Faribault County board approves demand letter, authorizes potential lawsuit over County Ditch #52

The Faribault County Board of Commissioners, acting as the Drainage Authority for County Ditch #52, approved a demand letter with corrections and authorized initiating a lawsuit as needed at a special meeting on July 7, 2026.

"Paschke/Young motion carried unanimously to approve the Demand Letter with corrections and initiate a lawsuit as needed." The motion, made by Commissioner Gertrude Paschke and seconded by Commissioner Greg Young, was recorded as carrying unanimously. The action followed a closed attorney‑client session earlier in the meeting to consider potential pending litigation related to the County Ditch #52 Improvement Project claims.

Chair Bruce Anderson opened the 8:00 a.m. meeting in the Faribault County Courthouse Board Room in Blue Earth. County staff in attendance included Drainage Manager Merissa Lore and County Coordinator Brian Hov; Attorney Justin Short of Best & Flanagan LLP participated virtually. The board’s approval authorizes county counsel and staff to send the corrected demand letter and, if necessary, pursue litigation to resolve claims arising from the CD52 improvement project.

The board’s recorded action does not spell out the exact language of the demand letter or the specific claims to be litigated; those details were discussed in the closed session and summarized in a public statement by counsel after the meeting. The resolution in the minutes directs staff and counsel to proceed as needed, but does not set a public filing date for litigation.