The Ramsey County Commission met for a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16. After approving the previous meeting’s minutes, the commission recognized County Auditor Kandy Christopherson for her 30 years of service. She is an integral part of county operations and is very gratefully recognized. Crystal Dueker from the Fargo Lions Club visited the commission to announce that there will be a food truck on Tuesdays over the summer set up in the Heartland Park lot to collect food donations for the Hope Center. There will be ice cream distributed at some of these visits.
Steve Moe, IT for Ramsey County, showed commissioners the new county website. The commission voted unanimously to approve a URL change from its current co.ramsey.nd.us to ramseycountynd.gov. The former address will still work for now; soon it will transition to the new web address. Lake Region Ambulance Service Director of Operations Sean Roed was present to request the remainder of funds needed to complete a first-responder training center in Devils Lake to serve Ramsey County and beyond. The City of Devils Lake committed $50,000 at their meeting the night before, but the county commission did not want to pledge funds without budgeting for it in future years. No official action was taken.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bryan Lang was present with requests to purchase hotspots for the new CAD system and new body armor for deputies, totaling $3,149.91 and $8,055.33 respectively. Both requests were approved unanimously. Ramsey County Drug Task Force Co-Coordinator Richard Juarez was present to give the commission an update on Ramsey County’s involvement in a recent RICO indictment in Minnesota, and that continuous success of the task force is deterring drug activity from the region. The Drug Task Force was thanked for all the important work they do.
Highway Superintendent Kevin Fieldsend had a motion passed to have the County Auditor and County Commission Chairperson sign a letter for bridge inspections, and another unanimous vote to rent an excavator from Ironhide Equipment for just over $2,575. Citizen concern was expressed over Ramsey County Road 9, with bus drivers, farmers, and even tractors being unable to utilize it without damage to vehicles. This will be investigated and addressed now that it has been brought to Mr. Fieldsend’s attention.
Several topics were brought up to be discussed further at future meetings; the new courthouse generator operating on natural gas, a county representative appointment to the Lake Region Public Library Board, and the need for a new tax-payroll program that could cost up to $200,000 for implementation.
There was a lot of discussion among commission members about whether to declare Monday, July 3 as a holiday with the Fourth of July happening on a Tuesday this year. Eventually, the motion to close the courthouse on Monday, July 3 was approved 4-1 with Commissioner Hodous voting against. The commission then approved a resolution to support state-run outlets to remove excess water from Devils Lake. Discussion was held over whether a flooding state of emergency can or should be called; this was tabled until a later time.
Finally, the commission unanimously approved a raffle permit to Heritage Arts Ballet Company as well as the continuation of insurance with the county’s current provider. The 2024 budget will be discussed soon, referencing the 2022 salary survey to determine future action.
Minutes of past meeting minutes and upcoming meeting agendas can be found at co.ramsey.nd.us.
