Kittson County Board of Commissioners/Date: July 21, 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 approve the agenda.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

4. Public Comment

Chair Younggren asked for public comment. Representatives Patti Swanson and Kathy Levenhagen from Kittson County Hospice presented their annual report outlining services provided throughout 2025 and expressing appreciation for the County’s continued partnership and financial support.

5. Kittson Soil & Water Conservation District Technical Manager Jeremy Benson

Benson presented for consideration of approval the Two Rivers Plus Joint Powers Board Cooperative Agreement.  This agreement is between Two Rivers Plus Joint Powers Board, Kittson SWCD, Roseau SWCD, Kittson and Roseau counties.  This Joint Powers Board is requesting 2026 Watershed Based Implementation Program Funding in the amount of $1,674,664.00.  

Motion: To approve the agreement.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

8. Kittson County Deputy Lane Anderson

       a. Anderson presented for approval a joint powers agreement with Pine to Prairie Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.  Discussion followed regarding narcotics enforcement within Kittson County.  Anderson explained:

• Kittson County currently has limited participation in organized narcotics investigations. 

• Neighboring counties benefit from greater involvement through the Prairie Drug Task Force. 

• Continued participation under the existing Joint Powers Agreement allows the County to maintain access to specialized narcotics resources. 

• Future consideration could be given to becoming a half-member of the task force, which would provide increased participation while sharing associated costs. 

Board members discussed the importance of maintaining cooperative relationships with neighboring agencies in addressing drug-related crimes.  The Board requested that the Prairie Drug Task Force Commander attend a future Board meeting to explain current operations, member responsibilities, costs and the benefits of expanded participation.

Motion: To approve the agreement.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Gillie

Motion carried.

9. Kittson County Highway Engineer Arthur 

       a. Kukowski presented an engineering proposal in the amount of $19,980 for survey work associated with a proposed mining and benching project intended to stabilize slopes and prevent future roadway failures along County Road 13 and County Ditch 25.  Funding for the project is anticipated through the Watershed One Plan.  Board discussion focused on reducing engineering costs where possible before proceeding with the larger project.

Motion: To approve the proposal.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

b.  Klegstad gave an update on the mining progress in County Pit #10.  There is $60,000.00 remaining

in the contract budget so they will be using those funds to continue the work.

6. Approval of Board Minutes

Motion: To approve July 7, 2026 minutes.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

7. Approval of Bills, Meals and Per Diems

Motion: To approve the bills and meals.

Motion by: Commissioner Johnson

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

• Commissioner’s $96,680.41

• Auditor’s

• July 2, 2026 $149,167.23

• July 6, 2026 $50.00

• July 7, 2026 $282,152.31

• July 14, 2026 $887.94

• July 15, 2026 $62,811.20

 July 16, 2026 $11,963.13

o Meal Reimbursements $18.25

10. Kittson County Administrator Aimee Sugden

a. Sugden hasn’t received the estimate from Weleski Improvement on the water infiltration problem at the Sheriff’s Officer so item was tabled.

b. Sugden presented for approval Resolution #26-12

PART-TIME DEPUTY PARTICIPATION IN PERA POLICE & FIRE PLAN

WHEREAS: the policy of the State of Minnesota as declared in Minn. Stat. § 353.63 is to give special consideration to employees who perform hazardous work and devote their time and skills to protecting the property and personal safety of others; and

WHEREAS: Minnesota Statutes Section 353.64, subd. 2, permits the governing body of a governmental subdivision to declare that a position is that of a police officer and that the person who holds said position on a part-time basis is to be covered by the Police & Fire Plan if the following employment duties and qualification requirements are met and the position is assigned less than 50% of the time to perform employment duties in the same department that are not within the scope of the below employment duties:

1. The position requires a license by the Minnesota peace officer standards and training board under Minn. Stat. §§ 626.84 to 626.863 and the employee is so licensed;

2. The primary (over 50%) duty of the position is to enforce the general criminal laws of the state; 

3. The position charges the employee with the prevention and detection of crime;

4. The position gives this employee the full power of arrest; and

5. The position is assigned to a designated police or sheriff’s department.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE KITTSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:

1. The Kittson County Board of Commissioners hereby declares that the position of Part-Time Deputy, currently held by Kayleen Kjelland in the Kittson County Sheriff’s Department satisfies all of the requirements of a full-time police officer other than the requirement of full-time employment, and is assigned less than 50% of the time to perform employment duties in the same department that are not within the scope of police service in Minn. Stat. § 353.64, subd. 1; and

2. The named employee is a member of the Police & Fire Plan effective the date of the employee’s initial Police & Fire Plan salary deduction by the governmental subdivision. 

Motion: To approve Resolution #26-12.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

c. Sugden presented the City of Hallock’s Annual Disclosure Report as it pertains to their 2025 TIF report.

d. Sugden presented to the Board the year to date budget to actual for information purposes.

11. Other Business

None.

12. Committee Reports

Commissioner Gillie~Healthy Quin

Commissioner Younggren~NWRDC, Markit

Commissioner Jones~none

Commissioner Johnson~Jt Powers Board, RAC

Commissioner Swenson~None

13. Correspondence

None.

14. Upcoming Meetings

Regular Board Tuesday, August 4 @ 9:00 am

15. Adjournment

Motion: To adjourn.  

Motion by: Commissioner Jones

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

Loren Younggren, Chair 

Kittson County Board of Commissioners

Shirley Swenson, Chief Financial OfficerKittson County 

(October 1, 2026)