Sheridan County keeps health plan, appoints new zoning board board member

Sheridan County commissioners voted to remain with their current employee health insurance provider for 2027, appointed a new member to the county Planning and Zoning Board and continued preliminary discussions on next year's budget during their Aug. 4 meeting. According to the meeting minutes, the commission met following the County Park Board meeting with Chairman Shannon Dieterle presiding. Commissioners approved minutes from the previous meeting after correcting a reference to Central Power.

Commissioners approved continuing coverage through the NDPHIT Health Insurance Plan for 2027 despite a 5.76% increase in premiums. The motion passed unanimously.

The board also approved the purchase of an HP OmniBook laptop, along with a Microsoft 365 subscrip- tion and antivirus software, for the county's Veteran Service Officer. The equipment purchase totaled $649 before software costs.

County Agent Lea Mittleider presented her second-quarter report, telling commissioners that moisture was scarce across Sheridan County during July and that some wheat fields were being baled because of dry conditions. She also reported strong participation in Sheridan County Achievement Days, which featured 84 livestock exhibits, 259 static exhibits and 37 4-H participants. The community supper drew nearly 150 residents.

During the discussion, commissioners and county officials also addressed future coordination between the County Park Board and the 4-H Council. A committee from the 4-H Council is expected to meet with park board representatives in January to develop a memorandum of understanding outlining maintenance and financial responsibilities for facilities.

The auditor reported that asbestos removal work in the courthouse com- munity room had been completed by Badlands Environmental Consultants Inc. of Bismarck and that air quality monitoring samples had been cleared.

Commissioners also met with Jason Adams of Viall Business Solutions to review an employee benefits program that may be offered to county employees in the future.

In other business, the board appointed Samantha Roubal, who became mayor of McClusky on July 1, to the county Planning and Zoning Board. The appointment was approved unanimously.

Road Foreman Byron Belile met with commissioners to discuss road maintenance projects, including graveling operations. The board also approved a request from Sheldon Frueh to clean silt from road right-of-way areas in Boone Township.

The auditor reported that a building permit had been issued to David C. Dietz of Fargo for the relocation of a mobile home in Sheridan County. Commissioners also directed the auditor to publish notice that ditch mowing must be completed by Oct. 1 or landowners may be charged $300 per mile for the work.

Before adjourning, commissioners reviewed the preliminary 2027 county budget and discussed longevity pay for employees with more than 20 years of service. No action was taken on the pay issue, and further budget discussions were scheduled for a special meeting on Aug. 21.

Distributed by Newsbank, inc.