource Board. Janikowski moved to appoint Quint Sarsland. Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.
Margie Russ, Darwin Wilke, Ruth Beach, Beth Criswell, Brooklyn Engelhart, met to discuss their 2026 Budget Request for the 2026 Bowman County Fair.
Discussion was held on the MOU between Bowman County and NDSU Extension to Deliver Local Extension Programming. Miller moved to approve the MOU, with Buchmann seconding the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.
Bowman County State’s Attorney, Andrew Weiss joined the meeting.
Discussion was held on the vacant housing authority board member. Miller would like to see the vacant position filled. The County will advertise the vacancy to see if we can get it filled.
City of Bowman representatives, Lyn James, Sara Bullis, Myron Vail, Stacy McGee met to discuss a new water storage facility. Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering, presented the preliminary opinion of cost for the project. Also present, Frank Eberle, Brad Mosher. The City is seeking financial assistance for the project. Janikowski moved to approve a donation up to $1,575,000 with up to a five-year payout with the funds coming from BLM. Miller seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.
Bowman County Highway Superintendent, Shane Biggs and Billy Doerr, Brosz Engineering, met to discuss road projects. Buchmann moved to approve the Request for Materials from Meryl McGee for the purchase of a culvert and band with McGee being responsible for 100% of the cost. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Doerr presented pay application #3 for $204,125.31 from Steve Beylund Construction for Old Highway 12 Reconstruction Project.
Discussion was held on the 2026 Preliminary Budget. Miller moved to approve the budget as presented, with Abrahamson seconding the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. The Bowman County 2026 Budget Hearing will take place October 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM and will be held in the Commission Room.
At 3:09 PM Janikowski moved to adjourn the meeting, with Miller seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
Rick Braaten, Chairman, Board of County Commissioners
ATTEST: Mindy Schumacher, Bowman County Auditor
BOWMAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
9:00 AM
AGENDA
Call to order Chairman Braaten
Pledge of Allegiance – Prayer- Pastor Corey Jenkins
Consideration for Approval
-
- Agenda
- Vouchers
- Augst 19, 2025 Minutes
- August 2025 Treasurer’s Report – Daily Cash Settlements/Bank Reconciliation Report
- August 2025 Month-End BLM Report
- August 2025 Recorder/Sheriff Fee Collection Reports
Unfinished Business
-
- FEMA Correspondence, State’s Attorney/Brosz Engineering
New Business
-
- Housing Board Vacancy, Review Applications
Scheduled Appointments Made in Advance
10:00 AM Shane Biggs, Bowman County Highway Superintendent – Road Projects
10:45 City of Scranton
Elected Officials Office Updates & Other
Public Notices
- Important Meeting Dates
- Next Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting –September 16, 2025, 9:00 AM
Adjourn
Rick Braaten
Commissioner
(701) 279-5530
email
Rick was first elected as a Bowman County Commissioner in November 2008. He is a 1975 graduate of Bowman High School and graduated from NDSU in 1979 with a BS degree in Agricultural Economics. Rick is married to Laurie Fish and they four sons. Rick engages in farm and ranch work.
Other Offices Held:
- 1994 – 2002 Board Member Farmers Union Oil of Rhame
- FSA County Committee
- County Representative on Economic Development Board
Josh Buchmann
Commissioner
(701) 206-0578
email
Josh graduated in 1996 from Bowman High School and attended NDSCS, graduating in 1999. He moved back to Bowman in 2006. He has two children; his daughter lives in Wahpeton and works for NDSCS and his son attends Bowman High School.
Other Offices Held:
- Bowman County Fair Board
- Bowman Volunteer Fire Department
- Owner of RMJ Towing
Nathan Miller
Commissioner
(701) 206-0710
email
Nathan was elected to the Bowman County Commission in 2024.
Other Offices Held:
- County Representative on County Weed Board
Pine Abrahamson
Commissioner
701-523-3169
email
Pine was first elected as a Bowman County Commissioner in 2004. Pine was born and raised in Bowman County. He has been engaged in agriculture his entire life; he is the third generation to be involved on the family farm where he spends many hours working with his youngest daughter her husband. Pine is married with 4 children and 4 grandchildren.
Other Offices Held:
- Bowman/Slope Multi-County Social Service District
- Bowman County Information Technology Committee
- Bowman County Extension Advisory Council
Jerid Janikowski
Commissioner
(701) 440-8445
email
Jerid was elected to the Bowman County Commission in 2022.
Other Offices Held:
- Bowman County Zoning Board
- Bowman County Local Emergency Planning Committee
Contact
CONTACT
EMAIL: auditor@bowmancountynd.gov
PHONE: (701) 523-3130
Bowman County Auditor
104 1st St NW, Suite 1
Bowman ND 58623
OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Thursday:
7:30am – 12:00pm MT
12:30pm – 4:30pm MT
Friday:
7:30am – 12:00pm MT
(Closed on Legal Holidays)