Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Although she resigned her position with Foster County, Emergency Manager Jess Earle intends to retain her position with Eddy County. The details of her separation with Foster County came to light over the past few weeks. As a result, both counties formally agreed to terminate the Joint Powers Agreement in place for cost sharing her salary and expenses.
Earle will now receive the same compensation and work the same hours for Eddy County as she has previously, however Eddy County will be responsible for 100 percent of the related expenses that had previously been split with Foster County. Those costs include a laptop computer, cell phone, association dues, convention and travel expenses and other indirect costs.
Eddy County State’s Attorney Ashley Lies informed the commissioners that the Quiet Title hearing on the former Mill Pump and Cheers property has been scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10. All of the parties involved have been notified and will have the opportunity to present their case. Lies said that she will be preparing the exhibits for Eddy County for the hearing.
The commission discussed maintenance needs at the county shop in Hamar. The ceiling needs to be repaired and insulation replaced. When commissioners requested estimates for having the repairs done, contractors informed them that there were issues with mouse infestation in the ceiling and insulation, contributing to concerns about Hantavirus. With that in mind, special care is required when removing any materials and conducting repairs. The commissioners will keep this item on the agenda to discuss again at a later date.
Eddy County Auditor Patty Williams informed the commissioners that it was necessary for the county to publish a Weed Cutting Notice. They discussed the language that should be included in the notice so that it would be appropriate for both county and township weed cutting. Watch the County Extra section for the official notice, which will be published for two weeks.
Williams also reported the results of the 2018 Audit that was completed by Brady Martz. The commissioners accepted the results of the audit.
Verle Marsaa submitted a request on behalf of Central North Dakota Steam Threshers (CNDSTR), asking that the county contribute $650 toward an $1,800 electrical upgrade at the fairgrounds. This is the first of a two-phase project that will remove an outdated outlet box located on the south side of the arena and install a new outlet box on the north side of the arena to make the service more accessible for usage by not only the Steam Threshers, but by other events and activities as well. The overall goal is to better organize the electrical service throughout the fairgrounds. Grant writing and fundraising activities are underway for the second phase. When complete, Eddy County and CNDSTR will both have access to adequate electrical service and will be billed separately based on their own usage.
The next meeting of the Eddy County Commission will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 8:30 a.m. with the Preliminary Budget Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 9 a.m.