January 20, 2026, Wells Co. Commissioners, Part 2 of 3

Part 2

Sheriff department and 5 deputies discussion

Planning of positions cross knowledge in the following positions:

• Auditor, Recorder and Ext. Agent

Road Dept:  Down 1 person but working well, maybe keep it that way.

Recorder position advertises in August or September 2026.

Capital Improvement discussions

• KTL Roof, Festival Hall, Courthouse (foundation is crumbling says Dan), Shops for the blades (Do we need them all)
• Chip Sealing: Is it worth the cost? Save $100,000/yr
• Crack Sealing discussion

Create Revenue

• Levies as option
• Could County add levies to Waterboard but use elsewhere?
• Charge for Dan's services for information requested of him from Township and others
• Facility concerns revisited. Keep all the same for now.
• county needs to tell townships, we have the right to not blade a road if it is not in good condition. (cut back on roads)

January 20, 2026, Wells Co. Commissioners, Part 1 of 3

Part 1

• Long Term Planning
• Starts out strong with Lautt stating he did not complete his form because we need to fix the Chaseley Road.
• Options: Ripper the road
• Trusted Voucher: how does it work; purchase agreement for planned purchases procedure
• Lautt states, we represent the people
• Drainage ditch was brought up by Boone, not getting fixed along with Street signs and bridges not marked.
• Discussion on Hwy 70 & 71.
• Bremen Drainage ditch
• Boone: Investment discussion on delaying repairs each year can cost up to 20% more; how does that make sense to hold in investments at 4%. Does the interest justify the increase cost?
• Flex Foundation discussion of 20% County cost.
• Bridge inspection:  Is a 2nd opinion an option?  DOT Rules, yet county bridges.
• Trucks Speed damages roads:  What is the solution?
• 2026 Budget is due at end of February of 2026

Staff discussions

1. Where to make cuts
2. Position coverage
3. Do we keep our Service or downsize?
4.  Brainstorming on staff

Cut Fairground budget

Lower population or not services demand to keep the same or not

   Road Department

change the number of miles that are bladed

   -School bus & Mail Route

   -cut 1 blade

   -need to update Road Equipment/ more cost to deal with

Mill Levies discussion which resulted in passed motion of raising from 14 to 24.  Raised by 10 mills.  Goes on ballot to see results.

First Step then to increase 10 mills

 -Do not specify what these 10 mills is for, could say it for maintains of service we already have.  

NO WIND PROJECTS: Does not look like this will happen.

Human Resources & Equipment Expenses

   Commercial valuation & residential valuation for Mill Levy discussion

Rate is between 90 to 100:  Last balance mentioned was 97 as a board consensus.

Stan tells the board that he personally told Janet to raise it from 97 to 99 one day and no one at the table knew that he did it or about it.

Residential Farms assessments are low and could raise them.

January 13, 2026, Wells County Waterboard Meeting, Part 1 of 2

Old Business

Hurdsfield Project:  ND Dept. of environmental Quality attended offering the possibility of ordering a new probe.  Discussion of problems and solutions were offered in the meeting.

• Unauthorized Dam complaint - Thompson v Roller
• Flow and concentrate is the hot topic of the sulfate ratio
• Roller dike, State, Federal adapted levels regulations
• 55th Avenue Crossing Updates
• Pipe needs to be measured 35x24 need to be

New Business

• Reorganized board for 2026
• Clean out in SE 4 29-148-70 (No easement)
• Farming through assessed drains
• Training
• Mileage: 725
• 2026 Salaries (Patrick & Tammy) - Tammy increase $100/month, Pat increased mileage and $2/hr.

Bills

• Apex Engineering
• Rinke-Noonan: $6,217.50; General $597.50; Drain $5,620.00
• Smith Porsborg Schweigert Armstrong Modenhauher & Smith: $397.82
• Kevin's Landscaping:  $1200.00
• Office Depot: $135.69
• Schimelfenig construction $56,745.00; Oak Creek and Drain #1million

January 13, 2026, Wells County Waterboard Meeting, Part 2 of 2

Old Business

Hurdsfield Project:  ND Dept. of environmental Quality attended offering the possibility of ordering a new probe.  Discussion of problems and solutions were offered in the meeting.

• Unauthorized Dam complaint - Thompson v Roller
• Flow and concentrate is the hot topic of the sulfate ratio
• Roller dike, State, Federal adapted levels regulations
• 55th Avenue Crossing Updates
• Pipe needs to be measured 35x24 need to be

New Business

• Reorganized board for 2026
• Clean out in SE 4 29-148-70 (No easement)
• Farming through assessed drains
• Training
• Mileage: 725
• 2026 Salaries (Patrick & Tammy) - Tammy increase $100/month, Pat increased mileage and $2/hr.

Bills

• Apex Engineering
• Rinke-Noonan: $6,217.50; General $597.50; Drain $5,620.00
• Smith Porsborg Schweigert Armstrong Modenhauher & Smith: $397.82
• Kevin's Landscaping:  $1200.00
• Office Depot: $135.69
• Schimelfenig construction $56,745.00; Oak Creek and Drain #1million

January 9, 2026, Wells County Commissioners Special Mtg.

The Commissioners of Wells County called a Special Meeting on January 9, 2026 by Telephonic venue.

Discussion: Wells County bills: unable to cover bills at regular meeting because the 2026 software wasn't loaded yet and it was a process to complete.

a. Butler Machine -
b. Assessor Responsibilities - Duties includes fee $150 township & $200 Cities Motion on fee; $150 township & $250 Cities. Motion Passed. Contract of $400.00 - Load numbers for value for each township. January 20th, 2026, @ 8am for long term planning. Question: do townships that went on their own know they must have these valuations?

2026-01-06 Wells County Commissioners Part 3 of 3

Commissioners just doing their thing! Data Center is the topic and more.
Township increase cost share with removal of road maintenance.
100.00 per mile to 300.00 per mile.
Move mailboxes and close roads.
Raise Mill Levies and more!