Pembina County, ND - County News
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Unofficial Soils Committee Meeting Minutes from October 23, 2023
PEMBINA
Soils Committee
October 23, 2023 – 8:15 am
Soils Committee Minutes:
A regular meeting of the Pembina County Soils Committee was held on October 23, 2023, at 8:15 a.m. in the Farmer’s Room of the Pembina County Courthouse. Members Present: Camburn Shephard, Bill Gunderson, Robert Vivatson. Absent: Joel Smith, Brad Schuster. Alternates: Curtis Christenson, Nick Heuchert. Others Present: Tax Director, Lisa Keney, Deputy Tax Director/GIS, Lisa Wieler
Meeting was called to order by Soils Committee Chairman, Robert Vivatson at 8:24 a.m.
Motion was made by Mr. Gunderson and seconded by Mr. Shephard to approve the meeting minutes from September 22, 2023 as presented. All voting in favor, motion carried.
Discussion was held on modifiers. The current requirements for flooding, salinity, and rocks were reviewed, and some slight adjustments were made.
Mr. Shephard questioned whether or not one photo within the last 5 years dated after May 10, would be sufficient to provide for proof. Discussion was held. Mr. Gunderson mentioned that it would be easy to alter photos. Soils Committee members came to an agreeance that two photos would be adequate. Mr. Shephard mentioned the requirement of FSA maps and whether they would provide the information/proof that was needed. Ms. Keney mentioned that she has spoken to other Tax Directors who use FSA maps to help clarify the cropland acres for each parcel, but photos would also need to be included. Ms. Keney also mentioned that landowners will need to apply on a year to year basis for flooding. Applications will be available through the local assessors and need to be returned to them no later than March 1st to be reviewed by the Township officials at their local Equalization Meeting in April.
Mr. Shephard mentioned the use of Lidar Maps. Ms. Keney explained that this is not currently an option, but once we get Sidwell set up, we can take another look at it further down the road.
Discussion was held on how to apply modifiers if a 40-ac. parcel contained both rocks and saline. Ms. Keney explained that if a parcel has 5 acres of saline and the rest is rock, 5 acres would be applied at a 40% reduction, and the remaining 35 acres would be applied at a 20% reduction. There cannot be a discount on top of a discount. She also clarified that if a parcel contains more than one modifier, a separate application needs to be filled out for each one. Mr. Gunderson questioned how often parcels that contain saline and rock would be reviewed. It was determined that spot checks would be done as time allows.
Mr. Shephard made a motion to approve the guidelines/adjustments that were set forth by the Soils Committee and Tax Director, Lisa Keney. Seconded by Mr. Gunderson. All voting in favor, motion carried. Ms. Keney will present the guidelines at the next Commission Meeting on November 7. If Commission approves the use of soil modifiers Ms. Keney will hold an evening meeting with the Township officials to go over the guidelines/requirements.
Motion was made by Mr. Shephard and seconded by Mr. Gunderson to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, motion carried.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:18 a.m.
