At the forefront of the meeting was the board’s approval of the 2026 budget and levy, which set the proposed levy at $27,315,659. This decision followed a discussion about the necessity of collecting levy dollars in advance for upcoming debt service payments. Board members were informed that the early collection of funds was essential to ensure sufficient resources for debt payments, given that tax collections would commence after the initial interest payment was due.

Complicating the board’s financial deliberations were discrepancies surrounding the cost of housing inmates. During the meeting, it was revealed that the daily per diem rate for inmates had been miscalculated. While the joint powers agreement proposed a rate of $75 per day, it was clarified that the actual cost was $103 per inmate per day, with the Minnesota Department of Corrections estimating it at $119. This disparity prompted concerns about the financial viability of the current rates, potentially affecting the number of state inmates housed in the county jail and the associated revenue.

Adding to the board’s agenda was the contentious issue of infrastructure funding, particularly for road and bridge projects. The board discussed the complexities of planning and executing these projects within tight budget constraints. The five-year plan for road and bridge improvements was highlighted, with particular attention to the need for external engineering services due to the specialized nature of bridge projects. The board considered the potential reallocation of local option sales tax funds to cover engineering costs, a strategy employed by other counties in the state.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing Government Center Project, with updates provided on the construction progress. It was reported that the project faced challenges due to contaminated soil, a remnant of the site’s history as the former Foley school location. Despite these hurdles, the project was on track, with soil contamination costs remaining within the allocated budget.

Discussion on the sale of county-owned land brought to light the challenges of setting appropriate bid amounts for parcels with limited market appeal. The board debated the minimum bid for a non-conforming parcel in Mind Township, ultimately deciding to maintain a $1 minimum bid to encourage the property’s return to the tax rolls.

The board’s agenda included a review of bidding processes for various infrastructure projects. The high costs of a pedestrian railroad crossing project in Rice led to a decision to reject all current bids, with plans to readvertise in the fall. Meanwhile, a roundabout project at Mayhew Lake Road and Cassad 29 received approval despite bids exceeding estimates, thanks to the project’s critical importance and federal funding involvement.

In addition to budget and infrastructure matters, the board tackled issues within the county’s legal department, including staffing challenges due to resignations and military leave. A temporary solution to overfill a vacant position was proposed, with further discussions on long-term staffing postponed until all commissioners could participate.

Finally, the meeting touched on administrative matters, such as scheduling a public hearing for a landowner’s request to be removed from a county ditch system, and the procedural requirements for handling liability agreements related to drainage buffer strips.