Christi Pierson

The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the agenda. No conflicts or citizen input were registered. A decision regarding drainage hearing #25-02 was not taken as respondents failed to appear to request an extension, meaning the deadline of March 1, 2026, remains in effect. The meeting was subsequently adjourned.

Key discussions during the meeting included the purchase of a mulcher style brush cutter for the highway department, with approval granted for the smaller model and safety shield. The board approved Brosz Engineering's recommendation for a 142' bridge replacement on 413th Ave. Additionally, the Commissioners declared an irregular tract of land in Alexandria as surplus property and appointed a Board of Appraisers to report by February 16, 2026. Lease agreements with the City of Alexandria for the county-owned quonsets and 4-H buildings were approved. The board conducted the yearly review of open meeting laws and approved an updated Funeral Leave policy, which specifies paid leave allowances for immediate family deaths and details for other relatives. No action was taken regarding changing employee vacation and sick leave to paid time off.

The Hanson County Drainage Board convened for a public drainage hearing regarding Hanson County Drainage File # HC Auditor Drain 25-2 concerning the complaint by DEH III, LLC against Larry and Sheryl Synhorst regarding a drainage obstruction. Evidence and testimony were presented by the complainant, as the respondent was absent. The Board passed a motion requiring the Respondent to remove the drainage obstruction by March 1, 2026, or face a potential daily penalty of up to $500.00, with the State's Attorney tasked with notifying all parties of this decision.

The meeting commenced with the appointment of Gary Schoenrock as Chairman and Bruce Kjetland as Vice Chairman for 2026. Financial matters reviewed included the Auditor's and Treasurer's account balances as of December 31, 2025, and the Register of Deeds and Clerk of Courts fees for December 2025. The board rescinded a motion to increase equipment rental rates to match FEMA reimbursement rates following public input, keeping rates unchanged. The board approved a request for an extension on the FEMA application for the 413th Ave. bridge replacement. Decisions made included increasing county building insurance deductibles to $5,000.00 to save premiums, transferring Opioids Settlement funds, designating The Special as the official County newspapers for 2026, approving active depositories for county funds, and designating the Courthouse as the location for foreclosure sales. Various appointments were made to several county boards and commissions for 2026. The board established mileage and meal reimbursement rates following state guidelines, set wages for election workers, and set special wages for all-day board meetings. The board also set fees for copies and faxes, set limits for indigent gas and meals, and established the payment amount for indigent burials for 2026. Finally, the board reviewed and approved payment for numerous outstanding bills.

The regular meeting included actions taken by the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment session addressed two permit requests: Variance Permit Request #25-79, which was approved to allow a plat of land less than 10 acres in an Agricultural District, and Conditional Use Permit Application #25-71 for Quarrytec SD LLC, which was approved with several stringent conditions, including timelines for engineering design and construction related to south wall and right-of-way repairs, limitations on hours of operation and blasting, berm construction requirements, and site security mandates. The Planning Commission subsequently reviewed and recommended approval for five plats concerning property divisions and additions, including those related to the Mark Hofer Revocable Living Trust, Albert D. Werning & Jean L. Werning, and Ronald Muth for Prairie Hills Estates LLC. New business involved a discussion regarding 2026 members and changes in public notice publications.