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Votes at a glance: Waseca County board approves strategic plan, voting equipment, permits and regional trail MOA
Summary
At its May meeting Waseca County commissioners approved a suite of routine and substantive items including the 2026–2028 strategic plan, authorization of an assisted voting device, a memorandum to join the Songbird Trail regional plan, and several conditional use permits (outdoor cannabis cultivation, a 4 MW solar array, and an electrical substation).
Waseca County commissioners voted on multiple action items during the board meeting following a work session. Key outcomes:
• Memorandum of Agreement — Songbird Trail: Approved. The MOA joins Waseca County to the regional master plan and enables eligibility for grants administered by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission while preserving local control of construction and maintenance inside county borders.
• Absentee ballot board (Resolution 2026‑9): Adopted. The board established the absentee ballot board for the 2026 election cycle as required by state law.
• Premises permit (Bosika Hockey Association; Resolution 2026‑20): Approved. The board granted standard LG214/LG215 gambling licensing for the local hockey association.
• New voting system (Resolution 2026‑21): Adopted. The board authorized use of the Express Vote assisted voting device together with existing DS200 tabulators and electronic rosters (pole pads). Elections staff said the device will improve accessibility and serve as a contingency when paper ballot stock runs low.
• Strategic plan (Resolution 2026‑22): Adopted. See our separate article for full coverage of the plan’s priorities and next steps.
• Conditional use permits: - Outdoor cannabis cultivation (A‑1 zone): Approved after planning commission recommendation and adoption of conditions; one commissioner recused from the vote. - 4 MW photovoltaic array (A‑1 zone): Approved with conditions that require final legal description and a cash decommissioning escrow; staff noted an escrow formula of $45,000 per megawatt for decommissioning. - Electrical substation (Industrial zone): Approved; city utility staff described the project as essential infrastructure to support future growth and maintain reliability.
• Floodplain overlay ordinance amendment: Adopted. The board updated county ordinance language to align with state statute and received DNR concurrence.
Many items were routine approvals handled on unanimous voice votes or roll calls; where statutory or planning conditions were required (for example the solar CUP), staff will not record the permit or issue zoning permits until required legal descriptions or escrow funds are received.
If you are interested in a particular item, staff contact information and the signed MOA will be posted with meeting materials on the county website.
