04-01-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes—April 1, 2024 5848 anticipated growth of over $10 billion by 2030. Mr. Serati said the proposed project is the first distribution center and Border States anticipates building four distribution centers over the next seven years. He said the distribution facility will be over 350,000 square feet and have at lease 60 full time jobs. Mr. Serati said Border States would like to construct the distribution in Fargo, however, is exploring other locations due to competitive prices. He said the project would not be feasible without the PILOT incentive. MOTION, passed Mr. Breitling moved and Mr. Grindberg seconded to participate in the request for a payment in lieu of tax (PILOT) in the City of Fargo submitted by Border States Industries, Inc. on a new primary sector distribution facility located on six parcels of land on 43rd Street North and 42nd Street North in Fargo for up to a ten-year period. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Grindberg said the PILOT incentive program was adopted by the legislature in 1974 via a special session. He said at the time, the intent was for primary sector businesses and the mission of incentive has changed over the years. He said he proposes the County work with the City of Fargo to discuss economic development. 8. SHERIFF, Central Cass School District Animal Assistance Intervention Program purchase approved County Sheriff, Jesse Jahner was present and said Central Cass School District requested the Sheriff's Office assist the School District in implementing a schoolwide Animal Assistance Intervention Program. He said the program would utilize a K-9 to assist with mental health support services in the school. Mr. Jahner said the school district has worked to obtain and train the K-9, and will financially support the program and the K-9's food and medical needs. He said the request today is for the Sheriff's Office to purchase the kennel to equip the School Resource Officer's (SRO) vehicle for the K-9 in the amount of $6,404.92. He said the current SRO will keep the dog at their home. He said the purchase can be absorbed into the Sheriff's Office 2024 budget. Central Cass School District Superintendent, Morgan Forness was present and said having a full- time SRO at Central Cass has significantly improved the school district and its relationship with the Sheriff's Office. He said the Animal Assistance Intervention Program has proven in other schools to be an effective tool to disengage and calm students during times of escalation by decreasing stress and increasing connections. MOTION, passed Mr. Kapitan moved and Mr. Breitling seconded to approve the program and funding of a kennel for the squad car in the amount of $6,404.92 to be used for the Animal Assisted Intervention Program for the Central Cass School District. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 9. COMMISSION POLICY MANUAL, Procurement and grants administration policy adopted County Administrator, Robert Wilson was present and said the County engaged Eide Bailly to create a procurement policy for County purchases. He said the purpose of the policy is to ensure the County complies with state and federal requirements when making purchases and utilizing state and federal funds. Mr. Wilson said if the requirements are not met, there are negative impacts to the County's single audit and potential to receive federal funds. He said the policy defines three levels of purchasing less than $10,000 are micro-purchases, small purchases are up to $200,000, and more than $200,000 are formal purchases. He said a notable change the policy allows compared to the current purchasing policy is increasing Department Head spending authority without Commission approval if it is included within the current years budget from $5,000 to $10,000. County Finance Director, Brandy Madrigga was present and said the policy presented is more robust than what was originally intended. She said it is important for all departments to follow the policy going forward.