[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6604054,"mediaKeyId","2994536-5b720759044a9680e31e04a7279412fe","parentId",2994536,"title","Sheriff's Office reports: high-speed pursuit, deputy hires and cellular coverage concerns highlighted","audioSeconds",191,"startMs",1804000,"endMs",1995000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2994536-5b720759044a9680e31e04a7279412fe&start=1804&end=1995","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2994536-5b720759044a9680e31e04a7279412fe/thumbnail_1804000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6604054/Polk-County/Minnesota/Sheriffs-Office-reports-high-speed-pursuit-deputy-hires-and-cellular-coverage-concerns-highlighted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604054-2f129debdfb6b49b117642b996dc3a9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776713119&Signature=fhxgtszHGoRotf2iagYo1Twm0EGB~Un9fkhfoXSgh39kquhuZOLWibF2qTPoiRRiKdDJVfDMJBOeLhPGRjgFoUYQguSjaQAkHbk1k9oO1BFAa3tnyOaKI9g-U~HmhbjhIXR-I8u2vbAlJvIrn50U55YrHTT5Faz1YuNtvwLVNEm0m65~h5bY1iTZWE1vbEh5MaXfh9wzVeIcur2GglO4mkfdZIpJe4omM55M1lVEGIX8BpvhPYKccWuoSypWOCpq8D7ozFQbH-XAu4DPrGPma6LHL0yLSQqiGr5frbakg36e~nbonpCz9ucbj2L9srfy0KlkZtNmg8SdrYoNjADryg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Polk County","date","2025-04-15T16:07:04.307Z","article","Polk County law-enforcement leaders updated commissioners on a recent high-speed pursuit, officer-involved-shooting investigation oversight, pending deputy hires and mounting concerns about rural cellular coverage during the April 15 meeting.

Sergeant Chuck Carlson, who presented the county’s boat-and-water grant request earlier in the meeting, also summarized recent events. He said two county vehicles sustained damage during the high-speed pursuit, with tire and front-end damage reported, but no officers or members of the public were injured. Carlson said the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has taken the officer-involved-shooting case and that the county attorney’s office is reviewing local charges stemming from the incident. \"There was a deputy that had fired or police No. Person, police officer... The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has taken the officer involved shooting case,\" Carlson said.

Staff reported three deputy offers had been made and the county anticipates those hires will bring experience to patrol as background checks conclude. Carlson said the department expects to see increased boat-and-water patrol hours as positions are filled.

Sheriff and commissioners also raised a long-standing problem with cell coverage in parts of the county. Commissioners noted recent changes in carrier equipment and the move to 5G have narrowed effective signal footprints in marginal areas, producing larger stretches with little or no service. One commissioner said a previously two-mile stretch without service has grown to nearly five miles, affecting both AT&T and Verizon customers. The board asked staff to contact local carriers to ask about plans to address dead zones, particularly where towers are sparse.

Other public-safety metrics presented in department reports included monthly transport and dispatch statistics, patrol and crash counts, and jail population breakdowns discussed during the corrections report (for example, one report noted a high proportion of inmates awaiting trial relative to those serving sentences). Commissioners thanked dispatch and telecommunicators; earlier in the meeting the board approved a resolution recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

Ending: Sheriff’s staff will continue to brief the board on the officer-involved investigation as it proceeds and will follow up with carriers about rural coverage issues; the boat-and-water grant will fund partial staffing and patrol hours as hires are finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-15-25 Polk County Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Sheriff's staff briefed commissioners on a recent high-speed pursuit and subsequent officer-involved-shooting investigation, new deputy hires, transportation statistics and growing cell-service gaps in rural parts of Polk County.","taxTitle","Polk County, Minnesota","taxId",71063,"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},6604058,"Commissioner reports detail Cross Lake 'Turtle Connection' dam plans and fish-passage work",160,210000,370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2994536-5b720759044a9680e31e04a7279412fe&start=210&end=370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2994536-5b720759044a9680e31e04a7279412fe/thumbnail_210000.jpg","/articles/6604058/Polk-County/Minnesota/Commissioner-reports-detail-Cross-Lake-Turtle-Connection-dam-plans-and-fish-passage-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604058-ad65ca5851ae76baaffcf63af1c85732/orig.mp4?Expires=1776713119&Signature=KJSdqOb-C~Wcm6DCRX1wa9ri1xnyMkK~Al4GPs1lrH5yRiZheXm~xDfQqEGB4xavmLdMynhXdhAocCRLI9aDfQTrLKK6XHuOtUVY-fJh7l~M9tRf0pWCc9fPxr7kdELJTfTY25XImz2QAYkCKKitrTCLTdoWA-Oq5EuWALWUipPstZ8k9bIOawvw67o4AFXWuEIUmiQXRo4DF9EUE6dJ-UO0Yv8o~P2XBvZ~wfgrm71idsqD8WU57-8g2md5qHR13cEpHjlnxZHTOOPZNKYrXp2pd~bshOHEBt2Z6RJd0L2CNOvcqJbmLKKO6Fq-Q~P0zntbn19fQHfwks5ySXVHpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Joan reported to the Polk County Board of Commissioners that work is advancing on the Turtle Connection Cross Lake project, centered on Cross Lake and Tilburg Park, after a county-area dam fell into disrepair.

Joan said the project began when a Department of Natural Resources-owned dam deteriorated and was not being maintained. County and state discussions have moved from emergency stabilization to planning for replacement structures and water-level management, Joan said. \"There’s been a lot of work with the surrounding landowners. For the most part, most of the things have been worked out, but there's still a couple things with one of the landowners that they're working with,\" Joan said.

She described proposed construction of fish passage features patterned after work done on Sand Hill, with rock-stacked passages in the streambed to aid migration. Joan said planners believe a rock fish passage will be a \"really good addition\" to the project.

Why it matters: Cross Lake and Tilburg Park are local recreation and habitat resources. Replacing a state-owned dam and installing fish passages could affect water levels, shorelines and adjacent private properties; unresolved easement or access concerns with at least one landowner remain.

Discussion and context: Joan said the project's design phase is progressing and that the county has coordinated closely with nearby landowners. She also noted broader community and committee work on related parks and facility maintenance, including possible building repairs and upgrades at a local Productive Alternatives facility and ongoing work by the county's membership development and public-health committees.

Next steps: Joan said remaining landowner concerns are under negotiation and that project leaders expect to move forward with the proposed plan, including possible dam replacement and fish-passage installation. County staff did not present a formal action or vote on the dam project at the April 15 meeting; Joan delivered an informational update during her commissioner report.

Ending: Commissioners received the update; staff and project partners will continue negotiations and return to the board if formal approvals or easements are required.","Commissioner Joan reported progress on the Turtle Connection Cross Lake project near Tilburg Park, saying state DNR control of a failing dam prompted proposals to replace structures and add fish passages; most landowner issues have been resolved though one remains under negotiation.",{"_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},6604063,"Polk County commissioners approve road contract, software agreement and a slate of grants and contracts",1033,1857000,2890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2994536-5b720759044a9680e31e04a7279412fe&start=1857&end=2890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2994536-5b720759044a9680e31e04a7279412fe/thumbnail_1857000.jpg","/articles/6604063/Polk-County/Minnesota/Polk-County-commissioners-approve-road-contract-software-agreement-and-a-slate-of-grants-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604063-9d710ff63eae0a058d5311988306651d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776713119&Signature=YYolNa-3jS7iuxE6lB1LYKPAILjkf4qi2xwZ9gZ0466uUAGMss2iFLVQr37bjKARQ~j1cZyfnqwVtSzgrgv8Ml2QAqhelp6~2LaC7xx3cMWN8tWsL0ybyJrRedsiDoCm6Z6NcfmoVQ6ULOmaDYODH~FaulHmO76w2AoeGbxG-QitjjH4CmVuBWWFjPoqHoF7aJ359eByUvywyeH1XD47rGf8orxQ9MycmmwpQAKtbvlqyxE02ClbEJN6wURNxmvljCoLZ0alzWMlo4NPGnT027gBWlEz4YX4kzO0g7H5MQqA27k7OXgTNl-gA1XbZZWICnz0TqCj6yAi~88WQxa0sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County commissioners on April 15 approved a series of contracts, grants and resolutions, including a $2,226,844.10 award for a County Road 12 widening project and a three-year contract for Questica budgeting software.

The approvals came by voice vote after routine roll call items and department reports. Commissioners also accepted a state boat-and-water safety grant, amended a Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) contract for workforce services, approved a short-term family-support facilitator contract, approved local dumpster service contracts for parks, updated the county bridge-replacement priority list and authorized a ditch-cleaning project.

Why it matters: The road contract moves a nearly $2.23 million construction project toward this summer, affecting traffic and maintenance schedules on a roughly 10-mile stretch of County Road 12. The Questica agreement commits the county to a three-year implementation intended to centralize budgeting and replace spreadsheet workflows; commissioners debated contract length and implementation logistics before voting.

Votes at a glance:

- County Road 12 widening — Awarded to Knife River Materials, Northern Minnesota (Bemidji) for $2,226,844.10. Commissioners approved the low bid; the contractor is expected to start work around June 1 with traffic maintenance planned and intermittent short closures for centerline work. (Motion and vote recorded; contract awarded.)

- Questica budgeting software — Board approved a three-year Questica contract after staff described integration steps and a 60–75K estimate of additional implementation support if needed. Commissioners approved the three-year option by voice vote. (Motion and vote recorded; contract approved.)

- County boat-and-water safety grant — Accepted a state grant of $9,693 to support the county’s boat and water safety program for the January 1–June 30 next-year period. Sergeant Chuck Carlson outlined staffing aims and said the county hopes to increase patrol hours as positions are filled. (Grant acceptance motion and vote recorded.)

- DEED contract amendment — Approved an amendment to the county’s Department of Employment and Economic Development contract, increasing the award by $23,149 and extending the contract to Sept. 30, 2025. (Motion and vote recorded.)

- Family-support facilitation contract — Approved a contract with Angela Holloway for family-support meeting facilitation, $5,000, April 1–Dec. 31, 2025, to support children’s mental-health and child-protection teams. (Motion by a commissioner; second recorded; vote recorded.)

- National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week — Commissioners approved a resolution recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 13–19). (Resolution motion and vote recorded.)

- Dumpster service contracts for parks — Approved three local dumpster service quotes (Tilburg/Cross Lake, Maple Lake, East Shore) with Alternative Sanitation LLC of Erskine as the lowest responsible bidder for the several park locations. (Motions and votes recorded.)

- Bridge replacement priority list — Approved an updated yearly county bridge-replacement priority list to be used for state planning and bonding/grant applications. (Motion and vote recorded.)

- County ditch maintenance — Approved cleaning County Ditch 90 in Vineland Township and installation of a field culvert; project oversight assigned to county staff. (Motion and vote recorded.)

- Hiring/advertising actions — Approved immediate advertising and hiring for a budgeted Women, Infants and Children (WIC) wellness/breastfeeding coordinator position following a retirement announcement. (Motion and vote recorded.)

What commissioners said: Sergeant Chuck Carlson described the boat-and-water grant and staffing plans: “They are offering us $9,693 to put toward our efforts on the… lake,” Carlson said, adding the county hopes to increase hours on the water as it refills patrol positions. Commissioners discussed software timelines at length, noting a $10,000 upcharge for a one-year option and an estimated $60,000–$75,000 of additional implementation support if the county needed outside help.

Implementation notes and next steps: Staff said the road contractor would maintain traffic for most of the County Road 12 project but may close the route briefly when centerline work is performed. The Questica rollout will require integration with existing accounting codes and staff time from MIS and finance; commissioners asked staff to work with the vendor and county IT on integration timetables.

Sources and provenance: Actions and votes are documented in the meeting transcript of the Polk County Board of Commissioners, April 15, 2025.

Ending: Commissioners closed the meeting after approving routine business and the slate of actions. Staff and department leads will return to the board with implementation details as projects proceed.","At its April 15 meeting the Polk County Board of Commissioners approved a $2.23 million contract to widen County Road 12, authorized a three-year contract for Questica budgeting software, and accepted multiple smaller grants and contracts including a boat-and-water safety grant and two social-service agreements.","actionData","errors"]

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Sheriff's Office reports: high-speed pursuit, deputy hires and cellular coverage concerns highlighted

Commissioner reports detail Cross Lake 'Turtle Connection' dam plans and fish-passage work

Polk County commissioners approve road contract, software agreement and a slate of grants and contracts