Big Stone County

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.

The Board meeting included commissioner committee reports across various areas. Claims totaling over $310,000 were approved for payment, with specific large vendors detailed. The Board authorized the acceptance of a grant award for the polling place accessibility project at the courthouse, utilizing 2025 excess elections funds for the remaining costs, with one commissioner abstaining. The Family Services Director presented and received approval for a 2026 Service Agreement for Revenue Recapture Administration, a Memorandum of Understanding with Safe Generations for the Family First Preservation Service Act implementation, and the 2026 PFF Guardianship and Conservator contract. The County Engineer presented information requiring a new CSAH 18 ROW Plat due to a deed restriction for the Toqua Park grant. Updates were provided on staff qualifications for property assessment and the introduction of a new Environmental Technician. The 2026 work session dates were approved. A work session covered discussions regarding obtaining a formal appraisal for the lot adjacent to the Highway Building and an update on the Toqua Park project.

The Commissioners approved the agenda and paid claims totaling $44,776.87. Key actions included approving the location for a raffle benefiting the Isaiah Anderson Memorial Fund, approving final pay for specific SAP projects, and approving the hiring of two new staff members: Kristin Hildebrandt as Child Support Officer and Chris Dorry as Appraiser. The Board also adopted a resolution (2022-36) recognizing veterans and declaring a period of recognition as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans. A public hearing was held regarding the Proposed Capital Improvement Plan and the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds, during which the Board gave preliminary approval to Resolution 2022-37 authorizing the issuance of up to $1,640,000 in bonds for capital improvements, including a County Highway Building. A subsequent resolution (2022-38) authorized the municipal advisor Ehlers to proceed with the sale of these bonds, with a meeting scheduled for December 13, 2022, to consider proposals.

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of claims totaling $333,492.67 and authorization of internal fund transfers. The 2017 financial statements were approved for publication, and the hiring of part-time Extension Office Support staff was authorized contingent upon background screening. An update was provided on Emergency Management activities. The Planning Commission's recommendation regarding a conditional use permit application for a long-term gravel pit by Bituminous Paving was approved with conditions. Bid summaries for CSAH 10 and CSAH 23 projects were reviewed; the bid for CSAH 10 was awarded, while the other awaits MnDOT clearance. The low quote for the County Ditch 13 repair project was accepted. Discussions covered the timeline for constructing a new highway building, including plans to hire a Construction Manager at Risk and an architect in the fall. A Consumption and Display Permit and an On Sale Beer License for Graceville Golf Club were approved, as was a 3-year Memorandum of Agreement with the University of MN Extension. The Joint Powers Agreement for the Midstate Computer Collaborative was approved, followed by a recess for a public hearing on the partial abandonment of County Ditch 20. After the hearing, the Master Agreement with Computer Professionals Unlimited, Inc. (CPUI) for MSCC was ratified despite initial IT concerns. A request for cleaning County Ditch 13 was tabled, and no action was taken on a request for a letter of support from TCW Railroad.