July 8th, 2025
OLIVER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS were called to order at 1:00 PM with all members present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve the agenda. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the June 10th and June 18th, 2025 meetings. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Rob Schmidt moved and Dave 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 Dave Berger, aye, Rob Schmidt, aye, Lee Husfloen, aye. Motion carried.
ACME Tools-3072.28
Allstate Peterbilt-173.44
Dave Berger-478.80
Butler Machinery-17679.92
CapFirs Equipment-20840.56
Computer Express-2786.97
Dave’s Sales & Services-40.49
Electro Watchman-443.75
Haag Signs-450.00
Laura Huber-311.71
Bryce Hufford-896.00
HZ Electric-9689.34
K&M Repair-631.19
Mickie McNulty-Eide-374.40
Menard’s-659.98
Mercer County Human Resources-4429.77
Mercer County Sheriff’s Dept-900.00
Mercer Oliver EM-10936.24
Mid-American Research Chemical-934.56
NDAAO-225.00
NDACO Resources Group-830.72
Nutrien Ag Solutions-8097.00
Quadient Finance-200.00
Robert Gibb & Sons-559.49
Rud Oil & Gas-5025.07
Jaden Schmidt-291.80
Richard Schmidt-669.20
Statewide Services-6698.00
Titan Machinery-326.43
TrueNorth Steel-9653.76
Tyler Technologies-4942.22
Uniform Center-1161.21
Vanguard Appraisals-2675.00
Keith Vitek-357.50
Center Machine-524.01
Center Republican-619.92
UGPTI/NDLTAP-50.00
Stein’s-171.19
ITD-953.65
Capital Trophy-18.75
Office of Adj. General-120.00
ARCA Search-3112.00
SRF Consulting-13464.72
Software Innovations-2500.00
The following bills previously paid were approved:
Aflac-331.98
AT&T-682.04
Beulah Fire-15.88
Beulah School District-1735.17
Center-Stanton School District-29880.96
Center Park District-1171.42
City of Center-8286.91
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance-972.90
Companion Life Insurance-441.31
Steven Doll-24.66
Fidelity Security Life Insurance-70.16
James & Angelika Fyhrie-500.00
Hazen School District-1483.63
Hazen Rural Fire District-61.55
Liberty Business Systems-1276.71
MDU-993.90
Melloy CJDR-89712.00
Mercer County Ambulance-587.35
Morton County Auditor-470.07
Morton County Council on Aging-729.23
Nationwide Retirement-2001.00
ND Post Board-25.00
ND State Tax Commissioner-1000.00
ND State Treasurer-364.62
New Salem-Almont School-1363.32
New Salem Rural Fire-52.57
Oliver County Ambulance-2384.56
Oliver County Historical Society-91.16
Oliver County Rural Fire-1550.74
Oliver County Soil Conservation-911.24
Oliver County Treasurer-4094.83
Oliver County Water Resource District-225.76
PRIA-60.00
Red Top Recovery-512.00
Roughrider Electric-185.83
Security First Bank ND-115771.36
Stanton Rural Fire-44.44
SW Water Authority-110.64
US Postmaster-562.00
Verizon Wireless-1185.32
VISA-3875.60
Washburn Rural Ambulance-446.66
WRT-695.01
Western Plains Public Health-1252.80
Payroll-90349.34
Linda Nelson, Risk Manager review the Risk Manager budget.
Western Plains Public Health held their budget hearing with Erin Ourada present.
Alice Grinsteinner, Oliver/Mercer EM and HR, review the Emergency Manager and Human Resources budget. A levy for the Emergency will need to be added for the upcoming tax year.
Alice Grinsteinner presented a letter discussing COLA increases.
Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve language regarding holiday pay. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Alice Grinsteinner presented a Job Requisition form and Standard Operating Procedures for hiring at the county.
Jaden Schmidt, Auditor, reviewed the Auditor budget.
Laura Huber, Treasurer/Superintendent of Schools, reviewed the Treasurer and Superintendent of Schools budgets.
Rebecca Bethke, Clerk of Court, reviewed the Clerk of Court budget.
Patrick Waters, State’s Attorney, reviewed the State’s Attorney budget.
Kenny Rude, Road Superintendent, reviewed the budgets for County Roads. Discussion was held on implementing an annual review system.
Dave Hilliard, Sheriff, reviewed the Sheriff’s Department budget.
Road issues were discussed. Discussion was held on the roads within the NextEra/Oliver Wind IV project area. Dave Berger and Kenny Rude have met with NextEra. There are roads that need improvement but there is progress and roads could be turned over to the county again soon.
Amber Frank, resident, requested information on why 33rd Avenue’s speed limit was reduced to 35 mph. Dave Berger stated that 2 landowners were raising concerns about dust. The Commission is looking in to options and solutions.
Culverts need to be replaced on 40th Avenue, due to holes being rusted in them and causing several safety concerns. The total cost will be $104,228.04.
Keith Kessler, resident, is requesting permission to put fence along the right of way along a section line. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to allow Keith Kessler to put ¾ mile of fence along the right of way in W ½ of section 12, 141 87. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on skidsteer damage due to employee operating error. Insurance won’t cover the cost to fix it and the estimate is so high, it would be about the same price of purchasing a new one. Dve Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to lease a 275 Cat Skidsteer through Butler Machinery. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Jim Jackson, Moore Engineering, discussed DOT funding for chip sealing. He is recommending a county-wide chip seal on paved roads, including the Hensler Road, Minnkota Road, Cross Ranch Road and Sanger. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to move forward with the chip seal project. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Mickie McNulty-Eide, Recorder, reviewed the Recorder’s budget.
Rick Schmidt, Extension Agent, reviewed the Extension budget.
Patty Koapke, Equalization Director and Assessor, reviewed Tax Equalization, Assessor and Soils budgets. Patty Koapke is requesting an hour increase from 32 to 35 hours per week. Patty Koapke presented a quote from Sidwell for a new GIS program.
Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to accept a Homestead Credit application for Parcel #25038000. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Patty Koapke and Jaden Schmidt reviewed the Planning & Zoning budget with a request to increase the board pay.
Building Permit #1062 for Gene Weil & Nickolette Orgaard to move in a home within NW ¼ of Section 7, Township 141, Range 81 was presented. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1062. A roll call vote was held: Dave Berger-Aye, Rob Schmidt-Aye, Lee Husfloen-Aye. Building Permit #1062 was approved.
One application was turned in for a Planning & Zoning board member. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to appoint Gary Price to finish out the term vacated by Lonnie Henke on the Planning & Zoning board. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
An update was given on the Steering Committee for the Comprehensive Plan.
Discussion was held on the NDACO conference in October.
Sheriff Department updates were presented. The new vehicles have been ordered and are estimated to arrive in October. The Sheriff’s policy manual update is currently with Patrick Waters and Alice Grinsteinner for review.
Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center Agreement for 2025-2027. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to appoint Lee Husfloen as the NDACO delegate. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion on the policy related to SB2180 was tabled to the next meeting.
Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve Budget Amendment 2025-4. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve the Transfer 2025-1. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:53 pm.
The next meeting of the Oliver County Commission will be at 1:00 PM, July 8th, 2025 at the Oliver County Courthouse meeting room.
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Jaden Schmidt, Oliver County Auditor Lee Husfloen, Chairman of the Board