A significant portion of the meeting centered on a public hearing regarding proposed changes to Benton County’s fee schedule, notably introducing new fees associated with cannabis retail registration and temporary events. These changes were presented by a representative from the auditor-treasurer’s office, who detailed the introduction of a $500 license fee for temporary cannabis events, arguing that the fee aligns with the state allowances and covers the administrative costs incurred during registration processing. The discussion also covered fees related to daycare homes, contracted surveyor services, and restructuring within the Sheriff’s office. Notably, a $225 fee for posting sale notices and a consolidated fee of $150 for eviction process-related services were proposed. Despite the comprehensive presentation, no public comments were made, allowing for a smooth motion to adopt the revised fee schedule, set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

In conjunction with the fee schedule changes, the board examined ordinance number 497, which amends the Benton County development code to regulate cannabis businesses. The ordinance was designed to provide a structured approach to cannabis-related activities by transitioning certain uses from conditional to interim use permits. This transition aims to give the county better control over regulatory compliance and sunset provisions. The ordinance includes zoning regulations specific to various types of cannabis businesses, setting operational requirements to mitigate potential impacts such as odor and security concerns. The ordinance mandates cannabis businesses demonstrate compliance with state approvals, offering a framework to ensure cannabis cultivation minimizes disturbances beyond property boundaries. This ordinance was passed without opposition.

Another agenda item involved a contract with Bogart Peterson and Associates for Wetland Conservation Act administration assistance. The contract, which extends until December 31, 2025, was put in place to provide support during the transition to a new employee in the Wetland and Solid Waste Lead Program Manager role. This agreement, costing $110 per hour, received praise from a commissioner for positive feedback from landowners, leading to its unanimous approval.

Sheriff Heck presented a proposal to transition to a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS) with Tyler Technologies, highlighting the need for enhanced information sharing among Benton County and neighboring law enforcement agencies. The new system promises efficiency improvements, with Benton County shouldering 44% of the shared costs. The board backed the proposal, approving it unanimously.

The board also entertained a presentation from Jessica Brandon, executive director of Central Minnesota Mental Health Center, regarding a transition from a detox model to a withdrawal management services model. This shift seeks to offer more comprehensive care by reducing the cycle of repeated detox visits and bridging the gap from initial service access to long-term treatment. The transition is expected to result in financial savings by enabling billing under medical assistance programs. With unanimous support from the board, a contract for the 2025 implementation of withdrawal management services was approved.

In addressing childcare funding, the board discussed an extension of previously allocated $50,000 for a childcare home loan grant program, with a focus on supporting foster care providers. The funds, originally intended for initiatives like CPR training and licensing incentives, were redirected to emphasize foster care recruitment. The motion to allocate these funds was approved without opposition.

The meeting also included discussions on the establishment of the Benton County absentee ballot board for the 2025 election season. The board acknowledged the complexities of coordinating election schedules and recognized staff efforts in managing these processes.

The meeting concluded with recognition of Benton County’s performance in risk management and workers’ compensation at the AMC annual conference. This acknowledgment was attributed to factors like prompt injury reporting and effective safety training.