Todd County commissioners approve $4.11 million highway contract, multiple equipment purchases and staffing actions

Good morning. On March 4, 2025, the Todd County Board of Commissioners approved a series of contracts, equipment purchases and personnel actions during its regular meeting, including a $4,113,309.75 award for County Highway work and a number of budgeted purchases for the county transfer station and fleet.

The actions matter because they set procurement and staffing priorities for the county’s public works, sheriff’s office, health and human services and solid waste operations and commit county funds or matching contributions that affect service delivery and future budgets.

Most significant was the board’s vote to award the construction contract for the county’s 2025 Batumanus Highway projects to Mark Sand and Gravel of Fergus Falls for $4,113,309.75. Public works staff told commissioners the firm submitted the low bid; staff said the bid came in below industry estimates and that the county received an unusually large field of bidders this year. As public works staff noted, “They've worked in Otter Tail, Wadena, Hubbard, they're a reputable company and gave us a great, great bid,” which the board accepted.

Other approved purchases and contract actions included a 2025 Chevrolet K1500 pickup for the sheriff’s fleet from Alexandria Motors for $48,510; the purchase of a Western Star semi tractor from Boyer Truck for $154,448.10 for solid waste operations; two walking-floor trailers from North American Trailer for $250,484 total; and professional services contracts for groundwater and sampling work (Barr Hydrology, $15,500; Widseth, $18,500). The board also approved a planned purchase of three squad replacements this year, starting with the K1500 pickup now authorized.

Health and Human Services (HHS) items approved included an interim accounting contract to cover a vacant Administrative Services Manager position, a letter of intent to continue administering the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for federal fiscal year 2026, and the elimination of one public health nurse position from the adult services unit following the previously approved care coordinator position.

The board appointed Sarah Booker as Todd County’s delegate to the Central Minnesota Emergency Services Board Regional Advisory Committee and set Mike Wisniewski as the alternate. The board also approved planning and zoning items including final plat approval for the Ambling Trail plat and the appointment of Kim Veil, Todd County Recorder, as permanent supervisor of the county GIS department, plus a temporary intergovernmental contract with Douglas County for up to two days per week of GIS specialist services while the position is filled.

Votes at a glance: Auditor and departmental warrants (February 2025) — Approved (audit warrants total $2,252,170.63; commissioner warrants $41,674.91; HHS warrants and HHS-SSIS warrants $141,969.78 and $87,268.91 respectively).

Batumanus Highway construction contract — Approved; award to Mark Sand and Gravel, Fergus Falls, MN; low bid $4,113,309.75.

Federal Highway/HSIP planning discussion — Informational; staff reported Todd County will prepare projects for potential HSIP funding and noted a risk that future federal funding availability could change.

Sheriff fleet replacement — Approved purchase of 2025 Chevy K1500 pickup from Alexandria Motors for $48,510 (first of three planned replacements).

HHS accounting contract — Approved (interim contract to cover vacant Administrative Services Manager; funding from public health and HHS accounts).

Energy Assistance Program (EAP) letter of intent — Approved; Todd County notified Minnesota Department of Commerce of intent to administer FY2026 EAP; contract expected in September.

Elimination of one public health nurse position — Approved; position to be replaced operationally by the previously approved care coordinator role.

Solid waste purchases — Approved: Western Star 47X semi tractor to Boyer Truck ($154,448.10); two walking-floor trailers to North American Trailer ($250,484); professional services: Barr Hydrology ($15,500) and Widseth ($18,500).

Construction & demolition (C&D) management grant — Approved letter of support and $6,000 county contribution to Otter Tail County’s MPCA grant application to study regional C&D management.

GIS supervision and interim services — Approved appointment of Todd County Recorder Kim Veil as GIS supervisor and a contract with Douglas County for temporary GIS specialist services at the specified hourly rate until a hire is completed.

Planning and zoning final plat (Ambling Trail) — Approved.

Most votes were unanimous. When roll calls were conducted, Commissioners Nasca, Newman, Denny, Becker and Byers recorded affirmative votes unless otherwise noted.

The board handled several items administratively (consent agenda approvals including personnel resignations and local liquor license renewals). Several agenda items were delayed or tabled earlier in the meeting when the presenting staff were not available; the board later returned to some of those items when staff arrived.

Looking ahead, solid waste staff said they will return with additional construction contingency and change-order details on the transfer station project on March 18; HHS will bring the EAP contract forward in September for formal approval. The county attorney’s office said small-city prosecution contracts are being handled on a calendar-year basis; some small-city agreements still awaited signatures.

Ending note: The board met with all commissioners and elected officials present and livestreamed the meeting. Several items discussed at length — notably transfer-station construction budgeting and demolition landfill planning — will return for additional action and detail in upcoming meetings.