Wadena County public meetings in 2022
6 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
County Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners approved the 2023 final budget and levy resolution. They also passed a resolution urging the state legislature to reform probation funding and extended a deadline for a City of Staples ARPA grant application.
- Approved 2023 Final Levy Resolution with a 2.85% increase (Unanimous)
- Approved 2023 budget totaling $10,111,216.00 (Unanimous)
- Approved Resolution on Probation Funding in Minnesota (Unanimous)
- Extended City of Staples ARPA application and grant agreement deadline to June 30, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Approved Memorandum of Agreement for Crow Wing Watershed One Plan (Unanimous)
- Approved warrants for 12-20-2022 totaling $330,794.28 (Unanimous)
- Approved Human Services warrants for 12-20-22 totaling $12,001.04 (Unanimous)
- Approved Early Childhood Screening Services contracts with Sebeka, Verndale, and Wadena Deer Creek School Districts (Unanimous)
County Commissioners
The Board approved the 2023 final levy and established new salaries for commissioners and elected officials. The county also approved a $123,250 ARPA grant for the City of Verndale and created a separate fund for the Sheriff's Office. Discussions were held regarding the potential elimination of county-wide zoning.
- Set 2023 Final Levy at $10,139,216 (Unanimous)
- Approved 2023 Commissioner salary of $35,085 plus $2,400 for the Chair (4-1)
- Approved 2023 Sheriff salary at $116,088 (4-1)
- Approved 2023 Auditor/Treasurer salary at $98,868 (4-1)
- Approved 2023 County Engineer salary at $115,504 (4-1)
- Approved $123,250 ARPA grant for City of Verndale water and sewer project (Unanimous)
- Established separate Sheriff's department fund and approved $1.475M transfer (Unanimous)
- Approved cooperative agreement with City of Sebeka for County Road 133 reconstruction (Unanimous)
County Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved resolutions to apply for federal grants to replace a bridge on CSAH 23 and resurface sections of CSAH 23 and CSAH 18. The board also approved several consent agenda items, including warrants and gambling permits.
- Approved Resolution of Support for 2024-2026 Federal Transportation Bridge Project Application for Bridge 80508 on CSAH 23 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution of Support for 2027 Federal Transportation Projects Applications for CSAH 23 and CSAH 18 (unanimous)
- Approved warrants for 11-10-22 and 11-18-22 totaling $1,365,471.72
- Approved Human Services Warrants for 11-28-22 totaling $16,857.46
- Approved 2023 Court Appointed Legal Services Contract for Malcolm Whynott
- Approved Lawful Gambling Permits for American Legion Post 171 and WDC Wrestling Inc.
- Approved 2022 2 Half Allocation for The Economic Alliance
- Approved extension of Personal Day benefit to March 1, 2023
County Commissioners
The Board held a Truth in Taxation meeting to explain the proposed 2023 budget of approximately $30 million and a preliminary levy of $10.85 million. No formal votes were taken; the meeting served as a public presentation and comment session per State Statute 275.065.
- Presented preliminary 2023 levy of $10.85 million (10.37% increase)
- Proposed reducing the levy increase to approximately 5% using cash reserves and budget cuts
County Commissioners
The Board approved a 2022-2024 labor contract for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No 49 and authorized the vacation of a cartway to Old Wadena Park. Commissioners also agreed to use $228,000 from reserve funds to reduce the 2023 tax levy and approved a timber inventory for potential land purchase.
- Approved 2022-2024 International Union of Operating Engineers Local No 49 Labor Contract (4-1)
- Approved process to vacate the Cartway to Old Wadena Park (4-1)
- Approved $3,500 timber inventory for Conservation Fund parcels via Timber Development Fund (unanimous)
- Agreed to use $200,000 from South Country Health Alliance and $28,000 from Fairgrounds Reserve Fund to decrease tax levy
- Approved warrants totaling $369,310.95, $37,274.23, and $38,787.10 (unanimous)
- Approved 2-year contract for PH Medical Consultant Dr. Benjamin Hess (unanimous)
- Approved $5,012 Low Income Septic System Grant for PID #04-020-2025 (unanimous)
- Approved On-Sale Liquor License for R & J Horse Sales, Inc. (unanimous)
County Commissioners
The Board approved conditional use permits for a commercial self-storage building and a custom meat processing facility. Officials also approved a new fee schedule and authorized a landfill cover redesign. No action was taken regarding the revocation of a waste hauler's license.
- Approved Conditional Use Permit for Blueberry Development LLC commercial self-storage (Unanimous)
- Approved Conditional Use Permit for Troy M. Meech custom meat processing facility (Unanimous)
- Approved proposed fee schedule with the deletion of the $25 minimum for data requests (4-1)
- Authorized $23,500 for Widseth to redesign demolition landfill final cover (Unanimous)
- Approved Wadena County Friendly Rider Title VI Program Plan (Unanimous)
- Approved final payment of $36,023.09 to Anderson Brothers Construction Company (Unanimous)
- Approved $536,023.91 in warrants for 10-14-22 and 10-21-22 (Unanimous)
- Took no action on the proposed license revocation for AAA Roll-off, LLC