The meeting kicked off with an update on the progress of the dispatch center’s relocation. Ken Johnson reported that the move was well underway, with dispatch operations functioning smoothly in the new location. He emphasized the considerable effort involved in transferring data and thanked Motorola for their extensive support during the transition. While some technological updates were implemented, most of the equipment was relocated from the former dispatch site. Johnson highlighted improvements in security and operational efficiency at the new center, noting that deputies now had designated processing areas.

In addition to the dispatch center relocation, the board addressed upcoming security enhancements in the courthouse. Johnson mentioned that the committee had written grants for additional cameras to improve security coverage throughout the courthouse, acknowledging some existing gaps in surveillance. The timeline for grant approval was pending, with updates expected by the end of November.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to employee support programs. One notable discussion involved a request to implement a vacation donation program for a member of the Highway Department facing personal challenges. The necessary documentation was completed, and a call for approval to open the program for contributions from other employees was made. The motion passed unanimously, and the administrator was tasked with notifying staff about the program’s availability for donations and coordinating with the auditor’s office for the transfer of the donated hours.

Further, the board considered a request to extend the part-time working schedule for Mya El, an employee involved with campground operations. The request aimed to allow El to continue working part-time hours through early November to complete seasonal tasks. After confirming that the schedule would remain consistent with previous arrangements, the motion received unanimous approval.

The meeting also covered updates on staffing and health insurance. An internal search was underway to replace John Plaster, who recently retired. The board highlighted the busy period of open enrollment for health insurance, noting a 12% increase in premiums. Aflac was scheduled to be present the following week for enrollment and benefits discussions. The insurance committee had been reviewing benefits, including a dental plan that had also seen an increase in costs, prompting discussions of potential changes.

Opening bids for the County Road 34 project was another major topic. Six bids were received, with Joe Riley Construction submitting the lowest bid at approximately $899,000, notably below the estimated cost. This bid was sent to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for concurrence to proceed, with the expectation that the contract would be awarded at the next board meeting. Construction was anticipated to start in May of the following year, lasting about two months.

The board also addressed a request from a township for $2,000 in American Rescue Plan funds. The completed paperwork was presented, and the motion to approve the funds passed after a brief discussion regarding the status of other townships in relation to ARP funding.

An update on the opioid settlement was provided, noting an annual public meeting scheduled for October 16th. The board was informed that a county commissioner would need to be present at the meeting. Grant County had been granted $85,000 for opioid-related initiatives, with community partners expected to propose how to utilize these funds. This marked the second year of an 18-year plan for the allocation of these funds, with more resources available in the earlier years.

Lastly, the meeting touched on revising the county’s tobacco policy, which had become outdated. This revision was prompted by discussions at the opioid meeting regarding compliance with new laws concerning tobacco. There were also plans to organize and number the county’s ordinances systematically to prevent confusion or duplication. The board acknowledged the diversity of approaches across counties regarding cannabis regulations and emphasized the importance of consensus-building in an open meeting setting.