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Stevens County commissioners approve hazard-mitigation certification, feedlot delegation and multiple road and equipment actions
Summary
At a regular Stevens County Board meeting, commissioners approved a FEMA hazard-mitigation plan certification with an in‑kind match, accepted an MPCA feedlot delegation agreement with $13,509 in 2026 funding (70% match required), approved ditch fees and levies, accepted a $1,000 sheriff donation into a new restricted account, signed off on final contract payments and several highway equipment purchases and the county's 5‑year road plan.
The Stevens County Board of Commissioners met and approved several administration and infrastructure items, including certification to move forward on the county’s updated hazard mitigation plan, acceptance of a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) feedlot delegation agreement, and a set of highway and equipment actions.
County staff presented the hazard-mitigation plan update and told commissioners that FEMA funding holds had been lifted and the plan would move forward pending a signed letter of certification and a county commitment of funds. Staff estimated the local in‑kind match at about $11,004.86 and stated the county would support a 25% commitment (largely in‑kind labor and services). Commissioners moved and approved staff’s request to sign the grant agreement and provide the requested certification.
The board also approved a 2026 MPCA feedlot delegation agreement that allows the county to permit feedlots up to 1,000 animal units and requires the county to inspect 7% of registered feedlots annually. Staff said Stevens County currently has 108 registered feedlots and anticipates that number will drop to about 90 in the next registration cycle; the county will receive $13,509 in 2026 and must provide a 70% cash-or-in-kind match as part of the agreement.
Finance and auditor items included approval of commissioner warrants, acceptance of a $1,000 donation from John Bridal Construction to the sheriff’s office, and creation of a restricted sheriff-donation account to hold gifts for designated purposes such as 'Shop for the Cop' or youth programs. Because the donation had no specified purpose, staff recommended and the board approved placing the funds into the restricted account so future spending matches donor intent or returns to the board for approval.
Highway and engineering staff presented a broad five‑year construction and maintenance plan, reviewed planned bridge replacements and mill-and-overlay projects, and sought multiple approvals related to contracts and equipment. The board approved final contract closeout payments to Mark Sand and Gravel for two SAP projects in the amount of $107,687.29 and discussed ride and smoothness incentive metrics and localized segregation issues reported by staff. Commissioners also approved a year‑end purchase of crack‑filling material for $14,976 to be received and paid in 2026 and approved the proposed 2026 ditch fiscal‑agent fee ($10,500 total; $375 per ditch) and a $50 special‑assessment maintenance fee per ditch.
Staff briefed the board on emergency management activity — completed armor grant work, ongoing EMPG and pipeline grant processes, and acquisition of drone capacity funded via a Pembina grant to support search, hazardous‑materials and indoor visual operations. The Small Business Administration representative requested local help to promote low‑interest disaster loan application deadlines to storm‑affected residents.
Several items were discussed but left for later action depending on outside approvals. Staff explained a proposed solar project that might require the county to act as fiscal host, but said the county would only assume fiscal responsibility if the Morris city council and a separate DAC meeting both committed to cash‑flowing the project; if those conditions are met commissioners discussed calling a special meeting on Dec. 1 to take final action.
The meeting recessed for the highway session and later reconvened; it closed after routine commissioner reports and community event announcements.
Quotes in context "Matt comes with relevant experiences for Morris Area Schools and Superior Industries. Pleased to have Matt on the team and look forward to his contributions to Stevens County," staff said when introducing new facilities custodian Matt Carlson.
"County will receive $13,509 in 2026 and will need to provide a 70% cash match or cash-in-kind match for that grant," staff said describing the MPCA feedlot delegation agreement.
What happens next Staff will submit the signed hazard-mitigation certification and the delegation agreement to state and federal partners as appropriate. Highway staff will finalize contract closeouts and proceed with planned purchases; if the Morris city council and the DAC meet and agree to assume financial responsibility for the solar project, the board indicated it would convene a special meeting to consider fiscal-hosting responsibilities.
(Reporting note: board votes were conducted by voice; roll-call tallies were not recorded verbatim in the transcript.)
