Scott County Board hears legislative update, honors Farm Family and reviews employee development; consent agenda of 11 resolutions approved

The Scott County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 19 and took several noncontroversial actions while spending substantial time on a legislative briefing and a countywide employee-development presentation.

Representative Ben Bakeberg, who represents Prior Lake, Jordan and parts of Shakopee in the Minnesota House, briefed the board on the just-completed legislative session and thanked county leaders for raising concerns about proposed state cost shifts. “Just be honest,” Bakeberg told commissioners, urging county officials to describe local impacts to legislators so state-level choices account for county consequences. He said the 2025 session produced large spending reductions, blocked the cost shifts that would have moved program costs to counties, and stopped proposed tax increases for households.

The board also recognized Ron and Lisa Malika (and their children Cassie and Jacob) as Scott County’s 2025 Farm Family of the Year. Presented by County Extension representatives, the Malikas were honored for multi‑generation farming on roughly 700 acres of corn, soybeans, alfalfa and oats and for implementing soil‑conservation practices with the Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District. Ron Malika attended the earlier Ditch Board…