RLC Commissioners reorganize for 2016

On January 5th, the first Red Lake County Commissioners meeting of the year was held with all members present. County Auditor Bob Schmitz opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance and call the meeting to order. Nominations were called on the position of Chairperson and Chuck Simpson was nominated by John Lerohl. No other nominations came forward, a vote was taken and the new Chairperson for the Red Lake County Commissioner is Chuck Simpson. The meeting was then turned over the Simpson.

Nominations for the vice chair was next with a nomination for Anthony Flage was put forth by Ron Weiss, no other calls for nominations were heard, and a vote was taken, Anthony Flage is the new vice president.

The agenda was approved with one agenda addition. Angie Lundeen from Human Resources, was added. 

County newspaper was next on the agenda. The bids were opened and the Oklee Herald had bid $3.00 a column inch for all four items requested in the bids and included their rate sheet. The Gazette had bid $2.50 a column inch for 3 of the four items requested, with $3.75 for the fourth and did not include their rate sheet. The discussion amongst the commissioners was about the bid amounts, circulation numbers (approx the same #’s), but also that fact that the Oklee Herald reporter is at the meetings most of the time and the Gazette reporter is not. The decision was made to go with the Oklee Herald due to the fact the Oklee Herald is interested in the county’s business and are usually at the meetings. Motion was made by Sorenson, seconded by Lerohl.

The meeting dates were set for the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. as in past years. The per diem rates were voted on to leave the same and the appropriations were approved as follows:

Committee on 

Aging $8,360.00

Red River Basin

Commission 107.00

Red Lake County 

Fair Board 10,000.00

American Legion’s 255.00

Friends of the 

Library 6,300.00

RRV Development 

Assoc. 800.00

Inter County Nursing

Service 21,388.00

Oklee Ambulance 

Service 9,000.00

RLF Ambulance 

Service 30,000.00

RLC Historical 

Society 2,000.00

NW Regional Library (MOE 

Requirement) 26,732.00

Red Lake County 

Parks 5,900.00

Total 

Appropriations $120,842.00

The expenditures were looking over and a motion to pay the bills was made by Lerohl and seconded by Weiss, and a roll call vote was taken, all in favor. Minutes were approved with no corrections or additions by a motion from Lerohl and seconded by Flage. Carried.

Committee reports were beginning with Weiss who had attended the Quin Board meeting and the preliminary budget was discussed, a joint powers agreement needs to be approved next month so that the Quin Board can have contracting authority for services for all counties in group. 

Flage, Sorensen, Lerohl and Simpson had no meetings to report on.

Highway Engineer, Korky Kleven, was present at the meeting and asked the commissioners if they had any questions for him. The board had none.

The next item on the agenda was the 2016 committee assignments and appointments of county representatives to the various public interest positions. The list is not available at this time, but will be in the minutes in the future. The changes were approved with a motion by Sorenson and seconded by Lerohl.

Kurt Casavan was not present at the meeting, but had left a item to be discussed. There is a 1975 ¾ ton vehicle that is not needed anymore and would like to have it put up for bids. A motion from Flage and seconded by Weiss to sell was carried.

The next meeting will be on January 26th, the 4th Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. 

Human Resources person, Angie Lundeen had a question for the commissioners on the meal reimbursement for employees as what is in the handbook is very vague. At this time the per diem is $30.00 a day. Should it be broken into how much for each meal, meals furnished at training/meetings cannot be reimbursed as they are part of the fee for the training/meeting costs, etc. The discussion began with what other counties do and there is a wide range. Pennington is $65 a day with a breakdown of 15 for breakfast, 20 for lunch and 30 for supper. Marshall is $25.00 a day, no breakdown. The board decided to raise the meal per diem, receipts are required to reimbursed and you are only reimbursed the amount spent up to $50.00 a day. 

Lundeen also informed the board that a full time Deputy/Dispatcher has been hired, Casey Roisland. There is still a need for Social Services position and a dispatcher.

The meeting was adjourned.