The Ramsey County Commission met in regular session on March 17 at 5:30 p.m.
Following the Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance the commission approved both the minutes from the previous meeting and the agenda for this meeting
Then Jason Kraft, County Highway Superintendent stepped up to the podium for his report to the commission. First he informed the commissioners that he had asked the ND Highway Patrol to help with compliance for the load restrictions placed on ND roads for spring. He said signs indicating the load restrictions would be going up shortly and would not be up past March 30.
Blade contracts went out with a rate increase from $75 to $85 an hour and contracts for the townships were sent out March 4.
A request from Otter Tail to build an approach on the first section of Ramsey County #10 was approved. Commissioner Jeff Frith asked if there would be a culvert included in this construction for moving water as spring thaw happens, Kraft said he believed so and that Otter Tail would pay for the work and whatever materials were needed.
Specifications for the new building floor are in place and let out for bids. With the new specs they had to let out for new bidding. Bid openings for gravel projects will be April 3 and chip seal bids will be coming in, as well.
Kraft reported that the new tar kettle would arrive on the 19th and once they make sure it is what they wanted, they voted to pay for it, if it is okay. The price tag was $57,345.50.
Paul came forward to speak to a number of projects in Ramsey County, including culvert sites, the Cove Road and FEMA’s pending decision on fixing that, and the bike path, bids will be let next year for that.
A big concern this spring continues to be water issues as the snow melts. Kraft reported they did have some sand bags available that were filled, if residents needed them, and as the sand thaws, they do have more they coukld provide if they are needed. If anyone needs them, stop by the county shop, they should have what they need.
Next on the agenda was the Home Rule Charter resolution with the changes in ballot language made from the discussion at the previous commission meeting. States Attorney Daniel Howell discussed this with the commissioners and a role call vote was taken with commissioners Hodous, Frith, Brown and Wilhelmi voting “Aye” and Volk voting “Nay”, the resolution carried.
The Charter with the new language will be published in the Devils Lake Journal prior to the election June 9.
Some discussion centered around whether or not the Home Rule Charter committee should dissolve or not now that their work was done. It was decided to dissolve the committee when they find out what happens with the vote.
The meeting ended with the Auditor explaining information they’d received by e-mail regarding each township that levies 18 mills and over and the level of their bank balance at the end of 2025. Senate bill 2012 addressed new rules for townships and Kandy helped clarify what this information and the changes meant to the townships and road funding.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Ramsey County Commission is at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
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