Dodge County, MN

September 2nd, 2026 Planning Commission

The Dodge County Planning Commission will meet on September 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Conference Room B of the Government Services Building. The main item is a public hearing on an amended conditional use permit (CUP#25-05) for Return LLC. The commission will also approve the agenda and minutes from the July 1st meeting. Public participation is available in person, via Microsoft Teams, or through written comments.

• CUP#25-05 (Amend.) Return LLC
• Approval of minutes from July 1st, 2026 meeting
• Public hearing notice for September 2nd, 2026 meeting
• Meeting at 721 Main St N., Mantorville, MN 55955
• Written comments due three business days prior to meeting

Board of Commissioners

Public Works Committee

Public Safety Committee

Fairview Care Center Board Meeting

The Fairview Care Center Board is meeting to review and act on routine operational items, including approval of bills, financial reports, personnel actions, and a proposed preventative maintenance inspection plan for the HVAC unit. The board will also discuss workforce updates and facility maintenance projects.

• Approved bills totaling $216,736.97 for July 2026
• Approved $6,325 preventative maintenance inspection plan for HVAC unit effective 1/1/2027
• Approved personnel actions including 9 new hires and 4 terminations
• Discussed $18,894 repayment for Employee Incentive Grant
• Approved Roto Rooter drain inspection

Administration Committee

The Dodge County Administration Committee is meeting to review and discuss routine administrative items, including the approval of meeting minutes, human resources agenda items, and 2026 commissioner bills. No major policy decisions or public hearings are scheduled.

• Approval of August 11, 2026 regular session minutes
• HR agenda items presented by Employee Relations Director
• 2026 commissioner bills presented by Finance Director

Public Health Committee

Administration Committee

The Dodge County Administration Committee is meeting to review routine administrative items, including 2026 commissioner bills, an HR agenda, and a plat for the Hayfield Industrial Park Third Addition. The agenda is largely procedural, with no major policy decisions listed.

• 2026 Commissioner Bills
• HR Agenda 8/11/2026
• Hayfield Industrial Park Third Addition Plat

Board of Commissioners

August 6th, 2026 Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment will meet to conduct public hearings and review specific variance applications. The body will decide on requests identified as V#26-04 and V#26-05.

• Variance request V#26-04 Kasper
• Variance request V#26-05 Rohwer

August 5th, 2026 Planning Commission

Public Health Committee - Committee Meeting

The Dodge County Public Health Committee will discuss a Third Judicial District Cooperative Agreement for FY2027 and receive a public health update from the director. The meeting is scheduled for July 28, 2026, at 3:50 PM in the Government Services Building.

• Third Judicial District Cooperative Agreement (FY2027) with Drug Court Coordinator Eric Thompson
• Public Health Update from Director Amy Evans

Committee of the Whole - Committee Meeting

The Dodge County Committee of the Whole is convening to receive a presentation from the Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. R. Ross Reichard, and to discuss a proposed 4-year agreement for medical examiner services. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the meeting is informational only.

• Medical Examiner presentation by Dr. R. Ross Reichard
• Medical Examiner 4-Year Agreement discussed

Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

The Board will convene at 5:00 PM on July 28, 2026, in Mantorville. Agenda items include a presentation on a Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) application for West Concord, an MNPrairie program update, and several consent agenda items such as minutes, a Medical Examiner agreement, and a Third Judicial District cooperative agreement. No public hearings or major policy decisions are scheduled.

• LHTF Application Presentation for West Concord (Item 2.1)
• MNPrairie Program Update (Item 3.1)
• Medical Examiner 4-Year Agreement (Item 1.3)
• Third Judicial District Cooperative Agreement for FY2027 (Item 1.4)
• Personnel Agenda (Item 5.1)

Administration Committee - Committee Meeting

The Dodge County Administration Committee will meet to approve June meeting minutes, review commissioner warrants, and discuss a personnel agenda. All items are procedural; no substantive policy changes or financial decisions are on the agenda.

Committee of the Whole

Board of Commissioners

Administration Committee - Committee Meeting

The Dodge County Administration Committee will meet to review commissioner warrants, an annual TIF report from the City of Hayfield, and a personnel agenda. The meeting includes approval of minutes from prior committee and board meetings. No specific dollar amounts or decisions are listed in the agenda.

• Approval of minutes from June 23 Committee of the Whole and Board of Commissioners meetings
• Review of Commissioner Warrants (no dollar amount listed)
• Annual TIF Report from the City of Hayfield
• Personnel Agenda for July 14, 2026

Public Works Committee - Committee Meeting

The Public Works Committee will consider approving final payment for a county road project (SAP 020-603-015). County Engineer Noah Baumgarten will present the item at the 9:15 AM meeting. No other business items are listed on the agenda.

• Final payment for SAP 020-603-015

Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

The Dodge County Board of Commissioners will meet to consider a consent agenda including minutes and a final payment for a road project. They will also discuss a resolution for a state bridge replacement program grant, a personnel agenda, commissioner warrants, an interim-use permit, and a zoning ordinance chapter. The meeting includes reports from the county attorney and the administration committee.

• Resolution for agreement to State Transportation Fund Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant Terms and Conditions (SAP 020-624-028)
• Interim Use Permit IUP#26-07 (Rohwer)
• Zoning Amendment ZA#26-03 (Chapter 16)
• Resolution approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the County of Dodge on behalf of its County Attorney and Sheriff
• Annual TIF Report - City of Hayfield

The Board approved an interim use permit for a nonmetallic mining operation in Wasioja Township and adopted zoning amendments to establish requirements for outdoor cannabis cultivation. Other actions included approving a bridge grant and renewing criminal justice data agreements.

• Approved IUP #26-07 for nonmetallic mining on 10.35 acres in Wasioja Township (Unanimous)
• Adopted Zoning Amendment #26-03 to Chapter 16 regarding outdoor cannabis cultivation (Unanimous)
• Approved $165,950 State Transportation Fund grant for Bridge No. 20J61 (Unanimous)
• Approved Joint Powers Agreements with the BCA for the County Attorney and Sheriff (Unanimous)
• Approved $695,620.42 in bills across seven funds (Unanimous)
• Approved personnel actions including hires and step increases (Unanimous)
• Approved $19,500 contract with AWH for Historic Museum conditions assessment (Unanimous)
• Rejected all bids for Annex south entry improvements and landscaping (Unanimous)

July 1st, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting

The Dodge County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and consider a conditional use permit application (IUP#26-07 Rohwer) and a zoning amendment (ZA#26-03) to Chapter 16 of the county code. The meeting will also include approval of previous minutes and other routine business.

• IUP#26-07 Rohwer (conditional use permit)
• ZA#26-03 Chapter 16 zoning amendment
• Approval of May 6, 2026 meeting minutes
• Public hearing notice for July 1, 2026 meeting

June 25th, 2026 Board of Adjustment Meeting

The Dodge County Board of Adjustment will approve the agenda and minutes from the April 30, 2026 meeting and consider BOA item V#26-03, a variance request for the Williams property. The meeting also includes a public hearing notice for June 25, 2026 and other business. No contracts, fees, or ordinance changes are listed.

• Approve agenda and minutes from April 30, 2026 meeting
• Public hearing notice for June 25, 2026 meeting
• BOA item V#26-03 – Williams variance request
• Other business (unspecified)
• Public participation options: in‑person, Microsoft Teams, written comments

The Dodge County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved variance #26-03, allowing Jack and Jessica Williams to expand a nonconforming principal structure (replacing a porch and expanding the living room) on a 3.2-acre parcel in Claremont Township. The approval includes a condition requiring a Dodge County Zoning Permit before construction starts. The board also discussed a rejected variance application that may be resubmitted.

• Approved variance #26-03 for expansion of nonconforming structure (5-0)
• Added condition: Dodge County Zoning Permit required before construction
• Approved agenda and April 30, 2026 minutes (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting at 8:42 AM (unanimous)

Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

The Dodge County Board of Commissioners will consider a Dodge County Opioid Task Force Project Proposal from Public Health Director Amy Evans and Health Educator Emma Basness. The board will also review a Historical Museum Conditions Assessment, consider rejecting a bid for the Annex South Entry project, and receive a Veteran Services Mid-Year Review. Several routine consent agenda items are also scheduled, including approval of a temporary liquor license and a new tobacco retailer license.

• Dodge County Opioid Task Force Project Proposal (15 min discussion)
• Historical Museum Conditions Assessment (10 min)
• Annex South Entry Bid Rejection (10 min)
• Veteran Services Mid-Year Review for 2026 (10 min)
• Request to Accept Veteran Services Donation (5 min)

The Board rejected all bids for Annex south entry improvements after the low bid exceeded the budget by approximately $600,000. Officials also voted to stop producing physical plat books in favor of an online option. The Board approved $384,840.62 in bills and several personnel actions.

• Approved $384,840.62 in bills across five funds (Unanimous)
• Approved personnel actions including step increases and vacancy filings (Unanimous)
• Accepted two $60.92 donations from Peter Stuart for veteran vehicle service (Unanimous)
• Approved $19,500 contract with AWH for Historic Museum conditions assessment (Unanimous)
• Rejected all bids for Annex south entry improvements and landscaping (Unanimous)
• Approved cessation of physical plat book production in favor of online option (Unanimous)
• Tabled funding decisions for four Opioid Task Force project proposals

Fairview Care Center Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

The Fairview Care Center Board of Directors will consider approving two sets of bills: one for $37,771.32 and another for $1,578.45, totaling $39,349.77. The board will also review and approve personnel changes, including new hires and wage increases, and receive a workforce update. New business includes approval of a software agreement for statement software and a legal update held off the record.

• Approval of bills totaling $37,771.32 (warrant register) and $1,578.45 (VISA/background study warrants).
• Approval of personnel changes including 5 new CNA hires and wage increases for maintenance, culinary, and recreation directors.
• Approval of Statement Software as a new business item.
• Workforce update and summary of Fairview Care Center operations provided as information items.
• Legal update and accounts receivable overview to be discussed off the record.

Administration Committee - Committee Meeting

The Dodge County Administration Committee will meet to discuss and potentially act on several administrative items. The agenda includes approval of commissioner warrants, a one-day temporary on-sale liquor license, and a personnel agenda. The meeting will also cover approval of previous committee and board meeting minutes.

• Approval of Commissioner Warrants
• 1 Day Temporary On-Sale Liquor License
• Personnel Agenda 6/23/26
• Approval of Committee of the Whole minutes from Jun 9, 2026
• Approval of Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting minutes from Jun 9, 2026

Public Health Committee - Committee Meeting

The Dodge County Public Health Committee will consider approving a new 2026 Tobacco Retailer License. The meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2026, at 4:25 PM in Conference Room A.

Committee of the Whole - Committee Meeting

The Dodge County Committee of the Whole will convene to receive a presentation from Justin Stotts, CEO of SEMMCHRA, regarding the organization's preliminary levy request for 2027. The meeting is scheduled to adjourn immediately after this single agenda item.

• Presentation by Justin Stotts, SEMMCHRA CEO, on the 2027 preliminary levy request

The Committee of the Whole met to review a preliminary 2027 levy request of $90,409 from the Southeast Minnesota Multi-County Housing Redevelopment Authority (SEMMCHRA). The meeting consisted of a presentation by new CEO Justin Stotts and discussion among commissioners regarding housing services and grant programs. No formal votes or decisions were recorded.

Administration Committee - Committee Meeting

The Dodge County Administration Committee will meet to discuss and potentially approve minutes from previous meetings, review commissioner warrants, consider pull-tab gambling permits, and address personnel matters.

• Review of May 26, 2026 Committee of the Whole and Board of Commissioners meeting minutes
• Discussion of Commissioner Warrants
• Consideration of Pull-Tabs Gambling Permits
• Review of Personnel Agenda for June 9, 2026

Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

The Dodge County Board of Commissioners will consider resolutions to form a Dodge County Community Health Board and authorize an interim agent for that board. Other business includes a farm disposal resolution, approval of commissioner warrants, a personnel agenda, and a legal update. The board will also receive a presentation on the 2026 Towards Zero Deaths initiative.

• Resolution to form Dodge County Community Health Board
• Interim resolution authorizing 'Agent of the Board' for the health board
• Farm Disposal Resolution
• Commissioner Warrants
• Personnel Agenda 6/09/26

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the formation of the Dodge County Community Health Board and appointed Amy Evans as the Board's agent. The Board also approved various personnel step increases and gambling permits for the K-M Snowdrifters. A resolution to prohibit the burning and burial of solid waste on farms was defeated.

• Approved formation of Dodge County Community Health Board effective Jan 1, 2027 (Unanimous)
• Appointed Amy Evans as Agent of the Board for the Community Health Board (Unanimous)
• Defeated resolution to prohibit burning and burying solid waste on farms (2-3)
• Approved $400,372.02 in bills across Revenue, Road and Bridge, and Environmental Quality funds (Unanimous)
• Approved step increases for four employees in Administration, Environmental Services, Highway, and Public Health (Unanimous)
• Approved pull-tabs gambling permits for K-M Snowdrifters for July and September 2026 (Unanimous)
• Approved award SAP 020-601-017 (C.S.A.H. 1) via consent agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved award SAP 020-624-028 (CSAH 24 Bridge) via consent agenda (Unanimous)

Committee of the Whole - Committee Meeting

The Dodge County Committee of the Whole will convene to discuss parks and trails, followed by an update from the MnPrairie executive director. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the meeting is informational.

• Parks & trails discussion led by Environmental Services Director and County Engineer
• MnPrairie program update from Executive Director Tara Reich

The Committee of the Whole discussed a proposal to move parks management to Environmental Services while keeping trails under the Highway Department. The board also received a transition update from the MNPrairie Executive Director regarding the shift to a two-county structure.

• Proposed splitting parks and trails duties: Highway to retain trails and Environmental Services to obtain parks (discussed/general agreement)

Public Works Committee - Committee Meeting

The Dodge County Public Works Committee will meet to review contract awards. The agenda includes two specific projects presented by the County Engineer.

• Award SAP 020-601-017 (C.S.A.H. 1)
• Award SAP 020-624-028 (CSAH 24 Bridge)