# AIS Fall Meeting 10-21-26 Meeting Recording


**Body:** Crow Wing County Minnesota
**Date:** October 20, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Environment, Grants & Funding


Crow Wing County’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) planning meeting on October 21, 2026, reviewed the 2026 inspection season and considered 2027 spending amid reduced program funding. The county reported that inspector funds were underspent by about $15,000, partly because the DNR covered more hours than expected, and that roughly $28,000 would roll over into 2027. The county estimates that staffing a landing Friday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day costs about $8,000. Staff presented three budget approaches: retain about $68,000 for grants and cover 14 landings; reduce grant funding by about half and cover 18 landings; or prioritize grants, with about $196,000 available for them but substantially fewer inspections. Participants generally opposed a grant-only approach and emphasized prevention through inspections, while also discussing the value and limits of treatment grants available to lake associations.

The discussion did not produce a formal vote or final budget approval. The emerging direction was for staff to develop a proposal based on the reduced-grant option, consider county-funded Saturday and Sunday coverage across more landings, and allow associations to seek additional Friday coverage through expanded coverage requests or cost-sharing, subject to staffing. Participants also asked staff to consider more targeted shifts and broader landing-traffic data; staff said counters could help inform future planning. The proposal will go to the county board for a decision, and participants supported a follow-up discussion in June or July 2027. Staff also noted upcoming DNR treatment and community grant opportunities for lake associations, but said these are not a substitute for county-funded inspection staffing.

**Source:** Crow Wing County Minnesota