The Pierce County Commission officially adopted a public comment policy at its regular meeting on Tuesday.

The policy is borne from Senate Bill 2180, which requires political subdivisions to offer public comments at regular meetings. According to the policy, a public comment agenda item will be the first non-procedural agenda item at all regular meetings of the commission.

Those seeking to provide public comment are required to submit a speaker’s card prior to the start of the meeting that includes the individual’s name, address and the agenda item from the current meeting agenda or the previous meeting agenda the individual is addressing. An individual can be disqualified from speaking if any of the information is missing.

Individuals will be called in the order that speaker cards are submitted. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes to make comments, and the public comment period will be limited to 30 minutes regardless of how many individuals have submitted speaker cards. Individuals may submit written comments prior to the meeting if they are unable or do not wish to speak in person.

All comments must address the agenda item identified on the speaker card, be pertinent to the county and be directed to the board as a whole. Comments may not be defamatory, abusive, harassing or unlawful; include information that is exempt or confidential under North Dakota open records law; or interfere with the orderly conduct of the meeting.

Drug Task Force

Updating the commission on the Regional Drug Task Force, Bureau of Criminal Investigations Special Agent Matt Schimetz reported the Task Force has 21 pending cases and 29 case reports since Jan. 1. Schimetz said the Task Force has provided information that resulted in multiple traffic stops, which led to meth and fentanyl seizures in Rolette County, and seven controlled purchases of controlled substances.One such traffic stop highlighted by Schimetz led to the seizure of about 1,000 fentanyl pills.

Schimetz reported the Task Force assisted in a couple of vehicle pursuits and assisted the Minot Police Department with the arrest of a suspect alleged to be responsible for a fatal overdose.

Schimetz said the Task Force will need to hire a new officer as the current officer, Brock Baker, will be moving on to a new opportunity.

Schimetz concluded by saying the Task Force’s goal is to make an impact and broaden the scope of its pending cases with federal courts to ensure those convicted get more jail time.

HACTC

Mike Graner, jail administrator at the Heart of America Correctional and Treatment Center, gave his report for the month of June to the board. Graner said the current inmate count was 78, having hit that level in June.

Graner informed the board of a new opportunity with Evolution Counseling in Devils Lake, which would provide treatment primarily for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation overflow inmates at no cost to the facility. Graner said this arrangement would help keep beds full, as there are 26 to 28 inmates in need of the services.

The board approved Graner’s request for the HACTC correctional officers to join the state’s Public Safety Retirement Plan, with the extra cost picked up by the employees. Graner also suggested the county could pick up the cost of the plan down the road.