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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Stutsman County Commission made the move Tuesday evening to renew insurance on their vehicles in service.

Dale Marks was absent from the meeting.

Jason Bitz with Insure Forward informed the commission that in 2016, 91 county vehicles were insured at a cost of $41,809. Bitz stated that the renewal would be $56,958 for 2017 to cover 101 vehicles, a difference of around $15,000.

Stutsman County Auditor Casey Bradley reported that there were more vehicles needing coverage in 2017, as some had been moved and others weren’t covered before.

The new insurance plan was approved unanimously.

Later in the meeting, Jamestown Stutsman Development Corporation CEO Connie Ova stated that she would like the county to apply for a state grant from the Bank of North Dakota to help in construction for part of the rail loop at the Spiritwood Energy Park.

The commission would need to apply for the grant and would be responsible for overseeing the construction process. The motion was approved unanimously.

Stutsman County State’s Attorney Fritz Fremgen provided his monthly report to the commission. He said with the amount of felonies his office is working with, the county is on track to set a record number of cases for 2017.

Fremgen reported that they continue to work on the backlog of cases.

Later, information was given on the April 21st Centurylink cable cut. Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Berguist reported that he would like to see the county commission draft an official complaint to the Public Service Commission concerning no backup plan if another cut occurred.

Joan Morris with Agricover Inc. spoke to the commission, stating that cuts to CenturyLink like that cost the national business they run tens of thousands of dollars.

The council approved to address the PSC with Bergquist and Bradley’s assistance.

Stutsman County Road Superintendent Mickey Nenow gave his monthly report to the commission Tuesday. He also brought forth several projects for approval including overlay on Highway 43 contingent upon receiving payment from Xcel Energy and projects 9 miles North of Woodworth. All were approved by the commission.