Wright County commissioners proclaim Youngren Farm Family of the Year, approve roundabout contracts and note HHS restructuring savings

The Wright County Board of Commissioners met June 2, 2026, in a session led by Chair Darek Vetsch and unanimously adopted multiple routine and project actions, including the proclamation of the Youngren Family Farm as the county’s 2026 Farm Family of the Year and the award of several road and roundabout construction contracts.

Vetsch introduced Resolution 26-40 proclaiming the Youngren Family Farm the 2026 Wright County Farm Family of the Year; County Administrator Greg Kryzer read the resolution and University of Minnesota Extension Educator Taylor Herbert spoke in support. Commissioner Tina Diedrick moved to adopt the resolution and Commissioner Jeanne Holland seconded; the board voted 5-0 to adopt the resolution.

The board then approved routine meeting business: it dispensed with reading and approved the May 19, 2026, county board minutes, and approved a set of committee minutes covering ditches, budget and aggregate tax matters. The board also approved the consent agenda, which included acknowledgement of warrant disbursements issued May 11–21, 2026.

Finance Director Lindsey Meyer presented the county’s first-quarter 2026 financial report; the board voted to acknowledge the report. Highway Engineer Chad Hausmann presented several transportation items. The board approved awarding Contract No. 26-05 for the TH12–CSAH 14 roundabout reconstruction (SAP 086-614-011) and Contract No. 26-06 for the TH 25–CR 113 federal roundabout project (SP 086-070-026); both awards were made subject to authorization from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) where required. The board also approved awarding the Maple Lake Township State Park Road Account Project to Capital Paving of Clearwater, MN, and authorized signatures for additional engineering services agreements with WSB, Inc. All motions carried unanimously.

Interim Health & Human Services Director Mike MacMillan presented the HHS consent agenda, which the board approved. The approvals included two reappointments to the Mental Health Advisory Council (Mikki Northuis, District 3; Cathy Elfstrand, District 2), several annual liquor licenses, and a temporary liquor license for the Clearwater Lions & Clearwater/Clear Lake Food Shelf Demo Derby event, the latter added during agenda review.

MacMillan also provided director’s comments on Phase One of a strategic restructuring of the Health & Human Services Department. Chair Vetsch stated that the board has already seen approximately $500,000 in annual savings from the restructuring; Commissioners Nadine Schoen and Jeanne Holland commented positively on the changes. The board did not take formal action on restructuring during this meeting.

Commissioner Kirby Moynagh requested that an update on County Ditch 18 redetermination be added to the June 9 county board workshop; the board scheduled a Committee of the Whole — Ditch for 10 a.m. on June 9 and approved adding the Rockford Township Land Use Project to the workshop agenda. Commissioner Tina Diedrick noted the 30th anniversary of the Ney Park Nature Center before Chair Vetsch adjourned the meeting at 9:35 a.m.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions in this session passed unanimously (5-0), including adoption of Resolution 26-40; approval of minutes and committee minutes; acknowledgment of the Q1 financial report; awards of Contract Nos. 26-05 and 26-06 and the Maple Lake Township project; authorization of signatures with WSB, Inc.; and approval of HHS consent items and liquor licenses.

Next steps: awards subject to MnDOT authorization will proceed through the agency’s authorization process; the board will meet in workshop session on June 9, 2026, which will include a Ditch Committee of the Whole and the Rockford Township Land Use Project.