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WADENA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING

September 15, 2020

The Wadena County Board of Commissioners’ Meeting was held on September 15, 2020 in the Wadena

City Council Chambers, 222 2nd St. SE, Wadena, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am

by Commissioner Horsager and all present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Also present were: Commissioners Jim Hofer, Jon Kangas, Sheldon Monson and Bill Stearns, County

Coordinator/Engineer Ryan Odden, County Attorney Kyra Ladd, County Auditor/Treasurer Heather

Olson, Payroll/Benefits Coordinator April Damlo, Human Resources Specialist Kristeen Erickson,

Assistant County Engineer Darin Fellbaum, Tessia Melvin of DDA Human Resources, Inc., Information

Technology Coordinator Dave Hotchkiss, Review Messenger reporter Matthew Johnson, Wadena

Pioneer Journal reporter Michael Johnson via Zoom and Independent News Herald/Verndale Sun

reporter Trinity Gruenberg via Zoom.

Amend/Approve the Day’s Agenda: Moved by Commissioner Monson, seconded by Commissioner

Hofer to approve the day’s agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Recognize Interested Citizens: None present today.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Commissioner Kangas had a question about the “Notification of Replacement Full Time Transit Driver.”

He asked if the driver was transitioning from part time to full time, was there justification for starting

the employee out at Step 8. Ryan Odden, County Coordinator/Engineer, said that the employee was at

Step 8 as a part time driver. The employee had been with Transit for many years and it was a transfer

within the department. Moved by Commissioner Stearns, seconded by Commissioner Monson to

approve the following consent agenda items:

Approve the 9-1-20 Minutes.

Approve that the County will not be participating in the optional payroll tax deferral. All payroll

taxes will remain the same.

Approve the updated COVID-19 Exposure Policy dated September 8, 2020.

Approve appointing Dr. A Quinn Strobl of the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Anoka

County as the Medical Examiner for Wadena County effective January 1, 2021 through

December 31, 2022.

Approve the Final Payment for SAP 080-600-004 to Braaten Aggregate of Bertha, MN in the

amount of $11,315.00.

Approve the Final Payment for SAP 080-612- 011, SAP 080-620-009, SAP 080-626-023 & SAP 080-

666-002 to Central Specialties Inc. of Alexandria, MN in the amount of $273,802.64.

Approve notification of Transit – Replacement Hire – Transition from PT to FT Employee James

Cooper, Driver, $17.18 per hour, Start Date 9-8-20, Grade: 48, Step: 8 Yearly Gross Salary:

$35,734.40, Total Salary and Employer Contributions (Taxes & Benefits): $55,956.

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Approve renewal of the Liquor License for Hville Op Inc. DBA The Outpost beginning on 10-1-20.

Approve the GISAC Committee Charter with changes to the membership list.

Motion carried unanimously.

REGULAR AGENDA:

Purchase of 414 1ST ST SW Wadena, MN 56482: This building is right behind the Courthouse and is

adjacent to the existing parking lot, Ryan Odden stated. The County did have to get a variance from the

City of Wadena during the Annex project, since they could not build enough parking spaces with the

project. There were five motions on the Board Action Form Odden wanted to recommend to the Board,

but the main one was to approve the purchase of the property with the modification of it coming from the

non-levied Building Fund instead of the levied Building Fund.

Commissioner Kangas wanted to know what Odden was proposing the County use for the property. Odden

said eventually a parking lot. Commissioner Kangas asked if there was a total estimated cost of what it would

be to turn it into a parking lot. Odden stated with gravel and pavement it would be an estimated $20,000.00

on top of the other figures, which included the purchase of the house, hazardous material assessment and

removal, utility/plumbing shut offs, and demolition/backfill of the current basement structure.

Commissioner Kangas voiced that around March, when COVID-19 hit, the Board made a statement that

they were not making any unnecessary expenditures. He went on that this would fit that option of not a

necessity. Some other discussions have been about moving facilities to the Fair Grounds, Commissioner

Kangas said and we probably would not need the extra parking. He thought it was not a good use of

funds at this time. He was not in support of the purchase, unless the County could sell other properties

to get them back on the tax records.

Commissioner Hofer was in support of the purchase and said that when the County built the Annex

project they were short of the required parking spaces required by the City. He said this is why the City

had to give the County a variance, because the County was supposed to have 78 parking spaces and

ended up with around 38 spaces. He stated that now the County will follow through with a commitment

on their part to increase the parking to be more in compliance. Commissioner Kangas asked if it was part

of the condition of the variance with the City to purchase additional property if it became available.

Commissioner Hofer said no, he did not think it was a condition at all. He shared it was a statement that

the County made that they would try to increase parking when it would become available.

Commissioner Horsager asked Odden how many more parking spaces the property would allow. Odden

said it would depend on how they would configure the property. Commissioner Stearns wanted to know

if the property was a 50 foot lot. Odden stated it was, but it was deeper than the other lots the County

purchased in the past.

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Commissioner Horsager stated that the County has a larger Courthouse and they would be closer to the

City’s compliance for parking. He was for the recommendation, but didn’t feel that the County would

need to pave it right away.

Moved by Commissioner Stearns, seconded by Commissioner Hofer to approve to purchase property located

at 414 1st Street SW, Wadena, MN 56482 for $80,000.00 plus closing costs, not to exceed $5,000.00, from

the non-levied Building Fund. Commissioner Stearns - Aye, Commissioner Monson – Aye, Commissioner

Horsager - Aye, Commissioner Kangas – Nay, Commissioner Hofer – Aye. Motion carried 4-1.

Kyra Ladd, County Attorney, voiced that with the closing coming soon on the property, there could be

weather related situations, etc. it would be more prudent for the Board to move on the rest of the

recommendations at this meeting.

Moved by Commissioner Stearns, seconded by Commissioner Monson to approve to hire a contractor to

perform hazardous material assessment and removal, not to exceed $5,000.00, from the non-levied

Building Fund. Commissioner Stearns - Aye, Commissioner Monson – Aye, Commissioner Horsager - Aye,

Commissioner Kangas – Nay, Commissioner Hofer – Aye. Motion carried 4-1.

Commissioner Monson asked what avenues of advertising would be used for the purchase and removal of

the house. Odden stated the local newspapers for the advertisement for bids, a sign in the yard, contacting

all building removal companies and local contractors to see if they are interested in the house.

Moved by Commissioner Stearns, seconded by Commissioner Hofer to approve to advertise for sealed bids

for purchase and removal of house and garage. Commissioner Stearns - Aye, Commissioner Monson – Aye,

Commissioner Horsager - Aye, Commissioner Kangas – Nay, Commissioner Hofer – Aye. Motion carried 4-1.

Moved by Commissioner Hofer, seconded by Commissioner Monson to approve for contract with

utilities and plumbing contractor to complete shut-off services, not to exceed $3,000.00, from the non-

levied Building Fund. Commissioner Stearns - Aye, Commissioner Monson – Aye, Commissioner Horsager

- Aye, Commissioner Kangas – Nay, Commissioner Hofer – Aye. Motion carried 4-1.

Moved by Commissioner Monson, seconded by Commissioner Hofer to approve for the Highway

Department to remove basement structure and drainage system at 414 1st Street SW, Wadena, MN, not

to exceed $3,500.00, from the non-levied Building Fund. Commissioner Stearns asked if the Highway

Department could dig out the basement, remove the top soil and add 4” of Class 5 so it could be used as

a parking lot. Odden stated he did not have any price for that scenario, but it could be done.

Commissioner Stearns mentioned that it could not exceed $10,000.00 and it would work. Odden said

that it should. Commissioner Stearns said if the basement was removed and the Class 5 was added for

parking, it should make it through the winter. He thought it would be important to have a base on it.

Commissioners Monson and Hofer amended their motions to match what Commissioner Stearns stated.

Moved by Commissioner Monson, seconded by Commissioner Hofer to approve for the Highway

Department to remove basement structure and drainage system and add Class 5 at 414 1st Street SW,

Wadena, MN, not to exceed $10,000.00, from the non-levied Building Fund. Commissioner Stearns -

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Aye, Commissioner Monson – Aye, Commissioner Horsager - Aye, Commissioner Kangas – Nay,

Commissioner Hofer – Aye. Motion carried 4-1.

Declaration of MSW Market Price: Ryan Odden stated that this was something brought before the

Board as a Solid Waste Committee. Chris McConn, Solid Waste Director, brings it every year and is

required as a State Statute to make the declaration. McConn provided for the Board the Direct Haul

Market Price Worksheet. The worksheet shows the cost for going to Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste

Authority in Perham, MN and Dakota Landfill in Gwinner, ND. McConn also had a Resolution included

with the worksheet that the County of Wadena declares Market Price $81.51/ton for a facility, based on

a tipping fee of $39.27/ton at the Dakota Landfill (including host and environmental fees) and additional

contracted transportation costs of $42.24/ton based on $2.35/mile at 284 miles.

Commissioner Kangas voiced that now he could see the actual numbers in front of him and it could be

noticed that because the County has a partnership with Prairie Lakes, for the part of our municipal solid

waste going to Perham, it was costing our tax payers 60% more. He said this concern has been brought

up to him on numerous occasions and the fact that our haulers have to drive to Perham.

Moved by Commissioner Stearns, seconded by Commissioner Monson to approve the Declaration of

MSW Market Price and motion to sign the resolution declaring the 2020 market price for MSW in

Wadena County. Motion carried unanimously.

Market Price for the Solid Waste Management Tax Wadena County Resolution completed as follows:

Market Price for the Solid Waste Management Tax

Wadena County Resolution No. 2020____

WHEREAS, the solid waste management tax requires political subdivisions to identify by resolution a

market price if the political subdivision:

Subsidizes the cost of service at a facility.

WHEREAS, the political subdivision will be liable for the solid waste management tax based only on the

market price amount identified through this resolution.

WHEREAS, the market price is identified in state statutes as the “lowest price available in the area.”

WHEREAS, Wadena County has performed research to identify the lowest price available in the area;

THEREFORE, the County of Wadena declares a market price of $81.51 per ton for a facility, based on a

tipping fee amount of $39.27 per ton at the Dakota Landfill (including host and environmental fees) and

an additional contracted transportation cost of $42.24 per ton (based on $2.35/mile@284 miles).

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Stearns, duly

seconded by Commissioner Monson and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon,

the following voted in favor:

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Commissioners Stearns, Monson, Horsager, Kangas and Hofer and the following voted against the same:

none.

Adopted this 15th day of September 2020.

WADENA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DATE: September 15, 2020

By: ____________________________ Attest: __________________________

Charles Horsager, Chairperson Ryan Odden, County Coordinator

Approve Contract with Pictometry for County-Wide Aerial Imaging: The contract will include aerial

imagery for all of Wadena County, with the Cities of Wadena and Menahga requesting high resolution

imagery, Ryan Odden stated. Each city will pay their portion of the contract that requested high resolution

imagery. Wadena Planning & Zoning contacted each city in the county to participate, with some declining.

Kyra Ladd said that the contract was sent to her to review and approve and she had a couple of

concerns. On pages 6-7 of the contract under “Disaster Coverage Imagery at No Additional Charge,”

there was some information related to “Tornado” and nothing was checked, according to Ladd. She

continued, in the not so distant past the County had an EF4 tornado, so the contract states they would

do an additional fly over at no additional charge – that could be a compare and contrast. She noted that

nothing was checked on the contract, so she did not know if that was intentional or an omission.

The other item in question was on page 15, paragraph 7C regarding “New York Law” as the governing

law. Then on page 17, Section C, paragraph 2 “Minnesota Law” applies. Ladd said that both laws cannot

apply in the contract, it would have to be one or the other. She thought that the New York Law should

be striked and it should be Minnesota Law. She sent both items in question to Deana Malone, Planning

& Zoning Administrator. Ladd felt if the Board wanted to go forward with approving the contract, there

may be clarifications on these two points to change the wording or it may stay the same.

Moved by Commissioner Stearns, seconded by Commissioner Monson to table the contract with

Pictometry for County-Wide Aerial Imaging until next week’s meeting, so the two questions could be

answered. Motion carried unanimously.

Resolution to Establish Greenwood Avenue in the City of Wadena as a County State Aid Highway: Tri-

County Health Care is in progress of constructing a new facility. Ryan Odden said, as a County we have

mileage in our State Aid Bank. He continued when it is sitting in the State Aid Bank account, this mileage is

not getting the County any funding. It would increase our funding if we had these miles designated for

some sort of use. What the proposal is, which has been reviewed by MNDot and has been discussed with

the City of Wadena, is to make Greenwood Avenue a State Aid route. Odden stated this would be good

opportunities for funding and given that what the County is anticipating for traffic flow it will give usage to

warrant a State Aid segment.

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The segment that is in Otter Tail County, will go to the Otter Tail County Board to be made as a State Aid

route as well with their mileage applied to the route. On the border of the County, Otter Tail County will

provide half the mileage and Wadena County will provide half the mileage in a partnership.

The first step, Odden stated, would be the approval of the Wadena County Board to begin this process for

this destination. Then it would go before the Wadena City Council in October 2020.

Moved by Commissioner Monson, seconded by Commissioner Stearns to approve the designation of

Greenwood Avenue as a County State Aid Highway. Motion carried unanimously.

Wadena County Resolution Establishing Greenwood Avenue in the City of Wadena as County State Aid

Highway 40 completed as follows:

WADENA COUNTY RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING GREENWOOD AVENUE IN THE

CITY OF WADENA AS COUNTY STATE AID HIGHWAY 40

WHERE AS: it appears to the County Board of the County of Wadena that the road hereinafter should be

designated County State Aid Highway under the provisions of Minnesota Law.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: By the County Board of the County of Wadena that the road be

described as follows, to-wit:

County State Aid Highway No. 40: Beginning approximately 238’ South of the intersection of

Greenwood Ave NW and 11th Street NW in the City of Wadena; thence Northerly approximately 238’

along 11th Street NW to the intersection of Greenwood Ave NW and 11th Street NW in Section 6,

Township 134 North, Range 35 West, thence turning Easterly for 5,750’ along Greenwood Ave to a point

of intersection with Wadena County State Aid Highway 20 in Section 5, Township 134 North, Range 35

West in the City of Wadena, being a total distance of 1.13 miles. Be, and hereby is established, located

and designated a County State Aid Highway of said County, subject to the approval of the Commissioner

of Transportation of the State of Minnesota.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to forward two

certified copies of this resolution to the Commissioner of Transportation for consideration, and that

upon his approval of the designation of said road or portion thereof, that same be constructed,

improved, and maintained as a County State Aid Highway of the County of Wadena, to be numbered

and known as County State Aid Highway 40.

ADOPTED: September 15, 2020

______________________________________

Chuck Horsager, Chairman of County Board

ATTEST:

______________________________________

Heather Olson, County Auditor

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CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly passed, adopted and

approved by the County Board of said County on September 15, 2020.

_____________________________________

County Auditor County of Wadena

2020 Greater Minnesota Transportation Economic Development Program Application Resolution:

Ryan Odden explained that the Transportation Economic Development (TED) Grant is a special

solicitation to emphasize construction spending that is only for greater Minnesota. There is currently 14

applicants for $1.85 million of funds available, which make it competitive. Tri-County Health Care has

committed to Wadena County a 20% local match that is a requirement. Wadena County would owe zero

dollars to this project.

Eligible projects must have trunk highway purpose to improve, enhance or modify a state trunk highway

or right of way. The scope of this project was from the last agenda item and would take in the Otter Tail

County segment and Highway 10 with a lot of safety improvements near the new site of Tri-County

Health Care. Restriping, adding a left-hand turn lane, extended right turn lane, lights will be added, etc.

Odden and Darrin Fellbaum, Wadena Assistant County Engineer, had an hour long meeting with the

District staff out of Detroit Lakes MNDot and they picked apart their letter of interest and gave them

some good pointers. Right now the next step was to ask the Board for approval to submit the

application for the program.

Moved by Commissioner Monson, seconded by Commissioner Hofer to approve the Resolution for 2020

Greater Minnesota Transportation Economic Development Program Application. Motion carried

unanimously.

Wadena County Resolution 2020 Greater Minnesota Transportation Economic Development Program

Application completed as follows:

WADENA COUNTY RESOLUTION 2020 GREATER MINNESOTA TRANSPORTATION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION

BE IT RESOLVED that Wadena County act as the legal sponsor for the TH 10 & Greenwood Avenue

Intersection and Safety Improvements project and requests funding from the Transportation Economic

Development (TED) Program of the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Wadena County has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance,

and the institutional, managerial, and financial capability to ensure matching funds and adequate

construction of the proposed project.

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Wadena County has not violated any Federal, State or local laws

pertaining to fraud, bribery, graft, kickbacks, collusion, conflict of interest or other unlawful or corrupt

practice.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval of its application by the state, Wadena County, may enter

into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above-referenced project, and that it will comply

with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in all contract agreements.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, Tri County Health Care has committed to Wadena County a 20 percent

local match requirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, Wadena County confirms if the project cost increases above the amount

listed in the Application, Wadena County will provide or secure all additional funds necessary to

complete the project. Wadena County certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws, regulations,

and rules of the Application.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the sources and uses, private investors, equity, and other financing

commitment represented in the attached document are accurate.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County Board and the Wadena County Board

Chairman, or their successors in office, are hereby authorized to execute such agreements, and

amendments thereto, as are necessary to implement the project(s) on behalf of the applicant.

I CERTIFY THAT the above resolution was adopted by the Wadena County Board of Commissioners on

the 15th of September, 2020

SIGNED: WITNESSED:

Ryan Odden ________________________ (Signature)

County Clerk ______________________ (Date)

Chuck Horsager ________________________ (Signature)

Board Chairman ______________________ (Date)

Supplemental Benefit Quote Review and Confirmation: Kristeen Erickson, Human Resource Specialist,

stated to the Board that Wadena County did a Request for Proposal (RFP) that was reviewed by the

Insurance Committee on July 13 and 15, 2020. The RFP was sent out to brokers/agents in August 2020.

The County received quotes back from Integrity Benefits, Colonial and AT Group (the County’s current

broker). The next Insurance Committee meeting was on September 1, 2020 and the general consensus

was to change companies for all supplemental benefits, add a vision insurance program, and change

agent/brokers from AT Group to Integrity Benefits.

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All of the benefits are employee paid and would not have any effect on the County budget. Erickson

stated that the employees would gain better benefits and less waiting periods from the new options.

She also said that options would be easily interfaced with the County’s HRIS and payroll system, which

allows for less paperwork and human errors.

Moved by Commissioner Stearns, seconded by Commissioner Kangas to approve the new companies,

new plan (vision), and new agent/broker (Integrity Benefits) beginning on 1/1/2021. Motion carried

unanimously.

COVID-19 Emergency Executive Committee Update: Ryan Odden spoke of the COVID-19 Executive

Committee Update about what the group had been discussing in their last meetings on September 8 and

September 14, 2020:

No change in the workplace guidelines.

The screening station Front Desk Attendant interviews were completed.

Odden has looked at the Armory as a short-term court operation space. Dave Hotchkiss,

Information Technology Coordinator, has been at the Armory too to see what it would take to

make the place functional on the technology side. Odden has reached out to the Armory to

stage it, so they could set it up and take some pictures with Court Administration to see if it

would be workable to have trials at that location.

Commissioner Kangas asked if the Committee contacted any of the neighboring counties to see

if their facilities were available. Odden said that yesterday Wadena Court Administration had

been talking to Todd and Morrison Counties. Kyra Ladd stated that after the last Board meeting,

she forwarded the information Commissioner Kangas asked about to the District Court

Administration with his request. The Court Administrator, who is also the Court Administrator

for Otter Tail County, said Otter Tail County was not an option. Ladd inquired about Becker,

Todd and Morrison, and the two that they suggested was maybe Todd and Morrison. Wadena

County cannot go to Hubbard, because that is a different judicial district.

Commissioner Kangas said he was hoping that the courts would be more responsive to the

needs of our communities. Ladd voiced that another thing the Court Administrator said was that

Wadena County has to have a plan for their felony trials by October 1, 2020. This plan has to be

submitted to the State for approval. If the County does not have a plan, they may be making

decisions for the County and we will have to be responsive to them, Ladd shared. One decision

could be that the County would have to bus people from Wadena somewhere, of which the

County does not have buses to bus people. Commissioner Kangas stated that buses are available

everywhere, if we could get these trials moving again.

An application is being put together for reconfiguring the County’s large court room for the

small trials. Odden, Ladd, Court Administration, the judge and maintenance have met. They

have removed benches, moved tables, etc. to create a larger space. The application is being put

together and it has not been approved yet, but they are hopeful.

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Odden, Ladd and Court Administration met on September 3, 2020 with BHH Partners out of

Perham. BHH Partners will be on the next week’s Board Meeting Agenda with pros and cons of

options for a long-term court operation space.

Odden contacted the Ag Society and they have not made a final decision on the haunted house.

Some of the members are still interested and are coming up with ideas as to how to have the

haunted house safely. They asked to have Odden coordinate a meeting between them and

Public Health as to how a Preparedness Plan would look for the event.

MNDot Transit had a grant available and the Committee decided to decline to apply. There was

a lot of requirements, including having a person on standby 12 hours a day in case we had a

positive COVID transport. The County does have a vehicle set-up for suspected positive cases,

which had only been used twice.

In the Consent Agenda, the Committee did add some modifications to the testing policy.

A break was taken at 10:00 am. The meeting reconvened at 10:06 am.

Classification and Compensation Study Preliminary Report: Tessia Melvin, Management Consultant,

was present from DDA Human Resources, Inc. to discuss the Classification and Compensation Study

Preliminary Report for Wadena County. Wadena County employees received their old job descriptions

and a form to fill out to better understand their job. The job descriptions were old and outdated, some

did not match what employees were doing. It was important to get the job descriptions up to date. DDA

Human Resources, Inc. looked at the returned forms and had some interviews with department heads.

Then they were sent back as a description appeal, so changes could be made if something was missed.

The last full Classification and Compensation Study on the County was completed in 2005. In 2018 DDA

did a Market Analysis for the County. Melvin stated that right now Wadena County is somewhat in line

with the market, just slightly lower.

DDA looked at all of Wadena County’s jobs and reclassified them. They looked at a proposed pay grid,

one with 26 grades instead of 16, so people could be spaced out. This would reduce the steps from 3.5%

to 3%.

Another item DDA was recommending would be consistent policies on hiring. For department heads

who have the authority can they hire, does it come before the Board in the hiring process, etc. Policy on

starting rates – so it is consistent. When the County promotes an employee, they have a policy of which

step they receive.

When DDA was doing their report, they looked at Morrison County, Otter Tail County, Hubbard County,

Becker County, Cass County, Todd County and Crow Wing County. They compared them in terms of size,

service offerings, tax capacity and if they compete with Wadena County for employees.

Kyra Ladd asked if the County had anybody that would be at a grade 1 or 2 on the new grid. Melvin said

no, that the County could take those lines out. DDA had those grades if the County wanted to use them

for temporary or seasonal positions. Ladd mentioned that the grades seemed artificial and that our

grade one would be grade three on the grid.

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Commissioner Hofer had a question for Ryan Odden about one of the Unions and a couple of the County

employees who had wanted this study. He wanted to know if there was any significant changes that

affected them. Odden stated he had not got a good chance to look over the classifications or the

particular positions Commissioner Hofer was speaking about.

Commissioner Kangas was very concerned with the report. He felt that this portion of the study should

have been done two years ago before the grid was changed. Back then Wadena County chose the

benchmark counties, and now Commissioner Kangas felt that the counties did not compare in size or tax

capacity to Wadena County. He said it is easier to pay a little better in those counties. Melvin stated that

it was the same counties that were used in the 2018 DDA Market Study. They were trying to be

consistent with that study and those counties were approved by the Board.

If I am reading this right, Commissioner Kangas shared, we are going to have quite a few positions that are

going up $4.00 plus per hour in addition to what happened two years ago with the grid. He did not know

how the proposed grid would be sustainable or how the other Commissioners felt. The County would have

to decide what they could afford for salaries and benefits and make the grid work from there.

Commissioner Horsager agreed with a lot of what Commissioner Kangas had to say. He understood that

all of the counties around us did not compare in size and tax capacity, but Wadena County does

compete for employees with them due to location. He thought it would be wise to look at smaller

counties with tax capacities closer to Wadena County; like Mahnomen, Norman and Grant Counties.

Commissioner Monson also agreed with some of Commissioner Kangas’ comments. Commissioner

Monson said that these counties were selected primarily because Wadena County competes with these

surrounding counties and loses employees to them. For our unions, we still have to focus on these

counties that we compete with for employees, he stated.

What if we took our current payroll dollars for 2020 and use them on the new grid and see where

people would end up, Commissioner Kangas asked. When employees wanted to have a comparison

study, it was his understanding that some employees would go up and some would go down, he said.

Melvin asked, so basically if someone was over the market or maxed out right now, they would be

frozen or do not get an increase? Commissioner Kangas stated that no, that was not what he was saying.

Ladd asked Commissioner Kangas if an employee were on the new scale he was suggesting, some

people would have a pay decrease. Commissioner Kangas stated wasn’t that what they were discussing

when having this study? Ladd said that she thought that somebody might get a classification change, so

they get paid over their current grid and get frozen. She asked Commissioner Kangas if he wanted the

new grid to be adjusted downward and the hourly rate to be less. Commissioner Kangas said that he was

not saying the Board would approve to that, but he wanted to see how it would play out.

Commissioner Horsager asked Melvin if she could compare a benchmark with other types of positions in

Wadena County in comparison to Wadena County workers. Melvin said she could, but public jobs are

very different than private jobs. She also stated that it was a big adjustment from 2005 to 2018, to get

the Wadena County grid more in line with the market. She mentioned that if the County wanted to stay

with their current market or make slight adjustments on anything she could.

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Melvin voiced that what she gathered from the meeting was that they would like the new step format,

but with a new grid with new amounts plugged into it from other benchmarks. Also the new

classification work, but there may still be some appeals from employees who left information out from

their original submissions. Commissioner Horsager said that the Board was in consensus and told Melvin

to proceed.

CARES Act Funding: Heather Olson stated that she, Ryan Odden and the CARES Act Funding Committee

had met a few times in regards to the CARES Act funding. Olson and Odden had spent a few days with

the superintendents of schools in the County. Olson had a list of where the Committee felt the CARES

Act funding could be split.

There would be $500,000.00 for the Small Business Grant Program. It ended last Friday,

September 11, 2020. The Committee has around 25-30 applications to look at and will meet

next Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 11:00 am.

There would be $397,500.00 for past and future costs for Wadena County internally.

There would be $370,000.00 for all of the local public schools, which they met with in Wadena

County. With CARES Act funding the County can support another government entity and that

could be schools. The funds would be divided as a flat fee per school and a per pupil amount for

each student that lives in Wadena County. The schools have costs with Plexiglass screening,

busing issues, electronics for distance learning and many more unique needs. The schools would

have to report back how they use their funds to the County. Olson had hoped that Wadena

County Townships would match some of the CARES Act funding for the schools, but as of now

none of the Townships have applied for the $139,000.00 in funding.

The last item on the list was the Court Room space that is needed. The Committee put down

$424,593.00, which is the last amount of the CARES Act funding.

Commissioner Monson asked if there was a date that the funds had to be designated by and Olson

stated the beginning of December 2020.

Commissioner Kangas felt that the bulk of the money should have been used to help small businesses,

farmers and tax payers. He was not surprised that there were not a lot of applications that came in from

small businesses due to the stipulations and the cap of the funds. He stated that Park Rapids area

offered an average of $50,000.00-$20,000.00 to small businesses. With the County Costs he was also

opposed to half of the Committee’s list. He said the Local School Districts being on the list was

problematic and there was no doubt they were anxious to meet with Odden and Olson. Commissioner

Kangas found other COVID-19 funding that area schools received and announced it to the Board. He was

also not for expanding the Courthouse.

Olson voiced that the superintendents did not come to the County begging for money and that she

approached them. They were only happy that the County reached out to them to be a team player.

Commissioner Kangas said that he wished the County could be a team player to taxpayers. Olson asked

Commissioner Kangas if he had an idea of how the County could do that right now with the funding.

9-15-2020 PAGE 13

Commissioner Horsager wondered if a small farmer could apply for a small business grant. Olson said

they would have to be registered with the Secretary of State.

Olson shared with the Board that this was the third time she has given them a proposal for options to do

with the $1.7 million. She said it was not set in stone and was trying to find a way to help the

community. She was fine with them not wanting to do it, but they need to come up with a solution as a

group for the money. She voiced they cannot just say they do not like ideas and not come up with

anything.

Commissioner Hofer said as being the Commissioner on the Committee he felt bad for Olson being

kicked around by the Board. He did want to remind the Board that they did not set a budget that was

adopted and the other 87 counties have already did this in Minnesota. He wanted the Board to set

parameters and move forward, because the clock was ticking.

Commissioner Stearns wanted to wait until the next meeting to hear about the court room space

discussion with BHH. Odden said that the County Costs were kind of set in stone and he wanted to see if

they could move on that since some of it was needed soon.

Moved by Commissioner Hofer, seconded by Commissioner Monson to approve the County Costs from

the CARES Act Funding of $397,500.00 and defer the rest of the discussion of the CARES Act Funding

until the next Commissioners’ Board Meeting. Commissioner Stearns - Aye, Commissioner Monson –

Aye, Commissioner Horsager - Aye, Commissioner Kangas – Nay, Commissioner Hofer – Aye. Motion

carried 4-1.

2021 Preliminary Levy: The Budget Committee started meeting back in April 2020, Heather Olson

stated. The departments were asked to work on the budgets individually with payroll to set in place for

2021. Everything had been uploaded as of the end of July 2020, but when they were around the 9-10%

mark there had to be some tweaking.

The Committee worked with Human Services and the Sheriff’s Department very hard to see what they

could do, Olson voiced. The Budget Committee also decided to go into their cash reserve due to the fact

there were some line items that were not being used due to COVID-19. The County’s final preliminary

levy would be set at $9.67 million, which would put it at a current preliminary increase of 3.73%. Four of

the five funds have come in at a zero levy. Commissioner Stearns said that this is just the preliminary

levy and 3.73% is not bad. The Committee still has a few months to come up with some ideas.

Moved by Commissioner Stearns, seconded by Commissioner Hofer to approve the 2021 Preliminary

Budget Levy set at $9,670,670.00. Motion carried unanimously.

2020/Payable 2021 Preliminary Levy Resolution completed as follows:

2020/PAYABLE 2021

PRELIMINARY LEVY RESOLUTION

Commissioner Stearns offered the following Resolution and moved for its adoption.

9-15-2020 PAGE 14

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Wadena County Board of Commissioners adopt and certify

the preliminary 2020 Property Tax Levy for Taxes Payable in 2021 distributed to the various funds as

follows:

LESS COUNTY FINAL LEVY PROGRAM AID LEVY _______________________________________________________________

Revenue $6,810,166.00 ($526,309.00) $6,283,857.00

Public Health $207,110.00 $0.00 $207,110.00

Building Fund $125,000.00 $0.00 $125,000.00

Road & Bridge $1,333,982.00 ($230,391.00) $1,103,591.00

Human Services $2,197,861.00 ($246,749.00) $1,951,112.00

TOTAL $10,674,119.00 ($1,003,449.00) $9,670,670.00

Commissioner Hofer seconded the motion, motion carried.

Adopted at Wadena, Minnesota this 15th day of September, 2020.

_____________________________________ ___________________________________

Heather Olson Chuck Horsager, Chairperson

Wadena County Auditor/Treasurer Wadena County Board of Commissioners

Commissioner Reports:

Commissioner Hofer: 9/1/2020 Commissioners’ Board Meeting, 9/1/2020 Management Team Meeting, 9/8/2020 COVID-19 Committee, 9/10/2020 & 9/14/2020 AMC General Session, 9/14/2020 Todd-Wadena Community Corrections Executive Committee, 9/14/2020 COVID-19 Committee, 9/14/2020 County Extension Committee, 9/15/2020 Commissioners’ Board Meeting.

Commissioner Stearns: 9/1/2020 Commissioners’ Board Meeting, 9/1/2020 Insurance Committee Meeting, 9/2/2020 Budget Committee, 9/9/2020 Budget Committee with Human Services and Sheriff’s Department, 9/15/2020 Commissioners’ Board Meeting.

Commissioner Kangas: 9/1/2020 Commissioners’ Board Meeting, 9/1/2020 Insurance Committee Meeting, 9/2/2020 Budget Committee, 9/9/2020 Budget Committee with Human Services and Sheriff’s Department, 9/10/2020 Trauma Informed Committee, 9/14/2020 Park’s Board Tour and Meeting, 9/15/2020 Commissioners’ Board Meeting.

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Commissioner Monson: 9/1/2020 Commissioners’ Board Meeting, 9/4/2020 Meeting with Senator Gazelka, 9/9/2020 Correspondence with Adam Pugh, 9/14/2020 County Extension Committee, 9/14/2020 Todd-Wadena Community Corrections Executive Committee, 9/15/2020 Commissioners’ Board Meeting.

Commissioner Horsager: 9/1/2020 Commissioners’ Board Meeting, 9/1/2020 Management Team Meeting, 9/2/2020 Central MN Council on Aging, 9/8/2020 Historical Society Meeting, 9/8/2020 COVID-19 Committee, 9/10/2020 Trauma Informed Committee, 9/14/2020 Park’s Board Tour and Meeting, 9/14/2020 COVID-19 Committee, 9/15/2020 Commissioners’ Board Meeting.

Commissioner Monson moved, seconded by Commissioner Hofer to adjourn the meeting at 12:03 pm.

Motion carried unanimously.

___________________________________ ____________________________________ Ryan Odden, Charles Horsager, Chairperson Wadena County Coordinator/Engineer Wadena County Commissioners