Meeker County Board Meeting
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners has moved to affirm support of the Meeker Memorial Hospital project and commitment to future approval of financing. The hospital board will be seeking financing of up to $30,000,000 towards the estimated $55,000,000 project.
The proposed project will include a new three-story addition to the hospital that will include spaces for the clinic, laboratory, infusion, rehabilitation, and specialty medicine services, in addition to new administrative and food services spaces. Additionally, the front of the hospital will be shifted from facing south on Lockerbie Street to facing east on Sibley Avenue, which is intended to provide more visibility for the facility.
To facilitate this improvement, the City of Litchfield has already approved the vacation of Lockerbie Street between Sibley Avenue and the alley east of Miller Avenue. The project is anticipated to cost up to $55-million, funded through existing reserves and new debt. The debt will be funded with the hospital’s operating revenues and will be structured to minimize any risk to taxpayers.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners approved of the 2026 property tax levy of $19,010,391 – an increase of 9.16%, and the 2026 budget of $46,448,540 which is a decrease of 11.1% from 2025. The Board has moved to set a public hearing for a transportation local option sales tax during the February 3rd meeting at 8:30 a.m.
The Board approved of the reappointment of Tim Steinert as the County Veterans Service Officer for a term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2029; moved to approve an agreement with Minnesota Housing regarding the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Minnesota City Participation Program; move to approve authorizing the Snowmobile Safety Enforcement Grant of $2,552.37 for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, and July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; and moved to approve of a quote from Climate Makers in the amount of $30,950 for a Direct Digital Controls upgrade in the jail.
The Commissioners also approved of numerous 2026 Health & Human Services contracts; listened to an annual report regarding income maintenance, eligibility and medical assistance from the Health & Human Services Department officials; and heard an annual report from Property Records, Taxation and Elections Manager Holly Nelson.