10/24/2007 – Public Notices

IN DISTRICT COURT

BENSON COUNTY

STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

Leslie Kuk, )

Plaintiff)

vs) SUMMONS

George Wakanwayakapi; )

Hapistewiu; Tawasuwaste; )

Waziamani, JB Streeter, )

Incorporated; The First )

National Bank of Devils )

Lake; Joseph M. Kelly; )

JB Streeter; Elk Valley )

Bank of Larimore; PL )

Arms; Hilda C. Behan; )

Farmers and Merchants )

State Bank of Lakota; CW )

Conroy; Caske or Joseph )

Spagemani; Mrs. FA )

Southam; Devils Lake )

State Bank; Antony )

Azure; Maude Bauer; )

Bank of North Dakota; )

State Treasurer of North )

Dakota; Agricultural )

Credit Corporation of )

Minneapolis; County of )

Benson, ND; The Federal )

Land Bank; Land Bank )

Commissioner; Federal )

Farm Mortgage Corpor- )

ation; Frank Bauer; Ron- )

ald Bauer a/k/a/ Ronald )

C. Bauer; Ethel Church )

Bauer a/k/a Ethel C. )

Bauer; Logan Bauer; ) Civil No.

Elena Mitchell; Donald ) 03-07-C-

Mitchell; and all persons ) 00149

unknown claiming any )

estate or interest in, or )

lien or encumbrance upon )

the property described in )

the Complaint, )

Defendants.)

THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS:

You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action, which Complaint will be filed in the office of the Clerk of this court, and to serve a copy of your answers upon the subscriber within 20 days after the service of this Summons upon you, exclusive of the day of service; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF NO PERSONAL CLAIM

You, and each of you, are hereby given notice that the relief sought in this action is wholly or partly in excluding the above named

defendant(s) from any interest or lien upon the following described real estate, and no personal claim is made against any of the said defendant(s). Further, notice is hereby given that the object of this action is to determine the adverse claims of the Defendant(s) and to quiet title relating to and involving the following described real estate in the County of Benson and State of North Dakota, to-wit:

TOWNSHIP 152, RANGE 64:

Section 11: NE1/4NW1/4; NW1/4NE1/4 and SE1/4NE1/4 Dated this 27th day of September, 2007.

PETERSON LAW OFFICES, PC

By /s/ Travis S. Peterson

Travis S. Peterson, ND Bar No. 05621

A Member of the Firm

523 Central Avenue, PO Box 231

New Rockford, ND 58356

(701) 947-2442

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

(Publish Oct. 10, 17 & 24, 2007)

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

OBERON CITY COUNCIL

September 10, 2007

A regular meeting of the Oberon City Council was held Monday, September 10, 2007. Present were Mayor James Nelson, council members Doug Schmid, Pete Hager, Dale Stenberg, Eloise Plouim, city auditor Ruth Buehler and new city auditor Jessi Knatterud.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes from the previous meeting, The motion carried unanimously.

The bills were reviewed. Schmid moved to pay all bills. Plouim seconded. The motion carried unanimously.Bills approved were:

Ruth Buehler $49.06

ND Public Health Lab 32.00

Waste Management 967.86

Benson Co. Farmers Press 82.56

Traynor Law Firm 81.00

Hawkins, Inc. 1,142.10

Otter Tail Power Co. 374.55

ND Telephone Co.. 62.12

John Thomas 64.72

ND Job Service 6.12

Corey Plouim 184.70

Jessi Knatteruud 369.40

Discussion was held concerning a letter recieved from States Attorney James Wang confirming that he sent Bob Stensland a water-sewer-garbage bill. Bob had thrown it back to the postmaster saying it was to be hand delivered. Wang resent the bill, along with a letter, he again shoved it under the window shutter, to the floor, at the post office.

Other discussion: There’s a question as to whether Travis Benson and Craig Johnson are finished getting water from the hydrant at the fire hall and how many gallons they used.

Hager moved to put all deliquent bills on tax rolls. Plouim seconded.

The motion carried unanimously.

The budget was reviewed. A motion was made by Schmid to accept the budget. Stenberg seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Mike Ritterman and Les Sigette from rural water came to look at the hydrant that is broken and find curb stops.

Eloise brought cake and ice cream in honor of Ruth’s retirement.

Other guests included Karen Peterson, Nadley Buehler and Hunter, Anne Nelson and Hazel Stenberg. Les and Mike also stayed for cake and coffee. Ruth was presented with a beautiful plaque recognizing her 30 years of service.

Jessi Knatterud

City auditor

James C. Nelson

Mayor

(Publish October 24, 2007)

NOTICE OF SALE

United States of America v. ROBERT G. ANDERSON, a/k/a ROBERT ANDERSON or BOB ANDERSON; CARREN L. ANDERSON, a/k/a CARREN ANDERSON; BENSON COUNTY CO-OP CREDIT UNION; STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, ACTING THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE STATE TAX COMMISSIONER; and HOSPITAL SERVICES, Civil No. 2:04-cv-121.

Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure Sale entered and given in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, on August 7, 2007, in favor of the United State of America, as plaintiff, and against ROBERT G.

ANDERSON, a/k/a ROBERT ANDERSON or BOB ANDERSON; CARREN L. ANDERSON, a/k/a CARREN ANDERSON; BENSON COUNTY CO-OP CREDIT UNION; STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, ACTING THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE STATE TAX COMMISSIONER; and HOSPITAL SERVICES, as defendants, it has been adjudged that there is due and owing to the plaintiff by the defendants, ROBERT G. ANDERSON, a/k/a ROBERT ANDERSON or BOB ANDERSON; CARREN L. ANDERSON, a/k/a CARREN ANDERSON, principal in the sum of $56,387.74, and interest to the date of December 8, 2006 of $509.80, with interest accruing thereafter until the date of judgment at the rate of 5 percent per annum, and an amount of $11,200 attributable to positive appreciation pursuant to the term of the Shared Appreciation Agreement dated April 6, 1993; and principal in the sum of $30,449.96, and interest to the date of December 11, 2006 of $12,579.41, with interest accruing thereafter until the date of judgment at the daily rate of 7.0911; for protective advances due and payable under the term of the loan documents disbursed to pay filing fees, real estate taxes and abstracting, principal in the sum of $8,501.90, and interest to December 11, 2006 in the sum of $1,530.85 with interest accruing thereafter until the date of judgment at the daily rate of $1.9662; together with the costs and disbursements of this action in the amount of $784.75, making a total of $121,944.41, with interest accruing after entry of judgment at the legal rate.

And, having received a copy of said Judgment, duly certified by the Clerk of said Court, directing the United States Marshal to sell the mortgaged property described in the Judgment at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash, all the right, title and interest of said defendants in the property described in the aforementioned Judgment as follows subject to all outstanding liens and mortgages, assignments on record, known and unknown. The purchaser of said property may be liable for outstanding mortgages, liens and assignments.

That the plaintiff has a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth paramount and subsisting liens upon the following described real estate, which will be sold by the United States Marshal:

Benson County, North Dakota:

A tract described as the Southwest Quarter (SW1/4) and the West Half of the Southeast Quarter (W1/2SE1/4) of Section Twenty-one (21), Township One Hundred and Fifty-three (153) North, Range Sixty-seven

(67) West of the Fifth Principal Meridian; and A tract described as the Southeast Quarter (SE1/4) of Section Thirty (30), Township One Hundred and Fifty-three (153) North, Range Sixty-seven (67) West of the Fifth Principal Meridian.

That the sale will be held on the 14th day of November, 2007 at the front door of the Benson County Courthouse, Minnewaukan, North Dakota at 11:00 a.m.

Any individual who is interested in obtaining the estimated market value of the above-described property and/or the amount that will be bid by Farm Service Agency at the sale should contact that office at

(701) 893-2225. Personal checks will not be accepted. Payments must be in the form of a cashier’s check or money order available within two hours after the sale. In the event in United States is compelled to reschedule the sale because the highest bidder cannot pay the bid price in the manner and time required, said bidder will be liable for the costs of resale.

Dated at Fargo, North Dakota on this 5th day of October, 2007.

David Carpenter

United States Marshal for

the District of North Dakota

(Publish Oct. 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2007)

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public notice is hereby given that on October 18, 2007, Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc. filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C., for a construction permit for a new noncommercial educational FM station on Channel 201

C2 (88.1 MHz) at Minnewaukan, North Dakota. The proposed station will operate with an effective radiated power of 17 kilowatts and an antenna height of 192 meters above ground from a transmitter located

4 miles west of Minnewaukan, Benson County, North Dakota. The main studio for the proposed station will be located at 1814 N. 15th St., Bismarck, North Dakota.

The officers and members of the governing board of the applicant are:

John E. Harris III (President/CEO), Clyde Allen, John Andrist, Howard Barlow, Rich Becker, Claudia Berg, Sally Berrell, Karen Ehrens, Ray Holmberg, Scot Kelsh, Leslie Malcolmson, Dave Monson, Mike Pole, Al Samuelson, Connie Sprynczynatyk, Reeh Taylor, Ramona Two Shields, and Kenneth Zealand.

A copy of the application and related materials are on file for public inspection during normal business hours at the Prairie Public Broadcasting Offices, 207 N. 5th St., Fargo, North Dakota.

(Publish Oct. 24 & 31 & Nov. 7, 2007)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF BENSON COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

Dean Petska, Public )

Administrator of Benson )

County, North Dakota )

Plaintiff,)

vs) SUMMONS

John O. Fossum, his )

spouse or any heirs; )

Valborg Sosalla; James )

McGarvey; the heirs of )

Arlyce L. Brown; and all )

other persons, known or )Civil Case

unknown claiming any )

estate or interest in, or )

lien or encumbrance upon)

the property described in )

the Complaint, )

Defendants.)

THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS:

You, and each of you, are hereby summoned and required to appear and defend against the complaint in this action, which is or will be filed with the clerk of the above-named court by serving upon the undersigned an answer or other proper response within twenty (20) days after this summons has been served upon you, exclusive of the day of service. If you fail to do so, judgment by default will he taken against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.

NOTICE OF NO PERSONAL CLAIM

You, and each of you, are hereby given notice that the relief sought in this action is wholly or partly in excluding the above-named Defendants from any interest in or lien upon the following described real estate, and no personal claim is made against any of the said Defendants. The aforementioned real estate is described as follow, to-wit:

Lots 9 and 10, Block 3 of Nord’s Addition to Leeds, Benson County, North Dakota, according to the Plat filed October 17, 1899, in Book "A" of Plats, Page 9.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO HEIRS OF ARLYCE L. BROWN:

Any heir of Arlyce L. Brown is to contact the undersigned no later than thirty-five (35) days from the first publication of this summons in order to receive their share of the proceeds from the sale of the above-described property. Failure to contact the undersigned within that time shall result in any heir of the estate of Arlyce L. Brown forfeiting that heir’s share from the sale of the above property.

Dated this 3rd day of October, 2007.

J. Thomas Traynor, Jr.

(ND ID#O3694)

TRAYNOR LAW FIRM, PC

509 – 5th St. N.E., Suite 1

P.O. Box 838

Devils Lake, ND 58301-0838

Telephone: (701) 662-4077

Email : tomtraynor@traynorlaw.com

Attorneys for the Plaintiff

(Publish Oct. 10, 17 & 24, 2007)

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

WARWICK SCHOOL BOARD

September 11, 2007

The Warwick School Board met Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 5 p.m. in the computer room.

Roll call was held to establish a quorum. Present were Christofferson, Gravdahl, Black and Thiele. Absent was McKelvey.

Others present were Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Frederickson, Mr. Jacobson, Beth Neuman, Sandy Barber and Thomas Hill.

Addition to the agenda was a student issue. Gravdahl made a motion to approve the agenda. Christofferson seconded. The motion carried.

Christofferson made a motion to approve the minutes with one correction, to dissolve the 2007-08 cross-country and track program and start our own program. Black seconded. The motion carried.

Comments from the public were allowed.

Mr. Hill informed the board that the schoolhouse was in need of repairs to the roof. Christofferson made a motion to purchase the shingles and Mr. Hill will do the repairs. Gravdahl seconded. The motion carried.

A parent was present to see if her grandson would be allowed to come back to school at Warwick. Discussion followed and it was decided that a contract would be issued and all rules must be followed.

Christofferson made a motion to allow the student to come back. Black seconded. Roll call vote: Christofferson, yes; Black, yes; Gravdahl, yes; Thiele, yes. The motion carried.

Bills were discussed. Gravdahl made a motion to approve the bills and make the necessary changes to the bathroom in the portable classroom.

Christofferson seconded. The motion carried.

Postmaster $47.22

United Tribes Technical

College 2.00

Postmaster 102.95

NDAPERD 45.00 Books Are Fun 26.00

State Historical Site 46.00

AmeriPride 292.35

Benson Co. Farmers Press 263.04

BW Seven Seas Inn 116.30

Carson-Dellosa 126.28

Cash & Carry Lumber 209.42

Central Business Systems 2,651.34

Childcraft Education 7,642.33

Cole Paper 559.44

Devils Lake Public Schools 2,889.41

Devils Lake Public Schools 50.00

Dolphin Capital Corporation 50.00

Ecolab 75.00

Edutech 910.00

Barbara Eversvik 138.78

Explore Learning 1,598.00

Farmers Union Oil 432.45

Linda Ferguson 50.00

Gerrells & Company 225.00

Grand Forks Herald 76.00

Hangsafe Hooks 140.75

Hoiberg’s Office Supply 39.97

Johnson Controls 1,300.00

Kmart 95.88

Kelly Inn Bismarck 110.00

Roxanne Laugsand 21.88

Mack Plumbing 105.40

Mac’s Inc. 3.38

MCI 97.15

McVille Hardware & Lumber 73.80

Menards 143.07

NASCO 536.14

NDCA 60.00

NDCEL 845.00

NDIAAA 265.00

ND Telephone Co 423.88

North Plains

Communications 174.74

Otter Tail Power Company 21.76

Positive Promotions 126.85

R & R Computers 120.00

School Specialty 2,590.47

Success For All Foundation 21,297.60

Supreme School Supply 94.87

The Master Teacher 114.60

Toledo Physical Education

Supply 453.32

Training Room 99.40

Carol Walford 161.10

Warwick City 330.00

Jodi Wellman 100.00

Lindsay Allmaras 12.84

Debra Bertsch 111.60

Casey Christofferson 30.00

Jessica Christofferson 16.00

Follett Educational Services 858.76

Charlotte Franks-Erickson 34.45

NDCEL 545.00

Stamp Fulfillment Services 468.60

Department of Public

Instruction 255.00

Warwick Oil 2,666.40

Postmaster 39.65

Postmaster 9.95

Mr. Jacobson reported on enrollment, PBS training and an in-service.

Mr. Frederickson reported on a student issue.

Gravdahl made a motion to move into executive session at 5:45 p.m.

Christofferson seconded. The motion carried.

The board convened in executive session.

The Warwick School Board reconvened in open meeting at 6:05 p.m.

Present were Christofferson, Thiele, Gravdahl and Black. Others present were Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Frederickson.

President Thiele announced that the student would be allowed to come back to school, with a contract, after his suspension.

The mill levy was discussed but tabled until later.

Coaching positions were discussed but tabled until after the coaching committee meets Friday.

Gravdahl made a motion to approve the Annual Certificate of Compliance. Christofferson seconded. The motion carried.

The school board convention was discussed. Christofferson and Black are to attend the meeting on Thursday, October 25, 2007.

The next meeting will be October 16 at 5 p.m.

The meeting adjourned.

Carol Walford

Business Manager

Larry Thiele

President

(Publish Oct. 24, 2007)

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

OF THE BOARD OF

COUNTY COMMISSONERS

BENSON COUNTY

NORTH DAKOTA

October 2, 2007

The Benson County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 9 a.m. Commissioners present were Curtis Hvinden, Michael N. Steffan, Lowell Haagenson, Dwain Brown and Jason Lee. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hvinden.

A motion was made by Brown, seconded by Lee, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 18, 2007. All members voted yes.

The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Steffan, seconded by Lee, to reimburse the sheriff for the actual costs of fuel only if he should take his personal car to Bismarck for the NDACo convention. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Lee, seconded by Haagenson, to reappoint Dr.

Nyhus as coroner for Benson County for a period of two years. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Lee, seconded by Steffan, to reappoint Dwain Brown to the North Central Planning Council for a period of two years and to reappoint Lyndon Olson and Kory Jorgenson to the Benson County Weed Board for a period of four years. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Haagenson, seconded by Steffan, to reappoint Erling Karlsbraaten to the Benson County Job Development Authority for a period of three years. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Steffan, seconded by Brown, to reappoint Jason Lee to the Lake Region Law Enforcment Board for a period of two years. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Brown, seconded by Haagenson, to reappoint Gene Hager as DEM and road superintendent for a period of one year. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

The board reviewed a list of property deeded to the county for nonpayment of taxes. A motion was made by Lee, seconded by Brown, to appraise the property as follows: parcel #28-0001-06694-000 – $78.31; parcel #31-0000-07507-010 – $452.33; parcel #31-0000-07507-020 –

$234.04 and parcel #32-0004-07881-000 – $82.47; parcel #42-0001-09913-000 – $362.28; parcel #44-0009-10816-001 – $5,122.72; parcel #45-0001-11053-000 – $4,081.48; and parcel #47-0001-11355-000

– $2,814.79. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

Norma Jean Neumiller, Benson County transportation director, met with the board to present the proposed 2008 budget for the department. A motion was made by Steffan, seconded by Haagenson, to approve the budget as presented. All members voted yes. Th motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Lee, seconded by Haagenson, to pay all county approved bills. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously. The following bills were paid:

Distribution to Entities $1,165.13

Information Technology

Dept 442.47

ND Public Employees

Retirement 339.56

ND Telephone Co 688.32

Natalie Lundstrom 47.50

Alltel 168.34

ND Ins Dept 10.00

North Central Soil 201.02

Dean Petska 50.00

James Wang 580.00

Nationwide Retirement

Services 20.00

Esmond Golden Age Club 800.00

Knox 55 Club 761.26

Leeds 55 Club 1,500.00

Maddock 55 Club 2,000.00

Minnewaukan 55 Club 3,312.56

Esmond Park 496.07

Pat Robbins 496.07

Leeds Park 1,984.31

Maddock Park 1,984.31

Minnewaukan Park 496.07

Ruth Buehler, Sec-Tr 496.07

Sandra Barber 496.07

Carol Ritterman 496.07

Alltel 96.38

Curtis Yri 74.70

Daniel Hoffert 18.00

Gene Hager 48.00

Keith Winson 149.50

Mikkelsen Aggregates 36,449.60

Ned Mitzel 18.00

Nodak Electric Cooperative 42.66

Pamela Lee 18.00

South Dakota LTAP 140.00

Wal-Mart Community BRC 27.72

Wanda Teigen 48.00

Brian Bubach 20.25

Charles Guthrie 42.30

Curtis Hvinden 27.00

Jason Lee 14.40

James C Nelson 9.00

Jennifer Hagen 18.90

Keith Winson 20.25

Ron Lauinger 23.40

Teran Hermanson 16.20

Claytus Mattern 386.00

Lawrence Mattern 386.00

Randy Silliman 67.92

Roger Kenner 392.00

Aflac 306.40

Minnewaukan City 99.95

Colonial 101.50

ND Ins Dept 10.00

Protective Life Ins Co 375.89

Grand Forks Fire Equip Co 6,619.00

Hy-Z Wireless 780.80

ND Public Employees

Retirement 10,405.45

Nationwide Retirement

Solution 704.00

Internal Revenue Service 1,501.46

Kory Jorgenson 100.41

Lyndon Olson 148.62

Moller’s Inc 6,496.18

Benson Co Farmers Press 71.50

Roger Kenner 313.60

Tim Finley 197.77

Wanda Teigen 247.59

Social Welfare 12,357.60

Butler Machine 196.28

Esmond City 25.95

Minnewaukan City 39.50

Farmers Union Oil Co 1,508.04

GCR Tire Center 1,859.78

Gofer Sanitation 55.00

Harlow Sanitation 15.00

HE Eversons Co 98.03

JS Vending Inc 64.85

Mac’s Inc 25.24

McQuoid’s Grocery 8.20

Dakota Implement 7.10

ND Dept of Transportation 33,682.21

Office Depot 109.45

Otter Tail Power Company 23.63

Power Plan (RDO Equip) 162.70

Prairie Truck & Tractor

Repair 510.28

Spirit Lake Refuse 30.00

Steven Rohrer 33.30

Service Tire 45.34

United Building Center 21.74

Wal-Mart 20.23

Wanda Teigen 103.50

Benson Co Transportation 800.00

Burnie’s 356.04

Darrell’s Electric Inc 37.00

DF Lighting 490.80

Devils Lake Daily Journal 59.00

Ellen Huffman 67.95

Frith & Steffan 162.50

Haroldson’s 15.95

Hoiberg’s Office Supply 349.70

JS Vending Inc 79.89

LR Law Enforcement Ctr 1,775.89

Mac’s Inc 20.74

Marketplace Motors 25,811.00

ND Assoc of Counties 162.50

ND Dept of Transportation 7.00

NDSU Extension Office 13,998.38

North Star Community

Credit Union 136.17

Peak Performance 429.28

Prairie Public Broadcasting 150.00

Benson Co Farmers Press 672.89

Service Tire 180.59

Surety Title 177.00

BCBS of ND 3,311.40

Clute’s Office Equipment 170.00

Maddock City 59.65

Michael Steffan 89.00

Curtis Hvinden 89.00

Jason Lee 64.00

Dwain Brown 85.00

Lowell Haagenson 134.00

NDPERS 23,746.10

Shirley Laverdure 20.00

US Postmaster 41.00

Arden Helgeseth 810.00

Anne-Marit Studness

Bergstrom 1,620.00

B & H Oil Co 15,819.72

Dwayne & Bonnie Herman 785.00

Doublewood Inn 220.00

Farmers Union Oil -Mdk 3,127.74

Farmers Union Oil -York 887.28

Iris Hoglund 810.00

Otter tail Power Company 110.19

Reginal Herman 2,405.00

Benson Co Highway Dept 387.00

Cass County Tr 114.00

Crossroads 170.23

Farmers Union Oil-Mdk 81.00

ND State Radio

Communications 210.00

Ottertail Power Company 345.35

Distribution to Entities 31,145.01

AUGUST 2007 NET PAYROLL

General $2,547.11

SEPTEMBER 2007 NET PAYROLL

Co Agent $561.11

EmergencyAdministration 913.35

Emergency Disaster 935.04

VSO 721.13

Co Road 34,770.77

Social Services 24,453.20

Co General 28,742.25

A motion was made by Haagenson, seconded by Steffan, to have the chairman sign the Contractor’s Progressive Estimate on PW-360. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

The board telephoned Carole Lysne, Benson County Social Services, to discuss Medicaid payment for transporting the elderly. Lysne stated unloaded miles cannot be billed and questioned if the transportation program could assist. The board will check into this matter.

John Beckstrand, Brian Maddock, and Ken Hoffert of the Benson County Water Resource Board, met to discuss the proposed 2008 budget for the Benson County Resource District. Comments were made on the Bouret Dam Project. The water board stated the state has ownership of the dam but wants Benson County to take over. Maddock stated there are other organizations/entities that may help support the project. Both the water board and the board agreed Benson County does not want ownership, but would like the project to proceed. If the project proceeds, Benson County is to contribute $10,000.00 per year for the next three years. A motion was made by Steffan, seconded by Lee, to commit $10,000.00 to the project for the next three years. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

The board read a letter from Mike Connor, Devils Lake Basin Joint Water Resource District Board, dated June 9, 2004 regarding participation in the basin board. Beckstrand and the other board members recommended Benson County not participate. The board opted to leave the decision on whether or not to join up to the water board. A motion was made by Lee, seconded by Steffan to approved the budget of the Benson County Water Resource District as presented. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

Rick Anderson of the North Central Planning Council met with the board. He presented a memo dated October 2, 2007, requesting regional council funding. Anderson requested Benson County increase the NCPC mill levy from .25 to .50 (estimated: $6,897.00). A motion was made by Lee, seconded by Haagenson to approve the mill levy increase. All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

Ralph Olson met to inform the board a speaker will be in Ramsey County on October 4, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. to speak on zoning issues.

Ellen Huffman, tax director, met with the board to discuss assessing issues in Lohnes Township. She presented the board with a letter dated September 24, 2007. She requested the board terminate the resolution Benson County has to provide assessing services to Lohnes Township. A motion was made by Steffan, seconded by Haagenson, to rescind the resolution to provide assessing services to Lohnes Township dated November 26, 1980. All members voted yes. Motion carried unanimously. As a result of this action, Lohnes Township will be required to hire a certified assessor for 2008.

At 11:00 a.m. the final budget hearing was held on the 2008 annual county budget. No person from the public appeared for the hearing. A motion was made by Steffan, seconded by Lee, to approve the budget as presented with the following exceptions:

(1) To allow a $150.00 per month increase in wages to all full-time county general employees, social welfare employees, road employees, elected officials, and department heads for the year 2008. The board agreed to not take any increase in wages for the year 2008. All part-time county general, social welfare, road employees and department heads will received a pro-rated share of the $150.00 increase. The chief deputy of the sheriff’s department will receive $200.00 per month increase in wages due to the agreement the board made with the department on December 5, 2006.

(2) Keep all expenditures in all departments, with the exception of the social welfare department, the same as was allowed for 2007 with the following exceptions:

a. Allow the states attorney $782.11 to be applied to Westlaw costs incurred; b. Allow the DEM department and road department an increase in wage benefits, retirement, matching social security etc. due to the wage increase granted; c. Allow the sheriff’s department $6,000.00 for vehicle maintenance and an additional $800.00 for uniforms; d. Allow wages for the road department to be staffed as follows: 1 department head, 1.2 bookkeepers/secretaries,1 road foreman, 7 full-time employees, 5 part-time employees; e. Allow the road department an additional $1,124.00 for electricity/utilities costs; f. Allow the miscellaneous fund of the road department to increase by $3,000.00 to allow for costs associated with road signing in 2008; and g. Allow the tax director a $5.00 increase for organizational dues.

All members voted yes. The motion carried unanimously.

The board recessed the meeting until 1:00 p.m. At 1:00 p.m. the board met with the Ramsey County Commission and other interested parties at the commissioner meeting room of the Ramsey County Courthouse to discuss issues concerning paving the Wood-Rutten road. Commissioner Lee spoke for Benson County and stated Benson County has federal dollars to contribute but no local match dollars. Joe Belford, Ramsey County commissioner, stated Ramsey County has no excess federal dollars to contribute. The estimated cost of paving is $225,000.00 per mile. The estimated traffic on the roadway is 490 vehicles per day. A comment was made that more gravel is needed on the roadway prior to paving and the project may need to be put on hold due to lack of local match dollars. The suggestion was made that the Game & Fish Department or the State Parks & Recreation Department assist with a portion of the costs. Bill Wood stated he believes the Game & Fish Department would be agreeable to this. Gene Hager, Benson County road superintendent, stated Ramsey County will see the most benefit from paving the road. The group concluded a committee should be formed to meet with the NDDOT, Game & Fish Department, and Parks & Recreation Department during the week of October 8, 2007 to solicit funds to be used for the local match needed. The group further concluded the legislators from this area need to be involved in this matter.

The motion carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 1:30 p.m.

Bonnie Erickson

Benson County Auditor

Curtis Hvinden

Chairman

(Publish Oct. 24, 2007)