It’s becoming a bigger and bigger problem throughout the Lake Region - people walking away from inundated farmsteads and buildings.
Although it was brought up only briefly at the most recent Ramsey County Commission meeting, its a growing problem that’s not going away anytime soon, according to Commission President Joe Belford.
Also, Penn area farmer Lee Gessner, representing volunteer rural fire fighters, informed the commission they are getting more and more requests to assist in burning inundated structures and he asked the commission to look at the issue as flooding continues.
“There’s no way we can keep up with the demand as long as this flood continues,” Gessner said.
Belford suggested they, as a board, contact FEMA and discuss the issue with them, perhaps they will have some suggestions on ways to encourage people to tear down inundated buildings rather than abandoning them.
In other business at the meeting, Kevin Fieldsend gave a report to the commissioners from his office, the County Highway Department. He asked the commissioners which they would prefer for the embankment project, box culverts or metal.
The commissioners decided they would prefer concrete box culverts because they last longer. They would draft a letter to state this preference and send it to the NDDOT.
The commissioners voted to deny a request from Vorland Land Company to purchase the Old Sheriff’s Office building next to the courthouse.
States Attorney Lonnie Olson reported to the commissioners about the 99 year leases being nearly up for property in Lakewood. Some discussion ensued and the commissioners voted to work with the property owners to convert the leases into deeds.
The commissioners looked at the maintenance agreement for the county and township road right of ways within the NDDOT Right of Way. No action was taken and the issue tabled until the next meeting.
Both a site authorization and a raffle permit were approved of by the commissioners. Plus overtime hours approved for Fieldsend as he worked with FEMA in addition to his normal working hours.
Tax Director Jerry Ratzlaff spoke to the commission about ag land valuation and mandates from the state to increase land values by 10 percent this year. He said the increase would only just offset the income lost by inundated lands around the county.
It was his estimate that the acreage of the lake is now at 175,000 to 180,000.
The next Ramsey County Commission meeting will be Tuesday, June 1 at 8 a.m. in the courthouse.
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It’s becoming a bigger and bigger problem throughout the Lake Region - people walking away from inundated farmsteads and buildings.
Although it was brought up only briefly at the most recent Ramsey County Commission meeting, its a growing problem that’s not going away anytime soon, according to Commission President Joe Belford.
Also, Penn area farmer Lee Gessner, representing volunteer rural fire fighters, informed the commission they are getting more and more requests to assist in burning inundated structures and he asked the commission to look at the issue as flooding continues.
“There’s no way we can keep up with the demand as long as this flood continues,” Gessner said.
Belford suggested they, as a board, contact FEMA and discuss the issue with them, perhaps they will have some suggestions on ways to encourage people to tear down inundated buildings rather than abandoning them.
In other business at the meeting, Kevin Fieldsend gave a report to the commissioners from his office, the County Highway Department. He asked the commissioners which they would prefer for the embankment project, box culverts or metal.
The commissioners decided they would prefer concrete box culverts because they last longer. They would draft a letter to state this preference and send it to the NDDOT.
The commissioners voted to deny a request from Vorland Land Company to purchase the Old Sheriff’s Office building next to the courthouse.
States Attorney Lonnie Olson reported to the commissioners about the 99 year leases being nearly up for property in Lakewood. Some discussion ensued and the commissioners voted to work with the property owners to convert the leases into deeds.
The commissioners looked at the maintenance agreement for the county and township road right of ways within the NDDOT Right of Way. No action was taken and the issue tabled until the next meeting.
Both a site authorization and a raffle permit were approved of by the commissioners. Plus overtime hours approved for Fieldsend as he worked with FEMA in addition to his normal working hours.
Tax Director Jerry Ratzlaff spoke to the commission about ag land valuation and mandates from the state to increase land values by 10 percent this year. He said the increase would only just offset the income lost by inundated lands around the county.
It was his estimate that the acreage of the lake is now at 175,000 to 180,000.
The next Ramsey County Commission meeting will be Tuesday, June 1 at 8 a.m. in the courthouse.
