OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BOWMAN COUNTY, BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on October 6, 2026, with the following present: Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, Josh Buchmann, Jerid Janikowski and Nathan Miller. Chairman Braaten called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. Guests present: Pastor Corey Jenkins and Brad Mosher. Present by phone: JohnPaul Baric and Charlie White from Aurum Capital Ventures. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Father Greg Hilzendeger shared a prayer.

Braaten asked for corrections or additions to the agenda. Abrahamson moved to approve the agenda. Miller seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

The following October 6, 2026, vouchers were approved by a motion made by Janikowski, with Miller seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Emergency Manager, Dean Pearson gave an overview of the emergency management exercise that took place in Amidon. Discussion was held on the current fire emergency burn restriction. The restrictions will stay in effect.

Janikowski moved to approve the September 15, 2026, minutes with Miller seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Abrahamson moved to approve the September 2026 Month-End Bureau of Land Management Report, with Buchmann seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Treasurer, Sydnee Kidd, met to present the August 2026 Treasurer’s Daily Cash Settlement/Bank Reconciliation Report. Buchmann moved to approve the report, Janikowski seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Buchmann moved to transfer $200,000 from the BLM Fund to the Building Fund on an annual basis effective immediately. Miller seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.

Miller moved to approve the September 2026 Recorder and Sheriff Fee Collection Reports. Buchmann seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Janikowski moved to approve the Reimbursement Agreement Concerning Third-Party Monitoring of Post-Construction Road Restoration with Bowman Wind, LLC. Miller seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.

At 9:50 AM Chairman Braaten called the Public Hearing to order to receive public comments on the 2027 Unorganized Townships Budget. Guests present: Brad Mosher, Bowman County State’s Attorney, Andrew Weiss. Buchmann made a motion to approve the 2027 Final Budget, as presented, with Abrahamson seconding the motion.  A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

At 10:10 AM Chairman Braaten called the Public Hearing to order to receive public comments on the 2027 Budget. Guests present: Brad Mosher, Dave Anderson, State’s Attorney Weiss, Chris Johnson, Don Conant, Kris Schwab.  Discussion was held on the estimated county mill levies.  Janikowski made a motion to approve the 2027 Final Budget, as presented, with Abrahamson seconding the motion. Roll call vote: Janikowski, no; Abrahamson, no; Buchmann, no; Miller, yes; Braaten, no. Motion failed. Abrahamson moved to approve the budget with the amount of the State’s Attorney budget changing to $94,688. Buchmann seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Abrahamson, yes; Buchmann, yes; Janikowski, yes; Miller, no; Braaten, no. Motion carried.

Don Conant, Bowman County Maintenance Manager and Kris Schwab, Core Facility Solutions met to discuss Phase 2 of the HVAC and generator project. Janikowski moved to approve a change order up to $2,250,000 with funds coming from BLM. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on the following real estate that has been forfeited to the county for delinquent taxes.  Bowman County has taken tax deeds to such property and will offer for sale at public auction on November 17, 2026. A public hearing will be held on October 20, 2026 at 10 AM for any objections to the stated minimum bid price from the City of Bowman.

Janikowski made a motion to establish the following minimum sale price, with Miller seconding the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye.  Motion carried. City of Bowman, North Dakota, Northwest Estates Addition, Block 2, Lot 25: Minimum Sale Price: $3,500.

Abrahamson made a motion to establish the following minimum sale price, with Buchmann seconding the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye.  Motion carried. City of Bowman, North Dakota, Northwest Estates Addition, Block 2:  Lot 26: Minimum Sale Price: $1,500.

Craig Peterson, Mastec, and Chris Johnson, Bowman Wind, LLC. met to discuss the post construction road restoration project. Present via phone: Lukas Geissbuehler, Bowman Wind, LLC.

Bowman County Highway Superintendent, Shane Biggs, and Billy Doerr, Brosz Engineering, met to discuss road projects. Doerr presented pay application #4 from Wilson Construction of $165,522.60 for the Anderson Cut-Across Project. Doerr also presented pay application #8 from Wilson Construction of $110,626.10 for the Old Hwy 12 Phase 2 Project.

Discussion was held on the proposed data center moratorium resolution.  JohnPaul Baric, Aurum Capitol Ventures spoke via phone. Janikowski invited Aurum Capitol Ventures to apply for a conditional use permit. The commission referred the moratorium back to the Bowman County Planning and Zoning Board.

Abrahamson moved to appoint Nicole Njos as the Bowman County State Fair Delegate. Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.

At 2:40 PM Miller moved to adjourn the meeting, with Janikowski seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Rick Braaten, Chairman, Board of County Commissioners

ATTEST: Mindy Schumacher, Bowman County Auditor

BOWMAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026
9:00 AM

AGENDA

Call to order Chairman Braaten

Pledge of Allegiance – Prayer – Pastor Corey Jenkins

Consideration for Approval

1. 1. Agenda
   2. Vouchers
   3. October 6, 2026 Minutes
   4. Fire Emergency Burn Restriction
   5. Court Services Contract, City of Scranton

Unfinished Business

New Business

Scheduled Appointments Made in Advance

9:30 AM    Bowman County State’s Attorney Office

10:00         Bowman County Sheriff’s Office

10:30         Slope Electric

10:45         Craig Hoff

11:00         Shane Biggs, Bowman County Road Superintendent

                  Brosz Engineering

Elected Officials Office Updates & Other

• Public Notices

• Important Meeting Dates

There will be a meeting of the Bowman County Planning & Zoning Board on October 29, 206 at 6 PM in the Commissioner’s Room at the Bowman County Courthouse. The hearing will be for a proposed Data Center, Cryptocurrency Mining, Artificial Intelligence Computing Facilities and Battery Storage Facilities Moratorium. Immediately following the decision by the Planning & Zoning Board, the Bowman County Commissioners will meet for final approval.

• Next Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting –November 17, 2026, 9:00 AM

Adjourn