Kittson County Board of Commissioners/Proceedings Date: July 7, 2026

Attendance: Commissioners: Gillie, Younggren, Johnson, Swenson and Jones.

1. Call to Order 

The meeting was called to order by Chair Younggren.

2. Pledge of Allegiance 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3. Approval of Agenda

Motion: To add agenda item 12c add special assessments to tax forfeited property.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

Motion: To approve the agenda with the addition.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

4. Public Comment

Chair Younggren asked for public comment. Hearing none.

5. 2022 Audit Report Brady Martz & Associates Mindy Piatz and Sara Niemala Piatz and Niemala presented the County’s 2022 financial audit and reviewed the audit opinion, significant findings, financial condition, management recommendation s, and future audit timeline.  Board members discussed the importance of strengthening internal controls while recognizing the significant progress already made by County finance staff.

Kittson County CFO Shirley Swenson reported that many of the recommendations have already been implemented, including enhanced review procedures and reconciliation improvements.

10. Kittson County Highway Engineer Arthur 

       a. Kukowski presented for approval a final payment of $13,548.29 for tied projects SAP 035-598-012/035-607-030.

Motion: To approve the final.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

a. Kukowski then asked for approval to purchase a side dump trailer for $39,900.00.  The equipment will provide increased hauling capacity while representing significant cost savings compared to purchasing new equipment.  Shop Foreman Jason Weleski went and inspected the trailer and gave his recommendation to make the purchase.

Motion: To approve the purchase.

Motion by: Commissioner Jones

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

8. Kittson County Deputy Pat Klegstad

       a. The Klegstad requested approval of the 2025 Operation Stonegarden Grant.

The grant provides $148,500 for traffic safety and law enforcement equipment.

The grant requires no local tax levy increase and will assist with future public safety operations.

Motion: To approve 

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

9. Kittson County Environmental Services Director Scot Olson

      a. Olson gave an update on upcoming Household Hazardous Waste collections.  Olson discussed with Board some administrative funds he would like to use to purchase some items.  The Board requested he provide the listing at the next meeting for approval.

11. Kittson County Social Services Director Brittany Swenson

       a.  Swenson presented a contract with Medica for continued care coordination services.

The agreement allows continued participation in care coordination programming without additional County cost.

Motion: To approve the Medica contract.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

b. Swenson then presented for approval the annual review of the County Burial Assistance Policy.  No changes were recommended to burial or cremation reimbursement rates.

Motion: To approve the Medica contract.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

6. Approval of Board Minutes

Motion: To approve June 16, 2026 minutes.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

Motion: To approve June 16, 2026 Board of Equalization minutes.

Motion by: Commissioner Johnson

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

Motion: To approve June 23 2026 Continued Final Ditch Hearing Minues.

Motion by: Commissioner Jones

Second by: Commissioner Gillie

Motion carried.

7. Approval of Bills, Meals and Per Diems

Motion: To approve the bills and meals.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

• Commissioner’s $104,440.60

• Auditor’s

• June 16, 2026 $64,634.68

• June 18, 2026 $4,814.05

• June 29, 2026 $159,707.42

• June 30, 2026 $5,139,702.29

• July 1, 2026 $60,002.22

o Meal Reimbursements $227.64

o Per Diems

• Loren Younggren $210.00

• Theresia Gillie $420.00

12. Kittson County CFO Shirley Swenson

       a. Swenson presented Resolution #26-11

Perpetual Absentee/Mail Ballot Board

BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners hereby establishes an absentee ballot board and a mail ballot board pursuant to MS §203B.121 for elections held within Kittson County.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Kittson County CFO/Auditor’s Office is hereby delegated the authority to appoint members to the ballot boards by appointing a sufficient number of election judges pursuant to §§ 204B.13-204B.22. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Kittson County CFO/Auditor’s Office shall appoint an absentee ballot board and a mail ballot board pursuant to this resolution each even-year election beginning with the 2026 election.

Motion: To approve Resolution #26-11.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

      b. Swenson presented to the Board the Johnson Controls Measurement and Verification Report.  The report showed a cost savings of $36,332 for the thirteen year time frame.

Motion to approve the report.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

      c. Swenson asked for approval to reapply two special water assessments to a sold tax forfeited property in Lancaster.

Motion to approve the report.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

13 . Kittson County Public Health Director Jeanna Kujava

a. Kujava was unable to attend so Administrator Sugden presented for approval the school nurse contracts for Kittson Central and Tri County Schools.

Motion: To approve the Kittson Central contract.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Gillie

Motion carried.

Motion: To approve the Tri County contract.

Motion by: Commissioner Johnson

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

14. Kittson County Administrator Aimee Sugden

a. Sugden presented to the board the Maternal Health Contract with a revised date of July 1.

Motion: To approve the contract

Motion by: Commissioner Johnson

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

b. Sugden presented for approval the Data Practices Policy

Motion: To approve the policy.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Gillie

Motion carried.

c.   Sugden presented an update 2026 fee schedule with revisions made for the Highway Department fees.

Motion: To approve the fee schedule.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

15. Other Business

None.

16. Committee Reports

Commissioner Gillie~Dancing Sky, SAPTF, AMC, SCHAC, Amy Klobacher

Commissioner Younggren~SAPTF. Waters Scenic Byway

Commissioner Jones~NWCA

Commissioner Johnson~None

Commissioner Swenson~None

17. Correspondence

Sugden received notice of the NWRDC’s upcoming board meeting and the Marshall Polk Water Audit report.

18. Upcoming Meetings

Regular Board Tuesday, July 21 @ 9:00 am

19. Adjournment

Motion: To adjourn.  

Motion by: Commissioner Jones

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

Loren Younggren, Chair

Kittson County Board of Commissioners

Shirley Swenson, 

Chief Financial OfficerKittson County 

(October 1, 2026)