The Ramsey County Commission met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 8 a.m. After approving previous meeting minutes, financial reports, bills, treasurer’s checks, and the agenda, the commission then voted to approve the signing of a memorandum of understanding between NDSU Extension and their youth development program. The Ramsey County Water District gave updates, including asking the public to check for debris in culverts as things dry up before snow comes. If they are blocked in any way, please report it to the county.
The commission then approved a bid for new carpet in the Public Health section of the courthouse, as well as to place notices of road ditches in the paper, pay estimates for equipment and gravel, and to purchase a trailer for the county highway department. The commission then heard about a court facilities grant process through the state of North Dakota that will reimburse up to 75% of one-time capital expenses to buildings. Personnel is not covered under this grant, so if there is a front-door security officer to be on duty, that will have to come out of a regular budget. There are different ideas on improvements to be made, and updated quotes and prices will be obtained shortly. This grant is due in December, so the ball will need to be rolling soon.
Commissioners then heard from State’s Attorney Beau Cummings about the ongoing joint powers agreement between Devils Lake, Ramsey County, and the Law Enforcement Center. Discussion was had over proposed changes, and the commission voted unanimously with a roll call vote to allow Cummings to draft small changes and present it back to the LEC’s attorney. The commission then approved a homestead credit and elected to table a letter that was received less than one business day prior that would potentially change how 911 fees are collected and distributed.
Finally, the commission discussed a FEMA letter that is requesting to know exactly who is managing flood insurance where within Ramsey County. Some townships have stated they would like to manage it themselves, while some would like to fall under the county’s purview. However, many of these decisions were made upwards of 20 years ago, and documents from that time are not adequate. Emergency Manager Chris Jaeger and State’s Attorney Cummings will continue to investigate in order to respond to this letter.
Past meeting minutes and future meeting agendas can be found at ramseycountynd.gov.
