December 7th, 2023
OLIVER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS were called to order at 8:00 AM with all members present.
Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the agenda. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the November 2nd meeting. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the November 14th meeting. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the following bills for payment and approve the following bills previously paid. A roll call vote was held, with Darrell Berger, Blake Wilkens and Lee Husfloen all voting aye, none opposed. Motion carried.
Allstate Peterbilt of Bismarck-557.11
Blue360 Media-163.50
Butler Machinery-2043.01
Capitol One Trade Credit-95.65
Computer Express-2619.00
High Plains Technology-619.00
I-State Truck Center-181.37
ITD-1632.00
K&M Repair-1199.97
Thomas Kaspari-600.00
Lillis Electric-647.30
Matthew Bender & Co, Inc.-220.11
McLean County Auditor-17500.00
Menards-118.88
Mercer County Sheriff’s Dept-1200.00
NDACO-2135.00
NDACO Resources Group-645.72
Oliver County Treasurer-67.50
Quadient Finance USA-383.09
Rud Oil & Gas-27767.88
Runnings-35.94
S&M Lawn Service-7740.00
Saber Shred Solutions-1199.00
Richard Schmidt-467.19
Security First Bank of ND-23452.32
Statewide Services-39.00
Stein’s Inc-60.32
Superior Glass, Inc-437.50
Vanguard Appraisals-1320.00
Jake’s Auto Glass-276.88
Post Board-45.00
Direct Med-67.87
Center Machine-256.97
Center Republican-233.55
Beulah Beacon-25.00
The following bills previously paid were approved:
Aflac-454.06
Larin Backhaus-2092.03
Bobcat of Mandan-72.38
Butler Machinery-65575.90
Beulah School District-294.38
Center-Stanton School-14229.33
Center Park District-144.87
City of Center-1809.34
Colonial Life-492.13
Companion Life-324.43
DCI Credit Services-268.74
Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company-47.18
Hazen Rural Fire District-174.45
Hazen School District-2259.99
Liberty Business Systems-486.55
Marco Technologies-185.27
MDU-1181.88
Mercer County Ambulance-321.96
Morton County Auditor-114.60
Morton County Council on Aging-385.64
Nationwide Retirement-3225.00
ND State Treasurer-1147.35
NDACO-183.82
New Salem Ambulance-9.21
Oliver County Ambulance-1303.50
Oliver County Historical Society-48.32
Oliver County Rural Fire-827.76
Oliver County Soil Conservation-474.78
Oliver County Treasurer-868.46
Oliver County Water Management-117.49
Roughrider Electric-179.29
Security First Bank-43896.17
SW Water Authority-58.58
Verizon Wireless-371.01
Visa-3698.88
Washburn Rural Ambulance-244.64
Waste Management-162.48
WRT-995.86
Western Plains Public Health-645.32
Payroll-114293.34
Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the 2024 Commission Meeting Dates. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the application for a liquor license and the application for a beer license for the Square Butte Creek Golf Course. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the application for a beer license for the Oliver County Fair Association. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
The 2023 Mill Levy sheet was handed out.
A Resolution Establishing Precincts and Polling Location
WHEREASthe County is required to approve the establishment of precincts and polling locations for the 2024 election cycle per N.D.C.C. Chapters 16.1-04, 16.1-07, and 16.1-11.1 and
WHEREAS,under state law the Board of County Commissioners, in cooperation with the County Auditor, shall establish precinct boundaries by December 31st of the year preceding an election, and polling locations must be established by the 64th day before the election though, traditionally, Oliver County has set polling locations at the same time as precinct boundaries; and
WHEREAS the Oliver County Auditor is committed to providing a positive voting experience to all voters within Oliver County while simultaneously upholding the security and integrity of elections; and
WHEREAS precinct boundaries were set using logical boundaries within the county, and proximity, accessibility, and availability of locations were considered when selecting polling locations, and the Oliver County Auditor recommends approval of the establishment of 1 precinct and 1 polling places in Oliver County as recommended in the attachment hereto, and
WHEREAS Oliver County previously approved consolidating its polling places into one vote center in accordance with N.D.C.C. §16.1-04-02(3), and desires to continue this provision,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Oliver County, that it hereby approves the establishment of precincts and polling locations for the 2024 election cycle as presented (attached); and authorizes the Oliver County Auditor to establish early vote as presented (attached) and absentee ballot precinct, as necessary.
At its regular meeting on December 7, 2023, Commissioner Darrell Berger moved the foregoing Resolution, seconded by Commissioner Blake Wilkens the following voting for: Blake Wilkens, Darrell Berger, and Lee Husfloen, and None against, the Resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
Dated this 7th day of December 2023.
Doug Scheetz, BNI and John Rudnick, BNI presented a map with potential road closures. They also gave other updates on BNI and future mine operations.
The Human Service Zone is looking for another board member from Oliver County. Jean Kautzman’s term is ending and does not want to renew. A new appointment needs to be made by the end of the year.
Kyle Miller, Road Superintendent, updated the Commission on road issues.
Conditional use permit #1023 for Chris Simon was presented for a private grass air strip in the NE ¼ 8-142-85. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approved CUP #1023. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Conditional use permit #1024 for Oliver Wind IV was presented for 73 wind turbines on 22,000 acres in Oliver County. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve CUP #1024. All in favor; none opposed; motion carried.
Conditional use permit #1025 for Oliver Wind IV Transmission line was presented, located in Oliver County. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approved CUP #1025. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Clay Cameron, NextEra, made some comments regarding the project. They will be before the PSC on January 29th for state approval.
Grant Walker, State’s Attorney from Grant County and Chris Redmann, State’s Attorney for Sioux County, presented interested in the State’s Attorney position here in Oliver County, hoping to split the job between the two.
Patty Koapke presented abatements #13087002, #25305000, #25306000, #07055008, #12095004, #25059000, #25303000, #15029002. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve abatements #13087002, #25305000, #25306000, #07055008, #12095004, #25059000, #25303000, #15029002. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Patty Koapke presented abatement #25303000. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the abatement. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Patty Koapke presented abatement #02071001. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the abatement. All in favor; none opposed; motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.
The next meeting of the Oliver County Commission will be at 9:00 AM, Thursday, December 28th, 2023 at the Oliver County Courthouse meeting room.
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Jaden Schmidt, Oliver County Auditor Lee Husfloen, Chairman of the Board