The Ramsey County Commission met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 8 a.m. Several large items were on the agenda, including approving the Lake Region District Health Unit annual budget as well as the Ramsey County 2024 budget. After approving previous meeting minutes, payment of bills, financial reports, treasurer’s checks, and this meeting’s agenda, NDSU Extension members were present to give an update on National 4H Week. County GIS/IT Manager Steve Moe presented a need to purchase a new server, which was approved unanimously by the commission.
Library Director Maddie Cummings presented a voluntary reduction of the Lake Region Public Library’s 2024 budget request, citing the need to address building concerns before creation of a full-time children’s librarian position. The commission then approved the change in lodging rates to follow the state, and to appoint Elizabeth Black as the North Dakota State Fair delegate for Ramsey County. Following this, the county joined Benson, Eddy, and Pierce counties to approve the Lake Region District Health Unit’s annual budget, with a single nay vote from another county.
Devils Lake Public Schools Superintendent Ned Clooten went before the commission to request funds for a new agriculture building at the high school. It is definitely something that this region could benefit from, and there are federal dollars that have been earmarked for this project, but the deadline to come up with a match is at the end of October. The commission will think it over and have Mr. Clooten attend the next meeting on October 17 for a formal ask and discussion. Highway Superintendent Kevin Fieldsend gave project updates and answered questions related to county roads, and had a payment of invoice approved unanimously by roll call vote. The commission then set the public hearing date of appraised values for properties facing foreclosure for Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 5:45 p.m. Finally, the commission approved the Blue Cross Blue Shield renewal rate for 2024.
The commission then had a lengthy discussion over the 2024 budget. The commission asked Sheriff Bryan Lang if the sheriff’s department could function with fewer new vehicles for 2024, and Lang said yes. The removal of a vehicle purchase coupled with the voluntary reduction of the library budget came in just under $87,000 saved. Some commissioners stated they would like to cut the proposed training center for emergency services and first responders, but when a motion was brought, the training center remained fully funded at $50,000. The 2024 budget was passed by roll call vote, with Commissioners Volk and Gessner voting nay.
Following the approval of the budget, visitors and delegations were recognized. Garland Hoistad approached the commission with a request to pass on a letter to the Attorney General to determine whether land underwater in the Devils Lake region should be taxed to the landowners. The commission voted to have State’s Attorney Beau Cummings make a formal request from the Attorney General to provide an opinion on this matter.
Commissioners ended with portfolio highlights, and a request to an anonymous letter writer to sign their name to a concern voiced to the commission following the last meeting.
Past meeting minutes and upcoming meeting agendas can be found at ramseycountynd.gov.
