Ballot question on hold... for now

A question for the 2024 election ballot was discussed at the Foster County Commission meeting last week, but tabled for more information.

During the meeting held on Tuesday, February 20 commissioner Becky Hagel told the board she thinks they should have a very clear picture of township reimbursements for road maintenance as well as state funding, the cost of the blade, blade operator wages, gas, etc. so they know exactly how many mills to ask for on the ballot.

Currently, 10 mills for farm to market funds are due to expire in 2025, along with two other mills for road maintenance.

In other business:

• At the last commission meeting, Sheriff Justin Johnson asked the board for a wage increase since he is the only law enforcement officer for the county.

After meeting with the county HR Committee, Hagel told the board they agreed to a wage increase of $5,400 annually.

Hagel said the sheriff is currently at grade 17 and the auditor is at grade 19.

"Typically the sheriff is above the auditor," said Hagel.

With this wage increase, Johnson will step up to a grade 20 step 3 which will put his wages at $38.22 per hour. Motion passed.

• Chris Thomas of EAPC Architects and Engineers attended the meeting via phone with a building update.

Thomas said the construction is on schedule and the records in the east vaults have been moved to storage including 22 totes and two pallets of records.

He also reported that the vaults will need new shelving which will take about a month to complete, then records can be moved back into the vaults.

• Ethan Stangeland had the winning bid of $1,800 for lots 4,5,6 & 7 in the city of Juanita.

• The board accepted the bid for a Catepillar 150 new motor grader from Butler Machinery.

• Commission chairman David Utke reported to the board that the county needs to have an LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) meeting to meet state requirements.