January 3, 2006 Regular meeting minutes

     The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Gruenberg at 9:00 am with Comms. Romine, Watne and Erickson present.  Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad and County Engineer Roger Kluck.

      Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the minutes from the December 20, 2005 regular meeting. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Smestad then presented the bills.  Kluck appeared briefly for comment.  Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Watne to pull the bill from the City of Kenmare for $110 and approve the bills totaling $131,796.42 from December 28, 2005 and the bills totaling $206,811.28 from January 3, 2006. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Chief Deputy Dave Bosh then appeared regarding the purchase of two new patrol vehicles. Bosh informed the Board that the bids had been sent to all the new vehicle dealers in Minot and only one bid had been received. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Sheriff’s Department to accept the low bid for two 2006 Ford Expeditions, from Westlie Motor Company, in the amount of $24,523 each. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Tax Equalization Director Don Siebert appeared. With Minot City Assessor Kevin Ternes present, it was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to reject one request for reduction in 2005 true and full value on three properties. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Erickson that eight applications for abatement and/or corrections of errors of assessments be approved; three applications for two-year new construction exemption be approved; and four applications for mobile home exemption be approved. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      County Recorder Sheila Dalen then appeared regarding an amendment to her 2006 budget. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following budget amendment: add $1,470.00 to salary and benefit line items of the County Recorder budget. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Juvenile Detention Administrator Allison Hughes appeared regarding a re-classification for Mark Schrader. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the re-classification and payroll amendment for Mark Schrader. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Smestad then presented items to the Board.

      Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: Department of Insurance re: State Bonding; Lewis & Clark School District re: thank you for recycled computer monitors. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Watne to rescind a portion of the following December 20, 2005 motion: “Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Romine to authorize the Chairman to sign a Memorandum of Understanding by and between Ward County, the Ward County Water Board, the Ward County Park Board and the Ward County Weed Board. Comm. Lee made a motion to amend to include: the actual hours of the Engineer’s time for each Board, to be reviewed in one year. Roll call on the motion to amend: all present voted yes; motion carried. Van Grinsven appeared briefly for comment. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Chairman to sign a Memorandum of Understanding by and between Ward County, the Ward County Water Board, the Ward County Park Board and the Ward County Weed Board, and to review the memorandum and hours in one year. Roll call on the amended motion: all present voted yes; motion carried.” Roll call to rescind the portion of the motion calling for the County Engineer to include the actual hours of the Engineer’s time for each Board: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the Chairman to sign an agreement with the ND Association of Counties for technical support for 2006. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the 2006 position/salary changes and the Ward County payroll effective January 1, 2006 (a full and complete copy of which is available for review in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office). Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Auditor/Treasurer to purchase the Model 650 Central Ballot Counter from Election Systems & Supply, at an approximate cost of $23,000 to the County, for use in counting absentee ballots in-house for all elections. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following payroll amendments: Karen Schultz – Account Technician II – Social Services – Level 7 – 2% increase due to addn’l duties; Linda Heilman – Human Service Program Administrator IV – Social Services – Level 12 – 2% increase due to addn’l duties; Connie Zieske – Accounting/Budget Spec. I – Social Services – Level 8 – 2% increase due to addn’l duties; Mary Mercado – File Clerk/Office Assistant – State’s Attorney’s Office – Level 6 (new hire); Robert Slorby – Assistant State’s Attorney – State’s Attorney’s Office – Level 11 (new hire); Robert Swartout – Asst. Sign Technician – Highway Dept. – Level 8 (new hire); Duane Winter – Correctional Officer – Sheriff’s Dept. – Level 9 – PT to FT; Mike Vogel – Correctional Officer – Sheriff’s Dept. – Level 9 – PT to FT. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Kluck then presented various informational items to the Board.

      At 9:28 a.m. with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Romine to adjourn the meeting.

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 17^th DAY OF JANUARY, 2006.

 

S/Jerome Gruenberg

Chair, Ward County Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

S/Devra Smestad

Ward County Auditor/Treasurer