Morton County Commission - 2026-03-24
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
Morton County Commission lifted its moratorium on carbon dioxide direct air capture facilities after adopting zoning standards developed by a subcommittee over six meetings. The commission also approved amendments to the floodplain overlay district to comply with FEMA requirements and state legislation, moved the farm residence exemption deadline from May 31st to April 30th starting in 2027, and approved a telecommunications tower special use permit in Section 36. Knight River Corporation was awarded the contract gravel hauling bid at $174 per hour per truck.
Key Decisions (6)
Lift Moratorium on Direct Air Capture Facilities
Resolution 30-2026-01 lifting the moratorium on development of carbon dioxide direct air capture facilities in Morton County was approved. The moratorium was originally adopted July 11, 2024 while zoning standards were developed by a subcommittee that held six meetings. Vote was unanimous 5-0 (Zachary, Topach, Morrell, Buckley, Bainby all voting yes).
Floodplain Overlay District Amendment Section 3-010
Amendment to county land use code section 3-010 floodplain overlay district approved to comply with FEMA requirements and state legislation SBA 2027. Changes include updated datum references (NABD 88 or NGBD 29), enclosure regulations, manufactured home standards, and floodway increase threshold of 0.004 feet. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval with caveat that minor FEMA-requested language changes may be incorporated later.
Farm Residence Exemption Deadline Change to April 30th
Approved moving the farm residence exemption application deadline from May 31st to April 30th, starting in 2027. Change necessitated by legislative modifications to primary residence credit requiring counties to send approval/denial within 15 days of receiving state file, which conflicts with the previous May 31st deadline.
Telecommunications Tower Special Use Permit - Towers LLC
Special use permit approved for Towers LLC and landowner Kathleen Flecht to install a telecommunications tower with maximum height of 195 feet on approximately 139.46 acres in the northeast quarter of Section 36, Township 135 North, Range 82 West, Morton County. Location is where Highway 21 and Highway 6 intersect. Tower footprint is 100 by 100 square feet. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval.
Contract Gravel Hauling Bid Award to Knight River Corporation
Knight River Corporation North Central awarded contract gravel hauling bid at $174 per hour per truck with mobilization of $565 per working day. Two bidders competed; Knight River was low bidder by $27 over Circle C Enterprises. Budgeted item at $250,000 from ground line items budget. Contract requires four truck minimum.
Tax Abatements 7197-7203
Multiple tax abatements approved: Abatement 7197 for 2025 to correct property details after assessor review on March 18th; Abatements 7198-7200 for homestead tax credits in City of Mandan for 2025; Abatements 7201-7203 for veterans credits (one in Morton County for 2025, two in City of Glen Ullin for 2024 and 2025).
Zoning Changes (2)
Morton County-wide
Morton County Commission
Morton County floodplain areas
Morton County Planning and Zoning
Development Activity (1)
Telecommunications Tower Installation
195-foot telecommunications tower on 100x100 square foot footprint within 139.46 acre parcel owned by Kathleen Flecht
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
Morton County received $1,250,000 grant from Department of Agriculture for County Road H improvements to extend longevity and control dust for residents.
Commercial Demand
Data center zoning ordinance is progressing through public hearings with second hearing scheduled for Planning and Zoning meeting, potentially coming to County Commission on April 9th.
Infrastructure
County contract gravel hauling program has expanded road maintenance from approximately 50 miles to 140 miles per year, with competitive bidding showing less than 3% price increase year-over-year despite fuel price volatility.
Other
Direct air capture facility development can now proceed in Morton County following lift of moratorium and adoption of zoning standards developed through six subcommittee meetings with industry and citizen participation.