1. Establishment

The City of Grand Forks and the County of Grand Forks through a Joint Powers Agreement establish a combined emergency management agency.

2. Administration

The agency shall be managed by a board to be known as the Emergency Management Board. The Board shall consist of: a member of the County Commission, appointed by the County Commission; a member of the City Council, appointed by the City Council, and a representative of the public, whose appointment shall be jointly concurred with by the County Commission and the City Council.

3. Powers and Duties

• To plan for and implement the establishment of the agency;

• To plan for and implement the emergency management systems, including emergency mitigation, preparation, response and recovery functions and activities for all emergencies and disasters, whether natural or man-made;

• To develop a plan for the administration and management of the Emergency Management Agency;

• To establish and develop policies governing day to day operations of the agency;

• To prepare an annual budget for approval by the City and County;

• To employ an Emergency Manager and staff necessary to operate or manage the agency, subject to the limits of annual appropriations and authority approved by the City and County;

• To enter into contracts for the purchase, lease and sale of equipment and/or services necessary to carry out its powers and duties, subject to the limits of annual appropriations and authority as approved by the City and County;

• To plan for future needs of the City and County in relation to emergency services and Emergency Management and make appropriate recommendations to the City and County;

• To assure that emergency operational plans are developed to effectively serve the citizens within the agency’s jurisdiction;

• To submit an annual report of all functions, activities, and recommendations for consideration by the City and County;

• To prepare and submit such grant applications for local, state, federal or other funding which may be available for the administration, operation and management of the Emergency Management program;
  Such other powers and duties as may be assigned from time to time by the City and County.

4. Members

• Ken Vein - Term expires January 1, 2025
  Grand Forks City Council Representative

• Terry Bjerke - Term expires December 26, 2026
  Grand Forks County Commission Representative

• Leah Ista- Term expires March 3, 2026
  Representative of the Public

• Michelle Rakoczy - Term expires March 4, 2027
  Representative of the Public

• Heather Everson - Term expires March 5, 2027
• Representative of the Public