Discussion was held on Sheriff’s Department updates. The boat that is up for bids will be opened at the January 13^th meeting. Discussion was held on the fifth officer/weights and scales officer position, tabled from the previous meeting. Jim Wenning, Chief Deputy Sheriff, went to Kidder County to look at a set of used weights and scales. If purchased, it would save the county roughly $15,000 from a set of new weights and scales. They would fit in the back of any of the patrol vehicles. Discussion was held on how to finance another deputy and the purchase of the weights and scales. Rob Schmidt, Commissioner, listed several points in the current budget that could be adjusted to make up the cost, including approval of overtime hours, decreasing hours of the office secretary, giving the Emergency Manager position to a deputy versus a contract with Mercer County. Discussion was held on the affect changing the joint powers agreement could have on several grants that are jointly applied for. No action was taken and continued discussion on the topic will be tabled until the January 13^th meeting.

 

The Commission meeting was recessed at 1:36 pm.

The Oliver County Park Board Meeting was called to order at 1:36 pm by Dave Berger. The remaining amount in the Park Board’s budget is $1500. Two entities are requesting funds. The Oliver County Fair Board put in a request for $1000 to help cover the costs of the toilet and wash station rentals and the Center-Stanton School Playground Committee requested any amount to help with the cost of playground improvements. Dave Berger moved and Lee Husfloen seconded the motion to donate $1000 to the Center-Stanton School Playground Committee and $500 to the Oliver County Fair Board. Discussion was held and a clarification was brought up by Rick Schmidt that the Center-Stanton School request should either be towards the playground improvement or for the study on the improvements. Dave Berger moved to amend the previous motion that the $1000 donation to the Center-Stanton School Playground Committee would be for the study of the improvement with Lee Husfloen seconding. All in favor, none opposed; the amendment to the motion carried. The amended motion by Dave Berger for $1000 to be donated to the Center-Stanton School Playground Committee for the improvement study and $500 to the Oliver County Fair Board for toilet and wash station expenses, seconded by Lee Husfloen was considered. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

The Oliver County Park Board meeting was adjourned at 1:44 PM.

 

The Oliver County Commission Meeting was called back into session at 1:44 PM.

 

Discussion was held on the inclement weather policy. Rob Schmidt and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve the changes to the inclement weather policy. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Discussion was held on the Holiday closure policy. No action was taken and it was tabled to the next meeting.

 

Discussion was held on the Road Superintendent position putting in overtime but not receiving payment for the time worked.

 

The Commission meeting went into recess at 2:01 pm.

 

The Commission meeting was called back into session at 2:06 pm.

 

Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve the Road Superintendent Bonus Pay policy. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Discussion was held on the Courthouse Janitorial position. Current hours are 20 per week. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to decrease the hours of the Courthouse Janitor from 20 hours per week to 10 hours per week, still doing the same job duties. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Kenny Rude, Road Superintendent, discussed hiring an additional full time position, which has been left open for several years. There is a temp worker that would like to take the position and Kenny would like to get this person started by January 1 in order to get this person fully trained for spring. Kenny Rude also discussed that this position would obtain their CDL and become Commercially certified to spray weeds along county roads. The starting wage would be $28/hour with an increase to $29/hour after the probation period. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to allow the Road Superintendent to hire for the full time position. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Discussion was held on other county road and county shop updates.

 

The Beer and Liquor license applications for the Square Butte Creek Golf Club and Oliver County Fair Board were presented.

 

Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve the Liquor and Beer Licenses for the Square Butte Creek Golf Club. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve the Oliver County Fair Board Beer License. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

Discussion was held on a quote from Westlaw for the State’s Attorney’s office. States Attorney Water’s was asked to request a quote for only a one year term and bring it to the next meeting.

 

Discussion was held on the scoria agreement with Nathan Henke. The cost of $400/load will remain the same. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to renew the scoria agreement with Nathan Henke for 2026 at $400/load. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

The donation from NextEra Oliver Wind IV LLC arrived. Discussion was held on which fund to place the donation and it was determined to place into the Random fund until a decision is made on what to use the funds for.

 

Greg Petrick, BNI, discussed the request for possible written findings from the Overpass Approval from the County. Discussion was held. A concern was raised on if there are legal concerns on the county’s part if there are legal issues with landowners along the overpass area that do not sign a voluntary easement and how it could affect the county. No action was taken and further discussion was tabled until the next meeting.

 

Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve Budget Amendment 2025-5. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve Transfer 2025-2. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve submission of the Court Facilities Grant for new chairs and tables for the courtroom.

 

Further discussion was held on the new hire the Road Superintendent was approved to hire. Kenny Rude stated that the new hire would also do the snow removal at the Courthouse as a part of the job description.

 

Board applications for the Planning & Zoning and Weed Control Board were reviewed. There were 2 applicants for the Planning & Zoning Board and 2 applicants for the Weed Control Board. Discussion was also held on the Commission appointment to the Social Services board.

 

Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to appoint Kendal Price to the Weed Control Board. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Dave Berger moved and Lee Husfloen seconded the motion to appoint Rob Schmidt to the Social Services board. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to appoint Cassie Smith to the Planning & Zoning Board. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

There are also two openings on the Soils Committee. Beth Kohler expressed interest in serving on any board that had an opening, per her application. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to appoint Beth Kohler to the Soils Committee. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Discussion was held on the 2026 Commission Meeting Calendar. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve the 2026 calendar with changes discussed to the February and March meeting dates. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Discussion was held on quotes from Denny’s Electric for the Maintenance Contract and Additional work needed for hooking up the entire building. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve a one year maintenance agreement with Denny’s Electric for $750. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve the quote for additional work to the generator for $10405. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

 

Kyle Larson, Minnesota Power, updated the Commission that the company will be coming for a building permit for the HVDC project in the next month.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 3:31 pm.

 

The next meeting of the Oliver County Commission will be at 1:00 PM, January 13^th, 2026 at the Oliver County Courthouse meeting room.

 

 

_________________________________                    _________________________________

Jaden Schmidt, Oliver County Auditor                         Lee Husfloen, Chairman of the Board