08-05-2025
Stutsman County Commission approves request for applications for vacant seat
May 8—JAMESTOWN — The Stutsman County Commission unanimously approved on Tuesday, May 6, a request for applications for the vacant seat on the board.
The county commission is expected to make a decision on who will fill the vacant seat at its regular meeting on May 20.
The county commission will hold a special meeting, if needed, on May 20 before its regular meeting to go over the applications.
The deadline to apply for the vacant seat is noon May 16. The commissioner's term will commence immediately after the county commission's appointment.
The vacancy was created after the death of Commissioner Jerry Bergquist on April 24. He was elected to the commission in November 2022.
The appointee will hold the office at least until the next general election. North Dakota Century Code 44-02-05 says the appointee holds office until the appointee's successor is elected at the next general election that occurs at least 95 days after the vacancy and the successor has qualified. The next general election is in November 2026.
State's Attorney Fritz Fremgen said the last time an appointment was made to the Stutsman County Commission in September 2023 the four commissioners voted for an applicant. If someone received three or more votes, the individual was appointed to the county commission.
Fremgen said in the case of a 2-2 tie for two applicants, the county commission could call for another elected official to break the tie. Fremgen recommended Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser to be the elected official to break the tie since the state's attorney advises the county commission.
To apply for the vacant county commission seat, visit,
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The county commission unanimously approved purchasing a building that will be installed in Buchanan.
The county commission approved the purchase of property in Buchanan in October 2023 to construct a building to store its blade.
The total cost of the building and to install it is about $120,000, said Jesse Christianson. He said the post building is walk-in ready.
Christianson said it will cost over $13,000 to get electricity to the building and more than $17,000 for heating, which includes floor heat.
He said there will be additional expenses including electrical work to the interior and hooking up water.
Stutsman County will send a letter to Kidder County and Peterson and Williams townships about creating an access point for farmers west of Medina.
Stutsman County Road 39 west of Medina was closed due to high water making it unsafe and unpassable.
Christianson said County Road 39 will be closed until water can be drained from Stink Lake.
"As of right now, I just don't see that we can do anything with it," he said. "The way the water is coming up is deteriorating fast. It's not safe to travel."
An access road would be created at 35th Street Southeast that goes west to 47th Avenue Southeast. Christianson agreed with Commissioner Mike Hansen that it would be a minimum-maintenance road.
Christianson said the estimated cost to create the access road would be about $130,000. He said adding gravel to it would cost an additional $10,000 to $20,000.
"This is kind of roughing it in to get it as travelable as it could be," he said.
Christianson said the access road is owned by Kidder and Stutsman counties and Peterson and Williams townships.
No timeframe was given when work would start to create the access road.
Jessica Alonge, Stutsman County auditor/chief operating officer, said a formal letter should be sent to Kidder County and Peterson and Williams townships. She said county funds shouldn't be spent on the access road without having other legal pieces figured out.
Commissioner Levi Taylor said the letter should ask for a response from Kidder County and Peterson and Williams townships and ask them if they would be interested in a meeting. A meeting will be scheduled if there is interest for one.
Stutsman County Park Board will receive a $218,000 grant through the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department's Recreational Trails Program.
The county's share is $36,000 for the 80-20 grant. The $36,000 can include in-kind donations, including labor.
With the grant funds, Stutsman County Park Board member Henry Steinberger said 25 concrete picnic tables can be purchased at $1,000 for each one. The grant funds can also be used for docks for less than $20,000 each and a Toolcat for under $100,000.
Steinberger said the park board has through June 2026 to complete the projects.
Alonge said the grant hasn't been accepted by the county yet and to not order anything until a contract for the grant is completed.
