Wright County supervisors approve bridge contract, authorize TIF debt certification and hear Elderbridge funding request

The Wright County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 25, 2024 approved a $1,737,108.61 contract to replace Bridge 210 on County Road C70, authorized tax-increment financing and debt certification for several urban renewal projects, and heard an annual report from Elderbridge Agency seeking county funding for fiscal 2026.

The actions matter for county infrastructure and local economic development. The bridge replacement is funded primarily by grant and Farm-to-Market dollars, and the TIF actions set the county’s debt certification for planned urban-renewal projects that county staff said would support an industrial site and a wind farm. Elderbridge’s presentation described growing demand for congregate and home-delivered meals and requested county support for the agency’s programs.

Adam Clements, Wright County engineer, told the board he received six bids to replace the 240-foot, triple-span concrete beam Bridge 210 on County Road C70. The apparent low bidder was Peterson Contractors Inc.; the apparent award amount presented to the board was $1,737,108.61. County materials presented at the meeting said roughly 80% of the replacement cost would come from a grant and the remainder from the Farm-to-Market fund. The board voted to award the contract and authorized the county representative to sign the contract documents.

Separately, the board approved a motion to authorize tax-increment financing and certify debt for several urban renewal items described in meeting materials as "Renewaturance," Acre Business Park and Wind Farm Urban Renewal South Plant. The board recorded requested amounts, in the meeting record, of $1,000,000 to $1,200,000 for Acre Business Park and $215,000 for the wind farm; the transcript notes the board also authorized the "maximum amount" for the Renewaturance item though the precise figure was not specified in the minutes.

The board also heard an annual update from Sandra Jackson of Elderbridge Agency. Jackson said congregate meals and home-delivered meals are the most-utilized Elderbridge services in Wright County and that federal and state funding for those services has not increased in about 10 years. Meeting materials and Jackson’s report indicated Elderbridge provided roughly $352,222 in services in Wright County on $11,743 of county funds and requested $12,707 from the county for fiscal year 2026. The board said the request would be considered during the budget process.

On drainage matters, the board acting as trustees approved several work orders and invoices. The meeting record shows approval of a work order for DD208 (section 27, Boone) to address a washout and a work order for DD36 (section 20, Lake) submitted by Monnie Anderson to remove beaver dams along a main channel. The board approved two drainage vendor invoices presented at the meeting: Eagle Trenching for $2,100 for work on D4 (section 21, Eagle Grove) addressing large cuts in a drainage ditch, and an invoice for $1,385.80 for a crushed surface pipe on Greensister 36, lateral B (section 21, Lake). The auditor and drain administrator were present for those approvals.

Secondary roads staff reported winter preparations, culvert inspections and completed work orders. The county reported 24 completed secondary-roads work orders in one update and additional work on detours and sign installation related to a Boscori Bridge detour near Eagle Grove. The board received several routine consent items including approval of previous minutes and claims.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2024-33 (award Bridge 210 contract to Peterson Contractors Inc., $1,737,108.61): motion to award and to allow signature; motion carried. (Mover: listed in minutes; second: listed in minutes; roll-call votes not fully recorded in transcript.) - Tax-increment financing/debt certification for Renewaturance, Acre Business Park and Wind Farm Urban Renewal items: motion carried; requested amounts recorded in meeting materials (Acre Business Park: $1,000,000–$1,200,000; Wind Farm: $215,000; Renewaturance: "maximum amount" noted; exact figures not specified in the transcript.) - Drainage district work orders and invoices (DD208 washout; DD36 beaver-dam removal; Eagle Trenching $2,100; Mawsdam/Mawsdam-style invoice $1,385.80): motion carried.

The board scheduled budget consideration that will include the Elderbridge funding request and will proceed with contract finalization and project coordination for the bridge replacement in coming weeks.