Commissioners continue budget talks

The 2020 budget continued to dominate the discussion at the recent Eddy County Commission meeting, held Tuesday, July 16. Commissioners continued to review departmental budgets early that morning. As has been reported previously, step and cost of living increases had been reviewed and approved at a prior meeting so that department managers could submit the correct amounts on their budgets. The commissioners reviewed and approved the following departmental budgets:

• Eddy County Recorder and Clerk of Court, Patty Hilbert presented the budgets for those departments, which showed the already approved wage increase. The budgets were otherwise unchanged from the year before aside from a $250 reduction in the clerk of court budget and a $400 reduction in the recorder budget.

• Tiffany Harr and Sara Myhre, representing the Community Ambulance Service of New Rockford (CASNR), presented their budget to the commissioners. They also discussed some of the challenges and successes that CASNR has faced throughout the year, along with what they foresee for the service in 2020.

CASNR has been challenged with finding local funds replace the state grant funding that - in the past - had been so plentiful. The grants had provided necessary equipment and even ambulances, but CASNR has been told that ambulance services will no longer be able to depend on the state for that funding and will need to look to their local communities for the lion’s share of their budget. Because of this decision, CASNR requested additional mills in the last election, which the voters approved. CASNR’s first-time participation in the Giving Hearts Day campaign through the Impact Foundation proved to be very successful, and they will participate in the next campaign. There will be additional fundraising efforts throughout the year.

• The Statewide Interoperable Radio Network (SIRN) process that was approved by the legislature has proven to be a challenge in budgeting for CASNR. While they support the process that will help to provide reliable voice communications for public safety, Harr and Myhre said there are still many unknowns for the project, and they know the cost will be significant for a local ambulance service. They are determining the number of radios and portable units will be needed along with the base station that will be housed and want to make sure that they know exactly what they need, in order to take advantage of the state’s contribution to the new radio systems.

• Eddy County Emergency Manager Jess Earle presented the Emergency Manager’s budget, which reflected an increase in office supplies and cell phone service. Earle also reported that she is helping to facilitate a grant through Homeland Security. She also touched on some of the challenges that many of the emergency response organizations are going through with the SIRN project.

• Eddy County Public Health Nurse Danette Schmid provided the budget for the Eddy County Public Health office, which saw a slight increase in dues and education.

• The Eddy County Extension Agent’s budget was reviewed again. Chandy Howard has agreed to clean the offices, in addition to her regular duties. The budget was changed to reflect the additional compensation she will receive for the additional duties.

• Amy Wobbema represented the Eddy County Historical Society. Eddy County currently provides 0.25 mills for the preservation of Eddy County history. Wobbema told the commissioners that the Historical Society saw a dramatic increase in their annual property insurance rates, going from $1,600 to $3,600. The board is making every effort to identify other companies that can provide that insurance for a much more affordable rate. Wobbema also talked about the organization’s plan to replace the roof and repair the ceiling on the church and their upcoming sports history exhibit. The county approved an additional $2,500 out of the general fund for both 2019 and 2020.

In other business, the commissioners approved the purchase of a new computer for Eddy County Housing/Veteran’s Service Officer Kathy Steinbach. The cost of the computer will be shared between the two entities. The commissioners also approved an event that the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation will be hosting at the fairgrounds.

However, they denied a request from Border States Paving to store equipment and supplies near the former Mill Pump and Cheers site due to liability issues. They suggested the use of an area near the county shop instead.

Ben Aaseth from Interstate Engineering and Eddy County Road Superintendent Todd Weber presented the new map that shows the roads in Eddy County, with a legend that classifies them as Federal, State, County, Township, in addition to which roads receive Federal Aid.

Aaseth and Weber then accompanied the commissioners for the final inspection of the latest Lake Washington project. The commissioners then passed a motion to sign the final inspection and acceptance and approved Progressive Estimate #5 to Harvey Sand & Gravel for $20,104.51.

The next meeting of the Eddy County Commission will be held on Aug. 6 at 8:30 a.m.