Becker County Administrator

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda, which included adding a safety update to the Administrator's report. Several items were addressed under the Consent Agenda, including routine financial reports, claims, and capital requests, although some items were pulled for later discussion. The Open Forum allowed a resident to raise an issue regarding 245th Ave. Reports covered various committee and board activities. Key actions included approving Commissioner Vareberg as the Alternate Commissioner for the Buffalo-Red Watershed and approving the County Administrator Employment Agreement with specified modifications. The County Administrator provided updates on judicial security, legislative sessions, and confirmed the signing of CHIPS contracts. Further discussions involved the 245th Ave compliance scheduling, approval of the AED Policy, and confirmation that safety deficiencies were largely corrected. The EDA approved the MMCDC Contract language clarification. The Highway department secured approval for a contract amendment regarding blading and plowing, and an agreement between Clearwater and Becker County. Finally, discussions were held regarding proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance concerning data centers, building height, and land alteration, as well as the Conditional Use Permit Inspection Policy.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussions under Regular Business included confirmation of the agenda. The Consent Agenda addressed several financial matters, including regular claims, various resolutions for fund balance transfers, claims for Human Services and Public Health, a vehicle purchase request for Transit, a Capital Expense Request for a Snow Pusher, Assessor abatements, and agreements/amendments related to the Sheriff's office. Under Commissioners' business, there was an Open Forum and reports, including appointments to the Lakeland Mental Health Center. The County Administrator provided updates, including a report and information on the 245th Ave project, and a resolution on delegation of authority. The Becker Soil & Water Conservation District presented an amendment to the Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan Implementation Agreement. Human Services addressed contract renewal and lease renewal. Human Resources covered an extension for a temporary full-time deputy position and a policy on variable part-time employment status. The Highway department addressed a bid award for West Lake Drive, and the Sheriff's office discussed a Joint Powers Agreement and training on multimedia investigative techniques.

The meeting began with a pledge to the flag, followed by agenda confirmation which included adding a presentation from the fair board and a required summary of the County Administrator's performance review conducted in close session. The Board then addressed corrections and approved the minutes from the December 2nd meeting and the TNT December 11th meeting. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation by the Fair Board leadership regarding the 2025 fair. Key discussion points included the fair's performance exceeding expectations despite challenges like road construction and specific venue issues, noting that income is gauged by grandstand events like the demolition derby and rodeo, as there is no gate charge. Financial discussions highlighted that the fair broke even, avoiding the need to draw from Certificates of Deposit (CDs) despite a $100,000 bleacher replacement project being funded across two fair years. Major future capital concerns for the Fair Board include the urgent need to replace the horse barn roof, which is nearing an unsafe condition, and balancing curb appeal improvements with maintaining the nostalgic nature of existing structures. Discussions also touched upon the partnership regarding the transit building and efforts to secure revenue for that facility during non-fair times. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the Fair Board's volunteer efforts and the presence of law enforcement during the fair, particularly at the demolition derby.

The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance. Agenda additions included discussions on Planning and Zoning regarding a retaining wall direction and conditional use permit enforcement. A request was made for an update on levy reductions. The board approved the agenda with these additions, followed by the approval of the October 21st meeting minutes, with a clarification regarding a private donation to public health for the Becker County Food Pantry. In the open forum, a resident expressed detailed concerns regarding the proposed Heartland Trail extension, advocating for a more scenic northern route rather than one paralleling Highway 59. Reports covered the Crow Wing Watershed, including approving an agreement revision to include White Earth Nation and noting completed local projects like prescribed grazing and stream bank stabilization. A new Lake Steward program involving neighboring counties was also mentioned. Discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) focused on its potential to increase efficiency in note-taking and minute preparation for county staff, aligning with SSIS modernization efforts. County priorities were established, with system modernization being number one, followed by mental health and solid waste concerns. Additionally, potential add-on health insurance benefits were noted for investigation.

The agenda for the regular meeting included confirmation of the agenda and approval of the previous meeting's minutes. The consent agenda addressed several financial and operational matters, including regular claims, establishing the 2026 Absentee Ballot Board, receiving November 2025 financial reports, claims for Human Services and Transit, a capital request for Pre-Buy Base One Stabilizer, final payment acceptance for a highway project (SP 088-070-077), an agreement concerning CSAH 39 & CSAH 37, an equipment purchase for Land Use, and a contract language revision for the EDA. Commissioners addressed an open forum, received reports, made an alternate commissioner appointment to the Buffalo-Red Watershed, and discussed the County Administrator Employment Agreement. Subsequent agenda items involved the County Administrator's report, including updates on CHIPS Contracts and the 245th Ave situation, an AED Policy review, and a resolution amendment concerning the Blading and Plowing Contract. The meeting concluded with discussions on proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments and a Conditional Use Permit Inspection Policy.