Becker County adopts 2026 budget, approves county road projects and key resolutions
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Summary
The county board adopted the 2026 budget and position allocations, approved a 3.5% COLA for commissioners, authorized transportation sales‑tax road projects (~$3.1M), adopted a five‑year construction plan (~$12M total program), amended and approved a Westlake Drive cooperative agreement (~$6.3M project, with boat‑launch cost removed), and approved an option/lease for a cell tower conditioned on planning and zoning approval.
Becker County commissioners adopted the 2026 budget and approved a package of resolutions covering commissioner compensation, road projects, intergovernmental agreements and human‑services contracts.
Finance director presented Resolution 12‑25‑2A to adopt the 2026 budget (revenues, expenditures, levy and EDA levy) along with Exhibit B (position allocations) and Exhibit C (detailed line‑item budget). After brief discussion and a request to allow finance to finalize minor year‑end fund balances, the board voted to adopt the budget as presented.
Commissioners approved Resolution 2C, setting commissioner salary and per diem policy for 2026 and recommending a 3.5% cost‑of‑living increase consistent with employee COLA discussions; one commissioner registered opposition on principle but the motion carried. The board also approved a resolution allowing finance to finalize designated donation fund balances and to pay year‑end claims on Dec. 29.
On transportation and capital projects, public-works staff presented a proposed 2026 slate of transportation‑sales‑tax‑funded road projects (three county‑road projects coasted into the 2026 program) with a sales‑tax allocation of about $3.1 million for reclaiming and paving work. The board approved that project list and adopted the updated five‑year construction improvement program, which public works estimated at roughly $12 million in construction funds across the plan years.
Separately, commissioners approved a cooperative agreement with the City of Detroit Lakes for reconstruction of Westlake Drive (the county’s obligation is for road and right‑of‑way work; the city will lead underground utility work). The board struck a clause that previously read as the county paying 100% of city beach or boat‑launch reconstruction and approved the agreement with that edit.
On telecommunications, administrators approved allowing the county administrator to sign a two‑year option and future lease with Vertical Bridge for a proposed cell tower site on county land in Eagle View Township, conditioned on planning and zoning approval; planning and zoning later granted a conditional‑use permit for a 255‑foot tower with an engineered fall‑zone condition to protect a nearby leased cabin.
Human‑services items included approval of the DHS Children’s Mental Health Screening grant renewal ($24,466) and a package of 2026 annual contract renewals. The board also approved amended Partnership for Health joint powers documents with Clay County (Otter Tail and Wilkin counties are no longer participating) and new governance structure language for rotating community representation.
Where votes were recorded, actions passed by voice vote; the board did not adopt any emergency or unusual funding commitments beyond routine authorizations and delegation to finance to finalize year‑end accounting entries.