Commission hears of deputy recruitment/retention grant

Much like most other rural county commissions in North Dakota, the Foster County Commission is learning how hard it is for the sheriff's department to keep deputies.

At the last county commission meeting held on Tuesday, November 21, sheriff Justin Johnson attended the meeting to ask the board to increase the wages for his current and incoming deputies.

He explained that the bill HB1307 offers a grant from the North Dakota State Legislature called "Back the Blue Grant" to help in recruiting and retaining deputies.

"I understand that Foster County is basically just a training ground for new deputies who move on after a couple of years," said Johnson.

He asked the board to increase deputy wages to $60,000 per year. Motion passed.

In other business:

• The board discussed grinding roads with Foster County Road Superintendent Nate Monson.

Due to the cost of paving roads, it would be cost effective to grind up some of the roads in the county and bring them back to gravel.

More discussion was had on grants to help with the grinding, but the board will wait for more information.

• Commission President Alan Scanson told the board that someone approached him about selling county owned lots in the town of Juanita.

The board agreed to put those lots out for bid.

• A motion was passed to rescind the burn ban.

• After receiving such a high bid for the basement project, the board agreed to extend the bid deadline for two more weeks.

• There is one leak in the courthouse dome.