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County approves snow-plow purchase, no-parking zone and $9.9M 2026 construction program
Summary
The board authorized purchase of a tandem snow-plow truck (total ~ $357,660), approved $442,015 in town-road allotments, accepted final payments on two Knife River contracts, adopted a no-parking resolution for CSAH 5 by resolution, and adopted a roughly $9.9 million 2026 construction program that includes a $1 million LRIP grant and $6.37 million from local option sales tax.
The Isanti County Board approved a series of transportation and highway items, including fleet replacement, contract closeouts, local allotments, and a county-wide construction program for 2026.
Tandem snow-plow purchase: Justin Bergerson presented a recommendation to purchase one Western Star tandem-axle chassis under state contract T6475 and a Towmaster snow-body and related equipment under state contract 267372. The quoted chassis price was $160,189.50 and the Towmaster equipment $186,464; staff said the Minnesota motor-vehicle sales tax applies to the chassis. Bergerson said the Towmaster contract pricing would sunset 02/28/2026 and delaying the purchase could change the quote; the board approved the procurement (voice vote recorded as 3–0).
Town road allotments: Staff presented the 2026 town-road allotment distribution process (funding from state gas-tax and registration fees). The total allotment to townships was $442,015; distribution follows a formula based on mileage (50%), population (30%), tax rate (10%) and a 10% township equalization. The board authorized ACH payments to the 13 townships.
Contract final acceptances and payments: The board approved final acceptance and payment for contract 2501 (bituminous pavement preservation) to Knife River Corporation North Central for $105,539.24 (final certified contract amount $1,943,791.75). It also approved final payment for contract 2502 (patching/maintenance) in the amount of $2,509.24 (certified contract $24,306.80). Staff explained funding sources included county-state-aid highway dollars and local levy carryover as budgeted.
No-parking resolution (CSAH 5 / Heritage Boulevard): Staff proposed and the board adopted a resolution establishing a no-parking zone along CSAH 5 between 6th Ave NE and 8th Ave NE after complaints that parked vehicles obstruct snow-plowing and sight lines near an apartment complex and the intermediate school. Staff said they coordinated with the property owner and the city of Isanti and will consider temporary exceptions for cemetery events.
2026 construction program: Justin Bergerson and assistant engineer Joe Memkin presented the 2026 highway construction program. Key elements include a joint County/City project on County Road 54 (reconstruction) and County Road 66 work near the school; approximately 26 miles of resurfacing and about 18 miles of chip seal are planned. Staff reported a $1,000,000 Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) grant for a segment of CSAH 5 and about $6,370,000 planned from the local option sales tax; the total program budget was presented as approximately $9.9 million. The board approved the construction program and authorized staff to complete final plans and advertise for bids.
All transportation items were approved by motions or resolutions during the meeting.
