Ramsey County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Ramsey County boards meet on 2027 budget, water channel project; decisions pending

Ramsey County officials met in late July and early August to discuss the 2027 budget and a water channel maintenance project. Meeting minutes have not yet been published, so no official decisions or vote tallies are available.

County Commission budget discussion

The County Commission held a special meeting on July 27 to discuss the 2027 budget. The agenda included a salary scale discussion led by Nicole Bakkegard from Human Resources. No action was reported.

Water Board public hearing on channel maintenance

The Ramsey County Water Resource District Board held its regular meeting on August 4, which included a public hearing on a petition to snag and clear a natural water course in Stevens, Ontario, and Bartlett townships. The project area runs from the NW1/4 of Section 3, T153N, R62W to the NW1/4 of Section 21, T153N, R62W. The stated purpose is to improve drainage for township and county roads and agricultural land. The hearing was held at the Ramsey County Courthouse, 524 4th Ave NE, Devils Lake, in the Commission Room. Approval would require a Resolution of Necessity passed by two-thirds of both the Water Resource District Board and the County Commission.

Other Water Board business

Also on the August 4 agenda were financing discussions for the Ramsey County North and South Snag & Clear projects, the Cavanaugh Lake Culvert/Gate project (presented by Jim Mikkelsen), water complaints involving Mike Ziegler and Travis Hermanson, and a pledge pool from Western State Bank. The board also considered approval of minutes, financial reports, and bills.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings were listed for the next 14 days.

Ramsey County Boards Focus on 2027 Budget and Water Channel Projects

Ramsey County officials spent the past two weeks focused on the 2027 budget and a series of water-course maintenance proposals. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, only agenda items can be reported — no decisions, votes, or dollar amounts are confirmed in the available records.

County Commission: 2027 Budget Discussions

The County Commission met twice on the 2027 budget. A July 21 regular meeting included budget presentations from Lake Region District Health and Forward Devils Lake, the latter including a 2027 budget and fund request. Human Resources staff member Nicole Bakkegard was scheduled to present a salary schedule update.

A July 27 special meeting was set for further 2027 budget discussion and a salary scale discussion, again led by Nicole Bakkegard.

The July 21 agenda also listed a public hearing on the Ramsey Co South SNAG/CLEAR project and a discussion on Fenster Slough, along with standing committee reports and routine approvals. No minutes are available, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Water Board: Channel Maintenance Petitions

The Ramsey County Water Resource District Board of Managers held a July 21 public hearing on a petition to snag and clear a section of a natural water course. The proposed project area runs from the NE1/4 of Section 30, T154N, R62W to the SW1/4 of Section 20, T153N, R62W, covering Stevens, Minnewaukan, Ontario, and South Minnewaukan townships and the City of Crary. The project's stated purpose is to remove surface water and debris to improve agricultural land and county and township roads.

The agenda notes the project requires a Resolution of Necessity approved by two-thirds of both the Water Board and the County Commission. No minutes are published, so whether the resolution advanced is not confirmed.

What This Means for Residents

The 2027 budget discussions will shape county spending priorities, including potential salary schedule changes and funding decisions for Lake Region District Health and Forward Devils Lake. The SNAG/CLEAR and channel maintenance projects, if approved, would affect drainage and road conditions in multiple townships and the City of Crary. Residents in those areas may see construction or maintenance activity depending on final approvals.

Coming Up

Two Water Board meetings are scheduled for August 4, 2026, both at the Ramsey County Courthouse, 524 4th Ave NE, Devils Lake, ND, Commission Room:

• **8:30 AM — Stevens Snag & Clear public hearing.** The agenda includes financing for Snag & Clear projects (Ramsey County North & South), the Cavanaugh Lake Culvert/Gate project (Jim Mikkelsen), water complaints from Mike Ziegler and Travis Hermanson, and a Western State Bank Pledge Pool item.
• **Public hearing on channel maintenance in Stevens, Ontario, and Bartlett townships.** This petition covers a project area from the NW1/4 of Section 3, T153N, R62W to the NW1/4 of Section 21, T153N, R62W. It also requires a Resolution of Necessity with two-thirds approval from both the Water Board and the County Commission.

No County Commission meetings are listed in the upcoming window.

Ramsey County Water Board Approves North Snag & Clear Project; County Commission Considers 2027 Budget and Disaster Declaration

The Ramsey County Water Board and County Commissioners both voted unanimously on July 7, 2026, to approve the Ramsey County North Snag & Clear Project following a public hearing that concluded at 8:45 AM. The Water Board approved the project 4-0, and the County Commissioners approved it 5-0.

North Snag & Clear Project Approved

The July 7 public hearing on the North Snag & Clear Project drew no further discussion or additional items after the vote. The project was approved for implementation by both bodies. No dollar amount for the project was listed in the available minutes.

Water Board Acts on Multiple Projects and Finances

In the same meeting, the Water Board approved several additional water management actions, all by 4-0 votes:

• Scheduled a public hearing for the Stevens Snag & Clear project.
• Selected Western State Bank for Fancher Township financing.
• Approved replacing two 24" culverts with one 36" culvert at Highland Center.
• Approved reimbursement for Jim Mikkelsen's culvert and installation costs.
• Extended an MSA amendment with KL Engineering.
• Accepted a Mike Ziegler water complaint for KU investigation.
• Approved a Paul Becker drain application.
• Authorized Fischer Surveying to complete a stream crossing in Prospect Township.

The board also approved June meeting minutes, June special meeting minutes, DWR Emergency Drain Application minutes, June financial reports, and June bills — each by 4-0 votes.

County Commission Agenda: 2027 Budget, Disaster Declaration

The Ramsey County Commission met July 7, 2026, though minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included discussion of the 2027 budget and approval of Disaster Declaration Resolution 6/30/26. The commission also considered a Tyler Tech training quote and approval of Standing Committees via the ND Co Commissioners Association. Because minutes are not yet available, no vote tallies or outcomes for these items can be reported.

Coming Up

July 21, 2026 — Water Board Public Hearing: The Ramsey County Water Resource District Board of Managers will hold a public hearing on a petition to snag and clear a section of a natural water course in Stevens, Minnewaukan, Ontario, and South Minnewaukan townships and the City of Crary. The project aims to remove surface water and debris to improve agricultural land and county and township roads. The proposed project area runs from the NE1/4 of Section 30, T154N, R62W to the SW1/4 of Section 20, T153N, R62W. A Resolution of Necessity approved by two-thirds of the Board and County Commission is required.