09/15/2026 Sherburne County Board Meeting

The Sherburne County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on September 15, 2026, addressing several procurement and budget-related matters. Key procurement discussions included the approval of a 3.2 off-sale liquor license for the new Circle K location in Becker Township, contingent on township and state approvals. The board also approved an interim use permit for a one-megawatt solar farm by Carter Garden LLC, with specific conditions including a $200,000 decommissioning financial surety and a fire safety plan developed with the local fire department. Additionally, a rezone request from general rural to shoreland residential was approved, facilitating potential subdivision of a 10-acre property. The board considered and approved an interim use permit for the Haunted Trail special event with modifications to event dates and increased porta potty requirements due to neighborhood concerns. The final plat approval for an 80-acre residential subdivision creating five lots was granted, expediting the process under a revised ordinance. Budget discussions were extensive, with the board setting the preliminary 2027 property tax levy at approximately $72.5 million, reflecting an 8.48% increase driven largely by unfunded state and federal mandates, personnel reductions, and inflationary pressures. The board acknowledged the challenges of balancing service demands with budget constraints and discussed ongoing efforts to monitor program workloads, particularly in social services. The meeting also included updates on local improvement district budgets and a community health board session focusing on communicable disease monitoring and vaccination efforts. Motions related to procurement and budget were passed with votes recorded, and policy discussions highlighted the need for continued advocacy on unfunded mandates and local revenue options.