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Wabasha County approves labor deal, trail sponsorships, permits and equipment disposals
Summary
At its April 21 meeting the Wabasha County Board approved a tentative AFSCME social services contract pending labor counsel review and signed agreement, authorized county sponsorship of DNR snowmobile trail funds, approved two lawful gambling permit applications (subject to state approval), authorized IT telephone upgrades and approved surplus vehicle sales with proceeds directed to the squad replacement fund.
The Wabasha County Board on April 21 approved a package of resolutions covering labor, recreation grants, permits, technology and vehicle disposals.
Key approvals included Resolution No. 2026-078, authorizing adoption of a tentative 2026–2028 collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Social Services Local #3541; the board approved the agreement contingent on review and vetting by labor counsel and execution of a signed agreement. The board also approved Resolutions No. 2026-079 and 2026-080 to serve as the local sponsoring unit to pass through Minnesota DNR snowmobile trail funds for the Zumbrowatha Trails Association clubs for the 2026–2027 season and appointed Michael F. Papenfus to serve as County Trail Coordinator to assist administration of the program.
The board approved off-site lawful gambling applications subject to state approval: Resolution No. 2026-081 for Immaculate Conception Church of Kellogg (LG220, event Oct. 4, 2026) and Resolution No. 2026-082 for the Wabasha Fire Department (LG214) at Reads Landing Brewery. Resolution No. 2026-084 authorized the IT Director to enter agreements with Lumen to modernize telephone services and allowed the IT Department to purchase equipment and services up to $7,500 to connect to the new system. Resolution No. 2026-085 issued a 2026 solid waste license, listing Northstar Dumpster Service among approved vendors.
The board authorized the Sheriff’s Office to sell two surplus vehicles — a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 and a 2021 Dodge Durango — through Tony Montgomery Auction and directed proceeds to the Squad Replacement fund (Res. 2026-086 and Res. 2026-087). The motion on the disposals carried 4–0 with Commissioner Walkes recorded as abstaining in the minutes. A "Full and Final Settlement Agreement and Release" was also approved and officers were authorized to execute the settlement on behalf of the county (recorded in the minutes; Res. 2026-083). Several items were approved with conditions noted in the minutes (for example, gambling permits subject to state approval and the AFSCME agreement contingent on labor counsel review).
