In a recent session, board approved the fast-tracking of road improvements for County Road 43 and County Road 66 following favorable bids from Knife River, a construction company. The bids came in 22.78% under the engineer’s estimates, equating to a total savings of $472,000. Originally, County Road 43 was slated for overlay work in 2026, estimated at $750,000, but the approved bid was $681,000. Similarly, County Road 66, planned for 2027 with costs over a million dollars, received a bid of $691,000. The savings stem from a drop in mix prices, with Knife River’s bid offering a price not seen in nearly a decade. This financial advantage was attributed to favorable market conditions, allowing the county to reallocate the surplus to other projects within the five-year plan.

The discussion surrounding these projects extended to their specific scopes. County Road 43’s overlay will stretch from the north city limits to Cass County Road 3, while County Road 66 will fill the gap between Trunk Highway 23 and a previously awarded reclaim project. This reclaim project aims to resolve issues with the existing pavement, including removing protruding stumps and applying a new overlay. The unanimous board decision highlighted their commitment to utilizing resources and addressing infrastructure needs promptly.

Another prominent topic was the Northland Reliability Project, presented by Brian Hunker from Great River Energy. This initiative involves constructing a high-voltage transmission line from the Iron Range substation to the new Big Oak substation. The project aims to enhance reliability by rebuilding existing lines and co-locating new ones to minimize the need for acquiring additional land. Adjustments to the route in Benton County, such as co-locating a 230 KV line with a 69 KV line, were made to reduce the overall number of lines. Hunker plans for the Benton County substation, including expansions and stormwater pond establishments. The project is set to proceed in phases, with ongoing communication with local landowners to mitigate potential issues like noise and road closures.

During the meeting, the board also tackled a contentious issue regarding retiree health and dental insurance. A communication error had led five pre-age 65 retirees to believe they would continue receiving dental coverage at no extra cost following the unbundling of health and dental plans. To address this oversight, the board considered a proposal to cover the dental premiums from January through April, totaling $586.80 for the affected retirees. Ultimately, a motion passed to extend coverage through May 31st, with plans to revisit the issue at the next meeting to evaluate costs and implications thoroughly.

Financial deliberations continued with the approval of installing security film on court facility windows, following a Homeland Security assessment. The $6,900 project will be funded through the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) rather than the contingency fund. This decision was made after board members expressed concerns over the frequent reliance on the contingency fund for expenses, emphasizing the need for a more structured financial strategy.

In the realm of public health, the Benton County Community Health Board presented an update on the community health assessment and improvement plan. The assessment, conducted every five years, outlines three priority areas: community connection, stability, and access. The board approved moving forward with these areas, focusing on mental health, housing, and healthcare availability. Efforts will involve collaboration among counties and healthcare partners.

The meeting concluded with administrative updates, including the abandonment of County Ditch 4, which involved the reconstruction of an open channel and the return of funds to benefiting property owners. Commissioner updates covered recent engagements and future meetings, with discussions on library funding and legislative outreach also taking place.