[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6670670,"mediaKeyId","2172151-c8e7248b8ab4341acbd133c0d58e8e46","parentId",2172151,"title","Developer updates Stevens County commissioners on dairy processing plant schedule and outstanding permits","audioSeconds",584,"startMs",121000,"endMs",705000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172151-c8e7248b8ab4341acbd133c0d58e8e46&start=121&end=705","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172151-c8e7248b8ab4341acbd133c0d58e8e46/thumbnail_121000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6670670/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Developer-updates-Stevens-County-commissioners-on-dairy-processing-plant-schedule-and-outstanding-permits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670670-cd2c4759075d0e33ae7421f324d3a62f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773743171&Signature=VwvwizYiYCKFyAdcn4Ojvh7s0DyLLU~6V1vCdQYaAOC31KRsDEwuEaavcYqJMa~NmtjImTdKvwUB21xpRv7ljPYyftW0KscLlb5l2XjBd55jX-dMRgtw6y05N~gTfvaXnIgu9CjDRVssx5hsklm48bKl~q3AanliGcDw960Q9zxl1aOG8S5ZFmhMTKXBUsPh0XiMoJjQIC0q8XRhlh4hv8aMub86pG-GvO-bg6RZEaW3aqcH9W4qL8jNPXCwp3bpwKxgDUmzooTnOPgb5QAFEb4ta55kqsQoyv-vNB53lz28GULYyOMKIkMf08g-wVJEkQ8aCUoLw-qusfJQ3dM9mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stevens County","date","2025-01-28T05:25:22.36Z","article","A company representative updated the Stevens County Board of Commissioners on the schedule and permitting status for a proposed dairy processing plant, saying site earthwork is planned for spring and that the project will proceed in phases through 2027.

The presenter said site grading and underground utilities will be completed in the first construction year, including deep soil corrections: steel H‑piles driven about 80 feet to support the taller portion of the plant and rammed aggregate piers under other foundations. Foundations and backfill will follow, then a winter pause. Work resumes with erection of precast components in March 2026, the representative said, with the main dryer and large stainless components installed as the building goes up.

\"Everything's getting executed and moving ahead on on that schedule,\" the presenter said.

Why it matters: the plant includes large process equipment, onsite lagoons and fuel storage that require state and county permits; the board heard that those permits are in active review and could affect the start of specific work items.

State and local permits and outstanding technical items

The presenter told the board the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) lagoon construction permit remains under review and that the project team expects the permit within about a month; the lagoon permit must be issued before lagoon construction begins. The project has obtained an air permit from the state and said it is working on a water permit that would provide backup water for the plant’s operations and permit relocation of irrigation infrastructure.

When commissioners asked about the county right‑of‑way crossing, the representative said the project will bore a new potable 4‑inch water line under County Road 5 to deliver potable water to both dairy parlors. He explained the plant will produce reclaimed water that is not potable and therefore the parlors will keep separate potable supplies as required.

Fuel and energy infrastructure

Commissioners asked about the plant’s dryer fuel. The presenter said natural gas will be the primary fuel but that the existing gas service does not have sufficient capacity; a larger line will be required and is under review. The project will also install an underground diesel storage tank for four backup generators. The presenter described the tank as double‑walled and meeting MPCA regulations, and said underground storage will allow use of #2 diesel in winter without cold‑weather issues.

Construction heights and schedule milestones

The team said a vendor selection for the dryer reduced the tallest building height to about 110–120 feet, down from earlier estimates near 145 feet. The representative gave an overall phasing plan in which the plant enclosure and interior work continue through winter 2026–27, with conditioning planned by September 2027 and initial liquid product startup in mid‑November followed by the powder side in January.

Outstanding questions and next steps

Commissioners pressed the project team for details on the natural gas routing and capacity, permit timing for the MPCA lagoon permit, and the county right‑of‑way crossing for potable water lines. The presenter said routing and sizing work for the gas connection and ancillary utility designs were in progress, and reiterated the team’s expectation to receive the MPCA lagoon permit soon. The board did not take formal action; this item was presented as an informational update.

Ending: The board acknowledged the update and asked staff and the project team to keep the county informed as permits and utility connections are finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stevens County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting 01/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A company representative updated the Stevens County Board of Commissioners on the schedule and permitting status for a proposed dairy processing plant, saying site earthwork is planned for spring and that the project will proceed in phases through 2027.","taxTitle","Stevens County, Minnesota","taxId",71450,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670661,"Stevens County ratifies law‑enforcement unit contract and updates county sick‑leave policy to reflect ESST and paid FML changes",530,2770000,3300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172151-c8e7248b8ab4341acbd133c0d58e8e46&start=2770&end=3300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172151-c8e7248b8ab4341acbd133c0d58e8e46/thumbnail_2770000.jpg","/articles/6670661/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Stevens-County-ratifies-lawenforcement-unit-contract-and-updates-county-sickleave-policy-to-reflect-ESST-and-paid-FML-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670661-0bac0b8a1fad1174dd5065f0a1f56197/orig.mp4?Expires=1773743171&Signature=mY4bkraAmZWLa9mrYVK-E45t0eTmrjtKLeaZa1ujAqSH914S7HfykWPssBt-DLykfs9M2rE1VPI8d3preiFi7MY~LXIIJSmm9zoLAgDGISmGwuob4jiP0e4fZ095i1EumnndKADzhGhagl95NFcL02A~ytooueEeZ6RHY-EOr2aT3-TkqEj~~JZzRQLvnc1aSnD-bwFq6hfPEI4v0SGqIJYedVfU8CnWYg47x8Dbu7buXUd-Orh~LqH7T45bDoTTYPhXmAL32FtT966H6N55bkEbqTOYXG5Iv-PFO9WHsoHJi5-mBnZtco8KQn3LlHigm25Y~6wksYcNo3RDOVzzDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stevens County Board of Commissioners ratified a two‑year contract for the law‑enforcement bargaining unit and approved county policy updates to conform with state changes to employer sick‑and‑safe time (ESST) and the new paid family‑medical leave (paid FML) law.

Contract and pay terms

County staff presented a negotiated two‑year agreement covering 2025 and 2026. For 2025 the parties agreed to a 3% wage increase; for 2026 the contract provides 2% adjustments (presented in the meeting record as 2% increases timed in 2026). The agreement also includes modest increases in employer health insurance contributions tied to plan tiers (staff presented added dollar amounts for single and family plans).

Paid FML premium and insurance

The contract incorporates statutory language for Minnesota paid FML and specifies that the employer and employee will split the paid‑FML premium on a 50/50 basis, with payroll deductions used for the employee portion. Staff told the board the new premium will be paid into a state program via a new state agency; the county will remit its share as an employer premium. Staff said details and formal rules from the state were not yet published, and that the contract allocates the premium on a shared basis pending rulemaking.

ESST and usage limits for public safety employees

The contract and parallel policy updates incorporate ESST statutory language. County staff explained that employees covered by this law enforcement unit may not use ESST protections for employer closures due to weather or other public emergencies when their positions are essential. The board heard that negotiated contract language protects work requirements for essential public safety roles while extending other ESST uses consistent with statute.

Other provisions

The contract also reflects an existing memorandum of understanding on Juneteenth as a paid holiday and contains a provision allowing employees to donate limited amounts of accrued leave to coworkers in need. A clause covering on‑duty pay differentials, worker‑comp/paid time coordination, and optional voluntary insurance offerings also appears in the agreement as negotiated.

Board action

A commissioner moved and a second was recorded; the board approved the contract and the related policy changes by voice vote. The board also approved a separate motion to adopt updated county sick‑leave policy language that aligns county practice with the statutory ESST changes effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Why it matters: the contract sets pay and benefits for law‑enforcement employees, clarifies ESST application for essential employees and allocates paid‑FML premium costs between employers and employees ahead of full state rules. County staff said some implementation questions remain pending state rulemaking.

Ending: County staff said they will monitor state rulemaking on paid FML and report back as details become available.
","The Stevens County Board of Commissioners ratified a two‑year contract for the law‑enforcement bargaining unit and approved county policy updates to conform with state ESST and paid family‑medical leave changes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670665,"Stevens County board approves inducement resolution to enable conduit financing for industrial project",224,782000,1006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172151-c8e7248b8ab4341acbd133c0d58e8e46&start=782&end=1006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172151-c8e7248b8ab4341acbd133c0d58e8e46/thumbnail_782000.jpg","/articles/6670665/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Stevens-County-board-approves-inducement-resolution-to-enable-conduit-financing-for-industrial-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670665-6e027e8d8cae21f171d1be7b955f3da2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773743171&Signature=Efzda1ls6Rf~NZkscJAE8NN5w06O3y9HZLSQeKqHmVOQUdQgxcNZ7KWsfrTBOAA-LSAXobLnPYhC6hDuJYsLItMmp1T8Ur~ASz~qdklHdmTMwCrZk16yHRGSgRnCpZ63gGB7VUnbNmTGrC7nu-0b0r~Yr9nFcoqSI4rMX5Aiwlo-qz5bjbSWNBXF5oJQuPUDafCSYgCgiVYb3bHbmrJBQEV7fEpURiFnFHBpYOU8vwXD-xPVGLW4y~D1T81th0RAC0TEBAPkzTaLLQOvJkvBMf3i2J2-WATZWyi~qJe5feRQ94YBped1ygcBKOZCtfNFtsZsePqyYq3aWXDkNSn~dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stevens County commissioners voted to adopt an inducement resolution that allows a private company to pursue conduit financing for a local industrial project, county staff told the board.

County staff described the mechanism as a conduit financing tool that enables a company to apply for municipal bonding allocations the state makes available each year; staff said the inducement resolution begins a multi‑year process and allows project expenses to be charged to the eventual bond if the company secures the allocation.

\"This is something that the board has done previously...there's no cost to the county, no general indebtedness to the county. It does not affect our borrowing capacity nor our bond rating,\" a county staff member said during the presentation.

Staff said the state allocation for municipal/conduit bonding is limited annually and is typically in the range of roughly $20 million to $25 million statewide; the county was told multiple applicants may split the available allocation. Bond counsel will be engaged to represent the county in the process, and staff said the county's role is limited to acting as the local governmental issuer for the conduit financing if the project proceeds.

Board action

A motion to approve the inducement resolution was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. Commissioners did not record individual yes/no votes in the meeting minutes excerpt; staff and the presenters said costs and fees associated with bond issuance are the responsibility of the applicant company, not of Stevens County.

Why it matters: adopting an inducement resolution is typically an early step that allows a private developer to move forward with an application to state bonding authorities and to begin incurring project costs that could be reimbursed from bond proceeds if the financing is approved.

Ending: County staff and the company representatives asked the board to sign an engagement letter with bond counsel so counsel may proceed with the state's application and any later public hearing required by statute; the board later approved the engagement letter by separate motion.","The county board adopted an inducement resolution allowing a company to pursue conduit (industrial revenue) bond financing; board members were told the measure does not create county indebtedness or affect the county's borrowing capacity and that bond costs are the company's responsibility.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670656,"Stevens County board approves IT, service contracts and warrants; adopts routine donations",0,2328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172151-c8e7248b8ab4341acbd133c0d58e8e46&start=2328&end=2328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172151-c8e7248b8ab4341acbd133c0d58e8e46/thumbnail_2328000.jpg","/articles/6670656/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Stevens-County-board-approves-IT-service-contracts-and-warrants-adopts-routine-donations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670656-5f9ba555c85b5794acae4050cc646c46/orig.mp4?Expires=1773743171&Signature=AMeDuzrB9eNKxYAAxqTrjOzAJV6OeInGXbZdCwhbf0~xCw43Mad-Q~otgvtggX44YBBggDk9FTYfUzFa3VJW0cteZb9t6bv2ISEkop7dTKFan3WGZhcCCa2VJnHXI05iTd8cJwDiW8xTJkXfd6IWZ2~g2xZ~8YVsd3MDlApnf-imex4RMWt8vAVMuFEod4IYcY2HQIRvmJVu63jWQeeYY8nGGWudJ13Qwuw10fPdlPhc5x271GyY9wvBL6eqpZhCIK-v9DRTPZOv~YVa7JOoaIZVz81T68439hdqhkI7X6y06Hpl4mZosY1S4HEzVs8LQd5PirvViqsij5NMNyMLsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stevens County commissioners approved a series of vendor contracts, routine warrants and several donation items during the meeting.

IT and services

The board approved a three‑year agreement for centralized logging and alerting (presented as a security/event logging tool) at a quoted price of about $13,250 per year, budgeted and included in the county’s budget projections. The county also approved a service contract with a local electronics/vendor firm for up to six days per year of on‑site technical support at a contracted rate; staff said the arrangement reduces the ad‑hoc charges the county previously paid and provides a predictable support schedule.

Vendor engagement and web domain

IT staff noted the county plans to transition to a dot gov domain for official county websites and that the technical work will be scheduled to avoid major election cycles; departments will need to update letterhead, business cards and documents for the domain change.

Warrants, donations and other routine business

Human services staff presented commissioner warrants totaling about $200,553.30 (presenter stated this figure during the meeting). The board approved the warrants by motion and voice vote. The board also approved multiple donation items for youth activities, senior and emergency funds, and holiday donations drawn from donor accounts as listed by staff.

Engagement letter and other approvals

Separately, the board approved an engagement letter with the county’s bond counsel for conduit financing work (related to the inducement resolution) and approved a contract with Morris Electronics for scheduled support days. All motions were made, seconded and carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the meeting excerpt.

Why it matters: the purchases and contracts fund county operations (IT security, technical support and human services) and the engagement letter enables bond counsel to proceed with conduit financing tasks if the applicant moves forward.

Ending: Staff said hardware and minor equipment purchases to support the logging system would come from the IT large‑equipment budget and that the dot gov transition would be scheduled to minimize public‑facing disruptions.","The board approved a three‑year license for centralized system logging, a service contract for electronics support, commissioner warrants and several donation items; motions carried by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Developer updates Stevens County commissioners on dairy processing plant schedule and outstanding permits

Stevens County ratifies law‑enforcement unit contract and updates county sick‑leave policy to reflect ESST and paid FML changes

Stevens County board approves inducement resolution to enable conduit financing for industrial project

Stevens County board approves IT, service contracts and warrants; adopts routine donations