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Polk County adopts 2026 budget and personnel updates; approves contracts, permits and vehicle purchases
Summary
The Polk County Board approved a 2026 budget and a $29.25 million levy (3% increase), adopted personnel policy changes including Minnesota Paid Leave participation and a new longevity schedule, and approved a range of operational contracts, equipment purchases and planning decisions.
Polk County commissioners voted to adopt the county’s 2026 budget package and set a levy of $29,249,178, a 3% increase from 2025. The board approved a set of related resolutions that together adopt the budget, set non‑represented wage grids for 2026 (including a 4.25% cost‑of‑living adjustment), and confirm elected and department head compensation for the next year.
Staff also presented and the board approved a bundled set of personnel policy revisions effective Jan. 1, 2026. Key changes included:
- Rest and meal period updates tied to 2025 statutory changes (employers must pay employees double time if they work through required breaks). - Sick leave/ESST adjustments (employers may require medical documentation after two days of absence rather than three). - Adoption of Juneteenth as a paid holiday. - A new longevity pay schedule for non‑represented employees (starting at $50/month in year 6, scaling to $90/month at year 21). - Expanded funeral leave and a revised drug and alcohol policy that incorporates recent statutory cannabis changes.
County HR staff also described the county’s enrollment in the Minnesota Paid Leave program: the participating rate was described as 0.88% of wages split between employer and employee (50/50), with staff promising follow‑up on details about part‑time eligibility and payroll deductions.
On procurement and operations, commissioners approved multiple items brought forward by staff: a replacement server and storage array for county infrastructure, renewal of the RSA multifactor authentication license, a one‑year extension of an existing hauling contract, award of the annual diesel fuel quote, and purchase approvals for two heavy trucks and associated equipment. Several building and road‑construction final vouchers and certificates of performance were also signed.
Planning and zoning actions included preliminary approval of a replat (Clark Nelson addition) and conditional‑use approval for a 26‑unit self‑storage building on a 131‑acre parcel in Grove Park/Tilden Township; the conditional approval included standard wetlands and setback conditions and required a formal wetland delineation for the proposed northeastern site prior to issuing a building permit.
Other routine business approved during the meeting included tobacco license renewals, hauler license signings, approvals of pit grazing leases, and several justice‑center and facility maintenance contracts (boiler/water‑heater replacement, UPS battery replacements).
The board concluded the meeting with standard calendar and meeting housekeeping, and set the next regular meeting for Jan. 6, 2026.
What this means: The adopted budget and wage grid set county spending and staffing costs for 2026. For employees, the personnel manual changes (paid leave enrollment, sick‑leave documentation timing, longevity pay) will affect take‑home pay and benefits administration beginning Jan. 1. Several capital and contract decisions will move forward in the first quarter under staff procurement schedules.
