The county highway department developed the map to make it easier for residents to access information.

The map is available at http://wardnd.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html.

“What we are doing is just displaying the map in a different form,” said Ward County Engineer Dana Larsen.

FEMA has identified 10,000 cubic feet per second as the 100-year flood level. That is twice the flow as has been considered a 100-year flood event. The City of Minot is appealing, arguing that because of Souris River management, the flow in a 100-year event would not be higher than about 8,000 cfs. A successful appeal would remove a number of homes from the flood plain, reducing the cost for flood insurance for those residents.

“The appeal process is new and there is a fair amount of uncertainty about how quickly things will happen and what will be the results if there are changes,” City Council member Josh Wolsky told the commission.

In other business, the commission decided to remove the county from the business of providing guardianships. The county’s public administrator, Mark Westereng, will be resigning effective the end of June. Rather than fill the position, the county plans to turn guardianship services over to Guardian Angels, Inc., of Jamestown. Guardian Angels is funded and monitored by the state and also receives private funds.

The county would save $19,400 in 2020 and would not have the public administrator expense going forward. Ward County is the last county in the state to eliminate a public administrator and turn functions over to a private corporation.

Meanwhile, the county looks to buy one building and sell another.

The commission formed a committee to investigate the possible purchase of the Hall Apartments. The building, located just west of a Ward County parking lot, was severely damaged in a fire in the early morning hours of Feb. 26. The commission is interested in the property to expand its parking lot.

The commission also voted to sell the county’s share in Kenmare Memorial Hall to the City of Kenmare for $10 and other considerations. Other considerations could include forgiveness of the costs of maintenance to which the county never contributed over the years.

The commission recently learned the county has been a part owner in the building since 1930, when the property came back to the county and city for back taxes and unpaid special assessments. The building had been the lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The order formed in 1868 in Pennsylvania as a fraternal benefit society offering insurance policies.

The sale offer now goes to the City of Kenmare for consideration. The city had initiated discussion about gaining fully ownership.

State’s Attorney Roza Larson said the county could sell the building but state law prohibits gifting.

In other business, the commission:

—

directed Commissioners Alan Walter and John Fjeldahl and Human Resources Director Tammy Terras to evaluate the operation of the Veterans Service Office and present a proposal for permanently filling the position of veterans service officer.

— set early voting for Monday through Friday, June 1-5, and the Monday before Election Day on June 9.

— voted 4-1, with Commissioner John Pietsch opposed, to place “no loitering” signs in the County Administration Building lobby in response to people spending the day and leaving backpacks unattended. Signs also will be posted indicating no animals except service animals are allowed.

— Approved creating a bronze image of the Ward County Seal to hang in the commission chambers. The cost is estimated at $700. The seal is believed to date to the 1970s.

— met in executive session to discuss the right-of-way lawsuit that a U.S. District Judge decided last week in favor of the county.

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