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Wright County board approves resolutions to preserve federal and state road project funding, authorizes condemnation steps
Summary
The Wright County Board unanimously approved three resolutions to start condemnation proceedings for two road projects and to exchange federal funds with Benton County so state aid can be used later, steps county staff said are needed to keep federal and state grant timelines intact.
The Wright County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved resolutions Monday to begin condemnation proceedings for right-of-way on two road projects and to enter an agency agreement to swap federal funds with Benton County to preserve construction timetables.
County staff said the actions keep federal and state grant deadlines and timelines intact while the county continues negotiations with affected property owners. The board approved a resolution to begin eminent domain proceedings related to the 35-and-8 roundabout (Resolution 25-30), a condemnation resolution for right-of-way on County Road 137 tied to development near Interstate 94 (Resolution 25-31), and an agreement to exchange federal funds with Benton County so Wright County can receive an equal amount of state aid and delay construction until this fall (Resolution 25-32).
The board heard from a county staff member who said project teams expect to reach negotiated settlements with property owners but that beginning condemnation is needed to meet grant timelines. "We have a federal grant. There's some timelines on when we have to begin work," the staff member said, adding that staff will continue "to negotiate in good faith to try to avoid moving forward in the proceedings." The staff member also told the board the fund-swap approach administered by MnDOT would allow Wright County to keep doing work to federal standards while avoiding some federal prevailing-wage requirements during construction.
Commissioner Moyna moved to approve the condemnation resolution for the 35-and-8 roundabout; Commissioner Holland seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Shane moved the condemnation resolution for County Road 137; Commissioner Holland seconded and that motion also passed unanimously. Commissioner Shane then moved the agency agreement enabling the federal/state fund swap with Benton County; Commissioner Holland seconded and that measure passed on a unanimous vote.
County staff said the County Road 137 action is tied to a project near I-94 and a Costco site and that the county had been refining right-of-way needs while working with property owners and state grant requirements. The board was told MnDOT will administer the fund-swap because it holds the relevant funding "pots" for the federal and state programs.
No members of the public spoke on these items during the meeting. The county emphasized these votes were procedural steps to preserve funding eligibility and timelines while negotiations with property owners continue.
