County Commission Minutes

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on January 11, 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 Ed Kvaale shared a prayer.

Braaten asked for corrections or additions to the agenda. Jeffers made a motion to approve the agenda. Abrahamson seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

The following December 29, 2021, and January 11, 2022, vouchers were approved by a motion made by Buchmann, with Abrahamson seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Abrahamson made a motion to increase the mileage reimbursement rate from .56 cents per mile to .59 cents per mile effective January 1, 2022. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye.  Motion carried.

NDSU Extension Service West District Director, Jim Gray, met to discuss the vacant Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent position. The Commissioners would like to see the position filled.  Gray will get the position advertised.

Buchmann made a motion to lift the burn ban. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye Motion carried

Bowman/Slope 911 Coordinator, Karla Germann, joined the meeting via telephone to discuss the 911 Fund. Current agreement is Slope County submits their annual 911 fee receipts after expenses to the combined fund.  However, since increases in ND State Radio dispatch fees, revenues in both counties no longer cover expenses; therefore, Slope County has nothing to forward to the fund. The contingency in Bowman/Slope 911 accounts is declining and will be depleted by early 2023. In order to continue funding the 911 Budget, general fund money would need to be contributed. Commissioners would like to meet with Slope County to see what can be worked out. Germann will get a meeting set up.

Mike Germann and Daulton Braaten, Rhame Fire Department, met to request Bowman County ARPA funds to purchase turnout gear, coats, pants, and coveralls for their department. Estimated total cost is $70,704.50. Rhame Fire Department would pay for 20% of the cost. Buchmann made a motion to approve 80% of the cost to be paid from ARPA Funds. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Buchmann made a motion to amend the 2021 Audit Fee budget to from $12,500.00 to $13,405.00, because of a shortage due to the audit fees increasing. Abrahamson seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried. Abrahamson made a motion to amend the 2021 Superintendent of Schools budget to from $767.00 to $767.04 because of a shortage due to payroll software rounding. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried. Brackel made amotion to amend the 2021 State’s Attorney budget to from $81,654.00 to $82,118.77 because of an administrative billing error that caused a shortage. Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried. Buchmann made a motion to amend the 2021 Tech budget to from $51,473.00 to $51,564.75 because of a shortage due to purchasing additional tech support hours. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried. Buchmann made a motion to amend the 2021 County General Miscellaneous Budget to from $41,500.00 to $83,662.78 because of a shortage due to the CARES Act Money that was deposited into and then spent from the Miscellaneous General Account, but was not budgeted from that line item. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Abrahamson made a motion to approve the December 21, 2021, minutes with Buchmann seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Brackel made a motion to approve the December 2021 Month-End Bureau of Land Management Report, with Buchmann seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Abrahamson made a motion to approve the 2022 Radar Service Contract. Brackel seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Treasurer, Anita McLaughlin, met to present the December 2021 Treasurer’s Daily Cash Settlement/Bank Reconciliation Report.  Abrahamson made a motion to approve, with Brackel seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Buchmann made a motion to approve the December 2021 Recorder and Sheriff Fee Collection Reports. Abrahamson seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Jeffers made a motion to approve the following special deputies as 2022 Deputy Sheriffs for Bowman County, only when asked by the Bowman County Sheriff, the Bowman County Commissioners, or the Bowman County State’s Attorney, to act as a Deputy Sheriff for special assignments or have been asked to help in an emergency situation, if any law enforcement officers seek assistance: Rory Teigen, Sherri Teigen, Larry Johnson, Dick Frederick, Randy Gaebe, Jodi Freier, Charles Headley, Angie Eberle, Trevor Bergerson, Wyatt Sabo, Danyel Titus, Trenton Harbaugh, Nick Eisele, Tim Grube, Art Cox, Victor Wells, Alex Wehrung, and Remi Jason Master. This authorization will allow these individuals to be covered by North Dakota Workforce and Safety and will also allow them to drive the vehicles owned by Bowman County.  Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Bowman County Highway Superintendent, Shane Biggs, and Lucas Doerr, Brosz Engineering, met to discuss road projects. Doerr presented the 2022 Hourly Rate Sheet. Discussion was held on putting up a shop ten miles south of Marmarth off the Camp Crook Road. Biggs presented the 2022 County Road Department Rates. Brackel made a motion to approve the following 2022 Road and Bridge rates, with Abrahamson seconding the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on appointment of a member to the Bowman City Zoning Commission. As per NDCC 40-47-06, the board of county commissioners is responsible to appoint a person to the city zoning commission that resides within the territorial limits of the City of Bowman. An ad will be sent out to see if there are any interested individuals.

Bowman County Emergency Manager, Dean Pearson, met to discuss the Emergency Management Program. Bowman County Assistant Emergency Manager, Karla Germann, joined the meeting via telephone. Pearson will be retiring April 29, 2022, so decisions will need to be made regarding his positions with Bowman County. He is currently Emergency Manager, Tax Director, and Co-Zoning Director. Commissioners will gather more information and continue discussion at up-coming meetings.

At 2:30 PM Jeffers made a motion 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

County Commission Agenda

Jan 18, 2022 – 9:00 AM

Call to order Chairman Braaten

Pledge of Allegiance – Prayer – Pastor Ray Sherwood

     Consideration for Approval:

1. Agenda
2. Vouchers
3. January 18, 2021 Minutes

Unfinished Business

1. Tax Director/Zoning Director/Emergency Manager Positions

New Business

Scheduled Appointments Made in Advance

9:30 AM    Bowman County Fair Board

10:00         Nicole Njos, State Fair Delegate

11:00         Shane Biggs, Road Superintendent

                              LUNCH

1:15 PM     Open at Time of Publication

            Elected Officials Office Updates & Other

• Public Notices

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

Important Meeting Dates

• Next Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting – February 1, 2022 9:00 AM

Adjourn