McLeod County Board approves amended CD‑32 findings, project payments, leases and 2026 personnel and benefits MOAs
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Summary
The county board, acting in various roles, approved amended findings for County Ditch 32, final payments to a contractor for culvert and cover replacement projects, a two‑year lease for the 4‑H commercial kitchen, epoxy flooring installation, the hiring/extension of temporary finance staff, and 2026 MOAs for public‑health and law‑enforcement benefits.
The McLeod County Board approved a series of routine but consequential measures Monday, including correction of drainage findings for County Ditch (CD) 32, final acceptance and payments for completed public‑works projects, lease and facility upgrades at fairgrounds, and personnel and benefits agreements for 2026.
Drainage authority — CD 32: Treasurer Connie told the board that staff discovered errors in the previously adopted viewer’s report for CD 32 while entering information into the tax system. The parcels identified included Vorlicek Farms, the Margaret Ishens Living Trust, Thomas and Lori Ishens, and the Dobb Family Trust. Commissioner Krueger moved to adopt amended findings and the board, seated as the drainage authority, approved the amendment by voice vote.
Public‑works projects: Public works staff recommended final acceptance and final payments to Jerpi Contracting, Inc. (Hutchinson) for three completed projects: County State Aid Highway 18 cover replacement (final payment $6,202.16), County Road 70 culvert replacement ($3,409.16) and County State Highway 5 culvert replacement ($4,161.70). Staff said the Highway 18 project "came in right at the bid amount." Commissioners approved the payments by voice vote.
Fairgrounds lease and improvements: The board approved a two‑year lease of the 4‑H commercial kitchen to Joni's Catering LLC of Hutchinson for $1,425 per month plus applicable taxes after only one bid was received. The board also approved an estimate from Pro Maintenance Inc. to install epoxy flooring in the 4‑H commercial kitchen for $15,360.73 plus tax (work to be funded from the fairgrounds capital budget and scheduled for January 2026). A second estimate from Grissini Brothers & Company was $25,999 plus tax. The actions were approved by voice vote.
Personnel and benefits: Administration asked to hire one temporary full‑time employee in the Auditor‑Treasurer’s office to cover a medical leave and to extend a 20‑hour‑per‑week temporary financial consultant position through 2026 to support finance automation and the transition from the AS‑400 platform. Both motions were approved.
The board also approved memoranda of agreement for 2026 employer health insurance contributions and HSA matches with the McLeod County Public Health Unit (Minnesota Nurses Association) and Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 297 covering Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026. Administration said that, in most county plans, employer contributions and HSA matches are unchanged from 2025 and that many plan premiums have decreased for 2026.
Votes at a glance: - Adopt amended findings and order for County Ditch (CD) 32 (motion: Commissioner Krueger; outcome: approved by voice vote) (SEG 803–880). - Approve final payment $6,202.16 to Jerpi Contracting, Inc. for CSAH 18 cover replacement (outcome: approved) (SEG 881–889). - Approve final payment $3,409.16 to Jerpi Contracting, Inc. for County Road 70 culvert replacement (outcome: approved) (SEG 907–916). - Approve final payment $4,161.70 to Jerpi Contracting, Inc. for County State Highway 5 culvert replacement (outcome: approved) (SEG 937–943). - Approve two‑year lease of 4‑H commercial kitchen to Joni's Catering LLC at $1,425/month (outcome: approved) (SEG 986–1014). - Approve installation of epoxy flooring in 4‑H commercial kitchen by Pro Maintenance Inc., $15,360.73 (outcome: approved) (SEG 1028–1048). - Approve hiring one temporary full‑time employee in Auditor‑Treasurer’s office (outcome: approved) (SEG 1086–1109). - Extend temporary part‑time (20‑hour) financial consultant through 2026 (outcome: approved) (SEG 1111–1171). - Approve MOA with Minnesota Nurses Association for McLeod County Public Health Unit (01/01/2026–12/31/2026) (outcome: approved) (SEG 1173–1184). - Approve MOA with Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 297 for 2026 (outcome: approved) (SEG 1273–1285).
Board members asked clarifying questions about estimated project totals and implementation timing for facility work; staff indicated the Highway 18 job came in at its bid amount and that epoxy flooring would be installed in January 2026. No recorded votes opposed the motions.