October 7, 2026, Budget Wells Co. Part 1 of 4
Wells County Commissioners’ Budget meeting
10-07-26
WC District Health: Requesting money $45,000.00
Additions to agenda: Road haul agreements with townships for hauling gravel; fair board – tiling for building new floor; Sept. Meeting minutes approved, Reg meeting, Special Meeting interviews approved, special meeting approved; Well pipe is filled with cement asked.
Bills: approved; Balance sheet – not enough money to pay bills because of cuts – Dan says. (what about the 10 million in CD, Markets and etc.. how can you cut to save us but not enough money. Do we need an third party audit?)
County agent: want to change some coding.
Pledged Securities
Correspondence: NDDOT – unsafe railroad crossing, safety updates; Court improvement grant is available; Garrison Division budget was sent; State Fair delegate; NDACo conferences; Road Reroute project; Harvey transfer station; public comment is allowed; Harvey landfill.
Portfolios
Boon Maxwell: Sheriff; Stan Buxa: Jana; Brian Miller: Recorder – Lexi accepted the job; Dennis Dockter: Road Dept. – Kerry & Tim; Brian Lautt: Fair Board ditch dug.
WC Road Dept.: Kerry Schmike & Tim Buchwitz; 71 will most likely have millings due need repairs; 3 machines have warranty expiring; John Deere will be contacting the Commissioners; Cat warranty will be up soon; all drivers need to take defensive driving course; Mike Neumiller is willing to help county with CDL certification
Routes are being worked on; Dennis & Boone are contacts for road department; Chaseley road needs to be relayed; Heaton Road needs work, Heimdahl; Chaseley & Bowdon in 2028; oil tank needs repair, electrician due to burner out; Shipley out of Steele might be electrician; Checking on cost for chip sealing next year; Road agreement from Johnson pit.
WC Sheriff Kluth
2014 pickup repair engine; ban transmission in 2019 chevy; replace the pickup with a 2017;
Brent Keller: thanked the Commissioners for his years with the county.
General Election 2026
3 voting centers; all people in place; testing will be done and Dan is sure not issues found; Nov. 16th is canvassing.
Resignation letter from Brent Keller
WC Recorders position & Staffing: Alexa LaPlant will be the Recorder and Connie Loen will be new deputy recorder at 40% time & 60% time in extension office.
Road Dept. Equipment: Scott Mann – John Deere machines and more equipment issues discussed. Dan wants 7 year plans up to 8 years; new blade $480,000 for new. Butler Lowell Maland trade or new grater.
WC States Attorney: Supreme Court reversed decision on one of his trials and they need to do it again. Other cases discussed. Kidder county is looking for State’s attorney & Bromke was asked. (If he fails on current Wells Co cases, Why are we farming him out without financial benefits to Wells Co People? This is how he started with McHenry and helping Benson and WC flip the bill for benefits all by ourselves and his wage)
Sheriff Department Vehicle discussion
Wells County Budget PowerPoint 2027
Dan was upset with no show to planned budget meeting. Health department has been a hug expense. (Watch where Dan leads the Commissioners to go)
