KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS December 20, 2022

KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
December 20, 2022

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on December 20, 2022 at 9 a.m. Commissioner Johnson was absent.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Younggren. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the agenda.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the December 8, 2022 meeting.
Matt Vig-Chief Deputy presented for Board approval a Memorandum of Agreement between the Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) bargaining unit and Dave Thompson pertaining to Deputy Thompson being allowed to return to his former position as deputy if he were to be unappointed as the Chief Deputy under the Sheriff-elect Vig term. Administrator Buhmann shared that the document was reviewed by Josh Heggem our labor attorney and was found to be acceptable. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously approved to accept the Memorandum of Agreement.
Chief Deputy Vig presented a candidate to fill the current vacant deputy position, Kelly Gustafson. Gustafson has been a deputy for Roseau County since 2005 and is the current leader of the Borderland Special Response Team (SRT). Chief Deputy Vig’s recommendation is to start Gustafson on C-43-4 Step 10 at 36.51. Suzann Duchene, Payroll/Benefits & Elections Administrator was asked to clarify the correct salary schedule to follow- the 2022 or the 2023 salary as we were approaching the new year. Duchene confirmed that the 2023 wage schedule should be followed by the Board at this time. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to offer the position to Kelly Gustafson at C-43-4, Step 10 at the $36.51/ hour rate.
Robert Albrecht- County Attorney appeared before the Board to answer any questions that they may have in regards to his request to have his office reimbursed for expenses associated to cases that have had to be directed to neighboring County Attorney offices because of a conflict that he or his office had with the cases. Administrator Buhmann cautioned the Board on their line of questioning as there are privacy rights and attorney client privilege associated with clientele be served. After discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and approved unanimously to approve the County paying the expenses associated with these conflict cases.
Scot Olson, Emergency Management Services Director and Administrator Buhmann presented updates on:
• 2022 Flood Updates -assisted 12 Townships and 1 city through FEMA processes
• As of 12.20.2022 Certification signed and submitted for obligation total is $779,023.83
• Completed, not submitted for obligation total of $243,472.32
• Not Completed or submitted for obligation total of $187,955.52
• Certified a Storm Ready County
• Arranged for Wills for Hero’s to visit Kittson County to work with Firefighters, EMS, Border Patrol, Law Enforce personnel to complete or update their wills for free.
• Reported that the school bus has sold
• Confirmed closing on the purchasing of property in Teien Township flood plain buyout
• Received grant for AED and has updated units in the Sheriff Department
• Applied for and was accepted to the EMS Academy to be held in Maryland with all the expenses paid for.
Discussion was led by Administrator Buhmann with the Board on did the county have an out of state travel policy to be followed when staff are successful to secure training that is offered outside of the State of Minnesota. Buhmann also added or out of country because of our closeness to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Buhmann was asked to research and bring back possible language that could be use.
Administrator Buhmann presented Resolution #22-33 Supporting AMC’s Legislative priority to develop new formulas and provide significant appropriations for the Community Supervision Program. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and passed unanimously to support the Resolution #22-33.
Administrator Buhmann presented to the Board for approval the bids associated with the purchasing of new office furniture for the Extension offices and the County Administrator’s office. He also included the quote to have carpeting installed in the Extension offices. Connect Interiors Quotes:
• Carpeting and installation $6,520.00
• Furniture Extension front lobby $9,491.00
• Furniture 4-H Youth Development Coordinator’s office $5,862.00
• Furniture for County Administrator’s office $7,502.00
• Total cost approximately $29,375.00, in budget for 2022. If needed there is some available American Rescue Plan funds that could be used.
Discussion held on furnishing the Relaxation/Nursing Mother’s room with different furniture option then the quote for $11,000.00
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to approve the purchases.
Administrator Buhmann requested permission to include language to be printed on the county checks of “Void after 90 Days” to assist in the accounting process of voiding and re-issueing checks to vendors who have not cashed their checks. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and passed unanimously to include the language on the county checks.
After a review of the bills and meal reimbursements, a motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Gillie and passed unanimously the approval of the payment of the bills and meals.
Commissioners $425,558.76
Auditors $2,204,078.52
Per Diems
Darrel Johnson $1,420.00
Leon Olson $690.00
Loren Younggren $360.00 Administrator Buhmann requested Board approval to pay any end of the year bills that the County may receive and will bring the bills to the first Board meeting of 2023. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and approved unanimously the paying of any end of the year bills.
Administrator Buhmann presented January 3, 2023 as a possible Commissioner workshop date. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik to hold the workshop on January 17th at 1 p.m., motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Olson to set the last Board meeting of 2022 to be held December 28, 2022 at 1 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Administrator Buhmann shared with the Board the new PERA rates set by the state for 2023.
Committee reports- Commissioner Gillie provided an update from Dancing Skies that the funding for service for older adults will be reduced for counties in greater Minnesota and unfortunately, we will be developing waiting lists for services for our senior population. Gillie shared that a new community representative has joined the Alluma Board who is bringing firsthand real life experiences to share with the Board on the services offered by Alluma. Commissioners Olson and Kraulik shared attending the Purchasing committee regarding the office furniture and carpeting.
Correspondence-Commissioner Younggren opened a thank you letter from Blue Earth County Commissioner Vance Stuehrenberg who had won the AMC basket that Kittson County donated to the AMC Annual Conference. Administrator Buhmann shared a letter from Kittson HealthCare requesting a letter of support as they apply for two rural grants programs one for MDH Rural Hospital Planning and Transition and the other MDH Hospital Capital Improvement Grant. Buhmann shared that the letter of support has already been forwarded to them.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 a.m.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann,
Kittson County Administrator
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD
PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 28, 2022

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on December 28, 2022 at 1 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Younggren. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to approve the agenda.
Administrator Buhmann presented Resolution #22-35 Setting the 2023 Budget and Levy. The proposed Budget for 2023 will be $14,637,573 with a levy of $5,397,657. This is an increase of 21% over the 2022 Budget and levy or $940,702. No reserves were spent to lower the levy for 2023 which accounts for approximately 12% of the levy increase. The Local Tax Rate for 2023 will be 30%, a reduction from the 31.497% determined in 2022. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously passed to approve the Budget and Levy amounts for 2023.
Administrator Buhmann requested permission to perform the end of the year accounting transfers for the County Ditch accounts. A motion made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously passed to approve the accounting transfer.
Pat Klegstad-Sheriff Deputy presented the quote for a new ARMER Contract with Motorola for the dispatch radio call center. The costs which include 1 year of Essential Plus Services came in at $350,167. Klegstad did state that there will be additional costs for an updated microwave signal equipment and installing a fiber optic line to the Karlstad Tower. These expenses will be presented at a later Board meeting. Administrator Buhmann shared with the Commissioners that the county 911 bank account currently had the funds available to cover the costs to purchase the new equipment. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously passed to approve the purchase of the new radio system using the available funding in the 911 account.
1:10 p.m. Commissioner Olson excused himself from the Board meeting.
After a review of the bills and meal reimbursements, a motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Gillie and passed unanimously the approval of the payment of the bills and meals.
Commissioners $207,311.13
Auditors $6448.32
Per Diems
Darrel Johnson $300.00
Nathan Kraulik $440.00
Meal Reimbursement $35.69
Administrator Buhmann requested Board approval to pay any end of the year bills that the County may receive and will bring the bills to the first Board meeting of 2023. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and approved unanimously the paying of any end of the year bills.
Administrator Buhmann presented a renewal contract with Dakota Fire Protection to perform the annual inspection of our fire sprinkler system. Cost is $450/year plus $100 if we have a back flow test of the system completed as well. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to approve the contract.
Correspondence-Commissioner Gillie and Administrator Buhmann both shared that they had been contacted to the potential follow-up meeting held with property owners from the North Red River Township. Discussion held that this request would be brought to the Board at the first meeting in 2023.
Administrator Buhmann recognized that this would be Commissioner Johnson’s last board meeting. He thanked Commissioner Johnson for his leadership and for his warm welcome when Buhmann began as the County Administrator. Board members also thanked Commissioner Johnson for his service to the community.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 1:28 p.m.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann,
Kittson County Administrator
(January 11, 2023)
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