Crow Wing County Committee of the Whole Meeting 07/21/2026

The Crow Wing County Committee of the Whole meeting on July 21, 2026, covered several key topics including watershed management projects, long-term services and supports (LTSS), county burial program policies, and a lease agreement for a laydown yard related to the Northland Reliability Project. The soil and water conservation district highlighted various watershed restoration projects funded through state programs like WBIF, including shoreline restoration and agricultural land improvements, emphasizing pollution prevention and community engagement. The LTSS discussion focused on the increasing costs of home and community-based services, potential state cost shifts to counties, and strategies to manage rate exceptions and service approvals, with projections of significant budget impacts for Crow Wing County in 2027 and 2028. The county burial program proposed increasing the indigent burial reimbursement rate from $2,900 to $3,475, with consensus to approve this on the consent agenda. Lastly, a lease agreement with Great River Energy for tax-forfeited land to be used as a laydown yard for the Northland Reliability Project was presented, proposing monthly fees of $1,500 to $3,500 depending on activity, and was recommended for consent approval. Additionally, the meeting discussed supporting a regional multi-use trail initiative along County Road 16, with a resolution to provide general support without financial commitment, emphasizing coordination among local agencies and future funding considerations.