[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6275545,"mediaKeyId","2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30","parentId",2771748,"title","Votes at a glance: Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners, March 25, 2025","audioSeconds",2741,"startMs",318000,"endMs",3059000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30&start=318&end=3059","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30/thumbnail_318000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6275545/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Blue-Earth-County-Board-of-Commissioners-March-25-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275545-9b7cac4bdfd050ba0764e3fa9787596a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028829&Signature=PTn3m0cYBslG~yqFK9hipYv7qK3k8nQyve1xkjP0aZPomRKz06-K2ekZDsy7~3CzZg8mIoUQkb-iy3KBu~T~j7KwBPiC9ZWp83PM2uH9Crq9IF8r-sBcBX2vNbskrhWyglRdZlBDsDaHP1uUERd66Nj7XdP2vGMiCdyMep5v2Ad53-Hb~kxg-nRRf3dF6jrZQbsX0~Io2tQhI2zyjnHyi6LEkFc4PMAabTt-UbvYx0QHMGszT4jrbnWiUhbZQGdCC36iqG4D74KNNVDfduQ2RyvTBRrnGO5eBQ76m14t7w7k7ZqWfgGK3CEmbYqsTQ8exR3HJV9GpBBn2ZU3vNixvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Blue Earth County, MN","date","2025-03-26T03:30:44Z","article","The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners took several formal actions during its March 25, 2025 meeting. Below are the items recorded on the meeting record.

Votes and formal actions

- Breckenridge Path landscaping phase 2 bid award: The board awarded the landscaping Phase 2 quotation for the Breckenridge Path project to Chambers Excavating and Trucking of Mankato for $8,804.50 and accepted facility staff's recommendation. (Speaker: Luke Peterson, City of Mankato facilities division.)

- County Ditch 56 Branch 3: The board accepted ISG's engineer's advisory report and ordered plans and bidding (covered in a separate article).

- County Ditch 5: The board set a final hearing date on the petition to add additional acres into County Ditch 5 for April 8, 2025, at 9 a.m. The petition, viewers' report and engineer review were received and the board set the hearing date as requested.

- Spending resolution (bond cap): The board increased the bond spending-resolution cap from $20 million to $30 million (non-binding marker to preserve reimbursement rights and future borrowing flexibility).

- Human services: The board approved several items presented by the Human Services director, including renewal of a Cherry Ridge memorandum of understanding (MOU) covering rental assistance and supportive services for eight households with county and HUD funding components, adoption of a county housing development priorities policy (tiered priority approach for development), and advisory committee appointments for named district representatives (Paige Durnberger, Janelle Sipe, Kristen Net, Vanessa Jones). The MOU term was Aug. 1, 2024'July 30, 2025; county share of rental assistance listed in materials and staff packet.

- Poor Farm parcels: After sealed bids came in below expectations, the board rejected all sealed bids for the six Poor Farm parcels and authorized the county to engage a broker and delegated authority to the county administrator to accept or reject offers after consulting the board.

- PACE loan revision: The board approved a revised PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) assessment request from the St. Paul Port Authority revising the assessment amount from $1,500,000 to $1,750,000 and noting a lower interest rate; the board acts as a conduit for the assessment in its role.

- Bassett Road joint powers agreement: The board approved a joint powers agreement with the State of Minnesota to share design-costs (county's half of $70,000 design) related to the Bassett Road extension tied to the planned Bureau of Criminal Apprehension facility; the road will ultimately be turned over to the City of Mankato.

- Employee recognition policy: The board approved a new employee recognition policy and directed staff to form a cross-section committee to develop recognition activities within budget constraints.

- All Seasons Arena change orders: The All Seasons Arena Board-approved change orders totaling $61,514.42 were approved by the county board; staff said the changes reduce the project contingency to $18,171.12 and described plans to replenish contingency from operating reserves or asset sales.

How votes were recorded

Most motions were adopted by voice vote; where a roll call was not recorded the chair called for ayes and declared motions carried. The transcript records multiple motions with seconds and voice votes but does not provide roll-call tallies for those items.

Ending: Board members closed the meeting after committee reports and a recess; many items will require follow-up from county staff, consultants or partner agencies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners Meeting for March 25th","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions the board took on March 25, 2025, including bid awards, hearing dates, grant/MOU approvals, policy adoptions and contract delegations.","taxTitle","Blue Earth County , Minnesota","taxId",52764,"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},6275550,"County OKs resolution supporting DNR land acquisition for new Picnic Rock Wildlife Management Area",169,440000,609000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30&start=440&end=609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30/thumbnail_440000.jpg","/articles/6275550/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/County-OKs-resolution-supporting-DNR-land-acquisition-for-new-Picnic-Rock-Wildlife-Management-Area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275550-682b28294908a3c7146a073233698792/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028829&Signature=Nm2okoireXNZ6hXNxn5Kbs4373PLcazKW8V~8PtICL2f4Mj-qVKRC4bgRlxiE8HZgWCvGrN4Tlkmr-Rk9KID~93mYa-C3omaUNH9koMDIELydG64T1iJUAxll78TVPVYNq-JcERLlOTNHNjm2AeEJZvoCoy2WXBuHRHl5rH3eG27uRyDSCL-7N5SMUlijiWu2Up8J~xf~43x4POU4fDduhw3EJRVz1Ar-1ur1G980LlOpIUdlkrD3XJlFW7VXRZ3qRGxvekK7lmm-abNHrvP0Z79o773y~toGr4wnaOvh-sjGrVaQvqONwwJOkNjGFMIOqYyAwtETfg6hZ--uvIzQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blue Earth County commissioners on March 25 approved a resolution supporting a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources land acquisition to create the Picnic Rock Wildlife Management Area along Highway 169 and Highway 60.

Stein Invere, area wildlife supervisor with the Minnesota DNR, presented the request and said the acquisition includes river frontage and restorable lands near a state park. He asked the board to adopt a resolution in support of the acquisition.

Commissioners asked how that change in ownership would affect county property tax revenue if Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding from the state is reduced. One commissioner said recent governor's budget proposals raised concerns about PILT reductions and the effect on county levies. Invere said PILT is paid from the state general fund, not the DNR or Fish & Wildlife budgets, and that the DNR's lands and minerals staff could provide a more detailed explanation; he added that his calculation for this property showed the PILT estimate would be about $1,000 more than the current tax levy for 2025'26 and that state legislative willingness historically has been strong to fund PILT.

After discussion and a motion, the board voted by voice to adopt the resolution supporting the acquisition; the chair recorded the ayes and declared the motion carried.

Ending: Commissioners approved the resolution supporting the DNR acquisition; staff said DNR lands and minerals staff would follow up with more detailed PILT information if requested.","Blue Earth County commissioners approved a resolution in support of Minnesota DNR's acquisition of land along Highways 169 and 60 for a new Picnic Rock Wildlife Management Area; commissioners asked about Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) implications.",{"_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},6275554,"Blue Earth County board raises potential bond cap to $30 million for future projects",362,1888000,2250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30&start=1888&end=2250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30/thumbnail_1888000.jpg","/articles/6275554/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/Blue-Earth-County-board-raises-potential-bond-cap-to-30-million-for-future-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275554-63bb013e458b95dfe7215ea52bf42c68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028829&Signature=TSxVv-Hpt-kW98Y~Y3IDcZwLXAlaoLn2xW9AxEh86GP~wUl3SOJ9b4WIP7tDXyT0oTLyBD~G9AB9TFeL7HpuWyXHtpKT~11bqfaSBU04p~kr7Ed6NYnTn4GA90heog253xVjImBmMORpM6LTBR9a~6dUHbusK59jw1ZNF4nfbrvFKSqvwm2C3eMaYlhjpj2Wvs78gFj2Z4sZkvrWi2lnsBrfCHzHECZyTMIuQZ9qVW3CPz1fflR5msgeH3DRYjmo1rEUWSGEenTig8aMifdPNPyygdxoXowHiJeE8LdBqzXdZHNZRkB-FGZ480m~dx3x9l4yKJaIKBY42N1EVmVCEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blue Earth County commissioners voted March 25 to increase a spending-resolution cap for potential future bonds from $20 million to $30 million, a non-binding \"marker\" to preserve reimbursement and reimbursement-period rights if borrowing is later pursued.

Lisa (county finance staff) presented the spending-resolution practice and said the county typically approves a spending resolution to enable a 60-day look-back for reimbursements and an 18-month forward reimbursement period once bonds are placed. Commissioners discussed projected project costs, which county staff said are estimated at $40 million for a proposed building project; staff advised that the board could not lawfully set the spending resolution to the full $40 million at this time because not all expenditures had yet been incurred or documented for the 60-day look-back.

Commissioners debated whether $20 million was sufficient and discussed levy risk and the unpredictability of future board decisions on levies. Several commissioners said increasing the cap to $30 million would provide more flexibility without committing to issue debt. One commissioner noted that two existing bonds will roll off, which could allow a larger bond without increasing the levy for some years.

Commissioner Patty moved to increase the cap to $30 million; a second was recorded. The motion passed by voice vote after brief discussion, with the chair calling for the ayes and declaring the motion carried.

Ending: The spending-resolution cap was increased to $30 million; the resolution does not obligate the county to issue debt and staff will continue to track costs and levy projections.","After discussion about long-term capital needs and levy uncertainty, commissioners approved a spending resolution increasing the not-to-exceed bond authorization from $20 million to $30 million as a placeholder for future borrowing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6275560,"Blue Earth County rejects sealed bids for Poor Farm parcels, authorizes broker sale",825,3044000,3869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30&start=3044&end=3869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30/thumbnail_3044000.jpg","/articles/6275560/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/Blue-Earth-County-rejects-sealed-bids-for-Poor-Farm-parcels-authorizes-broker-sale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275560-f489d233e3581dff139cfcbd74148009/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028829&Signature=Zv7YgX7-B76Zw01d4V2IpBQJZXQ7s7jRxlUUqJaLQ51nXgBl6K0t-kQszhhfBi1UAiOd4~M2iuCwXeiuCSuuh24dNcp3y1VaEN1rGOe3tIQDNLiW3xtdRFgeW-eM6066De3PrgMNX8FeeyF1vzKPu~fgWm-Rc7R2kD9jXdLY9oOG7OzSKUbKgOkUcnCUM1kukMNYWrKM4h8Qm1vN9T4AYlwARAHUG6HSHj7T3IkjG8UWfpxzzvTKjZABup7Y3l9udzLIrk66qY4-dK0Z-EW2yybCqbAf9Wvkb5jRaUQKMnzmVmW9B--QbvxXo53m6yB3OwVS4cdOsWp0CgiI54fXHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blue Earth County commissioners on March 25 rejected sealed bids for six parcels of the county's Poor Farm property and approved a resolution to engage a broker to market the parcels under a conventional sale process.

County staff and Winger Land Services reported that all parcels received bids below expected market ranges. The county split the Poor Farm into six parcels for sealed-bid sale; bids on several parcels ranged widely and overall were lower than the broker and county had anticipated. Josh (county staff) said Winger Land Services recommended rejecting the sealed bids and re-listing the parcels with a broker.

Commission discussion centered on statutory constraints that required the sealed-bid step and on residents' concerns about mineral-rights language in the bid documents. Josh said the county attorney advised that the statutory reservation of mineral rights does not typically include gravel or sand; county attorneys would include exclusion language in future purchase agreements to clarify that gravel and similar extractive rights are not conveyed.

Commissioner discussion considered whether to reject bids individually or all at once. A motion to reject only parcels 1'5 failed for lack of a second; the board rejected all bids by resolution and then approved a follow-on resolution to engage a broker and delegate authority to the county administrator to accept or reject offers after consulting the board.

The board recorded that upon rejection of the sealed bids the county would proceed under statutory procedures to list the property with a broker and that the administrator would consult the board before accepting any offers. Commissioners noted the county can keep any parcel from sale if a later offer is unsatisfactory.

Ending: The board rejected the sealed-bid offers and authorized a broker sale, delegating limited authority to the county administrator to act on offers after consultation.","After sealed bids for six Poor Farm parcels came in below broker expectations, the Board rejected the bids and authorized a broker-based sale process and delegated authority to the county administrator to accept or reject offers.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6275564,"Blue Earth County approves engineer’s plan for County Ditch 56 Branch 3; orders plans and bidding",316,737000,1053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30&start=737&end=1053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2771748-51b73a8eff7007e6a4add868ead9df30/thumbnail_737000.jpg","/articles/6275564/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/Blue-Earth-County-approves-engineers-plan-for-County-Ditch-56-Branch-3-orders-plans-and-bidding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275564-63c59a2674cc577487b2b9633da52a99/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028829&Signature=OVohDHZWVYAFI0fFTh3Kfv81Dj-r1Y1FEsWwysu0eTzFU1V0y~HZYuI-vAU6mPbj1o9W1dN59p3oiTaeWgfmCoVEl7Ae-thCHfnkOfW9D~3LeQYmPTRhfRQVCWLgsA4ugUIXmOL5jrZ61GS3ur8faH-YhE6xd8MCrJwCIlqGbV8fQplvOV-4TVHCsYx88IdvsZaYCOtA0-TNpmv-N3JWzobL1DmFjk124i0J~dpGkMHciGPz-KkaH~4c5C~n1BKo7-cFMN5kjWOr2c2M4B8xhJAXfkT7dPiSthwdo2zEwY90tVy84ta9fNEKYKiLfxX-VRNZB3da17SGf1eVkuWy~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blue Earth County Commissioners on March 25 approved an engineer's advisory report and ordered final plans and public bidding to impound, reroute and repair portions of County Ditch 56 Branch 3.

The work follows a petition filed on Nov. 25, 2024, by Minnesota Valley Lands LLC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. County drainage coordinator Ryan Henrick presented jurisdictional documents and said the engineer's report was submitted March 13, 2025, and the drainage authority had scheduled the final hearing for March 25.

Jacob Mueller and Chuck Brando of ISG summarized the report and recommended the reroute-and-repair option developed after roughly a dozen alternatives and years of meetings with landowners and public agencies. Mueller said the proposed reroute keeps the system's existing drainage capacity while shortening tile runs that currently pass through public lands and private property, and \"results in about $300,000 of cost savings\" compared with a standard repair option.

Mueller and Brando told commissioners the watershed is very flat, about 9,400 acres, and that televising in 2021 showed failing tile sections and sediment issues affecting downstream Lake Crystal. The petition package includes easement agreements for the new alignments and a multipurpose drainage management study that highlights potential wetland restorations and other best management practices to reduce sediment loads.

After no public comment at the hearing, the board moved, seconded and voted to adopt the engineer's findings and order, direct ISG to prepare construction plans and specifications suitable for bidding, and proceed toward public advertising and construction.

The board and ISG said some construction could occur this year if schedules and easement staking proceed, but timing depends on final plans and bidding results.

Commissioners and ISG staff emphasized that the approved design seeks to match existing capacity (about 0.21 inch per day drainage coefficient) rather than enlarge drainage capacity, and that some downstream repairs were deferred because televising showed better-than-expected conditions in the outlet segment.

The board closed the hearing and ordered that plans be prepared for public bidding.

Ending: The engineer was directed to move forward with plans and specifications for bid. The board recorded no roll-call vote in the transcript; the chair called for the ayes and declared the motion carried.","The county board accepted an engineer's advisory report and approved final plans and public bidding for repairs and a reroute on County Ditch 56 Branch 3 after a multi-year study and a petition from Minnesota Valley Lands LLC and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners, March 25, 2025

County OKs resolution supporting DNR land acquisition for new Picnic Rock Wildlife Management Area

Blue Earth County board raises potential bond cap to $30 million for future projects

Blue Earth County rejects sealed bids for Poor Farm parcels, authorizes broker sale

Blue Earth County approves engineer’s plan for County Ditch 56 Branch 3; orders plans and bidding