A major point of contention emerged during the public comment segment, where residents voiced concerns regarding the board’s handling of a proposed building project. Daryl Watercott, a St. Cloud resident, highlighted the community’s sense of betrayal after participating in a petition drive that amassed approximately 1,900 certified signatures. Watercott criticized the board for pursuing a more expensive financing option without a promised public vote, leading residents to feel deceived. He demanded clarification on the cost implications of switching from the original Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) bonding to a new financing method. Watercott also suggested that the costs of the project should be transparently itemized on property tax statements.

Supporting Watercott’s stance, Mary Kay Nordman reinforced the petition’s legitimacy, asserting that the signatures were from eligible voters, contrary to the board’s claims that only a small percentage of the county supported it. She objected to any notion that the signatures were collected unseriously, affirming, “we just didn’t sit in bars and collect these votes.” Nordman also pointed out inconsistencies in the board’s messaging regarding the building project compared to previous statements on other issues, like home repairs.

In contrast, Tim Adelman supported the board’s decision to proceed with the building project, arguing that the board is responsible for making substantial decisions without requiring public votes. He noted that the project was under budget and warned that delays could increase costs.

Moving on from public comments, the board addressed various administrative and project updates. Luke Hillman provided an update on the Conor Road 7 project, detailing delays due to inclement weather. A contractor had requested a 35-day extension due to saturated soil, with Hillman assuring that the request was based on documented evidence of lost working days. Katie Novak from Helman Construction supported Hillman’s update, emphasizing that their extension request was grounded in actual losses, not as an attempt to gain an advantage.

The board then discussed a cooperative agreement with the city of Gilman concerning a road project. The city was informed of its financial responsibilities and agreed to reimburse the county within 30 days of contractor payment. The arrangement required the county to initially cover the costs, which were deemed manageable. Following this, the board approved related consent agenda items with unanimous support.

Attention shifted to the government center project, which had seen bids awarded in June. The board examined 27 contracts with various contractors, some including alternatives like a snow melt system and security glazing. Questions arose regarding the timing of signing these contracts, considering potential complications if not completed immediately. The construction manager highlighted the importance of preserving bid numbers to safeguard against future issues.

The Benefits Advisory Committee (BAC) presented a recommendation to change brokers for ancillary insurance, citing employee dissatisfaction with current offerings. Following a survey, the BAC suggested engaging Integrity Employee Benefits as the new broker to improve insurance options and employee engagement. Integrity operates on a percentage of premiums, promising potential cost savings and enhanced participation in disability programs. The board agreed to bring the contract for approval at a later meeting.

The meeting also featured discussions on a follow-up employee engagement survey proposal. The survey, to be conducted by an external party, was valued at $16,500, funded through the administrator’s budget. The board unanimously approved the survey, recognizing the benefit of confidentiality in encouraging participation.

The board addressed traffic management and safety measures along Highway 25, especially during public works operations. A proposal for a federal safety project involving pavement markings and a rumble strip was discussed, with funding confirmed to be fully covered by federal sources. The board approved a $48,418 contract with Century Traffic LLC for this project.

Later, a reconstruction project in the city of Gilman was addressed, with RL Lararsson Excavating LLC identified as the lowest responsible bidder for the $3,266,382.64 project. The bids were notably lower than estimates, prompting the board to recommend awarding the contract, pending the city’s approval.