[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6804288,"mediaKeyId","5607480-8ecd9dfeca1aec4e41262bbde02bd9a6","parentId",5607480,"title","Mercer County Commission approves agenda items, budget hearing date, landfill engineering contract and a $9,000 easement","audioSeconds",8086,"startMs",86830,"endMs",8173150,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5607480-8ecd9dfeca1aec4e41262bbde02bd9a6&start=86&end=8173","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5607480-8ecd9dfeca1aec4e41262bbde02bd9a6/thumbnail_86830.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6804288/Mercer-County/North-Dakota/Mercer-County-Commission-approves-agenda-items-budget-hearing-date-landfill-engineering-contract-and-a-9000-easement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804288-e9480ec2a9653ac2bbc369c735e612cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152160&Signature=mWuvo5wZInRUydeTcfx8lgBzRj4IkrkkGRotL3jUVw90K2LSBJhH-jiZeJNmcRreQIC-oqRC4~Ah6tYl1frJ6Xcrqg-LgYXj~GC~SbjmFovvAuXoE2tUkBRZmTWZWdH0zf3YrsekULELPOx4DUS2ZS~1ZIj-7z301CdehIqK1RrfpLayxWg~DyjT8WqDKH7OES~v70zw630vRnbAqAovU~49ruuNJTeYfElwnNUFjFpjxlg1-FZTugDrT-hXby6GnOs4yr1Z-Y7nqjdf9ahkUnr~YzftQhm02oamyHtmsVY3QWvxN4vDsgd6GZ-HyIL3J3hi-BH1kqq4LSQskmvf5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercer County, KS","date","2025-08-20T17:07:37.273Z","article","The Mercer County Commission took a series of routine votes during its meeting.

Key outcomes
- Agenda and minutes: The commission approved the meeting agenda and accepted amended August 6 minutes clarifying that a private landowner (Boyd) would provide a needed easement to the county for $28,000 (amendment approved by voice vote).

- Budget hearing date: The commission set October 1 as the county’s final budget hearing date for the required public mailing ahead of the statutory Oct. 10 deadline.

- Landfill engineering services: The commission approved a two-year master services agreement with Houston Engineering to provide landfill engineering services (2025–2026).

- Recorder revenue: The commission accepted the recorder’s July revenue report of $5,870.50.

- Memorial signs: The commission authorized purchase of two Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway signs (state-approved) and authorized up to $1,000 from a general-fund miscellaneous line for the signs.

- Road easement: The commission accepted a $9,000 offer to acquire an easement for part of Eighteenth Street SW that passes through a mine area; the vote authorized county officers to finalize the paperwork and pursue state coordination to add the segment to county road miles.

- Equipment lease: Commissioners discussed and then approved a lease-purchase arrangement for a Hyundai excavator/trackhoe with a monthly payment (~$11,000) to be applied toward purchase; commissioners asked that the formal lease paperwork and bids be filed with county reviewer Todd prior to voucher payment.

Votes and procedure: Most approvals were by voice roll call with commissioners recorded as voting 'Aye' for the listed items in the transcript; specific roll-call tallies in the transcript show Commissioner Rick, Casey, Mark and Jean voting 'Aye' on several motions.

What’s next: Several items require follow-up paperwork: staff will collect lease and bid documents before voucher payment, compile maps for Jake-brake signage discussions, and file easement documentation for state coordination.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mercer County Commission Meeting 08/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Mercer County Commission approved a package of routine items including the agenda and amended minutes, set Oct. 1 as the budget hearing date, approved a landfill engineering agreement and accepted a $9,000 easement payment for a mine-area road segment.","taxTitle","Mercer County, North Dakota","taxId",73543,"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},6804293,"Insurance broker outlines potential coverage updates and premium savings for Mercer County",729,1082637,1812160,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5607480-8ecd9dfeca1aec4e41262bbde02bd9a6&start=1082&end=1812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5607480-8ecd9dfeca1aec4e41262bbde02bd9a6/thumbnail_1082637.jpg","/articles/6804293/Mercer-County/North-Dakota/Insurance-broker-outlines-potential-coverage-updates-and-premium-savings-for-Mercer-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804293-bea1c2af9366aebcc519b0d99b369fe7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152160&Signature=kzpJ~YIoDml3heCq-b-If2cP2N4KQAgWuNHePfUxZz-4RyL24qqPe7kTaq67D4G8HmoB~Qid8b3ts4nO~Yzyi7CFzIfle-jgbPhCUezW1Teroo6TZerOuIEe3nrY8hWmVE7Jj3q5gdJ2buselFiEJtK6PBCvaAPx4udDKION2Dy89db7b9Pc-KNntx93BKVpv7lpNdg3FM4e4eL5RUZYES1unXwBL4usjk0mD2bkXq4nIfu2jwtJ~~c7U0fwA3cSJQrJnsBDvmiNo2Tv1axbdj06ztPaIbyjUcNg8X5OJoyHHc-pIHXruwmJmENYD543g5ie6zluqUh39lUkkk5OKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott Fenrich, commercial advisor for Prevera Insurance, briefed the Mercer County Commission on a preliminary review of the county’s insurance program and told the commission he sees opportunities to both improve coverage and reduce premiums.

Fenrich said Mercer County is a member of the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund and that simple changes — updating property valuations, adjusting deductible structures and using available member services — could reduce exposure to coinsurance penalties and lower annual costs. “If we're not keeping up to speed on those [property valuations], you can be in a position where you'd be looking at a coinsurance penalty,” he said.

Commissioners asked procedural and procurement questions, including whether the county must publicly advertise or competitively bid agent-of-record changes. Fenrich responded that, in his experience, the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund arrangements are generally similar across providers and that an agent’s expertise in using fund services is the differentiator; commissioners asked staff to confirm statutory requirements before any sole-source action.

What’s next: Fenrich offered to return with a formal written evaluation and specific examples of potential savings; commissioners did not vote or authorize a contract at this meeting.","Rivera/Prevera Insurance advisor Scott Fenrich told commissioners he found gaps and opportunities in Mercer County’s insurance program and offered to provide a detailed proposal, while commissioners asked about competitive-bid and statutory procurement requirements.",{"_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},6804295,"Resident urges Mercer County to seek 'Jake Brake' signs as county staff warn ordinance and mapping needed",814,262235,1077165,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5607480-8ecd9dfeca1aec4e41262bbde02bd9a6&start=262&end=1077","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5607480-8ecd9dfeca1aec4e41262bbde02bd9a6/thumbnail_262235.jpg","/articles/6804295/Mercer-County/North-Dakota/Resident-urges-Mercer-County-to-seek-Jake-Brake-signs-as-county-staff-warn-ordinance-and-mapping-needed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804295-0274517b56f166358567cb3181875e33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152160&Signature=AW2RNd~cow5lq~Nuk3G5hLtKKpS~dP4-GPGBRi2VLoCmT6yILUH0xjpTrdoJ2Q1ZiVI8HtO4hSNOqFwjacMFgz0jyUHvMSNQQqBncSpmyiYzpauIBUx9FBCsT7YiQJxU8mnB7uTIklu6T0VGhoFpqrUAhNg6KEeSAR0nlpOkaU5u0LeIRxQIHTVXVV2ZImIhVeR6t63r2pqd225ELtU1XIwIeEcg5P82UKPjamBMwDqt6QAn0s4Lk3jeeOEDJazE9Fj2uUtEnDR0b7IIHameEw53kyR346o7kxIy3lpeo6UhvR~yFBej~ZYQP46QZYSDenpM9ubvjLUCysU0rjeO7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A county resident told the Mercer County Commission that trucks using engine brakes on a downhill stretch of Highway 200 rattle nearby houses and asked the commission to pursue signage and enforcement.

Greg Hoffner, who said he lives on Highway 200, described repeated incidents of heavy trucks and altered mufflers that “rattles the windows” and said the noise disturbed neighbors including a hospital-shift worker next door. “They're cranking their jake brakes all the way down the hill into town,” Hoffner told the commission, urging signs or other action.

County staff and commissioners responded that North Dakota Department of Transportation policy requires a county ordinance and a precise map showing sign locations before DOT will place and help enforce Jake-brake signs. A county staff member told the commission, “First, you're gonna need—you need to map it,” and offered to gather mapping information to draft ordinance language for future consideration.

Why it matters: Commissioners noted enforcement is difficult and that signage often functions as a deterrent rather than a guaranteed compliance tool. Commissioners and staff also flagged precedent concerns: opening a signage program in one area could prompt requests elsewhere in the county.

What’s next: Commissioners asked Hoffner and other residents to supply maps of affected locations; staff said they would compile the locations and return with a proposed ordinance and a routing plan to coordinate with any city jurisdictions and DOT.","A Mercer County resident told commissioners persistent engine-brake noise on Highway 200 disrupts nearby homes; staff said North Dakota DOT requires a county ordinance and mapped locations before placing enforceable 'Jake Brake' signage, and commissioners asked the resident to provide maps for follow-up.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6804297,"Lignite Energy Council tells Mercer County leaders coal still fuels local wages and future projects",2693,1820765,4514280,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5607480-8ecd9dfeca1aec4e41262bbde02bd9a6&start=1820&end=4514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5607480-8ecd9dfeca1aec4e41262bbde02bd9a6/thumbnail_1820765.jpg","/articles/6804297/Mercer-County/North-Dakota/Lignite-Energy-Council-tells-Mercer-County-leaders-coal-still-fuels-local-wages-and-future-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6804297-23d4e6e1fca8354b878552b2172c7fe3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152160&Signature=feXqTxwgvXczlu7PoaAEIe3uKGSCyzn6WYJs2DfATuS0fX8xRDJWT3nToTio3RQ9kEZ6HnK2-n4qxHMSqpSI~nikXPVzxf0MMvg311VVwYoenllmK9QzUVFt9P683Nzm5pmyCGT2-Di4yCWlBvwPDC1pbm4QtmJjDF6HI54E88nmQ4wsQFFJWahpuhhQVTyOyEwHk0yeMIkLdIMLgM~gVqbnhH3Srw8zCsNozEswh2h-93Zu-toWT1a5V2G9OWze4xzuRoW8mRk-1wvSDnozMBocCMd~ICPGus0Mh0icBAtPwADgvIXozhbymEpNpk8QAdhEcaFQz7vOlNQXl-dWUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jonathan Fortner, interim president and CEO of the Lignite Energy Council, told the Mercer County Commission on Monday that North Dakota’s lignite industry remains a major economic force and urged local leaders to track state policy changes that could bring investment and jobs to coal counties.

Fortner told commissioners the industry mines about 25,000,000 tons of lignite annually and “we provide over 12,000, direct and indirect jobs, more than a $100,000,000 in state, county, and local tax revenues on an annual basis.” He said recent state legislation — notably House Bill 1279 — extended a conversion-tax relief that, he said, preserved roughly $70 million in state-level support and protected county distributions.

Why it matters: Fortner framed the issue as both a revenue and a resilience question. He said the industry faces shifting federal rules and litigation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency level but that investments in carbon capture and critical-mineral processing offer a path to retain plants and expand local tax bases. “We have the second largest lignite deposit in the world,” Fortner said, adding that existing geology and ongoing projects put North Dakota ahead on carbon-capture research and potential commercial scale-up.

Fortner summarized several legislative and federal items: a state-level critical-minerals framework he described as a first-in-the-nation effort to provide a 2.5% floor for mineral owners, continued funding for state litigation ($3 million), and tax provisions that he said make projects more investable. He said the Lignite Research Council is funding a $100,000 NDSU study to quantify tax histories and potential revenue under different development scenarios.

Commissioners pressed for local detail: one commissioner asked how many of the roughly 1,400 coal-industry jobs Fortner cited were filled by Mercer County residents; Fortner said he did not have county-level employment breakdowns available but offered to find the data. The commission also discussed potential infrastructure implications — including road access and local permitting — if projects such as CO2 capture or mineral processing move forward.

What’s next: Fortner offered to return with the NDSU study findings and more county-level data when available. The commission did not take formal action on the presentation but asked staff to track follow-up material.","Jonathan Fortner of the Lignite Energy Council told the Mercer County Commission the state’s lignite industry supports tens of thousands of jobs and argues that recent state bills and federal rule changes create opportunities for carbon capture and critical-mineral processing that could boost county revenue streams.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mercer County Commission approves agenda items, budget hearing date, landfill engineering contract and a $9,000 easement

Insurance broker outlines potential coverage updates and premium savings for Mercer County

Resident urges Mercer County to seek 'Jake Brake' signs as county staff warn ordinance and mapping needed

Lignite Energy Council tells Mercer County leaders coal still fuels local wages and future projects