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Whitewater Joint Power Board acknowledges disbandment, plans prorated payouts to three counties
Summary
At its May 26 meeting the Whitewater Joint Power Board approved the 2025 audit, authorized disposal of remaining low-value assets and acknowledged partner resolutions to terminate the joint powers agreement; staff said remaining funds will be prorated to Olmsted (~$47,000), Winona (~$46,000) and Wabasha (~$29,000).
The Whitewater Joint Power Board voted May 26 to acknowledge partner county resolutions terminating the joint powers agreement and to begin final steps for dissolution, including approving the 2025 audit and authorizing staff to dispose of remaining low-value equipment.
Board Chair opened the meeting and confirmed it would be the board’s final session. Chair summarized the board’s history and accomplishments and framed the disbandment as an intended outcome: “It’s a happy ending because in essence, we accomplished what this board accomplished,” the Chair said.
Staff reported the auditor, Katie Jacobson, completed the 2025 audit with the board’s planned dissolution in mind. The board reviewed the auditor’s significant-deficiencies letter—cited as consistent with prior years’ findings given the board’s size and staffing—and approved the audit by voice vote.
On remaining assets, staff said several items had been placed on public surplus (including a water-quality monitor, probes, filing cabinets and small appliances), some of which sold; unsold, low-value items would be disposed of or donated. The Chair moved—and a board member seconded—a motion authorizing county staff (Ross) to dispose of undervalued items that do not sell at auction through donation, transfer to Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) or disposal. The motion was approved by voice vote.
Staff also outlined the plan to distribute the board’s remaining cash balance to the three partner counties prorated by acreage in the project area. Using end-of-April figures, staff said the remaining funds would be roughly $47,000 to Olmsted County, just under $46,000 to Winona County and about $29,000 to Wabasha County. Another participant described the funds as “technically unrestricted,” meaning each county may determine how to receive the money.
During board reports members recalled the Whitewater watershed board’s projects and outreach over decades and urged continued local engagement through county boards and SWCDs after disbandment. With business concluded, the board moved, seconded and approved a final motion to adjourn, ending the group’s last meeting.
The board did not record a roll-call vote; motions were approved by voice without a numbered tally. Staff indicated remaining procedural steps—dispersing auction receipts and sending final paperwork—will proceed after the meeting.
