OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
JULY 8, 2025 – 10:00 A.M.
Pursuant to adjournment, the Pennington County Board of Commissioners met in the Pennington County Justice Center Board Room in Thief River Falls, MN, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Members present: Seth Nelson, Bruce Lawrence, Roy Sourdif, David Sorenson, and Neil Peterson. Members absent: None.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Sourdif and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The Chairman asked if there were any amendments to the agenda. Hearing none, there was a motion by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Recognition of Citizens: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Sorenson, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the County Board minutes of June 24, 2025, as written. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the Auditor & Manual warrants for June 2025 totaling $9,069,518.23 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $92,169.51
Road & Bridge $45,796.50 Solid Waste Facility $296.00
Ditch Funds $55,992.00 Meal reimbursements and per diems in the amount of $714.68 were also approved.
Mike Flaagan – County Engineer
Mr. Flaagan presented the following two quotes received for 18 handheld radios, related accessories, and programming for the Highway Department.
Stone’s Mobile Radio, Inc. $82,465.38
Roger’s Two-Way Radio $81,931.62
If approved, the purchase would be funded by savings from the Joint Use Facility roofing project and the Furniture and Equipment budget. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the quote by Roger’s Two Way Radio in the amount of $81,931.62 for the purchase of 18 portable, two-way radios, related equipment, and programming. Discussion followed with Mr. Flaagan stating the purchase would be made from the 2025 budget. He also noted that his department is sole user of some local radio towers, so the County could now consider their sale. Following discussion, the motion was carried.
Engineer Flaagan provided an update on local road projects. He also noted that roadside spraying began this week and next they will be spraying ditches and ditch brush.
Mr. Flaagan reminded the Board that a landowner meeting regarding the CSAH #11 and 150th Ave. project is being held July 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Joint Use Facility meeting room.
County Auditor-Treasurer Items:
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve a maintenance services and tech support agreement renewal with ProWest & Associates in the amount of $3,503.50 for the period of May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. Motion carried.
County Coordinator Items:
Mr. Erickson discussed the results of an RFP for Paid Family Medical Leave that was conducted by Integrity Employee Benefits. MetLife proposed a two-year premium rate guarantee of .79% contingent upon another core coverage offering, which our current MetLife dental plan was suffice. MetLife offered an 8% rate cap on dental premiums for 2026 but not for 2027. He noted that MetLife administers PFML for 3000+ groups, including the New Hampshire state plan. In comparison, the MN State PFML plan will feature a premium rate of .88% with no rate guarantees and uncertainties with claims and turnaround times. The Personnel Committee has reviewed the RFP and recommends the Board approve MetLife administering the county’s PFML, which takes effect 01/01/26. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the proposal by MetLife for Paid Family Medical Leave administration for Pennington County effective 01/01/2026. Motion carried.
The County Coordinator reminded the Building Committee members that there is a meeting today at 1:00 p.m. in the Government Center, Meeting Room A.
County Attorney Items:
Mr. Haase noted that IT Tech Levi Jacobson will be testing the County Attorney office computers for Windows 11 compatibility. If necessary, he may need to order some new computers using Forfeiture Funds.
Committee Reports / Commissioner Updates: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to adjourn the Board meeting to July 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Motion carried. ATTEST:
Kevin Erickson,
County Coordinator
Roy Sourdif, Chairman
Pennington County Board of
Commissioners
PENNINGTON COUNTY’S
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants approved
on July 8, 2025
For Payment on July 14, 2025
Vendor Amount
ASHTON’S MOWING SERVICE AND SNOW REMOVAL $9,100.00
AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. $14,603.88
G & R CONTROLS, INC. $5,562.00
M-R SIGN CO, INC. $2,113.06
MINNESOTA STATE TREASURER $3,880.50
MN COUNTIES INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRUST $5,269.00
MORRIS ELECTRONICS INC. $5,731.95
NORTHDALE OIL INC. $3,678.80
PENNINGTON & RED LAKE COUNTY $ 15,887.50
PRO-WEST & ASSOCIATES INC. $3,503.50
QUALITY SPRAY FOAM LLC $20,935.00
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MN $25,000.00
TRIPLE D CONSTRUCTION & LEASING $54,955.00
TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. $3,899.59
48 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2000 $20,134.23
Final Total: $194,254.01