The Regular meeting of the Ramsey County Commission was held Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the Courthouse. Following the call to order, Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the previous meeting minutes and agenda approval with two items added.
Lake Region Community Shelter
Brenda Bergsrud representing the Lake Region Community Shelter was first on the agenda bringing her concerns about the budget for 2027 to the commission’s attention. Commission president Blaine Volk asked her what their funding sources were at the present time and she answered that they had no funding sources at the moment. They currentky have 12 beds available and said they are normally all in use. Their goal is to help the individuals they serve get out of their present circumstances and into a place to live and that means some source of income from a job for them, as well. Add to that the challenge of mental health issues as well as other health problems and they do their best with the people who come to them for help. In the past both the County and the State of North Dakota have provided funding for the shelter, however much of that is on hold presently until the budgets for 2027 are approved.
Budget Hearing
Next on the agenda was the 6 p.m. Budget Hearing. Ramsey County residents, including Rick LaFleur stepped up to the podium to explain that he was present to learn more about the funding for the county and where local tax dollars go. He stated that as a resident of the community, he felt it was his duty to find out more about where our tax dollars go and how the county was spending their allocated funds. He was mainly here just to observe the process.
County Auditor Kandy Christopherson provided the preliminary numbers for the County’s budget using figures from the 2026 budget process to predict the needs for 2027. There was a long list of items included in the General Fund with 2026 numbers showing $6,016,736.90 and the preliminary number for the 2027 budget $5,994,800.73 totals.
Also, the Highway Dept. numbers for 2026 totalled $2,080,156.76 and the estimated total for 2027 are $1,478,000.00.
A Special Meeting will take place at 8 a.m. on Sept. 22 at 8 a.m. to discuss the final budget before submitting it prior to Oct. 6, when the final budget proposal is due.
Highway Department
Jason Kraft, County Highway Superintendent, gave a detailed report on the projects that needed items ordered and those that required payment, which the commissioners then voted on.
Unfinished Business
No action or discussion on Fenster Slough because they have not heard from the State Water Commission on this yet.
New Business
Announcements: The Lake Region Law Enforcement Center meeting took place on Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Rotary Club’s Spaghetti Feed was held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, and the 4-H Club will be coming to the County Commission Chambers for a proclamation and photo opportunity on Sept. 23 at 4 p.m.