Cody Blehr

The agenda includes a review and discussion of Mr. Kirchner's Petition to Remove Property from Judicial Ditch #4, located in Hersey 25. The Board will take action on the Findings and Order prepared by Rinke Noonan.

The Nobles County Board of Commissioners, acting as the drainage authority for Judicial Ditch 11B, will hold a public hearing regarding a petition for partial abandonment of Branch G53 of JD 11B. The petition, submitted by Northern States Power and Michael and Lois Harberts, seeks to abandon the upper 1,175 feet of Branch G53 for a planned substation expansion project, affecting property in Section 23 of Summit Lake Township.

The Board of Commissioners convened to discuss several key items, including a presentation on the PowerOn Midwest electric power transmission project and the renewal of the 2026-2027 Feedlot Delegation Agreement Work Plan. They also addressed Conditional Use Permits for Ocheda Dairy, Inc. and Northern States Power DBA Xcel Energy, as well as final payment for County Ditch #1 clean out and repair. Approvals were granted for the Nobles County Highway Right of Way Plat No. 53-104 and support for an application to the Highway Safety Improvement Program. The board also approved legal services agreements with Smith and Johnson for appellate and criminal work. Additionally, they discussed county capital improvements, P.J.C parking and walking surface improvements, an increase in the surety bond for Fenton Power Partners I, LLC, and appointments to the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System Board. The board set the 2025 salaries for the County Attorney, County Sheriff, and County Board members.

The meeting discussed the Public Works roof replacement project. Two bids were received, with ARS (Architectural Roofing and Sheetmetal, Inc.) offering the lowest bid. Asbestos was found in the perimeter flashing, requiring abatement. The recommendation was to select ARS for the project, including an alternate to increase the warranty and improve the insulation base.

The Board of Commissioners meeting covered several topics, including a line extension connection for Lismore Cooperative Telephone, property tax abatements for Sanjuanita Briones and Suy & Jenny Kaddee, and a medical examiner contract renewal. The board also discussed final acceptance of county-wide bituminous seal coat and crack seal/joint leveling projects, approved advertisement for bids for 2026 highway projects, and declared surplus property for public works. Additionally, the board approved a professional services agreement for the County Attorney's Office, proclaimed excess property for central services, and discussed GIS services, nuclear power generation, and appointments to the Red Rock Rural Water System. Finally, the board discussed intent to apply for funding to assist the Village of Reading with housing & wastewater infrastructure facility costs.