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Isanti County board approves highway purchases, tree‑clearing contract and a MnDOT advance; grants liquor licenses and election appointments
Summary
At its regular meeting, the Isanti County Board of Commissioners approved a highway vehicle purchase, awarded a tree‑clearing contract needed to meet wildlife mitigation deadlines, authorized a state‑aid advance request, approved two liquor licenses, and confirmed election and committee appointments.
Isanti County commissioners voted to approve several routine but time‑sensitive items Tuesday, including the purchase of a one‑ton highway pickup, award of a tree‑clearing contract required by federal wildlife rules, and a request for an advance from the Minnesota state aid fund to cover upcoming reconstruction work.
The highway office asked the board to approve purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3,500 crew cab to replace a 1999 F‑350 with nearly 270,000 miles. “This pickup is slated to replace our chariot in the fleet,” Justin Bergerson, County Highway Engineer, said, adding the purchase was procured through the Minnesota state contract (t‑642 revision 5). Bergerson told the board the county budgeted $54,000 for the vehicle; with vehicle sales tax the total came to $53,890.65. The board approved the purchase by voice vote.
The board also awarded the separated tree‑clearing portion of the Cassow 3 reconstruction project (Contract No. 25‑08) to Revard Contracting of East Bethel for $49,500, the apparent low bid. Bergerson said the clearing contract was separated to meet mitigation windows for potential northern long‑eared bat habitat and must be completed by March 31 to comply with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requirements. Commissioners approved the award and directed the attorney to complete review of contract documents.
Separately, commissioners approved Resolution 25‑13‑03 to request an advance of up to $1,100,000 from the County State Aid Highway fund to help cash‑flow larger reconstruction projects. Bergerson said the advance follows MnDOT finance guidelines and is repaid from future state allocations. “It’s a common practice,” he told the board; commissioners approved the resolution.
Other routine approvals included extending the county’s temporary contract to provide engineering services to Mille Lacs County on a month‑to‑month basis while Mille Lacs continues its hiring process. Bergerson described the extension as manageable and said he and staff have remained able to meet Isanti County needs while providing assistance to the neighboring county; the board approved the extension.
On regulatory and licensing items, the board approved an on‑sale intoxicating liquor license application for Pine Brook (applicant: Enzo Enterprise) and an off‑sale intoxicating liquor license for Hawks Nest (the restaurant adjacent to the golf course). Both licenses were approved unanimously and will be forwarded to the state as required.
Election and administrative items approved included resolutions establishing the absentee ballot board for March township elections and a UOCAVA (military and overseas) absentee process; the board also approved personnel actions, claims and warrants, utility permits, and a raffle permit application from the Rum River Outdoor Foundation.
The board named Commissioner Berg as Isanti County’s representative to the Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Service (CMJTS) board, with Commissioner Christiansen as alternate. Commissioners said the county will continue to notify staff and local partners when surplus highway equipment becomes available and that surplus proceeds are returned to highway road and bridge funds.
Summary of key votes (voice votes unless noted): most motions carried unanimously by the four commissioners present; Commissioner LaRoe was absent.
