Wabasha County commissioners approve consent items, refund $250,000 decommissioning bond and approve two plats; transfer of state-aid funds tabled

WABASHA, Minn. — The Wabasha County Board of Commissioners approved routine consent items, a $250,000 decommissioning-bond refund for a community solar garden and two subdivision plats at its regular meeting. A public hearing required by statute on transferring municipal state-aid funds to the county’s regular state-aid construction account was held but the board agreed to bring the matter back to a future meeting.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from Jan. 21, claims, per diem and meal vouchers, the 2025 human resources technical assistance program, the 2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant, authorization to advertise for diesel fuel bids, authorization to advertise and hire two part‑time seasonal highway positions, 2025 licenses to collect and transport solid waste for planning and zoning, and sheriff’s office authorization to dispose of and sell firearms.

Dietrich Flesch, Wabasha County engineer, opened the required public hearing on a proposed transfer from the municipal state-aid account to the regular state-aid construction account, saying, “Public hearing is required by statute.” When asked about the transfer amount, he said, “I believe it’s approximately 550,000.” After hearing no public comment, the board closed the hearing and decided not to approve the transfer at this meeting; commissioners said they would bring the item back to a subsequent meeting.

Separately, the board voted to refund a $250,000 decommissioning payment originally provided by Gordian Energy Systems for a 1-megawatt community solar garden, DIVOCSG 14 LLC, after the project ownership changed and a new bond was posted by New Energy Equity. The motion to approve the refund carried.

The board also approved the preliminary plat for Schmidt Acres, a roughly 41.8‑acre subdivision in Pepin Township, following a Jan. 27 Planning Commission recommendation in favor of approval. The board approved the final plat for T.B.O. Two Acres (parcels in Greenfield Township) after the Planning Commission recommended approval.

Other procedural actions included adopting the meeting agenda (with one consent‑agenda deletion) and adjourning the session.

Votes and motions were recorded on the meeting record as “aye” with motions carrying; the transcript did not record a roll‑call tally or the names of motion movers and seconders for each vote.

Notes: Commissioner Wakas was noted absent for part of the meeting; that absence was recorded during the transfer-of-funds agenda item.

Votes at a glance - Approve agenda (with deletion of consent item F): motion carried. - Approve consent agenda (minutes, claims, grants, personnel items, highway advertising/hiring, licensing, sheriff disposals): motion carried. - Public hearing: transfer municipal state-aid to regular state-aid construction account — hearing held; board deferred final action to a later meeting; transfer not approved on this date. - Refund of $250,000 to DIVOCSG 14 LLC (decommissioning bond): motion carried. - Approve preliminary plat: Schmidt Acres (Pepin Township, ~41.8 acres): motion carried. - Approve final plat: T.B.O. Two Acres (Greenfield Township): motion carried. - Adjourn: motion carried.