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MINUTES & AGENDAS

February, 2008

Commissioner Proceedings

February 12, 2008

The Lake of the Woods County Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 12, 2008, in the Commissioners’ Room in the Lake of the Woods County Government Center with the following members present:  Commissioners Bredeson, Patty Beckel, Todd Beckel, Arnesen and Moorman.  Also present were: County Auditor John W. Hoscheid, Wade Johannesen, John Oren and Penny Mio Hirst. Chairman Bredeson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Bredeson to approve the agenda as presented.  Seconded by Commissioner Todd Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to approve the consent agenda as follows: travel for Hollly House to Brooklyn Park on March 10th – 13th to attend the annual HSEM Governor’s Conference and Jodi Ferrier and Joel Hopps to Duluth on February 25th – 28th for Child Sexual Abuse Interviewing Training. Seconded by Commissioner Patty Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.  Tim Aery and Jodi Bauers travel to Baxter, MN on March 10th – 13th for Aggregate Production Training was tabled until later in the meeting.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to approve the minutes of January 22, 2008.  Seconded by Commissioner Patty Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler met with the board requesting approval of claims.

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen to approve the claims against the county as follows:

Commissioners’ Warrants       $24,254.83

Seconded by Commissioner Todd Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler presented the following contracts for approval:

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to approve the contract between MeritCare/Northwest Medical Center and Lake of the Woods County Social Services for 2008, for the provision of emergency mental health services, and to authorize Chairman Kim Bredeson and Lake of the Woods County Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler, to sign.  Seconded by Commissioner Moorman and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman to approve the contract between LakeWood Health Center and Lake of the Woods County Social Services for 2008, for the provision of homemaker services, respite care services, companion services and personal care services and to authorize Chairman Kim Bredeson and Lake of the Woods County Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler to sign.  Seconded by Commissioner Patty Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Patty Beckel to approve the contract between LakeWood Health Center and Lake of the Woods County Social Services for 2008, for the provision of skilled nursing services, home health aide services, and in-service education and to authorize Chairman Kim Bredeson and Lake of the Woods County Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler to sign.  Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen to approve the contract between LakeWood Health Center and Lake of the Woods County Social Services for 2008, for the provision of long term care consultation, skilled nursing services, RN supervision for personal care assistants, homemaker, home health aide, and personal care assistant services, and public health nurse case management services for the waivered programs, and to authorize Chairman Kim Bredeson and Lake of the Woods County Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler to sign.  Seconded by Commissioner Todd Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel approve the contract between LakeWood Health Center and Lake of the Woods County Social Services for 2008, for the provision of housing with services for Alternative Care, Elderly Waiver, and Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals programs, and to authorize Chairman Kim Bredeson and Lake of the Woods County Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler, to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Moorman and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman to approve the contract between LakeWood Health Center and Lake of the Woods County Social Services for 2008, for the provision of respite care services, companion services and caregiver training and educations services for the waivered programs, and to authorize Chairman Kim Bredeson and Lake of the Woods County Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler to sign.  Seconded by Commissioner Patty Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Patty Beckel to approve the contract between LakeWood Health Center and Lake of the Woods County Social Services for 2008, for the provision of medication management and medication education for eligible Community Support Program consumers, and to authorize Chairman Kim Bredeson and Lake of the Woods County Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote was unanimously carried. 

County Auditor, John W. Hoscheid met with the board requesting approval of claims.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to approve the claims against the county as follows:

                                                Revenue                      $          149,053.85

                                                Road & Bridge           $             32,581.50

                                                County Development  $               5,478.00

                                                Solid Waste                 $             27,152.85$214,266.20

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

WARRANTS APPROVED ON  2/12/2008 FOR PAYMENT  2/15/2008

      AMOUNT   VENDOR NAME                                                 AMOUNT   VENDOR NAME

          418.30 AMERI PRIDE LINEN & APPAREL SE                   3236.01 ANDY’S GARAGE, INC.

        1175.91 AUTO VALUE                                                          1552.34 BAUDETTE REGION

          341.78 CANON FINANCIAL SERVICES                              3749.93 CERES EQUIPMENT INC

        2767.17 CO-OP SERVICES, INC.                                           1310.82 CUSTOM AUTOBODY AND REPAIR

        4979.80 CUTLER-MAGNER COMPANY                               4235.16 DELL MARKETING, LP

          377.00 DEPUTY REGISTRAR NO.75                                     802.78 DLT SOLUTIONS, INC

        2090.64 GRAINGER, INC                                                         637.81 RON HILDEBRANDT

        2462.00 HOFFMAN, DALE, & SWENSON, PLLC                 1437.21 HOLTE IMPLEMENT, INC

        2439.06 HOWARD’S OIL COMPANY                                    6132.00 IBM CORPORATION

        8801.95 INFORMATION SYSTEMS CORPORATIO              1011.07 LAKE OF THE WOODS FOODS

        6058.53 LAKES GAS CO.                                                       1126.79 LAKEWOOD HEALTH CENTER

          651.97 LOW HIGHWAY DEPT                                          89714.00 LOW SOIL & WATER CONS. DIST.

          596.28 LOW TRANSFER INC                                             11451.15 MAR-KIT LANDFILL

        1056.69 MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL                                 765.00 MN ASSN COUNTY OFFICES-MACO

        2980.44 MN COUNTIES COMPUTER CO-OP                        2135.00 MN RURAL COUNTIES CAUCUS

        1740.43 KENNETH MOORMAN                                              490.87 MORT’S HEATING INC

          445.90 PELLAND WELDING INC                                       2219.68 POWERPLAN

        2421.98 R & Q TRUCKING, INC                                            4047.00 RANGE WATER CONDITIONING

          894.39 RECOVERY SYSTEMS CO, INC.                             4000.00 RESERVE ACCOUNT

        2405.77 ROGER’S TWO WAY RADIO, INC                           1489.50 RODERICK RONE JR

        1789.20 SOFTWARE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL,                 5000.00 ST. LOUIS COUNTY AUDITOR

          314.00 SURVEILLANCE VIDEO                                         9000.00 T & M SALES  DBA

          391.29 T R JOBBING                                                              600.00 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-MANKAT

          394.33 US FOOD SERVICE                                                  1111.33 WIDSETH SMITH NOLTING&ASST INC

        3171.18 WOODY’S SERVICE

50 PAYMENTS LESS THAN  $300       5,844.76

FINAL TOTAL    $214,266.20

Further moved to authorize the payment of auditor’s warrants as follows:

                                                January 22, 2008         $              2,903.90

                                                January 29, 2008         $            85,907.06

                                                February 1, 2008         $            49,464.82

                                                February 5, 2008         $              5,384.92

Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Maintenance Supervisor, Matt Mickelson met with the board requesting authorization to repair the garage doors at the Government Center North Building in the bid amount of $950.00 and authorizing Baudette Builders Inc. to do the work.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to authorize repair to the Government Center North building garage door at the bid amount of $950.00 and authorize Baudette Builders Inc to do the work.   Seconded by Commissioner Patty Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

County Auditor, John W Hoscheid presented a bill for county membership with the MN Heartland Tourism Association and requested direction from the county board.

Motion was made by Commissioner Patty Beckel to renew the counties membership with Minnesota Heartland Tourism Association for 2008, in the amount of $250.00.  Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

County Auditor, John W Hoscheid reviewed information on the adoption of rules relating to drainage projects impacting state-owned lands in the Consolidated Conservation Areas.

County Auditor, John W Hoscheid reviewed the aggregate tax report as of the end of the year 2007.

County Auditor, John W Hoscheid presented information on the 2008 Legislative Conference on April 9-10, 2008.

County Auditor, John W Hoscheid gave a committee update from the County TV committee meeting.

County Sheriff, Dallas Block met with the board regarding a carbon monoxide ordinance.  Dallas is going to meet with the Tourism Bureau to discuss a carbon monoxide ordinance which includes placing monitors in all over night commercial fish houses.

Emergency Management Director, Holly House gave an update on office related activities. She discussed a statewide goal of creating system communication interoperability including regional radio board background information to the County Board.  She requested permission to place an article in the newspaper as a public service notice regarding this information.  

MIS Director, Brent Birkeland met with the board and gave an update on the phone policy and inventory. Brent stated that the over all cost has decreased and is optimistic that costs will be further reduced in the coming months.  He mentioned an additional advantage is that the county now has only one invoice to process. Brent discussed landline phone history, possible alternatives and strategies to upgrade the existing communication system. It was the consensus of the County Board to request Brent to formulate a plan describing the various types of phones, cost and usage.  He was further directed to present this plan to the Lake of the Woods County Board.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to re-route a snowmobile trail using a minimum maintenance road and to authorize Public Works Director, Bruce Hasbargen to sign the agreement.  Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was carried unanimously.

Public Works Director, Bruce Hasbargen updated the board on a garage door at the County Landfill.

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen to upgrade a garage door at the County Landfill.  Seconded by Commissioner Patty Beckel and the same being put to a vote carried as follows:  In favor: Commissioners Arnesen, Moorman and Patty Beckel; Against:  Commissioners Todd Beckel and Bredeson.

Public Works Director, Bruce Hasbargen presented a beaver management policy for approval.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to approve an updated Beaver Management Policy as presented by the Public Works Director.  Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen to approve the remaining consent agenda for travel for Tim Aery and Jodi Bauers to go to Baxter, MN on March 10th – 13th for Aggregate Production Training.  Seconded by Commissioner Moorman and the same being put to a vote carried as follows:  In favor:  Commissioners Arnesen, Moorman, Patty Beckel and Bredeson; Against:  Commissioner Todd Beckel.

Public Works Director, Bruce Hasbargen requested permission to advertise and hire seasonal help for the upcoming season.

Motion was made by Commissioner Patty Beckel to authorize the County Public Works Director to hire the following seasonal help and to advertise for same:

  • Intermediate Equipment Operators
  • Engineering Technician/Laborers

Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Public Works Director, Bruce Hasbargen updated the board on gravel crushing options at the Northwest Angle.

The following resolution was proposed by Commissioner Moorman and moved for adoption:

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING

COMPREHENSIVE ROAD AND TRANSIT FUNDING

Resolution Number   2008-02-01

WHEREAS, all Minnesota communities benefit from a sound, efficient and adequately funded transportation system that offers diverse modes of travel; and

WHEREAS, the integrity of Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure is dependent upon long-term planning and ongoing maintenance, both of which require dedicated and sustainable revenue sources; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota leaders have not increased dedicated funding levels for roads, bridges and transit systems to keep pace with growing costs and changing needs; and

WHEREAS, transportation analysts in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) estimate Minnesota will have to invest an additional $1.5 billion per year in transportation infrastructure for the next ten years in order to meet identified needs on Minnesota’s state highways and bridges, county roads, city streets, metro and rural transit systems and local bridges; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota’s transportation system is failing to meet the capacity needs necessary to sustain population growth and promote economic development; and

WHEREAS, congestion, inefficient transportation systems and lack of transportation choices lead to greater dependence on foreign oil, increased environmental degradation, and economic disadvantages for Minnesota’s businesses and residents; and

WHEREAS, many rural roads are not built to modern safety standards and are not meeting the needs of industries that depend on the ability to transport heavy loads; and

WHEREAS, local cost participation requirements for trunk highways are contributing to strains on county budgets; and

WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs significantly contribute to rising property taxes; and

WHEREAS, insufficient state funding has delayed regionally significant road construction and reconstruction projects across Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, current funding for roads, bridges and transit systems across all government levels in Minnesota is inadequate, and this under-investment diminishes quality of life for Minnesota residents and hinders Minnesota’s progress as a national business, economic and civic leader.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE BOARD OF LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY requests that the Minnesota Legislature pass a comprehensive and balanced transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for transportation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THE BOARD OF  LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY  requests that Governor Tim Pawlenty allow a comprehensive and balanced transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for transportation that is passed by the Legislature to become law; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY that a comprehensive and balanced transportation funding package be based upon multiple revenue sources, which may include but not limited to the following:

  • An increase in the gas tax;
  • Indexing of the gas tax to the Consumer Price Index
  • Increases in vehicle registration taxes (a.k.a. license tab fees);
  • Trunk highway bonding
  • General obligation bonding for local roads and bridges
  • ½ percent increase in the state sales tax for the metropolitan area
  • ½ percent local option sales tax for transportation in Greater Minnesota
  • A county option wheelage tax
  • A change in the county state aid highway formula for new revenue to the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund based 60% on need and 40 % on motor vehicle registration

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY  that this BOARD defines a comprehensive and balanced transportation funding package as an initiative that permanently increases dedicated funding for state and local roads and transit systems.

Seconded by Commissioner Todd Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was carried.

ADOPTED by the Lake of the Woods County Board on Tuesday, February 12, 2008.

Committee reports were given from the following committees:   Economic, Airport, Cormorant, State Board of Soil and Water, Trails Beltrami State Forest and Regional Radio Board  

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to request County Auditor, John W Hoscheid to write a letter to the MN Department of Natural Resources in support of the Bureau of Land Management transferring management of three islands to the Department of Natural Resources.  Lake of the Woods County Board would like to be involved in the management  practices to be implemented by the DNR.   Seconded by Commissioner Patty Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

A report on the evaluation for County Veterans Officer on January 22, 2008, was as follows:  goals were to receive quarterly payments of $500 from both the American Legion and VFW;       to attend all Department Head meetings; work on consolidating veterans trips when possible and to have better communication with the Board.  The overall evaluation of the County Veterans Officer is that he meets the County Boards’ expectations.

Old business relating to the law enforcement contract was discussed.  County Sheriff, Dallas Block and Deputy Sheriff Jim Walton met with the board and discussed the law enforcement contract and the joint meeting with the City Council held Monday night, February 11, 2008.

The following correspondence was acknowledged by the board:  MN DNR, MN Counties Insurance Trust, letter from Randy Erdmann, NWM Foundation, Government Training Services, and letter from Senator Klobuchar, Pioneer Press and the Ninth Judicial District.

Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners congratulates the Baudette Bay Hockey Classic committee, volunteers, sponsors and everyone involved in making a successful Hockey Day in Minnesota.

With no further business before the board, Chairman Bredeson called the meeting to recess at 2:50 p.m.

Attest:                                                                         Approved:       February 26, 2007

____________________________                            _____________________________

John W. Hoscheid, County Auditor                           Kim Bredeson, Chairman

Commissioner Proceedings

February 26, 2008

The Lake of the Woods County Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, in the Commissioners’ Room in the Lake of the Woods County Government Center with the following members present:  Commissioners Bredeson, Patty Beckel, Todd Beckel, Arnesen and Moorman.  Also present were: County Auditor John W. Hoscheid, Deputy Auditor Janet Rudd, Wade Johannesen, John Oren and Penny Mio Hirst. Chairman Bredeson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to approve the agenda as presented.  Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Consent Agenda was moved to later in the day.

Motion was made by Commissioner Patty Beckel to approve the minutes of February 12, 2008.  Seconded by Commissioner Moorman and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler met with the board requesting approval of claims.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to approve the claims against the county as follows:

Commissioners’ Warrants       $ 36,509.79

Seconded by Commissioner Moorman and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler informed the board that the Case Aid position was filled by Shelley Pepera.

Social Services Director, Nancy Wendler and County Auditor, John W. Hoscheid informed the board of the bill that was received from DHS, State Operated Service for order to hold/pending commitment for a Lake of the Woods County resident in the amount of $5,500. John informed the board that the money should come out of the unallocated department.  The board concurred.

The Commissioners congratulated the Social Services Department on their performance report from the Department of Human Services and their single audit report.

County Auditor, John W. Hoscheid met with the board requesting approval of claims.

Motion was made by Commissioner Patty Beckel to approve the claims against the county with the exception of claim number 270.

                                                Revenue                      $          35,268.40

                                                Road & Bridge           $           30,381.09

                                                Solid Waste                 $            2,765.75$68,415.24

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

WARRANTS APPROVED ON  2/26/2008 FOR PAYMENT  2/29/2008

      AMOUNT   VENDOR NAME                                                   AMOUNT   VENDOR NAME

          648.50 ACCLAIM BENEFITS                                                 989.40 AMERICAN SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINES

          488.09 DALLAS BLOCK                                                      5987.77 CO-OP SERVICES, INC.

          546.00 CRAGUN’S CONFERENCE & GOLF RES               22839.38 DENNY HECKERS AUTOMALL AND GMA

        1545.81 DEPUTY REGISTRAR NO.75                                     300.00 GIZIIBII RESOURCE CONS & DEV

        1045.00 HELGESON FUNERAL CHAPEL                             1428.00 IBM CORPORATION

          770.24 INSIGHT PUBLIC SECTOR                                        478.90 METRO FORMS, INC

      14445.58 MN STATE DEPT-CORRECTION                              457.31 JEROME MOLINE

        5369.66 LAW MOREN                                                           2750.00 NORTH EAST TECHNICAL SERVICE,I

          302.92 OFFICE DEPOT                                                          994.88 PRO MAC MANUFACTURING LTD

          334.54 QUILL CORPORATION                                            1353.80 RODERICK RONE JR

        1335.50 GEORGE SWENTIK                                                   552.26 WEST GROUP

33 PAYMENTS LESS THAN  $300       3,451.70

FINAL TOTAL    $68,415.24

Further moved to authorize the payment of auditor’s warrants as follows:

                                                February 12, 2008       $           105,609.46

                                                February 12, 2008       $             47,532.72

                                                February 19, 2008       $               9,985.63

Seconded by Commissioner Moorman and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Motion was made by Commissioner Patty Beckel to approve claim number 270.  Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

County Auditor, John W. Hoscheid presented the 2008 Pay Equity Report for approval.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to approve the 2008 Pay Equity Report as presented.  Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

The meeting was called to recess at 9:25 a.m. and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. as follows:

The board discussed the City of Baudette Law Enforcement Contract.  The board requested that County Auditor, John W. Hoscheid send a letter to the City informing them that the county would accept their proposal on an interim period of six months beginning March 1, 2008 and ending August 31, 2008.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to set a public hearing on April 2, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ambulance Garage Meeting Room in Baudette to hear comments from the public on the City of Baudette Police Department and Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Department within Lake of the Woods County with the possibility of merging the two, leaving as is under contract or terminating the City of Baudette’s Law Enforcement Contract.  Seconded by Commissioner Moorman and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

County Auditor, John W. Hoscheid presented the bill from Hellmuth & Johnson Pllc., for costs and attorney fees in connection with the association seminar concerning Common Interest Communities.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to pay Hellmuth & Johnson Pllc. up to $4,400 for costs and attorney fees in connection with the Association Seminar concerning Common Interest Communities; with the funds to come from legal fees in the unallocated department within the revenue fund.  Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Public Works Director, Bruce Hasbargen met with the board requesting authorization for final payment on S.A.P. 39-601-25 for Wagner Construction, Inc.

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman to accept the County Public Works Director’s Certificate of Performance for S.A.P. 39-601-25 for Wagner Construction, Inc. of So. International Falls, MN, in the total amount of $709,931.28 and hereby authorize final payment of $8,000.  Seconded by Commissioner Patty Beckel and the vote carried as follows:  Voting for:  Commissioners Bredeson, Patty Beckel and Arnesen.  Voting against: Commissioners Moorman and Todd Beckel.

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen to approve the consent agenda as follows: Travel for Marti Carlson to Grand Rapids on April 30-May 2 for MN County Hwy Accountants Association Conference; Tim Aery, Mike Anderson, Doug Arnold, John Craig, Todd Fadness, Keith Grund, Lee Hancock, Jeff Pelland, Bob Peterson and Craig Slick to attend the Minnesota Spring Maintenance Training Expo to be held April 15-16, 2008 at the St. Cloud Civic Center in St. Cloud, MN. Seconded by Commissioner Moorman and the vote carried as follows:  Voting for:  Commissioners Moorman, Patty Beckel, Arnesen and Bredeson.  Voting against:  Commissioner Todd Beckel.

MIS/GIS Director, Brent Birkeland met with the board for a continuation of a performance evaluation.  Chairman Bredeson asked Brent if he would like his evaluation opened or closed.  Brent chose to have it closed.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to close the regular meeting at 10:40 a.m. pursuant Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, Subd. 3 (a.) performance evaluations.  Seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to re-open the regular meeting at 11:10 a.m.  Seconded by Commissioner Patty Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

County Auditor, John W. Hoscheid presented the 2007 Deputy Registrar Review.

The board congratulated the Auditor’s staff for the above satisfactory performance evaluation.

County Auditor, John W. Hoscheid gave a presentation on the National Association of Counties (NACo) Prescription Drug Discount Card Program. The NACo drug discount card program helps consumers save money on their prescription medications any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.  The free cards are distributed in the sponsoring county and may be used at any participating retail pharmacy.  The discount card is not insurance and there may be an average savings of 20 percent, depending on the drug and quantity purchased.  The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage.

Motion was made by Commissioner Todd Beckel to authorize County Auditor, John W. Hoscheid to move forward with the NACo Drug Prescription Card Program.  Seconded by Commissioner Moorman and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

County Auditor, John W. Hoscheid presented a publication from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) concerning acceptable expenditures of 911 funds. The board reviewed the publication and felt that the county expenditures of 911 funds were acceptable under the DPS guidelines.

Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust (MCIT) Account Executive, Gail Sater and Executive Director, Robyn Sykes met with the board and presented MCIT member report. Gail reported that Lake of the Woods County 2007 dividend share was $55,416. Gail explained that MCIT will bring Web-Based Training, Training Sessions, Ergonomics, Website Enhancement and Service Plans to the counties in 2008.

GIZIIBII RC & D Coordinator, Colleen Oestreich met with the board and presented the 2007 GIZIIBII RC&D annual report.  Projects that have been continued and adopted for Lake of the Woods County were:  Lake of the Woods Historical Society, Lake of the Woods Erosion Control and the Biomass Pilot Project with Northern Excellence Seed LLC.

The meeting was called to recess at 12:25 p.m. and reconvened at 1:20 p.m. as follows:

Commissioner Todd Beckel presented information on the Bovine Tuberculosis in NW Minnesota and a PILT /LUP land spreadsheet showing the different payments of each county.

Interim County Attorney, Michelle Moren met with the board to discuss the bill that was received from DHS, State Operated Service for order to hold/pending commitment for a Lake of the Woods County resident.  She informed the board that pursuant to Minn. Statutes, the State has to share half of the cost of holding with Lake of the Woods County.  Michelle informed the board that the Tower Lease contract is being looked at by Minnesota Power and Light Company.

The Commissioners set March 7, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. as a “Committee of the Whole” workshop to discuss strategy on the City of Baudette Law Enforcement Contract.

The following Committee reports were given with no board action:  Building Committee, BWSR Rule Making, Cormorants and North West Juvenile Training Center.

With no further business before the board, Chairman Bredeson called the meeting to recess at 2:46 p.m.

Attest:                                                                         Approved:       March 11, 2008

____________________________                            _____________________________

John W. Hoscheid, County Auditor                           Kim Bredeson, Chairman