Residents seek additions, transparency to county plans

By Robert Williams

Editor

The Becker County Board of Commissioners accepted a request from Sheriff Todd Glander to add a new deputy in 2025 at the bi-monthly meeting Tuesday, Oct. 15.

The position will not be open until January 1, 2025 with 30 percent (3.6 months) of the salary being paid through the public safety aid fund.

According to Glander, the deputy will be responsible for transporting federal inmates to medical appointments and scheduled court hearings.

Glander stated that out of 18 counties similar to Becker, the county averages 834 calls for service per year per deputy. Becker County serves an approximate population of 22,795 residents. Douglas County averages 453 calls per year with a similar population, while Clay County receives 419 per year with only 11,0000 residents. 

Glander also cited the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s (BCA) 2023 Uniform Crime Report, where Becker County sits at 81 out of 87 counties in deputies per capita. To reach the state average, the sheriff’s office would need to add 40 deputies. The current county roster includes 26 deputies.

By comparison, the City of Detroit Lakes is adding an additional police officer in 2025 to bring the total to 19 officers to police roughly 10,000 people.

“It’s about public safety, but it’s also about our deputy’s safety,” said Commissioner Erica Jepson.

All four commissioners commented in the affirmative on adding the deputy and voted unanimously to approve. 

Chairman John Okeson originally had some reservations.

“After reviewing it a little more, I’m still a little bit hesitant,” he said. “I know there is a need there and part of my mind has changed a bit.”

The board also approved the acceptance of the legislative public safety aid of $996,097, with $639,727.50 budgeted for the initial cost of body worn cameras.

Glander explained that the current camera system has reached its end of life and system maintenance has become difficult. The system includes body worn cameras for deputies and mobile cameras for all squad cars and what is needed at the jail.

County plans

Two county residents spoke on the county’s land use plan and comprehensive plan.

Julie Scothorn, who lives on Lake Maud in Lake Eunice township, spoke to the commissioners about the lack of transparency and lack of public feedback on the county’s Land Use plan.

“There wasn’t a single open forum in the entire county for the general public to discuss their thoughts and concerns or address questions face-to-face with any county official ever,” she said.

Scothorn cited Otter Tail County taking three years and holding four public hearings to complete a similar plan.

“The first opportunity for the general public, not specialized focus groups, to speak to the plan was Aug. 20 before the Planning Commission,” she said. “There was no engagement from the commission allowed, per the rules. Many present felt their words were met with deaf ears.  It was not lost on anyone that the date had already been set for the next county commissioners meeting and the agenda called for a vote to approve the plan. Thankfully, it was postponed. I am concerned about the lack of transparency with the public by everyone involved in this process, but specifically, by the Planning and Zoning department and the consulting firm that was hired by the taxpayers.”

Biologist Willis Mattson of Toad Lake read an open letter from the Izaak Walton League about better protection and restoration of the county’s water as it pertains to decisive county policy changes and specific plans for action to be included in the county’s updated county’s comprehensive plan.

Mattson cited unrefuted reports of significant adverse impacts from multiple sources including wake boats, factory farms, lake overcrowding, etc. Mattson claimed those reports were glossed over in the plan and wants a future development map included.

“Simply adding a detailed map to the updated comprehensive plan that identifies where development of any kind should be allowed and where it should be curtailed would shore up a rather bland county plan in a major way,” he said.

Commissioner Erica Jepson stated a map is being created and is expected to be released with the zoning ordinances.