March 4, 2026, Commissioners Meeting Part 3 of 3
Now the plan is to take away your vote with State’s Attorney. Listen to their plan! We lost the election of the Auditor and planned on appointment for Clerk of Court and the position of State’s Attorney. They are planning their own replacement. This is taking away ALL positions that the people should be voting for. Each time this happens, YOU are losing your rights! How many rights are you willing to give away?
Agenda:
February Regular meeting Minutes: Bills approved; balance sheet discussion approved; Wells County CD & Money Market Assets; Approval & Signatures for Bank CD”s & Investments; Correspondence- Fishing Proclamation
Commission Portfolios discussion:
- Brian M – no news
- Stan B -Jana is coming down; raising fees at Harvey from $2500.00 right now.
- Boone M – no news
- Dennis D – Brent is coming in, one blade operator down because of health, but will retire in April maybe.
- Byran L – fair board is getting stuff done for the fair; fund raising for the flooring at woman’s building.
Public comments: None
County Correspondence & Department Briefings:
- Brent Keller – Road Supervisor
- Jason Mayfield – Wold Engineering (telephonic)
- Oliver Bromke – States Attorney
- Jana Mogren – Tax Director
NDTOA meeting Follow-up: talked about raising mills & will be on next election ballot; read a letter from Rick Sucket from 19 years ago; Commissioners will be going out to meet with townships again; Piera $250/mile; Sheridan $230/mile; all townships must report general fund balances to county to report to the State; can’t have more than $100,000 in general fund.
Flood Plain Permits: WC #1 Bridge replacement Project; talked about reroute water, will they straighten the channel? Bridge will be increased to 87’ bridge from 60’ bridge.
Talked again about engineering questions on who has the road project. Next month both engineers will be here & a decision will be made; there is a question on if they have funding from state sources; will reroute on 47th Street; Questions for 6 county meetings – do they negotiate contracts; Caseley Road was talked about with Brent Keller – Grind the sides of the old gravel end of Chaseley road, narrow the road down to 26’ or 24’; reviewing priority list of roads to be done.
Jason Mayfield of Wold Engineering on Telephonic.
Talking about rerouting 47th and might remove bridge on 47th. The local government & State has been made aware of the bridge removal idea; Flex funding includes engineering - $565,000 plus $125,000 plus Total of $743,000.
Oliver Bromke, State’s Attorney:
Supreme court has one case going; wants them to make State’s Attorney office appointed; only one attorney in Wells County is the reasoning; if they make it appointed the voters will have more power (They Say: Not true); They say the State’s Attorney position must be on the ballot coming up; commissioners can put on ballot through a resolution without the people; Talked about how to address when someone is hurt & can’t do their job, what resources do they have; North Dakota is an AT WILL Employment State. UNDER ELECTIONS, THEY CAN BE REMOVED BY RECALL ALSO. THERE IS NO MORE ADVANTAGE TO AT WILL EMPLOYMENT REMOVAL EXCEPT FOR THE COMMISSIONERS. Research both and you decide.
Jana Mogren, WC Tax Director:
Assessors’ fees for township will be RAISED. Along will the cities. $600.00 for townships from $400.00; Hamburg & Cathay; They will increase maintenance fees as well; talking about doubling the fees; Bryon talks about VANGUARDS coming in to do the re-evaluations; $2.50 to $3.00 parcel charge; $15.00 for maintenance; They will be evaluating yearly??????
Fees will work off 2026 totals; $3.00/ parcels charges; Sidwell was called in to re-evaluate AG LAND; this would be implemented in 2027 if approved; Township boards are where changes come from not FSA maps; VANGUARD is budgeted into tax directors budget; Sidwell hired to update land use & soil layers; as of today’s number tax value $44…..???
Resignation – Renae Heintz, WC Deputy Auditor: Dan will take over her job
Road & Bridge Proposed Ballot Language: Motion to appear on ballot in June; they can’t use the money to just spend a bunch of money
State’s Attorney ballot measure too.
WC Assessor Fees
WC Long-Term Planning: Went over the document; they want the projects like windmills, storage facilities and data centers in Wells County. They want to seek out someone to put a data center in the county; where cuts can be made; accepting long- term planning.
Six-County Meeting – Tuesday, March 10th, 10am Steele (Kidder Co.)
WC April Commission Meeting Tuesday April 7, 2026, 8am
WC Department Meeting – Thursday, April 16th, 2026 1pm
and more!!!!!!
