Board of Commissioners - 29 Sep 2026

The Stearns County Board of Commissioners meeting, dated September 29, 2026 (the metadata timestamp is September 30 UTC), included several spending and procurement matters. The board approved an office lease with the City of Melrose for veterans services, described in discussion as $300 per month and a stated three-year total of $3,600; officials contrasted this with earlier estimates of $20,000 in operating expenses and $40,000 to complete the space. The board also approved a purchase agreement for two parcels totaling about 95 acres adjoining the Justice Center site; no purchase price was stated. In the 2027 budget discussion, commissioners approved a resolution setting the preliminary budget and levy. Staff cited a recommended levy increase of 6.81%; the preliminary levy may be reduced later but not increased. The recommended budget included 11 new positions, with about $89,000 in levy impact for two positions, and $4.66 million for outside agencies, over $200,000 below their requests.

Commissioners emphasized earlier board involvement in department budgets and closer scrutiny of spending, including capital purchases and potential equipment sharing. They also discussed remaining ARPA funds for broadband projects and former County Administrator Michael Williams’s proposed consulting support to help complete projects before the funds’ December 31 deadline; his hourly rate was not available during the meeting. No amount was given for the Justice Center parcel purchase or broadband consulting arrangement.