Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The county seeks candidates for two open positions, both part-time. State’s Attorney Ashley Lies approached the commission at Tuesday’s regular meeting about the open part-time assistant job in her office. She said she has only received one application, citing that others who expressed interest had not completed applications after learning about the cost of health insurance. The county pays half the single policy rate for part-time employees, which results in a $1,200 per month out of pocket cost for a family plan. Lies said she thinks the wage is competitive, however.
Lies noted that she has a backlog of cases, worsened by the resignation of her part-time assistant, Jessica Hawkes, a few weeks ago. “Everything the sheriff’s office puts in front of me, we’re prosecuting,” Lies said. For example, Darin Johnson’s felony terrorizing case took many hours to prepare for a jury trial in August, and now she has another jury trial on the docket as well as two appeals.
Eddy County’s case numbers are higher than neighboring counties’ overall, with 113 criminal cases so far this year, including 10 felony charges and 66 misdemeanors. In comparison, Wells County has logged just 45 cases so far this year, and they have a full-time prosecutor. Foster County’s caseload totals 83 this year, according to Lies.
Since she is only a part-time prosecutor and also has a private practice, she requested that the county advertises for a full-time assistant. The county offers a fully-paid single policy or 65% of a family plan for full-time workers, which the commission and Lies agreed would also make the position more attractive. Lies will advertise for the position again, this time with a longer window for accepting applications.
The commission received two applications for the open Emergency Manager position. Jess Earle agreed to continue her role until the end of the year and train the new hire. Interviews will be scheduled.
Earle reported that she is working on the door security system for the courthouse. She ordered a door lock, as well as an ID machine. When the project is complete, all staff will enter the courthouse by entering a unique ID number. She said the security plan will need to be updated to reflect the changes. She also questioned if the county had a backup location where employees could work from if something happens to the courthouse. Options are to consider purchasing laptops for employees so they can work from home or contact the city about using the Brown Memorial Auditorium. The commission will take the matter under advisement.
The courthouse will be closed Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving, as they have in the past.
Road Superintendent Todd Weber presented maintenance certification documents for county roads that participate in federal aid. He also made formal requests to spend the remainder of the machinery and equipment budget for 2020. He proposed to rent a skid steer for $5,000, then purchase a Danuser post and tree puller for $3,150 to remove small trees and stumps from the road right-of-ways. He also presented an option to buy the water truck he’s been renting for road stabilization work. The owner is asking $4,500 for the truck, which Weber says is reliable and has a stainless steel tank. The commission approved the purchases.
Sarah Smith Warren gave an update on the Mill Pump clean up project. The underground tanks have been emptied, and they are slated for removal next week (Oct. 19-21) at a cost of $6,000. She received three quotes for the asbestos abatement work in the convenience store structure. The commission accepted the low bid of $5,200 from MonDak Restoration and Abatement Specialties, LLC. The abatement work is expected to be completed during the last week of October.
The Phase II Site Environmental Assessment is done. According to the report, the contamination extends south past the building, but not likely into the adjacent property (Flower Scent’R). The north adjacent property (Rock Inn) and east private property are not believed to be contaminated either. Smith Warren will now begin work on the application for the responsibility exemption. All costs will be documented so the county has a complete picture of project-related expenses when it comes time to offer the property for sale.
Doug and Chris Skadberg approached the commission about Eddy County 16. They asked the commission to request a flow rate study, which is offered by the state engineer at no cost.
Interstate Engineering completed a study of the culverts five years ago and determined that they were sized correctly. Skadberg acknowledged that study, but countered that the flow rate study will take into account N.D. Stream Crossing Standards. As there is no cost to the county, the commission agreed to make the request for the study.
CenDak Cooperative’s request for tax incentives was approved. They plan to build a 80-by-120 foot chemical warehouse adjacent to the fertilizer plant along U.S. Hwy. 281 north of New Rockford. Taxes on the structure, estimated at $3,562,30 per year, will be deferred for five years.
Treasurer Kathy Anderson reported that two CDs at Community Credit Union had matured, totaling $102,748 and $154,123.58. The credit union offers 0.5% interest to reinvest for 12 months. Their market share rate is 0.15%. The commission asked her to combine the two into one CD and reinvest the money for another 12 months.
The next regular commission meeting has been set for Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m. The sale of delinquent tax property will be held that morning at 10:30 a.m. There are four properties to be sold.
