Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
With an August 10 deadline looming, Eddy County commissioners combed through the annual budgets of county departments at the special meeting on Tuesday, July 24.
As reported in last week’s New Rockford Transcript, the commissioners had also reviewed budgets at their last regular meeting. All submitted budgets included the cost of living adjustment and step increases that the commissioners had previously approved.
The budgets reviewed at this meeting included the following:
• The Clerk of Court’s budget, which remained basically unchanged; there is still the intent to fill the vacant deputy position. The county is reimbursed by the state of North Dakota for a percentage of the clerk of court costs.
• The Emergency Management budget, which is contained within a Joint Powers Agreement with Foster County for the new Emergency Manager, Jess Earle. The commissioners will have the agreement reviewed by the Eddy County State’s Attorney, Travis Peterson before approving it. The Emergency Manager position is also partially reimbursed by the state.
• The District Court and Weed Board budgets were unchanged. With no major road projects planned for the coming year, the County Road budget also stayed the same.
• The Superintendent of Schools budget decreased with the elimination of the superintendent position. Eddy County Treasurer Kathy Anderson will serve as the designee for Eddy County starting August 1 and will submit the appropriate reports to the state. The change was approved by the school and submitted to the Department of Public Instruction.
• A few adjustments were made to the Veteran’s Service Officer’s (VSO) budget, since the office will be moving back to the courthouse and there will be no need to pay for a separate phone line. The VSO’s vehicle will be sold at the county auction.
• The Community Service budget was reduced from $1,000 per year to $500. The only expense for the program is purchasing insurance from Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI), and the program is self-sustaining because of its $50 fee.
• The Soil Conservation budget submitted was decreased somewhat.
• The County Extension Agent budget increased due to state budget cuts. Eddy County is now responsible for paying for part of the extension employee insurance benefits.
• Human Services was budgeted at zero at the county level, as the program is now state funded through a pilot program approved by the legislature in 2017.
• The Courthouse budget is not yet final, as Auditor Patty Williams is waiting for an estimate to replace the elevator in the courthouse. The current elevator is failing, and parts are no longer available.
Work continues on the ambulance budget, which was submitted with a request to increase their levy to 5 mills. The Community Ambulance Service has also requested to have the ability to levy up to 10 mills annually as needed and approved. This action requires approval from voters, which would be done during the November’s general election. The commissioners will research this request further before approving.
The commissioners will review the Senior Citizen budget and Eddy County Public Health budgets at the next regular commission meeting.
Later in the meeting, Commissioner Neal Rud reported speaking with a representative from North Dakota Game and Fish, who told him that the county would need to solicit at least two estimates to proceed with cleanup at Warsing Dam, and the lowest would be accepted. Two estimates have been received, and those estimates will be forwarded to Game and Fish for final approval.
Commissioners also discussed police contracts the county holds with the cities of Sheyenne and New Rockford. The aim is to reach an equitable arrangement for police services provided by the county with the understanding that most of the law enforcement takes place within New Rockford city limits. They will present a request at the next City Commission meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Eddy County Commission will be held on Tuesday, August 7 at 8:30 a.m.
