Meeker County Board Meeting

The Meeker County Board of Commissioners heard the annual highway report from Public Works Director Phil Schmalz. Phil also presented the 5-year highway construction plan which the Board approved.

The Board approved of a bid for replacing bridge #47519 in Manannah Township from Redstone Construction of Mora for an estimated total of $1,340,259 – and approved of the Local Bridge Replacement Program grant agreement which will help lessen the cost burden for Manannah Township for the bridge replacement project. Schmalz says nearly $900,000 in town bridge funds have been dedicated to the bridge – which will span 592nd Avenue – and the grant would provide nearly $600,000 for the project which will total about 1-point-5-million dollars with construction and engineering costs.

The Commissioners also approved of the per mile township road maintenance fee for 2026 which will be set at $950. The Board approved of a service agreement with Criterion for utilizing applicant tracking software. Human Resources Coordinator Mikkell Johnson says the cost for 2024 is $1,950 and the annual cost is $3,646. The Commissioners approved of the updated Meeker County personnel policies. A resolution was approved on a 4-to-1 vote – with Julie Bredeson opposed – adopting the Meeker County Board protocol and public participation policies.

The Commissioners approved of sending a letter to the Veterans Administration encouraging it to amend its policies regarding the signing of death certificates – accelerating the process as delays in the process put a strain on the families of deceased veterans. The Board approved of Juvenile Liaison Deputy Roger Muffley attending a free training workshop in Wisconsin on August 8th. A quote of $174,824.47 was approved from Motorola for 911 call handling software.

A conditional use permit was approved for the Tapper Landscaping project at 32349 748th Avenue South of South Haven in Section 12 of Kingston Township in the Lake Francis Shoreland District. A conditional use permit was approved for Terry Dean for two wind turbines at 55895 110th Street in Section 36 of Cosmos Township. A conditional use permit was approved for NexGen Dairy for an anaerobic digester at 39679 592nd Avenue in Section 4 of Manannah Township. An interim use permit was approved for a second dwelling for a blood relative for Louis & Jeanette Fallon at 67600 180th Street in Section 23 of Ellsworth Township.