County approves $68,250 traffic-enforcement grant to fund additional patrols

The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 16 approved a state traffic-safety grant of $68,250 to fund additional enforcement shifts under the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety "Towards Zero Deaths" program for the grant year beginning Oct. 1, 2025.

Sheriff Eric Tolleson told commissioners the grant supplements routine patrols and targets impaired driving, seat-belt and speed enforcement and distracted driving. "About 76% of that total does go to actual enforcement," Tolleson said, adding the money also pays for extra dispatch support, public education and small discretionary purchases.

Why it matters: The amount of this county allocation rose from last year, Tolleson said, because federal and state formula funding takes local crash and fatality data into account. "Last year, we had an unusually high number of fatalities in the county," he said. "It... does fluctuate as a result of those numbers."

The grant breaks down into enforcement priorities Tolleson listed: 34% for impaired-driving enforcement, 14% for seat-belt enforcement, 14% for speed enforcement, 12% for distracted-driving enforcement and 1% for move-over law enforcement. Tolleson said the enforcement funds will be divided among Kandiyohi County deputies, Willmar police and Atwater police; the Minnesota State Patrol receives separate funding.

Discussion and vote: Commissioners did not request changes. Commissioner Dale Anderson moved to approve resolution 2025-31 authorizing acceptance of the grant; Commissioner Corky Berg seconded. The board voted in favor, with the motion passing unanimously.

What comes next: Tolleson said the funds will be used for designated enforcement waves and public outreach over the October 2025–September 2026 grant year.