Blue Earth County commissioners on Aug. 19 opened a public hearing and approved a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of general obligation capital improvement plan bonds to help finance a new county public works facility. County Finance Director Candice Sonic and municipal adviser Christine Hogan of Baker Tilly presented statutory background, estimated costs and a sale timeline.

Candice Sonic, Blue Earth County finance director, told the board that Minnesota Statute section 373.4 authorizes counties to issue general obligation CIP bonds and that bonds issued under an approved capital improvement plan “are not subject to the election requirements of section 375.18 or 475.58.” She said the county’s capital improvement plan estimates the total cost of the public works project at approximately $40,300,000 and that the county intends to issue bonds “not to exceed $30,570,000” to finance a portion of the project plus issuance costs.

Municipal adviser Christine Hogan, director at Baker Tilly, explained the planned bond structure and sale timetable. Hogan said the bonds would carry a general obligation pledge, be structured over 20 years with a standard 10-year optional call, and that the county plans a competitive sale with a rating presentation to S&P scheduled for Sept. 3 and bond sale on Sept. 22, with the board awarding results at its Sept. 23 meeting. She said levy collection would begin in 2026 and that the county’s estimated maximum annual debt service remains within statutory limits tied to market value.

Discussion at the hearing was limited to the staff presentation and technical questions. No members of the public offered comments during the allotted public-comment period. Following the presentation, a commissioner moved and the board voted to approve the resolution authorizing issuance and sale of the general obligation capital improvement plan bonds series 2025A. The motion passed on a voice vote; commissioners said they appreciated staff work and education provided prior to the hearing.

What passed: a board resolution authorizing issuance and public sale of general obligation capital improvement plan bonds (series 2025A) in an amount not to exceed $30,570,000 to finance part of an estimated $40,300,000 public works facility project, with levy collection beginning in 2026 and a planned 20-year repayment structure.

Next steps: the county will meet with a rating agency on Sept. 3, conduct a competitive sale Sept. 22 and expect to receive bond proceeds in mid-October, subject to final pricing and market conditions. The county also will complete required post‑issuance compliance (arbitrage and continuing disclosure) and finalize legal documents with bond counsel.