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In addition to the initial 2027 budget request for the county HRA/EDA (see other story) the County Board of Commissioners tackled an agenda last week that included:

~ Utilizing a grant for doing controlled burns at county parks for establishing pollinator friendly areas.  The county has until 2029 to spend $15,000 for costs incurred.  Environmental Services Director Kurt Schneider said the local prairie enthusiasts group is  working with the county,  at Dennis Frandsen Park (8 acres), Kost Dam (acre and a half) and Ki Chi Saga (12 acres).  Fires using the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant program funds could be noticed as soon as this fall.  Funds also cover mowing a burn break around each site and the follow-up seeding with natives.

~ Faith Johnson was appointed to the vacant seat in Jim Swenson’s district for the Extension Committee.

~ Work to address a failed chiller at the county public safety building,  affecting air handling and related functions, was approved to proceed. The known expense of $23,000 quoted (so far)  was okayed to proceed.

~ The Board settled the Public Works Supervisors’ contract unanimously.  Their bargaining unit of AFSCME worked without a contract last year and this new agreement is effective Jan 2026 to end of 2028.  The supervisors get a wage hike of three percent each of 2026,2027 and 2028.

Also, the commissioners granted the request for a one time payout of vacation accrued and comp time for non-union employees who have taken up the unaddressed workload resulting from the continuing Teamsters strike.  Vacation of over 100 hours in the employee’s “bank” is eligible for payout and compensation time benefits of 50 hours or more are also eligible.  The county utilized this tool when there were unmet law enforcement needs and non-union officers stepped up in 2025.  This is not available to department heads however.

~ A vintage vehicle restoration, machining and repair business Conditional Use Permit was approved for Daniel and Sheri Karpenko in Franconia Township, on Olympic Trail.

~ Commissioner Ben Montzka opposed the renewal of a lobbyist services contract with Larkin Hoffman. The county has used the firm’s public affairs division for state issues for 10 years and for federal services since 2020.  Montzka argued the county ought not to use the firm because Larkin Hoffman attorneys have defended tax cases filed against Chisago County.  

The company contracts for $11,000 per month for state contacts and federal services are $6,000 per month.  In a memo from staff the county reportedly saw a return on investment in $83 million in state and federal aid,  attributable to efforts by the firm.

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