[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6501305,"mediaKeyId","5613692-43251515e994665f107c91554956f625","parentId",5613692,"title","Votes at a glance: Stevens County board approves routine warrants, IT licensing and vendor payments; accepts contract termination","audioSeconds",508,"startMs",3232000,"endMs",3740000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613692-43251515e994665f107c91554956f625&start=3232&end=3740","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613692-43251515e994665f107c91554956f625/thumbnail_3232000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6501305/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Stevens-County-board-approves-routine-warrants-IT-licensing-and-vendor-payments-accepts-contract-termination","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501305-7ba8cab14b8b9dcdd6ee7f78056421a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742711&Signature=gICGrdXKsvbNmfgLDnjwuD2kJ1tUyuRz39-8ioz-aEPsarm5MndtrL3mJZCV2MW0IZsrBgdXKsQeRjoBKtabrIdY~2h~9vuvsOwrEf6AZLDNDyO7eNsZpN-oJdAN4tSxCxUOM9nhpRHu~SvASXDtgb7aJVCbCrAKrZ~JGBfoUn0IqBF0-l2PrcmwZgDZRio9W9JjDHEf0CVIOLi~m3x4ECDG0-3ZC3I~1jYxYyCmhuTkMS9ZgmKyQ065Zf86Afc-oubzOp3PeF-ttWIuKp4Zj2waGoRIZGgzprFu9K~-zSO-sJN3BWiQpWeoQWjk4Nrb~Ge2AV0ZnULUYk4urSEiHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stevens County","date","2025-08-21T13:13:02.307Z","article","The Stevens County Board of Commissioners approved a series of routine financial and administrative items during the meeting. The board’s recorded actions included approval of warrants, IT licensing, vendor payments, a quitclaim deed, advertisement of county land for rent and acceptance of a contract termination.

Key votes and outcomes (motions carried unless noted):

- Approve agenda and prior meeting minutes — motion carried.

- Auditor/Commissioner warrants — approved (general warrants and commissioner warrants were presented and approved by motion). The meeting packet included an auditor warrant listing and a commissioner warrant on page 13; no individual dissent was recorded.

- Human Services warrants — approved. Human Services warrants presented totaled $167,766.92; the board voted to approve them.

- VMware licensing quote — approved. The board approved a one-year VMware licensing quote for $13,693.68 to maintain support for the county’s virtual-server environment; staff noted licensing market disruptions after VMware’s acquisition by Broadcom.

- Final vendor payments for road and maintenance work — approved. The board approved final payment to Morris SealCo and Trucking for $13,407.21 and final payment to Lot Pros for $6,428.94 for chip seal/road work and mass expanding projects.

- Quitclaim deed for parcel 05-9010-000 — approved. The board approved a quitclaim deed to reconvey a parcel to Paul and Larry Mosher consistent with title research and prior probate history.

- County land rental advertisement — approved. For a roughly 5-acre county parcel in Framingness Township, the board directed staff to advertise the parcel for sealed-bid rental (taxes to be paid by the successful bidder); lease terms and final negotiation were to follow the sealed-bid process.

- Big Stone County emergency management contract termination — accepted. The board accepted notice from Big Stone County that it will not renew the two-year contract for Stevens County to provide emergency-management services; Big Stone plans to move to its own arrangement effective Jan. 1, 2026.

- On-call pay augmentation for Human Services — approved. The board approved an augmentation for a social services on-call rotation at $143.59 per pay period effective with the new hire.

Procedural notes: Nearly all motions were approved by voice vote with the chair calling, “All those in favor signify by saying aye,” and no recorded roll-call tallies for individual commissioners were entered into the meeting minutes A number of items were procedural approvals of warrants and final invoices; the board did not vote on the fairboard capital project request during the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stevens County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting 08/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Stevens County Board approved routine financial warrants and vendor payments, an IT licensing purchase and several administrative items including a quitclaim deed and advertising county land for rent, and accepted notice of a neighboring county’s termination of an emergency-management contract.","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},6501309,"SWCD reports slower fieldwork, steady grant-funded projects and vehicle purchase plan",271,1743000,2014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613692-43251515e994665f107c91554956f625&start=1743&end=2014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613692-43251515e994665f107c91554956f625/thumbnail_1743000.jpg","/articles/6501309/Stevens-County/Minnesota/SWCD-reports-slower-fieldwork-steady-grant-funded-projects-and-vehicle-purchase-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501309-e6b8dda749ea0f3e050bbc9303724314/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742711&Signature=F01EzJDGCCdKIZ4C-EahayuzUMw~r7Sl3f6h-bslrQEH6~FT5xJXlPilfeNAMbopYKstA4rIfG9JPGL35o4sJIuldzAUYp8OrrJX6u4ex84-VSyuYKubKDIb1JRy5g1f7UqcBDUFe6gt0YHk2wKa7zM~wKpnTnDYq1F94NfqOubXkww-ub36wij5sg5dO-Qyw2UuaAQ9bJslj8UmJdLJ2dTGUhbHhvjGXQeO6g6KiScYF8K4B-YeiT3VdumtpZRc2-qPayJVjkK4avtDzr7kkAqttJO~AG01QCiTdVKTJuEbVuJ3oDBDFHUSbfL9Ddkl1NDmCh0C9wjP7S5jws76ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Matt Solmsas, speaking for the Stevens County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), updated the board on SWCD activities and its proposed budget. He said wet conditions this year limited field projects and planting work and that the SWCD remains largely grant-funded for project reimbursements.

Solmsas said the district serves as fiscal agent for local dam projects and that many of the SWCD’s expenses are reimbursable project costs. He described major revenue sources including watershed-based implementation funds (WBIF), soil-health grants and county aid funding for capacity. The SWCD budget includes a planned capital outlay item to purchase a replacement vehicle for field work.

Why it matters: The SWCD manages and reimburses construction and conservation projects across the county and coordinates several multi-jurisdiction projects. Ongoing grant activity influences county budgeting and project delivery timelines. SWCD staff asked commissioners to note the district’s continued reliance on grant reimbursements and to expect that project-level expenditure and reimbursement timing will drive reported year-to-year budget variances.

Solmsas said recent field work was constrained by continuous wet weather, that the SWCD hired a soil-health staff member last year to support a surge of soil-health funding, and that some reimbursements represent large pass-through project payments the district advances before reimbursement.

The county took no formal funding action at the presentation; Solmsas said the SWCD will return if commissioners have questions about project-specific items such as dam planning and grant applications.

","The Stevens County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) reviewed its budget, said field work slowed by wet conditions, and noted grant-funded project activity, soil-health staffing and a planned vehicle purchase.",{"_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},6501314,"Stevens County Fair board seeks county support for $1.5 million grandstand and site upgrades",800,2230000,3030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613692-43251515e994665f107c91554956f625&start=2230&end=3030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613692-43251515e994665f107c91554956f625/thumbnail_2230000.jpg","/articles/6501314/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Stevens-County-Fair-board-seeks-county-support-for-15-million-grandstand-and-site-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501314-2bcb4a7101394e191db458f4d8b4ee52/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742711&Signature=PiCB9Ca61HG36eZFHDcLUS0kH2z3U4981FyIWVOsL7tjO5wHXvzx8uXwQX28Kg3-jxkFSPzjLGTtsLeYGqTFtmT4lcHwQJRSHTALqAFaw-62~hjJp0-KF5koLzBNTvnajxvYC9JIoK6Zog8ANzQ4Du9bzbpD7UYr5JbBmqlVqqGczu2cEHCcZXpVCfwHX7l5mwhmBceuU5uTQDmVuQ8J6d-fGQcsMUsNn-5SDCc5Yb~F2YL8hHa71jPOp45sNfrtzsz3UUYZBZxjWxVUxz4XH86dLtehHPTIFwo6FLclix7yTBvhLNOkrPjIx9yqUuyx5WpTVCtE3vn1VK8MYGOARg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Stevens County Fair Board presented a capital plan to replace the fair’s aging grandstand and upgrade utility and restroom infrastructure, and asked the county for financial support and partnership on fundraising.

Brian Anderson, a Stevens County Fair Board member, said the fairgrounds experienced flooding two weeks before the event this year and that volunteers and partners helped complete major improvements, including a replaced fence on County Road 22, expanded children’s play area, new arena lights and a new wash rack for sheep and goats. Anderson said the board is requesting a county allocation increase to $45,000 for the fair’s operations and capital needs.

Why it matters: Fairboard leaders told the board their grandstand is nearly 100 years old and increasingly costly to maintain. Jordan (Fair Board) laid out a three-phase Raise the Grandstand plan with an estimated total project cost of approximately $1.5 million. Phase 1 would be demolition and purchase of new aluminum bleacher seating for about 1,200 people (an increase from current capacity) and related site work; later phases include concrete, electrical upgrades and new ADA restrooms. The board reported roughly 20% of the project is already committed from a large private donation and prior county contributions.

Project details and timing: The board said the bleacher seating and site work are the most time-critical items because lead times for fabricated bleachers can be long; their timeline expects demolition and site prep in the fall, a concrete pour in spring and bleacher installation in late spring or early summer so the new seating could be in place before the next fair. Adding a roof over the grandstand was discussed but estimated to add substantially to cost (a roof estimate mentioned in discussion was roughly $450,000 just for the roof). The board said phased construction would allow the grandstand seating to be replaced first and other elements completed later; temporary seating rentals are a backup if work overlaps a fair year.

Funding, operations and requests: In addition to the county allocation request, the fair board said it is planning a capital fundraising campaign, grant seeking and donor outreach. Board members asked the county to consider partnership options, possible grant resources and to help with access to county grant-writing resources. The fair leaders also described on-site needs for improved water and sewer lines, more restroom capacity, and increased electrical service to avoid major generator needs for concerts and other large events.

No formal county funding decision or vote on a capital appropriation occurred during the meeting. Fair Board members said they will continue fundraising and asked the board to consider county support as planning advances.

","Fair board members described a phased plan to replace the nearly 100-year-old grandstand, upgrade utilities and restrooms, and requested county funding and partnership for a $1.5 million capital campaign.",{"_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},6501318,"Stevens County seeks federal aid after heavy June–July storms; emergency teams continue damage assessments",1244,329000,1573000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613692-43251515e994665f107c91554956f625&start=329&end=1573","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613692-43251515e994665f107c91554956f625/thumbnail_329000.jpg","/articles/6501318/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Stevens-County-seeks-federal-aid-after-heavy-JuneJuly-storms-emergency-teams-continue-damage-assessments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501318-886766a09c27b822b38e384902f0f663/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742711&Signature=A6xqoWxj6ec4k8WONChBUrNekb-m4Hy796p-zo9T10dDZ4DLaGXvxzUIrPS0qQqpvb5urFLIqafjeCH6AlBnk7lxz5fIfs6LA8HzBg9fnWzYjsIq8odC-ynkZuIVccEmRtqLvMdK07i3Ye9NryAbsURi1vE7jK3rYnvA0olJ1CK64kpTJ1-74RhN1IcVG2KKcUPZ~a2IDfO0IltnZdCuHl~UrvPPS00oZ~iZT2xHFr572qbskFU1Y-6g1wjPp6CXmIDU3fG5toqJ4mE0AptiQd4Av6DCYOGSKmgZBtFZUaQK3dh-I7q2GMFhk1GUQp6JgIf4qoZazyvNGe1XlglpEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stevens County Emergency Management reported that the governor issued a disaster declaration covering Stevens, Cottonwood and Granville counties after storms and heavy rainfall in June and July, and county staff are continuing damage assessments and outreach to affected residents.

Donna, Stevens County emergency management director, told the board the county’s preliminary damage assessment (PDA) from the June events totaled $276,065 and that public infrastructure damage estimates — separate from private homes and businesses — are currently around $800,000. Donna said the county has now recorded more than 15 inches of rain in the most affected areas this season.

Why it matters: The county is working to meet state and federal damage thresholds that unlock additional assistance. Donna said the county needs to identify at least 25 homes with major damage to qualify for a Small Business Administration (SBA) individual assistance assessment and that major damage is being measured at roughly 3% of a home’s value.

County staff are coordinating several responses. A Homeland Security PDA meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Emergency Operations Center the day after the board meeting; Donna said that if the PDA meets the federal/state guidelines the county board chair will sign a letter to the governor requesting state assistance. She asked homeowners and business owners with damage to complete the county’s survey link under “Flood Resources” on the county website; she said about 50 households had submitted information through that survey and another five to six families had been added via Human Services intake.

Donna described resources and needs: the county has about 50 cleanup kits available, and residents with major life-safety or mold concerns are being referred to the Red Cross and Salvation Army for immediate help. She emphasized concerns about remediation quality and mold growth in basements and said public health and environmental cleanup contact lists will be mailed to affected residents. For people who cannot reach the web form, staff are relying on local media, radio, city clerks and mailings to notify residents, and Donna provided a county contact number for questions: (320) 208-6507.

Communications and infrastructure impacts: Donna briefed the board on two recent BNSF train incidents in the county that released diesel fuel; she said neither event required population-level hazardous-material alerts but one blocked a highway while a crane was recovered. She also described ongoing work on the county’s ARMOR radio system: 25 radios have shown signs of failing or needing repair, two tower antennas were replaced after storm damage, coaxial cable was replaced, and the county expects a 75% reimbursement level for certain antenna and coax costs under ARMOR-related funding.

Longer-term preparedness: Donna reminded the board the county’s hazard mitigation plan expires on June 17, 2027. She said prior updates were largely in-kind work by county staff and that a full update previously had grant funding; that grant funding is currently on hold, and the county estimates a cash cost of roughly $89,000 to complete the update if it cannot secure state or federal grant support. Donna said the county will pursue available grant options and will provide a further update after the scheduled PDA meeting.

The board did not take a formal vote on assistance at the meeting; Donna asked that residents and businesses with damage complete the county survey and noted staff will continue outreach and coordination with state and federal partners.

","County emergency management reported a state disaster declaration, a preliminary damage assessment and ongoing work to document infrastructure and private property losses following intense rainfall and multiple incidents that began in early June.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Stevens County board approves routine warrants, IT licensing and vendor payments; accepts contract termination

SWCD reports slower fieldwork, steady grant-funded projects and vehicle purchase plan

Stevens County Fair board seeks county support for $1.5 million grandstand and site upgrades

Stevens County seeks federal aid after heavy June–July storms; emergency teams continue damage assessments