Big Stone County

The board authorized payment of claims, reviewed year-to-date financial information, and received an annual report from Countryside Public Health. Additional business included joining an Opioid Settlement, receiving an update on Veteran Service Officer activities, and approving the redetermination of benefits and repair initiatives for County Ditch 13. The board also approved bidding for two infrastructure projects and held a closed session regarding a real property transaction. Finally, a work session was conducted to review the design and material updates for the Toqua Park bath house project.

The board authorized payment of claims to various vendors and received the 2025 Drug and Alcohol Abuse Normative Evaluation System report. Actions were taken to ratify an amendment to the Employment First Grant, approve land surveying services for a road project, and modify the status of a seasonal park position to part-time. Additionally, the board reviewed the 2025 Recorders Report, discussed the Association of Minnesota Counties annual report, received information regarding local food shelf services, and considered the implications of state law changes regarding deer hunting regulations.

The meeting included the authorization for payment of claims, with several vendors receiving payments exceeding $2,000, including Apex Engineering Group and Guardian Fleet Safety. The Board unanimously approved the West Central Industries Host County Contract with McLeod County as presented by Family Services Director. The County Engineer presented and received approval for a Cooperative Agreement with the City of Ortonville regarding the CSAH 35 reconstruction project, followed by a general update on Highway Department activities. A subsequent Work Session included updates on the Lakeside Apartment project, tenant vouchers for the City of Beardsley, and feasibility assessments for acquiring property for low-income housing options. Discussions also covered tracking US Fish & Wildlife trust fund payments.

The meeting covered committee reports from various commissioners. The board authorized the payment of claims, including several vendors receiving payments exceeding $2,000. The Environmental Director presented and the board approved the 2025 County Feedlot Annual report. Approval was also granted for the Graceville Golf Club's 2026 gambling permit for their annual raffle. The board approved the appointment of the Emergency Management Director to the Emergency Management Advisory Board with the Central Minnesota Emergency Services Board. A portion of the meeting was closed to discuss a real property transaction. A subsequent work session included a discussion on the Toqua Park project, focusing on the type of structure for the bathhouse and funding options due to the project exceeding initial estimates.

The primary discussion during this special meeting concerned the spring flooding of 2022, which had impacted the county and its cities, causing significant public property damage. The Big Stone County Department of Emergency Management formally requested that the Board of Commissioners declare Big Stone County in a STATE OF EMERGENCY due to this flooding event. The resolution declaring the state of emergency was subsequently adopted.