Blue Earth County board weighed ditch repairs, bridge payments, and hazardous waste contract in recent meetings
Blue Earth County commissioners had a busy two weeks, with agendas covering drainage repairs, bridge project payments, a Rapidan Dam update, and a work session on hazardous waste services. All three meetings were agenda-only as of July 20, meaning minutes have not yet been published and the items below reflect what the board was scheduled to consider rather than confirmed outcomes.
County Ditch 56 repair and drainage appointments
On July 7, the Blue Earth County Board, acting as the Drainage Authority, was set to award a $29,746 repair contract to Selly Excavating for County Ditch 56, Branch 5. The work involves boring under CSAH 20.
The same agenda included appointing engineer Charles J. Brandel for a partial abandonment petition affecting County Ditch 77, Branch 1.
Separately, the Joint Blue Earth and Faribault County Drainage Authority was scheduled to meet July 7 to discuss two petitions to outlet additional acres into Joint Judicial Ditch 49. The petitions concern the Neal and Shelli Grover property in Sterling Township and the Olson Gregg D & Gwendolyn B Revocable Trusts property, also in Sterling Township. The board was to decide whether to appoint Ron Ringquist as viewer under Minnesota statute 103E.401 to determine outlet fees and benefits for the requested properties.
Bridge projects and Rapidan Dam
The July 7 Public Works agenda included consideration of a final payment of $13,619.78 for SAP 007-598-038, a CR 156 box culvert bridge replacement under a $517,183 contract. The board was also set to consider a final payment for County Project 2184, a CR 184 box culvert replacement. The dollar amount for that final payment was not listed in the agenda materials.
Commissioners were also scheduled to receive a Rapidan Dam update based on a July 2, 2026 memorandum. A closed session for attorney-client privileged discussion was on the agenda as well.
Hazardous waste, mental health, and capital requests
On July 14, the board held a work session to discuss renewing the hazardous waste services contract with Tri-County and potential fee changes for Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs). The agenda also included updates on disability and mental health services, specifically Mental Health Center operations.
Capital equipment requests totaling over $3.3 million were scheduled for presentation. The board was also set to tour Public Works and Justice Center facilities.
What to watch
Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the three July meetings, residents should check the Blue Earth County website for confirmed vote tallies and final decisions. No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days, according to the county's published schedule.