Commissioner Hinrich >> here. >> Commissioner Riner >> here. >> Commissioner Schulty >> here. >> Here. >> Commissioner Meisner. >> And that'll take care of it for the role. We'll move on now to approval of the minutes from January 27th, 2026, the county board meeting. Is there a motion to approve? >> So move >> by Commissioner Meisner, second by Commissioner Jeepson. Any discussion on the minutes? Seeing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Those minutes are adopted. We have one item today under chair's remarks and it is to consider forformational purposes recognition of Nikki Greenwell for receiving the horizon award from the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. I'm going to ask Commissioner Reiner who serves as the lead commissioner on parks to start our conversation today. Commissioner Riner. >> All right. Thank you. Well, we have a very talented employee, Nikki Greenwall. She was uh recognized recently with the 2025 Horizon Award at the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association MRPA annual meeting in January. The award is given to an upand cominging professional dedicated to the field of parks and recreation and was or who is an active member of the state association. Since Nikki has joined the In Noa County Parks Department, she has brought fresh and innovative ideas to her role in the county, she has redeveloped the parks department's uh website, providing indepth focus on improving accessibility and helping to offer multiple language options. Uh she rebranded our print and digital communications. That was a couple years ago. Fantastic job. um established cutting edge social media promotions and implemented Minnesota's uh first augmented reality trail experience, which is awesome. I mean, I've seen it. Um while these are just a few of the many uh projects Nikki has worked on uh in her tenure, these advanc strategies have allowed the parks department uh to reach more than two million engagements with potential park visitors. Nikki has also shared her talents with the MRPA as chair of numerous statewide committees and serves actively as a board member on the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Foundation. Uh to share more about Nikki's accomplishments, uh we're going to have uh department director Jeff uh Perry uh speak a little bit about Nikki. >> Thank you, Commissioner Riner. Good morning, Mr. Chair, members of the board. My name is Jeff Perry, park for Uh 11 short years ago, our department was fortunate to welcome Nikki, our communication specialist, to Anoka County. Uh from day one, Nikki embraced the vital role our county park system plays in enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Anoka County and all those that we serve. her curiosity uh creativity have transformed our marketing and communications approach over the past decade. Nikki has an exceptional ability to connect people to our parks programs and natural resources. Whether through digital media, uh videos, uh print materials, special events, Nikki truly has a gift for genuinely engaging people and inspires them to exp exp the great outdoors. Through her dedication, hard work, passion, Nikki recently earned a welldeserved promotion to communication supervisor back in 2022. Uh, watching her grow into an inspirational leader for an NOA County and now being recognized at the state level has truly been rewarding. Nikki, thank you for everything that you do for the parks department and for the community that we serve. Uh congratulations on this outstanding achievement award and for being the esteemed recipient of MRPA's Horizon Award and we truly are very fortunate and lucky to have Nikki on the team. So with that, Mr. Chair, thank you for the opportunity to say a few words. >> Thank you, Jeff. Nikki, would you like to make some comments? >> Well, you know, I didn't have anything to prepare today. Thank you, Commissioner. Um I appreciate this so much. I always short of words to say when I am being recognized and having so many good things to say about me. So I truly appreciate it and um I am happy to work for the parks. They are the best. Um so thank you very much. >> Well, congratulations again. And for a communication supervisor and specialist to not have words is surprising. Congratulations again. >> Thank you. >> And thank you, Jeff, for being here today. And thank you, Nikki, for all the work you do to support Anoka County Parks. We appreciate your continued innovation, attention to detail, and bright ideas to improve how the parks department interacts with our community in Anoka County. Now we'll move on to our committee reports and we will start the government operations committee and we will uh start with commissioner Jeffson and library. >> Yes, thank you Mr. Chair. Um, for libraries, I have one item brought before us for the consent agenda to consider approving contract SC26-0000716 in the amount of $785,57055 cents to Cersei Dinex for the Symphony Integrated Library System used by the library to manage operations. By managing operation, it is the this this software is the core infrastructure for all of libraries um operations including circulation, catal cataloging and metadata uh user management reporting and an analytics. It is a highriced contract but for the library using this in everything that they do um it's essential to the library's function and success. Um so this contract is for five years of goes until December 31st, 23rd. >> Very good. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Jeffson. Second by Commissioner Gamash. Is there any discussion on this? Seeing no discussion, we'll have a roll call vote. >> Commissioner Ryder. >> Commissioner Schulty. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Gomesh. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Jepson. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Meisner. >> I. >> Commissioner Heinrich. >> Hi. >> And that item passes. Next, we'll move on to the consent agenda for facilities management and construction where we'll uh entertain approving a contract with Schumach Elevator, Schumacher Elevator, excuse me, out of Egan, who is the lowest responsible bidder. Uh that does include one alternate for a jack replacement. And this is not to exceed $199,240. This is our last elevator improvement in this cycle. And this is over at the 2150 building uh next door. And with that, I would entertain a motion to approve. >> So move. >> Motion by Commissioner Gomesh. Is there a second? Second by Commissioner Reiner. Is there discussion? >> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Just just a comment and it's part of that committee. Uh you and Andrew talked about the you said it's the last elevator which which is actually many years in the making. So, I did want to just make note of that before my time. And you've been working on that, I think, for quite quite some time. 10 years or more maybe. >> Yeah. That this was actually I think the first project I undertook or didn't undertake myself, but I was a part of when I got to the county some 13 plus years ago now. Um, and it is quite an achievement. We have a lot of elevators and it's a lot of work and expense to keep them upgraded. Uh when I say this is the last, it's just starting a new cycle because we'll have to start over again on the original ones eventually. But hopefully we're we're in pretty good shape right now. It's just a matter of staying up to code at this point. >> Any further discussion? Seeing none, this is a roll call vote. >> Commissioner Reiner. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Schulty. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Kamash. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Jeepson. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Meisner. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Hinrich. >> Hi. >> And that passes. Uh that does conclude the government operations committee report and we will now move on to the human services committee report and we'll turn this over to Commissioner Meisner. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. The committee of the whole met for human services on February 10th at 8:30 a.m. in this building. There were no public comments in person. Um, but anyone may email me comments at mandy.mmyisner anoka countymn.gov and there were no email comments at that meeting either. So before us today is a short shorter consent agenda item. We have got two items. First up is under community corrections and this is to authorize to apply for and accept grant contract AWP-10000007 from the Anoka County Children and Family Council located in Anoka and this would be from September 1st 2026 through August 31st 2027 and the total award amount is up to 50,000. So this is again uh requesting the permission to pursue this grant and this is in partnership with local school districts and um really identifying juvenile truency. The next up is a resolution 2026-Hs5 and this is proclaiming March 2026 as developmental disabilities awareness month in Anoka County. There are approximately 6,000 citizens who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability. And this is just our way as a board of really recognizing, uplifting these individuals, but also the work of human services that um enable uh people with developmental disabilities to work. So with that, that is the slate and I will move consent agenda both one and two. There's a motion on the floor by Commissioner Meiser. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Jeepson. Is there any commissioner that wants to pull either of these out of the consent and move it? Seeing none, is there any discussion on either of these two items? With that, we'll have a roll call vote. >> Commissioner Schulty, >> I. >> Commissioner Gome, >> I. >> Commissioner Jeepson. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Meisner. >> I. >> Commissioner Heinrich. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Riner. >> Hi. and that passes. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. There are a couple offormational items and as you know, I do like to share that with the public. The first one was uh a presentation and this is was in regards to the federal changes to SNAP and medical assistance. So, this would be under HR1, also known as the reconciliation bill. I just wanted to touch a few things. that these these changes are going to be um impacting individuals but then also us as a board with uh cost. So as these um things roll out mostly for eligibility eligibility changes for immigrants as well as expanded work requirements that is something that I think we should continue to talk about for the public because this will again be affecting us in our levy for 2026 and beyond. And the otherformational changes or not changes was a presentation on the academic and workforce development summit information and I apologize I don't have the exact date that is coming up I believe in April uh but that is uh well attended and anyone can look up that on the website and attend and the last one was a region 4 construction tomorrow event construction tomorrow is specifically focused in the trades and they like to do uh youth. What's a little bit different about them is they do a lot of hands-on um opportunities for anyone thinking about jobs in the trades. So with that, that concludes my report. >> Mr. Jeff, >> yeah, thank you. And I while you were talking I had time to look it up. I wanted to make sure to um mention the economic and workforce development summit is Wednesday March 11 from 8:30 to 1 p.m. at Bunker Hills. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I want to thank Kate and her staff for that great presentation. Uh that was a a detailed overview of what HR1 um is bringing to us um and in the future and how much our staff is already working on it and has been since the day it passed. You guys have been right on top of it. So I really appreciate that and thank them for the detailed information that was in that. Uh look forward to um continuing to hear how things are going and keep us on top of it. But uh um it's very it's very it was very in-depth and and it was a great job. So I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Thank you. Commissioner De. Excellent. Well, Commissioner Meisner, we have the management committee report next. Do you want to uh report on that? It's informational, but perhaps you have a comment or two. >> Uh sorry. >> Yes. The committee of the whole management committee. Um, we had anformational presentation about the employment agreement with uh Jessica Leth that was already ratified at the last board meeting and then we did have department updates. Um, so beyond that, I I do not have any other further comments, but thank you. >> Excellent. Thank you. That'll move us then to the public safety committee report. Uh, in Commissioner Rastad's absence, I will be delivering that report for you today. Um, on the consent agenda, there are three items. Is there any commissioner wanting to pull any of those three items off the consent agenda? Seeing none, uh, first up is a contract is the 2026 law enforcement contract with Lynwood Township in the amount of $316,542 and a term starting January 1st of this year through the end of this year. Uh second is a resolution 2026-PS01 accepting a dedicated donation from the In Noa County Crime Prevention Coalition. That is $4,500 to support their explorers program. And then lastly is a resolution 2026-p2. It's a resolution to adopt the 2025 Anoka County hazard mitigation plan. Uh participating jurisdictions. This allows participating jurisdictions the eligibility to apply for FEMA hazard mitigation assistance grants when necessary. So those three items are before you. Is there a motion to approve? >> A motion by Commissioner Jeffson. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Hinrich. And this will be or is there any discussion? >> Seeing no discussion, this is a roll call vote. >> Commissioner Gamash. >> Hi. Commissioner Jeepson. >> I Commissioner Meisner >> I. >> Commissioner Heinrich. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Riner. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Schulty. >> I. And that item passes. Uh the rest there is forformational for you. Commissioner Debson. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to comment regarding theformational. The first item on theformational and we had a we had a very busy public safety meeting last week. and a lot of community members stepped up and came out to our meeting to voice some of their real and significant concerns regarding what is going on in their personal community in regards to ICE law enforcement. And I just wanted to give a shout out um and thank you for for them showing up and and respectfully voicing um their experiences right now. Uh they're not good. They're tragic and information we need to know about directly from our constituents. But I also wanted to thank uh Sheriff Wise and County Attorney Johnson for attending and providing much needed information and clarity about the county's actual roles and responsibilities in this situation. So um just wanted to voice that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Jeffson. I too would like to thank them for the respectful way in which they approached our committee and and their comments. Anything else underformational from anybody? If not, we will then move on to the transportation and parks committee of the whole and you'll see a number of items, five items under the consent agenda. Is there any commissioner that wants any of those five items pulled out separately for a separate vote? Seeing none, we will move on to that calendar and we'll go to Commissioner Hinrich first with Highway. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh highway and parks met up at the transportation division facility on February 3rd. Um it looks like we have uh three consent items under highway and then uh Commissioner Reinhardt will uh Commissioner Reinhardt will do number four and five. The first one is resolution number 2026-TR04. resolution authorizing Enoka County to enter into a contract with IIGJA, technical assistance grant agreement with Mindot. And this is for improvements on Trunk Highway 65 and Bunker Lake Boulevard in the city of Blaine. Uh the second one is contract number C 0012089 to DND Contracting LLC in the amount of $1,919,7086. And this is for intersection safety improvements on Cross Town Boulevard and Constance Boulevard in the city of Andover. And it looks like we had quite a few uh biders on that project and ended up uh DND won the bid. Uh the third consent item under highway is consider recommending approval to enter into contract SC0 or 02650 875. It's a crossing surface insulation agreement with BNSF rail railway to uh replace some existing atgrade railroad crossing surface. I believe that's some concrete pads around the railroad tracks. So with that, Mr. Chair, we'll move to uh Commissioner Ryan Art for parks. Right. Thank you, Commissioner Hinrich. Got a couple items for you to consider today. Um number one is I'd ask the board to consider recommending approval of resolution 2026 T3. This is a resolution accepting donations to parks department in the amount of $27,33. I'm just going to state what those uh donations are. We've got $1,978 dedicated to operations and maintenance from Nick Roberts from White Bear Lake, Minnesota. $25,000 dedicated to Wargo Nature Center uh from Kexus Energy. Uh for the last 36 years, Anoka County has partnered with Kexus Energy to bring the natural wonders of Minnesota wildlife into classrooms across the north metro. The impact is significant. In 2025 alone, the wildlife outreach program reached 7,500 students in 33 schools. These experiences often inspire long um a lifelong interest in science and conservation. This $25,000 investment from Kexus Energy ensures that environmental education remains accessible to students. Fantastic program we're running with them. And uh thank uh I'd like to thank Kexus Energy for their continued support. And we have $55 dedicated to natural resources management from uh Jean Mo from Rapids. Um yeah, and that concludes uh that one. Um we won't vote on this. I just keep going, right? Okay. Um contract. Uh, next item is contract number 26 uh 000000 730 with uh Ruck Sewer and Portable Rental LLC of Becker, Minnesota in the amount of $48,97.77. This is an annual um contract to provide portable restrooms and associated services. That completes my uh list of actions. >> Very good. We have five items before us under highway and parks. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. >> Motion by Commissioner Gomesh. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Hinrich. Any discussion? Commissioner Gomesh. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just on number two, the DND contracting um for the construction of the roundabout that's going to be in Andover on Cross Town Boulevard and Constance Boulevard. I don't have the numbers, the highway numbers, but those are the two boulevards that people probably call them um when they're traveling most of the time. Um but that's been uh something that we've been looking at for a number of years. Uh there's a four-way stop that is there. Um this will improve that intersection a great deal and hopefully help with some of the traffic concerns residents have along um both going uh north and south on um cross town and east and west on constant. So um looking forward to that getting started this year. >> Very good. There was uh as Commissioner Heinrich stated a number of bids that came in and this was the low bid and this is a new contractor for us. So, we're excited to develop a new relationship and uh keep close eye on it, make sure it goes the way we expect it to, and uh look forward to a great outcome there at that at that new roundabout. Any further discussion? Seeing none, this is a roll call vote. >> Commissioner Jeepson, >> I. Commissioner Meiser, >> I. >> Commissioner Heinrich, >> I. >> Commissioner Reiner, >> I. >> Commissioner Schulty, >> I. >> Commissioner Gomesh, >> I. >> And that item passes. Uh any information items from Commissioner Reiner first, then Commissioner Hinrich. >> Well, I can go. >> Uh sure. I I'll just take care of uh just a couple from transportation. Uh quick thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh the committee did authorize the county engineer to negotiate contract CC O2600486. That's a joint powers agreement between the city of Blaine and Noa County for improvements at a couple intersections. 109th and uh tournament players Parkway or Mano Street in the intersection of 109th and Rison Road in the city of Blaine. And we received some uh other updates uh during the highway committee. >> Go for it, Commissioner Riner. Mr. Chair, thank you. >> Passing the ball to me. Um I'm going to mention something. It's not actually county business, but it's a a really great event that's happening. It's recreational uh in my district and it's the 41st uh Lions Club um fishing contest on Centerville Lake. Uh I like to go out there every single year. It's a fantastic um event and uh fishing tournament. It's um from 11 to 2. Um there's food and music and great people. So, um also um we've got some updates on Bunker Lake Waterpark this year. a new expanded program for cardio club and uh tot sessions, an expanded parking lot, which is going to be um very well liked from those people on those uh capacity days. Uh additional dining options including breakfast. Um I think a lot of the cardio club will enjoy that. Um uh reservable picnic shelters outside Bunker Beach and uh new renovations to the existing pool slides and play features. Shaman Golf Course is preparing to open. Um we've got the um clubhouse there that's being rented by a lot of graduation parties uh May and June and we've got a lot of tournaments that are already uh signing up and getting prepared for their events this summer. And we're also hiring uh we need to hire a lot of people in the summer for all the things that the parks department uh is doing. So, if you're in high school or um college and are looking for some occupation this summer, uh give us a call. That completes my uh report. Thanks. >> Thank you, Commissioner Hinri. Commissioner Hinrich. Uh that completes our committee reports and we'll now move back to our agenda item seven where we'll consider approving an employment agreement with Lisa Getscow and appointing Lisa as the department director of the job training center. This will be effective February 20th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Commissioner Jeffson. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Meisner. Um, under further discussion, I will say that Lisa comes to us with a wealth of experience uh from Ramsey County and uh the 501c3 uh private work before going to the county work. So, good to have her here. some energy that hopefully can replace what Nicole Swanson had when she was here. Ton of energy and good work and we're confident Lisa can can do the same thing for us. >> Is there further discussion? >> Mer. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes. I just wanted to comment and um publicly thank Nicole Swanson for all of her years and dedication to Anoka County. She um yeah, she's going to leave a big gap, but um I'm confident with the decision uh Nicole herself um in recommending Lisa for her role. So um it was a great external internal process and um and confident based on this decision that we have right person for the right job. >> Very good. Any further comments? Seeing none, this is a roll call vote. >> Commissioner Meisner >> I. >> Commissioner Heinrich. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Reiner. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Schulty. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Kamash. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Jepson. >> Hi. >> And that passes. Next is item eight. We'll consider resolution 2026-18, a resolution establishing compensation and expense amounts for the inoka county attorney for 2026. I will offer the resolution and discussion. I have Commissioner Reiner and Commissioner Gumash. And so I won't be supporting this today. Um, you know, at the beginning or at the end of last year, we had the county attorney come and demand a 10% uh increase. and um we had a conversation about it. Um the board came up with 6% um and then that's already been passed. Um and so this is kind of a second round, second helpings here. Um the reason why I didn't support the 6% is because over the previous two years, we had already raised that salary by 20%. Um if this goes through today, uh it'll be a total of 30% increase over the last three years. Um, I would have been willing to go for a 3% this year. Um, or uh decide to go six and and compromise. I didn't vote for that. I won't be voting for this. I think that this kind of uh escalation in um in these positions that are elected uh is a little ridiculous. >> Thank you, Commissioner Ryder. Commissioner Dash. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will be supporting this today. Um, this is kind of the last part, I think, of our our catchup to bring us up to, uh, some of the other counties, uh, both for the sheriff's and the county attorneys contracts. Um, but this will be the last time, um, that I will vote for something like this. Um I want to I want us to go back to what we have been doing and what since I've been a county commissioner um beginning in 2015 um every time we had an inc every time we would do our annual end of the year increase to staff um that would also be the same percentage that the board would take and other elected officials would take which would be the sheriff and the county attorney. Um, and that's the way I'm going to do it for the rest of my term, which ends in uh, December of 2028. Um, and, um, just to let everybody know, this will be the last one I do like this, but um, I will vote yes on this one. And, um, hoping to possibly make that agreement, gentleman's agreement, maybe it was, uh, into some actual policy um, by the board and maybe we can have some discussions on that uh, during the year um, and and do something in the fall. But uh this will uh I will vote for this one today on both number eight and number nine um to fix the compensation. >> Thank you Commissioner Dash. I have Commissioner Meiser then Commissioner Jeff. >> Uh thank you Mr. Chair. You know I I will be supporting this today but we had a lot of healthy debate both originally um in 2025 at the end of the year and now this. So for for myself, I you know, this is truly a market rate problem and issue and just like Commissioner Gamash was mentioning, this wasn't compensated in the same um as step as the rest of our staff. So this but this is a very hard pill to swallow for sure. So I I do take this pretty seriously in terms of what we're doing. The other thing that I just want to make mention that I really made sure that I was understanding this is all in the attorney office's budget. So, he's going to have to just this does not affect our levy. This is not like an increase per se except that he's got to be figuring that out within his own budget. And so, that is also why um I I can be supporting this. So, um that's it. Thank you, >> Mr. Jeff. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I will not be supporting this. Um, I will not be supporting either compensation resolutions um because of practice. This is bad practice. Uh, last year we had a lot of legislative conversations um a lot of a lot of behind the closed door dealings. This was not behind the door closed hearings at all. I'm not alluding to that. But there was a lot of um legislative practices or um policies and bills last year that were just absolutely terrible practice. Um and so I'm sticking with that this year uh for the these two resolutions. Um we agreed on a 6% at the end of last year and one month later we're renegotiating $8,500 increase. Um that in my employment world, in my employer world, I have never ever heard that happening. I don't believe that, you know, waiting um county to county um is apples to apples. Every county is different. Every county has different culture, different requirements, different problems, things like that. So, I just again I think this is bad practice. I think it's bad governance. I think it's bad policy and I think it's bad precedence. Um so, I will be voting no. >> Thank you, Commissioner Jepson. I will be supporting this. I think uh last year when we talked about the proposed 10% increase. We all decided that we wanted to see where other counties were landing, what they were doing so we could be in the ballpark. Uh so we approved the 6% uh with the idea that we would look after the first of the year at what other counties did for their attorneys and their sheriffs and so that we could adjust in the first month or two of 2026. Um and that's why this item's before us now. Um, I don't I mean I I agree with Commissioner Damashsh. This is not something we're going to do regularly. Um, this is to me it's no different than when we employed our pay scale countywide. We used a system. We used a company to come in and figure out how do we get in the market? Because we've got to be in the market if we want low turnover and if we want good people. We did that. We hired Helios, spent a lot of money, got that done, and then we adjusted salaries accordingly. This is getting the attorney and the sheriff in the category they need to be at the right time going forward. I agree with Commissioner Gamash. I see a two or 3% escalator. The same thing employees get the same thing the county court took. Don't forget that we did take county board took a large raise a few years back to get in the ballpark and it was substantial but it was necessary to be in the ballpark for counties ourselves and to get good people and keep good people. So I see this as a extension of that and again not not a regular process we're going to use. I think it's in my opinion this is a one-time catchup and then we go back to uh regular increases. I think I had Commissioner Jeffson next and then Commissioner Riner. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I you know if this was genuinely about market rate, these should have been this should have been information we had last year. Um if if the explanation was to get us into balance with other counties and their sheriffs and their counties attorneys, um we should have had this dialogue way before today. Um and so now that we have that information, I would have preferred to leave it for October, November, and then realigned that way rather than do it one month after we approved it. So just want to make that comment, too. Thank you for your thoughts, Commissioner Ryder. >> Yeah, this is really just taking two bites of the apple a month apart. Um, but I do want to comment on this one-time adjustment. Um, it's not a onetime adjustment that was done two years ago. This is another adjustment that is really not justifiable. I mean, we look at Ramsey County. Um, this would bring the salary of the county attorney to $247,000. Um yeah, Ramsey County 231 $18,000 or $18,000 less per year and um they have, you know, $550,000 people, we got 380. I mean, I don't know how how you're going to judge this. to Commissioner Jeepson's point about every county being different and uh having different activity and responsibility and such and even the way that way that they're run. But, you know, this is this is going way overboard in my opinion. Um, I would like to uh second the idea of Commissioner Gamash though in coming up with a policy that's um in place in writing and voted on and passed by this board that limits any increases in these elected officials to um the same as the us. I mean, you know, there's no reason why um we have to have these outrageous demands of um 10,000 or 10% increases every year. And and this is this is going to end up being a 30% increase over three years. I don't know if the taxpayers of an oak county are fine with that. Uh I'm not. Um but I don't I don't know how this votes going to go, but I I hope it doesn't pass. >> Thank you, Commissioner Rinard. I will just point out something that's probably not obvious and that counties aren't the same and there's disparit reasons why the wages come in different. A simple example is Sterns County is a much smaller county than Ramsey County or Noa County and that attorney is still paid even with this increase would still be paid higher than our attorney. So there's there's many other things that come into play including tenure um experience. >> I'll leave it there. Uh, Attorney Johnson, >> Mr. Chair, members of the county board, I I thank you for the the discussion on this. I think this all stems from the fact that all of us recognize that Anoka County wants to be known as a fiscally responsible county and that is among the values of the county. Um, it's my privilege and I'm extraordinarily proud to oversee and support the work of the professionals in the Anoka County Attorney's Office. I think one of the things that the public doesn't sometimes see or fully understand is the size, breadth, and reach of the Anoka County Attorney's Office. Um, it is the third largest county attorney's office in the state of Minnesota, only behind Ramsey and Henipin. It's the largest law office of any type north of Henipin County to the Canadian border. It's the second largest law office of any type all the way out west until you get to Spokane. if you go across the top of country. Um I appreciate the context that Chair Schulty uh brought to this. Um you know with this uh increase that is being proposed and is discussed in the re resolution. Uh it was the goal of the sheriff and myself to be in line with our chief deputies. Uh last year they got seven and 8% um uh Helios adjustments plus then a 3% at the at the end of the year. So you're talking about a net 10 to 11% and that's where we came up with the 10% number uh so that there would maintain those internal consistencies. I too was concerned that uh the county attorney's office not step out of line in terms of other internal consistencies in the leadership of the county and as best I can tell it's among the lowest of the leadership uh in the county. Not sure. Uh, you know, you can you can do math on a 10-year scale or a threeyear scale or a four-year scale. I think what the public doesn't understand is or or probably didn't have any insight into is when the sheriff and I became elected in 2022, took office in 2023, um, we took a 0% increase at that point in time. There was then a subsequent market adjustment in the following year. And then in the big levy year, the sheriff and the county attorney took a 3% increase like the county board did um that year. Um there was a big increase for the county board in 2023 um following some of the Helios data that was obtained. Um and so you know the the law says and and we try to aim for um compensation being consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the office and because it's a significant office it carries with it significant duties and responsibilities. I would note that this would put the Anoka County Attorney behind the Dakota County Attorney over $10,000. It would put the Anoka County Attorney behind the um Sterns County Attorney several thousand dollars. Um and that office is about 2/ird the size, less than 2/3 the size of the Anoka County Attorney's Office. So that's a little bit of context for the public. Certainly, we'd appreciate support from the county board um on this. We think it is the right thing to do to maintain internal consistencies in our office and also to not create some kind of a artificial glass ceiling for other professionals in our office who are subject to the Helios adjustments. So, thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you, Attorney Johnson. Any further discussion? >> Seeing none, we'll have a roll call vote. >> Commissioner Hinrich, >> I. >> Commissioner Riner, >> absolutely not. Commissioner Schulty. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Gomesh. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Jepson. >> No. >> Commissioner Meisner. >> I. >> That item passes. Next, we'll move on to item nine, where we'll consider resolution 2026-19, a resolution establishing compensation and expense amounts for the Anoka County Sheriff for 2026. And I will offer that resolution as well. Is there further discussion? Seeing none, this is a roll call vote. >> Commissioner Riner, >> no. >> Commissioner Schulty, >> I. >> Commissioner Gomesh, >> hi. >> Commissioner Jeepson, >> no. >> Commissioner Meisner, >> I. >> Commissioner Hinrich, >> I. >> And that item passes. Next, we'll move on to item 10 where we'll consider appointing Commissioner Heinrich to the 2026 Anoka County Extension Committee, replacing Commissioner Jeepson. Is there a motion to approve? >> Motion by Commissioner Jeepson. Is there a second? second by Commissioner Meisner. And under further discussion, we'll go to Commissioner Jeffson first. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I I really appreciate Commissioner Heinrich stepping in and doing and uh replacing me just a different conflict with calendars and I think uh the county extension office is incredibly important and needs to be have solid leadership and unfortunately not being able to attend the meetings isn't good enough for me for leadership. So, um yeah, just appreciation for Commissioner Hinrich. Yes. Thank you, Commissioner Henry. Comments. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. Thank you. I got had my opportunity to attend my first meeting uh just recently with Commissioner Meisner. And um it's really amazing all the things that that 4 does and that the extension does. Um I had a little bit of experience with with some of that seeing the 4ers out at the Ina County Fair every year and uh but uh getting to know some of the committee members and more in depth about what they do and continue to do that. I'm really looking forward to that. I was able to attend a game feed and some other uh things that were going on at the Enoka County Activity Center here just this last Saturday and uh and that was really fun. I got to try some uh well beaver and might have been muskrat. I'm not sure. So uh along with some great venison and some other things I'm more used to. Uh but what a great group there. It was fun to meet the kids that really run that uh organization um and uh and really develop leadership skills. And Mr. Sure. I'd like to I'm sure they'll be in contact as well, but it would be fun to have maybe a couple of the kids come and present some of the projects they've been working on and and what they've done uh to make 4 great. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Perfect. Thank you, Commissioner Hinrich, for taking on that role and uh do hope you enjoy it as much as others have that have been there. >> Commissioner Gash. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can I ask uh uh Commissioner Heinrich, what does muskrat taste like? >> Not chicken. It's not my favorite. >> Um I was actually told uh I was tasting beaver and I was kind of okay with that and then after they said, "Well, we might have mixed some muskrat in there." So I'm not sure which one I had, but >> tastes the same. I think >> yeah, >> it was it was an adventure. Uh I I appreciate the opportunity to be on that committee, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Commissioner Heinrich. Uh any further discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying I >> I. Anyone opposed? That will pass unanimously. Congratulations, Commissioner Hinrich. Uh, next we're going to move to committee appointments, uh, where we'll consider appointing Janet Hegland, replacing Steve Waggman, to the Rice Creek Watershed District Board of Managers for a term ending January 17th, 2028. Commissioner, >> yeah, I'd like to move for Janet's approval. Um, but I also want to make a comment here. We did have uh, eight different people that um, uh, did apply for this position. We had uh interviews and Janet came out on top. And um I also want to thank Steve Wagamman for his service for many years on the Rice Creek wershed district and uh for various reasons he had to step down. He didn't want to but uh because he enjoyed the position but uh we ended up going with Janet um Eglund and she's a resident of Columbus and I think she'll do a very good job. >> There's a motion on the floor. Is there a second? >> Second by Commissioner Jeepson. Is there further discussion? Seeing All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? That passes. Next, we will consider approving the following as recommended by the human services committee of the whole. We'll consider appointing Amy FTH representing district 1 to the community health and advisory committee for a term ending December 31st, 2028. will consider appointing Jeff Alberts as a mental health professional to the adult mental health advisory committee for a three-year term ending February 28th, 2029. And then lastly, we'll consider appointing Sarah Jacobs as a consumer to yeah, as a consumer to the Children's Mental Health Advisory and Coordination Council for a term ending March 31st, 2029. Is there a motion to approve all three? >> So moved, Mr. Chair. Motion by Commissioner Hinrich. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Gomesh. Any discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. Anyone opposed? >> Those three are appointed. And then last for informationational purposes is the appointment of Molly Loberto the Ina County Workforce Development Board for a two-year term ending January 31st, 2028. And that is a reappoint. She's been with us for a while on that board and does fine work. So, we're happy to her reappointed. Anything else to come before the county board? Commissioner Meisner. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, you know what? I I just wanted to uh to comment. Um, Commissioner Jeepson earlier thanked everyone for coming at the public safety committee meeting in regards to their experiences for ICE. I, you guys know I'm I'm pretty emotional about that in terms of District 7 for Lee, Columbia Heights, and Hilltop has been hit very hard during the Operation Metro Surge. So, I wanted to make sure that I had my wits about me. Uh, but I would be remiss if I just didn't say that publicly. We've been in many discussions about this, advocating and sharing the stories of District 7 that I have been doing. Um, but the long-term recovery is going to be tremendous in my opinion. And, uh, these these stories that we're hearing, I I would just end with um, we need to believe them. It's really happening. and then the impact both financially, emotionally, psychologically is going to be a a really long recovery time. So, thank you, Commissioner Dash. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um on a kind of a related note, uh Greater MSP met um last week and uh unfortunately I wasn't able to be at that meeting, but I did send a a letter um to the board chair regarding uh some of the issues that we've been dealing with because they were going to have a conversation regarding um the effect that the um ICE um events have been having on the Twin Cities area. And these were the top businessmen and women uh that serve on the on the greater MSP board. So they had a very good conversation from what I've been told as I talked to the director. Uh he indicated that there are fundraising efforts to um help the Twin Cities area and people in the Twin Cities area um that these businesses are talking about. You know, we're talking about the biggest um you know, from General Mills to 3M and and um all of those. and they signed a letter um that was put out nationally um just a few weeks ago uh from and they were signed by all the different executives uh all the different CEOs and things. So uh that board is still working on that um and this is going to be a fundraising effort that they hope to raise um multi-millions of dollars to help in some of the recovery efforts that are going on. But I just thought I'd let you know that that happened at the greater MSP meeting. >> Thank you Commissioner Gamash. Now with that does conclude our county board meeting and we