Chippewa County, Minnesota

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board will approve the minutes from the July 7, 2026 meeting as part of a consent agenda. Commissioners will hear updates on family services, highways, a renewable natural gas (RNG) pipeline, drainage, the Prairie Five Meals program, an audit proposal, IT needs, and the sheriff’s office. The meeting will conclude with a closed‑session session under Minnesota Statute 13D.05 subd. 2.

• Approve minutes of the July 7, 2026 regular meeting (consent agenda)
• Family Services update – Lisa Schultz
• RNG Pipeline update – Dooley’s Petroleum
• Audit proposal discussion – Kim Saterbak
• Closed session – MN Statute 13D.05 subd. 2

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners meets to approve a consent agenda including a Prairie Five lease and meal site agreement, an Avera mental health hold contract, and a GIS coordinator credit card. Scheduled appointments feature updates from the highway, sheriff, HR, IT, and a presentation on the Family Services Building. The HR update includes discussion of a proposed Land & Resource Management Department restructure.

• Prairie Five Lease Agreement
• Prairie Five Meal Site Agreement
• Avera Service Agreement for Mental Health Holds
• Credit Card Approval for GIS Coordinator
• Land & Resource Management Department Restructure (HR update)

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will approve the June 2 meeting minutes and highway quote approvals. They will hold public hearings for County Districts 12, 33, and 42. Additional items include a DNR public waters inventory, updates from Woodland Centers and the Extension, and a market study discussion.

• Approve minutes of regular meeting on June 2, 2026
• Highway quote approvals
• Public hearings: County District 12, 33, and 42
• Department of Natural Resources: public waters inventory
• Market study discussion

The commissioners unanimously adopted Findings and Orders for the redetermination of benefits on County Ditch #12, #33, and #42. They also approved several consent‑agenda items, including pavement and pipe contracts and a parcel valuation change. A motion to modify the county wage matrix failed by a 2‑3 vote.

• Adopt Findings and Order for redetermination of benefits for County Ditch #12 (unanimous)
• Adopt Findings and Order for redetermination of benefits for County Ditch #33 (unanimous)
• Adopt Findings and Order for redetermination of benefits for County Ditch #42 (unanimous)
• Approve CSI quote $130,270 to patch pavement on CSAH 3 (unanimous)
• Approve True North Steel quote $27,741.96 for various pipes (unanimous)
• Approve Bonnema Runke Stern quote $5,300 to survey and plat CSAH 15 (unanimous)
• Approve valuation change for parcel 70-808-2370 to $193,200 (unanimous)
• Motion to modify county wage matrix failed (2‑3 vote)

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will meet on June 2, 2026, with a consent agenda including a Workforce Center Joint Powers Agreement, Fire Disaster Tax Abatement, and accounts payable approval. Scheduled appointments feature updates from the Sheriff, Family Services, and Auditor/Treasurer, plus a closed session to discuss litigation and a work session on a market study.

• Workforce Center Joint Powers Agreement
• Fire Disaster Tax Abatement
• Closed Session: Litigation Discussion
• Market Study Work Session

The Chippewa County Board approved the three‑year Auditor/Treasurer agreement with Michelle May. It also adopted revised bylaws for the Mental Health Advisory Council and approved several staffing grade increases. Additional actions included setting auction dates for tax‑forfeited properties and authorizing courthouse elevator repairs.

• Approved 2026‑2029 Auditor/Treasurer Agreement with Michelle May – unanimous
• Adopted revised Mental Health Advisory Council bylaws – unanimous
• Approved grade increase to Grade 5 for Deputy Auditor/Treasurer positions effective July 1 2026 – unanimous
• Adopted Resolution 26‑09 setting auction dates for tax‑forfeited properties – unanimous
• Authorized courthouse elevator repairs costing $9,888.33 – unanimous
• Approved fire disaster tax abatement for parcel 70‑310‑0420 – unanimous
• Approved Workforce Center Joint Powers Agreement – unanimous
• Approved vendor payments totaling $391,116.04 as listed – unanimous

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will approve the minutes from the May 5 meeting and consider a Stantec Consulting contract for the county landfill. They will also review quotes to move and upgrade interview‑room equipment and address routine accounts payable. Additional updates include drainage, economic development, and assessor reports, followed by closed‑session discussions on litigation and a restorative‑justice coordinator evaluation.

• Approve minutes of regular meeting on May 5, 2026
• Stantec Consulting Contract for Landfill
• Quotes for moving Interview Room Equipment
• Quote to Upgrade Interview Room Equipment
• Accounts Payable

The board approved its agenda and several consent‑agenda items, including a contract with Stantec and a victim‑witness grant amendment. It appointed Bolton & Menk as the engineer for the reroute of County Ditch 77 and approved a $6,990 quote from Powers Striping for parking‑lot resurfacing. The board adopted Resolution 26‑08, expressing support for a tax‑abatement financing plan for a proposed multi‑family workforce housing project. Additional actions included authorizing out‑of‑state CDL training for an assistant inspector and confirming a satisfactory performance evaluation for the Restorative Justice Manager.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Bolton & Menk for County Ditch 77 engineering (unanimous)
• Approved consent‑agenda items: minutes, Stantec contract, Liberty Room equipment quotes, Victim Witness Grant amendment (unanimous)
• Approved Powers Striping quote $6,990 for courthouse and parking‑lot resurfacing (unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution 26‑08 supporting tax‑abatement financing for multi‑family workforce housing (unanimous)
• Authorized out‑of‑state CDL training for Assistant Ag/Drainage Inspector Cale Norby (unanimous)
• Approved satisfactory performance evaluation of Restorative Justice Manager Angela Arndt (unanimous)
• Closed and reopened public meeting for tax litigation discussion and performance evaluation (unanimous)

Land & Resource Public Committees

The Chippewa County Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing regarding a variance request for a property in Milan. The board will deliberate on whether to allow a home to be built closer to the road right-of-way than current ordinances permit.

• Public hearing for Caleb Larson variance request #2026-0007 at 5045 120th Ave NW, Milan
• Request for a 44-foot variance to locate a home 31 feet from the township road right-of-way

County Commissioners

The Board will approve minutes from the April 21 regular meeting and the April 27 drainage meeting. Commissioners will hear updates on the highway and the sheriff's office, and review furniture quotes. They will discuss drainage repair, tax‑forfeited property, the park reservation system, and a market‑study work session.

• Approve minutes of regular meeting on April 21, 2026
• Approve minutes of drainage meeting on April 27, 2026
• Jeremy Gilb: Highway update
• Josh Macziewski: Drainage repair discussion
• Park reservation system discussion

The commissioners unanimously approved the agenda, a Clara City road‑improvement grant agreement, and a BNSF agreement to replace the Maynard railroad crossing. They also approved a $36,635 purchase of a public‑safety recording system, the hiring of an additional sheriff deputy, and authorization for furniture purchases up to $260,000. Additional actions included drainage tile maintenance, a $2.65‑per‑foot ditch clean‑out, a contract with Camplife.com to raise campsite rates to $35 per night, and a directive to review certain wage positions.

• Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved Clara City LRIP grant agreement (unanimous)
• Approved BNSF agreement to replace Maynard railroad crossing (unanimous)
• Approved $36,635 purchase from Mactek for public‑safety recording system (unanimous)
• Authorized hiring of a full‑time sheriff deputy (unanimous)
• Authorized furniture purchase from Innovative Office Solutions up to $260,000 (unanimous)
• Authorized clean‑out of 2.5 miles of county ditch at no more than $2.65 per foot (unanimous)
• Authorized contract with Camplife.com and increase campsite rate to $35 per night (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board, acting as the Drainage Authority, holds a public hearing on a petition (Sachariason) to impound, reroute, and divert waters of County Ditch 68. The board may continue the hearing, approve modifications and authorize a project, or deny the petition. An engineer's report will be presented.

• Petition to impound, reroute, and divert County Ditch 68 drainage system waters (Sachariason)
• Engineer's report by Brent Johnson, Bolton & Menk, Inc.
• Possible action: continue hearing for further investigation
• Possible action: order modifying drainage system and authorize project with drainage system funds
• Possible action: order denying petition

The Chippewa County Board voted unanimously to approve the draft findings and order that authorizes the petition to impound, reroute, and divert a 450‑foot segment of County Ditch 68. The order includes a modification allowing the construction to be completed by the County or the petitioners. The Board concluded the project provides both private and public benefit and does not impair the drainage system.

• Approved draft findings and order to modify County Ditch 68 (unanimous vote)

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet to approve accounts payable and appoint Liz Torgerson to the Extension Committee. The session includes updates from the Highway, Auditor/Treasurer, and Family Services departments. A closed session is scheduled for the Family Services Director's annual evaluation.

• Appointment of Liz Torgerson to the Extension Committee
• Highway update from Jeremy Gilb
• Auditor/Treasurer update from Michelle May
• Family Services update from Lisa Schultz
• Annual evaluation of Family Services Director (Closed Session)

The Chippewa County Board unanimously approved the agenda and a series of procurement actions, including two diesel 1‑ton trucks, truck boxes, and cutting‑edge tools. It directed the Auditor/Treasurer to pay $1,158 in personal property taxes from the General Fund and to combine Wegdahl Park parcels to eliminate extra addresses. The Board also created a Lead Social Worker position and gave a satisfactory performance evaluation with a step increase to Family Services Director Lisa Schultz.

• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of two diesel 1‑ton trucks at $68,528 each (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of two truck boxes for $12,285 (unanimous)
• Authorized purchase of cutting‑edge sets up to $21,600 (unanimous)
• Directed payment of $1,158 personal property tax from General Fund (unanimous)
• Authorized combining Wegdahl Park parcels and removing extra addresses (unanimous)
• Authorized change of a Social Worker position to Lead Social Worker (unanimous)
• Approved satisfactory performance evaluation and step increase for Lisa Schultz (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will meet to review a capital improvement bond issuance award and a market study. The board is also considering the appointment of Elizabeth Bloom to the Extension Committee and refilling a social worker position.

• Appointment of Elizabeth Bloom to the Extension Committee
• Authorization to refill Social Worker Position
• Capital Improvement Bond Issuance Award presentation by Bruce Kimmel
• Market Study Work Session
• Closed Session for Sheriff Security Briefing

The commissioners approved a resolution to issue $4,255,000 in general‑obligation bonds (3‑1 vote). They also unanimously awarded multiple construction and service contracts, hired a presenter for the All‑Staff event, and approved an intergovernmental software agreement.

• Authorized $4,255,000 capital improvement bond issuance (3-1)
• Awarded $3,733,787.49 SAP 012‑604‑022 contract to R&G Construction (unanimous)
• Awarded $270,274 seal‑coat oil contract to Flint Hills Resource (unanimous)
• Awarded $48,696.59 payment‑markings quote to KAMCO, Inc. (unanimous)
• Awarded $115,045.76 crack‑filling quote to SealTech (unanimous)
• Approved $9,382.98 purchase of DLT/Arkance software/configuration services (unanimous)
• Approved hiring of Mike Kutzke for All‑Staff event staff development (unanimous)
• Approved Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement with Central Square Solutions (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will approve the minutes from the March 3 meeting and consider several consent agenda items, including Heartland Industry contracts and a summer support staff hiring plan. A public hearing will be held on the Riverview revenue bond financing issuance. Additional updates will be provided by staff on human resources, family services, public health, sentencing, and highways. The board will close with a closed‑session evaluation of the Veterans Service Officer.

• Approve minutes of regular meeting on March 3, 2026
• Heartland Industry Contracts
• Summer Support Staff Hiring
• Public Hearing: Riverview Revenue Bond Financing Issuance
• Closed Session: Veterans Service Officer Annual Evaluation

The commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to issue up to $12,340,000 in revenue bonds for a solid waste disposal facility at Grace Dairy. They also approved several procurement and staffing actions, including a dust‑control contract with Knife River, a $26,200 change order for crack filling on CSAH 15, the purchase of three ½‑ton pickup trucks, a $4,900 training expense, and hiring an office support position. Additional items such as the consent agenda and a satisfactory performance evaluation for the County Veteran Service Officer were also approved.

• Approved resolution authorizing up to $12,340,000 revenue bonds for Grace Dairy solid waste facility (unanimous)
• Awarded dust‑control contract to Knife River (total $218,970.68, county portion $127,221.68) (unanimous)
• Approved $26,200 change order for crack filling on CSAH 15 with Lot Pros, Inc. (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of three ½‑ton pickup trucks from Schwieters at $54,061 each (unanimous)
• Approved $4,900 supervisor training expense for county department heads (unanimous)
• Authorized hiring of Office Support position to replace retiring staff (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda items including minutes, contracts, and reports (unanimous)
• Approved satisfactory performance evaluation of County Veteran Service Officer Tim Kolhei (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will vote on several items at its March 3, 2026 meeting. The consent agenda includes approval of the February 17 meeting minutes, a credit‑enhancement resolution for the county’s capital‑improvement program bonds, and a lease amendment with the Department of Public Safety. Additional scheduled appointments cover updates on GIS, highways, the sheriff’s office, drainage, and personal‑property tax abatements. Two closed‑session evaluations of the recorder and assessor are also on the agenda.

• Approve minutes of regular meeting on February 17, 2026
• Chippewa County CIP Bonds – Credit Enhancement Resolution
• Lease Amendment with Department of Public Safety
• GIS Position and Land Resource Structure Discussion
• Personal Property Tax Abatements presentation by Michelle May

The board unanimously approved a $50 deposit and a $200 event fee for renting camper cabins at Wegdahl Park, authorized hiring a full‑time GIS position, and adopted the State Active Transportation agreement for the Pedestrian Crossing Project. They also approved restructuring of the Land & Resource and Ag/Drainage Departments, increased the beaver trapping rate to $150 per beaver, and granted several tax abatements and seasonal worker hires.

• Implemented $50 deposit for Wegdahl Park camper cabins and $200 fee for events with >50 attendees (unanimous)
• Authorized hiring of a full‑time GIS position (unanimous)
• Approved restructuring of Land & Resource and Ag/Drainage Departments with revised job descriptions and a 10% wage increase extension for Jo Ann Blomme for 30 days (unanimous)
• Approved the State Active Transportation agreement for the Pedestrian Crossing Project (unanimous)
• Changed beaver trapping rate to $150 per beaver (unanimous)
• Authorized hiring of two seasonal workers (unanimous)
• Approved a local‑option disaster abatement for parcel 70-110-0440 covering 75% of the damaged year and credit for 2025 tax penalties (unanimous)
• Abated personal property tax, interest, penalty, and costs on parcels 30-960-0132, 40-940-0020, 40-940-0040, 60-940-0020, 60-940-0030, and 60-940-0040 (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will vote on a PERA resolution and review per‑capita funding requests from Granite Falls and Clara City. They will also approve the minutes from the February 3, 2026 meeting and address accounts payable. Several department heads will give updates on highways, family services, human resources, and the auditor/treasurer office.

• Approve minutes of regular meeting on February 3, 2026
• PERA Resolution
• Granite Falls Per Capita Request
• Clara City Per Capita Request
• Accounts Payable

The commissioners unanimously accepted low bids and awarded four contracts, including a $2,603,997.73 contract to Duin Inc. They also adopted a resolution to begin a divided‑vote referendum allowing elected officials to opt into paying Social Security tax. The board authorized hiring a replacement full‑time Jailer/Dispatcher and gave a satisfactory performance evaluation to Maintenance Supervisor Joey Buseman.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Awarded $279,264.42 contract to John Riley Construction (unanimous)
• Awarded $83,762.54 contract to Sir Lines-A-Lot (unanimous)
• Awarded $2,603,997.73 contract to Duin Inc. (unanimous)
• Awarded $38,710 tree‑trimming contract to Cross Cut Tree Services (unanimous)
• Adopted resolution to start a divided‑vote referendum on Social Security tax for elected officials (unanimous)
• Authorized hiring of a replacement full‑time Jailer/Dispatcher (3‑0‑1; Pauling abstained)
• Approved satisfactory evaluation for Maintenance Supervisor Joey Buseman (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The board will approve a consent agenda that includes the minutes from the Jan. 20 meeting, a rent contract for Family Services, the 2025 audit engagement letter, and accounts payable. They will also hear scheduled updates on the Family Services building renovation, staffing, highway projects, sheriff operations, assessor matters, and auditor/treasurer reports.

• Approve minutes of the Jan. 20, 2026 regular meeting
• Approve Family Services rent contract
• Approve 2025 audit engagement letter
• Approve accounts payable
• Family Services building renovation presentation

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners met on February 3, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Board Room. During the consent agenda they approved the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 20, 2026. The rest of the agenda listed scheduled updates on family services renovation, staffing, highway, sheriff, assessor, auditor/treasurer, and commissioner‑attorney matters. No other actions or votes were recorded in the minutes.

• Approved minutes of the Jan 20, 2026 regular meeting (consent agenda)

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet to approve accounts payable and a donation to the Granite Falls Food Shelf. The board is scheduling the County Board of Appeal & Equalization for June 16. The meeting includes updates on family services, highways, and software migrations.

• Granite Falls Food Shelf Donation
• Setting County Board of Appeal & Equalization for June 16
• Accounts Payable approval
• ArcGIS Pro Migration update
• Records Management Software Update

The Board approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes from the January 6, 2026 meeting, a donation to the Granite Falls Food Shelf, and setting the County Board of Appeal & Equalization for June 16 at 6:30 p.m. They also approved the listed accounts payable items. No vote tallies were recorded in the minutes.

• Approved minutes of the Jan 6, 2026 regular meeting (consent agenda)
• Approved Granite Falls Food Shelf donation (consent agenda)
• Approved setting County Board of Appeal & Equalization for June 16 at 6:30 p.m. (consent agenda)
• Approved accounts payable items (consent agenda)

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet to reorganize the board and make committee appointments for 2026. The body will also review lease and service contracts for several county entities.

• Re-organization of Board for 2026
• SWCD Lease Contract
• HRA Lease Contract
• Prairie 5 Lease and Meals Contracts
• Family Services Rent and IT Contracts

The commissioners elected Matt Nordaune as Board Chair and David Lieser as Vice‑Chair, both unanimously. They approved a memorandum of understanding with SafeGenerations and a resolution to identify a public purpose and begin eminent‑domain proceedings for parcel 02‑530‑0420 needed for the reconstruction of County State‑Aid Highway 4. The board also authorized hiring an Ag/Drainage Technician and a 10% pay increase for JoAnn Blomme for 60 days, and approved the consent agenda items including a $500 library cleaning payment.

• Elected Matt Nordaune as Board Chair (unanimous vote)
• Elected David Lieser as Vice‑Chair (unanimous vote)
• Approved MOU with SafeGenerations for employee training (unanimous vote)
• Passed resolution to pursue eminent domain for parcel 02‑530‑0420 for CSAH 4 (unanimous vote)
• Authorized hiring of Ag/Drainage Technician and 10% pay increase for JoAnn Blomme for 60 days (unanimous vote)
• Approved $500 payment to Eva Franklin for library cleaning (unanimous vote)
• Approved consent‑agenda items including vendor payments and contracts (unanimous vote)
• Approved minutes of the December 29, 2025 meeting (unanimous vote)