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Pipestone County adopts 2026 fee schedule; multiple tax and service fees rise
Summary
Pipestone County commissioners adopted the county's 2026 fee schedule after a public hearing, approving higher publishing and forfeiture fees, new parcel‑split charges and several sheriff's office increases; the vote was by voice and no public commenters were recorded.
Pipestone County commissioners voted to adopt the county's 2026 fee schedule following a public hearing at their Dec. 2 meeting.
The board approved increases and new line items presented by Amanda, the auditor‑treasurer, including a raise in the delinquent tax publication fee from $30 to $50 and higher charges tied to tax‑forfeiture processes. "We usually end up not just even though by statute we are only required to publish the first year delinquent. I have chosen to do all delinquents," Amanda said, explaining costs and the rationale for the $50 publication fee. The adopted schedule also sets a $2 fee for duplicate tax statements requested in person and $3 for mailed or emailed copies (online copies remain free).
Other new or increased fees adopted include: confession‑of‑judgment filings moved from $95 to $100 per parcel; repurchase of tax‑forfeited property increased to $150 per parcel; a tax‑forfeiture administration fee of $300 per parcel; and a $30 fee for splitting or combining parcels. Amanda said the proposals are intended to recover staff time and publishing costs and are aligned with neighboring counties' practice.
The sheriff's office requested several changes that the board approved: mortgage fee increase from $1.25 to $1.75; a flat $25 fee for producing data DVDs; sheriff sale fees raised to $175; and vehicle storage rates at $50 per day (those fees are payable to the county and passed on to the contractor). The auditor's office also added records fees: certified birth certificate copies $26 and additional copies $19, a vital records search at $20 an hour and verification at $9 each. The fairgrounds meter fee was updated to match the city's new $75 meter charge plus $50 per day for water usage.
The draft cannabis fee schedule for 2025/2026 was reviewed and no changes were recommended for 2026; the county has seen few inquiries and no unincorporated grow/retail applicants. The meeting record indicates that the city maintains separate cannabis licensing and that the township of Woodstock has opted out and uses its own ordinance.
No public speakers were recorded during the hearing. After discussion and clarification from the auditor‑treasurer, a commissioner moved to adopt the schedule; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The board also closed the public hearing by voice vote before the adoption.
The fee schedule will be effective for 2026 as adopted by the board; the county did not list specific enactment language in the hearing record beyond the formal adoption vote.
