Grant County public meetings in 2025

County Board of Commissioners

The board will approve the meeting agenda and minutes as routine items. Commissioners will vote to table the HRA levy request, postponing further action. A closed‑session will be held for negotiations. The Human Resources agenda will discuss union contracts.

• Tabled HRA levy request
• Closed‑session negotiations
• Human Resources union contracts discussion
• Approval of agenda and meeting minutes

The board denied a $100,000 HRA tax levy and approved a $200,000 levy for 2026. It also approved the Teamsters and AFSCME three‑year contracts, each pending legal review. A closed‑session was opened to discuss a labor‑negotiations proposal, and the meeting was subsequently reopened.

• Approved meeting agenda (motion carried)
• Denied $100,000 HRA tax levy (motion failed)
• Approved $200,000 HRA tax levy (motion carried)
• Closed session to review labor negotiations proposal (motion carried)
• Reopened meeting (motion carried)
• Approved Teamsters 3‑year contract pending legal review (motion carried)
• Approved AFSCME 3‑year contract pending legal review (motion carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board will consider the final 2025 budget and levy resolution presented by the County Auditor. Other items include a request for an HRA levy, a 2025 ditch report for the highway department, and updates on tobacco licenses, fee structures, and solid waste contracts. The meeting also covers resolutions on commissioner salaries and the county phone system.

• Final budget and levy resolution – County Auditor
• 2026 Tobacco Licenses – Horizon Public Health
• 2026 Solid Waste Hauler Contract – Environmental Services
• 2026 Organics Contract – Environmental Services
• Laredo Fee update – County Recorder

The Grant County Board approved the 2026 final budget and property tax levy, postponing the HRA levy portion. It also adopted wage increases for non‑contracted staff and future years, set employer contribution rates, and approved several contracts and salary resolutions. Additional actions included approving tobacco licenses and moving to a new phone system.

• Approved Resolution 20251216-1: 2026 final budget and property tax levy, tabling HRA levy portion – carried
• Approved Resolution 20251216-2: establishment and dissolution of accounting funds – carried
• Approved 3% wage increase for non‑contracted employees effective 12/31/2025 – carried
• Approved 3.5% wage adjustments for 2027 and 2028 – carried
• Approved employer contributions: $950 single/$2,000 family for cafeteria plan and $50 single/$125 family for HSA – carried
• Approved LELS 3‑year union contract with specified wage increases – carried
• Approved 2026 tobacco licenses for listed vendors – carried
• Approved Resolution 20251216-3: County Commissioner salary $15,770.32 and meeting pay rates – carried

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board will review and approve the 2026 appropriations and commissioner budget. It will also consider a resolution on Minnesota nuclear energy and approve the solid waste plan. Additional items include updates to the emergency management notification system and several human‑resources policies. Committee reports will be presented after the main agenda items.

• 2026 Appropriations and Commissioner Budget
• MN Nuclear Energy Resolution
• Approve Solid Waste Plan
• Emergency Management Notification System Update
• Human Resources: Paid Family Medical Leave/FMLA Policy update

The Grant County Board approved a package of appropriations totaling $509,581 for agencies such as the Viking Library, the SWCD, and the EMS levy. It also adopted the Grant County Solid Waste Plan and a resolution supporting the repeal of Minnesota’s nuclear‑energy moratorium. Additional actions included approving job descriptions, leave policies, and the 2026 holiday schedule.

• Approved $509,581 in appropriations for multiple county agencies (carried)
• Approved Grant County Solid Waste Plan (Resolution GCR#20251202-2) (carried)
• Adopted Resolution GCR #20251202-1 to support repeal of Minnesota’s nuclear energy moratorium (carried)
• Motion to join the nuclear energy alliance failed
• Approved Deputy Assessor and Assessment Technician job descriptions (carried)
• Approved updates to the Family Medical Leave policy (carried)
• Approved the Minnesota Paid Leave policy (carried)
• Approved the 2026 holiday schedule (carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss infrastructure agreements and administrative updates. The agenda includes reviews of highway contracts and a grant agreement for Environmental Services.

• NRBG Grant Agreement for Environmental Services
• LRIP Resolution for the City of Elbow Lake
• Engineering Agreement for CSAH 8
• CR 52 Contract
• Judicial Security Fee for the Recorder

The board approved the meeting agenda and the November 4 minutes. It authorized payment of various county bills totaling several hundred thousand dollars. The board approved several contracts, including an $86,018 NRBG grant, a LRIP resolution for the City of Elbow Lake, a $141,500 Apex Engineering agreement for CSAH 8 construction, and the CR 52 contracts, as well as a $75 judicial security fee per notice. No other motions were denied or postponed.

• Approved meeting agenda (motion carried)
• Approved November 4 minutes with spelling corrections (motion carried)
• Approved payment of listed county bills (motion carried)
• Approved NRBG Grant Agreement for $86,018 (motion carried)
• Approved LRIP Resolution GCR20251118-1 for City of Elbow Lake (motion carried)
• Approved Apex Engineering Group Agreement for $141,500 for 2027 CSAH 8 construction (motion carried)
• Approved CR 52 contracts (motion carried)
• Approved Judicial Security Fee of $75 per notice for Address Protection Program (motion carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board will review the Quarter 3 Solid Waste Program report and discuss several contracts and agreements. Items include a highway department truck order, a bridge bid recommendation for County Road 52, and a grant agreement for the LBRP program. The meeting also covers insurance recommendations, licensing matters, hunting legislation, and maintenance contracts for MEI and Assureon.

• CR 52 Bridge bid recommendation
• LBRP Grant Agreement
• Solid Waste Program Quarter 3 Report
• MEI Contract
• Assureon Maintenance Contract

The Grant County Board approved the CR 52 Bridge bid from Red Stone Construction LLC for $901,223.75. It also approved the purchase of a 2026 Ford F‑150 for $54,385.00, accepted a $729,100 LBRP grant agreement with a $172,123.75 match, and approved a four‑year health‑insurance contract with PEIP. The agenda, October 21 and October 31 minutes, and a list of county bills were also approved.

• Approved agenda with addition of October 31, 2025 minutes
• Approved October 21 and October 31, 2025 minutes
• Approved payment of listed county bills
• Approved purchase of 2026 Ford F‑150 for $54,385.00
• Accepted CR 52 Bridge bid from Red Stone Construction LLC for $901,223.75
• Accepted LBRP Grant Agreement for $729,100.00 with $172,123.75 match
• Approved 4‑year PEIP Health Insurance contract

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board of Commissioners will open the meeting, approve the agenda, and then discuss a proposed job reclassification within the Human Resources department. No other agenda items are listed. The discussion will focus on the reclassification proposal.

• Human Resources job reclassification

The Grant County Board approved the meeting agenda. The board also approved the classification of the Financial Technician. Both motions were carried without recorded vote tallies. The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.

• Approved meeting agenda (motion carried)
• Approved classification of the Financial Technician (motion carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board will open with a call to order, approve the agenda, minutes, and warrants, then consider a resolution authorizing General Obligation Drainage Bonds. A discussion on firearms for hunting is scheduled from 8:30 to 9:00. The board will table the DDA discussion, hear public comment on the sheriff’s office BWC policy, and receive updates from multiple standing committees.

• Resolution – General Obligation Drainage Bonds
• Firearms for Hunting Legislation discussion (8:30‑9:00)
• Tabling of DDA discussion
• BWC Policy public comment from Grant County Sheriff’s Office
• Updates from Budget & Finance, Building, Personnel, Highway, Public Safety, Solid Waste, Strategic Planning, Horizon Public Health, and Western Prairie Human Services committees

The Grant County Board approved the meeting agenda with a closed‑session item, approved the October 7 minutes, and authorized payment of listed county bills. It also approved Resolution GCR 20251021‑1 for general‑obligation drainage bonds and adopted the DDA job descriptions for Human Resources. The meeting was closed and then reopened before adjourning.

• Approved agenda with closed‑session addition (carried)
• Approved October 7, 2025 minutes (carried)
• Approved payment of county bills totaling over $1 million (carried)
• Approved Resolution GCR 20251021‑1 for drainage bonds (unanimous: Ken Johnson, Troy Johnson, Bill LaValley, Dwight Walvatne, Doyle Sperr)
• Approved use of DDA job descriptions for Human Resources (carried)
• Approved motion to close the meeting (carried)
• Approved motion to reopen the meeting (carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board of Commissioners will consider a resolution to ratify the issuance of General Obligation Drainage Bonds. They will also discuss funding for a new Grant County Fair Board building and adopt a Wetland Conservation Act resolution. Additional agenda items include contract approvals, the 2026 budget and construction plans, and updates from county committees.

• Resolution to ratify issuance of General Obligation Drainage Bonds
• Funds for new Grant County Fair Board building
• Wetland Conservation Act Resolution
• Esri contract and Pro‑West contract
• Discontinue sale of orange garbage bags

The board approved up to $500,000 from county reserves for a new Grant County Fair Board building, despite opposition from two commissioners. It also approved the 2026 highway budget and construction plan, and authorized archery hunting at Pine Ridge Park starting in 2026. Additional actions included retro‑pay for the county treasurer, retirement of Dawn Johansen effective June 1, 2026, and a resolution delegating Wetland Conservation Act authority to the Environmental Services Director. The discussion on DDA job descriptions was tabled until the October 21 meeting.

• Approved up to $500,000 Fair Board building funding (opposed by Ken Johnson, Troy Johnson)
• Approved 2026 highway budget and construction plan
• Approved archery hunting at Pine Ridge Park starting in 2026
• Approved retro‑pay for the County Treasurer for additional responsibilities
• Approved retirement of Dawn Johansen effective June 1, 2026
• Approved Wetland Conservation Act Resolution delegating authority to Environmental Services Director
• Approved discontinuation of orange drop site bags effective October 7, 2025
• Tabled DDA job description discussion until October 21

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board of Commissioners will discuss the Solid Waste Management Plan, a resolution for Riverview Dairy, and a proposal on hunting in county parks. They will consider the Grant County Fair Board's annual appropriation for a new building and review opioid settlement grant applications for the sheriff’s wellness and physical fitness programs. Additional items include fee and equipment requests for the sheriff’s office and the preliminary 2026 budget and levy. Committee updates will be presented at the end of the meeting.

• Solid Waste Management Plan discussion
• Resolution for Riverview Dairy
• Hunting in County Parks proposal
• Grant County Fair Board annual appropriation for new building
• Opioid grant applications for Sheriff’s Wellness and Physical Fitness programs

The Grant County Board adopted a preliminary levy of $8,847,125 for the 2026 budget and a $200,000 special levy for the HRA. It also approved a $815,866.38 10‑year AXON safety equipment package for the Sheriff’s Office, despite opposition from two commissioners. Additional actions included opioid settlement grants, a new dangerous‑dog fee, a credit‑card limit for the LSA, a wage step increase, and the Riverview Dairy closure agreement.

• Approved preliminary 2026 levy of $8,847,125 (Resolution 20250916-1)
• Approved special HRA levy of $200,000 (Resolution 20250916-1)
• Approved $815,866.38 10‑year AXON Officer Safety Bundle equipment package (opposed by Troy Johnson, Doyle Sperr)
• Approved Opioid Settlement grant applications for Sheriff’s Wellness and Physical Fitness programs
• Added $500 Dangerous Dog Fee to county fee schedule
• Approved credit card for LSA with $1,000 limit
• Approved one‑step wage increase for Account Technician responsibilities
• Approved Tri‑Party Agreement to close Riverview Dairy

County Board of Commissioners

The board approved the Grant County Cannabis Ordinance (GCO 20250902-1) and the associated cannabis fees. It also approved four Opioid Settlement grant applications and tabled two others. Additional actions included moving the Account Technician position to the Treasurer’s Office, approving the Marco contract, and appointing Terry Christians to the District 5 HRA Board.

• Approved Grant County Cannabis Ordinance GCO 20250902-1 (carried)
• Approved Grant County Cannabis Fees (carried)
• Approved Opioid Settlement grant for D.A.R.E. Program and Medication Drop Box (carried)
• Approved Opioid Settlement grant for Herman Norcross School District #264 Community Improvements (carried)
• Approved Opioid Settlement grant for West Central MN Community Action Rental Assistance and Outreach Program (carried)
• Approved Opioid Settlement grant for Vivie PEARL’s program (carried)
• Tabled Opioid Settlement grant applications for Grant County Sheriff’s Office Wellness Program and Physical Fitness Program (tabled)
• Appointed Terry Christians to District 5 HRA Board for a 5‑year term (carried, opposition noted)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board approved several appropriations, including $121,313.40 for the Soil & Water Conservation District and $78,653.00 for the Viking Library. It also approved payment of $1,025,? (total of listed bills) to numerous vendors, amended the recycling contract schedule for the City of Ashby, and renewed 85 RSAs for $13,770.00. All motions were carried without recorded vote tallies.

• Approved $121,313.40 SWCD appropriation (carried)
• Approved $78,653.00 Viking Library appropriation (carried)
• Approved $50,000.00 Fair Board appropriation (carried)
• Approved payment of listed bills totaling $?? (carried)
• Amended recycling contract schedule to 1st and 3rd Monday for City of Ashby (carried)
• Renewed 85 RSAs for $13,770.00 (carried)
• Approved resolution GCR 20250819-1 (carried)
• Approved resolution GCR 20250819-2 (carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The commissioners approved the meeting agenda and the July 15, 2025 minutes. They authorized payment of county bills and approved a series of actions including hiring a hybrid Assistant County Attorney, adopting the Horizon Public Health cannabis memorandum of agreement, selecting Option B for the CSAH 5/TH 55 intersection design, granting an additional $1,000 per month to the Emergency Management Director, and naming MetLife as the county’s Paid Family Medical Leave and vision carrier.

• Approved meeting agenda (motion carried)
• Approved July 15, 2025 minutes (motion carried)
• Approved payment of listed county bills (motion carried)
• Approved Horizon Public Health cannabis MOA (motion carried)
• Approved hiring hybrid Assistant County Attorney (motion carried)
• Approved Option B for CSAH 5 and TH 55 intersection design (motion carried)
• Approved additional $1,000/month for Emergency Management Director (motion carried)
• Approved MetLife as Paid Family Medical Leave and vision carrier (motion carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board of Commissioners approved the meeting agenda and the July 1, 2025 minutes. They authorized payment of listed county bills. The board approved the CSAH 6 final contract, the CSAH 10 speed‑zone study resolution, and the purchase of a JD 772P road grader for $340,396.03. Additional actions included approving an interview for the Environmental Services Director applicant and scheduling a public hearing on the proposed cannabis ordinance for August 5.

• Approved agenda (motion carried)
• Approved July 1, 2025 minutes (motion carried)
• Approved payment of listed county bills (motion carried)
• Approved CSAH 6 Final Contract (motion carried)
• Approved CSAH 10 Speed Zone Study resolution (motion carried)
• Approved purchase of JD 772P Road Grader for $340,396.03 (motion carried)
• Approved interview of Environmental Services Director applicant (motion carried)
• Approved public hearing for proposed Cannabis Ordinance on August 5 (motion carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board of Commissioners approved the bridge safety inspection agreement, a 2025 traffic‑marking contract, and letters supporting ditch projects and a jury‑trial cleaning schedule. They also approved payment of county bills totaling $?? (list of amounts) and adopted the agenda and prior meeting minutes. All motions were carried without recorded vote tallies.

• Approved bridge safety inspection agreement (motion carried)
• Approved 2025 contract for traffic marking (motion carried)
• Approved Engagement Letter for Ditch #3 and Ditch #21 (motion carried)
• Approved Disclosure Letter (motion carried)
• Approved letter of support for Ditch 8 fish‑trap removal project (motion carried)
• Approved cleaning schedule for jury trial, July 7‑18 (motion carried)
• Approved payment of county bills totaling $?? (motion carried)
• Approved agenda and prior meeting minutes (motions carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The board approved the meeting agenda. A motion to purchase a 10‑year Axon contract for $759,089.80, including taser, body‑camera, squad‑camera and AI package, was voted down. The vote was 2 Yes (Dwight Walvatne, Bill LaValley) and 2 No (Ken Johnson, Doyle Sperr). The meeting adjourned at 11:07 a.m.

• Approved meeting agenda (motion carried)
• Rejected Axon contract purchase for $759,089.80 (2‑2 vote)

County Board of Commissioners

The board approved the meeting agenda, the June 3 minutes, and a series of bill payments totaling several hundred thousand dollars. It also approved the retirement of Greg Lillemon, scheduled a special meeting on June 27 for equipment approval, and adopted several personnel actions including reclassifying the Building Maintenance Worker position and the Emergency Management Director role. Additionally, the board approved the Barracuda contract and adopted the DDA pay study structure.

• Approved meeting agenda with DDA Study session addition (motion carried)
• Approved June 3, 2025 minutes (motion carried)
• Approved payment of listed bills (General Revenue Fund $53,545.92, Road & Bridge Fund $160,865.98, etc.) (motion carried)
• Approved retirement of Greg Lillemon effective August 29, 2025 (motion carried)
• Scheduled special meeting for June 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM on equipment approval (motion carried)
• Approved reclassification and advertising of Building Maintenance Worker position and appointment/reclassification of Emergency Management Director (motion carried)
• Approved Barracuda contract (motion carried)
• Approved DDA pay study structure (motion carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board approved routine agenda items, paid several county bills, and authorized a tobacco license, a $5,000 grant, emergency operations plan revisions, and job description approvals. It also directed the County Coordinator to create an application form for board‑appointed committee terms. Finally, the Board voted 4‑1 to terminate an employee immediately.

• Approved payment of bills totaling $9,987.57 (General Revenue), $21,065.27 (Road & Bridge), $421.32 (Computer), and multiple vendor invoices
• Approved tobacco license for Ashby Markey & Meats
• Approved $5,000 grant for Group Cares Camp
• Approved revisions to the Grant County Emergency Operations Plan and annexes
• Approved job descriptions for Environmental Services Director and Assistant Administrator
• Approved internal advertisement for the two environmental services positions
• Directed County Coordinator to develop an application form for board‑appointed committee term expirations
• Voted 4‑1 to terminate employee immediately (Yes: Walvatne, Johnson, Johnson, Sperr; No: LaValley)

County Board of Commissioners

The board voted to close the meeting, then immediately voted to reopen it. Both motions were made by Commissioner Troy Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Ken Johnson, and were carried. No other business was taken before adjournment.

• Closed meeting (motion carried)
• Reopened meeting (motion carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The board approved the agenda with the West Central Initiative and adopted the May 6 minutes. It authorized payment of the listed county bills and invoices, approved a 15‑year, $3.16 M contract for GCD #21 and a 10‑year, $870,000 contract for GCD #3, and approved the Werk Family property value/abatement. The board also approved compensation for a county attorney intern, awarded the LEC landscaping bid to Hennen Lawn Care, and accepted a $2,028.83 quote for new conference‑room equipment.

• Approved 15‑year contract for GCD #21 for $3,160,000.00 (carried)
• Approved 10‑year contract for GCD #3 for $870,000.00 (carried)
• Authorized payment of listed county bills and invoices (carried)
• Approved award of LEC Landscaping bid to Hennen Lawn Care (carried)
• Accepted Morris Electronic quote for conference room equipment $2,028.83 (carried)
• Approved compensation for County Attorney Summer Intern $20.00/hour up to 40 hrs/week (carried)
• Approved sending one staff member to the national ESRI Conference (carried)
• Approved Value/Abatement for Werk Family property ID 10-0159-000 (carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board approved several contracts and purchases, including the County Road 43 construction contract with Joe Riley Construction. It also approved final contracts for three county state‑aid highways, a support contract with Morris Electronics, and a new Integrity Online Portal. Additional approvals covered furniture for the courthouse, a credit‑card limit for the County Coordinator, a website contract renewal, and the creation of a temporary cannabis‑ordinance review committee.

• Approved County Road 43 contract with Joe Riley Construction (motion carried)
• Approved final contracts for CSAH 1, 25, 54 totaling $49,220.36 (motion carried)
• Approved $2,000 purchase of Integrity Online Portal (motion carried)
• Approved 2025 Morris Electronics support contract for $104,343.20 (motion carried)
• Approved purchase of conference‑room tables and chairs for $5,094.52 (motion carried)
• Approved $5,000 credit‑card limit for newly hired County Coordinator (motion carried)
• Approved Civic Plus website contract renewal for $7,923.18 (motion carried)
• Appointed temporary committee to review county cannabis ordinance (motion carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board approved several contracts and payments, including a final payment of $742,811.22 to John Riley Construction for CSAH 10. It also approved the $460,260.25 bid to Joe Riley Construction for County Road 43 and an $84,000 purchase of class 5 gravel. Additional actions included dust‑control approval, an engineering service agreement for County Road 43, and tabling a review of the lawn‑care, snow‑removal and cleaning contract.

• Approved final payment of $742,811.22 to John Riley Construction for CSAH 10 (carried)
• Approved bid of $460,260.25 to Joe Riley Construction for County Road 43 (carried)
• Approved purchase of class 5 gravel from Central Specialties Inc for $84,000 (carried)
• Approved dust‑control application to Hennen Lawn Care (carried)
• Approved Engineering Service Agreement with Moore Engineering Inc for County Road 43 reconstruction (carried)
• Approved East Side Oil Company hauler application (carried)
• Approved payment of bills totaling $1,???,??? (list of amounts) (carried)
• Tabled review of the Lawncare, Snow Removal and Cleaning Contract for Strategic Planning Committee (carried)

County Board of Commissioners

The Grant County Board approved several contracts and payments, including a $420,435.57 culvert replacement contract with Joe Riley Construction and a $53,012.59 traffic‑marking contract with KAMCO, Inc. It also approved the Sheriff contract for the City of Elbow Lake and a recycling processing contract with Pope/Douglas. Additional items approved were the meeting agenda, prior minutes, and a resolution for the Low Plains Drifters. A discussion on other bids was tabled until the next meeting.

• Approved agenda with additions (carried)
• Approved March 18 minutes with change (carried)
• Approved payment of listed bills (carried)
• Approved CSAH 54 & 2 culvert replacement contract $420,435.57 to Joe Riley Construction (carried)
• Approved 2025 traffic marking contract $53,012.59 to KAMCO, Inc (carried)
• Approved Sheriff contract for Elbow Lake City (carried)
• Approved MRF single‑sort recycling delivery and processing contract with Pope/Douglas (carried)
• Approved Low Plains Drifters Resolution GCR-20250401 (carried)