Karen Kempert

The meeting included the addition of "Contracts for Assessing" to the agenda. The CEO of Langdon Prairie Health provided an update on hospital improvements and future plans. Discussion was held regarding various funding sources for the County 55 gorge project, with a decision made to place dust control and temporary gravel/drainage plans on the next meeting's agenda. The Road Supervisor and Foreman reviewed gravel projects, opened bids, and updated the Building Contractor's Agreement for the Vang building. Funds were re-allocated for gravel and dirt work around the new Langdon shop, and plans for the old shop were discussed. A resolution supporting the development of non-motorized trails in Cavalier County was approved, along with seasonal Beer & Liquor Licenses for Langdon Country Club. A proxy for the Chairman of the NDIRF Board of Directors was approved. Funds were transferred from the Road & Bridge Fund to the cities and to the Road & Bridge Equipment Replacement Fund. The Tax Director presented a proposed contract for assessing townships and cities, with a decision on fees postponed until October. Finally, the commission reviewed and approved an audit of claims.

The proceedings spanned multiple sessions addressing various county matters. Key discussions included budgeting for gravel projects on County 33 and County 6, and a request from the Domestic Violence and Abuse Center for increased county funding, contingent upon approvals from Walsh and Pembina Counties. The Tax Director reviewed map factor changes and 2020 farm exemption qualifications. Road Supervisor updates involved approving a bid for a striping project and denying culvert repair cost-sharing requests from Fremont Township. Discussions also covered traffic counter data, requests for slow children signs, snowplow truck maintenance, and the requirement for roadmen to have cell phones by August 1, 2019. The Sheriff reported on the policing contract approval with Langdon City and declined participation in sharing scales with Towner County. The Superintendent of Langdon Area Schools informed the board about a special election regarding a school building fund levy increase. The commission conducted several fund transfers between Road and Bridge accounts. An audit of claims was reviewed and approved. A special meeting was held with Walsh and Pembina Counties regarding the Social Services redesign, resulting in the formation of a multi-county working group. Subsequent sessions included budget presentations from multiple departments, including the State's Attorney, Recorder, NDSU Extension, Public Health, Library, Emergency Manager, Sheriff/Dispatchers, and Maintenance. The final session included budget presentations from JDA, Senior Meals and Services, Ambulance, Weed Board, VSO, Clerk of Court, Treasurer, and Auditor, alongside a review of salary comparisons presented by HR.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and the approval of claims, totaling numerous transactions across various county departments including Road & Bridge, VSO, Auditor, Clerk, General, Tax Director, Non-Departmental, Sheriff, Farm - Market, Emergency Manager, E-911 Phone Excise Tax, County Agent, and Social Services. The date for the July 4, 2017 commission meeting was moved to July 6, 2017. Regarding the Tax Director's office workload, the Deputy Tax Director position was changed to a five-day work week from May 1, 2017, through September 30, 2017, with increased pay and benefits, subject to review in October. Public access hours for the office were adjusted temporarily due to the Vanguard reassessment project. A follow-up meeting was scheduled with Langdon City officials to resolve tax reporting issues. Road project bids for seal coat and gravel projects were reviewed and awarded to Morris Seal Coat and Knife River Materials, respectively, contingent upon checking funding eligibility for project extensions. Engineering Agreements with KLJ for these projects were approved. Culvert requests from Waterloo Township and Seivert Township were approved, with one contingent on size verification. Utility permits for Polar Communications (fiber optics) and Northeast Regional Water (water line) were approved. The road closure in West Hope Township due to washed-out culverts remains in effect pending FEMA declaration outcomes. A conference call addressed issues with the Sidwell soils mapping program, including parcel data and implementation timelines. The Soils Committee will receive $75 per meeting with no mileage reimbursement, retroactive to January 1, 2017. The Recorder inquired about document digitization; the Board requested a cost analysis for Stage 1 funding in 2017. The Commissioners agreed to act as a non-financial sponsor (pass through) for a Fremont Township application to the ND DOT Special Road Fund Program. Several fund transfers between Road and Bridge, Road and Bridge Equipment, Road and Bridge Excess Levy, County Poor, and Social Welfare Funds were approved.

The Cavalier County Commission meeting included the approval of the agenda and previous minutes. A public hearing was held to amend the Floodplain Management Ordinance to comply with SB 2027, with the amended ordinance to be filed in the Emergency Manager's office. Commissioners reviewed current road projects with the Road Supervisor and Foreman, discussing the County 55 drainage project and contracting KLJ to obtain necessary Right-of-Way easements, estimating the expense at $57,000. A decision regarding the purchase of a motor grader from Sourcewell bids was tabled pending receipt of loan rates from local banks. Department updates were provided by several office heads. The Tax Equalization Director announced her resignation at the end of February, leading the commission to approve advertising the position and establishing a hiring committee. Finally, the commission reviewed and approved a comprehensive audit of claims.

The agenda for this special meeting included provisions for public comment, both verbal and written, with limitations based on pertinence and disruption. Key discussion items listed old business related to Channel A/Devils Lake Basin, specifically Channel A Maintenance Costs. The meeting also included a review and approval of vouchers. Open discussion was explicitly disallowed due to the meeting's special status.