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FAIRMONT-- The Martin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday heard from Building Maintenance Supervisor, Luke Cyphers, regarding the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) building renovations project.
He said Tim Auringer of Oleson and Hobbie Architects was at a recent building committee meeting to summarize where they're at thus far.
"It sounds like the drawings will be completed on Dec. 25," Cyphers said. "Roof and windows. Removal of the windows requires cutting into the hollow frames... they were talking about possibly doing a test run of removal of the windows and that can be decided later."
He added that it was said that an additional meeting with staff will be organized to discuss plans.
Commissioner Joe Loughmiller questioned the date that the drawings are coming to the board and pointed out that they wouldn't be able to act on anything until after the first of the year at the first commissioner meeting in January.
"Why is this taking so long? Loughmiller asked. "I'm disappointed with how long this is taking."
He asked if they could speed up the process so that the drawings could be completed before the commissioner's Dec. 15 meeting so that the board can discuss it then.
Commissioner Kevin Kristenson agreed and said, "This has been going on and going on and going on. If we can get this by the 15th, then we get it at a meeting beforehand so we can get this rolling."
Cyphers said that Oleson and Hobbie would need to be asked if that would be possible and County Coordinator Scott Higgins said he would pass the request along.
Next, the board heard from Chris Ziemer with ICS who presented a proposal for construction management services for the renovation project.
"We would come alongside Oleson and Hobbie to help coordinate how we're going to get this done. I do believe there's quite a bit of coordination in not only how the windows are going to come out but in making sure that staff are minimally disrupted."
He added that the windows alone will be quite the process and take maybe a month to a month and a half and that the roof will likely happen during that time, too.
"We haven't been involved in all of the conversations with the design team, but my understanding is that no conversations have been had with the DOC (Department of Corrections) yet. That's an important part that we need to get expedited so we know what needs to happen with those security windows," Ziemer said.
The pre construction services, construction management fees, construction oversight and reimbursables total $197,835. The board approved the contract with ICS for construction management services in a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Jaime Bleess opposed.
Moving to another matter, the board talked about the county-wide broadband project.
First, it approved a transfer of $1.8 million out of the debt service fund to the general fund EDA to be used for the broadband project.
Then the board heard from Troy Rasmussen with Federated Rural Electric Associate (REA) who gave an update on the fiber ring project.
"We have the project broken out into five phases," Rasmussen said. "Currently the mainline crew is working on phase four which is up in Galena (Township)."
He said phase one is the most complete right now though some splicing needs to happen yet.
"Weather depending, we're hoping to have all mainline construction done yet this year," Rasmussen said.
Commissioner Billeye Rabbe said that she's had the opportunity to talk to some of the crews installing the fiber by Charlotte Lake and that they reported talking to residents who will be affected who said they're excited about getting broadband near their home.
"That's always good to hear," Rasmussen said.
The board approved the first payment in the amount of $1.5 million per the agreement between Martin County and Federated REA for the fiber ring installment.
Finally on Tuesday the board discussed the 2027 budget and levy for the fourth time. Back in September it set the preliminary budget and levy at a 6.57 percent increase though the board has indicated it would like to lower it still. It cannot raise the budget and levy anymore.
They went over proposed additional cuts to various department. Commissioner Joe Loughmiller took issue with some changes to the commissioner budget, which include holding the pay rates the same from 2026 to 2027.
"It's not something that's going to make or break me personally, but when we look at other elected offices in the city of Fairmont whether it's the city offices or school board... the concern I have is what it ends up doing is limiting the people that can or will run for those positions," Loughmiller said.
He said he doesn't want to end up cutting the rate so much that only those who can financially afford to donate their time are running for office.
Commissioner Richard Koons agreed and said that while it may not make or break anyone currently on the board, he said they don't want to get in a situation three or five years down the road where they need to approve a big increase to get people to run.
After the additional cuts that department heads were able to make from their budgets, the board is currently looking at a 5.25 percent levy increase.
Bleess expressed optimism with where they're at right now.
"Three months ago we were looking at 7 and now it's 5 and a quarter," he said.
Loughmiller added, "In July we were looking at 14 (percent increase)."
He credited it to the work of the county staff, board chair and vice chair who have been working to trim the budget and levy.
The board will not set the official 2027 budget and levy until December.
In other business, the board:
-- Proclaimed Nov. 4-11 as Operation Green Light for veterans.
-- Passed a resolution designating the intersection of 290th Ave. and 60th St. as a yield intersection.
-- Set a public hearing time and date of 9:15 a.m. on Dec. 1 to discuss the fee schedule for all departments.
-- Approved the promotion of Matt Streit from highway maintenance specialist to highway crew foreman and authorized recruitment to fill the position.
-- Approved the hire of Teya Schmidtke as a full time deputy sheriff.
-- Approved a request to have the Fairmont High School 8th grade orchestra ensemble play background music inside the courthouse on Dec. 4.
-- Set the bid opening for the official county newspaper for Martin County for 2027 for 10 a.m. on Dec. 15.