Chippewa County public meetings in 2024

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet to establish the 2025 budget, levy, and salaries for commissioners and the sheriff. The meeting includes a public hearing regarding the 2025 fee schedule and discussions on year-end business.

• Public hearing to adopt 2025 Fee Schedule
• Setting of 2025 Budget and Levy
• Setting of 2025 Commissioner and Sheriff salaries
• CCM Health Joint Powers Agreement amendment
• Contracts for Five Transportation and Heartland Industries

The Chippewa County Board finalized 2024 business, approving the 2025 fee schedule, a $15,863,428 net property tax levy (11% increase), and a $32.1M budget. They also approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for commissioners and non-union employees, a step increase for the Sheriff, and various contracts and grants. A proposed amendment to the CCM Health Joint Powers Agreement failed on a 2-3 vote.

• Adopted 2025 County Fee Schedule with new cannabis fees and delinquent tax service cost of $50 per parcel (unanimous)
• Approved 2025 final net levy of $15,863,428, an 11% increase (unanimous)
• Approved 2025 total budget of $32,124,479 revenues and $38,044,407 expenses (unanimous)
• Approved 3% COLA for commissioner wages (unanimous)
• Set board chair stipend at $1,250 and meeting per diem at $125 for 2025 (unanimous)
• Approved Sheriff Derek Olson step increase to Grade 18, step 12 plus 3% COLA (unanimous)
• Approved 3% COLA for non-union employees effective Jan 1, 2025 (unanimous)
• Amendment to CCM Health Joint Powers Agreement failed (2-3)

County Commissioners

The board will hold a Truth in Taxation hearing for public comment on proposed property taxes. A public hearing on partial abandonment of County Ditch 22 is also scheduled. Scheduled appointments include updates on solar/wind/cannabis ordinances, a broadband project, highway work, and a sheriff's report. A closed session is planned for an IT director evaluation.

• Truth in Taxation Hearing at 6:00 p.m.
• Public Hearing on CD 22 Partial Abandonment at 3:00 p.m.
• Discussion of Solar, Wind, and Cannabis Ordinance at 4:00 p.m.
• Farmer's Mutual Broadband Project update at 4:30 p.m.
• Closed Session for IT Director Evaluation at 3:30 p.m.

The Board unanimously adopted amended solar and wind ordinances and a new cannabis zoning ordinance, effective January 1, 2025, and lifted the solar and wind moratoriums. It also approved a $60,000 federal boating safety grant, a $337,789.50 gravel road contract, and a partial abandonment of County Ditch 22 Branch 19, denying a fee waiver request. The Truth in Taxation hearing was held with no action taken.

• Adopted solar ordinance amendments effective Jan 1, 2025 (unanimous)
• Adopted wind ordinance amendments effective Jan 1, 2025 (unanimous)
• Adopted Cannabis Zoning Ordinance effective Jan 1, 2025 (unanimous)
• Lifted solar and wind zoning moratoriums effective Jan 1, 2025 (unanimous)
• Approved $60,000 Federal Boating Safety Grant (unanimous)
• Approved partial abandonment of County Ditch 22 Branch 19; denied fee waiver (4-0, Pauling absent)
• Awarded 2025 gravel road project contract to Wm. D. Scepaniak, Inc. for $337,789.50 (unanimous)
• Approved resolution for tax-forfeited auction Jan 20-25, 2025 (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The board will consider a consent agenda that includes contracts for childcare licensing, a Teamsters union agreement, a broadband amendment, the 2025 attorney contract, a donation acceptance, and a Pictometry contract. Scheduled appointments cover updates from Countryside Public Health, Woodland Centers, and the highway department. The meeting will close with a closed session under Minnesota Statute 13D.05 Subd. 3(c) to discuss property purchase negotiation offers.

• Closed session for property purchase negotiation offers
• Big Stone & Lac qui Parle Childcare Licensing Contracts
• 2025 Attorney Contract
• Farmers Mutual Broadband Agreement Amendment
• Pictometry Contract

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will conduct public hearings regarding drainage assessments and road crossing alterations. The body will also review contracts for public health, tobacco compliance, and woodland center services.

• Public Hearing: CD 16 Alteration of Road Crossing
• Public Hearing: 2025 Drainage Assessments
• Public Hearing: Redetermination of Benefits for CD10A, CD10A Lat 1, and CD10A Lat 2
• Countryside Public Health Services Contract
• 2025 Tobacco and Liquor Licenses

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting with consent agenda items, including approval of previous meeting minutes and a CMHS Service Agreement. Scheduled presentations include updates on deferred compensation, highway, sheriff, Prairie Five Food Hub, and consolidation of CD 10A. The board will also enter a closed session for a License Bureau Director evaluation.

• Consent agenda: approve minutes of Oct 15 and Oct 30, 2024; CMHS Service Agreement; accounts payable
• 9:30 a.m. Molly Barborek: Deferred Compensation Plan Update
• 10:00 a.m. Jeremy Gilb: Highway Update
• 10:30 a.m. Derek Olson: Sheriff Update
• 11:00 a.m. Prairie Five Food Hub Update

County Commissioners

The board will consider consent items including a contract with PointClickCare and a PERA resolution. They will hold a public hearing on County Ditch 16, discuss an abandonment petition, and receive updates from MnDOT, the Wellness Committee, Family Services, and architects on the Family Services Building. A closed session is scheduled for labor negotiations under MN Statute 13D.05 subd. 3(b).

• Public hearing on County Ditch 16
• PointClickCare contract (consent agenda)
• PERA resolution (consent agenda)
• Closed session per MN Statute 13D.05 subd. 3(b) for labor negotiations
• Presentation on Family Services Building by Wold Architects

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss a countywide road safety plan and a habitat easement request from US Fish & Wildlife. The board will also receive updates from the Sheriff and the County Attorney.

• MN DOT Countywide Road Safety Plan presentation by Jeremy Gilb
• US Fish & Wildlife habitat easement request presented by Nathan Paler
• Sheriff update from Derek Olson
• Closed session for Ag/Drainage Inspector Evaluation

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will discuss the 2025 preliminary levy and insurance and salary proposals, along with a cannabis ordinance. Scheduled appointments include updates on drainage, family services, and a delinquent mobile home and tax forfeiture update. The board will also hold closed sessions for performance evaluations of the county engineer and assessor, and appoint a county assessor.

• Cannabis ordinance discussion with Scott Williams at 10:15 a.m.
• 2025 preliminary levy discussion with Michelle May at 1:30 p.m.
• 2025 insurance and salary discussion with Michelle May at 1:00 p.m.
• Closed session for county engineer performance evaluation at 2:00 p.m.
• Appointment of county assessor at 3:00 p.m.

The Board approved the 2025 preliminary levy totaling $16,890,861 (net $16,006,477 after county program aid) and set the truth-in-taxation hearing for December 17, 2024. It also approved a 26.7% increase in health insurance fund funding for 2025, split 50/50 between employee and employer, and kept dental rates flat. Several operational items were approved, including drainage hearings, a landfill repair, and tax abatements.

• Approved 2025 preliminary levy of $16,890,861 (unanimous)
• Set truth-in-taxation hearing for Dec 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (unanimous)
• Approved 26.7% health insurance fund increase for 2025 (unanimous)
• Approved dental plan funding rates flat for 2025 (unanimous)
• Scheduled public hearings for County Ditch 10A (Nov 19) and Ditch 16 (Oct 15) (unanimous)
• Authorized extending seasonal employee Cole Augeson for 160 hours at $22.04/hr (unanimous)
• Approved landfill scale concrete repair up to $7,691.20 (unanimous)
• Abated delinquent mobile home taxes totaling $5,447.36 (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 2:00 p.m. on an outlet for Improvement A of Branch 21 of County Ditch 22. The meeting also includes scheduled updates from the Soil & Water Conservation District, Sheriff, HR, and Budget & Levy departments. Consent agenda items include approval of prior minutes, a 2024 Family Services IT Agreement, and accounts payable.

• Public Hearing: Outlet for Imp. A of Br. 21 of County Ditch 22
• 2024 Family Services IT Agreement (consent agenda)
• Budget & Levy Update at 11:30 a.m.
• Soil & Water Conservation Update at 10:00 a.m.
• Sheriff Update at 10:30 a.m.

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda including $152,053.41 in vendor payments and a deputy services contract with Clara City for 2025-2027. They also authorized a DDA reevaluation of the Accounting Technician position, moved VEBA/HSA/flex accounts to Medsurety for 2025, approved a Victim Witness Grant agreement, and accepted a drainage outlet petition with a $1,710 fee. The 2025 budget and levy were reviewed but not voted on.

• Approved consent agenda including $152,053.41 in vendor payments (unanimous)
• Approved deputy services contract with Clara City for 2025-2027 (unanimous)
• Authorized DDA to reevaluate Accounting Technician position (unanimous)
• Moved VEBA, HSA, and flex accounts to Medsurety for 2025 (unanimous)
• Approved Victim Witness Grant agreement (unanimous)
• Accepted drainage outlet petition with $1,710 fee (unanimous)

County Commissioners

The board will hear a permit request from Jeremy Gilb, discuss the highway budget and the general and ditch budget with Michelle May, and review the Family Services budget and the county preliminary levy.

• Jeremy Gilb permit request presentation at 8:30 a.m.
• Highway budget discussion with Jeremy Gilb at 8:45 a.m.
• General and ditch budget presentation by Michelle May at 9:30 a.m.
• Review of Family Services budget and county preliminary levy at 10:00 a.m.

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will hold a routine meeting on August 20, 2024. The consent agenda includes approval of prior meeting minutes, a General Election Recount Agreement, a Clara City Deputy Contract, a donation acceptance, and accounts payable. Scheduled updates will be provided by the Highway Department, Family Services, and the Auditor/Treasurer.

• General Election Recount Agreement
• Clara City Deputy Contract
• Donation Acceptance
• Accounts Payable approval
• Highway Department update by Jeremy Gilb

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing regarding a local transit sales tax. The meeting also includes discussions on the Family Service Building and various department updates.

• Public hearing on Local Transit Sales Tax
• Discussion with Wold Architects regarding Family Service Building
• Ratification of TriMin Agreement for IFS support
• Hazard Mitigation Plan Grant Amendment
• Closed session for Union Negotiation Discussion

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet to review departmental updates and discuss a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a building consultant. The board is also considering a contribution request from Montevideo Economic Development.

• Montevideo Economic Development Request Contribution
• Building Consultant RFP Discussion
• Government Management Group Agreement for Cost Allocation Plan
• Tax Forfeiture State Settlement Participation
• Housing Redevelopment Authority Update

County Commissioners

The Board will discuss the Wheelage Tax and Local Transit Sales Tax. The agenda also includes a review of a Building Consultant RFP and updates from the Highway, Sheriff, and staff departments.

• Wheelage Tax and Local Transit Sales Tax discussion
• Building Consultant RFP Review and Discussion
• Little Thunder Hawks Contract
• Highway Update from Jeremy Gilb
• Sheriff Update from Derek Olson

County Commissioners

The Board will consider a resolution for the Clean Water Partnership Loan Agreement and a USDA lease amendment. Scheduled updates include reports from County Extension, IT, and Family Services. A work session on the Capital Improvement Plan is also scheduled.

• Clean Water Partnership Loan Agreement resolution
• 5-Year Safety Test on Community Service Building Elevator
• USDA Lease Amendment
• Capital Improvement Plan work session
• Land Resource Director annual evaluation

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will hear several departmental updates, including reports on the airport terminal, highways, and the sheriff's office. The agenda also includes routine administrative items such as approving meeting minutes and accepting a donation from the Milan Legion.

• Milan Legion Donation Acceptance
• Airport Terminal Update
• Highway Update
• Sheriff Update
• Public Safety Grants discussion

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review a county-wide housing study and receive updates from the Auditor/Treasurer, Highway Department, and Family Services. The agenda also includes authorization for two jailer/dispatcher position replacements.

• Authorization to replace two Jailer/Dispatcher positions
• County-wide Housing Study presentation
• Auditor/Treasurer update
• Highway Department update
• Annual evaluation of Family Services Director (closed session)

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will consider several items, including the adoption of the Chippewa River Watershed Comprehensive Plan. Scheduled presentations include updates on drainage, highways, and firearms safety grants. The board will also address permit requests and various administrative approvals.

• Resolution to Adopt Chippewa River Watershed Comprehensive Plan
• Drainage update regarding outlet petitions and equipment purchases
• Dooley’s RNG Permit Request
• Firearms Safety Grant discussion
• Prairie Five Rent Contract (Jan-June 2024)

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will approve April 2, 2024, meeting minutes and accounts payable. Scheduled presentations include updates on family services, assessor reports, and financial status.

• Approval of April 2, 2024, meeting minutes
• Review of accounts payable
• Family Services update from Lisa Schultz
• Assessor update from Kerri Heim
• Financial update from Kim Saterbak

County Commissioners

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners will meet on April 2, 2024, to approve routine administrative items and receive operational updates from county staff and external agencies. A public hearing will address a proposed moratorium on cannabis zoning, which would determine where such facilities could operate in the county. The board will also discuss housing aid programs, highway conditions, sheriff operations, and the Dooley’s RNG pipeline project.

• Public hearing on a cannabis zoning moratorium at 11:30 a.m.
• Consent agenda to approve March 19 meeting minutes, property tax abatement items, and accounts payable
• Building work session scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
• Updates from the sheriff, Woodland Centers, and Dooley’s RNG pipeline project
• Discussion on housing aid and highway conditions

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will hear several department updates including clinic remodeling, highway status, and FEMA flood maps. The board will also consider a housing grant match request and an Airport Commission appointment. A closed session is scheduled for the Veterans Service Officer evaluation.

• Clinic Remodel update
• Highway Update
• FEMA Flood Map Update
• Housing Grant Match Request
• Airport Commission Appointee

County Commissioners

The Board will hold a public hearing regarding the Dooley's RNG Pipeline and discuss a cannabis zoning ordinance. Commissioners will also receive updates on the Sheriff, Highway, and Assessor departments. The Auditor/Treasurer will present updates on various grants and debt resolutions.

• Public Hearing: Dooley's RNG Pipeline
• Discussion: Cannabis Zoning Ordinance
• UMVRDC Hazard Mitigation Contract Amendment
• Woodland Centers Contract Renewal
• Riverview Dairy Conduit Debt Resolution

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will consider a land transfer with Yellow Medicine County and a broadband agreement with Farmer’s Mutual. The meeting also includes updates on highway, family services, and wellness committee matters. Consent items include appointing Kerri Heim as County Assessor and hiring a temporary summer assistant.

• Yellow Medicine County land transfer consideration
• Broadband agreement with Farmer’s Mutual
• Appointment of Kerri Heim as County Assessor
• Hiring of a temporary summer assistant

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review updates from the Sheriff, Highway Engineer, and Auditor/Treasurer. The meeting includes a public hearing regarding a solar and wind moratorium and consideration of a tractor replacement.

• Public Hearing: Solar and Wind Moratorium
• FEMA Project Bids discussion
• Maintenance Tractor Replacement consideration
• PrimeWest Agreement for Behavioral Health (TCM) Services
• Yellow Medicine Highway Engineer Contract

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review family services and auditor/treasurer updates. The meeting also includes the adoption of a Hazard Mitigation Plan and discussions regarding union negotiations and personnel evaluation.

• Hazard Mitigation Plan adoption
• Plotter replacement consideration
• Closed session: Union negotiation discussion
• Closed session: Maintenance Supervisor evaluation

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will conduct its annual reorganization and make committee appointments. The meeting also includes a highway update, presentations on land easements and rural outreach, and a closed session for recorder evaluation.

• Re-organization of Board for 2024
• Committee Appointments
• 2024 Newspaper Bid Award
• Authorization of website for posting Road & Bridge projects
• Land Easement presentation by US Fish & Wildlife