Clearwater County will not participate in pre-registration for 2020 Census

 

A motion not to enter into an agreement with United States Department of Commerce for the U.S. Census Bureau pre-registration for the 2020 Census was passed by the Clearwater County Board of Commissioners at their meeting of November 14, 2017. The reason given to not be involved was due to lack of staff and resources, noting that this  process for the last census took over 60 hours to accomplish. 

The purchasing policy which was passed in 2008 was discussed, indicating that any purchase added to inventory over the amount of $1000 needs a board motion. The purchasing policy motion states, “All Clearwater County departments purchasing equipment, office furniture or supplies must receive approval by  Clearwater County Board motion before purchasing.”

Land Commissioner Bruce Cox and Kim Christenson discussed the Campground rates for 2019. A motion was passed approving the tent nightly rate of $30; weekly rate of $180; and four weeks rate of $650. Rates for electric, water and sewer were also listed. 

Red Lake Watershed District: A continuing discussion regarding the Four-Legged Lake issues was part of the Board meeting, led by Commissioner John Nelson. 

A letter from Les Torgerson, who has served on the Red Lake Watershed District for the past six years, to represent Clearwater County sent a letter to the Board. 

“We have been working hard to create a solution for the future of Four Legged Lake that everyone can live with,” he stated in the letter. 

“I think we are coming closer and closer to a solution that will pass the permit applications for all the governmental agencies and also be acceptable to the group. If we can reach a consensus the lake will finally have a future that everyone can rely on and the county will be relieved of a lot of responsibility for beaver dams, channel cleaning, etc.” 

Mr. Torgerson expressed a desire to serve another term to represent Clearwater County beginning in January. The Board will be acting on the Les Torgerson letter at the first January Board meeting which will be on January 2nd. 

Sheriff Darin Halverson was authorized by the Board to promote Cherie Keith from part-time County Correction Officer (CCO) to full-time CCO to fill an open full-time position within the jail and will be effective Dec. 3, 2017. 

The Sheriff was also authorized by the Board to promote Romell Bennett from part-time to full-time CCO to fill an open full-time position within the jail and will be effective Dec. 3, 2017. 

Commissioner Dean Newland was appointed to a 4-year term on the Northwest Minnesota Juvenile Center Board. 

County Engineer, Dan Sauvé received approval for payment of the Highway Department bills in the amount of $83,043 as presented. 

The Engineer will bring 2018 budget purchases to the December meeting. He said they need to revise the 5 year plan so he would be bringing that to a future meeting.

Clearwater County Nursing Service received approval to hire Amy Rankin as a Home Health Aid/Homemaker on a part time basis (more than 1040 hours per year). 

County Auditor Allen Paulson was authorized to pay the submitted invoices of $216,118 for the County Revenue Fund and $56,178 for the Nursing Service Fund.

A motion was approved to advertise for a Senior Assessor Clerk.

Motions regarding the application of Mary Gerbracht for the 2018 On Sale Liquor and Sunday Sale Licenses for Fireside Grill, Inc. and application of William Fritze for the 2018 Seasonal On Sale Beer License for Hoot Owl Resort, were approved.

Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.