[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6049181,"mediaKeyId","3512391-4c29b1284d48030299357d3cac8b04db","parentId",3512391,"title","Williams County approves multiple road change orders, paving and chip-seal projects totaling several million","audioSeconds",75,"startMs",2302000,"endMs",2227000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3512391-4c29b1284d48030299357d3cac8b04db&start=2302&end=2227","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3512391-4c29b1284d48030299357d3cac8b04db/thumbnail_2302000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6049181/Williams-County/North-Dakota/Williams-County-approves-multiple-road-change-orders-paving-and-chip-seal-projects-totaling-several-million","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049181-fbf9d28c909cdefb2c23804d295e007c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176464&Signature=mAFRtowk1Egq4MKB8KZ8F~PIydaCfzQVWHAmJErnCMrSozIX-zZjaw-gt30kNgqsaN4ednUdEZaTgy2ofI8upBbmJRuDIejpRXKBm9nYnFwXGIuXDit94-NZPmDGbQ3SXw0UXwu9-N1tjyHNbDH4iqt0U1yytAYpD3w3KEbpIAuHv2mWHZ2UXZ9xL8hHPzDGGz4nOOj1Uqp9jJzhp-z3IUMXapU6iDnsAwu-gIdT7jDPiupWe-BRhobfwgbb~gSl4d5dORTNSRmZjJYqqmP~9nUDYPAS8HmjMkmUJMwssu5qv02stB2GrokW~WuiIbKLf~-SmHp-QDnexfmw8oZSjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williams County, ND","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","Williams County commissioners on May 6 approved several road project change orders and parallel-permit requests that county staff described as within this year’s budget and necessary to expand paving and chip-seal work across the county.

County engineering staff presented change-order requests and contract authorization for multiple projects. Key approvals included a $2,231,000 change order to add approximately three miles of work on County Road 11A/42, a $1,786,500 change order for work near the Red Mike Golf Course area adding three miles, a $1,445,000 addition to the County 11 project adding two miles, and a $1,336,000 change order to add nine miles to the countywide chip-seal program on County 1 and County 6. Dennis (county roads) told the board all items were still within budgeted numbers for the season.

Commissioners asked about road damage and restoration associated with temporary above-ground waterline (lay-flat) installations; staff confirmed landowner permissions are in place, culvert crossings are planned, contractors are responsible to repair any damage and signs with contact numbers will be posted. The board granted a permit for an above-ground temporary waterline paralleling County 19 south of County 12 up to Highway 50 and approved a short parallel for fiber-optic cable on County 9 north of Carville for North Central Communications (NCC).

Motions to approve each project or permit were made, seconded and passed on roll call. Commissioners described the pattern of favorable bid prices this season and noted staffing limits for completing all possible work before late fall.

Staff noted that accepted bids and the recommended change orders remain within the fiscal year’s budget; commissioners authorized the chairman to sign contracts where required. No additional environmental or funding contingencies were added beyond standard contract and acceptance terms.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williams County Board of County Commissioners - May 06 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Williams County commissioners approved several multi-million-dollar change orders and permits May 6 to expand paving and chip-seal work and to allow temporary above-ground utility parallels, with staff saying the work remains within this year’s budget.","taxTitle","Williams County, North Dakota","taxId",58404,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6049186,"Williams County approves suite of oilfield-related land-use permits after debate over beachfront subdivision",1633,120000,1753000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3512391-4c29b1284d48030299357d3cac8b04db&start=120&end=1753","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3512391-4c29b1284d48030299357d3cac8b04db/thumbnail_120000.jpg","/articles/6049186/Williams-County/North-Dakota/Williams-County-approves-suite-of-oilfield-related-land-use-permits-after-debate-over-beachfront-subdivision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049186-f4b0b78c493eb7d4b0cf3e494c60ca7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176464&Signature=WtPXBWKNKD93OvSanE68yKspWae-j9UBPrpLVKzvI2G8rZ4WaHcWq1I-CjzrLGJKFXAkmA7xVtjmZ-P3xm82Ycc4fxqHmdVlMP~j1J2AQq6XPgwJArOBgg3Hh6nojwcC0hHgR7o6IRWarCrxolI5UYtrDFiTSk4FrSCn3V82Dcxi8D6rRJk0deJkPuLd~2YiyPyrjsBpja2lICT6XaZuRker7z1RaE1lCsPqJHzybsLDRqY01ajAC0TX71ivnWm6SLNxPPxd85P37~6Y5TZ~ohoNorI~jpfvkphIFGg4Wv3wodSitCF3Ozqo0EZc~4vaDQFwslauaD-GqDGF0PtCQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Williams County Board of County Commissioners on May 6 approved a variance allowing two newly created 2.07-acre lots to remain in the county’s Agricultural Zoning District and also approved three related land-use actions for oilfield infrastructure and mining after staff presentations and public comments.

Michelle Haugen, county planning staff, told commissioners the minor subdivision (LU-0006-25) divides a roughly 78.95-acre parent parcel in Houghland Township into three lots, including a 74.93-acre lot that will remain in agricultural zoning and two 2.07-acre lots for future homes. Planning and Zoning recommended approval, 8–0, and recordation of the plat was made contingent on approval of the requested variance.

At the public hearing ExxonMobil representative Kevin Reichling urged commissioners to deny the variance, saying the proposed lots fall within a currently permitted well-pad area tied to the company’s Grinnell Bakken Unit (GBU) plans and arguing that approval would create “negative impacts” for the mineral owners and for recovery of hydrocarbons. Reichling cited evaluation criteria in section 342 of the Williams County zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations and said company engineers had planned the unit and associated roads and infrastructure as far back as 2019. He said moving the pad “well to the northeast or down the south side” would create “significant drilling challenges” and could reduce recoverable resource, while small shifts of a few hundred feet might be workable.

Roger and Marilyn Baker were the landowners identified in the file; their son, Zach Baker, a professional engineer who said the new home pad on the property is intended as his primary residence, also spoke. A nearby resident raised concerns about prior well placements, irrigation impacts and long delays in compensation for damages from earlier activity.

Commissioners asked technical questions about setback rules and drilling laterals; Reichling said the regulatory setback to an occupied home is typically 500 feet and that a 500-foot move would not create the drilling difficulties he described but larger relocations could. Commissioner comments emphasized private property rights and the limited stretch of lakefront in the area. After discussion, a motion to approve the variance, including Planning and Zoning’s recommended conditions, passed on roll call with all present voting in favor.

Separately under Planning and Zoning, the board approved an 80-acre site’s conditional-use permit for a freshwater holding pond (LU-0008-25) to store about 387,666 barrels (49.97 acre-feet) of fresh water for oil well production; the pond will be lined with 30-mil polypropylene, fenced, and served by diesel trailer-mounted pumps and an industrial groundwater permit. Planning and Zoning recommended approval, 8–0.

The board also approved a conditional-use permit for a freshwater pump station (LU-0009-25) to serve an approximately 6.9-acre pond and a 45-by-35-foot unmanned pump building to supply fresh water for nearby oil production; that item likewise carried an 8–0 Planning and Zoning recommendation.

Finally, commissioners approved an amendment to a previously approved conditional-use permit for a frac-sand facility (LU-0012-25) submitted by Ramsey Hill Exploration to add lands north of 50 Second Street Northwest, intended to prolong mining away from lakefront properties. Planning and Zoning recommended approval, 7–1.

All four Planning and Zoning items were described as having met staff conditions and technical review. The record shows Planning and Zoning recommended approval of each freshwater and frac-sand item and that the board adopted those recommendations in motions that passed by roll call.

The board’s actions distinguish discussion from formal direction: ExxonMobil’s request that the variance be denied was discussion and public comment; the board issued no additional direction to staff to reopen technical review beyond the conditions already imposed by Planning and Zoning. Motions recorded on the record resulted in formal approvals for the variance and the three conditional-use and amendment items.","The Williams County Board of County Commissioners on May 6 approved a variance that will allow two newly created 2.07-acre lots to remain in the county’s Agricultural Zoning District and also approved three oilfield-related land-use permits after public comment and technical presentations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6049176,"Williams County pledges funding for NDSU horticulture agent, reclassifies extension administrative post and seeks return of unused greenhouse grant",803,2530000,3333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3512391-4c29b1284d48030299357d3cac8b04db&start=2530&end=3333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3512391-4c29b1284d48030299357d3cac8b04db/thumbnail_2530000.jpg","/articles/6049176/Williams-County/North-Dakota/Williams-County-pledges-funding-for-NDSU-horticulture-agent-reclassifies-extension-administrative-post-and-seeks-return-of-unused-greenhouse-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049176-58f848860076b9a159c80aa74eccb155/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176464&Signature=ks0Bgn0NQSpVaaBEpTYzezS5B4jMOh~8WhwLI4CLJl0pq1a~ncIgHopxAJhSe-xLHrOsJzBTjSWyfkE3Gv~BkCHXSWro3bKp8n33CpcY8kdtvVdMZdrscMIr06yA3rFL2b3ahOB9FFxPBn7FNQDoB6Xd1b87RcKylmvWrJu4-9wxD6Xs6j4EFx-FdX-XrkX123fZNKkFeo3yRe1DT1z8C4oWPDFp6aImXipbuaUJ8H2buPyZR3oek4n2RPfkHMwVyGOj58dbAXvJL32fUa3KNBytiAr~iSM5zYcqkfi3l4IU~ZA8I-8~sQHgTEA1wtXHF2mxcx9iC5s7blP3GRuRmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Williams County commissioners on May 6 approved a three-part action relating to NDSU Extension: a county commitment to fund half the salary of a horticulture agent if the position becomes available statewide; a reclassification of a part-time NDSU Extension administrative assistant to full-time; and a motion requesting return of a previously issued $400,000 county payment toward a greenhouse project that has not been constructed.

Helen (county staff) explained the county’s historical agreement with NDSU Extension: counties typically fund 50 percent of an extension agent’s salary while NDSU funds the other half. She said county staff and a commissioner had been in discussions with NDSU about adding a horticulture agent to serve local needs, and that the county has funds available in the 2025 budget to cover its share if the position is opened. Commissioners voted to signal their interest and provide funding authority so NDSU can pursue the position allocation.

Separately, staff said an administrative assistant position in the Extension office that had been reduced to part time during a prior reorganization should be restored to full-time status because workload now supports that staffing level; the board approved reclassification and funding in the 2025 budget.

On an older grant, staff and commissioners explained that Williams County provided $400,000 in 2019 toward an NDSU Research Station greenhouse project that has not been constructed. County staff said the original project’s management has changed, the greenhouse was never built, and county practice has since shifted away from issuing full checks before project milestones. The board approved a motion requesting that NDSU return the $400,000; commissioners said the county would consider future requests if NDSU later proposes a specific, timely project and provides appropriate milestones and oversight.

The board’s votes were by roll call and carried with all present voting yes. Staff will follow up with NDSU on the agent position, post the administrative reclassification, and send formal notice requesting the return of the $400,000 if the university does not present a current plan and timeline for the greenhouse.","County commissioners agreed to commit local share funding for half of a horticulture extension agent if the position becomes available, reclassified a part-time NDSU Extension administrative assistant position to full-time, and voted to request return of a previously issued $400,000 grant for a greenhouse that has not been built.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Williams County approves multiple road change orders, paving and chip-seal projects totaling several million

Williams County approves suite of oilfield-related land-use permits after debate over beachfront subdivision

Williams County pledges funding for NDSU horticulture agent, reclassifies extension administrative post and seeks return of unused greenhouse grant