ittson County Board of Commissioners Date: August 4, 2026

Attendance: Commissioners: Gillie, Younggren, Johnson, Swenson and Jones.

1. Call to Order 

The meeting was called to order by Chair Younggren.

2. Pledge of Allegiance 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3. Approval of Agenda

Motion: To approve the agenda.

Motion by: Commissioner Jones

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

4. Public Comment

Chair Younggren asked for public comment. Jon Vold addressed the Board regarding the redetermination process, expressing concern that current practices do not provide a sufficiently comprehensive review. Vold encouraged greater inclusion of ground surveys and broader evaluation methods, noting that more thorough analysis could improve future land management decisions and long-term planning. The Board acknowledged the comments and thanked Vold for attending.

5. Northwest Regional Library Director Megan Lysford

Lysford requested a 3% budget increase to address increased operating expenses resulting from a change in vendors and continued inflationary pressures. Lysford explained that additional funding would assist in maintaining current service levels and support expanded co-working services available to residents. Discussion included: The continued impact of inflation on operating costs and the importance of annual inflationary adjustments to maintain program effectiveness.

6. MN Department of Corrections District Supervisor Janelle Cheney

Cheney presented the 2027 Proposed Community Corrections Budget.  Cheney reported over the past three years there have been staffing changes which significantly affected the budget.  Resulting in a decrease of $18,500 to Kittson County’s supervisory services.

7. Two Rivers Watershed District Administrator Dan Money and Board Member Daryl Klegstad

Money presented the annual report and provided an overview of district operations. The presentation reviewed the district’s statutory authority relating to: drainage systems, flood control, water quality and levy authority.  The district currently manages approximately 1450 miles of public drainage ditches throughout the watershed.  Current and recent projects discussed included: Ross Impoundment improvements, Skull Lake structure replacement following flood damage, ongoing ditch maintenance and repair projects and flood mitigation initiatives.  The Board also received an update on the Klondike Clean Water Retention Project. The project is intended to improve flood storage capacity while enhancing water quality. Additional phases are anticipated as funding becomes available.

10. Kittson County Sheriff Matt Vig

       a.  Vig informed the Board of a recent dispatcher resignation. With that Vig asked for permission to advertise for a full-time deputy position.

Motion: To approve permission to advertise.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

11. Kittson County Highway Engineer Arthur Kukowski and Assistant Engineer Keith Klegstad

Kukowski presented quotes for CP 035-26-800 Maintenance Overlays from Reitrock Paving $58,300.00 and Knife River Materials $99,772.50.  Reitrock’s quote came in at 27% under the Engineer’s Estimate.

Motion: To approve acceptance of Reitrock Paving’s quote.

Motion by: Commissioner Jones

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

8. Approval of Board Minutes

Motion: To approve July 21, 2026 minutes.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

9. Approval of Bills, Meals and Per Diems

Motion: To approve the bills, meals and per diems.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

• Commissioner’s $127,429.76

• Auditor’s

 July 22, 2026 $2,150.07

 July 27, 2026 $416,761.62

 July 28, 2026 $100,678.71

o Meal Reimbursements $11.00

o Per Diems

 Loren Younggren $120.00

 Theresia Gillie $120.00

 Derry Jones 240.00

12. Kittson County CFO Shirley Swenson

       a. Swenson asked for two board members to participate in the County Canvassing Board to be held on August 14, 2026.  Commissioners Johnson And Gillie volunteered.

13. Kittson County Administrator Aimee Sugden

a. Sugden asked the Board to approve a letter of support to the State Stakeholders Re: Enbridge Lawsuit.

Motion: To approve the letter.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

14. Other Business

None.

15. Committee Reports

Commissioner Gillie~Dancing Sky.

Commissioner Younggren~Personnel, Budget.

Commissioner Jones~None

Commissioner Johnson~None

Commissioner Swenson~Budget

16. Correspondence

Sugden received notice of the upcoming hearing for County Ditch 13.

17. Upcoming Meetings

Continued and Final Ditch Redetermination Thursday, August 6 @ 10:00 am

Regular Board Tuesday, August 18 @ 9:00 am

18. Adjournment

Motion: To adjourn.  

Motion by: Commissioner Johnson

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

Loren Younggren, Chair                  _________________________________

Kittson County Board of Commissioners

Shirley Swenson, Chief Financial Officer              _________________________________

Kittson County ittson County Board of Commissioners