Polk County commissioners unanimously approve insurance, grant payments, staffing and zoning actions

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met in regular session July 7, 2026, and by unanimous vote approved a series of routine contracts, grants, staffing actions and zoning measures affecting county operations.

Jon Steiner, Environmental Services Director, presented insurance coverage and grant-close items for the county’s Resource Recovery Facility. The board authorized an administration binder with Mahoney Group for $25,000 and approved terrorism insurance with Starr for $9,023. The board also approved a property insurance policy with Starr for a total premium of $267,622 covering Aug. 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. Each motion was made and seconded by named commissioners and adopted by unanimous vote.

Steiner also presented final payments tied to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) grant close-outs. The board approved two final payments to Titus MRF Services of Fontana, California — $99,667 and $49,900 — to complete grant requirements.

Karen Warmack, Social Services Director, asked the board to authorize filling a vacant Social Worker position; the board approved the replacement and any resulting internal vacancy moves. The board also approved an amendment to the AMHI/CSP (Adult Mental Health Initiative/Community Support Program) grant contract for 2026 that revises allowable uses under the existing $431,080 award without changing the total funding amount.

In property records business Kayla Schumacher, appearing on behalf of Property Records Director Samuel Melbye, presented a permit request from Fair Meadow Foundation. The board adopted Resolution 2026-32 to grant a one-year Minnesota Lawful Gambling premises permit allowing a raffle at Sandhill River Golf Course in Garfield Township; the vote was recorded in the minutes as YEAS: Commissioners Reese, Strandell, Lee, Willhite and Pape.

Public Health Director Sarah Reese presented and the board approved a Nurse Consultant Services Agreement with the Polk County Developmental Achievement Center and authorized recruitment and advertising for a full-time Clerk Typist Cashier III in Public Health. The board also approved the timeline and Round 3 funding plan for the Opioid Settlement Funds request-for-proposal process.

Richard Sanders, Polk County Engineer, requested and the board approved a Polk County hookup to the Polk & Marshall Rural Water System to serve the Angus shop, authorizing payment of $11,550 for hookup and $1,500 for a meter well, and directed the County Administrator to sign the water-users agreement, flood-insurance agreement and right-of-way easement. The board also approved work on County Ditch (CD) 111 and named the county engineer to oversee that project.

Planning & Zoning items presented by Jacob Snyder included adoption of Resolution 2026-33, approving a conditional-use permit for an accessory structure over 800 square feet; conditional approval of the preliminary plat titled “Replat of a portion of Townsite of Lakeside Park”; and approval to purchase a 2023 wheeled front-end loader from Ziegler CAT for $87,440 after trade-in. The board awarded three low-income septic fix-up grants: $15,000 to John Bruggeman (install by Jeremy’s Septic & Excavation), $15,865 to Michelle Cariveau (install by Kruse Backhoe Service LLC), and $16,950 to Richard Durand (install by Jeremy’s Septic & Excavation). The board also adopted Resolution 2026-34 authorizing creation of a Joint Airport Zoning Board with the City of Fosston and appointed Jacob Snyder as Polk County’s first representative to that board.

Alecia Helms, Human Resources Director, presented a COBRA contract proposal with WEX; the board approved implementation for employees and retirees. Retiree and part-time employee Shelly Erdman attended the meeting and asked questions about WEX fees; the minutes record the attendance and the Q&A but do not show changes to the approved contract.

The board approved Auditor and Manual Warrants for several dates in June 2026 as listed in the minutes. With no further business, the board adjourned and set its next meeting for 9:30 a.m. on July 21, 2026. The minutes were signed by Joan Lee, Chair, and attested by Charles S. Whiting, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board.

Actions recorded in the minutes were unanimous votes by the five commissioners present (Paul Reese, Warren Strandell, Joan Lee, Gary Willhite and Ross Pape). The minutes show no contested debates or roll-call dissents on the recorded motions.