County issues drought emergency declaration

As expected, the Eddy County Commission issued a Drought Emergency Declaration Tuesday. The declaration comes as conditions worsen across the area.

Eddy County Emergency Manager Lisa Thompson drafted the document to make it possible for the county to allocate local emergency funds for drought relief measures as necessary, and also open up the county to potential federal aid should a disaster be declared by the federal government.

"North Dakota producers continue to face unprecedented drought conditions that are devastating crops, decimating livestock herds and destroying billions of dollars in value on farms and ranches that have been built over generations," Governor Doug Burgum said Friday, July 30. As chair of the State Water Commission, he announced two new water supply programs and allocated an additional $2 million to the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project Assistance Program to help farmers and ranchers battling North Dakota's worst drought conditions in at least 30 years.

The county's full declaration is published on page A2.

Commissioners spent the remainder of the meeting reviewing the last department budget proposals for 2022. Eddy-New Rockford Library board president Merita Aldayel presented her report, along with a request for one mill, the maximum authorized. She reminded patrons that the middle school fiction area has been upgraded with many new titles, and that the conference room is again available at no cost for meetings. An infographic that details usage at the library can be found on page A7.

CASNR Business Manager Tiffany Harr reported that the ambulance building loan will be paid off in 2022, which will have a positive impact on their budget in future years. CASNR is requesting five mills for 2022, although they are authorized to receive up to 10 mills. They are writing a FEMA grant for a new ambulance, and continue to set aside $30,000 each year towards the purchase of that vehicle.

Eddy County Sheriff Paul Lies said that since he didn't spend money on equipment in 2020 due to COVID-19, he has plans to make some purchases next year. Ballistics helmets and body bunkers, both used in active shooter situations, are on the short list, using money obtained through forfeiture of seized assets.

It's also time to replace one of the vehicles, which will either be the white Charger or the Expedition. He allocated enough funds to purchase a replacement for the Expedition, but may instead buy a new Charger due to mechanical issues with the current one. Once the replacement arrives, he plans to sell the current vehicle at a state auction.

The police contracts with the cities of New Rockford and Sheyenne were also discussed.

"(City commissioners) are concerned about the contract going up all the time," Lies said.

"We gotta add a little extra, more than just enough to cover costs," Gehrtz replied.

"We do spend a significant amount of time on calls in Sheyenne," Lies noted. When adjusted for population size, the call numbers are disproportionately higher in Sheyenne, according to Lies.

After further discussion about the rising costs of jail keep and 911 services through Lake Region Law Enforcement Center, the commission decided to request a two percent increase from New Rockford and one percent from Sheyenne.

Neither the water resources board or weed board will receive any mill levy payments in 2022, due to the balances available in their accounts. Both have adequate funds to operate for the year without levying any additional taxes.

All the department budget requests were approved, and commissioners voted to approve the preliminary budget for 2022. The total proposed tax levy for the county is 97.13 mills, an increase of 5.15 mills from last year. Commissioners propose to raise the general fund levy to 60 mills, the maximum allowed by state law. One mill will be worth $15,505, reflecting a slight jump from $15,176 in 2021.

The county budget hearing is set for Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 8:30 a.m.