Ambulance building: Should county keep paying for repairs?

Suggestions for how to handle the ambulance building situation came up at the Foster County Commission meeting last week, with all commission members agreeing.

During the meeting held on Tuesday, June 21, commissioner David Utke asked the board for guidance about what to discuss at the next ambulance board meeting, as it falls just before the next commission meeting.

While the commission knows it cannot sell the building outright to the ambulance board and the roof, heating and cooling has been replaced recently, commissioner Scott Beumer suggested they continue to lease the building to the ambulance board for $1 per year and have them take over the maintenance of the building with the county maintaining the heating, cooling, roof and outside of the building.

Utke said he will bring that up at next month’s ambulance meeting.

In other business:

• The commission discussed the assessment agreement they have with the City of Carrington.

Originally, the commission asked for $15,000 for Foster County Tax Equalization Director Karen Evans to help the new city assessor get up to speed, but the city asked to pay $7,500 with the county agreeing to that figure.

Now the county is going back to their $15,000 original fee for Evans’ assistance with the city assessor. Motion passed.

Commissioner Becky Hagel reported that many years ago, the county townships used to pay the county $150 for the use of the county’s assessor. The commission discussed charging those townships who have no certified assessor.

• Foster County Road Superintendent Nate Monson reported that the shop in Glenfield has wind damage.

He said he will replace the fascia and ridge cap on the roof.

• Hagel said they have two interviews for the emergency manager position. She asked the commission if they would agree to an agreement with Nexus Professional Services to handle the emergency management position if they don’t hire anyone. All agreed.

• The commission heard from Foster County Public Health Nurse Lisa Hilbert who attended the meeting to ask for approval to accept grants from the state/federal government.

She said they would received $4,600 for the tobacco cessation grant; $1,527 for a grant to increase immunization rates; $1,050 for emergency preparedness and $2,770 for emergency preparedness and response. Motion passed to accept the grants.

• Hilbert also reported that the public health office recently received an award for Foster County having the highest immunization rate in their certain category.

• The commission heard from emergency manager Aaron Devereaux, who presented an agreement with state radio that must be updated every two years.

• Hagel spoke to the commission about NDPHIT. She explained how the program works. That it is a member owned health insurance. No action was taken.

• Utke said the new FirstNet cell phones have been received and are being programmed.

• Commissioner Alan Scanson suggested the commission send a letter to the Foster County Soil Conservation District, thanking them for the trees and for planting them.

• The commission agreed to send a letter to all county townships along with the minutes of the last meeting defining the county’s culvert policy.

• Foster County Interim Auditor Ellen Roundy asked the commission to approve her new deputy’s signature card, payroll FOB and bank access. Motion passed.

• Foster County Sheriff Justin Johnson asked for his new part-time casual deputy be paid wages more than starting salary due to his previous experience. Motion passed.