County approves $550,000 land purchase for stormwater pond and conditions MnDOT roundabout work on contractor bond

Douglas County commissioners approved a purchase agreement for two parcels on County Road 23 to support a construction stormwater pond and required a contractor bond before joining MnDOT’s planned mill-and-overlay of the nearby roundabout.

Public Works Director Tim told the board the county will buy two lots at County Road 23 for a combined $550,000 so the county can build a construction stormwater pond near the widening project. The board was told lot one (5052) will be purchased outright for $295,000 and lot two (5066) will be acquired under a contract for deed at $255,000 with $5,000 earnest money; the contract for deed on lot two will be satisfied between Jan. 1 and Jan. 8, 2027. Commissioners approved the purchase agreement and authorized Mr. Erickson to sign closing documents on the county’s behalf.

Tim said buying the centrally located parcels reduces the need to install an additional 2,000–2,500 feet of 36-inch concrete pipe and lowers both initial construction and long-term maintenance costs compared with routing stormwater farther south and building a pond elsewhere.

Separately, Tim described MnDOT’s plan for a mill-and-overlay that would include the roundabout south of town and asked whether the county wanted to participate on the two county-owned legs. The low vendor quote supplied through MnDOT came from Driveway Services (Detroit Lakes) and, according to the director, was unbonded. Several commissioners expressed concern about approving county work without a bond; the board voted to make county approval contingent on the contractor providing a bond.

The board approved both items by motion; the purchase authorization and the bond condition were recorded as carried by roll call. The county said it will schedule closing once documents are complete and will follow up with MnDOT staff about procurement timing and bond documentation.