The board tackled the statutory requirement of selecting an official newspaper for public notices. Two bids were presented: one from the Kenyon Leader at $3 per standard advertising unit and another from the Republican Eagle at $5 per column inch. After staff recommended the lower bid from the Kenyon Leader, discussions unfolded regarding the newspaper’s circulation and how this might impact public outreach. Despite these concerns, the board emphasized the requirement to use a newspaper for official notices, as opposed to solely digital platforms, although they also make information available online.

The conversation highlighted the competitive nature of the bidding process and included a mention of prior discussions with a newspaper owner who had not submitted a bid. Concerns from constituents about the choice of newspaper were acknowledged, yet no public complaints had been received regarding past publication decisions. Ultimately, the board voted to accept the Kenyon Leader’s bid following a motion and some discussion.

In financial matters, the board discussed adjusting commissioner per diem rates, which had remained at $100 for several years. The County Administrator suggested a 3% increase in line with the cost of living. This proposal was met with support from commissioners, who viewed it as a reasonable approach. A motion to approve the adjusted 2025 per diem rates was made and unanimously passed.

A significant land use topic was the rezoning request on Territorial Road in Lake City. Representing her father, Sarah Roar sought to rezone a property to accommodate a secondary dwelling unit, requiring approval due to the proximity of a mining operation. The Planning Commission had earlier recommended approval following a public hearing, but the County Board needed to hold its own public hearing before making a decision. When the public hearing was opened, no residents voiced concerns, although commissioners discussed the procedural sequence of approvals. Questions arose about whether the mining company and township should first consent before the board’s involvement. However, the board adhered to zoning requirements and approved the rezoning from A3 to R1.

Additionally, the board considered an interim use permit for a sawmill business in Bell Creek Township. This application, submitted by Titus Berer, proposed using a 5,000 square foot building for part-time operations. The Planning Commission had recommended approval with conditions addressing noise, odor, and dust, and no public objections had been recorded. Following a motion, the board approved the permit, facilitating economic activity while maintaining community standards.

The meeting also touched upon illegal dumping in rural areas, with a commissioner pointing out another county’s strategy of increasing fines to $2,000 to deter offenders. The discussion recognized the challenges in enforcement, particularly when offenders left identifiable items behind. The sheriff acknowledged the difficulty in catching perpetrators and the financial constraints that might lead some to dump illegally.