KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS November 2, 2021

KITTSON COUNTY BOARD
PROCEEDINGS
November 2, 2021

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment, on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 9 a.m. The following members were present; Commissioners Gillie, Younggren, Kraulik, Olson, Johnson and County Administrator Brian Buhmann.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gillie, the pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the agenda with the addition.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the meeting minutes from October 19, 2021.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Younggren and passed unanimously to approve the Bills and Meal Reimbursements.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to approve the Per Diems and Expense Sheets.
Auditor’s Warrants
March 2, 2021 $ 1,999.00
May 3, 2021 $ 4,422.48
September 8, 2021 $ 103,481.31
September 29, 2021 $ 3,858.42
October 1, 2021 $ 171,095.50
October 5, 2021 $ 78,747.64
Commissioner’s Warrants
November 2, 2021 $ 141,792.09
Meeting with the County Board was County Engineer Andrea Weleski asking for authorization to hire Patrick Sobolik for the Motor Grader Operator position, Grade B22-Step 3, $21.16/ hour with a start date of November 22, 2021.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to approve the hiring of Patrick Sobolik.
Weleski led a discussion on drainage ditch reports and Commissioners asked that a ditch meeting day be scheduled to discuss budgets and levies for ditches.
Jeanna Kujava, Public Health Director met with the Commissioners to provide a COVID update for the County. County numbers have increase since the last report. Kujava stated that the media is reporting availability of vaccinations for children faster than facilities can acquire the vaccines for distribution to the public. Reminded citizens to get their booster shots. State of Minnesota is seeing cases of persons becoming re-infected with COVID after having had it or who were vaccinated for it.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to approve Administrator Buhmann to be an authorized signer for Prime Security Bank for the county accounts.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed 4-1 (Johnson) to approve Grant agreement with the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren and seconded by Commissioner Olson and passed unanimously to authorize Shirley Swenson to electronically sign agreement with USB Consult Group to meet GASB requirements.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Olson to set value of Noyes property at $30,000.00 and allow Administrator Buhmann flexibility to reduce the value if needed. After discussion, the flexibility option was withdrawn by Commissioner Olson, motion passed unanimously to set value at $30,000.00. The Board asked that Buhmann work with Commissioner Johnson to find an appropriate means to sell the property.
Commissioners turned in their tax forfeiture packets on properties located in their district. Properties to be sold in spring of 2022, some properties may have structures demolished before the sale.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Younggren and passed unanimously to approve the appointment of Cody Schmalz to the Roseau River Watershed District.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren and seconded by Commissioner Johnson and passed unanimously to approve signing the lease agreement with the Minnesota Department of Safety for the lease of office space for the driver’s license exam.
Administrator Buhmann met with the Board sharing an update on the spending of the American Rescue Plan funding. Board commitments to projects to date have spent all but $10,744 of the allotted $417,418.00.
Administrator Buhmann provided an update on the 2022 Budget. Currently the budget is balanced, projecting an 8.75% levy increase or $358,715 for a total levy of $4,456,954.00. County is also looking at using $543,000 in reserves in this budget.
Board Committee reports were given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:36 a.m.
Theresia Gillie,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann,
Kittson County Administrator
(November 24, 2021)
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