Kittson County Board of Commissioners Date: December 16, 2025

1. Call to Order 

The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Younggren.

2. Pledge of Allegiance 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3. Approval of Agenda

 Commissioner Younggren asked for additions to the agenda.  Commissioner Gillie requested 2 additions under 11. Other Business.  The first was for the approval of a quote for crack sealing rubber from Craftco, the second was for approval of a quote for a packer from RDO Equipment.   Commissioner Swenson seconded the additions.  Motion carried.   Commissioner Jones motioned to approve the agenda with additions, seconded by Commissioner Johnson. Motion carried.

4. Public Comment

Chair Younggren opened the floor for public comment. Justin Dagen a representative from Springbrook township thanked the Board for their work and discussed concerns regarding road conditions. Suggestions were made to improve communication and coordination with residents.  A meeting between the township and the county transportation committee will be held to discuss matters further.

5. Approval of Board Minutes

Motion: To approve December 2, 2025 Special Meeting minutes.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried unanimously.

Motion: To approve December 2, 2025 minutes.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried unanimously.

6. Approval of Bills and Meals

Motion: To approve the bills and meals.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried unanimously.

o Commissioner’s $297,636.60

o Auditor’s

• December 3, 2025 $54,376.92

• December 8, 2025 $12,916.70

• December 12, 2025 $1,291,323.95

o Meal Reimbursements $107.45

o Per Diems

• Brad Johnson $300.00

• Ken Peterson $480.00

7. Kittson County Social Services Director Brittany Swenson

Swenson presented for approval to extend the contract between Kittson County Attorney, Robert Albrecht, Denise Sollund and Rokke Aandal & Associates, PLLC for Kittson County’s child protection and child support services.  This agreement allows for the appointment of Denise Solland to be Kittson County’s Child Protection/Child Support County Attorney.  This agreement has been very beneficial since it was implemented.  Commissioner Gillie moved to approve the contract, seconded by Commissioner Johnson.  Motion carried.  

8. Kittson County Sheriff Matt Vig

Vig was unable to attend, County Administrator Aimee Sugden presented for approval the hiring of Jaacks Spilde as a parttime dispatcher, at a grade 5 step 2.  Commissioner Johnson motioned to approve the hire, seconded by Commissioner Swenson.  Motion carried. 

11. Other Business Kittson County Engineer Arthur Kukowski

a. Kukowski presented a quote from Crafco for the 2026 crack sealing rubber in the amount $28,704.00.  Payment won’t be made until the time of delivery.  Commissioner Gillie motioned to approve the quote, seconded by Commissioner Johnson.  Motion carried.

b. Kukowski presented a quote from RDO Equipment in the amount of $43,709.00 for a packer attachment for the new motor grader.  Commissioner Swenson motioned to purchase the packer, seconded by Commissioner Johnson.  Motion carried.

9. Kittson County CFO Shirley Swenson

a. Swenson presented for approval the 2026 Fire Sprinkler Inspection Contract with Dakota Fire Protection for $500 for the sprinkler inspection along with $125 for per backflow testing.  Commissioner Swenson moved to approve the contract, seconded by Commissioner Jones.  Motion carried.

b. Swenson asked reappointment of Greg Wilson and Brent Halfmann to the Kittson Marshall Water Board.  Commissioner Gillie motioned to approve the appointments, seconded by Commissioner Johnson.  Motion carried.

10. Kittson County Administrator Aimee Sugden

Sugden gave a brief update on the latest construction progress. Sugden informed the Board the new fire panel is going to be relocated to the foyer in the sheriff’s office.  Ther project is close to completion.  

12. Committee Reports

Commissioner Johnson~AMC~Northwest Regional Radio Board 

Commissioner Swenson~AMC~attended multiple sessions including one on transportation where automatic vehicles with AI were discussed. Markit~snowplow installation on the hook truck making this vehicle multi use.

Commissioner Younggren~AMC~attended the general government session where childcare facilities and the new reporting requirements were discussed, a session on the tax system and how to simplify it and a session on emergency preparedness.  Other sessions attended were public health which discussed GIS usage for people with handicaps in cases of emergencies, MCIT~fund balance increase and Human Resources. Markit~contract update

Commissioner Jones~AMC~attended sessions on Human Resources, a session on how to keep our graduates in the county and other out sessions. 

Commissioner Gillie~AMC~AMC board meeting where she was appointed to the board to fill a position until June, legislative priorities, pensions for corrections and emergency personnel, MAAFPCWDA which is the MN African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act that aims to reduce racial disparities in child welfare and enhance support for African American families through a phased implantation process, Social Services modernization of the SSIS program which comes with a cost of 100 million dollars.  Other topics were the state legislative process, Paid Family Medical Leave.  MACO~message for the year is “We Are Counties” and rural school funding.  MRC~higher ed, finance, TNTs and SSIS.  State Extension~4H building is a historical building that needs renovation at a cost of 28 million dollars, 20 million has already been received through philanthrophy.  NCLUB~discussions on DNR about elk, wolves, lottery proceeds funding and PILT. Modernization~Modern Election Administration~discussed election costs.  Health and Human Services~discussed, HR1, SNAP, Medicaid and the 8 Pillars of Trust.

13. Correspondence

None.

14. Upcoming Dates

Year End board meeting December 30, 2025 @ 3:30 p.m.

12. Adjournment

A motion was made by Commission Jones and seconded by Commissioner Swenson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Loren Younggren, Chair 

Kittson County Board of Commissioners

Shirley Swenson, 

Chief Financial Officer 

Kittson County 

(January 22, 2026)