Let's start this meeting and let's begin with the pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you for that. And welcome to this Carver County Board of Commissioners February 17, 2026 meeting. This uh part of our meeting is public comments. Anybody from the public like to make some comments? I see a taker or two. Please state your name, where you're from. >> My name is Mitch Michaelelsson. Uh 84 18 Cray Lake Court, Victoria. Uh Mr. Chair, uh members of the board, thank you for your time this morning. Um I'm here this morning with Randy Kubish. Uh we're here on behalf of uh a group called the Carver County Growth Coalition. And uh we're here this morning uh just as in the interest of transparency and consistent communication. um our group has been meeting over the last several months uh to come up with and and I'm going to have actually Randy pass out uh these papers, but just talking points uh and and really these talking points revolve around um policy and uh different things that that we as a group think the county uh and would like to see the county uh look through and um you know have a closer look at uh what what what's working, what's uh what what could be considered. We want to better understand why these policies are in place. Um and in the interest of of transparency, uh it was a few weeks ago that we we met with uh the Carver County Land Management Department and Jason Milky, uh the WMO and Paul Molen, and we had a really good and constructive initial conversation. Um it was really informational you know uh that us better understanding um you know from their perspective uh a lot of these talking points and and how and why they were in place. Uh and it and it was really I think good for them to understand you know what our group um really is is trying to accomplish and and and we're a group of land owners we're a group of uh business professionals um residents uh community leaders etc. Um and really what what our our goal is is to try to help facilitate this county in continuing to be very prosperous and um you know whether that ends up being a sounding board uh whether that ends up being someone that can or you know a body that can can help and facilitate in any way that's that's really what we're here for. So, um, you know, I'd certainly be willing to answer questions, but I know this is short format here this morning. And so, um, you know, I' I'd love the opportunity as a group, as our group, to to meet with you individually, uh, and talk through these things. Um, I'm going to let Randy, uh, say say a few things, too. But, thank you for your time this morning. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you, commissioners, for uh, hearing us. Um um from what I understand, the vehicle that is going to be used here in the future is uh the comp plan update. So there's a comp plan update that is due the end of 2028. So between now and that time period, we'd like to input some of the uh ideas that would uh potentially uh help help uh the people in the egg area um you know understand what they can do with their properties. uh uh come up with some new goals that uh might be uh beneficial for everybody that lives in the county. Uh come up with a mission statement that might be updated from uh the last mission statement that was done about 30 or 40 years ago. So uh none of this is done in ad uh adversely. It's all done uh uh you know as a gentleman and uh and ladylike you know type of situation to try to just give uh input to um to the the people that are are going to be dictating the the outcome. And if there is any uh personal um contact that you need to make, any of us will be available for that. If uh there would be any uh chance that you'd like to attend one of our meetings individually or together, uh we'd be uh interested in that also. So, okay. Thank you. And our group again is called the Carver County Growth Coalition. >> Mr. Kubash, that's a garbage name, isn't it? Solid waste name. Where are you in the garbage? No, I'm uh I'm actually a realtor in in Shakipi and I I grew up in New Prague and and I live in Shakipi. Okay. >> And I do a lot of uh work with a lot of the farmers in the Carver County area, so kind of understand some of their goals and needs and I've been in the business since 1986. So, >> okay. Well, I know that I've seen a little bit of the emails, uh maybe some descriptions, um >> but I know that um >> you know, it is a long process. Uh Mr. Molen is in the back there. Um >> uh but I think I I well I can speak for the board. We're open to uh to all inputs uh for this massive project uh comp plan update and and uh probably probably one of the most important comp plan updates that Carver County will ever go through, I suspect. and maybe you recognize that and that's why you're here. So, >> um, anybody else have a comment on any of that? Seeing none. Okay. Thank you guys. Appreciate >> it. >> Good morning. >> I don't see my timer. Usually there's a big timer here. >> We'll play it by ear. >> Okay. I think it's about four minutes. So, >> okay. >> Commissioners, thank you for your time for public comment at this meeting. I always appreciate it. I'm Monnique and I live in Chaza District 4. Um, the reason I came this morning was I saw the USMS on the agenda and I had been trying to research, you know, how does that how does our county what that means basically and so I'm here to listen about that and I'll I'll stay for the meeting um to hear more about that. But um >> Monique, if I can interrupt, that is uh on the consent agenda. So it wouldn't be something that we would normally be talking about >> because it's a routine or standard >> non-controversial. >> Sure. >> Non-controver usually non-controversial. >> Sure. Um I'm I'm mostly going to be talking about ICE, but um that is the reason why I came this morning. And there's maybe one sentence in there about that, but it's um it's very confusing because when you look on the website, it says that you're welcome to talk about things that are on the agenda, but then when we come, it's always confusing to public commenters whether we're supposed to be talking about things that are on the agenda or not on the agenda. So, I would just ask for more clarification about that for the future. And um so, I'll just go ahead. you can cut me off if I'm saying the wrong things, but um so just thanking you first and um I'd like to um share some of the con concerns about ICE um in our community. The federal government is failing us and you are our elected official. So I'm here to ask for your support. um what can be done from your positions to hold ICE agents accountable when they illegally act outside of the constitution? I know that um the reason why I was here about US is because they transport incarcerated people from one place to another. So, I'm just going to skip over my little comment about that then. And um but I did um I'm wondering if a county board in general can advocate for the delay of a transfer um in um because of the impact on family connections and legal representation. So, um, other aspects as a board you may have authority over is where ice can stage. Um, in another county in another state require they require written authorization to use county parks as staging areas. In another county in another state, they can prevent ICE from using any county property. So, those are two things that I'd like to ask each one of you to put on your radar. Um, and another thing would be um, and that I will reach out to the sheriff about is that local law enforcement can choose not to assist ICE during operations, which I think everybody knows, but and I'm not saying they do assist. I'm just saying they can legally choose not to assist. Um, and I know county boards cannot prevent ICE from serving judicial warrants, but can you do anything if they're not using judicial warrants? Um, a trusted observer, a friend of mine, um, reported that yesterday in Carver County at 7:30 a.m., a man was abducted from his home in Carver County, taken to Whipple, and then released. He is going through the process, the legal process, and doing everything he's supposed to do, which he told them while they were kidnapping him. But they came in, harassed this man, terrorized the community, took him away, and then released him 30 minutes from where he lives with no ride home. His paperwork was in the car, and ICE refused to look at it. So luckily, motans are stepping up to help people like him, and there are people that show up to Whipple every day to give people rides home, which is wonderful. I'm really proud of the way our community has been protecting their fellow neighbors. And so I am here to shed a light on the fact that ICE has not left. The news keeps saying ICE is leaving Minnesota. ICE has not left. Right when I was leaving the house, someone shared with me who is an observer that there were seven seven cars in a Chaza mobile home park. um and that they're there every day. So, this is happening in our county and there aren't always news reporters there to get an official report on it. So, I do trust the people that I am getting this information from. And uh I'm just asking um how you as our local officials support us. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Okay. Anybody else? >> Yes, sir. >> Um, hi. I'm not sure if this is a area supposed to talk, but that's fine. Um, I'm Chris Freeman. I'm the CFO of Bongard Crearies, and I had been talking to some county people and heard that the board has never like done any kind of pass through supported any kind of tax exempt bonding for private companies. And I just wanted to make the board aware of it. Um, Bongards has done one with Ottertale. And what it is is, um, there's two different types. You have low-inccome housing tax bonding, which I understand can be politically sensitive and things like that. Then you have, uh, waste treatment bonding, uh, which Minnesota doesn't prioritize, but legally this federal government set it up that it has to pass through the local county uh, or the local city to um, do it. We're not sure if we would pursue it with the county at this point. Uh it's going to depend on NPCA whether we would um need to pursue tax exempt bonding um for waste treatment, but um depends on what the state um requires us to do. But I just want to make the county board aware of it. What it is is basically instead of a a company giving all their waste treatment to a local um city or county and say tell them to treat it, the the the company itself treats it. And all this is is a way to borrow bonds. It's legally through the county, but the county has zero obligation on them. And um it's just a way to facilitate a company to be able to treat waste water, waste treatment, and stuff like that and a little bit more economical manner. And like I said, since the county has ever supported one or anything I heard, I just thought I'd make sure you guys are aware of how it works. And you know, the county is not on the hook at all. It doesn't affect your credit rating at all. It's just a formality. the government, the federal government as an ICD allowed it, the local government to have a weigh in on it to make sure they're approving of it, too. So, all it is is like a formality there. It goes through our credit rating, our bonding, our bank. And so, in the future, if we do decide to proceed, um, like I said, it's all going to be dependent on the state of Minnesota and their rules and regulations on what they try to um, do. Um, just so you guys are aware, Minnesota's pushing really high on sulfate limits. Well, the problem is is they want us to discharge at 15. We discharge at 18. All the groundwater that we pull out of the ground is a 35. All the ground there's groundwater west of here at 300 and they're saying that we can't discharge unless it's below 15. So, we're working with the MPCA to try to solve that. And it's, you know, we're already cleaning up the groundwater that we're pulling out of the ground by quite a bit, but they want it even lower. So that would be the reason we would ever look at try to do something like this because we can't meet it with our pond system out there and we'd have to buy four or 500 acres and try to spray irrigate in order to be able to lower that limit like that. So I just wanted itformational, make the board aware of that project of um tax exempt bonding that it doesn't affect your county at all. It's just uh the federal government set up as a nicity so that you guys have a say in it. So make sure that you're in agreement as well. Um and then maybe maybe you make you aware of the sulfate issue that um is facing the state because there's a lot of manufacturers in the state facing this that it's going to be uneconomical to treat the groundwater. Um and like I said, you're pulling out of the ground at 35. It's kind of tough to get down to 15. um it's you know millions if not tens of millions of dollars a year to try to get that low and the problem is even if you get it down that low there is no waste treatment facilities will accept it because they're trying to get rid of it as well. So um even Met Council wouldn't accept it if we gave it to them. So anyway, that's the issue, but I just want to make you guys aware of the bonding so that um even if Bonduard doesn't pursue it in the future, maybe another company might pursue something like that and you're aware of what it is and how it's beneficial for everybody involved really. >> While we have you here, it's rare that CFO of Bon Guards would be here. Um you're very knowledgeable of this. Have you guys ever considered a partnership with the Met Council or getting water and sewer >> sewer water and sewer from either Norwood or Cologne? >> Um, all of them refused. All of them are dealing with the same problem. All of them deal with the groundwater at like 32 35. So the Met Council, the closest Met Council connection to us was Wonia. And they looked at it, they did the math, they said, "No, we have our own problems that we can't meet it ourselves. There is no possible way we can do it." Um, same thing with Cologne and and Norway. They um they have they're they're struggling with the exact same struggle we would struggle with. And so they would not be able to get rid of it. So they wouldn't be able to help us anyway. And we did a first draft of what would cost us even this may not solve it, but it would cost us like5 to 7 million a year to just to lower to an arbitrary number. that's our discharge is already well well below um what the groundwater is which groundwater eventually all all all the time makes its way to lakes and rivers itself. So we're already cleaning up quite a bit. Um but yeah, no local um waste treatment facilities will connect to us to treat this because they all have the same exact same issue that we have. >> Thank you, >> Minister Ramsey. >> Well, Mr. Chair and board members, I was going to mention uh I know you've been in contact with Dave Fishman. Dave, raise your hand. Oh, there you got you two introduced. I know you've been uh had had a few conversations. So Dave's gonna has already maybe or is going to reach out to others, work with bond guards to see if this makes sense to see if >> Yeah. >> want to continue pursuing it. >> Yeah. At this point, um it's going to depend on the NPCA and what their final rules are and stuff. We have some other things that we're doing out there, but it's kind of not worth pursuing bonding unless we need to do the land irrigation and stuff like that. So, I'm not saying Bong Guard is going to ask the board in the near future for something like this, but it's possible. And that's why I just wanted to make sure you guys were kind of aware of what the procedure was and everything. And like I said, we just did a $30 million one with Ottertale and it's going well. So, >> y >> we can bring that back to you, Mr. Chair, if that makes sense. I think it's more commonly referred to as conduit financing. Is that correct? >> It's a formal conduit financing, right? >> Yeah. It's something that the boards in the past have talked about, but we haven't taken action on it. So, we'll bring it back to you if it makes sense for Barnards. >> Well, and I see Mr. Molen is paying close attention and maybe we're going to get an email from him, >> but that's your state of Minnesota. >> I'm not commenting, sir. >> I'm just describing our struggles, sir. >> Well, we like Bonguards and uh that their headquarters is in Chanhassen in County Commissioner District 2 is a is a lovely thing. Right next to the Legion. >> That's right. Like where where's the Legion? I don't know who that is. Okay. But no, we really appreciate it. Sounds like we're going to get a little education on that. And >> Okay. >> And uh happy to assist any way we can. So, we got the right people in the room here today. So, >> All right, sir. >> Thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you. >> Final Chris, one of your board members did reach out to me. I had a conversation with him. So, >> Okay. Yeah. We just got the last few board meetings. So, all right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, sir. Okay. Anybody else? Seeing nobody else. Agenda review and adoption. >> Mr. Chair, I would move that we uh adopt the agenda with a couple uh modifications. I think we got a couple this morning. Um one um pres recognize the presentation on 3.2. I think were doing something with railroad 2 that we needed to adjust. Yep. on that as well. And then um given the sensitivity and spirit of transparency, I'd ask that we pull 2.23 off of consent and put it on the regular agenda. Okay. Commissioner Uterman has a motion to move item 2.10 to item 3.0 zero and also to remove item 2.23 to item 3.3. >> Do we have anyone here to present on item >> I was going to ask that. Mr. Chair, are you ready to present an ice or would the sheriff need to present >> on that? Notice Marshall Marshall. Oops. Yeah. No, I'm not here for that issue. >> Okay. I'd have to get the sheriff in the room. Let me see if he's available >> or you could move that item to a later date or leave it on consent. Okay, I got a motion. >> And I don't have a second. Do I have a new motion? >> I modify the motion. Um, uh, all the same things, but to move 2.23 23 to regular um meeting the next uh available board meeting. >> Okay. Got another motion by Udman including the regional rail authority item and the US Marshall item. >> If I could may um ask administrator Hemsy if moving that item 2.23 to next week. Could we move it to next week? We can't move it to next week. No, unless you create another special session, Mr. Chair, Commissioner Anderson, uh, we'd have to wait until the next regular session. I also want to talk to the sheriff to see what >> right >> what the timing is behind the implementation of that contract. >> Yeah, I hate to blindside him. >> So, your next meeting, it looks like, is March 10th, regular session. >> Is this something he wants to move on right away? Have you heard back from? You just text him? >> Yeah. >> No, I I'm not sure, Mr. chair, board members, I do know he's been working on it for a while. >> I know that >> but I'm not sure of the timing. I'd have to ask him >> directly, >> I do know that we've passed this for many, many years and that's why it's on the consent and it >> Yeah, this is not a new item. This is not nothing new. >> It's a routine. >> Well, Mr. Chair, my understanding is is that there's an element of ICE on this contract and in the spirit of transparency with our general population knowing that we had a well attended number of meetings when it was ICE specific. Um, if that's uh if that's not if there's no elements of ice in that contract, I would agree that it would be easy consent item. Um, that said, I think the climate has changed a lot in the last couple years and again, I'd ask that to be removed from consent. the the I think the ICE language has always been in there. That's not new language. Cooperate Marshall Service cooperation with immigration services has always been in there from what the sheriff told me. This is not new. And >> I mean I I'll go ahead and second the motion um with reservation. I I I don't love blindsiding um another elected. I'm um so so I'll second the motion. >> Okay. I got a motion and a second to move the regional rail authority to further down the agenda and to remove item 2.23 from the agenda today. Correct. You want clarification to remove it to or to move it? >> Move it. >> Move it. >> Move it to March 10th. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You haven't heard from the sheriff? >> I'm texting right now. Be nice to know because this obviously just it's routine, but I understand if he has something if he can address it now today would be wonderful. Unless he Nothing. Huh? >> I'll let you know. >> Okay. Any further discussion on the motion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oh, I. >> Those opposed. >> I >> I. >> Okay. Motion fails. Two to three. So, I still need a motion for the consent agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to move item 2.1 to 3.0 >> um as a part of the consent agenda approval. >> Yes. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> I would second that, Mr. Chair. >> Okay. I got a motion and second to approve the consent agenda as modified. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? >> I >> motion passes. >> Mr. Chair, just a clarification. Uh I don't think he adopted the agenda. So if that was the intent of the motion, did we move right through the agenda in the >> Yeah. Moving back to this was changing the agenda. >> Yeah. 1.3. >> This was changing the agenda. So this was the move. >> I see. Okay. So if that motion was to change the agenda. >> Okay. >> To to move the uh consent item as suggested. >> Yes. >> Okay. Then we're good. And you still have to approve the consent agenda. >> Okay. But let's approve the minutes from >> Yes, sir. >> January 27, 2026 meeting. >> Move approval. >> I have a motion by second and a second by Lynch to approve the minutes from 20 January 27th. >> Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed. Motion passes. >> Community announcements. >> If I could, Mr. Chair. >> Pardon me. >> If I could, Mr. Chair, I just like to say I hope everyone had a good vacation. We had a little break there and uh we went through the um we had a couple open houses, County Road 30 and Mayor and uh County Road 11 and uh 10. And that was uh right there at the the local church. It was uh both were very well attended a lot of local residents and uh was uh great to have a conversation. I had a conversation with Commissioner Anderson was at both of them even all the way out to mayor. So kudos to her. I would like to say that um uh unfortunately a longtime business owner and mayor Vince Stifter has passed away. He was uh uh you know R&V service and mayor. He was there for quite some time and just a uh really good guy and great character. Uh served the community a long time and his sons and his uh grandson run the business now and it's a big loss for the community of mayor. So with that uh thank you Mr. Chair. >> Thank you Commissioner Bey. >> Yeah, thank you Mr. Chair. Um as we know it's fish fry season and the Zion Benton Hill Church Fry is this Friday uh from 4 to 8. So you can come on out and get your fill of fish. And then also uh on a previous community announcement, I talked about the cribage Ice Tournament in Cologne on Benton Lake and Carver County employee Nancy Buckantine won that tournament. So congratulations to her and I was fortunate not to have to play her. So that was good. And then uh yesterday I attended the Carver County Dairy and Beef Expo that was very well attended. Uh just a thank you to extension and thank you to uh Central High School for hosting. Uh they had some uh great speakers. Uh they a couple of topics was um the beef quality assurance training and then the keynote speaker uh machine repeat that was I sat in on that presentation and it was about 2026 used equipment prices and industry trends and then auction prices. Uh that was very informative so I appreciated that. and then also trade tariffs and tricky supply and demand trends for 2026. Uh the beef and dairy uh outlook. And just a note that um a person mentioned to me yesterday, uh currently there's 29 dairy farms left in Carver County. Uh there's only 20 left in Scott County. And back in the heyday in the 70s and the 80s, there were over 700 dairy farms in Carver County alone. So that's a huge trend and a huge change for Carver County. That's all I have, Mr. Chair. >> Okay, Commissioner Rderman. >> Well, Mr. Chair, I uh like to keep tabs on a lot of the economic development stuff going on. I know the 2050 comp plan, we'll be talking a lot about what I call the road of gold, our investment, $300 million investment in 212 to go four lane. And so a couple things I've kept tabs on, a $1.1 billion investment announced uh with an aerospace complex in Rosemont. Greater MSP was uh instrumental in making that happen, helping make that happen. Uh myself and Commissioner Lynch had a chance to be in Wakonia last week. Uh the president of the Minnesota Chamber was there. Um I think it was um Commissioner Lynch, keep me honest on this, about 80% of it was bad news and 20% of it was hope for the future of the tax climate we sit in. I think he shared the terms that we're the 44th um highest tax state in the in the uh United States and it's um causing some severe impacts on attracting new business uh to be here. Um I had a chance to take a tour of the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Shakape. I would encourage anybody that has an interest in that to look at it. Uh the level of automation, uh the amount of workers, I think they have 2,000 workers that work there. Um one of the benefits that their staff gets day one is healthcare insurance. And so it was eye openening to see how you put in your order within two hours your package has been packaged and put on uh for delivery. So that was interesting. And then in the spirit of economic development wanted to call out Matt Bergman. Um he is a Carver County resident has a business multi-generation business. Um and he was honored by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal is the most admired CEO. And so sometimes we don't get to see that. Um Matt and his wife uh have been big contributors not only to the Lions um city of Victoria and other things and I just like to elevate those examples. Um and I've talked to him multiple times the challenging tax climate facing businesses in Minnesota today. Uh next I had a chance to go to the beef and sausage dinner a week and a half ago I think it was. It was fun because the family the guy that uh recipe is used and his family were there and they took a great big picture. I think unofficially that recipe has been used for over 50 years and so it's kind of fun to be in a old uh gym and clear out the tables and you know fish fry season is soon upon us. I just love the grid of that and then the dozens and dozens of conversations with folks that sometimes you only see once a year. Um so that was great. You were missed Commissioner Workman. I know that you weren't there but you are regularly there to help um add cheer and volunteerism. Um I as other people on this board have been invited to speak at multiple school functions. Um I think it's important that we do those things and that is part of our talent pipeline, our future leadership. Um one gal in one of the classes says, "I think I want your job someday." And after five more minutes of talking to her, she wasn't so sure. Um but I said she would make a great leader at the county board level in the future or otherwise. And so it's those are good interactions. A number of us have a chance to be at Middle School East. that's been a longgoing thing where they have a session on civic government. Um, and I think that there's going to be city leaders, county leaders, and maybe even state leaders there as well. Um, it's not lost on me that a lot of people are preparing their taxes. Uh, it's one of those inflection points when you're paying your property taxes or when you're paying your income taxes that you stop and see what value are we getting. I think by and large our taxpayers can look around and see a lot of the value uh when you see roundabouts being built, expansion of roads, um parks, uh a bunch of other things. And uh but it is a challenging time, especially for those that are living on level or on the margins, um with tax season upon us. Um I think it's great when people on this board elevate people that have come from Carver County and done big things. I know Commissioner Lynch has elevated a wrestler that does great. Um I had a chance to go see Ken Hake. Um she played for um Chanhassen a number of years ago actually through COVID which was a challenging time for athletes at that time. She got a division one scholarship to go play for the University of Nebraska and she's completing her senior season. She was at the barn uh this past week and so the number of kids that came out to show up um a lot of the sports groups to support the local kid. Um she does a great job. Her parents live in Victoria. Um they did a great job with her as well. It's been a while but I think the last time we were together was what I'm calling the million-dollar meeting. we had a chance to have a joint session with Scott County. I don't think that had happened for 10 years or so. And that meeting was born out of um the legislative priorities committee looking at 2728 29 with the pressures facing us with shifts from the federal and state government. And so um at the end of that meeting we had a chance to talk about where there's ways for us to have synergies with Scott County and find some savings or be able to fill hard to hard to fill roles. And it came out very promising. We anticipate being um back together in May or June. And then um finally, well, two more things. They're both related to the sheriff's office. Um first, I wanted to recognize uh the sheriff Camero announced that he will not seek re-election. And I think sometimes in the furry of who's going to run next and who's going to replace him and who's going to be up and the election and all that other stuff, we don't stop and pause and say thank you. And so I just wanted to recognize and I know we have more formal abilities to do so as we near the end of his term. Um but Sheriff Camarude led the charge in the mental health space to do something like that he calls the checkup from the neckup. Everybody on his staff is required to have an hour with a psychologist annually and that could be talking about the Vikings or it could be talking about something that happened at their job uh or otherwise. And I think he's normalized the ability to go seek help in a time when maybe there's um a lot of distraction that we're not talking about mental health. It's a big issue and it's a rising issue within our communities. Sheriff Camarried led the charge to implement body cams within our um sheriff's office and he did so responsibly. He was not the first to do so and he was far from the last. He did it responsibly and evaluated all the things that went into that decision and I think they've worked very very well. He's been intentional about community outreach. Um and I think other jurisdictions have done so and I think it's ever more meaningful in the in the in the times that we sit right now that his um staff has done a great job of reaching out to the community, creating relationships. Um he does his version of the touch of truck. I think it'll be the third year in a row this year. Um and uh he's been intentional about succession planning, retention. Um there was a number of uh efforts made in payraises midterm and then recent conversations about jail. I think he handled very professionally and uh diplomatically and and uh got got a lot of people together proactively. And so if I make the final point about outreach um uh this past weekend the sheriff's office jumped at the polar plunge in Waconia. And I'm just going to read off the statistics that were shared by the guy that pulled this together. And I think there's been multiple people that have have pulled this together over the years. uh 25 plungers raised over $6,000, beating the goal of $5,800. Even better, we ranked uh eighth statewide among law enforcement agencies and uh just narrowly uh beat out CHAS in a friendly um competition for how much we could raise. It's fun to see Carver County and um Chaza work together on those things for the community. Um and then I had a chance to jump with jump with um Chief Deputy Pat Bari. It was his first time in the in the uh water. And so if you get a chance to check out the socials, um it's a it's a pretty good picture of Pat jumping in the water with Ian Leonard and and others. And then Kellen was there as well. Kell's been jumping on behalf of Special Olympics for 20 years. He's a beneficiary of the Special Special Olympics. His mom happens to be a commissioner in state of Minnesota. So this is our annual chance to connect and talk and and he got to light the torch to get it started. So with that, thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Anderson. >> All right. And I do have some prepared comments today. Like many, I welcome the news that federal government is drawing down the number of ICE agents, and I'm grateful to see more collaboration between the state and federal government, and hopefully we'll see that here in Carver County soon. I do want to acknowledge the pain, suffering, and fear that have resulted from the federal enforcement of immigration laws. I am grateful to many in our community that have cared for the individuals and who have experienced this fear. These individuals, our community and our country are never far far from my thoughts and prayers. I'm heartbroken at what I'm hearing and seeing and the fear that it has caused. Fear is a powerful emotion. It can be motivating and it can be deliberate deliberating. And I want to address a fear that has been raised about the potential risk of ICE agents in our libraries. This concern was raised in a well-meaning, sincere manner and was shared with me personally, then on social media and at a recent library board meeting. The concern surrounded how our library staff would respond when ICE entered a library. I requested the direction given to our library staff, which is consistent with the direction given to library staff within the Melsa system. And I also requested data on the presence of ICE agents in libraries throughout the 7ount metro area. Here's what I learned to date. To date, ICE agents have not entered any library in the Twin Cities area. There were two observed cases of agents being in the vicinity of a library. Once agents were temporarily in the parking lot. In the other case, they were in the building the library shared with the courts but did not come into the library space. So, is it possible that ICE agents will enter one of our six libraries in Cover County? Yes, of course. I'm a big believer that anything is possible, but we need to ask ourselves, is it probable? I also believeable I also believe that past behavior is the best indication of future behavior. So based upon the history of ICE agents not entering any of the over 100 libraries in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, I would have to say it is not probable, especially with the impending draw down of ICE agents within the within Minnesota. I do want to thank the people who've raised these concerns to keep our community um to keep our residents, patrons and staff safe and looking forward to moving back towards a renewed sense of normaly in the next coming weeks and and really hoping to get um our family resource center back open. I also want to share that any and all are welcome in our libraries. They are wonderful community spaces that offer a plethora of mindexpanding opportunities hosted by talented staff of library professionals who can direct you to any resource you desire. I personally found respit in libraries checking out books listening to books through the Libby app and am a firm believer that mindset is the most important component of leadership and what you put in your mind shapes your thoughts actions and outcomes. So find a way in in what I hear um our sun is not going to be out as much. It's going to be um colder temperatures again. So find a way to grow and expand your mindset through a wide variety of free materials that are available through your local library and come visit us. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Colony Attorney Mets, you'd like to say a few words. I appreciate it that you'll indulge me, but Commissioner Lynch and your comment upon a recent death inspired me. And our family lost two really strong people in our life um in the last month. My dad died a month ago and then this Sunday, my uncle died unexpectedly of a blood clot. My dad was 91 years old and and so he lived a really long prosperous life. They both live in Wisconsin. So like motans, they both love to hunt and fish. and my uncle was a a retired colonel in the army. And so, you know, it's it's been tough for us. But it reminds me of a quote I think that we should remember by Ralph Waldo Emerson. He says, "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It's to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it, make some difference that you lived and lived well." And they both did. So, thank you. Thank you. Well, I would like to wish everybody a happy Lent, if that's such a thing or word. Um, as you go into almsgiving and prayer and everything else that we do until we come out the other end at at Easter. Um, somebody mentioned taxes. I think Commissioner Man, the bad uh state of taxes in the state of Minnesota. I have long thought that statewide elections should be held on April 16th of every year so that our constituents are finally tuned to the amount of money that they have to pay to keep things going around here. So, uh, I am wearing a touch of green today. It is one month from St. Patrick's Day. We call this St. Practice Day. So, go have a pint or something. I have some pretty nice green shoes on, too, today. So, >> beautiful shoes. >> Um, one month away from from a very holy day, St. St. uh Patrick's Day. Um, I think that was all I had. That is all I have. So, let's move on to the consent agenda, which has been modified. Do I have a motion? >> So move, Mr. Chair. >> And I'll second that. Mr. Chair, I'd like to comment on 2.2 if I could. >> Okay. I have a motion by Lynch and a second by Commissioner Fehey. Commissioner Fehey, >> thank you. Uh 2.2 is a request by the Chesa Snowhawks. That's an exempt permit. Uh the reason for that permit, it's a benefit for um my uh Radkkey and it's on March 7th. It's at Dogrin Golf Course at Dicks Tavern and it's a a ride in for snowmoilers or side by side individuals. There's a live auction. Uh there's a chili feed. I'm going to be um able to help out at the chili feed and and serve food. But um really it's all about um Maya about a month after her third birthday. Uh she's the daughter of Megan and Michael Radkkey of Chaza. She was diagnosed with B cell leukemia on March 20th of 2025. So, if all goes as planned, uh, her final day of treatment will be on July 3rd of 2027. So, if you'd like to come out and support that benefit. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay, I have a motion and a second for the consent agenda. Hearing no other discussion, all those in favor say I. I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes four to one. Okay, we're going to move on to the item that was moved. >> 3.0 >> 3.0, the Carver County Regional Rail Authority. Sam Kurtz. >> Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the Regional Rail Authority. No presentation today. Just again, >> we better make a motion to make ourselves that. >> Motion to >> reassesses the county board and convenes the Carver County Regional Rail Authority. >> Second. >> Got a motion by Lynch, second by Udman to do just exactly what Commissioner Lynch just said there so we can be the regional rail authority. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, Sam. >> Yes. Good morning. I'll say good morning again. I was excited to see you. So good morning Mr. Chair, members of the regional authority. No presentation this morning. This would be a consent item, a normal business. There is no consent item as you all know for the regional rail authority, but this is uh a need for some consulting services, engineering services to continue the work for two bridge replacements on the Dakota Rail. This is the west end of that segment near the county line. This work has been scheduled here. Really was scheduled last year. It's on track to be constructed here this year, but this is what this request and this need for consulting services is for. Uh Stonebrook is the um design and engineer firm that public works also uses for bridge work. So that's who we're using here look to use here for this work. So stand for any questions. >> So we had to move this because it was the regional rail party was on the >> I apologize. I missed that on the Okay. >> The whole mixture. Thank you. >> Okay, Commissioner Pay. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Sam, do you have a time frame now when the work is actually going to be completed? That schedule, Good question, Commissioner Pay. No, that schedule has not been put together. What I will say is our guys are working on tree removals here now presently. So, uh, barring some unforeseen schedule oopsies or something happening with the construction season, this work should be performed here this year. Thank you. Weather permitting. >> Weather permitting. If >> no other questions, I'd move approval, Mr. Chair. >> Second. >> Okay. Got a motion by Lynch and a second by Udman to approve item now 3.0 uh regarding the re regional rail authority. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. Thank you, Sam. Mr. Chair, with that I would adjourn make motion to adjurnn as a Carver County Regional Rail Authority and reconvene as the county board. Second. Okay, got a motion by Lynch and a second by Fehee to adjurnn as the regional rail authority and to reconvene as the county board. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. >> Those opposed. >> Motion passes. Item 3.1, county administrators 2025 annual performance evaluation summary. >> Morning, Carrie. >> Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. During the county board meeting that took place on January 27th, 2026, the county board held a close session with county administrator David Hemsy in accordance with Minnesota statutes to discuss his 2025 performance. The county board annually determines an overall performance rating for the county administrator using the same options rating options used for other county employees. Over the years, the county has periodically updated and refreshed its performance evaluation format and rating options for employees. And this year, the rating options are streamlined with two choices, either needs improvement or achieved performance. The summary of the county board's evaluation of the county administrator's 2025 performance is shared today along with his overall performance rating presented for the board's approval. The summary of the EV evaluation is as follows. County Administrator Hemsy continued to provide excellent leadership during 2025, reflecting his deep experience and commitment to Carver County. His knowledge and wealth of experience position him to guide the county in preparing to thrive into the future. Administrator Hemsy has demonstrated his ability to effectively lead through complex issues, establish and maintain strong professional relationships, deliver on goals, leverage technology and innovative solutions, and meet the challenges and opportunities of an evolving environment. His significant knowledge, expertise, leadership, and accomplishments reflect overall performance excellence in 2025. The recommended action at this time is a motion to approve an overall rating of achieved performance for county administrator Hemsy's 2025 performance. >> Well, congratulations, uh, Mr. Hemsey. >> Thank you. >> Anybody have any comments? I know we've been through this and through this. I just I mean I have comments. Come on, you guys. All right. So, uh >> Dave, thanks to David. I've never heard you call that. I guess I knew that. The um you know, I I just want to thank you. Um as a first year commissioner last year, I had a lot to learn and we had a lot of phone calls and and I appreciate um explaining things. I appreciate your openness to ideas. Um, you know, we we were able to spend a little bit more time on our strategic plan and identify some strategic priorities. I appreciate you um taking that um up and and doing that and having that conversation and just the work you do. Um, you do good work and let me tell you the people who some of them are sitting in this room and you have really great leadership and um and a as as a leadership professional um the sign of a good leader is developing other leaders and I've seen that. Um, so and that's that's something that um I you know we talked a little bit about you know next steps for your goals is continue to to develop those leaders and and do a little bit more succession planning and um so I look forward to to seeing what gets accomplished in the next couple of years in that area. So thank you. Thank you for your service. >> Thank you. Well, Ditto. Um, Dave, you've been the county administrator almost as long as I've been a county commissioner. I've been county commissioner a little longer than you. Um, so I've known you a long time. Um, you really always are on top of stuff for us and the board and and staff and uh you're like a well-fitting glove and uh five commissioners, one glove. Um, so we appreciate you got high ratings uh for all your hard work planning and now you've had a little vacation. you're well rested. We're going to head into 2027 budget and so we're counting on you to get us through all the minefields and silliness uh that we're going to have uh starting today at the legislature and uh and hopefully uh we come out the end and in as good a shape as we usually are. So, I've got a lot of confidence in you and so thanks for being there and I think this is going to be the end of the the wishy-washy stuff now. So, >> thank you, Mr. Chair. >> You bet. >> Mr. Chair, if I could, I think that um Mr. Hemy's done a bangup job and he has for quite some time. But before we go down the We've already called them a well-worn glove. Before we go down the rabbit hole any further, I would like to make the motion to approve the overall rating of achieved performance for a county administrator Ham's 2025 performance. >> Second. >> We got a motion by Lynch and a second by Uderman to approve the the county administrator's annual performance evaluation summary. Any further discussion? hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. Congratulations. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Board members, >> let's just move to adjourn. Now, now let's go to item 3.2, county administrator salary and salary range market data review. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, today I'll be presenting information for the board's consideration regarding county administrator position salary data and salary range data. I'll include background on the county's approach to maintaining competitive compensation throughout the organization and how this relates to the position and focus today. We'll walk through current market data for this role and then open the discussion for board decisionmaking if you wish to take potential follow-up action based on the facts and data presented for your consideration. I'd like to start our discussion today by providing some context and background regarding the county's compensation approach, including consideration of the external market and internal equity. When the county's current compensation structure and classification methodology was implemented, the county board adopted a compensation philosophy which is shown on the screen that highlights the importance of maintaining the county's ability to attract and retain qualified public employees committed to excellence. The county's established compensation philosophy expresses a commitment to delivering fair compensation that is internally equitable and externally competitive. This compensation philosophy statement, as reflected on the screen, has continued to serve as a guide for our ongoing work in the areas of classification and compensation. The county's compensation philosophy and practical approach tie closely to goals for delivering excellence and service to the community, positioning the county to attract and retain highquality talent, and lay the foundation for areas like succession planning and reducing undesirable turnover. Harbor County applies a consistent, methodical, and market responsive approach in classification and compensation practices. The county's approach supports compliance with the Minnesota Local Government Pay Equity Act. Additionally, following best practices and consistent methods that take both internal equity and external market factors into account supports fair and equitable equitable compensation, employee trust, and more effective union and labor relations. The county has compensation and classification policies and applies a consistent classification method to define internal equity and appropriate compensation for county work. The count the current classification method used is the decision band method or DBM. On a long-standing basis, the county has contracted with professional classification and compensation consulting firms to maintain and update its classification structure in a legally compliant, fair, and neutral manner to meet the standards required for Minnesota local government employers. When we talk about compensation, we typically look at two primary components. This includes the structure or the salary ranges as one key component and then employees actual pay as the other component. The county board has historically aimed to maintain the county's overall compensation structure or salary ranges within a range considered market competitive or highly competitive. The county board has also supported decisions to provide actual compensation that is within a range considered market competitive or highly competitive. Highly competitive um is considered to be plus or minus 5% of the market. Competitive is considered to be plus or minus 10% of the market. Salary ranges or actual compensation that are outside of those ranges potentially indicate misalignment with the market. Although sometimes higher or lower pay is explained by additional valid factors such as an incumbent's performance or their qualification or years of experience. Possible misalignment um with the market is indicated at plus or minus 10 to 15% of the market and significant misalignment is assessed at plus or minus greater than 15% of the market. The county's full market studies have incorporated custom salary surveys focused on the seven county metro area, cities with populations of 25,000 plus, and general private sector data. For purposes of the county's compensation market studies going back to 2016, the county has included um the comparable counties that you see on the screen for purposes of compensation alignment. Um these counties are Anoka, Dakota, Scott, Washington, Ramsey, and Henipin. The county regularly evaluates compensation settlements and range adjustments um to maintain our structure and compensation competitive with our comparable market group with particular focus on the comparable metro and suburban counties that you see on the screen. When evaluating comparable market data for setting elected official salaries, we focus on the same county market comparison group as well. when the county has conducted position specific or work unit spot checks to assess competitiveness um for hot jobs or positions where significant market shifts have occurred um and areas of potential concern, we typically focus on collecting and analyzing salary data and range data from this same set of comparable metro and suburban counties. At times, employee relations has recommended and the board has approved the implementation of market exception ranges or market compensation adjustments outside of the regular settlement patterns to address issues identified through a focused market analysis. The county compensation policy applicable to non-bargaining employees allows the county to grant additional compensation increases. The policy states, "Compensation increases may be granted at the sole discretion of the county. These increases will generally involve internal and/or labor market equity considerations for unusual circumstances and will occur only upon the recommendation of the employee relations director with approval of the county administrator. The county has also negotiated provisions similar to this policy language in some of our labor agreements that allows the county to make additional compensation adjustments beyond the negotiated pattern. From a countywide perspective, market adjustments have been made on a case-by case basis when warranted. Looking back a handful of years, the county has provided special market adjustments to actual wages and established market exception pay ranges for a number of positions where it was determined warranted by the data. These special adjustments have been driven by market data and other relevant factors. For example, identifying difficult to fill positions or jobs with significant attraction retention challenges that are attributed to compensation and market competitiveness. Special adjustments to either pay ranges or actual compensation have occurred in a variety of positions, including jobs represented by every union at the county. The county board has consistently demonstrated that it gives serious consideration to relevant market factors and data with an interest in maintaining Carver County as an employer that balances responsible management of taxpayer dollars while also positioning the county to offer fair and competitive compensation. This approach supports the county's objectives to deliver efficient, high-quality public services. In keeping with the county's traditional approach and practices for evaluating market competitive alignment for other jobs, employee relations has recently collected and evaluated data for the county administrator role from the comparable metro and suburban county market group. This includes information for comparable positions with job titles of county administrator and county manager. At this point in time, the Carver County Administrator's salary ranges and the actual salary are showing significant misalignment with the market. A portion of the county administrator's compensation, similar to other county employees, is performance-based pay that would be processed in March. For purposes of modeling on um the information that's on the screen, the 2026 projected data um shown builds in an assumption of the county administrator receiving an achieve performance rating based on a review of 2026 county administrator manager actual base salary information. If the county board takes no action to address market misalignment, the county administrator's 2026 actual base salaries projected to be lagging the metro suburban comparable county market average by 56,639 which is approximately 25.62% below the market average figure. The county administrator has 21 years tenure in his role compared to the average metro suburban tenure shown on the screen. Um in this specific position averaging around 2.33 years in the particular position. Um many incumbents did begin their current positions with additional years of relevant highle leadership experience that they brought to the job. Um but this is looking at their years in the actual position that they hold now. An analysis of tenure and documented high level performance showed that these factors would not be an explanation for lower pay when evaluating the Carver County administrator's compensation in relation to the comparable market. There are a few additional factors um that appear to have influenced the market misalignment that Carver County is currently experiencing um specific to this particular position. Up until May of 2023, Minnesota law, which was often referred to as the Minnesota Governor's Salary Cap Law, um set limits for more highly compensated local government employee salaries unless the organization went through a process to request and successfully obtain exceptions for specific positions. Carver County never chose to seek seek an exception from the compensation limits set by Minnesota local government employee comp set for local government compensation. Other metro and suburban counties did seek and obtain exceptions to the cap defined by this Minnesota law for their county administrator positions as well as other highle leadership positions years before the cap was eliminated. In May of 2023, the governor's salary cap law was repealed. This allowed local government organizations to more effectively compete for qualified top leadership talent, adjusting their salary ranges to more appropriately align with the actual market. Additionally, the data reflects that comparable counties experienced more turnover in their top leadership positions, while Carver County has maintained a stable and experienced leadership team. As other counties experienced turnover, they often brought in new leaders starting at higher rates, which further shifted the market um information that you see for this role. On this slide, I'll focus on the salary range information briefly. The Carver County Administrator salary range is a key factor in the incumbent's compensation significantly lagging the market. The 2026 salary range for this position lags the market average by approximately $65,540 or around 40 44.47% at the range minimum and it lags the market average by approximately $95,394 or around 43.14% at the range maximum. The Carver County administrator's base salary has been capped and held back by the range maximum in effect over a number of years. Following a comparable approach to how the board has chosen to address other positions where significant concerns regarding market alignment are identified, I'll now present to the board um some options based directly on the current market data for the county administrator position. Since this position shows significant misalignment with the market for both the salary range and actual compensation, the board may wish to review and consider both components. Based on the comparable market salary range data, employee relations would recommend the board consider establishing a market exception salary range for the county administrator position. If the board opts to establish a market exception range, it is recommended to provide authority for employee relations to maintain that range alongside the full county range structure, implementing comparable periodic range adjustments, which typically occur annually. A reasonable option could be to define the county administrator position exception range to align with the metro suburban market average range data. The 2026 comparable county market range minimum is approximately $212,929 and the maximum is approximately $316,498 with a midpoint of $264,713.50. This reflects approximately a 48% range spread. Our countywide range structure is based on a standard 50% range spread. If we use the market average midpoint of 264,71350 to define a 50% range spread, this would result in an exception range minimum of $21170.80 80 and a range maximum of $317,65620. It is recommended to implement an exception range as the first step ahead of applying any additional performance-based or market compensation adjustments. The board may also to consider a market compensation adjustment to the incumbent's actual salary based on the significant misalignment that is shown in comparison to um the pure compensation. The county administrator's projected 2026 salary, if the board were were to take no action, would lag the comparable county market average salary amount of $277,743 by approximately $25.62% or 56,639. While the Carver County administrator has a strong history of high performance and significantly more tenure and experience in his role compared to metro and suburban county peers, one reasonable and straightforward option based directly on the market data could be to provide a one-time market adjustment to move the county administrators rate of pay to match the 2026 market average salary of $277,743. If the board opts to take this approach, employee relations would recommend the following implementation details. The hourly equivalent rate used to calculate compensation would be adjusted to $133.54, which could be effective at the start of the next pay period, reflecting an effective date of February 23rd, 2026. This rate of pay equates to that annual um salary figure or an approximation of it of $277,763. The onetime market adjustment to the new rate could be defined to encompass and include the performance-based pay increase that would otherwise be effective the first full pay period in March of 2026. Since regular compensation increases are built into the budget for 2026, a portion of this total adjustment is already budgeted. We asked finance to calculate the full additional cost um that is shown um based on what is budgeted. Factoring in total compensation costs um for this option, the total additional cost to move the administrator's salary to the average market rate effective February 23rd will come to $49,342. If the board opts to do this, finance identified the commissioner contingency fund could be used to cover the additional cost above what is already budgeted. Defining an exception salary range or a market salary adjustment is based on the board's discretion after considering the current market data that has been brought forward. If the board would like to take action to address one or both aspects with regard to the administrator's salary range or the actual compensation, a framework for making a motion is provided on the screen. And with that, I will open it up for word discussion or questions. >> Anybody have any questions? Commissioner Rderman, >> can you Carrie, can you go Thank you. very thorough as always. Um, can you go back and tell me a little bit about the governor cap? I know that it's got a different official name, but the governor cap got lifted essentially in 2023. So before that, it looks like the data supports that other counties um had had pre2023, they had I just don't know how how the math before 2023 was capped or not capped and how that equated to our county and other counties. >> Um the county administrator's salary at some juncture at Carver County did bump up against that governor's salary cap limit um which remained in effect until the law was repealed in 2023. So the bar across the middle is kind of the the point at which the data splits and the the governor's salary cap was repealed. We still had a range though that was capping the county administrator's salary at that juncture. >> So So let's just take >> other other metro and suburban counties did request and receive exceptions to the governor's salary cap. >> Okay. So they and the exception ranges that they achieved probably varied. Um I don't have that specific data with me. Um but >> the other metro suburban counties were able to raise um the eligible portion of their range for the county administrator based on having requested and achieved that exception to the law that was in place. >> So we'll just take 22. We were at 192. We didn't ask for exception. And then anybody above that and you said we banged up against the um the max which it looks like Ramsey was there as well but like Henipin at 294 Washington at 196 two Dakota 204 they seemingly had an exception. Okay. And then my next question is is when we do this evaluation I know it's easy just to do it on easier to do it as just on a cash basis what the base is. Does this take into account full compensation including other benefits whether it's um healthcare benefits or their allowances etc. Um I believe the the costing for the additional cost in this year took additional compensation into account um based on what would change what would be the difference if the board were to take action today. Um this information that you see on the screen is trying as as much as we can to compare apples to apples. So it is looking at the base salary. Do >> you get the feel that that with Dave and we're talking about Dave today, but this is a broader conversation. it just happens to be you and happens to be public and etc etc. But um but but my question would be is are we competitive on the healthc care side and then are there any other things perks or other things that we offer Dave or people in similar roles that say like a henipin wouldn't have car allowance uh phone allowance uh etc etc etc. As far as any any other perks, if you will, I'm not aware um that there's a significant difference there. Um with regard to health insurance, I believe with the the recent changes and investment that the board made in the county's health insurance, um I do believe that I can say that we are very competitive with our health insurance package at this point. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. If I may, Carrie, can you go back to that slide? Thank you and and job well done. And I just did the the quick math comparing the 2022 to the 2026 salaries and the difference in those changes. Um, Dakota County was roughly 76,000, Anoka 95,6461, Henipin County 100,74 and Carver County that change is only $29,000. To me, that was the eye opener and that's that's why we're at that 26% difference. Thank you. Well, I think that that line and maybe Carrie can help me, maybe she can't, maybe Mr. Hemsy can help me, but that governor's salary cap law, I think prior to that there was a lot of monkey business on how they paid people. Can I use the word monkey business in a professional setting? >> You you do >> um I think there were one-time payments, things that weren't maybe considered the salary on the salary cap. Correct. I mean, there were different ways I think they were trying. That's why it was getting it was getting it it was getting ridiculous um um to have that cap and kept kept the state from being competitive. But I think there were other financial slights of hand which I I abbreviated to monkey business. Um uh and so we'll leave it at that. Uh but yeah, we we obviously uh saw this discrepancy for Mr. Hemsy who by far by uh many country miles uh the experience that he has over just about anybody else in the metro area and uh but then to have that that discrepancy that's that's why we're here. Um it isn't fair. It isn't good. Um um and I think I've had conversations with many of you about, you know, if Dave uh left today um we would be faced with uh the higher salary anyway. And and so uh but to deny uh uh an employee we just gave high marks to uh that compensation that is fair um is why we're here. And um it's it's a little less uncomfortable talking about it than our own pay or the county attorneys or the sheriffs. Uh but but >> I disagree. >> That is our job. Uh Mr. Hemsy would love to get a motion on the floor right away if we can. Um but this is this is about fairness. I don't think any of us >> we would prefer not to do this if but it's not fair and so that's why we're here. So, does anybody have anything more to say? >> Well, just to kind of um Commissioner Workman, just to kind of piggyback off this. Um first of all, thank you Carrie for all the the work you you put into this and and um I like a bargain. Um and man, Dave, you've been a bargain. Um, and uh, but when when uh, sometimes being pennywise and pound foolish and and I think I fear that's that's what we may have done here. I don't believe you should ever scrimp on leadership and um, so and this is also a result of um, Commissioner Unman the other day pointed out that he's the longest standing administrator in um, in the metro counties. And that's what happens is when a when a person stays long enough and we just give them the the bumps that we gave every other employee. Meanwhile, other administrators are leaving and asking for significant increases. That's why we we get this discrepancy. And so we might as well reward um our leader in in the way he should be. Um, and we've done this for other employee groups. To your point, Carrie, you've done a lot of work in making sure that our employees are paid fairly, and that's something that that this board has been proud of. So, we need to do the same for our administrator. So, I'd like to make the motion. Um, what what help me. What What is the motion >> on 68? >> Um, yes. Yeah. Oh, wow. That's a lot of ones. Um but but I I move that that um >> I think I think Carrie would prefer this. >> Yeah. What would Carrie prefer? Carrie would prefer >> 15 of the handout. >> Would you like me to read through the motion options that are >> Well, we can move to approve a is this a resolution? And I can read this if that's okay. Do you want me to read it? >> There is a res there is a resolution. Um I broke it out into two sections. One addressing the salary exception range and the other addressing actual compensation. Um but it is all combined in one resolution um which is also framed up and provided in the board packet. I believe >> I move approval of those two resolutions. >> Should those be read to the public? >> You don't have to, Mr. Chairman. I mean, they're up on the board and it it makes it clear that of the range and then the annual salary of $277,763 and and it it's self-evident right on the screen. >> The 277 is covered by the 49 from the contingency or does that add up? >> The 49 would be the additional cost over what is already budgeted for just typical annual increases. >> I will second that motion, Mr. Chair. >> Okay. I got a motion by Commissioner Anderson and a second by Commissioner Fehey for the two parts of this motion uh regarding the county administrator's pay range and his pay. Any other discussion? Commissioner Lynch. >> Only that I'm a little disappointed that Commissioner Anderson doesn't have to read these motions. >> I thought that, >> you know, I can give you that honor, Commissioner Lynch. did refer to the county attorney. He gave us an exemption. So, >> and Commissioner Anderson mentioned this. This has not been the first time we've done this. We've done it uh with very vital uh employees, deputies, attorneys, 911 operators, and also she mentioned uh experience. Commissioner Hemsy has 21 years of experience when the average of the other metros is 2.3. Um with no one else even being double digits. So, uh with that, he's done a wonderful job. Last year was a very difficult budget year and anticipate this one to be very difficult if not more difficult. So I'm glad he's here. >> Okay, seeing no other discussion, I do have one more comment from Commissioner Udman. >> Well, Mr. Chair, we all work for the taxpayer and a lot of this conversation isn't about Dave. It's about the history of the last 10 years and where we've arrived today. And there's a gap. We know there's a gap. It's identified whether you were sitting there or somebody else. This is less about you than it is about equity and and other things. And I asked the question, how does the taxpayer benefit from this move? We've never given a $50,000 raise in the history of Carver County. And I don't think this is the time to do do so. I think it's a little bit tonedeaf coming out of I think a historic 8% tax increase last year. Um I think that it's probably premature knowing that we haven't done this exercise for some of our other leaders and we've had that conversation in close session. I just bring it into public session. We know that there's disparities within some of our other leadership roles. And so I think it's prudent that we push pause for six months. It doesn't look like it's going to have board support, but to push pause for six months and to evaluate you and your leaders. You've regularly said that you couldn't do it without your leaders, and I agree. I know that there's um somebody that brings in hundreds of millions of dollars for the county um that is is lacking disparity. I know his number two is probably there's some disparity. And so I don't know that we can in full faith um come to our taxpayers and say we're going to do this for our top leader but knowing that we have other ones. And so I think it's prudent that we push pause for six months. Um I'm always a guy that brings solutions. I know that all the electeds took 7% this past year and then our staff did as well two years in a row. Um and I think that that's uh helps push us in the direction. I'm not saying that in the future there's not a true up. I also think that if there's going to be a true up, it shouldn't happen immediately. I've talked to other peers in other counties and other places and they've recognized where there's disparities and they spread it over two or three or four years. I think that that's prudent not only for yourself and the taxpayers. And then I think the point was made earlier about what happens if you know Dave gets hit by a bus. Who do we bring in? And so I made a few phone calls to people that are in the space that would be interested in roles like yours and there's only seven of them in the metro. Um and and I didn't lead anybody. I didn't give any more details. I just said, "What would it take for somebody to consider a role like this?" And I I'm very confident that we would have a robust talent pool. Largely because of your leaders, largely because of where the county is, largely because of some of the cool things we got going on. The first sizable county in the state with 100% fiber. We've got a fully funded uh replacement of the 600 building, 602 building. We've got our parks that are that are humming along and all the all the fun things to be had. Um, this decision, if we did it based on what the trend is the last couple years, would be a $690,000 decision over the course of the next 10 years. A $690,000 decision just on the raise and the increase alone. That's a lot of money. It's not just for today, but it's in the future. We don't just pay for it once, we pay for it multiple years. And we're facing um we're facing at least, I'd imagine, a 10% or more increase in 27 28 29 given the shift from federal and state budgets. Um, last I'd say I've never liked this methodology. I know that we grabbed the information because it's readily available across seven counties, but I just looked this morning. Um, Henipin County has 10 times the population that we do. They have 10 times the budget. If you look at their crime rates, their crime rates are higher. They have shelters. They have hospitals they have to deal with. Their job is different, right? And so, I don't know that it's a fair compare for us to use. I understand why we do it. It pushes the average. I don't think Ramsey's a fair compare. And so, I support methodology of jumping off the ladder and stop comparing us to everybody else. Right. Um, some jobs they are, we do compete, we compete for social workers, especially the ones that can do some of their work from home. We do compete with Henipin and Ramsey for those jobs, but other jobs we don't. And none of this is disrespect for the job that you've done, Dave. It's just the reality that I was hired to say these things on behalf of the taxpayer. And I don't think I'm saying anything that's crazy, but I do think a one-time $50,000 increase in the environment that we are in is a little bit crazy. And I can't support that today. and I offered some solutions that I I hope that my peers can can consider. Um, and it's not lost on me that 2026 is an election year. It's not lost on me that we all have to face the voters. It's not lost on me any of those things. Um, but I know that when people are absorbing, especially the ones living on little, we have people working for our county that make less than $50,000 a year. And so a one-time popup of $50,000 increase just does not feel right in the environment we're in right now. So those are my comments. Thank you. >> Well, and to Carrie, we did also include as part of this discussion the obvious that uh department heads and where the department heads were and of course that is a part of the discussion but we didn't find anywhere near the discrepancies in the department head area that we did in this area with the county administrator correct >> I'm not aware of another position that is lag in the market this significantly at the county >> Mr. Chair, I I would like to request that information because I believe that some of our division heads, if we did the data, and maybe we don't have the data, but let's not imply that we have the data if we don't have it because I haven't seen it. I think if you look at as a percentage, there are other at least two positions within our county that are in the leadership role that report to Dave that are significantly out of out of whack compared if if we use this methodology. If we want to shift from the methodology, I'm fully fine to do so. But to say that we don't have positions like that that are at least 25% off off a market is, I think, false. I don't have the data. Maybe the data is not there. I haven't seen it. >> I do think that we need to look at the data for all of our um our leadership roles. So, you know, I agree with with Commissioner Udman on that. And I also agree it's terrible timing, you know, but um according to what we've seen over the past years, it's never been good timing. And um we can talk about what this position is is costing taxpayers, but we can also say that that this has saved taxpayers um a lot of money in in the past um multiple years that that we have underpaid. So um stand by my motion and um I think that we um we should not scrimp on leadership. leadership is where we need to invest our energy, our time, and um I'd like to hear any other comments or call call a vote. >> Okay, I got a motion and a second on the two-part motion. again the uh the range for the county administrator position and the raise hearing. No other discussion. >> Commissioner Lynch, >> I'd just like to caution Dave to be safer on buses. >> Yeah. >> He gets by by a bus. >> Thank you. >> All right. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Uh those opposed? >> I. >> Motion passes four to one. Congratulations. >> Thank you, Commissioner. >> All right. County administrator report. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. Uh board members, no items have been submitted for next week's a work session. I did reach out to uh division directors yesterday saying it's a good opportunity. I haven't heard. I think I gave to the end of today to respond. So, let's see if uh there are any takers on that. But there's plenty lined up in the future. And it does take some time to line things up. So, I'm sure they they have things but maybe not ready. So, so, uh, I would recommend if I don't hear back, I'll I'll let you know, Mr. Chair, and I'd recommend canceling that meeting. >> Okay. >> Otherwise, that's it. Just one other comment, Mr. Chair, on the agenda that I printed out, March 10th, uh we do have that discussion item regarding the shotgun and the rifle. >> Yes, sir. One of my Mr. Chair, Commissioner F, one of my favorite things I've worked on, I think, in my career is a deer hunting rifle ordinance. I'm preparing that, gathering information, and uh uh we do need I've chatted with Mark. We do need to make that official public hearing. We'll post that in the paper and uh I'm working on that that presentation. I'm trying to keep it reasonably simple. I know some of you aren't familiar with the issues. Others are. So, I'll try and thread that needle. I'm also struggling I would say to collect information from other counties that are in the same I just sent an email this morning are in the same situation where uh I think roughly half the state is would have the ability to overturn the state law to adopt to keep deer hunting the same which is basically shotguns. So so stay tuned. I'll I'll gather that up. I'll run that by uh by two experts commissioner Lynch and Fee before it's se prime time. I know Tim Tim is our our local ballistics expert. So, we'll we'll keep working on that. But, but if you could help me get the word out, I I did plan on notifying the uh townships. I know there's some interest out there from a variety of folks. I know Tim and I visited the Waconia Watertown Chamber meeting and there was some conversation there. So, pretty pretty uh hot topic for folks that that are impacted by this. And I would say even if you aren't impacted, it's an important one. So March 10th, that would be again a public hearing and I'll do the overview and uh get some guidance. And if you wanted to adopt an ordinance keeping it as is, we'd put that in a latter agenda. >> And our rural members maybe don't agree on this topic. Some uh some want to keep it as is traditional and some want to see it go to a rifle only or either cho choice. And we had a uh David, we were at the Watertown Chamber and we had a great conversation about it. Um most people never change because they do what they traditionally have done for many many years. Um rifles are legal right now if you want to go out shoot coyote hunting. The only time they're illegal now is is when you during deer hunting season. So, uh, I've got, uh, I have comments both ways. They'd like to keep it, uh, open it up for, uh, slugs. It's, uh, or excuse me, open up for rifles. It's, they kick much less and it's much easier for a younger person, especially if you want to get a youth involved. And Mr. Fehees heard just the opposite that he'd like to keep it uh, and we'll present everything in the the work session. It'll be uh, this is very interesting. Well, this is one of those situations where a suburban guy is just like to sit back and peer peer in into it. But I I certainly remember this debate uh at the Capitol in years decades past. And of course, I've hunted deer. Never shot one with a rifle. Yeah, I did shoot one with a rifle way up north. Um but fascinating stuff. That's a it is a great interesting topic. I I'm a little disappointed the legislature gave this choice because it chops things up and makes already confusing rules more confusing potentially. But but even if you're not uh directly interested or impacted, you are think about it. You are you're driving through the rural countryside, you hit a deer, you're impacted >> potentially. >> Do you have the DNR gentleman? Will he be able to attend? >> I haven't called him yet. U Commissioner Fay, I'm going to call him this week. >> Okay. try and get him in the room >> as I was out at the Hamburg hunt and fish fish fry a couple of weeks ago and very hot topic in that Hamburg hall setting. >> Okay. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Got a motion by Anderson and a second by Uterman to adjourn our regular session. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. I >> those opposed. Motion passes.