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Waseca County commissioners approve ditch repairs, CUP changes, LRIP grant and sheriff vehicle purchase
Summary
At its April 7 meeting the Waseca County Board approved awarding County Ditch 27 repair contracts, adopted an LRIP agreement for a $735,000 shoulder‑paving project, amended and approved conditional‑use permits, adopted a public‑health nuisance policy and approved the purchase of two sheriff patrol cars.
The Waseca County Board of Commissioners on April 7 approved a series of routine but consequential items: award of ditch‑repair contracts for County Ditch 27, adoption of a state grant agreement for a roadway project, amendments and approvals of conditional‑use permits, a county public‑health nuisance policy, and the purchase of two sheriff patrol vehicles.
Ditch 27: County drainage staff recommended awarding the two bid packages for repairs to County Ditch 27 (project 24‑385). Staff reported the low apparent bidders as Eggte Drainage (branch 25) for $336,532.90 and Leland Drainage and Excavating (main tile) for $600,740, with the combined bids about 17.8% below the engineer’s estimate and roughly $200,000 in estimated savings. The board approved the recommendation; staff said contracts will be executed, performance bonds collected, and work is expected to begin in June with completion required by Dec. 31, 2026.
Land‑use actions: The board opened public hearings and acted on two conditional‑use matters. First, the board approved an amendment to remove the Lee‑Castle parcel from an existing agritourism CUP while retaining the CUP for the adjacent parcel that continues to operate agritourism; there were no public speakers. Second, the board approved a CUP to allow Richard Schultz to place a single‑family dwelling on a carved parcel in a general industrial zone; staff noted the parcel’s proximity to a solar farm and discussed the county’s solar‑setback code (the county code requires a variance if a house would be sited within 500 feet of a solar facility; the board said a reciprocal easement provision is not currently in the solar code).
Road project grant: Public Works presented and the board adopted Resolution 2026‑17 to execute a Local Road Improvement Program agreement for the Cassop 14 shoulder paving project in the amount of $735,000. Staff corrected an exhibit in the packet before execution and said construction signs were up with work scheduled to start April 20.
Public health policy: The board adopted a county public‑health nuisance policy intended to streamline response timelines and clarify when matters become public‑health nuisances (which carry stricter timelines). Staff said follow‑up can include photographs and phone calls, with site visits used when necessary.
Public safety equipment: The sheriff requested and the board approved the purchase of two Ford Explorer police‑interceptor SUVs at $46,245 each (total $92,490), an item already programmed in the 2026 budget. The sheriff said most interior equipment will transfer from retiring squads but exterior light bars will be replaced; mobile radios for the new squads are included in the purchase.
Proclamations and minutes: The board also adopted proclamations recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and April as National County Government Month, approved meeting minutes from March and the consent agenda bills.
What’s next: Public Works will finalize and return executed ditch and LRIP contracts; Community Development will finalize CUP deeds and record amendments; Public Health will publish the public‑facing nuisance policy. Commissioners asked staff to consider procurement language improvements to avoid duplicate mobilization charges if future bid packages produce a single winning contractor.
