Lake Washington road work slated to begin Sept. 4 (Eddy County Commission)

After a long wait, Eddy County has been granted an Interim Special Use Permit by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as they await final paperwork to be completed by the regional office. The permit will allow work to begin on the Lake Washington Road Project CNOC-1427(058), according to Stacy Whipp of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The permit was signed by the Eddy County Commission at the Pre-Construction meeting with Interstate Engineering and Harvey Sand & Gravel on Tuesday, August 7, held in conjunction with the commission’s regular meeting. In addition to the Eddy County Commission, the meeting was attended by Stacy Whipp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Ben Aaseth, Interstate Engineering; Susan Shearer and Todd Weber of Harvey Sand & Gravel; and Travis Peterson, Eddy County State’s Attorney.

Aaseth reviewed the requirements of various governmental agencies and for the construction company for the project, prior to the beginning of construction. Harvey Sand & Gravel provided the written certifications required. Other topics of discussion included the list of sub-contractors that would be used on the project, along with the locations of where the gravel will originate from and where they will dispose of any aggregate. In addition, gravel hauling routes for the project were discussed along with native grass seeding and lawn care provisions.

Harvey Sand & Gravel said they were ready to begin construction Sept. 4. Interstate Engineering will survey and mark the area, as requested by Weber. Both Aaseth and Whipp will meet onsite with Weber the first week of September. Aaseth received a contractor schedule from Harvey Sand & Gravel. Weber told the commissioners that prep work had begun for the project.

Other business covered by the commission included a reminder about the visit of the President of the Association of Counties on Aug. 9. The Joint Powers Agreement between Foster and Eddy County for the Emergency Manager position was approved. Eddy County State’s Attorney Travis Peterson had reviewed the agreement and found it to be in order. Foster County will sign it and forward to Eddy County.

The remaining budgets were discussed and approved. Allen McKay, representing Lake Region District Health, explained their budget to the commissioners. The health unit budget has increased somewhat this year as they have been working to bring their employee wages closer to market value. McKay also told commissioners that the health unit has a meeting planned. Employees have been asked to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses for topics of discussion and strategy planning. He also spoke about a planned meeting with area legislators, as there is a need for legislators to understand the role and needs of public health. McKay said he speaks frequently with local legislators and travels to testify before the Legislature.

Other budgets reviewed included the courthouse building and grounds budget, which saw a large increase as they budgeted for a new elevator to replace the failing and obsolete elevator being used now. The Capital Projects for Law Enforcement budget (which includes jailkeep) also showed a projected increase. The senior citizen budget remained about the same, and the ambulance budget increased to 4 mills for the 2019 budget. The Community Ambulance Service has also requested to be on the ballot in November to request an increase to 10 mills for the 2020 budget, because there are fewer and fewer grants available to community ambulance services.

The preliminary budget was approved and the public budget meeting has been set for Oct. 2 at 10 a.m.

New business for the commission included the approval of the Brady Martz 2017 Audit Report. The commission also approved the appointment of Fern Schuster to the Eddy County Housing Board to fill the vacancy left with the death of DeVon Allmaras. This appointment will continue through December 2022.

Calvin Packard reported on the work currently being done at the airport following the loss of the hangar in the July 8 windstorm. The airport has received a check from the insurance company and are in discussion with engineers on rebuilding. He told the commissioners that the airport seeks funding from the county, approximately 2-3 mills. Commissioner Glenda Collier explained that typically city entities do not receive funding through county mills. The commissioners encouraged the airport to discuss other options with Eddy County State’s Attorney Travis Peterson. One of the possibilities they discussed was restructuring the airport like the library (which is a joint city-county entity), which would allow the airport to receive funding from the county. However, the restructure would need to be approved by a vote in both the City of New Rockford and Eddy County, and it is too late to be added to the ballot for the November election.

Peterson informed the commissioners that he is still looking into the Mill Pump and Cheers situation and explained some of the issues before the Water Board at this time. A culvert has been placed near the Eddy County-Nelson County line, with four more culverts placed at Kittelson Crossing which you can see as you travel U.S. Highway 281. He told the commissioners he is also awaiting the outcome of the Rosefield Dam and Spillway lawsuit, which is in the hands of the attorneys who are handling the dispute.

In other business, Levi Duda asked the commission to add his electrical business to the list of businesses the county can use, and they will do that. Commissioner Neal Rud also commented that the work after the storm has almost been completed.

The next regular meeting of the Eddy County Commission will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 8:30 a.m.