The Carver County Board on Jan. 6 adopted its 2026 operating rules, filled commissioner committee assignments and approved its consent agenda, which included authorization to execute a U.S. Department of Transportation grant agreement for the Highway 5 project.

At the organizational meeting, commissioners debated several amendments to the operating rules. The administrator proposed three initial changes: allow the board chair discretion to let county residents speak first during public-comment periods; add language under disruptive behavior prohibiting clapping and cheering (and similar conduct); and insert the board’s newly adopted goals into the rules. Commissioners then discussed additional amendments, including guidance on whether home broadband, printers and printer cartridges are allowable expense-account items and whether IT staff may assist commissioners with home-technology setups.

After extended discussion, commissioners approved the package of amendments by voice vote; the transcript records the result as 3–2. County attorney/advisor Metz confirmed under Robert’s Rules of Order that a maker of a motion may legally vote against that motion, and the vote stands as recorded.

Appointments and consent agenda: The board approved a slate of committee appointments and community advisory appointments by individual and slate votes, assigning liaisons and alternates across a long list of boards and commissions (Association of Minnesota Counties, Carver County CDA, planning and park commissions, MELSA, extension committees, watershed and transportation bodies). The board approved the consent agenda, which included authorization to execute a U.S. Department of Transportation grant agreement for the Highway 5 project; commissioners described the DOT item in the packet as a $100,000,000-plus grant authorization.

Procedure and next steps: The administrator will publish the adopted operating rules and update sign-up sheets and packet language to reflect new guidance for public comment. The county will proceed with routine administrative follow-up on appointments and the consent-agenda actions, including executing grant agreements where authorized.

Board organization: The board also elected its 2026 chair and vice chair earlier in the meeting—Tom Workman and Commissioner Lynch, respectively—and recessed to convene as the Carver County Regional Rail Authority, where officers were appointed by motion before returning to regular business.

What this does not resolve: The meeting’s actions established governance rules and administrative assignments but did not directly adopt policy decisions on the ICE contract raised repeatedly during public comment. Residents asked that any future contract be tabled pending independent review; the board did not record a formal decision on that request at this meeting.