The Stearns County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 adopted a resolution authorizing eminent domain proceedings for a county road improvement project between the Sauk River and County Road 165.

The resolution covers a county-state Highway 2 improvement (identified in packet materials as SB 073-602-050) that is included in the county's five-year road improvement program for 2025. Jody Teich, the county highway engineer, told commissioners the project will be funded with a combination of federal funding and state aid and that of 28 affected parcels several remained unsigned when the packet was prepared.

Teich said three of the previously unsigned parcels had since been signed, leaving six parcels still unresolved; he also said the county is continuing to negotiate with property owners to avoid eminent domain where possible. Commissioners noted that Xcel Energy had not signed and that coordination with the utility on transmission-line relocation remained ongoing.

Commissioner Richard Leintlinger moved to adopt the resolution and Commissioner Steve Notch seconded. The board approved the measure by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the public transcript.

The board directed staff to continue outreach to property owners and to follow up with an email to commissioners with additional public-access information and next steps for the project timeline and federal approvals.

Because the resolution authorizes eminent domain action only if negotiations fail, Teich emphasized the county will continue to attempt negotiated land agreements while preserving the federal funding timeline.

Ending: County staff will continue negotiations with property owners and Xcel Energy and will report back to the board; work on the project will proceed pending required land access and federal approvals.