February 27, 2026 Wells County Township Officer Assoc., Part 4 of 5; Annual meeting; North Dakota
ND Delegation Presentations
Changes within the Township officers and how they will perform their duties
Larry Syverrson states that the New Handbook just created included MEETING RECORDING! Yeah!!!
Townships can use BONDS for large projects.
**Townships on site inspections dealing with OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS!
Note: (This is a handbook created in 2025 of 4000 pages this is predicting a decrease in oil revenue and production in advance to 2026 printing of recent regulated decrease of the US Secretary of Interior suggestion of the CEO, Harold Hamm, to manage US Oil.) (opinion only)
In order to receive Prairie Dog funds, township must be at 18 Mills and no more than 100k in general funds. Implying to move funds around to other funds in the township in order to be compliant.
Legislature took away Flood Plain Ordinances from Townships and gave it to the counties. This could affect the township tax receivable and control. The Legislature you voted for!!!
New Open meeting exemptions: Road inspections by Township leaders and County leaders are exempt IF there is no other staff to complete it. How hard is it to record? Where is the transparency?
1.40.00 Cities that have only a few buildings left and streets, new ordinance for dealing with them.
Township Road Safety: Townships are responsible for asking if they are safe. Gravel ridges on the side of the road discussion. Notice grass, cattails and more. Suggested procedure if you have a hazard situation. Place markers around holes. Find out why holes are happening. Signs, are they reflective enough? No rock piles on section line. Even minimum maintenance road still needs maintenance discussion. Traffic sign inventory. County signs do not go on township inventory. A bad sign is worse than no sign. If a farmer knocks down the sign with header, that would be called sign vandalism. Bridge issues and hazards discussion. Explain the inspection process is discussed. Suggestion thinks of those over 60 years of age.
Representative Robin Weisz: Legislative change the way we do funding. A new formula was introduced. Both County and Township got a higher portion of Highway funding. Funding discussion. Caution Township due to the Oil production down. Federal registration fee vehicle of $250.00 vs fined $25.00. Discussion in Washington, D.C.. Funding for Bridges was also created. Flex Fund discussion. Question: Forcing the people to use Engineers large price tags.
Representative Jon Nelson: Wells County has the best roads. Committees do not understand property values or rural background leaders. We need more to step forward. Well report for ND production and price at only 7 months in a 24-month period. ND wells are at a stripper status. They are not paying taxes at this stage of production. ND will have to watch its budget. We need you to come and explain your situation. Agriculture discussion with regulations. Wind Farms for farmers. Township regulated for 2 dogs to take people trying to raise dogs.
Jana Mogren- Tax director: We have zoning for Wind farming and data centers. Open to help Township. Contracted Township cost increase to $600.00 discussion.
Jamie Tenneson: Open meeting discussion definition of what a meeting is. AG of ND has Open meeting laws. He encourages meeting recordings of the meetings on websites. Minutes should represent your meetings and the meaning of the meeting. If you township does not have a road crew, you can inspect the roads without being subjected to opening meeting laws. Public comments in your meeting discussion. Still need to be transparent to the taxpayers. What is an open record? Meeting, conversation, email or phone. Deletion of emails once a month unless you get an open record request, then no. Open records are verbal, written or email requests. Respond in reasonable time. Charges for request fee costs estimate discussion. No cost in digital request. Watch the comments that are outer under your breath or negative comments can bring litigation.
Data Center discussion – need to be on your game with them. Make sure they do what they are supposed to do.
Tammy Roehrich – Emergency Manager: introduction only.
Dan Stutlien – Auditor: Handed out paper to townships. Discussion of equalization of townships and Ag land and its effect on taxation. 18 Mill levy. Handouts give total value to your township. General fund balance report your Mill levy and balance will determine your prairie dog grant. Dan states that having multiple funds verses keeping your money in the general funds. General fund not designated. Special funds are designated. General fund less than 100k, Road fund max. 500k. Raise mills this years primary and regular election. Commissioners need to know. Dan says your tax evaluation is YOUR SHARE of the tax burden.
Brent Keller – Road Foreman: Load Restriction started March 3rd, 2026. Update on Roads discussion.
