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Polk County Board approves contracts, rezoning and permits in routine business session
Summary
At its regular meeting the Polk County Board approved multiple contracts for road work and sweeping, revised a county-state aid resolution, approved a rezone and a conditional-use permit, and adopted a countywide permit for removal of windblown topsoil from county ditches.
Polk County commissioners approved a slate of routine and project-specific items at their meeting, including multiple road contracts, a revised County State Aid Highway (CSAH) funding resolution, a countywide permit for removing windblown topsoil from county roadway ditches and related approvals for land use and business operations. The votes were unanimous or voice-approved where recorded.
The board awarded a street-sweeping contract to Matheson (Grand Forks) for spring sweeping of county curb-and-gutter streets and small cities. Commissioners approved a surfacing contract to R.J. Zavoral & Sons Inc. for County Road 46 between Trunk Highways 102 and 2 (low bid $2,020,319). The board also awarded a hot-in-place recycle contract to Industrial, Inc. (bid $4,793,919.75) for several county routes, and authorized execution of related contracts.
Board members accepted a reduced CSAH funding allocation from the state and revised Resolution 2025-18 downward to $630,307.57 after staff explained the state requires two years of funding in the account. Commissioners approved a countywide, blanket right-of-way permit allowing landowners to reclaim windblown black topsoil (referred to in discussion as “blow soil”) from Polk County roadway ditches without paying the standard $300 permit fee; the board also authorized administrative approvals for county drainage ditch petitions so staff can expedite cleanups.
On land-use matters the board approved a rezone of an 11.98-acre parcel in Bigland Township from agricultural to industrial for a truck and equipment storage yard (applicant: RZS Holdings LLP) and separately approved a conditional-use permit for Dragseth Farms Inc. to operate a custom animal butcher business on a 15-acre agricultural parcel in Roan Township (50-by-80 processing building). The board also terminated a previously issued conditional-use permit for a proposed bakery (Backwind Foods Inc.) where the applicant did not build the approved facility.
The board authorized advertising and hiring for two budgeted positions (wellness coordinator plus one other) and approved next steps on a proposed budget-management software subscription (initial one-year commitment with an opt-out clause; administrator to return to the board with an implementation plan). Commissioners approved reimbursement to Tri County Community Corrections for its share of legal expenses from litigation over the county roofing project; the county accepted the settlement and directed that incoming funds be applied to bond or construction-related accounting.
Most motions passed by voice vote with recorded movers and seconders when made; where a roll-call tally was not read, the minutes record “all in favor” or similar voice approval.
Votes at a glance: Matheson (street sweeping) — approved; R.J. Zavoral & Sons Inc. (CR 46 surfacing) — approved, low bid $2,020,319; Industrial, Inc. (hot-in-place recycle) — approved, bid $4,793,919.75; Revision of Resolution 2025-18 (CSAH funding) to $630,307.57 — approved; Countywide permit to reclaim windblown topsoil from county road ditches — approved; Rezone (Parcel 09.000160.01) from agricultural to industrial (RZS Holdings LLP) — approved with condition that Bigland Township sign permits; Conditional-Use Permit for Dragseth Farms Inc. (custom butcher shop) — approved with conditions; Termination of Backwind Foods Inc. conditional-use permit — approved; Authorization to advertise/hire two budgeted positions — approved; Authorization to pursue budget software with administrator follow-up and one-year contract/opt-out provision — approved; Reimbursement to Tri County for litigation legal expenses — approved; Administrator travel to ICMA conference — approved.
The board discussed timing for implementation and follow-up on items such as the software rollout, accounting treatment of settlement proceeds, and administrative procedures for the ditch-permit program; staff were directed to return with further details where needed and to coordinate with townships on land-use approvals.
The meeting included routine committee reports and updates from departments but did not include any ordinance adoptions or amendments to county code.
