Morrison County board approves preliminary 2026 budget, Lake Alexander assessment and multiple land-use permits

Morrison County commissioners voted on a slate of budget, land-use and project actions during their meeting on Sept. 23 at the Morrison County Courthouse in Little Falls.

The board set a public hearing for the county’s Truth in Taxation (final levy and budget) meeting for Dec. 11 at 6 p.m., approved a preliminary 2026 levy and a preliminary county budget and passed several permitting and funding-related motions that will affect property owners and local projects.

The most consequential fiscal action was approval of the county’s preliminary 2026 budget at $66,235,804 — a 6.82% increase over 2025, the board was told. County Chief Financial Officer Kurt Bernarski and staff said the rise reflects inflationary pressure on salaries (a projected 3% COLA) and a near‑9% increase in health insurance costs, along with reductions in some state and federal Human Services funding that shifted roughly $200,000 onto the levy.

Commissioners approved the preliminary levy and related budget motions by roll call. The board also set the fee-schedule and final-levy public hearing for Dec. 11, with a start time of 6 p.m. and an earliest Truth-in‑Taxation start at 6:05 p.m.

Lake Alexander Lake Improvement District The board approved the Lake Alexander Lake Improvement District (LID) 2026 budget and an assessment of $125 per parcel, down from $200 in the previous year, following a presentation by Dr. Bill Faber, who identified himself as chair of the Lake Alexander Lake Improvement District and president of the property owners association. Faber told the board the district had grant support this year — a $12,500 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources grant and an additional $3,250 through the county’s AIS program — which helped reduce the assessment for property owners.

Faber described ongoing aquatic invasive‑species work: about 20 acres of curlyleaf pondweed and about 30 acres treated for Eurasian watermilfoil in the current year. He also discussed zebra mussel monitoring (veliger testing) and shoreline impacts, and explained the LID’s preference to keep a higher contingency balance after costly large infestations in prior years. A motion to approve the LID budget and the $125 assessment passed; Commissioner Blaine made the motion and Commissioner Miranda seconded it.

Land‑use and feedlot conditional use permits Land Services staff brought two conditional use permit (CUP) requests for tier‑2 poultry feedlots. The first application, from Donald and Kerming Lewinsky, sought to establish a tier‑2 feedlot with construction of two chicken barns; the Planning Commission recommended approval with three conditions: (1) consulting the feedlot officer to identify suitable soils for manure stockpiling, (2) reestablishing and maintaining vegetation within the beef pasture area by Oct. 31, 2026, and (3) establishing and maintaining a permanent vegetative buffer around the barns. Commissioner Winter moved approval and Commissioner Blaine seconded; the motion carried.

A second CUP for Gregory and Renee Wentzmann — also for a tier‑2 poultry feedlot — was recommended by the Planning Commission with one condition: that a 14‑acre area east and south of the barns be planted and maintained with permanent vegetation. The board approved that permit on a motion by Commissioner Blank and a second by Commissioner Winter.

Other approvals and motions The board approved a waiver allowing Valley Hardwoods to provide a 30‑day TIP plan after the usual deadline; staff said the project scope grew to more than $1.2 million, which required additional time to complete the TIP financing paperwork. The waiver clears the way for a public hearing on the taxpayer‑initiated plan on Oct. 7.

The board also passed a resolution supporting the sheriff’s application to a Sourcewell impact grant for ballistic shields, squad tires and thermal scopes; the sheriff said the grant is a one‑time purchase of up to $50,000 and requires a county resolution of support.

Finally, the board approved the Morrison County Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy at $70,000, unchanged from 2025.

Votes at a glance (key items from Sept. 23 meeting) - Agenda amendment to add item 11.5 (sheriff grant resolution): Motion by Commissioner Miranda; second by Commissioner Casper; approved by voice vote. - Consent agenda: Approved by roll call (Commissioners Blaney/Blaine, Casper, Winter, Moran, Ramirez voted aye as recorded in the minutes). - Lake Alexander LID 2026 budget and $125 assessment per parcel: Motion by Commissioner Blaine; second by Commissioner Miranda; outcome approved. - Conditional use permit — Donald and Kerming Lewinsky (tier‑2 feedlot, two chicken barns) with three planning conditions: Motion by Commissioner Winter; second by Commissioner Blaine; outcome approved. - Conditional use permit — Gregory and Renee Wentzmann (tier‑2 poultry feedlot) with one condition (14‑acre vegetation): Motion by Commissioner Blank; second by Commissioner Winter; outcome approved. - Waiver of 30‑day TIP plan submission for Valley Hardwoods: Motion by Commissioner Blaine; second by Commissioner Winter; roll call approved (Commissioner Moran recorded as No). - Sheriff’s resolution to support Sourcewell grant application (up to $50,000 impact funding): Motion carried by voice vote. - Preliminary 2026 levy and budget motions and approval of the 2026 county budget ($66,235,804): motions carried by roll call. - HRA levy (special taxing district) at $70,000: Motion carried by roll call.

Discussion versus decisions The board’s decisions included formal approvals (budget, permits, waiver, resolution). Staff presentations supplied supporting data (AIS grant amounts, feedlot permit conditions, budget drivers such as health‑insurance and state funding changes). Several items were informational (planning session scheduling, future public hearings) and will require follow‑up steps (public hearings or implementation by departments).

Proper names mentioned in this article include Morrison County; Lake Alexander Lake Improvement District; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Valley Hardwoods; Sourcewell; Morrison County Housing and Redevelopment Authority; and the Morrison County Courthouse in Little Falls.

Ending Most approvals will proceed to the next steps required by county staff — public hearings where specified, and implementation of permit conditions. The board will return to budget work before the Dec. 11 Truth‑in‑Taxation hearing.