Carver County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

County board reviews CDA levy request, road resurfacing contract

Carver County officials this week reviewed a proposed property tax levy increase for the Community Development Agency, considered a $4.46 million road resurfacing contract, and held public hearings on four variance requests. No final decisions were made; minutes from these meetings have not yet been published.

Community Development Agency levy request

The Board of Commissioners held a work session on July 28 to discuss the Carver County Community Development Agency's (CDA) 2027 budget and strategic plan. The CDA is requesting a 2027 levy of $3,959,665, a 3.5% increase from 2026. The proposed tax impact on an average-valued home of $508,000 would be $1.92. The agenda included discussion of CDA affordable housing and economic development programs, as well as a review of Community Growth Partnership Initiative grants. A final levy is scheduled for consideration on September 1.

Road resurfacing contract and other county business

At its August 4 meeting, the board reviewed a construction contract for the CSAH 10 Resurfacing Project with GMH Asphalt for $4,461,161.86. The board also considered a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Waconia for the same project, with the county's share set at $1,984,631. Other agenda items included a discussion of a construction manager for the Government Center Project, a lower-potency hemp edible retail registration for Champlin 2005 LLC (Cub Foods), and a temporary on-sale liquor license for the Justin Kukowski Foundation for October 3, 2026.

Board of Adjustment variance hearings

On August 5, the Board of Adjustment held four public hearings on variance requests in Young America, Watertown, and Waconia Townships. The requests were:

• File PZ20260023: sidewall height, structure height, and storage space (Young America Township)
• File PZ20260024: cargo container parcel size and structure setback (Young America Township)
• File PZ20260022: total personal storage space (Watertown Township)
• File PZ20260026: agricultural production land in Amenity - Wooded Lots (Waconia Township)

The board's determinations on these requests have not been published.

Coming up

The Park Commission will meet on August 12 to discuss regular business, including a request to consider an off-leash dog facility at Lake Waconia Regional Park. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from July 15, liaison and staff reports, and public comment. No final decisions are listed on the agenda.

County board to weigh $4.46M road contract; recent meeting outcomes pending

Carver County residents are awaiting results from several late-July meetings where commissioners and planners considered land acquisitions, infrastructure contracts, and land-use permits. Minutes have not yet been published for any of those sessions, so outcomes are not yet confirmed. Meanwhile, the Board of Commissioners has a packed agenda for August 4, including a proposed $4.46 million resurfacing contract.

Highway 40 eminent domain and property settlements

On July 21, the Board of Commissioners was scheduled to consider authorizing eminent domain proceedings and settlement agreements for the Highway 40 Project in the Silver/Bevens Creek Area. A separate agenda item called for a resolution to authorize settlement of compensation for real property interests tied to shoulder widening and pavement improvements in the same corridor. Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed whether the board acted on these items.

Dakota Rail Regional Trail and other contracts

The same July 21 board agenda included a bid award to Pember Companies for bridge repair and replacement on the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, a bulb recycling contract with Recycle Technologies Inc. not to exceed $30,000, a Professional Services Agreement with Apex Engineering for Highway 52 and Highway 53 box culverts, and a Special Use Permit for the Minnesota Astronomical Society's 2026 Camping with the Stars Event. Outcomes are pending publication of minutes.

Planning Commission hearings on three land-use permits

The Planning Commission met July 21 to hold public hearings on three applications:

• **PZ20260021** — Interim Use Permit for Gregory Wickenhauser, a Home Extended Business Accessory Use in Dahlgren Township.
• **PZ20260014** — Conditional Use Permit for Timothy & Rhea Kerber, a Contractor's Yard in Young America Township.
• **PZ20260019** — Interim Use Permit for Eric & Erica Hoese, a Home Extended Business Accessory Use in Watertown Township.

The commission also planned to consider approval of previous meeting minutes. No decisions are confirmed yet.

CDA 2027 levy request discussed

On July 28, the Board of Commissioners held a work session on the Carver County Community Development Agency's 2027 budget and strategic plan. The CDA requested a 2027 levy of $3,959,665, a 3.5% increase from 2026. The estimated tax impact was listed as $1.92 on an average-valued home of $508,000. Discussion topics included CDA affordable housing and economic development programs and the Community Growth Partnership Initiative grants. A final levy is scheduled to be presented for consideration on September 1.

Coming up

• **August 4 — Board of Commissioners:** The board will review a construction contract for the CSAH 10 Resurfacing Project with GMH Asphalt for $4,461,161.86, plus a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Waconia for the Highway 10 Resurfacing Project with a county share of $1,984,631. Other items include a Government Center Project construction manager discussion, a lower-potency hemp edible retail registration for Champlin 2005 LLC (Cub Foods), and a temporary on-sale liquor license for the Justin Kukowski Foundation for October 3, 2026.
• **August 5 — Board of Adjustment:** Four public hearings on variance requests in Young America, Watertown, and Waconia Townships, covering sidewall height, cargo container setbacks, personal storage space, and agricultural production land in a wooded-lots amenity zone.