Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Finance And Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Polk County board creates capital and insurance funds, adopts policies and approves infrastructure contracts
Summary
At its May 5 meeting the Polk County Board of Commissioners unanimously established a Capital Improvement Fund and an Insurance Fund (effective Jan. 1, 2025), adopted a revised Capital Asset Policy, approved a culvert replacement contract and material purchases, and authorized a facilities change order and multiple permits and warrants.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners on May 5, 2026, unanimously adopted several finance and infrastructure measures, including the creation of two dedicated county funds, approval of a road contract and material purchases, and a facilities change order.
The board adopted Resolution 2026-21 to establish a Polk County Capital Improvement and Acquisition Fund to centralize oversight and ensure funds for repair, replacement and acquisition of county infrastructure and capital assets. The resolution, offered by Commissioner Warren Strandell and seconded by Commissioner Ross Pape, directs that the fund be established via appropriation from the General Fund or other appropriate funds as determined by the Finance Director and County Administrator. The Capital Asset Policy revision was adopted the same day.
The board also adopted Resolution 2026-22 to establish a Polk County Insurance Fund, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, and approved an initial appropriation from the General Revenue Fund of $486,818 to cover property, liability, automobile and workers’ compensation liabilities. Commissioner Ross Pape offered the resolution; Commissioner Paul Reese seconded it. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of the five commissioners present.
On transportation business, Darin Carlstrom, speaking on behalf of County Engineer Richard Sanders, presented quotes for the CSAH 1 centerline culvert replacement. The board awarded the contract to RJ Zavoral and Sons, Inc. of East Grand Forks for $104,516 and approved purchase of a 72-inch RCP culvert and aprons from Rinker Materials of Hawley for $41,438; both approvals were unanimous.
Facilities staff reported that WSN Engineering determined the circulating pumps specified for the Justice Center’s new domestic hot water system were undersized. The board approved a change order to install larger circulation pumps, accepting an upgraded pump proposal for $8,670.
Planning and zoning actions included adoption of Resolution 2026-19, granting a large gathering permit to River Bottom LLC (Aimee Smith and Kayla Pederson) for an event at Maple Lake Pavilion on May 24, 2026 (Parcel #32.00234.00), and Resolution 2026-20, a conditional use permit for Jana Pederson for an accessory structure greater than 800 square feet (Parcel #30.00575.00). Both were adopted unanimously.
Consent business included routine items and a $23,000 payment to Recovery Partners, Inc. (HopeWorks Network, Erskine) for contractual services paid from Opioid Settlement Funds for Public Health for January and February 2026. The board approved several auditor warrants and manual warrants for April 2026 dates as presented.
All formal votes recorded in the minutes passed by unanimous vote (YEAS: Commissioner Paul Reese, Commissioner Warren Strandell, Commissioner Joan Lee, Commissioner Gary Willhite, and Commissioner Ross Pape; NAYS: None). With no further business, the board adjourned and scheduled its next regular meeting for 9:30 a.m. on May 19, 2026.
