The Goodhue County Board of Commissioners elected Vice Chair Susan Boettcher as chair for 2026 and named Todd Gresseth vice chair during its first organizational meeting of the year. County Administrator Scott Arneson opened the session and read the proposed calendar of regular and off-site meetings.

The board approved previous meeting minutes, unanimously adopted the agenda and approved a 15-item consent agenda that included routine administrative items. Arneson read three bids for the county’s official legal publication; the board accepted the lowest written bid for the Kenyon Leader and approved moving forward. Commissioners also reviewed and confirmed committee assignments, including SHAC, South Country, the revolving loan fund and the housing trust fund committee.

Why it matters: Organizational votes set the board’s leadership and meeting schedule for the year, and the choice of official publication determines where legal notices and county advertisements will appear. The canvassing board staffing decisions also establish which commissioners will serve on election-related panels this year.

Board decisions and next steps: Commissioners volunteered which members will staff the 2026 county canvassing board for the state primary and general election; staff will send invitations and calendar notices. The motion to pay county bills was moved and seconded, and the board adjourned after completing routine business.

Quotes and context: Arneson opened the meeting by identifying himself: “I’m Scott Arneson, the county administrator.” A commissioner moved to approve prior minutes “as presented, Anderson,” and the motion carried by voice vote.

The meeting concluded with the board scheduling retreats and early budget planning steps for 2027. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript for the voice votes; motions were recorded as carried by voice.

Ending: The board adjourned at the close of the organizational items; staff will circulate updated calendars and committee rosters and follow up on canvassing-board assignments.