Friday, January 8, 2021
Thursday, January 7, 2021
67th Legislative Session Off to Smooth Start
Week 1 NDACo Legislative Report - 1/8/21
The hustle and bustle of a Legislative Session is definitely felt in the Capitol. The energy is high and committees are getting to work fast! Committee hearing rooms look much different as they have been moved into larger rooms and are equipped with cameras and big tv screens. Seating in the hearing rooms has been dramatically reduced. The new system to submit testimony had some hiccups but for the most part has been a good addition to allow folks to testify remotely. You can submit written or oral testimony using their new system but you need to have it submitted an hour before the hearing. The technology also provides for you to view hearings remotely. Click here to see the step by step instructions for submitting testimony or watching hearings.Highlights from Week 1 include:
Increasing Liability Caps - NDACo Executive Director Terry Traynor provided testimony supporting the Office of Management and Budget proposal which would raise the liability caps for the state adn political subdivisions from
$250,000 to $375,000 per person and from $1 million to $1.5 million per
occurrence. NDACo agreed that, based on court decisions, governmental liability caps need to
be reviewed as the existing individual caps have been in place since originally established in the 1970's The OMB proposed change is the result of an interim research effort by the State Risk Pool and NDIRF in response to much larger increases proposed in 2019.
Road Train Pilot project - NDACo along with Cass County Engineer Jason Benson provided solid opposition to the proposal without local control or authority.
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Burgum says State of State is one of optimism and new beginings
Governor Doug Burgum delivered his State of the State Address today to North Dakota citizens. The news release which highlights his speech is below. But it is important to highlight that he singled out and expressed his deepest gratitude for county commissioners and local elected leaders for their efforts to fight and respond to the coronavirus.
BISMARCK, N.D. (JAN. 5, 2021) – Gov. Doug Burgum today delivered his 2021 State of the State Address, reflecting on the substantial progress and historic challenges of the past year and calling for bold action and investments in infrastructure and other priorities to position North Dakota for an even brighter future.
Addressing a joint session of the 67th Legislative Assembly on the first day of its biennial session, Burgum noted North Dakotans have experienced much this past year, enduring “a flock of black swan events” including flooding, drought, the ongoing global pandemic, market crashes and major economic contractions that tested citizens in ways no one could have expected.
“Yet, as we look forward together to the 2021-23 biennium, it is clear that we are well-positioned to rebound and recover, thanks to the courage, the grit, the ingenuity and the resiliency of North Dakotans,” Burgum said. “Today, the State of the State is one of optimism and new beginnings, built on the confidence of overcoming adversity and the knowledge that we will emerge stronger than ever.”
Highlighting the state’s continued population growth, Burgum cited the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual estimate released last week that listed North Dakota’s population at a record 765,309 as of July 1, 2020. The state expects to receive its official 2020 decennial census count in the spring.
BISMARCK, N.D. (JAN. 5, 2021) – Gov. Doug Burgum today delivered his 2021 State of the State Address, reflecting on the substantial progress and historic challenges of the past year and calling for bold action and investments in infrastructure and other priorities to position North Dakota for an even brighter future.
Addressing a joint session of the 67th Legislative Assembly on the first day of its biennial session, Burgum noted North Dakotans have experienced much this past year, enduring “a flock of black swan events” including flooding, drought, the ongoing global pandemic, market crashes and major economic contractions that tested citizens in ways no one could have expected.
“Yet, as we look forward together to the 2021-23 biennium, it is clear that we are well-positioned to rebound and recover, thanks to the courage, the grit, the ingenuity and the resiliency of North Dakotans,” Burgum said. “Today, the State of the State is one of optimism and new beginnings, built on the confidence of overcoming adversity and the knowledge that we will emerge stronger than ever.”
Highlighting the state’s continued population growth, Burgum cited the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual estimate released last week that listed North Dakota’s population at a record 765,309 as of July 1, 2020. The state expects to receive its official 2020 decennial census count in the spring.
With interest rates at historic lows, Burgum emphasized the opportunity to bond for roads, bridges, career and technical education centers, and other immediate, one-time infrastructure projects, and to create a $700 million revolving loan fund to provide low-cost financing for current and future generations of projects. Burgum noted the $1.25 billion bonding proposal in his executive budget would not raise taxes or rely on tax revenues to retire the bonds, instead using a portion of earnings from the state’s Legacy Fund.
“We have a historic opportunity to invest in infrastructure, diversify the economy, build healthy, vibrant communities, support research and innovation, transform government and build true legacy projects for the prosperity of North Dakotans for generations to come,” Burgum said. “We can set our state on a positive trajectory by leveraging the ingenuity and resources of the private sector and harnessing the power of the Legacy Fund. And we can accomplish all of this with a fiscally conservative state budget that holds the line on general fund spending, invests in our priorities and maintains healthy reserves, all without raising taxes.”
To ensure that the state’s public higher education institutions have the tools they need to serve students and succeed in a rapidly changing environment, Burgum asked the Legislature, North Dakota University System, and State Board of Higher Education to join in a study and development of a permanent Higher Education Stabilization and Transformation Fund for North Dakota Public Institutions, with the goal of initiation and implementation by 2024.
“This fund should be used to stabilize higher education funding, finding ways to drive growth and incentivize increased public-private partnerships and investment in 21st century education models,” Burgum said.
The governor also highlighted progress made on the administration’s efforts to reinvent government services to make them more effective and efficient, including the new Unified Spill Reporting System he announced today. A working group led by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and supported by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the North Dakota Industrial Commission’s Oil and Gas Division, began planning the Unified Spill Reporting System in 2018. The result, which launched Friday, is a simplified, one-stop reporting system for hazardous materials spills, eliminating the need for producers and the public to report spills to multiple state agencies.
“Through increased collaboration and unified reporting, our state agencies are now better prepared to protect North Dakota’s water, air and soil,” Burgum said.
The governor shared optimism for North Dakota’s rebounding agriculture and energy sectors and the need to support the state’s all-of-the-above approach to energy development. He proposed additional investments in behavioral health services and upgrading information technology systems, highlighted investment and growth in the state’s UAS industry and advocated for the development of more economically sound cities that maximize the use of existing infrastructure and strive to create healthy, vibrant communities and limit property tax growth.
Burgum expressed his deepest gratitude for North Dakota citizens, businesses, state agencies, federal and local partners and others for their efforts to fight the coronavirus, and especially for the frontline health care workers, first responders, educators and others who have worked tirelessly to care for others and adapt to the incredibly challenging pandemic conditions.
North Dakota continues to rank among the top three states in COVID-19 testing per capita and currently ranks third in the nation in the number of people per capita initiating vaccination, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 24,000 North Dakotans have received their first dose of the vaccine so far.
Burgum recognized the important role that Fargo-based biotech company Aldevron has played in the vaccine development, welcoming as special guests founding CEO and Executive Chairman Michael Chambers, current CEO Kevin Ballinger, Senior Manager of Client Relations Matt Krusen and Technical Operations Manager Angelica Meyer.
“Fortunately, we have new tools at our disposal to fight COVID, with effective vaccines, rapid tests that help screen out asymptomatic positives and break the chain of transmission, and effective therapeutics that can drastically improve survival rates when administered at the right time,” Burgum said. “This battle is far from over. But we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and we’ve got the tools to get us there.”
The governor also recognized special guest Mandy Nelson, whose late husband, Grand Forks Police Officer and North Dakota National Guard 1st Lt. Cody Holte, was killed in the line of duty on May 27, 2020, while responding to a shooting incident.
“Officer Holte selflessly dedicated his life to protecting his community, his state and his country,” Burgum said, adding, “Cody’s legacy of service will live on forever in the hearts and minds of North Dakotans.”
— # # # —
“We have a historic opportunity to invest in infrastructure, diversify the economy, build healthy, vibrant communities, support research and innovation, transform government and build true legacy projects for the prosperity of North Dakotans for generations to come,” Burgum said. “We can set our state on a positive trajectory by leveraging the ingenuity and resources of the private sector and harnessing the power of the Legacy Fund. And we can accomplish all of this with a fiscally conservative state budget that holds the line on general fund spending, invests in our priorities and maintains healthy reserves, all without raising taxes.”
To ensure that the state’s public higher education institutions have the tools they need to serve students and succeed in a rapidly changing environment, Burgum asked the Legislature, North Dakota University System, and State Board of Higher Education to join in a study and development of a permanent Higher Education Stabilization and Transformation Fund for North Dakota Public Institutions, with the goal of initiation and implementation by 2024.
“This fund should be used to stabilize higher education funding, finding ways to drive growth and incentivize increased public-private partnerships and investment in 21st century education models,” Burgum said.
The governor also highlighted progress made on the administration’s efforts to reinvent government services to make them more effective and efficient, including the new Unified Spill Reporting System he announced today. A working group led by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and supported by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the North Dakota Industrial Commission’s Oil and Gas Division, began planning the Unified Spill Reporting System in 2018. The result, which launched Friday, is a simplified, one-stop reporting system for hazardous materials spills, eliminating the need for producers and the public to report spills to multiple state agencies.
“Through increased collaboration and unified reporting, our state agencies are now better prepared to protect North Dakota’s water, air and soil,” Burgum said.
The governor shared optimism for North Dakota’s rebounding agriculture and energy sectors and the need to support the state’s all-of-the-above approach to energy development. He proposed additional investments in behavioral health services and upgrading information technology systems, highlighted investment and growth in the state’s UAS industry and advocated for the development of more economically sound cities that maximize the use of existing infrastructure and strive to create healthy, vibrant communities and limit property tax growth.
Burgum expressed his deepest gratitude for North Dakota citizens, businesses, state agencies, federal and local partners and others for their efforts to fight the coronavirus, and especially for the frontline health care workers, first responders, educators and others who have worked tirelessly to care for others and adapt to the incredibly challenging pandemic conditions.
North Dakota continues to rank among the top three states in COVID-19 testing per capita and currently ranks third in the nation in the number of people per capita initiating vaccination, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 24,000 North Dakotans have received their first dose of the vaccine so far.
Burgum recognized the important role that Fargo-based biotech company Aldevron has played in the vaccine development, welcoming as special guests founding CEO and Executive Chairman Michael Chambers, current CEO Kevin Ballinger, Senior Manager of Client Relations Matt Krusen and Technical Operations Manager Angelica Meyer.
“Fortunately, we have new tools at our disposal to fight COVID, with effective vaccines, rapid tests that help screen out asymptomatic positives and break the chain of transmission, and effective therapeutics that can drastically improve survival rates when administered at the right time,” Burgum said. “This battle is far from over. But we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and we’ve got the tools to get us there.”
The governor also recognized special guest Mandy Nelson, whose late husband, Grand Forks Police Officer and North Dakota National Guard 1st Lt. Cody Holte, was killed in the line of duty on May 27, 2020, while responding to a shooting incident.
“Officer Holte selflessly dedicated his life to protecting his community, his state and his country,” Burgum said, adding, “Cody’s legacy of service will live on forever in the hearts and minds of North Dakotans.”
— # # # —
Monday, January 4, 2021
67th Legislative Session Starts Tuesday
Tuesday is the start of a legislative session like no other we have experienced. There is a lot of anticipation and uncertainty felt by lawmakers, legislative staff, lobbyists and the public as we kick off the North Dakota 67th Legislative Session.
The
technology advances made in preparation are also like no other. Lawmakers
will be able to provide floor speeches and vote remotely as the Senate and
House chambers have new video monitors installed. In addition, each committee
room is equipped with web cameras and audio. Citizens will be able to watch a
hearing live or after it occurred. Better yet, individuals will have the
opportunity to testify remotely if they feel uncomfortable or are unable to
attend the hearing in person.
ND counties have the ability to more easily connect
with legislators and the issues that impact them. For those who want to submit testimony remotely, there will be a link attached
to the hearing schedule. You will need to pre-register an hour before the
hearing and are asked to upload testimony or supplemental documents. If you
plan to deliver oral testimony, you are encouraged to submit written testimony
as well. Registering to deliver oral testimony for a bill does not guarantee
you will be allowed. It will be up to the chairman to balance the time
constraints and the number of people who may indicate they desire to testify,
whether that is in person or remotely.
Committee
rooms have been moved around to allow for more room. Citizens will be allowed
to attend committee meetings in person with seating spread out to allow for
physical distancing. The Capitol entrance also has a face lift to make it more
accessible. There is also a COVID-screening device at the doors to take your
temperature and have you answer three questions.
We request our county members to let the NDACo legislative team know if you are interested in attending a hearing in person
or if you plan to deliver testimony written or oral to the committee. We will
walk you through the steps.
“ND counties feel optimistic about the discussions being held prior to the Session regarding infrastructure funding and bonding,” said Traynor. “There may be a couple options proposed; but from what we have seen, these proposals align with the priority counties have for road funding. It is a priority for legislative leadership; they recognize the road needs are great in our counties and the importance of delivering funding counties can use for the next construction season.”
Follow the
NDACo Legislative Blog, www.ndcounties.blogspot.com, for legislative updates throughout
the session. Make sure you have subscribed to receive email updates. You’ll
also want to bookmark www.legis.nd.gov, which is the landing page for all
things legislative.
A few bills of note for this week relate to a road train pilot project and liability caps for political subdivisions. You can view the full schedule of hearings scheduled for this week by clicking on the graphic below to view the schedule for this week.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Counties to Receive an Additional $25 Million in CARES Funds
ND Lawmakers Approve A Total of $50 Million in CARES Funding to Counties
Funding assists counties in reducing property taxes
“We are incredibly grateful for the allocation of CARES Funds to Morton County. We recently approved our 2021 budget and were able to reduce our mill levy by 8.1% and the dollars we collect in property tax by 3.4%,” commented Morton County Chair Cody Schulz. “We were only able to do this because of conservative, needs-based funding and the peace of mind that the CARES funding would leave us with a reasonable cash reserve to deal with future emergencies.”
Ward County acted similarly, citing the use of CARES funds to lower mills for the 2021 budget and placing funds in reserve to manage budget shortfalls going forward. “With CARES funds we were able to lower our mills an additional 4.19 from what was approved in our preliminary budget, bringing our overall levy back to the same as what it was for 2020’s budget,” said Ward County Auditor Marisa Haman.
As counties are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic response, counties are experiencing unanticipated financial burdens. Public health employees have been directly involved in COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. Counties have seen dramatic COVID-19 impacts affecting elections. Jails and law enforcement, along with counties, have made investments in their facilities to provide safer environments to work and do business.
As all governments across North Dakota, Cass County has been impacted by the COVID emergency in various ways. Cass County Finance Director Mike Montplaisir highlights some of the impacts and costs associated. As with any workplace, cleaning efforts were enhanced, and workspaces were created to provide distance between employees and customers. In some of their newly remodeled offices that included adding glass to the counter area to create barriers and glass on the top of workstations to create barriers between employees. In other departments it meant moving employees to working from home. The remote work situations also come with associated IT costs. “Our big challenge this year was elections, first an all-mail primary election and then right now an election run partly by mail and partly by vote centers. In Cass County we opened six vote centers. Just the plexiglass to protect the workers was $9,000—not to mention the additional poll-worker time to staff the vote centers. The other big cost for Cass County was $70,000 for mailing ballots in the general election. Altogether, Cass County’s out-of-pocket, COVID-related costs have totaled over $350,000 of additional, unbudgeted expenditures.”
The Cass County Jail has been forced to house some prisoners in other counties to provide more segregation between prisoners. Cass County is making investments to provide for better handling of infectious diseases in the future. Critical are larger booking areas so that people from different law enforcement agencies and their prisoners are property separated as prisoners are brought in; more isolation cells that have negative air flows to prevent disease spread; and simply more capacity to handle more prisoners with diseases, so both prisoners and staff are kept safe.
“While addressing all these COVID impacts, Cass County was not only able to hold the line in taxes, we were able to reduce our mill levy by 2.23 mills or a little over $2 million dollars,” said Montplaisir. “We are very committed to reduce taxes where we can, while still providing necessary services to the public. The CARES Act funding has been a welcome relief as we struggle with some increased costs as we deal with COVID and try to reinvent how we can provide services in a changing world”.
Thanks to the Budget Section’s approval, counties will receive a total of $50 million in CARES funds and cities will receive a total of $70 million for law enforcement payroll reimbursement. Providing these funds to local governments will benefit property taxpayers across the state. North Dakota received $1.25 billion from the CARES Act.
Follow this link to see a county breakdown of the estimated $50 million for law enforcement payroll reimbursement: http://bit.ly/CARESestimate
Funding assists counties in reducing property taxes
North Dakota’s legislative Budget Section today approved $25 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) funds to counties, which is in addition to the $25 million approved in August. These funds will provide a second round of funding to local government for a total of ten months of law enforcement payroll reimbursement. Public safety payroll is considered an allowable expense to distribute CARES fund dollars. The law enforcement payroll reimbursement is purely the mechanism to deliver funds to local government; counties can use the funds as needed.
The North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo) recently collected 2021 budget information that reveals that CARES funds have assisted North Dakota counties in delivering tax reductions. This illustrates that counties have acted prudently with property taxes in their use of the CARES funds received.
County commissions were struggling with how to budget for CY21 due to declining revenues and increasing responsibilities, both driven largely by the pandemic fight. The State Emergency Commission and Budget Section stepped in and allocated federal Coronavirus Relief Funds, and the results were noticed.
The initial allocation in August of $25 million for counties came at a perfect time to be incorporated into the process of revising preliminary budgets before final budget approval. At a time when many counties anticipated raising property taxes, and some raising them significantly, we have seen the opposite. Twenty-four counties lowered their property tax (mill) rate, and seven of those were more than double-digit percentage reductions. Even more surprisingly, fourteen counties were able to lower their total dollars of taxes collected. In addition, eleven counties were able to lower BOTH their mill rate and tax dollars collected.
NDACo Executive Director Terry Traynor said “The state/county partnership was evident in the understanding the Governor’s Office and the Legislature have for the interconnection of state aid and property taxes. This funding has been significant for counties, and more importantly, property taxpayers. Although some counties were unable to lower taxes due to local staffing and operational responsibilities, across the state taxpayers avoided significant increases to their county taxes during this time of economic challenge.”
The initial allocation in August of $25 million for counties came at a perfect time to be incorporated into the process of revising preliminary budgets before final budget approval. At a time when many counties anticipated raising property taxes, and some raising them significantly, we have seen the opposite. Twenty-four counties lowered their property tax (mill) rate, and seven of those were more than double-digit percentage reductions. Even more surprisingly, fourteen counties were able to lower their total dollars of taxes collected. In addition, eleven counties were able to lower BOTH their mill rate and tax dollars collected.
NDACo Executive Director Terry Traynor said “The state/county partnership was evident in the understanding the Governor’s Office and the Legislature have for the interconnection of state aid and property taxes. This funding has been significant for counties, and more importantly, property taxpayers. Although some counties were unable to lower taxes due to local staffing and operational responsibilities, across the state taxpayers avoided significant increases to their county taxes during this time of economic challenge.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the allocation of CARES Funds to Morton County. We recently approved our 2021 budget and were able to reduce our mill levy by 8.1% and the dollars we collect in property tax by 3.4%,” commented Morton County Chair Cody Schulz. “We were only able to do this because of conservative, needs-based funding and the peace of mind that the CARES funding would leave us with a reasonable cash reserve to deal with future emergencies.”
Ward County acted similarly, citing the use of CARES funds to lower mills for the 2021 budget and placing funds in reserve to manage budget shortfalls going forward. “With CARES funds we were able to lower our mills an additional 4.19 from what was approved in our preliminary budget, bringing our overall levy back to the same as what it was for 2020’s budget,” said Ward County Auditor Marisa Haman.
As counties are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic response, counties are experiencing unanticipated financial burdens. Public health employees have been directly involved in COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. Counties have seen dramatic COVID-19 impacts affecting elections. Jails and law enforcement, along with counties, have made investments in their facilities to provide safer environments to work and do business.
As all governments across North Dakota, Cass County has been impacted by the COVID emergency in various ways. Cass County Finance Director Mike Montplaisir highlights some of the impacts and costs associated. As with any workplace, cleaning efforts were enhanced, and workspaces were created to provide distance between employees and customers. In some of their newly remodeled offices that included adding glass to the counter area to create barriers and glass on the top of workstations to create barriers between employees. In other departments it meant moving employees to working from home. The remote work situations also come with associated IT costs. “Our big challenge this year was elections, first an all-mail primary election and then right now an election run partly by mail and partly by vote centers. In Cass County we opened six vote centers. Just the plexiglass to protect the workers was $9,000—not to mention the additional poll-worker time to staff the vote centers. The other big cost for Cass County was $70,000 for mailing ballots in the general election. Altogether, Cass County’s out-of-pocket, COVID-related costs have totaled over $350,000 of additional, unbudgeted expenditures.”
The Cass County Jail has been forced to house some prisoners in other counties to provide more segregation between prisoners. Cass County is making investments to provide for better handling of infectious diseases in the future. Critical are larger booking areas so that people from different law enforcement agencies and their prisoners are property separated as prisoners are brought in; more isolation cells that have negative air flows to prevent disease spread; and simply more capacity to handle more prisoners with diseases, so both prisoners and staff are kept safe.
“While addressing all these COVID impacts, Cass County was not only able to hold the line in taxes, we were able to reduce our mill levy by 2.23 mills or a little over $2 million dollars,” said Montplaisir. “We are very committed to reduce taxes where we can, while still providing necessary services to the public. The CARES Act funding has been a welcome relief as we struggle with some increased costs as we deal with COVID and try to reinvent how we can provide services in a changing world”.
Thanks to the Budget Section’s approval, counties will receive a total of $50 million in CARES funds and cities will receive a total of $70 million for law enforcement payroll reimbursement. Providing these funds to local governments will benefit property taxpayers across the state. North Dakota received $1.25 billion from the CARES Act.
Follow this link to see a county breakdown of the estimated $50 million for law enforcement payroll reimbursement: http://bit.ly/CARESestimate
Friday, October 2, 2020
Governor Holds Call with Commissioners & Mayors to Discuss COVID-19
Throughout the discussion it was clear that local collaboration has been instrumental during the pandemic response. The ND National Guard was praised for their valuable assistance in testing events. In addition to increased access both in times and locations, most localities are ramping up media campaigns in conjunction with the State’s #maskupND push. It was noted that tribal communities have a mask mandate in place which is well observed. Wearing face coverings in addition to physical distancing while in public are two of the easiest preventive measures to slow the spread.
Recurring challenges across the state continue to be consistent messaging, public compliance, and staffing. Locals reiterated previous requests for consistent messaging at all levels not only to contribute to mitigation strategies but also to alleviate public confusion of expectations. Health officials noted that people are much less cooperative with contact tracers and following quarantine and isolation guidelines. Staffing and onboarding temporary hires to handle the extra work created by the pandemic such as contact tracing and testing continues to be a huge concern.
Community protocols vary across the state depending on the case situations. Spikes or clusters in positive cases are seen in congregate settings and large gatherings. Some mayors and commissioners have taken bold leadership steps by placing a moratorium on large events and asking businesses to limit capacity. These short-term decisive actions are expected to help keep businesses open for the long haul.
Local leader asks:
· Governor explain risk-level restriction guidelines when referring to “colors”
· Discourage mass gatherings – biggest push back yet seems to spread most quickly at mass events
· Personal responsibility – be part of the solution, not the problem
· Quarantine and isolation orders need to come from state and message support local communities
· Hospital data needed
· Counties already established in-person voting location/protocols, would like to keep those open
· Governor explain risk-level restriction guidelines when referring to “colors”
· Discourage mass gatherings – biggest push back yet seems to spread most quickly at mass events
· Personal responsibility – be part of the solution, not the problem
· Quarantine and isolation orders need to come from state and message support local communities
· Hospital data needed
· Counties already established in-person voting location/protocols, would like to keep those open
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)