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Votes at a glance: Waseca County sets ditch hearing, accepts grants and donations, adopts AIS delegation and AI policy
Summary
The Waseca County Board set a March 4 public hearing on a County Ditch 48 petition, accepted a 2023 EMPG grant, approved a three-year AIS delegation with the DNR, adopted an artificial intelligence policy (Resolution 2025-09), and accepted two donations to the sheriff’s office (Resolutions 2025-10 and 2025-11).
Waseca County commissioners took several formal actions during the meeting.
Ditch petition and hearing set The board accepted a petition to move 76 acres into County Ditch 48 from County Ditch 27, appointed viewers and set a public hearing for March 4 at 9:30 a.m. The motion passed on a roll-call vote, 5–0. The petition presentation referenced Minnesota statutes related to ditch redetermination and asked staff to publish required notice for the hearing.
Emergency Management Performance Grant The board accepted a 2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) for $19,237, a 50% match award intended to support emergency management wages and benefits. The motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) delegation agreement The board authorized a three-year delegation agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to operate a watercraft inspection program (the agreement would expire 12/31/2027). Staff said the county will contract inspectors rather than hire permanent county employees; the board approved the delegation agreement by voice vote.
Artificial intelligence policy (Resolution 2025-09) The board adopted a county artificial intelligence policy that provides staff guidance on using generative AI tools, emphasizes verification of output and encourages training. Staff gave examples of current limited uses (such as drafting interview questions) and underscored data‑security cautions. The resolution was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Donations to the sheriff's office (Resolutions 2025-10 and 2025-11) The county accepted a $100 donation from Angela and Alan Sack and a $2,000 donation from Lowell Nelson for the sheriff’s office; both donations were accepted by motion and voice vote.
Consent agenda The board approved the consent agenda as presented, including payment of bills, a pay equity report, transfers and partial releases of agricultural-use covenants (voice vote).
What happens next Staff will post the ditch petition hearing notice and proceed with viewer work per Minnesota statute; grant and delegation agreements will be administered by the responsible departments. The AI policy directs staff to use AI tools cautiously and to verify outputs before use.
