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Wabasha County commissioners appoint surveyor, approve road right-of-way actions and budget software purchase
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the Wabasha County Board of Commissioners appointed Marcus Johnson as county surveyor, reappointed Frank Klennert to the Extension Committee, authorized right-of-way acquisitions for two highway projects (including eminent domain authority if needed), approved a $39,570 ClearGov budgeting subscription, and voted to meet in closed session on AFSCME labor strategy.
The Wabasha County Board of Commissioners met at the Wabasha County Courthouse on Feb. 17, 2026, and approved a series of routine and project-related actions, including appointments, road project right-of-way authorizations and the purchase of budgeting software.
Board Chairperson Wobbe presided over the session attended by Commissioners Key, Powers, Springer and Walkes. The board approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda, which included minutes from Feb. 3, 2026, claims, meal vouchers and per diems.
The board adopted Resolution No. 2026-046 appointing Marcus Johnson as Wabasha County Surveyor for a term beginning Feb. 17, 2026, and expiring Jan. 31, 2029, contingent on maintaining a current Minnesota land surveyor license; the resolution also required the bond, oath of office and certified evidence of licensure to be recorded with the Wabasha County Recorder. The appointment was presented under authority of Minnesota Statute § 389.011, which the resolution cites regarding qualifications and filling the office.
The board reappointed Frank Klennert to the Wabasha County Extension Committee for a three-year term through Dec. 31, 2028 (Resolution No. 2026-047). The Extension Committee was described in the minutes as a nine-member body that includes two county board members, the County Auditor and six county residents to oversee Extension programming.
On finance matters, the board approved Resolution No. 2026-048 authorizing the Finance Director to pay an annual ClearGov budgeting software subscription of $39,570; the minutes state the fee is budgeted as a line item and will be paid from general funds via Auditor’s Warrant.
Several public-works items were approved. The board accepted a quote from Minnowa Construction Inc. for concrete repairs to Bridge 6564 and authorized the County Engineer to arrange completion and payment (Resolution No. 2026-049). The County Engineer was also authorized to purchase culvert materials through cooperative purchasing or other quotes as needed (Resolution No. 2026-050) and to purchase one used motor grader in 2026 if available, not to exceed the adopted budgeted amount (Resolution No. 2026-051); the minutes do not list contract or purchase amounts for these items.
The board approved right-of-way actions for two highway projects. Resolution No. 2026-052 approved Wabasha County Highway Right of Way Plat No. 58 and authorized acquisition of right of way and temporary easements for project CP 079-085-001, noting acquisition may proceed in accordance with applicable law including the use of eminent domain if necessary. Resolution No. 2026-053 likewise authorized acquisition of right of way and temporary easements for County State Aid Highway project 079-002-002 (CSAH 2) as described in the project plans. To support construction funding for State Aid projects, the board approved Resolution No. 2026-054 requesting the Commissioner of Transportation transfer County Municipal Construction Account funds available in 2026 to the County’s Regular Construction Account, citing Minnesota Rules 8820.2400 and Minnesota Statute 162.08 Subd. 4.
Finance presented an end-of-year grant and restricted fund summary; the board adopted Resolution No. 2026-055 to approve the designated fund balances as of Dec. 31, 2025.
The board granted a local option property tax abatement for Hygge Properties LLC (parcel 27.00253.00 at 207 Main St. W., Wabasha) under Resolution No. 2026-056 after the county assessor determined that 50% or more of the structure was damaged or destroyed by a Jan. 31, 2025 fire; the minutes reference disaster credit under MS 273.1233. Resolution No. 2026-057 appointed Andy Schouweiler to the Wabasha County Planning Commission (Board of Adjustment vacancy).
Citing Minn. Stat. §13D.01 subd. 1(a), the board adopted Resolution No. 2026-058 to hold a closed meeting with staff and labor counsel to discuss AFSCME labor negotiation strategy, stating the board found an "absolute need for confidentiality" and that no other subject matter would be discussed in that closed session.
Commissioners provided reports on recent meetings and approved a recess notice for a Township Officers Meeting scheduled Feb. 25, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Millville American Legion. The minutes were signed and certified by the Board Chair and Board Clerk.
Votes at a glance: All listed resolutions were recorded in the minutes as "Adopted Unanimously." Five commissioners were listed as present (Key, Powers, Springer, Walkes, Wobbe); the minutes do not record individual vote-by-name tallies beyond the unanimous adoption language for those items where it appears.
Next steps and notes: several approved actions direct the County Engineer and Finance staff to proceed with procurement, right-of-way acquisition and fund transfer requests; amounts for some purchases and quotes were not specified in the minutes and will require subsequent contract documents or vouchers for the public record.
