Welcome everyone. At this time, I'll call the Crowing County Regular Board meeting for December 16th, 2025 to order. If you'll stand for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence, please. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Amber, if you'd call roll call, please. >> Commissioner Coring, >> here. >> Commissioner Lovekkey >> here.
>> Commissioner Barrows >> here. >> Commissioner Franine >> here. >> Commissioner Lee >> here. Move on to number two, which is open forum. Is there anyone here who would like to speak on something other than
what's on our printed agenda? Anyone who would like to speak on anything other than what's on our printed agenda? Hearing none. And seeing none, we'll move on to number three. Reprove uh review and approve the minutes from
November 25th, 2025. >> Motion to approve. Motion by Commissioner Franzine. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Lubkkey. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Coring. >> I. >> Commissioner Lubkey. >> I. >> Commissioner Franine. >> I. >> Commissioner Lee.
>> I. >> Commissioner Baros. >> I. And that motion passes. Number four, review and approve tonight's agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I do have one change. Under my time, uh, under the county administrator's time on 11.3 to schedule
the public hearing to change the name of a body of water. We'd like to remove that from the agenda, please. >> So, done. Any other changes? >> That's all. >> Motion to approve with change. >> Motion by Commissioner Franine to approve the amended agenda.
>> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Lee. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Lee, >> I. >> Commissioner Coring. >> I. Commissioner Lupkkey >> I. >> Commissioner Franine >> I. >> Commissioner Barrows >> I. And that motion passes. Number five
on our agenda is consent agenda. >> Look for a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Motion by Commissioner Franzine. I'll second it. >> Second by Commissioner Lee. >> Commissioner Franine. >> I. >> Commissioner Lee. >> I. >> Commissioner Coring.
>> I. >> Commissioner Lovekkey. >> I. Commissioner Barrows. >> I that motion passes. We'll move on to number seven. >> Mr. Chair, move to number seven. Yes, we have a few minutes before the public hearing for the fee schedule. So >> So who's here to present?
>> Taylor. >> Taylor, take your time. Taylor, we can't do anything else till 510. So pressure's on. >> All right. Good after or good evening, uh, commissioners. Um, I'm Taylor Lesmeister. I am a health educator
representing the public health department today. Um, I come to you because there was a public health nuisance identified on the 1600 block of Arn Hill in Brainard. Uh, that is uh, Franens's District 4. Um, this
property was found to contain significant accumulation of refu including organic and putressible waste. The volume of the debris was significant and is likely to impede safe eress from the main entrance of the the residence and the contents of the refu um was such
that it may uh represent a potential disease hazard and is likely to attract vermin to the residents. On November 18th, 2025, uh public health, myself and land services department conducted a site visit and observed this accumulation um ourselves.
On the same day, contact was made with the property owner and education was provided regarding [clears throat] local ordinances and the present hazard. Um, the property owner does not contract garbage services or have a reasonable means uh to haul his own waste. And so
due to the uh potential threat to public health, we're requesting use of solid waste funds to abate the nuisance. >> Questions? >> Look for a motion to approve. So moved. >> Motion by Commissioner Franzine.
>> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Coring. >> Commissioner Lee. >> I. >> Commissioner Coring. >> I. >> Commissioner Levkkey. >> I. >> Commissioner Franine. >> I. >> Commissioner Barrows. >> I. That motion passes. Thank you. Taylor.
>> Thank you. >> Could I have a question, Mr. Chair? >> Sure. Um, so once this gets cleaned up and what's going to keep it from going back to what it is, garbage services or if there's nothing else? >> Yep. So, we we have had past
enforcements on this property before. Um, we are trying to do something different this time around. We're working with veteran services. Okay. >> Um, and we are trying to establish an ongoing garbage service so that he has a means of of reasonably disposing of his waste >> going forward.
>> Okay. Thank you. Appreciate that. >> Of course, >> we are still not at 510. So I will move on to 8.1 landfill feesformational presentation. >> And I assume Gary, this is just information for us at this point.
>> Yes, sir. I'm just here to run the clicker. Uh good evening, Mr. Chair, commissioners. Uh we're here tonight to just give you uh some of the reasoning behind the proposed increases in our landfill fee schedule and a look at our 10-year plan that we have to prepare for
our landfill per our solid waste or um requirements per statute. Um, as I mentioned, we do have a 10-year plan that we look at occasionally throughout the year if we have a big project coming up, but um, at least once per year, we go through and look at what our
estimated fund balances are and then we use those to um, determine the fee increases for the next year. Um, we do that as we new projects are coming up and as we receive more data on waste received, a project might get
moved forward a year or pushed out a year or two depending upon the waste volumes that are coming in. So, basically, we're always kind of chasing that moving target, which is why we have that 10-year plan so we can build that fund balance to do those construction projects seven years out so that we don't have to go out and um get a loan
or uh look for funding for those projects. Our goal is a minimum of a $2 million fund balance, which is about six months worth of operating expenses. So, when we're looking at these next charts that I'll go through here, that's what we're looking at is that cash balance,
the blue line, to keep that at or above that $2 million mark. And then our other goal is to keep that green line, the revenue. We want to keep that as a steady increase. We don't want to see a large jump just because we have a planned project in the next year or
two. We don't want to do large fee increases in one year. We want to do those steady gradual fee increases. Uh [clears throat] so going through the charts you see here. So to explain this in 2023, this is what we were estimating our fund balance at. If you look at that blue line, that's the one we pay the
most attention to. Where is our cash fund balance? And then you see those um peaks in the red. Those are our expenses. So that is um a cell build, uh cell closure, things like that. And then you see in 2024 we look at it again and we're looking at that cash balance as
you can see it dips down quite low there. >> Jessica just I want to interrupt just for a second because we have the public here and I want them to understand what it cost to build a cell. So you think of the big hole in the ground. So maybe you can just let them know what it is because you look at 8 million $9 million
there. Let's let them know what it costs to build one of those cells that we're required to do. >> Correct. Uh right now we have a cell build in our uh projection here out in approximately year 2033. It's right at about $9 million right now is what we're estimating.
>> So it's more [clears throat] of a break even over the course of time. >> Correct. >> Sorry to interrupt. >> That's all right. Um so yeah just to that point on the right hand side you can see in 2023 what we estimated our fund balances to be and then again in
2024 I call out the differences there. So you see in 2028 there's a huge drop from 8 million to 3.9 million and uh that is due to our lee treatment uh that we're going to have to get installed in 2028 or by 2028. So we're estimating
that to be about $5 million. So leech is what? >> Uh leech aid is the dirty water in this uh highest uh high level description of it is the dirty water coming off of our landfill that we get into the ponds that we treat and then we land apply it out
there. >> Correct. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. >> Oh, does this do it? >> That's the point. >> Is this one advance? by the by >> by the end of the night I'll have it
down. >> All right. And then this chart is what we were looking at this year as we were looking at those fee increases, our fund balances. Um, and what do we need to do to keep that fund balance high enough? And as you can see that peak there in 2028 is that leech eight treatment we're
going to need to do. And then in 2033, that red line there for our expenses, that's cell seven. So, as you can see, we're trying to keep that revenue line at a constant, not any large increases. We are doing a little bit of a bump here in 2026 just for um projects that are
coming up just to get that fund balance up a little higher because as you can see in 2028 and 2033, we're dipping right in near that $2 million mark. So, we want to be planful for that. Uh so, as you'll see in a little bit,
our proposed fee increases for 2026. Uh we're proposing an increase of $150 to our demo waste. This is per cubic yard. 43 cents per cubic yard for our industrial loose. 43 cents per cubic yard for our like the regular garbage
that you or I would bring in. Uh 21 cents per bag of garbage. Uh $2.20 per ton of industrial compacted waste and $2.20 of uh MSW compacted waste. So that's your garbage and your garbage trucks.
One one important thing to note is while it's a steady increase, the green is the revenue and you have your expenses and your cash fun uh balance down here. what we are looking at. It would be great if we could get the green line to go the other way and start and if we could
actually reduce you know um what we have to charge but we do see out here in 23 uh 20 33 34 35 that currently we long time before then but it could flatline where we might not have to increase we
could actually hold costs unless something unforeseen comes up with our permitting but that's what we're trying to do is basically think of the landfill as a huge break even for the all we're trying to do is provide the service, not make a bunch of money and you know it's just trying to where can we put the garbage
for the residents of Kerwing County and do it as cheap as possible um but do it responsibly. >> Oh, it doesn't show up very good, but if you want >> this math is kind of hard to see, so I'll call out some of the um landfills or disposal sites are a little closer to
us just to compare our fees to theirs. So looking at the demo, the demolition waste, so your construction and demolition debris, we are proposing to increase that from $750 to $9 per cubic yard for 2026. Uh hango construction in Cass County is $10 a cubic yard. Uh
Grinning Bear, which is also in Cass, uh 1760 per cubic yard. Cross Lake Demo is $25 per cubic yard. Uh Morrison County landfill is $8.60 per cubic yard. And then Kiwatan is just outside of this 50
mile radius we have in the blue circle here. Uh but they're at 1269 a cubic yard. And then if you look at our bags of garbage, we are proposing an increase to 525. Uh Cass County is currently $2 to
$6 a bag depending upon size. And then uh Garrison disposal in Aken is $6 to $12 a bag depending upon size. And then our MSW compacted waste, which is mainly the garbage trucks coming into the landfill, we're proposing an increase to $7164.
And for comparison, currently Morrison County is at $101.79 a ton and Cass County is at $97.25 a ton. So we're still quite a bit under both of those. >> Um, Mr. Chair, in in the case of Cass,
they do not have a an operating landfill. Correct. >> Correct. It's a transfer station. It's just a transfer station. So, they're shipping theirs out of the county. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Any questions on I don't want to say they're competitors, but people have a choice. They don't have to come to the
Crowing County Landfill. They can go to these other sites. Vast majority of them are more expensive and you're going to have to drive there in almost every case. >> Right. That's what I heard. And I think it's tempting to come to crowing to be honest listening to some of those cost
items. >> Mr. Chair, on on the Kiwatan one up there, there has been some people that have taken stuff out and hauled it up there doing demo around here. If it is that if it is and according to the price, it's actually more expensive up there than down here. Correct.
>> It is on their um their ticket price. It is a private landfill. So if you're an operator, you can go and negotiate a different price with them potentially. >> Yeah. Because I know there's stuff that would have gone to ours, but it'll go up there because they had negotiated a deal
then. >> Sure. >> That isn't that we're not doing. We're not >> I mean, that's what we assume. We don't know for sure, but >> do we don't do any negotiations at all in ours? >> Um once you guys set the fees, that's what is charged at the landfill. There's no negotiation. >> And I also sit on the solid waste work
group for for uh Minnesota through AMC. Um, and right now the demolition landfills and I and you maybe want to allude to that right now we don't have a line demolition landfill. >> That's correct. >> And it looks like how do you say the tea leaves or whatever it looks like that
will be coming down somewhere down the road. >> Yeah. there. Um, we figured maybe this year, but probably most likely next year, the rules from the MPCA will be updated and and uh we will be probably given a 5 to sevenyear closure time uh
to close our current demo and then decide either put it on a liner or don't accept it. That's going to probably be the choice. >> Is that okay? because u if that happens there is no other line demo land demo landfills that I know of in the area.
>> Not in the area that I'm aware of. There's a lot of demo landfills but mo all >> none of them lying that I know of at this time. >> I can't The closest one I can think is Dencom which is like Shakipi unless I'm missing one. There might be one but very few. >> Yeah.
Thank you. >> Just a couple other slides just uh forformational here. Uh, I thought it would be interesting. Not a lot of folks know. Um, 1976 was when the first um truck started dumping at the current
site of the landfill. Here you can see cells one through four. Cell one was started in 1991. So if you think all that time and here we're on cell five today is if you threw something in your garbage that got picked up sometime this week, ended up in the landfill, it would
have been in cell five um this week. So since 91 to um to today that's roughly about 38 acres 37 38 acres every you know every day all this garbage coming it's just amazing um um how little land
we've actually consumed that's I call it mount crow wing proper. So cell six is right below um cell five which is going to be an expense of I think 2 and a half three million to finish it. We've already dug the hole. Now, we need to
line it. So, that means clay, 3 ft of clay, and then there's a 3-in basically rubber membrane that needs to be laid in there, and then some piping to to catch all the leech or the storm water that hits the garbage it seeps through. We collect it, we have to treat it, and
then we have a spray field for that. Uh, and then over here will be um we're trying to get a permit for sale 7. That should take us through uh it's like 2034 somewhere in there uh before we'd need to um start into cell 8.
Uh this is just another little snapshot of cell six. That should be I think we've targeted to open this next um it's either late 26 or early 27. I think that's a little bit depending on what the volume of garbage comes in. But that's what it looks like here today
where we'll need to put the liner. You can see cell five is is here. Cell six, cell seven will be over here in the in um the distance. And then just um back to that lead shape. Uh for educational um it's it's a lot of money to treat
this water, but we have these ponds on site. We actually have our own wastewater treatment system with and our our landfill operator treats our L water but basically filters it and applies different chemicals in different ponds, gets it to the um specifications
required by the MPCA and then we spray it. But we um typically treat around 6 to 7 million gallons of water or we call it lee in the landfill business. once it hits the landfill, it is um legally a
leech um byproduct of the landfill. Uh and that's uh what we wanted to do is just bring folks up to speed on what's happening out the landfill when you're considering those um fees here in just a little bit. Any questions for us? >> Any questions?
>> Yes. Uh I have another one. Um the um when I sit at these meetings they talk a lot about PAS and right now I don't know of any right now they talk about burning it getting it to a certain temperature and it goes away. Is there any other way of of dealing with leech today that that
we're doing because right now we have no way of treating lee ourselves at the landfill right now. Correct. >> Uh we have we are running two different tests currently. One is a evaporator. Uh so we're taking the leech and we're
trying to boil off um uh contaminants and then still probably need to run it through some media to strip out the pas but we're we're still testing on that waiting on some results. The other one is this mylex product and basically that
you um we treat uh take a pond we treat it. So we settle all the heavy metals then you run it through um all these all this media that should shine the water basically pull out the PAS. So we're working on a solution but um there's um
a vibrating filter uh called uh VEP out there that I believe um uh DUTH and um St. Louis County has invested in greatly at their landfill trying to do the same thing we're trying to do here is get that out of the water. So when you spray
the water, it's it's um doesn't have that POS in it. >> And one of the things that I've learned is some of these landfills that are out in in the rest of Minnesota, they will take their leech and bring it to the >> wastewater treatment, >> the wastewater treatment plant. And some of those wastewater treatment plants are
saying maybe we don't want this anymore because it's got so much PAS in it. >> They have the same problem. >> It's a challenge that we're all facing in in the whole state. So >> um I'm glad we're working towards that area that we're aware of it. We're working towards it. So, thank you. >> Yeah. At 67 million gallons, our
[snorts] um pricing is right around 10 cents a gallon if we truck this to a wastewater treatment. And currently um the only one that probably could take it right now would be the Pigs Eye plant in um the cities, >> right?
>> So, it'd be expensive trucking, too. So, >> all right. Thank you very much. We're going to move back to number six on our schedule or our agenda and it's a public hearing to adopt the 2026 crowing county
fee schedules. So Gary, are you going to who? Nancy, you're leading this one. >> Yes, I am. >> I was just hanging out because I was coming back on the next thing anyway. >> Okay. [laughter] >> Good evening, Mr. Chair and commissioners. So, I'm here tonight to um propose to you the changes to our
2025 fee schedule moving into 2026. Pursuant to Minnesota statute, the county can charge fees for services after a public hearing establishing the amount of fees. On an annual basis, our county departments analyze our current fee schedule and propose any changes,
additions, deletions for you to consider, which they have done. And those changes were reviewed very thoroughly at our November 13th budget committee meeting where we went through it page by page. Included in your packet are several pages of proposed revisions
to the fee schedule. I can certainly go through those page by page if you prefer um at a very high level. Can you hand me the clicker? >> That the wish of the commissioners. Do you want to go through it page by page?
Not necessary for me. The only question I have is do we have a fee schedule in there yet for uh cannabis, >> Mr. Chair, Commissioner, as as far as what? >> Well, is there is look, I see there's is there a fee like for liquor license,
stuff like that? Is that on this fee schedule? Is there one? The cannabis fee is a registration fee that is part of the land services fee schedule. It should be >> land it's in the land use um >> a land use fee schedule. They don't
actually get their license if you recall. They don't get their license from us. So that's why you see liquor and tobacco licenses listed under the finance department's general fees, but the cannabis registration tab registration fee is under the land use.
Okay. >> Basically an interm permit and you'd go through the public hearing like um a lot of other uses. >> Okay. I do want to make note on page 12, which I have noted here up on the screen, uh we did uh add some verbiage to that
regarding the service fees for uh paying with credits cards and debit cards. So, you'll see at the top in blue that effective January 1st of 2026, we will be imposing a 3.2% service fee to customers who pay with a credit card or
debit card in the solid waste area. So, that is something new that I wanted to point out. Also on on that same page, um about halfway down on the page, the asbestous section, those amounts changed slightly from our budget committee meeting. So I wanted to point those out
to you as well. So you have the $6 charge and the $1450 charge that changed from when the budget committee met in November. That was that was going to be my only question was if anything has changed on this since our um budget meeting when we
looked at these the first time. >> Those are the only changes. >> Okay. Any other questions? Hearing none. Thank you, Nancy. I would look for a motion to open the public hearing. >> So moved. >> Motion by Commissioner Franine.
>> Seconded. >> Second by Commissioner Lovekkey. Roll call. Commissioner Lupkkey. >> I. >> Commissioner Franine. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Lee. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Coring. >> I. >> Commissioner Baros. >> I. That motion passes. The public
hearing is now open at 5:25. There anyone here who would like to speak regarding our fee schedule for 2026? Anyone that would like to speak to the fee schedule for 2026?
Last chance folks. >> Look for a motion to close the public hearing at >> five 25.30. >> Commissioner Fanzine makes the motion. >> I will second that motion. >> Commissioner Lupkkey seconds the motion. Roll call.
>> Commissioner Coring. >> I. >> Commissioner Lupkkey. >> I. >> Commissioner Franzine. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Lee. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Barrows. >> I. That motion passes. Thank you, Nancy. >> You're welcome. >> And then you need a motion to adopt the fee schedules.
>> Look for a motion. >> I'll make the motion to adopt. >> Commissioner Lee makes a motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Franzine. >> Roll call. >> Commissioner Lee. >> I. >> Commissioner Coring. >> I. >> Commissioner Lupkey. >> I.
>> Commissioner Franine. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Baros. >> I. That motion passes. >> All right. We'll move to 8.2. Welcome back, Jessica. >> Now, is this one just information also? >> This one is not. >> We'll need a motion on this.
>> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. Good evening. Uh I have for you our 2026 aquatic invasive species prevention plan. Uh each year the state of Minnesota allocates approximately $10 million across the counties in Minnesota
and we receive approximately $450,000 each year since 2014. Uh in 2026 that allocated amount is set to be $471,391. To receive these funds, we are required to update our prevention plan every year. We did put this uh plan out for
public comment for 30 days from November 10th through December 10th. and we received two comments which are in your packet. We also did a presentation of this plan of our proposed plan to uh the public on November 7th and we also received questions and comments at that
meeting and took them uh and updated our plan as needed. The changes we are proposing this year is pay increases of approximately 50 cents per hour for all of our inspectors uh new to returning staff. uh staffing of our landings. We are proposing to change that to start
Memorial weekend instead of fishing opener weekend. Uh part of this is due to just the funding restrictions that we have. We don't have as much money to spend to allocate across those many all those weekends. So cutting those couple weekends saves us a few thousand dollars to fit within the money that we were
allocated. Uh and looking at our data as well, we aren't as busy those weekends. We are the busiest Saturdays and Sundays, Memorial Weekend to Labor Day weekend. Um, and so I'll open it up for any questions. >> Questions? >> U, Mr. Chair, >> Commissioner Lee,
>> do we know um what system the state uses for how these dollars get allocated? >> They allocate it out by how many uh the how many accesses and then how many parking spaces at those accesses that have a boat and or excuse me, a trailer
and truck parking spot. >> Okay. So, and I know our funds went what we received this year went down. >> It went down a couple hundred dollars. Yeah. >> Is that because the budget total budget went down or are there other boat landings going up around the state or any idea? >> It could be another county had more
parking spots. So, it it varies just a little bit every year. >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Just a couple years ago, commissioner, we recounted all of our spots, parking spots, and we had a different count in the DNR, and our funding actually went up a few
thousand bucks because um just we were more accurate after what they said we had. >> Okay, thank you. [clears throat] >> All right, Gary, are we counting the parking on the streets, the roads approaching? Just thinking of way to
increase the revenue. That's that's a good idea, but I don't think we should do that. >> All right. Any other questions? >> Um, it just uh maybe more of a comment or question. I mean, this year we have the full funding that that was put in there, the $10 million which is split,
like you said, 5 million for landings, 5 million for the parking spaces at those landings. Next year they're looking at cutting that funding or next year, what is 27 >> 27 >> 27 they're looking at cutting that funding in half. >> It is getting cut. It's already better. it's already approved and stuff to cut
in half. Do we know what we're going to do as far as what we're trying to do? Um because I think it is um you know, as some of us serve in some very lake centric districts, um it is a critical critical thing to help protect our
waters. >> We definitely have some early ideas what um we're going to propose. Um we'll go through our standard process of uh here's what we're thinking. We'll hold, you know, our our year-end and kickoff meetings with all of our stakeholders.
We'll come uh next year, we'll come to a committee of the whole to discuss it with you guys. Uh probably go through a couple of uh we'll do the 30-day public uh comment period for solicitating, you know, anybody else's ideas, but the plan is going to look drastically different
in 27 than it does in 26. At the AMC meeting, I had a chance to meet with uh uh Commissioner, what's her name? Uh Strowman Strowman and Deputy Commissioner Meyer. And they were talking about the fact that, you know, they're changing the
>> licensing fees and stuff like that on on the watercraft and stuff. And they're supposedly going to have some funding to put into something, but I don't know if anything that's come out yet. They talked about having something out um in on December 15th, but I haven't seen
anything yet um where you would maybe be able to apply. So, keep your eyes open for that and if there's anything there, I think it's especially, you know, it when we looked at that and you've given me those numbers and I appreciate that. You know, there's probably about 15 counties in Minnesota that you would
consider very lake centric, but when they do this, a portionment or prior, how do you call it? a portionment of that $10 million, it just goes it goes in the top and comes out the bottom. So, if you have a a county that doesn't have any lakes, they don't get any. But no
matter what it is, they will get some. And so, it doesn't take anything in consideration to how how much the landings are used. It's just do you have a landing? And that's something I've brought up to them before. You know, there's certain places where a landing might only get used once or twice a
month. you know, where certain landings you go up to lower hay, you go up to some of the other the Gull landings and some of that other stuff they are being used. I mean, like you said, there's no place to park. So, um, that's something I'm going to be talking to them about, but I'd like to see what comes down from
the DNR in regards to that. So, thank you. Any other questions? Hearing none, I would look for a motion to approve the 2026 aquatic invasive species prevention plan. So moved.
>> Motion by Commissioner Franzine. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Lubkkey. Roll call. >> Commissioner Franzine. >> I. >> Commissioner Lee. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Coring. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Lekkey >> I. >> Commissioner Baros. >> I. That motion passes. Thank you very
much. 8.3. We'll move on to the establishment of Mission Lakes Lake Improvement District. >> Jessica, you're taking this one. >> I am. >> Okay.
>> All right. We have before you the establishment of Mission Lakes Improvement District. Um, as per statute, uh, we must hold a public hearing within 30 days of receiving the petition. And we did do this on November 25th, 2025. And we did do all the required notifications. I did want to make one
correction in the board item. It's supposed to be Mission and Center Townships instead of Lake Edwards. So, I wanted to correct that for you. Uh, and as per statutes, within 30 days of that public hearing, the county board shall establish or deny the petition lid. If this lid is approved, the assessment
will be collected in time to start funding the lid in July of 2027. So, even if it is approved tonight, they will not start levying their um their residents until 2027. it will not go into effect next year. Um, on August 9th, 2022, the representatives of the
Mission Lakes Association asked the county about the possibility of establishing a lake improvement district as a means of supporting past efforts by the association to manage curly leaf pondweed and Eurasian water mil file. They did receive letters of support signed by 54% of the property owners.
The requested budget for this district is $55,000 per year, which is based on an assessment of $250 per eligible property owner with about 220 property owners currently on the lake. Um, and we did hold that public hearing on November 25th and you heard the feedback at that
meeting. We received a DNR advisory report. Uh, they did acknowledge the presence of curly leaf pondweed and Eurasian water mil foil in the lake and they approved the boundaries of the proposed lid. They did recommend several actions to improve water quality quality, excuse me, quality addressed in
the initial mission lid management plan, including working collaboratively with other agencies to develop a plan to reduce and monitor phosphorus loading and adopting projects identified in the MPCA's uh TMDL study.
Um and the one of the reasonings behind the creation of the lid is the funds from the DNR and voluntary contributions of individuals have not been enough to adequately control the aquatic pla plant nuisance and reduce nutrient loading. The primary program to be undertaken by this district would be the long-term
aquatic plant management. [snorts] >> Questions? Just make a note that we did get all the letters of support in opposition. That's part of our packet. Um, at this point, we just our legal responsibility is to
make a decision, yes or no. And so, I would look for a motion one way or the other. >> Just before we before, after. It doesn't matter to me. I just do have a couple things that I wanted to touch on. >> Okay. >> Um, let me do that before after the motion.
>> You can speak now if you'd like. >> All right. Um, looking through this, this is obviously my first lid that we've gone through. So, I've spent a fair amount of time going through this. And it seems to me that we have four requirements that have to be met um in order for this lid to be
approved. The first one is that there's a a verified majority that want this lid to happen and 54% is meets that requirement. Um, that box is checked.
Um, we have to determine that the uh, association is no longer able to um, complete this without it becoming a lid. And I believe that box has been checked. Um, one of the questions I had
was about what the plan was that was in place. They do have a plan in place. Um, I I've never compared it against any other lid what their plans are. Is that does this plan essentially match up with what you've seen in other lids? And um
>> very similar. Yeah. >> Okay. Um [clears throat] and then I guess the last thing is is it is this actually going to be an improvement for the lake? And I think that's what our biggest decision would be is is this something
that's going to help the lake or hurt the lake? Would be my biggest concern going into it. Um, I know one of the gentlemen that was opposed to this had had brought in some information um from
what I would guess is a a member of the DNR that was opposed to it, but since then we've gotten a fair amount of information correct that contradicts that. The DNR believes this to be the right answer. Would you agree with that?
>> Yep. [clears throat] >> All right. I just wanted to make sure I was on the right page. So, thank you. >> Would you like to make a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Commissioner Lee makes a motion to approve. >> I will second that motion.
>> Second by Commissioner Lubkkey. Roll call. >> Commissioner Lubkkey. >> I. >> Commissioner Francine. >> I abstain. My son owns property in this area. >> Commissioner Coring. >> Uh uh. No.
>> Commissioner Barrows. >> Yes. That motion passes. Thank you very much. Chris, give us our some background on 8.4 the trailside reserve preliminary plat.
>> Good evening, Mr. Chair and members of the board. We have three items for your consideration this evening. The first request is for the plenary plat of trailside preserve for parcel number 99270692 located in section 27 of the first assessment district. The request is to
approve a conventional design plenary plaque consisting of 21 lots. The total size of the parcel for subdividing is approximately 23 acres. This is the the location of the property here that's in question. >> Chris, could you use the other
>> Oh, sure. Thank you. Yep. Thank you. So you have Wise Road here. Over here you would have Ken Road 3. This is uh Gilbert Lake Road here. It then comes down to Sandberg and comes down this direction. Uh and so and then you've got uh G Lake Road continues down here. This
is the the parcel in question that's uh being subdivided. Uh the planning commission board of adjustment did hold a public hearing on November 20th and made a recommendation to the board to approve the plenary plinary plat of trailside preserve. Um the board the plan commission board of
did develop a finding of fact that was found on pages 705 and 706 for the board's consideration as well. Uh we want to clarify the zoning on the parcel. The current zoning is RR1 which allows for 1acre lots with a minimum of 150 ft wide. As you remember the board
approved the new comprehensive plan on August 27th of 2024. A significant pol a significant policy change was approved that changed the zoning and first assessment in the non shoring areas to rural residential one unless the property was either zoned commercial or industrial. This was in response to the
feedback received about the need for more affordable housing options in Crowing County. The overall policy was to reduce lot size requirements overall in the county. Under the land use section, goal number one states that to plan a balanced approach to meeting housing needs by increasing densities.
And by increasing densities, it means to um lower the the lot size requirements. And then uh policy number two said to plan for a rural residential one surrounding urban area to enable future annexations and not make infrastructures extensive extensions cost prohibitive.
uh in the first quarter of 2025, it was discovered that uh we had received the wrong map from our consultant during the comprehensive plan process and that there were properties along Wise Road that were zoned as commercial improperly. Uh once we discovered that uh we made a list of the parcels that
then the county held a public hearing on May 19th, 2025 to consider the row residential one zoning on this parcel and on the other parcels. Uh we were not required to mail notice to properties in this situation. The re the recommendation from the plan commission board of adjustment was to approve the
real residential one zoning and the county board approved that change on May 27th 2025. Based on the application submitted, staff packet, public comments and the finding of fact is presented. It is recommended to approve the plenary plat of trailside preserve. Uh staff have reviewed the file and concur with
the recommendation from the planning commission board of adjustment. I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Just for clarification, there there was a public hearing held before the preliminary plat at the correct PCB. >> Exactly. Yes. The the uh the public hearing was held November 20th, 2025.
The meeting started at 3 p.m. and was here in the county boardroom. >> Okay. And I have a question for County Attorney Stephanie. Um we did receive a petition as commissioners. Um tell me about the legality of that, whether it's
a valid document. Uh people can present a petition. Oh, thank you, Commissioner Lee. Mr. Chair, commissioners, anyone can present a pet petition um to the board with information, but that does not prevent
the county board from making a decision with respect to a preliminary plat this evening. >> Okay. So, it's basically a piece of information. >> That's correct. >> For us to look at. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, there's no no legal binding.
>> Correct. that that doesn't prevent you from doing anything. It's it's merely a piece of paper that prevent that presents you with information. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Any questions for Chris >> regarding Go ahead.
>> Couple questions for Chris before you get Are you referring to the email that we got >> earlier today or like before the right before the meeting? >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. When I looked at that, I don't see how
Yeah, disregard. It didn't it didn't look like it was necessarily accurate maybe is the best way to put it. So, um I had questions for about I'll question I have questions for you about that later. So, um this plot that you put up um just if
you would we talked about this beforehand you presented us with >> correct. Yeah. I'd like to point out, thank you, uh, Commissioner Lee. Um, uh, there was a the plat that was put in the packet, um, wasn't the most current plat. One of the feed, some of the feedback that we received from the
highway department will be three approaches off the culde-sac, and they didn't want to see any driveway approaches come off of Good Lake Road here. And so, you'll see that this has been changed to show the access point comes off here for lot 13. And then you'll see on the culdeac, there are now
these three proposed access points off the culdeac. So it meets uh highway department policy. >> So this one that we received is accurate. >> Yeah, the one at your the one the one at your desks is the most current version of the plat and we had that actually at the meeting uh in November. It just >> had it at the preliminary meeting for
the deal. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Any other concerns or questions? >> Yes, I have some questions for the county engineer. Um, and this is I I've had a lot of calls and most of the
people are concerned about the traffic on the road and I had a call from um Dave Norman who said that his family donated the Gilbert Lake access and um he lives on there plus out of town and
he said it's a dead end which we all know and he just wants to make sure that we're aware of how much traffic this is going to increase and I'd like you to just make sure that all his questions are answered.
>> Sure. I think um I I've heard about this question and uh how uh development like this might affect uh deadend roads and we did look around other developments and could not find one that had as many
as uh are proposed, not including this and other ones around. But I think uh any increase in traffic and any impact on the adjacent roadways uh we would handle the pro you know we would deal with the problem once it
develops and uh the addition of 22 homes uh doesn't necessarily preclude this from being done and if something a challenge happens at the intersection of Gilbert Lake Road and Smith Road in the future we would address it currently. Uh
with our last plan, we installed two left turn lanes and both left turn lane to both Smith Road and this road. And we feel confident that it will continue to handle this. If it doesn't, we will address it just like any other roadway that continues to fail under the the
traffic pressures that emerge. Does that answer your question? >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Other questions? If there's no other questions, I would look for a motion to approve the preliminary plat. >> And you are who?
>> All right, you can come up and speak. I have a threem minute time limit. So Jeremy Prem290 Gilbert Trail. So I'm here to address the specific failures with this proposal and the alarming process used to push it through. It isn't just about 21 homes.
It's about a developer privatizing profit and socializing the long-term risks and expense on our taxpayers. As evidenced by the conversation that just happened that yeah, it's going to be more traffic. We'll fix it and just burn burn all the other taxpayers with the
problem. Um, accountability is the first thing I want to talk about or lack thereof. Um, it's no secret developers pre prefer to pursue projects in unorganized territory to bypass the uh building inspections and and codes in
Brainer Paxer. Um, when a developer publicly admits they want to build as cheap as possible and then intentionally seeks out the path of least oversight, you guys should be really concerned, right? We're essentially inviting substandard construction that will become a blight and a fiscal drain on
Crowing County in the years to come. So, first question would be if you approve this and allow the developer to bypass the building inspections and standards in an area that's used to highdensity development in favor of no inspections in the first
assessment. What specific measures will Crowing County take to ensure these cheap builds meet state building codes and do not become devalued high maintenance burden on our local tax base? Second, safety. Gilbert Lake Road already serves 60 homes and buildable
lots, right? I think there's 54 homes or 53 depending on on what you count as a home on there and some some vacant lots. Um that's adding 21 more. It's 33% higher than any other dead-end road in
in the in the county. Um, Crowing County does not allow dead-end roads in new developments for a reason. It's public safety and emergency access. Right. By approving this, you're setting a new low point for county standards. Ignoring the fact that Wise Road is already a major bypass shortcut, and we're creating a
travel bottleneck that will just burden future taxpayers or the other taxpayers with for the benefit of the developer. Second question then would be Crowing County standards generally prohibit new deadend developments due to emergency access risk by approving the project
that places 81 homes on a single access point 33% more than any other in the county. Is the board prepared to assume the long-term liability and safety of these residents? And why is this developer being granted an exception to the safety standards applied to others?
And how do you expect to pay for those future road improvements that this is going to require? Um, third point I want to make, drainage concerns raised in the public hearing. It was a room full of people here. No comment or or note of any of the
objections that got passed on to you. Um, there's real drainage concerns with the properties to the south that's not been addressed. Um, it looks like there's a couple of drainage ponds. If you put up the the plat that's on here along back
along the trail that the state owns, Paul Bunnyan Trail and along maybe Sandberg Road, the properties of the souththeast are are potentially at risk of flooding and and drainage here or of runoff as well as those drainage ponds appear to
be on private private lots that they're going to sell. >> Okay, Mr. problem. Your three minutes are up. >> Give me one Can I have one more minute and I'll finish finish up here? >> Be fast. >> All right. So, by approving the project, um,
regarding the the the storm water, um, what are you going to do to ensure that they're not filled? How are you going to over oversee it and and ensure there's no no damage or or degradation to others? And then finally, we we submitted I can answer questions on the petition. I don't know what's inaccurate
about it. It's it's everybody in in the neighborhood that says this is a bad idea and you need to address the traffic concerns and burden the developer with those expenses. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Will you address the questions?
>> I'll see if there is there anything to add, Chris, that >> uh Sure. I' I' I'd be happy to. Uh uh the first thing uh brought up was you know I think some questions might better in Tim's Tim might be answer you know some more of the the road questions on that but I can talk about state building
codes. So uh Crowing County has not adopted uh the building code. So we don't enforce uh the building code anywhere in the county regardless if it's in first assessment or in Noki Lake Township. Uh and there really isn't a county the size of Crowing across the state um that that actually has adopted
building codes. We are though required we can only issue a permit for uh construction of a new dwelling to either a builder that is licensed by the state of Minnesota through the department of labor industry or the state law also allows us to issue a permit to the property owner. They people are allowed
to build one house every two years without having to get a license from the state. And so those are the only two that's only two ways that we can issue a permit for um for that. And so licensed builders are required to build to the state code because that's how they got their license. And that's the expectation. Um drainage concerns on the
property. Um part of the requirement of doing this obviously there's going to be a new road built for trailside court and um there's there'll this is going to disturb more than one acre. So that would require a state of Minnesota pollution control agency storm water um pollution prevention plan or sometimes
called a swip. Uh and that's requires the treatment on that for all the uh hard surface of a half inch. Our ordinance is uh more restricted than that. So we would require um a 1 inch rain event to be permanently treated on the site for for that sort of thing. And um and that is comes right from the
Minnesota storm water manuals at 1 inch. That's why we use that number. Um I think I answered the questions on this side. I think maybe the other questions might be more traffic related. Do you do you have anything to add?
>> While he's coming up, I'll just ask one question that that gentleman was just asking. Um I I don't remember who it was, but was there there was a hydraologist or someone that was talking about the level of those lots that he's referring to
that it might not be buildable in our packet. Do you remember who >> um they had I remember they had looked at it and said that uh everything appeared to be buildable. So, as a reminder, when when we create uh when new lots are proposed in the state of
Minnesota, not just Crowing County, but statewide, um you're required to show that there are two septic sites on each property, an alternate and a primary, and there are for this. They have that for this lot. Um we're also required to identify all wetlands on the property. So, we're not impacting wetlands as part
of the development. Um and so, those those issues, I think, are covered. I I don't see any um any of those issues being a problem for being able to build on the lots. Okay. Sorry, Tim. Uh, >> Mr. Chair and commissioners, I I believe
Mr. Prem had a question about um building deadend roads and it to my knowledge there is no prohibition on building culde-sacs in the first assessment district. If you recall, many of the latest developments, including done uh those done by this same
developer, all involve uh roads that either culde-sac at the end and essentially uh all are dead ends. I mean, the most I can think of, >> you do. >> No, that no, you had your three minutes, actually four minutes. So, we're we're
concerned. >> I don't believe that that's accurate. I don't I'm not aware of a prohibition on uh building culde-sacs and and dead ends like this. Chris, maybe you can but I don't believe >> no, Mr. Chair, members of the board, there's nothing in the land use
ordinance any prohibition. we would just be relying on county highway standards because the as a reminder u any new uh plats with uh with roadways being developed are need to be need to be developed to the standards that the highway department sets and so we rely on highway to set to help we work in in
um together with them to make sure the road standards are in place and because at the end if if this plat goes through and gets approved um the road will be required to be maintained by the highway department. So quick question though when they build that culde-sac there it has to be so that it will facilitate
emergency vehicles. Is that correct? >> Yes we have fire department school buses >> all of that the correct size the roadway width 66 ft and then the correct uh width for culde-sac and we have um the
developers consultant has done a really good job of of putting together the preliminary engineering. We we really appreciate uh that seeing that now that we had some questions associated with that or are preliminary review of that that they are on track with meeting all the standards that are required by the
new first assessment district road ordinance that was passed a few years ago. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So I'll bring it back. >> One more thing I'll address to you. I don't think you've had um a chance to see this email that we
have, but to discuss his point on this petition. Um a petition, does that not have to be vetted to to show that those are actual residents? Don't doesn't have to be to us in a certain time frame to to show that it
was those are actual residents. >> So, you're talking about several different things. anybody can make a comment with respect to a preliminary plat or whatnot that's bringing forward. Um, and so [clears throat]
somebody that has brought forward a petition and again I haven't seen what it is that you're talking about, anyone can present yes or no, whether they're a resident of the county, whether they've live within a mile. Um, it doesn't matter where they live, anyone can
present that information. Um, when you're talking about specifics of where they live, um, one of the things would be like the Mission Lake improvement district, you have to prove that they live on the lake. That's one of the thing that you have to prove with
respect to this petition that you're talking about. You wouldn't necessarily have to prove that you live within a certain distance of this piece of property. >> Okay, >> Mr. Chair, just a little further clarification there, too. I think commissioner there is no provision in
statute for a petition with regard to a preliminary p a preliminary plat when we talk about having to verify petitions and making sure that these are um vetted whatever it might be in that regard those are under specific circumstances where statute allows the opportunity for
a petition to direct the action of the county board. There is no provision in statute for that to be the case. Assistant attorney Shooks stated, this petition is basically like saying public comment of we don't want this or we do want this, but it has no legal bearing
from a statutory provision for that to pertain to what you're looking at. >> Okay. Yeah, that answers my question. So, I take that statement back about that. Um, >> I think that's it. So, >> okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Commissioner Loveky. >> Um, Chris, um, this has already gone in
front of the planning commission, correct? Correct. >> And it's already and they've had their they had questions. I'm sure they asked the board and they asked whoever the developer is on this already. >> Yeah, there was there was a public hearing held >> public hearing and stuff. I didn't I haven't watched it so I don't know that.
And and those were all answered to the best of the ability and they did approve it to send it forward to us. Correct. >> Correct. >> And those are the people we all appoint here to serve in that capacity. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions? Just one one last
one and this is the preliminary so it will still go back to them one more time. No >> no the process for platting is that uh when somebody makes an application for a preliminary plat it has a public hearing before the planning commission board of adjustment comes to the county board to approve or deny that plinary plat you
know depending on the actions of the board. Uh and then um the applicant then has a 12-month window to come back to the county board for final plan. And basically that is implementing all the requirements that were put in place for the preliminary plan, road design, storm water management, uh you know, all those
sorts of conditions, monumentation, they have to get uh title commitments completed, you know, all of those. So they have a they have a 12-month window to come back to that. And then after they um if they come back and they have that and you approve the final plat uh and then um they have a 90-day window
then to record uh that plat. So there's if if this gets approved tonight, then the developer has a has basically a 12-month window to get everything put together. And really what that would mean is that it's really based on the road. So they can either build the road
and get it approved and um by the highway department or they can um devel put a de put a developers agreement in place that's that's agreed upon by the county board where they would we get an estimate of the cost of building the road the storm water all that and they
have to give us a bond or a financial insurance amount of 125% of the actual cost. And then once the road is built and put in, that money then is returned to them. And um at that point then the the the road would be um for the money to go back it have to be approved by highway. Then the county board would be
would would accept the road as a as a local road for maintenance to the highway department as the honorary township. Um and then the money would be would be returned back to the to the applicant. >> Cuz there would be a public hearing for the final plat. >> No. >> No. >> Okay.
>> No. The plenary plat is the is really the the approval of the plat. The final plat is just making sure that all the additional performance standards are in place before the final plat's approved. >> And Mr. Chair, we have had Chris at times we have had where it's like a
preliminary plat comes up and almost right after that then the final plat approval comes up. We've had that happen. >> Mr. chair and and Commissioner Lucky, that does happen in situations where a development is occurring on a on an existing road and so they're not building um they're not building a road,
you know, to service the lots. And so dep and those are usually two or three, you know, lot plats. And so those that's why there's not a final plat following us tonight because we now have to work with them on getting road designs, engineer, storm water, all the some of the issues that were brought up tonight. Those are some now issues that the
applicant will work with highway to get all that put together for um construction of the road. >> Mr. Chair and Chris, they have 12 months from preliminary plat to final. >> To come back for final. Yep. >> And if they miss that, they come back again, don't they? >> If they do not come back for final
platin 12 months, that plat becomes null and void. They have to start all over again. Make an application, submit the fees, public hearing before the planning commission, come back to you again. So, um, most most of them get that done within 12 months. >> Most >> we've had a couple situations where they
missed it, but for the most part, it gets done. >> Thank you. >> So, I'm looking for a motion to approve or not approve. >> Anybody else get their three minutes? >> I wasn't aware there was somebody else, but yes, you can have three minutes.
>> I won't take that. >> Okay. Uh, one of the residents in the neighborhood, Dustin Lake, uh, Gilbert Gilbert Lake Road. Um, Mr. Pre mentioned the, uh, Southeast properties that the flooding would be worried about.
Didn't see anything on the map about the uh, the drainage ponds that the builder talked about. There might have been a little bit of a highlight, but they're on the back side of the property. And my property is the land slopes the other way. And in the spring it already floods
almost up to my garage. Like my driveway is um which literally >> Which property is yours? >> He has a We have a pointer here. >> Oh, sorry. >> Yeah. Here. >> It's the one right by where the uh driveway was going to be. >> This one? >> Yep. That one.
>> Okay. >> Me and the next corner property there are underwater like for two weeks every spring. The driveway and everything. So, if the ponds are on the other side where the land slopes that way, it's not going
to help us. Plus, if they're on private property, they could just fill those in someday if it's not on state property. And that could that could potentially make it worse for us, like up to the
building even. >> Certainly could impact your property. >> Yeah. So, that was a big concern. And then um I think the emergency vehicle thing wasn't quite the answer the question wasn't quite answered. It's more of like getting out if somebody needs to get to
the hospital cuz that like you guys might not think it's a big deal but it can take like 5 minutes some mornings just to get out there and take a left like during the school hours and people getting off of work. So that's the main concern like it it
really does get clogged up. The turning lanes do help, which we appreciate, but it's bad and you feel like you have to hurry and that can get dangerous. And then when the ice gets there, you start peeling out and people are coming 60. [snorts] I mean, we all live in Crowing
County, so we deal with it on other roads, not just this one. But it'll definitely make it worse. And uh yeah, we got a lot of young kids in the neighborhood that are going to be driving soon. So that's a fear of parents. >> We'll pray for you.
>> Yeah. Thank you. Appreciate that. >> Main concern was the flooding though. Yeah. >> That I don't think was answered. I really don't. And >> so >> like to hear Chris to address that to see if there was that was a concern at the planning and zoning. uh it it was it
was discussed but it it wasn't something that the planning commission or board of dress brought up that you know they didn't feel it was a concern but again as I mentioned earlier you know as we go as we work through uh the process of doing this and the road development and that there will be you know some storm water development put in place to to try
to alleviate you know that u to the greatest extent um that that that we can do on the property. So that'd be again working with highway to to try to figure out where's the where's the right locations for storm water and and how are we going to manage that properly. [snorts] >> So is it part of the plat then that the
developer has to look at the the way the water flows. >> Yeah. They were required to they're required to submit to us engineered and civil plans for for all those issues. We have a storm water management requirement in the ordinance and part of the road development and that. So >> and that's a permanent plan though. It's not something just during construction.
>> No, it's it's it's a permanent it it requires permanent treatment as that one inch as I mentioned >> just like in my neighborhood there'll be ditching and and whatever to hold that water. >> Yep. Yep. And that'll be that be something that we'll work with highway department on as far as um what they find to be appropriate as far as how that's going to impact you know the
roadway and then when it turns around towards Samberg. So >> and so this will be part of the final plat the storm. >> Oh that that exactly and as as as Tim mentioned the develop the applicant has already been working towards that. they've already seen some preliminary engineer plans. Um so they already have
that and and beginning to work towards um you know the the issues that we have you know in the ordinance. So or the the the requirements that would be in the ordinance as far as that. >> So the the concern I would have though for these two properties would be the houses that are built adjacent to it.
>> Mhm. >> And any holding ponds should be on their property not on the current owners of those two lots. Am I correct? we wouldn't be able to go on to the you know private property and do any sort of I mean unless there was some agreement
or something but we wouldn't unilaterally have that authority to go do that. >> So if the water does flow to those two properties how do we ensure that the developer is responsible for making sure there's not at least more water because
of his development right >> going to those two properties. >> Uh I'm not an engineer and that's why they have an engineer in place. Um, but Jim Kramer with Kramer Lee Deleo is here tonight. He is the authorized agent for the applicant and if he wants to address, you know, maybe the the
engineering side of things, uh, he might be able to speak to that better than I could. >> Could we have you come up here? >> Yes. Because this this gentleman is talking about that, but I've had calls from people on Jean Street and they have the same concern
>> on on where Jean >> across the road. Yep. Right here. Uh, Mr. Chair, as mentioned, my name is Jim Kramer, uh, KLD representing the applicant here, uh, as Chris reiterated, we go through these, uh, development plans, we look at impervious coverage on
the parcels. So, we look at where all the water goes and we direct it to locations where we could control it and treat it. No different than earlier discussions you had with the landfill. Uh we look at the water that anywhere where it comes off our property where
we're going to control it to meet the standards set up by the county and the state. So we are certainly not going to make any situation worse for neighboring property. And this is no different than any other development or uh construction. You you look at very many
parcels in the county where specifically lake parcels where people develop on a particular lot and you don't want runoff going from that new construction onto a neighbor. The situation is very similar and handled in the same way. Uh for a development plot like this and these are
plans that we submit to the county hobby department. So they're reviewing it. Uh so this gets reviewed many times before anything gets final out. >> Okay. So, I just want to be sure that there's >> if there's concerns that there's
conversation between the current property owners and the developer. >> Absolutely. And uh we will note this at this time and address it and perhaps even follow up with the adjacent property owners so that they understand what is going to happen. Uh some of the
questions came up with regard to the proposed drainage ponds being on private property. What happens in this situation is that we have drainage ponds set up in the development that sit on the new lots we create. But that in no way allows that lot owner as an example to fill
that pond as part of the final plat will have easements and the easements are actually created and given to the county. So actually the county highway department has control over those areas where the drainage ponds sit. So it's not like these can be uh changed or
modified going forward. Okay. Thank you very much. >> And that's that's a standard practice for all platting. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Other questions, concerns? Nobody else wants to speak on this one.
I would look for a motion to approve or deny. >> We'll make a motion to approve. >> Commissioner Lee makes a motion to approve. >> I will second that motion. Commissioner Lovekkey makes the second. Roll call.
>> Commissioner Coring. >> I. >> Commissioner Lovekkey. >> I. >> Commissioner Franine. >> No. >> Commissioner Lee. >> I. >> Commissioner Barrows. >> I. That motion passes. Thank you very much, Chris. We'll move on to 8.5
Walkers Highland final plat. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Our next request is for the final plat of Walkers Highland for parcel number 50180511 located in section 18 of Bay Lake Township. The planning commission board of adjustment recommended approval of
this plat back on June 18th of 2025. Uh and then the board you approved the plenary plat on July 8th. All requirements have been met for the final plat application and recommend approval as submitted. I'd be happy to answer any questions. This is a plat um that didn't require any roads or that so the the
applicant just worked through getting their title equipment in place and and those sorts of issues that they had to get to make the final plat. So So this you did take action on this plenary plat back in back in June. I'd be happy to answer any questions, >> questions, concerns.
There are none. I would look for a motion to approve the Walker Highland final plat. >> I'll make the motion. Commissioner Lee makes a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Franzine. >> Roll call. >> Commissioner Lee. >> I. >> Commissioner Coring.
>> I. >> Commissioner Lovekkey. >> I. >> Commissioner Franine. >> I. >> Commissioner Barrows. >> I. That motion passes. We'll move on to number 8.6 Pelican Valley Final Plat. >> Thank you. The uh as mentioned the final request is for the final plat of Pelican
Valley for parcel 77060524. This is located in section six of Mission Township. The plan commission board of adjustment recommended approval of this plat on October 16th of 2025. The board approved the plenary plat on October 28th of 2025. All requirements have been met for the final plat
application and recommend approval as submitted. I would be happy to answer any questions. >> Questions? Seeing none, I would look for a motion to approve or deny. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Commissioner Lupkkey makes a motion to approve. Commissioner Franzine seconds
that motion. >> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Franzine, >> I. >> Commissioner Lee, >> I. >> Commissioner Coring, >> I. >> Commissioner Levkkey, >> I. >> Commissioner Baros, >> I. That motion passes.
Few reports. Sheriff's Department. >> Thank you, Chris and Gary. I have nothing to pass along. However, I do want to give kudos where I believe it's due the highway department has done an excellent job um keeping our roads clear, especially with some really
difficult snow in the past couple snow events and it's been noted with our patrol deputies. So, I just wanted to pass that along. Um I'm here for any questions, but I don't have anything else to add. >> Any questions for Adam?
>> Great job. Thank you. County Attorney. >> Good evening. I I do not have anything for the board. Um Miss Hops um regrettably cannot be here tonight, but I have am available for any questions.
>> Questions off the hook. Move on to county administrator. >> Mr. Chair, I do have a couple of items for you this evening. Uh the first is the coin court courtapp appointed attorney contract. If you recall we
contract with attorneys to provide uh child protection child protection cases for the children or the parents in certain cases for chips cases and this is obligated by state law for us to provide legal counsel for these parents.
In this case, um, we had previously entered into a contract with Cody Schmidt to provide those services, and I did receive notice from Mr. Schmidt that he is no longer going to be able to do so effective January 1st of this year. We also have two other attorneys that we
currently contract with. However, it is very helpful if we can have at least three attorneys under contract. I did reach out to uh, Mr. Ross Truan who has been a additional attorney who has helped in some of our instances with some of these cases. He is willing to
take on this contract. So the item I have before you today is to approve the contract with Ross Truan for the period of January 1st, 2026 through December 31st at a rate of 75,000 per year. look for a motion to approve.
>> One I guess one question first. Is that something that we bid out at normal times if there wasn't somebody that's >> Mr. Chair, Commissioner Lee? Yes, we have done RFPs for this in the past. So, we usually do every couple two three years we'll start a new RFP process
again to go through that as as needed. >> Okay. Then I'll make the motion to approve. >> Commissioner Lee makes a motion to approve. Commissioner Franzine seconds that motion. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Levkkey, >> I. >> Commissioner Franine, >> I. >> Commissioner Lee, >> I.
>> Commissioner Coring, >> I. >> Commissioner Baros, >> I. That motion passes. >> 11.2. >> Mr. Chair, the next item I have before you is a appointment to the Northeast Minnesota Regional Advisory Committee. You may recall back in January, we had
been approached with making sure that we had made the appointment to the committee. And at that time we had appointed uh 911 operations Lieutenant Turner as the appointee and also to have our our
emergency management coordinator Liz Gle Liz Gleason be the alternate as well as emergency management director Clayton Bar as the other alternate. This is something that we have to do every year to make those appointments to the committee. So, I would request that you would make the same com appointments
again with nominating to have 911 operations Lieutenant Turner as the designate and Clayton Bar as our emergency management director and the emergency management coordinator, Liz Gleason as the alternates. >> Does this take board action or is it >> It does take board action for this one.
>> Look for a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Motion by Commissioner Franzine. Second. >> Second by Commissioner Lee. >> Roll call. Commissioner Coring. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Lupkkey. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Franzine. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Lee. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Baros.
>> I. >> That motion passes. Thank you. >> Mr. Chair. Just one other item. Um, in front of your stations tonight. You did receive a copy of the committee appointments that are expiring either at the end of December or the end of January. There are a couple of additional changes that we need to make
on some of these. I believe um Commissioner Franzine, your appointee to the PCBOA, it you had reappointed Mr. Yellanimi to that committee and it didn't get updated on the list that his
new appointment term is 2027. So there's no there's nothing that needs to be done for that one. He's currently good through that period of time. Um, Commissioner Lee, you did point out that your designate to the Transportation Advisory Committee, Shelley Wyn, is
still on that. So, there's nothing that needs to be done there. She would be eligible to be reappointed for a 2-year term at this point in time. And then the same thing with your District 4 transportation advisory appointee, Commissioner Fran. I believe Mr. Voss,
his term actually should be 2027 versus 2025 there as well. Okay, >> you'll see the notations of a few of them who have already agreed that they will serve as another term if need be. There's no action that's needed on this from you tonight, but these are the ones that will be coming before you. Uh any
of them that this expire December 31st, you'll be asked if you are ready to make those appointments at your next county board meeting or those that expire at the end of January, sometime between now and that time, if you have those appointments ready to be remade as well. >> Very good. Thank you.
That's all I have for you, Mr. Chair, unless anyone has questions of me. >> Questions? There are none. We'll move on to number 12 on our schedule. So, Nancy, if you'll come up and lead us through
the budget and levy process. >> Mr. Chair, as Nancy is getting ready. Next page, too. Um, just a couple of comments. As a reminder, the purpose of tonight's meeting is to discuss the
county's 2026 budget and levy. It is not to discuss property valuations or classifications. If the questions that you have or if you are here to discuss your property's market valuation, we do have staff from the county assessor's office who are here to assist you. Um
Gary Griffin, our land services director. If anyone has questions on their individual property values, we'd invite you to go visit with Gary now. Or if you want to wait and go through the presentation and then visit with his staff at that point, they will be available in the land services building
behind us at that point as well. If the question that you are here for is the county's levy and budget, this is the meeting you need to be at. But we want to give you the opportunity to go meet with Gary and the staff if you have questions on your value or classification.
>> So, I'll take anybody now. We got staff waiting to help you. >> And we're taking money tonight, too. [laughter] >> Be nice, Gary. >> That's really frustrating.
>> He won't listen to us. Mr. Chair, and with that, I will turn it over to our finance director, Nancy Mleca, to give us a little update and overview of our 2026 budget and levy. >> Thank you very much. So, the next slide here is the 2026 proposed tax statement.
So, there's an example of the tax statement that taxpayers received. The information presented at tonight's meeting is related to the county portion only of the property tax statement that is outlined in red on the tax statement up in the screen. Questions relating to
other entities shown on the statement can be addressed at their meetings and their meeting date and times are also noted on the tax statement as well right below that red um outline on that tax statement. Where do the tax dollars go? Although
you pay property taxes at Crowing County, we do not keep all of those funds. So Crowing County acts as the go-between and we distribute those funds as needed to various other entities. Per dollar of property tax that Crowing County receives for 2026. The county
retains around 31 cents. So that means the remaining 69 cents is distributed to other either schools, cities, townships, or other special taxing districts. Some examples of those special districts include the housing and redevelopment authority, region five, and hospital
districts or sewer districts. How are property taxes calculated? This is a very very simplified overview of some main points um for each property that is dependent um that helps to determine your property taxes. So, local
budgets and tax calculations, market value and classifications of the property, any tax credits or programs that may reduce that tax that's due, and then any additional school or state property taxes that apply. So, as I said, this is very simplified. The whole
overview or the whole calculation is very complex, and our land services department takes care of that. another highlevel chart starting at the top and we'll move clockwise of how that calculation occurs. What are the steps that are in included in that process? So
for taxes payable in 2026 in January of 2025, step one begins. So your market value um is assigned to properties and it's based on the comparable sales between se October of 2023 and September
of 2024. They also look at the property classifications assigned each property. So that would be something along the lines of either residential or commercial or seasonal or etc. And those two components help to calculate and determine the tax capacity. We then move
on to step two and that's where cities, towns, schools, and counties calculate how much property tax revenue is needed for their budgets. That's also determined and approved in December. Step three is the property tax levy is spread among all taxable properties
according to their tax capacity. That's also a step that's achieved in December as well. Step four is the property tax levy and tax capacity for all properties are used to calculate the tax rate and the tax rate is a component of the process and
that's also occurs in December. Then we move on to step five for each property. The county determines if any tax credits or additional taxes apply that occur will occur in March of 2026. And finally, step six, the county
determines the tax due for each property based on and then there's different uh different steps down below. So, it's based on determining the tax capacity, the base rate, which then in turn helps to determine the total property tax due.
>> So, property taxes, we like to refer to that as is like slicing a pie. Government spending is the pie. Uh the value of each property determines how big a slice of pie each property owner pays. Five main reasons why a property owner may see higher taxes one year to
the next. This could be due to government spending has increased. Property market value decreased at a lower rate than other properties. Property's market value increased at a higher rate than other properties. The property's classification has changed.
The state has changed the changed the rules. And if none of the above occurred, property taxes owed should not be more from one year to the next. So this slide, the property tax levy history provides a five-year look back
at what Crowing County's property tax levy has been. The green bar is what we're proposing tonight for 2026. and that is 50,839,879 which makes up the 6.49% increase. I do want to point out that
property tax levy does not determine market values and vice versa. Those are two separate components in the calculation of property taxes due. We sometimes hear that the county is raising their property tax levy. So that is why market values are increasing.
That is not a true statement. Again, market values are based on comparable sales within a specified time frame, and that's how those are calculated. Whereas, the property tax levy is the net result of a calculation that includes the county's other revenues,
expenditures, and our fund balance utilization or growth. So, market value in relation to new construction. This gives a 5-year look back of what our total taxable market value has been for the last 5 years, what it's projected to also be for 2026.
So, you will see that for 2026, the total taxable market value is expected to increase by just over 9%. And the total new construction for 2026 is estimated to be over $260 million, which is a seven over a 7% increase from
the prior year. And the percent of new construction in relation to the total taxable market value is just over 1%. [snorts] This slide is showing you the property types and how they have changed from 2025 to 2026.
So the top uh bar is the 2026 amounts and classifications. So you will see in blue is the agricultural property type that is increasing by over $118 million. Then we have residential that's increasing by
over $730 million. And then we have seasonal increasing by over $863 million. And then commercial which is also increasing at over $108 million. >> Mr. Chair, Nancy, if you can stay on that one for just a moment. I think one
of the things you see on this slide is it's a good visual representation of the different types of property mix that is in Crowin County. So when we talk about the fact that 37% of our property types are seasonal properties, 48% are
residential, whether they be homestead or rental properties. The egg m egg properties make up about 6.18% of our total tax base and the commercial property makes up just about 8 and a.5%. So you can see what the makeup of
growing county is in this slide. >> County levy impact comparison. So when we're comparing from 25 to 26 on this slide, we're taking into consideration that the market value, the classification, the state rules have remained the same between those two years. So in each of these different
scenarios for commercial property, residential property, and seasonal property, if that were a true scenario, you can see the average market values to the far left in each of those boxes. And then you'll see the 25 tax in the middle column and the 2026 tax. In each of
those scenarios, in each of those market values that are up on the screen, there is a decrease in property tax between 2025 to 2026. that would only be the county's portion of the property tax. So again, that's saying everything stayed the same from one year to the next.
>> So the county's guiding mission in the work that we do is to serve well, deliver value and drive results. So I wanted to provide some examples of how that comes into play during the budget process. So under serving well it takes approximately 90 crowing county staff members dedicating thousands of hours of
work to accomplish this budget process. So it definitely takes a team to accomplish this under deliver value. A couple of examples are this year Crowing County implemented its first long-term budget plan. We implemented a five-year budget plan for Crowing County. So we're
very proud of that. This allows us to provide a proactive approach rather than being reactive during our budget process. It gives us that long-term vision and forecasting of what we can potentially see coming down the pike and how can we alleviate those peaks and valleys whether it's on the revenue side
or the expense side and how can we try to mitigate that by maybe shifting some of those expenses from one year to the next if it's applicable to do so. Our Crowing County Advisory Committee uh expanded our five-year capital
improvement plan to a seven-year plan this year. So great work by them as well. Next year we hope to uh in expand that plan to a 10-year capital improvement plan. So that is a goal for next year for us as well. And under driving results, a couple of examples.
So our budget process is a year-long process. And our first blush at the 2026 budget, um our starting point was $53.1 million for the property tax levy. That was an 11.31% increase. Through four to five rounds of
budget changes, we were able to reduce that number down by 2.3 million, which brought the preliminary levy to the $50.8 million we're presenting tonight. Also, our fund balance levels. With our five-year
uh budget plan that we have in place, we're now able to also analyze our fund balance levels for the future five years. and those levels remain healthy through 2028. And this relates to unassigned fund balances. So unassigned fund balances are for cash flow
purposes. So we need to analyze that to make sure first off that we're within the county policy thresholds in relation to our fund balances for all of our funds and also that we have the cash flow to pay our bills on an ongoing basis.
Budget timeline. As I stated, it's a long budget process and it's a year-long process. We've already started to talk about the 2027 budget. I think that was probably about a month or two ago. So, there's uh no rest for sure when it comes to the budget process. So, just
wanted to provide some um information as to how the process works and what months the process uh the different tasks take place in. So, from January to February, we're preparing the budget calendar. From March through June, that's the times when departments are preparing
their budgets and they're entering that in into the financial systems. July through September is where those budgets are presented to the budget committee. And then September is when the county board certifies the preliminary levy. And then we finalize those operating and
capital improvement plan budgets from October through November. And then finally in December, we come before you for the budget and levy public hearing. You will see under July there's some green lines there. So again, we started on July 10th. That was our starting
point with our levy with our first look at our budgets for 2026. We made revisions um and came back to the committee or had discussions on July 25th and reduced it to 50 just over $51 million. And then September 9th is when
we came before the budget committee with a $50.8 8 million um levy request. So we'll now look into a little bit more detail. We'll get into a lot of numbers um on the levy funds. And so this organizational chart shows you what
funds those pertain to. So our levy funds is our general fund, our highway fund, our community services fund, and our capital projects fund. When we say levy funds, we mean each of these funds receives some portion of property tax levy revenue. So these are considered
our levy funds. And then below each of those are the different divisions within those funds. So highlevel overview of the all of the levy funds. So again, the tax levy revenue is the $50.8 million. Other revenue that we're anticipating to
receive is just over $64.9 million. Uh three of the larger budgetary areas I have listed below there. So we have federal grants coming in about 14.5 million. That relates mainly to our highway department and our community
services department. State grants at 13.8 million mainly within our community services department and other taxes at 10.5 million. And that's our highway local option sales tax on the expenditure side.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Go ahead, >> Mr. Mr. Hmer. Nancy, I I you know, I hate to cut in. I I don't know if you're going to cover this on the end, but going back to the the 6 and 12% levy and and how much money we're asking
for. Can you are you going to highlight some of the drivers that that are attributing to that? You know, people might say, "Well, where are you spending the money?" Uh, if you highlight some of that, some of that is the health care, some of this the retiree health care.
We're a union shop that we have negotiated uh contracts that just increase the budget every year, which if that's just the way it works. Are you going to highlight some of those
at some point? Yes, I will in a few more slides, Commissioner Coring. So, thank you for that. >> All right. Yeah. All right. Thank you. >> On the expenditure side, expenditures are budgeted for $119.7 million. Uh the larger areas of our expenditures
are personnel services at 62.6 million. That includes our wages, insurance, pension, FICA, and the new new paid family medical leave mandate. services and charges come in at 34.2 million. That's contractor fees, software services, and building repair and
maintenance. And then public aid assistance at $13.3 million, which is community services related programs. These funds are anticipated to utilize fund balance usage of just over $3.9 million.
Um, and again, it's each of those levy funds are anticipated to utilize fund balance for 2026. Breaking down the property tax levy by fund. So, you'll see the general fund, we're comparing 25 to 26 and the
percentage of increase or decrease. So, the general fund is seeing over an 8% increase in that revenue base. Highway a 0% increase. Community services 2.5% and capital projects at zero. >> Mr. Chair and commissioners, I think one
thing to point out here is you'll note the general fund has the higher amount. When we talk about our levy overall, Nancy's been talking about we're looking at a 6.49% levy increase. To accomplish that, that means that we have to look at the organization as a whole. When we
look at this chart, it shows that there's a vast difference about how much of the property tax levy goes to pay for those different types of services. And in the general fund, there are far fewer grant opportunities or other revenue opportunities to help offset what the
need is for the property tax levy. So, while it looks like the highway department has very little amount of levy, there are other revenue sources that are associated there. You'll see community services fund is only anticipating a 2.5% levy increase for
26. There are other revenue sources available there. Whereas in the general fund, the majority of the funding in the general fund comes from the property tax levy. >> So the 2026 levy budgets, we've broken it down just a little bit further based on the funds. And then underneath the
general fund, we have the different service centers. So we have the governance services which makes up our administration, uh, commissioners, county attorney, veteran services. Then we have our administrative services which is facilities, finance, elections, and IT
just to name a few. Public safety services is our sheriff's office, budget, and then land services is our land some of our services within our land services department. And then we again have those, the highway, the community services fund, and the capital projects. So the second column is the
tax revenue breakdown, tax levy revenue breakdown for each of those areas. And in the blue there, you'll see the percentage of change from 2025 in each of those areas as well. Other revenue is the third column. So you'll see what
makes up that other revenue and then the change from 2025 as well. So other revenue decreases that you're seeing in that third column in the blue are mainly reflective of the the decrease in forfeited property revenue that the
county is receiving based on changes at the state level. Um grants that the county is receiving as well as well as out of county holds which is the boarding of prisoners at our jail. On the [snorts] expenditure side, which is on that fourth column, you'll see
those amounts there as well for each of those areas. And the expenditure increases that you're seeing are mainly due to personnel services, wages, and benefits, and highway contractor fees for upcoming projects. So, our highway department has a highway improvement
plan. It's a five-year plan, and so they have projects assigned to each of those years. And so, that's reflective of that. To Commissioner Coring's point, I do want to note that on the personnel services side of things, we are seeing included in this budget a 23% increase
in our health insurance. That is what the county will be receiving next year for our employees. Uh we that also impacts our retirey health insurance increases. Um and then again that paid family medical leave mandate that we are
required to implement. So overall, the budgetary element implications of all of those areas along with salaries and wages comes in at about a $2.4 million increase, which overall is over a 5% increase with just looking at personnel
services alone. We had some other increases too on the property and casualty insurance side. We're seeing premium increases of 12% there. workers compensation is increasing by about 7%.
And then we're still seeing um increases in our software licensing. That's over $200,000 there that we're seeing software licensing increase year after year. And for the county, [clears throat] some area other areas we saw a slight decrease in our county
program aid revenue. Um and then community services overall saw revenue decreases just over $580,000. So that is why we, you know, that's included as a part of that property tax increase to offset some of these
increases that we're seeing in these other areas or revenue decreases. I do also want to point out that of the $119.7 million, we estimate that approximately 70% of those expenditures are for
mandated services. 15% of of that amount is for um non-mandated services that support mandated services. So that would be our IT department, our facilities department, those types of thing, our cleaning services. and then the
remaining 15% are considered non-mandated services. So if you take the $119.7 million and you multiply that by 85% approximate that equates to just over $101 million of our expenditures are
related to mandated services. The remaining $17.9 million would fall into that non-mandated services category. And then finally, we just wanted to also note that these budgets do not include any federal legislative changes that
we're still awaiting to see what the implications are at the state level and then the potential trickle down effect at the county level. So that would be in reference to the some of our community services programs relating to SNAP and Medicaid. So now we've taken all the revenues and
just are giving you a different chart. So, we're giving you a pie chart so you can see the different breakdown based on the different pieces of the pie. So, property tax levy is the largest piece at 43%. Followed by intergovernmental revenues
at just over 38%. And when we talk intergovernmental revenues, that's state aid for our highway department that they receive for their maintenance and construction programs, county program aid that we receive, police aid, and that would also include any local,
state, and federal grants. Other taxes comes in next at just over 9%. So that would include our local option sales tax at our highway department. charges for services is next at just over 4%. And that again would be our
outofcount holds revenue uh for our jail, our maintenance service fees for our fleet department, our community services programs are included in there as well, as well as recorder fees and contracted revenue.
Investments at just over 1% that's our interest earnings that we receive off of the investments that the county has. miscellaneous at 1.7%. That's our inner fund transfers between funds and any rent revenue that we receive.
And then finally, licenses and permits is less than 1%. That would be licenses such as liquor licenses and zoning permits and septic permits, things like that. On the expenditure side, we broke this down as well. So you'll see personnel
services makes up the biggest piece of the pie at just over 52%. Again, that's wages, insurance, pension, FICA, and the new paid family medical leave mandate. Services and charges comes in next at 28%.
That's contractor fees, software service, building repairs and maintenance costs, electricity and water, and our property and casualty insurance. Uh public aid assistance is next at over 11%. So some of those programs that we
talk about with community services. Um some examples are insurance premiums, foster home placements, correction placements, and mental health initiatives. Supplies and materials is next at just over 4%. So that would include computer
equipment and software replacements and renewals, uh maintenance supplies, uh office supplies, winter salt, vehicle parts, and fuel. Capital outlay um comes in next at just over 2%. So that's in relation to our
capital improvement plan. So that's building improvement projects, vehicle replacements, and new computer equipments and software. And then finally, other expenditures is less than 1%. And that's um entirely uh because of the
appropriations that the county um provides to other organizations. So that makes up the other expenditures category, capital projects. So again, the county has a 7-year capital improvement plan uh
from 2026 to 2032. So, our capital projects fund includes expenditures for public improvements, building projects, and any assets that we acquire. Um, this allows the county to maintain and improve capital assets without adding these costs to the
overall operating budgets. And that would be the case when you see the table. And it relates to facilities, IT, and fleet. those items are moved into our capital projects fund to alleviate those costs on operating. Um revenue sources that fund our capital
projects fund, we utilize $1 million of property tax levy is in this fund, but the majority of the funding comes from county program aid. Um and that's approximately $2.8 8 million that funds helps to fund the capital projects fund
for 2026. Our capital improvement plan equates to about 8.7 million which is approximately 90 projects. So there's 90 projects for 2026 in our CIP and these relate to a greater for
$510,000 to replacing Buminous in a parking lot at around 250,000. um versus software enhancements at 250,000 as well. Um you will see the orange again is the
2026 budget information. You'll see large increases for our solid waste area and our landfill areas. And I do want to note that the solid waste area is in relation to the recycling center projects that they have earmarked for 2026.
And the landfill increases are due to the cell's um slope closures, raincoats, and pond projects that they have going on. And I know Gary and Jessica touched on that a little bit in their presentation earlier this evening. So now we will move on to the non-levy
funds. So these are funds that do not receive any property tax levy revenue. And those funds are the ditch fund, the solid waste fund, the public land management fund, and then the landfill fund. We'll provide further breakdowns to here
as well on revenue and expenditures. So for the revenues, we are seeing decreases in revenues uh for the ditch fund and that relates to special assessments. There was an analysis done and the special assessments assigned to that
fund were decreased moving into 2026. Uh prior to 20 26 they were at four just over $14,200 was what the special assessment revenue amount was. Next we have the expenditures broken
down by the different funds as well. And the large larger increases or the increases that you're seeing there are due to again that that recycling center project in the solid waste fund and then our landfill cell projects in our landfill fund.
And then three of the four or two of the four four funds are utilizing fund balance whereas the public land management fund is actually seeing a fund balance increase. So breaking this out by the pieces of the pie charges for services makes up
the majority of that revenue at 46%. That is the landfill charges that the county charges to the customers followed by special assessments at just over 15% and that's the solid waste fee assessment which is $25 per household
and also the ditch 13 special assessment as well. Miscellaneous at over 15% that's our forfeited property tax sales revenue licenses and permits it just over 10% that's our timber permits
and then intergovernmental is in relation to funding that um is received through the MPCA and environmental assistance funding programs. And then we have investments last but not least at just over 4% there for our
interest earnings. On the expenditure side, supplies and materials makes up the biggest piece of the pie at just over 36%. So again, some of that relates to our landfill sales projects and that uh supplies and materials needed there as
well as general operating supplies. Services and charges is just under 25% and that relates to consulting fees and contractor fees. Capital outlay is next at just over 16%.
And again, some of those um landfill cells and recycling center projects, some of those costs are in that category. Personnel services is next at just over 15%. So that would be the same as it is in the levy funds, the salaries, the
insuranceances, the pensions, the FICA, the work comp, that portion of those salaries that are allocated to those specific funds. And then other expenditures is um last on this pie chart. That's just over 6%
and that's any tax forfeited settlements and inner fund transfers. How do we compare? So we we have two slides here that compares our county versus other either neighboring counties or other counties that are a part of the Minnesota Inner County Association that
Crowing County also is a part of. So this slide shows the 2026 levy increases by county and we're comparing it goes from the far left to max county all the way to the far right with Winona County. You will see that Crowing County is the
bar that's in the green at the 6.49%. So you can see where we fall in relation to all those other counties and then the bar in red is what the statewide average is and that's at 7.85%. So, Crowing County based on information
through the Minnesota Inner County uh association is um 31st lowest out of 87 counties when it comes to levy increases proposed for 2026. And then looking at the per capita by
county, again utilizing the same counties, um Crowing being the county in the green, our per capita is at $741. The statewide average is just over $1,000 and Crowing County is the 20th
lowest out of 87 counties. We will now move on to the unorganized territory budgets. Uh the first and assessment first and second assessment districts are unorganized territories which the county board is the elected governing body because they do not or
have a local city or township government. So first assessment district and second assessment district. The second column is the tax levy revenues that we're proposing for those two districts for 2026. So we're proposing just over $1.4 4
million for the first assessment district, which is a 5.85% increase, and then just under $100,000 in the second assessment district, which is a 9.49% increase. Other revenues, uh, that that relates to
the state gas tax and so that's increasing from the prior year at 3 three and a half%. And then on the expenditure side, um, there's the breakdown between the two districts. And those increases are mainly due to contractor fees for construction and maintenance related
projects. The first assessment district will be utilizing some fund balance whereas the second assessment district will be growing their fund balance by $42,000. And then this bar graph just gives you, [clears throat] excuse me, a breakdown
comparing 25 to 26 and those percentage increases that we just looked at at the prior slide. And then we want to end on just to make people aware that there are some uh property tax refunds available out there that people may want to look into if
they are eligible for those refunds. So, the first one here is the Homestead Credit Refund. Listed with the bullet points are the different criteria to be eligible for those refunds. And those are all um funneled through the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The
county has no part in those. So, if anybody has any questions or wants further information, they would want to reach out to the Minnesota Department of Revenue on that. And then there's another revenue or another refund called the special property tax refund. and the criteria is
listed there on the screen as well. Again, the Minnesota Department of Revenue is in charge of those refunds. So, reach out to them with any questions. >> And that is all I have. >> Go ahead, Commissioner.
>> Mr. Chair, I I just want to say uh publicly thank you to Nancy. Thank you to all the staff that have helped put this together. Uh, I tell you what, I think um, Crow and County residents have a lot to be proud of. If you notice one
thing on this budget or couple budgets back, we have no debt. Out of 87 counties, this county has no debt. And so, you don't see a little uh, sliver on there where we're paying interest to
somebody. It's a pay the county board has decided to pay as we go. And when I first got on the board, I can't remember, Deb, maybe you can help me. I think it was about $40 million in debt. >> And we uh paid that off quicker and we saved a
lot of money on paying interest. We had bonds. We had debt out at the airport. We had debt up in Crosby at our joint facility up there. But now we have absolutely no debt, which I think is something to really be proud of. And um
I just want to thank the staff and and actually thank the board. I think I um you know, I hate to blow our own horn, but this is this is really good. When you compare it to a lot lot of the other counties, they're a mess. And the state of Minnesota, I think the last number I
saw was like $9 billion in debt. Federal government, God only knows how much it is now, but um anyway, just just thanks a lot. Thank you. Any questions for Nancy? >> One of the things, uh, Nancy, if you go
back to slide 11, and and this is something that I'm just going to bring out just to make sure I understand it. If the market value stayed, um, if residential property, if the market value stayed the same, if it was 246,
you're saying the taxes would actually have gone down. >> Correct? your market value stay the same if your property classification didn't change if the state didn't change any rules used to calculate the property taxes. Yes, that is what I'm >> and part of that's because we have a growing county too.
>> Yes. >> And and you look at that with the uh with the new builds, the new property that adds stuff that comes on board that never was there before. >> Yep. So that new construction does help because it gives us even more properties to spread um that those dollars over.
One of the things when I first came here, I came from, you know, city government from, you know, managing a budget for a small city of Jenkins. And what was really unusual coming here is looking at where that money comes in from. In a city, it's mo pretty much most of our money all comes in advorum.
We have very few other areas where money comes in. In here, half of it comes from taxes and half of our budget comes from all kinds of other stuff, >> you know, which is a lot different than a city. And so, uh, one of the things that I also when you look at the
commercial, residential, and seasonal property, the amount of effect that that can have in a small city like like I was familiar with up in Jenkins, if our commercial property went down as far as valuation, we still needed to fill that bucket, what we said we needed to
operate our city by. So, the other ones went up and we and it really was an eyeopener for me because we had planned on it really well. We had a really good group uh of people working on our budget and all a sudden we get to this tax statement. We look at it and it's how did mine go up? We had it all planned
where it wouldn't. Well, we can't control everything that happens. No. >> And so it's a moving target and and I think that's that's just and and as most of you know, I like numbers. So I'll I'll leave it at that and I won't say anymore. So thank you.
>> Oh, thank you, >> Mr. Chair. to Commissioner Lubki's point on that slide that Nancy was showing with the if if nothing changed if the value doesn't change >> taxes would go the county tax would go down and part of that is the value increase and it takes the the revenue or
the levy that you need that tax amount to create that tax rate and commissioner Lubkkey you and I have talked from trying to break you of your previous viewpoints from the city perspective of tax rate >> good luck >> and the Even though the county's tax
levy, the dollar amount is going up 6 12%, the tax rate is going down 3.17%. So that is why the individual tax dollar amount for some folks might see a decrease or why automatically even though the levy is going up 6.49%.
folks are not going to necessarily see a 6.49% tax increase because there are various different factors that go into play there. And I will throw one more in there then for you uh county administrator. The uh taxable net tax
capacity when you compare our county to the other 87 we are sitting there at 84th. We're one of the lowest ones and a lot of it has to do with our seasonal property valuations and and such as that that comes from that same information that you were using. So there's only
three more counties, three counties in the state of Minnesota that actually have a lesser than we. I mean, we are that that low. So, um, that's all information for me when I'm we're sitting up here making these decisions and say, where do we sit with the other counties? Because our
questions come to us from our taxpayers >> and and by having that information, I can say, yes, your taxes are going up. Here's how we sit with other counties in Minnesota. and gives me a a pretty good idea and we're sitting healthy. We're we're we've got a good county and it's run well. So, thank you all for doing
that. >> If there are no other questions for Nancy, I would look for a motion to open the public hearing. >> Motion by Commissioner Lee. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Franzine.
>> Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Lee, >> I. >> Commissioner Coring, >> I. Commissioner Levkkey >> I. >> Commissioner Franine. >> I. >> Commissioner Barros. >> I. The public meeting is now open at 7:01. Mr. Leel,
if you would like to come up. Thank you for filling out the form. >> I truthfully wasn't sure what to do with it. Um, [laughter] I've been through this a few times. Uh, I'm Dan Leeald, former owner of Driftwood Resort. Uh my wife and I
purchased some of the land on the north end which was the old golf course and uh if some of you folks remember I reverted some of that converted three lots into one to make it commercial so we could use it for our dredging business and
etc. We haven't we opened it up to the commercial dredging world out there. No one's used it. I'm the only one. We did one dredging job out of there in 2019 and that's it. So now we're at the point where it's frustrating to see this and I
went through this with Gary uh years ago in Ideal Corners and you know they did nothing. Nobody did anything about this. Our taxes from 2021 when we commercialized it, we were told exactly what Commissioner Lupky told us
that commercialization in some aspects would go down. Our taxes did. They dropped in half when we commercialized it and everyone was pleased. We were able to keep our budgeting close. The very next year it went up 114 plus%. The question was asked why. No business
out of there. Nothing was happening. Um the next year it went up 15.95%. They slowed it down a little bit. Still a little bit out of reach of what the aspect of reality is. And at the end here in 2024 25 uh each year it went up
19.59% 22.89% and now this year it's attempting to go up 62 or 61.37%. Which takes it from $1,00079
$1,79 a month up to $1,741 a month for taxes. So, at $20,9894 for this piece of land for taxes, it's out of control. I'm sure that I don't
know how many other folks in here are talking about their real estate taxes. Uh, apparently I'm the only one that filled out a a green sheet of paper. >> Okay. I have a problem with too too big a government, too much taxes, and etc. Um, the mill levy's high. These are all
things that are small equations for you folks, but as the individual that has had a piece of land in their family since 1959, and you're about to get taxed out of it because of sometimes politics, sometimes your multi-million dollar neighbors that
we have no control over. We can't control their checkbooks, but we can control what we have. And what we were attempting to give to our kids is about not to happen because we're going to get taxed right out of this piece of land. Now, the evaluation thing, as Gary told
me, um, if you change the, it won't matter what CUP I have under there, the conditional use permits, that has nothing to do with it, >> right? >> The the value of the land is the value of the land, and that's what they're shoving in front of us, that it's worth a million5. Well, it it's not for sale.
We want to give it to our kids so they can give it to their kids, keep it in the family. But if the taxes keep going up, um the state of Minnesota is killing our tax uh killing families right out of their taxes, out of their homes. And it's it's not uncommon to hear this. Uh
our piece of land is a nice little park up there. We like to keep it mowed. My wife likes it part of therapy. you know, it's um when you get out in the country like that, you don't have any neighbors besides we do have one neighbor that's disgruntled or whatever, but he likes it
because he couldn't come over to our property and run his dog and stuff, which we don't like. It It's a little bit different. When we own it, it's ours. We can do what we want. What he does, we don't care. We don't get into it that he's a uh that he has a VBO in his house and he's on a residential
rate. >> Uh those are things that I can't control. That's his problem, not mine. My problem is to pay a $20,894 tax next year. That's what they're proposing. So, my only answer is to come back to you folks and ask for something
to get done. You know, I don't know what what you can do to get it back down to a common sense thing. Uh, it's really tough. So, I'm sure you ate up your three minutes of time. Wait, you gave somebody else an extra minute. I'm just
kidding. Thanks, commissioners. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Dan. >> Anyone else who would like to speak? Anyone else? Hearing none, I would look for a motion to close the public hearing. >> So moved.
>> Motion by Commissioner Franzine. >> I'll second it. Second by Commissioner Lupkkey. Roll call. >> Commissioner Franine. >> I. >> Commissioner Lee. >> I. >> Commissioner Coring. >> I. >> Commissioner Lupkkey. >> I. >> Commissioner Barberos.
>> I. The public hearing is closed at 70:07. And that concludes number 12.1. >> Got 12.2 two, which is the approval of the 2025,
should be 2026 >> final budget and levy resolution. >> What do you have? >> Looking for a motion, folks. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Commissioner Coring. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Lubkkey. Roll
call. >> Commissioner Lupkkey. >> I. >> Commissioner Franine. I >> Commissioner Lee >> I >> Commissioner Coring >> I >> Commissioner Baros >> I and that motion passes. >> Additional business. I have
>> nothing >> a number of things that I would like to bring up during additional business. >> Thank you. The first one is to thank again the highway department and the snowplow drivers who were out there many hours doing their job and trying to
scrape it back down to bare black top. We appreciate it very much. We know that was a tough job. The sheriff's department for what you did in crowd control out there and the angry ones that called and told the highway department they should plow the end of their driveway. Thank you for handling
all those complaints. Um, the second one is what Commissioner Coring mentioned earlier. Thank you to you, Nancy, and your team and the business managers out there in each of our departments putting this budget together. To your point, it's a year-long process. It's a very
difficult process. The SMT members coming in and arguing with one another, but coming to agreement in the end, we appreciate all their efforts. Um, and we know there's some questions yet, you know, and I think of this particular budget period where
we didn't know what the state and the feds were going to do and we are the recipients of action or no action by them, generally they push things to our plate. But when you're trying to do a budget and you don't know and you have to do a preliminary budget, they
squeezed our timelines. So, thank you for all the effort by all of your folks to uh deal with that. Uh my last thing is community services. Carrie, if you'll come up and give us a a brief update on Carefree.
This is a nursing home in town that uh had some serious issues and uh I'll let you take it from there. >> Thank you, Commissioner. I'm rather unprepared for this um spiel tonight, but I'll do my best. >> Okay. >> So, um our staff has been out at
Carefree for the last several days. Um there have been some staffing issues at Carefree and they have been unable to fulfill all of their statutoily required obligations. So community services staff have stepped
up and stepped into the role roles of helping to um find placements, alternative placements for the 41 residents who are there. uh we're working with family members uh and the the case managers uh for some of the
residents some do not have case managers or family members and so we're trying to help those individuals. Uh we've taken on that role of um finding places for the um residents to go. That is supposed
to be Carefree's responsibility. Um if we were not doing it then who? So, we're taking care of uh the residents of Crowing County basically. Um we have found placements I think for around
maybe 12 last I heard. I was out there uh this morning until god I don't even know my day ran together about noon maybe. Um and so we are packing for individuals or with individuals trying to help them get their belongings
together. Um we are looking at potentially helping the individuals to move. Um Dwayane the maintenance gentleman there has been doing a lot and is also trying to do the moves as well.
We've provided Carefree Living with uh moving companies and are hoping that they uh reach out to the moving companies to move all of the heavy items that I am not strong enough to move despite how strong I think I am. Um
let's see what else are we doing. So I have notified Carefree Living. I think this is a bit out of the ordinary. Got clearance from Debbie to do it. Uh, I have notified the um administrator at at Carefree Living that the county will be
keeping track of our um dollars that we are putting into this. Not specifically paying them, but our staff time. All of the work that we are doing that they are supposed to be doing, we will bill them for to um get reimbursed for all of our
efforts. I do not know at this point how much that's going to be. Um, but I've put them on notice that if we continue to do their work, we'll ask for payment because it's not up to the taxpayers um to be paying our wages to do the work
this private business is supposed to be doing. So, um, we've done that and we will be back out there again tomorrow. We have three residents moving on Thursday. Um, that's what I knew to be the case uh at noon today. So, we'll be
helping to pack up those individuals and um help them move out on Thursday. Friday, I'm not aware of any individuals. One may move on Sunday. So, we're going to rally the troops to get that done. We're just doing the best we can to try and support the residents
there. So, if I might just shed a little light on this situation which came to our plate I think last Tuesday when we were most some of us were sitting at AMC and all of a sudden you got 41 42 residents who aren't being cared for.
So, you think of their medications, their food, their personal hygiene stuff. None of that's being cared for at a level that it should have been. >> The owners of that company are sitting. We know one was in Canada
>> and I have to believe because it was reported to Minnesota Department of Health >> that this was a a serious situation. >> Yes. >> And of course we had a nice robust conversation with MDH mostly me and them. Mhm.
>> Um and I I won't say anything more about that, but uh the real responsibility is with whoever gives that license out, which is MDH, and then Carefree, the owners of that or managers are responsible for what we are now taking
on. We're a good partner with MDH in these in this type of situation, but it puts a lot of pressure on our staff to go out there and do their job, which we are not prepared to be 247 caretakers
and um so I thank you and the staff for what you've done. I commend you. I think uh billing them is just that's the minimum that should be done by that group to reimburse us as a county. Um
because there's portions of it, you know, how tired the staff are. They have regular jobs to do that they can't get to as efficiently as they would normally do. Um it's just a whole lot of pressure and unfortunately the state agency felt like that was our
responsibility to do that. Um, I think administrator Ericson was very clear that it was their responsibility. I think I was more than clear with them that it was their responsibility. And when things like this happen, so you think of a flood, it's all hands on deck. If all you're
worried about is your calendar of what you have to do, I'm sorry. I don't have any respect for that and it's time for them to come out and deal with it. And that was sort of the discussion that I had with a couple people at MDH. So, um, but again, thank you very much to your
staff. I think that, uh, whatever you need, and I've offered my own personal services, but whatever you need, just let us know because I know that this is a strain on your staff. >> Yeah, I appreciate that. And I'll just mention our our partners with Clayton and Liz and um, over at the sheriff's
office have been on board. John Davis at the Brainer PD has been having his officers stop by um during the night shift to ensure that the staffing staffing levels are there. Somebody is there watching the residents. Um so we've had some really and I know I'm
missing people. We've had some really great partners uh in all of this as well. So we're we're a pretty fortunate community to all come together to protect these uh residents. So >> and Commissioner Barrows, I think you'd be happy to hear MDH has had staff on site. They have one nurse on site the um
or investigator couple hours each day now which is more than we were getting before. So maybe your influence did impact that. >> Well, I felt pretty good after I [laughter] vented on them there. So,
>> thank you. >> Normally the board doesn't get to see that and I'm glad you didn't. It's unfortunate that our staff had to hear me let loose. I usually I'm in pretty good control, but this was one time when
they were wrong and I didn't care what the consequences were. So that's on me. Although I said it was you guys. So just [laughter] thanks for dragging us in. No, thank you so much again. That I mean take care of your staff. I mean for them to be over
there doing that when they have other duties that they are assigned to do here at the county. Um take care of your staff, please. So if there is nothing else, I would look for a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved.
>> So moved by Commissioner Franine. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Lubkkey. Final roll call. >> Commissioner Coring. >> I. >> Commissioner Lubkkey. [cough] >> Hi. I'm sorry. My my ears are talking to
me. >> Commissioner Franzine. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Lee. >> Hi. Commissioner