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.
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on May 2, 2023, with the following present: Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, Josh Buchmann, Jerid Janikowski, and Jerry Jeffers. Chairman Braaten called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Braaten asked for corrections or additions to the agenda. The Application for Beer and/or Wine License from Bowman Haley Marina will be removed from the agenda and the chip seal bid will be added. Buchmann moved to approve the agenda. Jeffers seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
The following May 2, 2023 vouchers were approved by a motion made by Abrahamson, with Janikowski seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
April Payroll | $180,715.47 | |
36816 | Advanced Business Methods | $490.07 |
36817 | Auto Value | $130.44 |
36818 | Bergan KVD | $171.94 |
36819 | Boss Office Products | $977.85 |
36820 | Bowman County Fair Assn | $100.00 |
36821 | Bowman County Treasurer | $737.68 |
36822 | Bowman Township | $1,370.66 |
36823 | Bronson’s Marketplace | $64.71 |
36824 | Brosz Engineering | $8,805.00 |
36825 | Budd-Falen Law Office | $283.08 |
36826 | Dakota Dust-Tex | $185.10 |
36827 | First International Bank | $948.35 |
36827 | First International Bank | $626.63 |
36827 | First International Bank | $779.92 |
36828 | Frank Eberle | $21.00 |
36829 | Frontier Travel Center | $199.98 |
36830 | Jason Bullis | $45.50 |
36831 | John Deere Financial | $1,557.92 |
36832 | MCI | $72.88 |
36833 | MidCo | $103.82 |
36834 | MDU | $2,348.38 |
36835 | North Dakota Surplus | $15.00 |
36836 | NDSU Extension | $7,250.00 |
36837 | Newby’s Ace Hardware | $252.91 |
36838 | ND State Treasurer | $2,308.17 |
36839 | Northwest Tire | $1,132.22 |
36840 | Nutrien Ag Solutions | $22,156.50 |
36841 | Quadient Financing | $4,000.00 |
36842 | RDO Equipment | $3,250.75 |
36843 | S&T Custom Plumbing | $101.72 |
36844 | Southwest Healthcare | $1,343.00 |
36845 | Sunny Slope Township | $167.54 |
36846 | Talbot Township | $1,164.65 |
36847 | The Badlands Patriot | $546.94 |
36848 | Tyler Technologies | $112.50 |
36849 | Wild & Weiss Law Office | $1,250.00 |
Janikowski moved to approve the April 18, 2023, minutes with Jeffers seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
Buchmann moved to approve the April 2023 Month-End Bureau of Land Management Report, with Janikowski seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
Bowman County Treasurer, Anita McLaughlin, met to present the April 2023 Treasurer’s Daily Cash Settlement/Bank Reconciliation Report. Jeffers moved to approve the report, and Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.
Buchmann moved to approve the April 2023 Recorder and Sheriff Fee Collection Reports. Abrahamson seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.
Bowman County Tax Director, Jodi Freier, met to discuss the Vanguard Appraisals contract. Janikowski moved to approve the contract from Vanguard Appraisals, Inc. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.
BCDC Director, Teran Doerr, met to discuss a childcare center emergency funding request. Guests present: Sydnee Kidd, Duane Bowman, Meggan Tuchscherer, Kevin Bucholz, Allison Englehart, and Alan Peters. There are many daycare facilities in Bowman County that are facing staffing shortages and there are currently no daycare openings in the county. They are looking for funding for benefits assistance for Tot Lot as the only 501c3 childcare center provider within Bowman County to help with business recruitment and retention. The funding request is $49,000 annually from the County for a five-year period. Janikowski moved to approve funding up to $49,000 annually for a five-year period towards Tot Lot Childcare Benefits Assistance to come from BLM Funds. Buchmann seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Janikowski, yes; Buchmann, yes; Abrahamson, no; Jeffers, yes; Braaten, yes. Motion carried. Janikowski moved to amend his motion to state that funding will come from State Revenue Sharing fund, not BLM fund. Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Janikowski moved to approve the motion as amended. Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.
At 10:00 AM, Chairman Braaten recessed the County Commission meeting for the annual meeting of the Bowman County Rural Ambulance Board. Pam Hestekin, President of the Bowman County Rural Ambulance Board, called the meeting to order at 10:01 AM, with the following board members present: Karen Salter, Jennifer Hestekin, and Darren Limesand. Also present: Chanell Walby. The board reviewed the 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes and 2022 Financial Report. The Ambulance board recommended to the Bowman County Commissioners the following members be reappointed to two-year terms: Pam Hestekin, Jennifer Hestekin, and Darren Limesand. With no further business to conduct, Hestekin adjourned the meeting at 10:19 AM.
Chairman Braaten reconvened the County Commission meeting at 10:20 AM.
Colleen Rodakowski and Jenn Quigley, Elder Care, met to discuss Senior Meals and their 2022 budget shortfall. Also Present: Scott Jansen, Chanell Walby, and Dennis Walser.
Bowman County Highway Superintendent, Shane Biggs, and Lucas Doerr, Brosz Engineering, met to discuss road projects. Also present: Scott Jansen. Discussion was held on the 2023 Chip Seal Project Multiple Locations Bid. One bid was received. That was from Astech Corp in the amount of $635,727.19. Buchmann moved to approve the bid from Astech Corp. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Abrahamson moved to approve Utility Permit Application #1157 from Slope Electric. Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Buchmann moved to approve Utility Permit Application #1158 from Continental Resources. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Janikowski moved to approve the Request for Materials from Myles Richard for the purchase of 200 yards of reject gravel with Richard being responsible for 100 percent of the cost. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Abrahamson moved to allow Bridger Pipeline to put a C-10 cast iron canal gate on the culvert south of the Bridger Oil gathering station on the Camp Crook Road. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Discussion was held on the Haul Route Agreement with Bowman Wind, LLC. There are a few more small changes that need to be made, so the agreement will be reviewed again at the next meeting.
Buchmann left the meeting at 12 PM.
The board discussed the Complaint Resolution Procedure for Bowman Wind, LLC. Guest present: Scott Jansen.
Buchmann rejoined the meeting at 1:45 PM.
Janikowski moved to adopt the following resolution. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.
WHEREAS, the Bowman County Commissioners have received a recommendation from the zoning board to place a moratorium on battery energy storage systems.
WHEREAS it is the desire of the Bowman County Commissioners to develop zoning laws and rules that will facilitate the expansion and development of this technology within Bowman County. The County Commissioners also recognize that Battery Energy Storage Systems and the use of property on which they might be located could cause undesirable impacts to other property in the County. The Board recognizes the need to evaluate the impacts of these systems and, if necessary, revise the County’s Zoning Ordinances to address any determined issues that may arise and to best promote the health, safety, morals, public convenience, general property, and public welfare of Bowman County.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOVLED BY THE BOWMAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, THAT:
Section 1. The Board hereby imposes a moratorium on zoning applications, construction, installation, or establishment of battery energy storage systems or its equivalent in Bowman County until further order board, but not to exceed 24 months.
Section 2. Any party aggrieved by this Resolution may petition for a separate hearing thereon before the Board of County Commissioners, pursuant to Section 11-22-10 of the North Dakota Century Code.
At 3:00 PM Janikowski moved to adjourn the meeting, with Abrahamson 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
June 6, 2023 – 9:00 AM
Call to order Chairman Braaten
Pledge of Allegiance – Prayer – Pastor Ray Sherwood
Unfinished Business
New Business
Scheduled Appointments Made in Advance
9:30 AM Dean Pearson, Bowman County Emergency Manager
10:00 City of Rhame/Moore Engineering
11:00 Shane Biggs, Bowman County Highway Superintendent
LUNCH
1:15 PM Unorganized Township Equalization Meeting
1:25 County Equalization Meeting
2:00 Pam Hestekin, Bowman Rural Ambulance Budget
2:30 Cal Klewin, Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
Elected Officials Office Updates & Other
Commissioners have been invited to attend the Flag Dedication Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 11 AM, at Frontier Travel Center, Junction US 12-85, Bowman.
Adjourn
Regular meetings of the Bowman County Commissioners are generally the first and third Tuesday of each month beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the commissioner room located on the lower level of the courthouse.
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:
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:
Commissioner
(701) 279-5885
email
Jerry was elected to the Bowman County Commission in 2016 and is the third generation on the Jeffers farm in southwestern Bowman County; homesteaded in 1909. Jerry also has operated a cabinet shop in the winter since 1976. He has three sons and is married to Karen who has two sons and a daughter. Between them they have 11 grandchildren.
Other Offices Held:
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:
Commissioner
(701) 523-3749
email
Lynn was elected to the County Commission in 2008. He graduated from Dickinson State University in 1966 with a music degree and taught band and chorus for 12 years. Lynn still enjoys music and has directed the Church Choir for 30 years, Bowman County Community Band for 20 years, and Saxy Brass for 20 years. Lynn owned a plumbing business and served the Southwest North Dakota, Montana, and South Dakota areas for over 30 years. He has 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
Other Offices Held:
EMAIL: auditor@bowmancountynd.gov
PHONE: (701) 523-3130
Bowman County Auditor
104 1st St NW, Suite 1
Bowman ND 58623
Monday – Thursday:
7:30am – 12:00pm MT
12:30pm – 4:30pm MT
Friday:
7:30am – 12:00pm MT
(Closed on Legal Holidays)