The Polk County Board of Commissioners met this morning inside the Polk County Government Center. They heard from Polk County Administrator Chuck Whiting, Polk County Highway Engineer Richard Sanders, Karen Warmack of Social Services, and Michelle Cote of Property Records.
The board began with an Issue Forum to Designate the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) Voting Delegate and Alternative option. The 2021 Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, December 6, in Bloomington, Minnesota, and an election will be held for two seats on the MCIT Board of Directors. The board voted to have Don Diedrich as the Voting Delegate and Joan Lee as the alternative.
CHUCK WHITING
Polk County Administrator Chuck Whiting had a few topics for discussion, with a big one being a 2022 Budget Status update. “We’re starting to get down to the later stages of the budget, so we are trying to close on it,” said Whiting. “The board does seem to be comfortable getting the tax levy under the 4.6%, which is what we initially set it at, and it will probably be closer to around 3.5%. We are sitting well right now; we just have to clarify a few more specifics as we get it ready for the truth in taxation hearing.”
The “Truth in Taxation” hearing will take place on December 14, at 6:00 p.m., inside the Polk County Government Center.
Whiting also updated the board on the American Relief Program Status. “Crookston and East Grand Forks have both contacted us and said they have ways they could potentially use the money,” said Whiting. “There are a variety of options and needs, and there is criteria that we have for how we can use it. We should be able to get some stuff decided as it’s relevant for our 2022 budget, and then will deal with the rest of it beginning in the new year.”
Lastly, Whiting sought approval on behalf of Polk County Public Health Director Sarah Reese for a Medical Consultant Contract with Altru Clinic’s Dr. Andres Makarem. The board approved the request.
RICHARD SANDERS
Polk County Engineer Richard Sanders brought forth a resolution for the board to approve that would make Polk County a legal sponsor for a DNR Trail Assistance Program in 2022. “Polk County owns a couple of ATV trails from Crookston to Fertile and Beltrami to South of the county line,” said Sanders. “Every year, we apply for grants through the Minnesota DNR to maintain those trails. So, this resolution allows Polk County to be the financer of those trails for the upcoming year.”
The application has been submitted to the DNR, and the board approved the request.
The second item Sanders had was requesting the board’s action to reduce the retainage on SAP 060-657-004 from 5% to 1%. The reduction was requested by Knife River Materials now that all construction on the project has been completed. 1% withholding will remain as there is some concern about seed growth in a few yard areas. The board approved the request.
KAREN WARMACK
Karen Warmack of Social Services had three items she was seeking approval on; the first was a TRIMIN Systems Agreement approval. The agreement is in the amount of $1,230 for TRIMIN to provide their services to Polk County for 2022. The second item was a Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Transportation and Senior Companion Contract approval. The contract allows elderly residents in Polk County to receive transportation services from Tri-Valley and provided caring through a companion program. The last item Warmack had was a Contract Approval for a Tri-County Community Corrections Transitions Program. The program works with youth at risk of out-of-home placement for $21 daily per client.
The board approved all three of Warmack’s requests.
MICHELLE COTE
Michelle Cote of Property Records then had a few items she needed board approval on. The first was a Resolution to give St. Joseph Catholic Church of Fertile a gambling permit for a raffle. The board approved the request. The next item was a resolution authorizing the sale of a real property to Robert Tiedemann, which the board approved.
The third item was a Recorder Compliance Certification. No action was needed as Cote was informing the board that the Polk County Recorder for 2020 was compliant and in accordance with Minnesota Statute.
The next item was previewing the redistricting for the upcoming 2022 election. “Every 00 year, we have a redistricting, so this upcoming election year in 2022, we will have redistricting in place from 2020,” said Cote. “Commissioner Districts two and four are up for re-election this cycle, and with the redistricting process, others could potentially land on the ballot as well, depending on where the lines are drawn. As the cities make changes in their district, it impacts our districts. So once the cities are done with their plans, we will finalize our plans, and that will determine if any of the other commissioners will also land on the ballot for 2022.”
Cote said there have been times where all five commissioners have landed on the ballot in a redistricting year. The deadline for the County to finalize its redistricting is April 26. No action was needed from the board as the item was informational.
The last item Cote had was an IDOC Market Subscription Fee. IDOC Market is used for people who want to view Polk County records. Two plans are currently offered, limited and unlimited, and Cote proposed combining the two into one subscription that would cost anywhere from $50 to $150 based on monthly usage. The board approved the new subscription fee plan, and the new plan will be effective in January of 2022.
CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda included approving Commissioner warrants and payments to US Bank, St. Louis, MO, in the amount of $84,431.24 for procurement card purchases. The board approved both Consent items unanimously.
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 23, back inside the Polk County Government Center.
