Douglas County board approves $75 fee to shield judges’ property records, 3% pay increase and multiple labor and land-use actions

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners on the last regular meeting of the year approved a package of policy and administrative measures ranging from a new privacy option for judicial officials to employee-pay and labor agreements, land‑use approvals and environmental program steps.

A county presenter described a new procedure to shield judicial officials’ names in county real property records and said the Land Records Committee recommended charging $75 per form for the initial notice, authorizations to share private data, requests to release private data and consent to terminate the program. The presenter said the masking would be retroactive and that the county would continue to mask new records for participants until they authorize a release. "Once they opt into this program, their coverage stays until they either act to be terminated, until they pass away, or until they sell the property," the presenter said. The board approved the $75 fee and the associated administrative procedure, with the fee set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Also effective Jan. 1, 2026, the board approved a 3% general wage adjustment for nonunion employees. County coordinator Lee Katz Merrick told commissioners the change is the standard annual COLA and is meant to adjust base pay across the nonunion workforce. "For 2026, it's been determined that 3% would be a general wage adjustment administered to all nonunion employees effective on 01/01/2026," Katz Merrick said; the motion to adopt the 3% increase carried on a board vote.

The board voted to unsunset the county’s longevity program for nonunion employees, reinstating longevity pay at 10, 15 and 18 years of service with a 2% increase at each milestone. Katz Merrick said the program will start Jan. 1, 2026, and will not be paid retroactively to employees who already passed milestones under the previous policy.

Labor agreements and holidays

The board recorded approval of a tentative agreement and memorandum of understanding with the Public Works bargaining group that includes a three‑year contract covering 2026–2028 and a MOU to designate Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, as a full holiday for that unit. Staff said the union ratified the tentative agreement and signed the MOU.

Commissioners also approved an AFSCME three‑year contract, effective Jan. 1, 2026, that mirrors some nonunion provisions (including the 3% COLA and restoration of longevity) and contains changes for on‑call pay and Minnesota paid‑leave premium splitting.

Land-use, licenses and plats

Planning and Land Resources staff presented a series of licensing approvals (excavator/landscaper licenses, disposal haulers, demolition landfill, Ash Landfill entity licensing and the transfer station operator). The board approved the listed licenses after brief discussion of service, JPA structure and abstentions where noted in the roll calls.

The board approved final plats for Ida South Storage (a storage planned unit development off County Road 61, Ida Township) and Sanders Way (Lake Mary Township). It also approved a conditional‑use permit to convert Vacationers Inn Resort on Lake Calgary into privately owned lakeshore cabins with conditions recommended by the planning commission — but it amended one condition. Planning staff originally recommended a 6/12 roof pitch to limit future two‑story redevelopment of small lakeshore cabins. After board discussion about creating modest upstairs usable space, a motion to change condition 2.d to permit a 10/12 roof pitch carried, amending the planning commission’s recommended condition before approval.

Feedlots, watershed and aquatic-invasive treatment

Feedlot coordinator Mark Kapp presented the county’s two‑year feedlot work plan and the state delegation agreement. The plan adds a requirement for follow‑up when a site reports major changes in animal‑unit registrations and continues to prioritize shoreland sites and older liquid manure storage basins for inspection. Kapp said the county has two larger hog operations (one reported at about 1,200 finishing hogs and another permitted facility at a few hundred head); most other hogs in the county are small or backyard operations. The board approved the delegation agreement and work plan.

Staff also presented revisions to the Sauk River Watershed Collaborative work plan (fiscal year 2024) and the board approved a resolution to accept the revised plan. On aquatic invasive species, county staff briefed the board on ongoing treatment efforts for flowering rush found in Grant's Lake and said the county has applied for a state grant to continue management; staff noted property‑owner consent requirements and that the board could accept or decline the grant if it is offered.

Elections, contracts and finance actions

Auditor‑Treasurer Vicky Dolan asked the board to approve a gambling‑permit resolution for a raffle by the Olatheca Sportsman's Club and to establish a UOCAVA ballot board (for uniformed and overseas absentee ballots) ahead of a school district special election; both resolutions were approved.

Tabitha and social services staff presented multiple children's mental health collaborative contracts and Douglas County Social Services contracts (including agreements with Lakeland Mental Health Center and West Central Community Action). Those contracts—described as primarily reimbursement based—were approved; one contract noted $510,000 total for outpatient mental‑health services and a smaller contract for nonbillable children’s therapeutic services with a $74,000 maximum listed in the packet.

Finance staff presented claims totaling $32,233,603.48 (including November tax settlement payments); the board approved payment of the bills and authorized budget modifications tied to year‑end equipment purchases.

Equipment, drainage and assessments

Public Works presented recommended equipment purchases for 2026: the board approved ordering Caterpillar skid‑steer equipment (staff cited attachment compatibility and trade‑in considerations) and approved Toro mowers for the parks department from the low bidder with local service. The board authorized a final payment of $2,000,630 for County Ditch 3 repairs and approved 2026 special assessment adjustments for county ditch systems (notably an increased assessment for Ditch 5 to address a projected deficit and a new 5% assessment for Ditch 9). The board also approved replacing a front‑mount mower with an articulating loader (Bobcat) for snow removal and accepted staff’s request for related budget modifications.

Personnel and closing

The board reappointed Jake Turner to another term as the county veteran service officer and adjourned the regular meeting, noting a scheduled work session to follow.

What the board did not finalize

Several items were informational or contingent on external steps: staff said they would return grant acceptance for the aquatic invasive plant grant if it is awarded, and the DNR Public Waters Inventory revision will follow a public‑hearing and appeal process at the state level with county comment opportunities.

Next steps

Most policy and contract changes take effect Jan. 1, 2026 (pay adjustments, longevity program, union contracts and the real‑property masking fee). Staff indicated they will return to the board with grant acceptance or additional approvals where required.