Clay County board approves tax-forfeited property sale listing, public-health hire, grants, IT purchase and lobbying contract; jail-refunding resolutions OK'd

The Clay County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 23 approved several budget and program actions, including a resolution to set the date and terms for tax-forfeited property sales beginning Nov. 3, 2025, and a series of staff and technology approvals.

Jacqueline, a county staff member in the tax-forfeited property office, told the board the county will list three parcels that were forfeited to the state and will “work with public surplus to do an online auction,” allowing listings to include photos and run online for the first time. The board approved resolution 2025-523 to publish the tax-forfeited list, start online notice Nov. 3 and run required public notice periods. Commissioners Perre (mover) and Kravenhoff (second) led the motion and the board voted to adopt the resolution by voice vote.

Why it matters: county staff said the new online option will allow bidders to see photos and other listing details; state statute requires an initial 30-day posting at estimated market value before a minimum bid can be set. County staff said the process may run 60 days or longer before any parcels can be purchased over the counter if unsold in the auction.

Public health hiring: The board approved a combined 0.8 full-time equivalent position to serve as a public-health analyst and Child and Teen Checkups outreach worker. A county presenter described Child and Teen Checkups as “an evidence based program” that makes outreach calls and contacts to ensure eligible children receive well-child visits; the public-health analyst portion would be funded through ongoing Minnesota Department of Human Services foundational public-health funds and would support required community health needs assessments and improvement planning. The board approved the combined 0.8 FTE by voice vote. Separately, staff asked to pause a related adult-position hire until more information becomes public on Oct. 1; the board agreed to delay that specific action.

Crime victim services grant: The board accepted a recurring victim-services grant of $70,000 that county staff said primarily funds salary for victim-services positions and restorative-justice work. The motion to accept the grant was approved by voice vote.

IT procurement and security: Technology staff presented three vendor quotes to replace 48 end-of-life network switches that serve county buildings. Staff recommended the lowest quote of $358,074 from High Point Networks; the board approved that purchase by voice vote. Staff said internal service funds will cover the cost. Commissioners also reviewed updated quotes for internal-only penetration testing and agreed to return with a formal vendor recommendation and term (1–5 years) for a future meeting; no purchase motion was taken on the penetration-testing item at this meeting.

Lobbying contract: The board approved a contract with the Winthrop & Weinstein lobbying firm that staff said is prorated to $14,000 for the remainder of 2025 and $48,000 for the full year 2026. The board discussion emphasized having a consistent contact path through the county administrator and two commissioners who have been handling legislative matters.

Jail refunding bond actions: The board approved two resolutions that staff and county financial advisers recommended to prepare for a competitive sale to refund part of the county’s 2017 jail bonds. Resolution 2025-24 authorizes the county to enter a state credit-enhancement program with the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority; resolution 2025-25 authorizes providing for the sale of the general obligation jail refunding bond and sets a tentative bond-sale date of Oct. 28, 2025 while preserving flexibility to move the sale later if market conditions warrant. County financial advisers said their early analysis shows potential interest-cost savings and noted the state guarantee option can help preserve a top rating for the refunding if the term remains within the original schedule.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025-523 (tax-forfeited property sale listing and online auction): adopted (motion: Commissioner Perre; second: Commissioner Kravenhoff; voice vote). - Public-health analyst and Child & Teen Checkups outreach 0.8 FTE: approved (motion made, voice vote). - Crime Victim Services grant ($70,000): accepted (voice vote). - Purchase of 48 network switches (High Point Networks): approved at $358,074 (voice vote). - Winthrop & Weinstein lobbying contract (prorated remainder 2025 = $14,000; 2026 = $48,000): approved (voice vote). - Resolutions 2025-24 (credit enhancement) and 2025-25 (authorize sale of jail-refunding bonds): approved (voice votes); Oct. 28, 2025 listed as the tentative sale date but board kept flexibility to move the date.

What the board did not act on: staff presented updated penetration-testing quotes and recommended focusing on internal testing in 2026; the board asked staff to return with a vendor recommendation and term and took no purchasing action at this meeting.

Looking ahead: the tax-forfeited auctions are scheduled to start Nov. 3, 2025, per the adopted resolution. Staff will return with a vendor choice and contract terms for penetration testing and with additional details on the paused adult public-health position once the state’s information becomes public Oct. 1. County financial staff will continue work on the refunding timeline and rating-agency contacts in the coming weeks.