Date: December 30, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Younggren.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Commissioner Younggren asked for additions to the agenda, hearing none. Commissioner Jones motioned to approve the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Swenson. Motion carried.
4. Approval of Bills and Meals
Motion: To approve the bills and meals.
Motion by: Commissioner Gillie
Second by: Commissioner Jones
Motion carried unanimously.
o Commissioner’s $488,246.25
o Auditor’s
· November 7, 2025 $5,590.30
· December 17, 2025 $54,326.04
· December 23, 2025 $1,925.82
· December 26, 2025 $2,809.73
· December 29, 2025 $14,572.26
· December 30, 2025 $412.25
· December 31, 2025 $1,579.22
o Meal Reimbursements $206.81
o Per Diems
· Loren Younggren $420.00
· Theresia Gillie $480.00
· Ryan Swenson $270.00
· Derry Jones $540.00
5. KSWCD Sky Olsonawski-tabled 6. Kittson County Social Services Director Brittany Swenson
a. Swenson presented for approval an agreement with Alluma which provides a wide array of services. There are no changes to this annual agreement. Commissioner Gillie moved to approve the contract, seconded by Commissioner Jones. Motion carried.
b. Swenson presented for approval the annual agreement with Tri-Valley Opportunity Council. Tri-Valley provides public transportation which are bus passes for residents. Most of the passes provided are under waivered service, so the county receives reimbursement from the State. Commissioner Swenson motioned to approve, seconded by Commissioner Johnson. Motion carried.
c. Swenson presented for approval the annual agreement with Tri-Valley Opportunity Council for the Rural Transportation Collaborative. This program provides funding for MA mileage reimbursement for clients going to medical appointments. The only changes were to the notification timeframe which went from 48 hours to 72 hours and rates for the different modes. Commissioner Gillie motioned to approve, seconded by Commissioner Swenson. Motion carried.
7. Kittson County CFO Shirley Swenson
a. Swenson asked for approval for 2025 Ditch Transfers. As per state statute, ditches must have a positive balance at year end. Loans are transferred from the Revenue Fund to offset any negative balances. Swenson will provide a listing of the transfers at the January meeting. Commissioner Gillie moved to approve the transfers, seconded by Commissioner Jones. Motion carried.
b. Swenson presented Resolution
#25-16
BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners has set the budget and levies for 2026 for the ditches in Kittson County as follows:
| County Ditch # | 2025 Levy | 2026 Levy | County Ditch # | 2025 Levy | 2026 Levy |
| #1 | 1,000 | 1,500 | #28 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| #4 | 500 | 2,500 | #29 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| #8 | 14,000 | 17,500 | #30 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| #9 | 2,500 | 2,500 | #31 | 500 | 500 |
| #11 | 1,500 | 2,000 | #33 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| #12 | 5,000 | 5,000 | | | |
| #13 | 7,500 | 7,500 | | | |
| #14 | 5,000 | 5,500 | State Ditch # | 2025 Levy | 2026 Levy |
| #15 | 7,500 | 7,500 | #1 | 3,000 | 3,500 |
| #16 | 1,000 | 1,200 | #48 | 500 | 1,500 |
| #17 | 1,000 | 1,000 | #84 | 20,000 | 25,000 |
| #18 | 5,000 | 5,500 | #85 | 1,000 | 2,500 |
| #19 | 12,000 | 13,000 | | | |
| #20 | 2,500 | 3,500 | | | |
| #22 | 2,500 | 2,500 | | | |
| #23 | 2,000 | 2,500 | Judicial Ditch # | 2025 Levy | 2026 Levy |
| #25 | 2,500 | 3,000 | #31 | 8,000 | 9,000 |
| #26 | 2,000 | 2,000 | #32 | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| #27 | 2,000 | 3,500 | | | Commissioner Gillie motioned to approve the 2026 Ditch Levies, seconded by Commissioner Swenson. Motion carried.
c. Swenson presented Resolution
#25-17
UNORGANIZED TOWNSHIP LEVIES
BE IT RESOLVED that the following amounts are hereby proposed to be levied for taxes payable in 2026, in the following unorganized townships in Kittson County for Road & Bridge, Fire & Ambulance purposes:
Klondike Township $ 22,000
McKinley Township $ 24,285
North Red River Township $ 54,000
Peatland Township $ 5,000
Commissioner Swenson motioned to approve the 2026 Unorganized Township Levies, seconded by Commissioner Johnson. Motion carried.
8. Kittson County Administrator Aimee Sugden
a. Sugden asked for recommendations for the 2026 Commissioner salaries. Commissioner Gillie made a motion for a 3% increase to wages, bringing their annual wage to $27,169.65. Seconded by Commissioner Jones. Motion carried.
b. Sugden presented Resolution
#25-18
2026 BUDGET AND TAX LEVY
WHEREAS, Department Administrators presented proposed budgets to the County Board for the year 2026, and
WHEREAS, said proposed budgets have been reviewed by the County Board and amended to a final budget amount for the following funds:
Revenue $ 5,285,470
Road & Bridge $ 461,777
Social Services $ 1,318,719
TOTAL $ 7,065,966
This provides for a tax levy for taxes to be collected in 2026 in the amount of $7,050,966
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the budget for 2026 is hereby approved with the tax levy amount as follows:
Revenue $ 5,285,470
Road & Bridge $ 461,777
Social Services $ 1,318,719
Less State Paid Aids $ 621,777
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the budgets are approved with the provisions that no major capital purchase of $2,000 may be made without first obtaining approval from the County Board or Purchasing Committee.
Commissioner Gillie motioned to add $15,000 for Kittson County Hospice to the 2026 Budget and Levy. Commissioner Jones seconded the addition. Motion carried. Commissioner Johnson motioned to approve the 2026 Final Budget & Levy with the addition, seconded by Commissioner Gillie. Motion carried.
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
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