June 10th, 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 May 6th, May 9th, May 19th and June 9th, 2025 meetings. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Linda Nelson, Risk Manager, presented information regarding a reimbursement to Oliver County for compliance with all requirements set by WSI and risk management compliance.
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.
Allstate Peterbilt-245.90
Bobcat of Mandan-650.00
Butler Machinery-4077.52
Center Republican-1392.26
DirectMed-279.09
Electro Watchman-2072.64
Electronic Communications-875.00
Enerbase-41305.00
HR Collaborative-50.00
ITD-953.65
K&M Repair-179.99
Thomas Kaspari-600.00
Patricia Koapke-159.60
Menard’s-1761.61
Mercer County Human Resources-5542.44
Morton County Sheriff’s Dept-55.00
ND DOT-9362.91
NDACO Resources Group-1969.44
North Central International-57.80
Nutrien Ag Solutions-74044.72
NW Tire-19428.06
Quadient Leasing-209.49
Roughrider Electric-6391.12
Rud Oil & Gas-26681.53
Runnings Supply-1627.97
S&M Lawn Service-372.00
Richard Schmidt-2232.66
Robert Schmidt-84.00
SRF Consulting Group-3210.71
Uniform Center-168.00
Keith Vitek-852.50
Warren’s Locks & Keys-1886.13
Center Machine-206.05
OK Tire-798.57
NDACO-126.00
The following bills previously paid were approved:
Aflac-331.98
Beulah Rural Fire District-621.13
Beulah School District-69561.73
Bismarck Hotel & Conference Center-594.00
Center Park District-241.14
Center-Stanton School-95222.55
City of Center-2491.38
Colonial Life-803.14
Companion Life-342.11
Cale Ferderer-300.00
Fidelity Security Life Insurance-70.16
Glen Ullin Rural Fire-4665.47
Glen Ullin School-151689.69
Hazen Rural Fire-154.18
Hazen School-2627.87
Liberty Business Systems-1083.91
MDU-934.03
Mercer County Ambulance-6857.18
Morton County Auditor-9337.65
Morton County Council on Aging-16074.90
Nationwide Retirement-1105.50
ND Post Board-195.00
ND State Treasurer-8037.46
New Salem-Almont School-392079.14
New Salem Ambulance-34988.15
New Salem Rural Fire-18025.38
Oliver County Ambulance-27839.33
Oliver County Historical Society-2009.37
Oliver County Soil Conservation-20089.32
Oliver County Treasurer-82601.37
Oliver County Water Resource-4975.08
Roughrider Electric-262.78
Security First Bank-83709.60
Stanton Rural Fire District-35.87
SW Water-66.96
Verizon Wireless-462.21
VISA-2685.99
Washburn Rural Ambulance-5214.74
Washburn Rural Fire-1720.17
Washburn School District-2321.67
WRT-695.27
Western Plains Public Health-27634.80
Payroll-186850.19
The July 10th commission meeting has been moved to July 8th at 1 pm.
Jaden Schmidt and Laura Huber will be attending the NDACO Auditor’s/Treasurer’s Conference on June 25-June 27.
Discussion was held on a quote presented by ARCA Search to preserve all Commission minutes via digitization. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve the quote for $6224 and an annual feel of $1199 to host the digitized minutes. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Daniel O’Donnell, T-Mobile, presented to the Commission.
Discussion was held on SB 2180. Legislation was passed that now requires a public comment period for all public meetings. Patrick Waters, State’s Attorney, presented a policy and resolution that the Commission can implement. The Commission would like to take the policy and review it before acting on it.
Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve payment by Oliver County for the Old Settler’s Dinner and Ceremony held over Old Settler’s weekend June 13-14. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
The Oliver County Ambulance presented a certificate of appreciation to the County Commissioners.
Discussion was held on the NDCCA Standing Committees and if there was interest by any Commissioners to serve on these committees.
Discussion was held on a credit card for the new Sheriff’s Deputy. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to open a credit card for Sheriff’s Deputy Bryce Hufford with a $5000 credit limit. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on the new Sheriff’s Deputy. Bryce Hufford was hired and is currently going through the academy.
Discussion was held on the Sheriff’s vehicles. The 2017 Tahoe is reaching its limit. Eide Chevrolet has two pickups available for roughly $45,000 each, without equipment. Another option is Dana Safety Supply, which has both vehicles and upfits with equipment. Two pickups would cost $72814 each with equipment installed and delivered to the County. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to purchase the two pickups from Dana Safety Supply. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on Planning & Zoning board. Patrick Waters, State’s Attorney, relayed information regarding open meetings rules.
Conditional Use permit #1059 for Brenden Sweeney to build a 58x66 house on agricultural land within Section 11 of Township 143, Range 84 was presented. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve the CUP #1059. A roll call vote was held: Rob Schmidt-Aye, Dave Berger-Aye, Lee Husfloen-Aye. CUP #1059 was approved.
Building permit #1060 for Brenden Sweeney to build a 58x66 house within Section 11 of Township 143, Range 84 the was presented. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1060. A roll call vote was held: Rob Schmidt-Aye, Dave Berger-Aye, Lee Husfloen-Aye. Building permit #1060 was approved.
Building permit #1064 for Chelsea & Adam Philipe to build a 30x30 outbuilding within Section 2 of Township 142, Range 87 was presented. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve Building permit #1064. A roll call vote was held: Rob Schmidt-Aye, Dave Berger-Aye, Lee Husfloen-Aye. Building permit #1064 was approved.
Building Permit #1067 for Minnesota Power for an HVDC Converter station within Section 35 of Township 142, Range 83 was presented. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve Building permit #1067. A roll call vote was held: Rob Schmidt-Aye, Dave Berger-Aye, Lee Husfloen-Aye. Building Permit #1067 was approved.
Building Permit #1068 for Kenny Rude for a 18x20 barn within Section 2 of Township 142, Range 84 was presented. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1068. A roll call vote was held: Rob Schmidt-Aye, Dave Berger-Aye, Lee Husfloen-Aye. Building Permit #1068 was approved.
Building Permit #1069 for Raymond and Karene Hall for a 12x16 shed within Section 14 of Township 142, Range 84 was presented. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1069. A roll call vote was held: Rob Schmidt-Aye, Dave Berger-Aye, Lee Husfloen-Aye. Building Permit #1069 was approved.
Conditional Use Permit #1066 for Knife River-North Central for a gravel pit within Section 26 of Township 143, Range 82 was presented. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve CUP #1066. A roll call vote was held: Rob Schmidt-Aye, Dave Berger-Aye, Lee Husfloen-Aye. Conditional Use Permit #1066 was approved.
Discussion was held on rescinding the Burn Ban. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to rescind the Total Burn Ban.
Discussion was held on the NDPERS Public Safety Retirement Plan. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion approve Resolution 2025-4 to enroll the county in the NDPERS Public Safety Retirement Plan for all eligible employees. A roll call vote was held: Rob Schmidt-Aye, Dave Berger-Aye, Lee Husfloen-Aye. Motion carried. Resolution 2025-4 was approved as follows:
RESOLUTION 2025-4
A motion was made by Rob Schmidt for Oliver County to affirm to North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System that Oliver County is formed pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 11-03 and 11-10 and is neither a non—profit corporation nor a for-profit corporation, to join the NDPERS Public Safety Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and offer the plan to all eligible employees of the Oliver County. The motion was seconded by Dave Berger. The Board approved joining the NDPERS Public Safety Defined Benefit Retirement Plan effective July 1, 2025.
Alice Grinsteinner, Oliver/Mercer HR-EM presented the Emergency Manager Joint Powers Agreement for renewal until January 1, 2026. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve the joint powers agreement with Mercer County for the Emergency Manager. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on the increase to NDPERS Health Insurance rates.
Discussion was held on possibly having a second commission meeting each month. No action was taken.
Brian Letzring, Weed Board Chair, approached the commission about weed board items. Discussion was held on spraying county road ditches. The weed board previously made a motion to not pay the county shop employee for spraying road ditches. Kenny Rude, Road Superintendent, stated that the weed board fund has always paid the county shop for as long as he has been employed with the county, if not longer. The County Shop is also advertising for a utility worker and road sprayer. Discussion was held on the motion made by the weed board. Patrick Waters stated that the weed board’s obligation is to control noxious weeds in the county, so the weed board should be paying a county worker to spray the weeds, if that is an option available. To hire a weed control officer or sprayer, HR would also need to be involved. Discussion was held on other concerns regarding the weed board.
Discussion was held on the Courthouse sprinkler system update. An estimate was received from BB Yardworks. The Commission requested bids be called for the update and opened at the next meeting.
Discussion was held on a 2000 gallon tank bid for the County Shop. A bid was received from Enerbase for $11245.00 and Hobbs Inc. for $11222.00. Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to approve the bid from Hobbs Inc. for $11222.00. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
A letter from the NDDOH from ten years ago was presented to the Commission regarding dust control along 33rd Ave. Discussion was held on the current dust situation. Kenny Rude, Road Superintendent, addressed the cost to the county. At this time, the cost to the county is $8400 per mile for a company out of Moorhead. NextEra has donated $3000 to help cover the cost due to that road being used heavily by Oliver Wind I operators.
Dave Berger moved and Rob Schmidt seconded the motion to require landowners to pay for half of the cost of chloride application for their road, with the county paying for the other half of the cost. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Dave Berger moved to amend the previous motion to include that landowners must pay half of the cost of the chloride application for their road and payment must be received prior to application of the chloride, with the county paying for the other half of the cost. All in favor, none opposed; amendment carried.
Highway Utility Permits for Roughrider and WRT were presented. Rob Schmidt moved and Dave Berger seconded the motion to approve all three HUPs. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on the Hensler Road shoulders. The shoulders are deteriorating. The road is narrow. Currently the county has no material to fix it, as any crushed asphalt was used in other areas of the county. There are possible grants and state funds that the Hensler Road could qualify for. Jim Jackson, Moore Engineering, is looking into it.
Discussion was held on Haul Road Agreement costs. No action was taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:48 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