Board of Commissioners
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM CDT · Board Chambers, Government Center, 151 4th St SE, Rochester
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Notice of this meeting was posted at the Government Center and published on the County website in accordance with the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. ch. 13D. Members of the public may address the Board during the public comment period. Reasonable accommodations are available on request.
Attendance
Bram Szymanski present · Constance Aluko present · Ellery Vandenberg present · Harold Pemberton-Reyes present · Roseanne Delacroix absent
- Call to Order
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Public Comment Period
Members of the public may address the Board on any matter within its jurisdiction.
Two speakers addressed the Board regarding the solar garden application.
- Consent Agenda
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Approval of Minutes
Approval of the minutes of the previous regular meeting.
Recommendation: Approve the minutes as presented.
Motion: Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Moved by Bram Szymanski, seconded by Ellery Vandenberg
Carried 5 aye
Bram Szymanski: aye · Constance Aluko: aye · Ellery Vandenberg: aye · Harold Pemberton-Reyes: aye · Roseanne Delacroix: aye -
Purchase of Service Agreement — Supported Employment Services
Renewal of a purchase-of-service contract for supported employment services.
Recommendation: Approve the agreement and authorise the Chair to execute it.
Fiscal impact: $1,284,000, of which $1,010,000 is state and federal reimbursement.
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Highway 22 Reconstruction — Change Order No. 3
Change order for unsuitable subgrade material encountered between stations 118+00 and 131+50.
Recommendation: Approve Change Order No. 3 in the amount of $187,400.
Fiscal impact: $187,400, within the project contingency.
- Public Hearings
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Conditional Use Permit — Hillcrest Solar Garden, Section 14, Cascade Township
A 4.9 MW community solar garden on 32 acres of agricultural land.
Recommendation: Approve the conditional use permit subject to the eleven conditions recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission.
Fiscal impact: No County cost. Applicant pays all review fees.
- 📎 Hillcrest Solar - Site Plan Narrative.pdf 1.8 KB
- 📎 Conditions of Approval (11).pdf 2.2 KB
- 📎 Public Comments Received.pdf 1.6 KB
Public hearing opened at 9:24 a.m. Six persons spoke. Hearing closed at 9:51 a.m.
Motion: Motion to approve the conditional use permit subject to the eleven conditions recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission.
Moved by Constance Aluko, seconded by Bram Szymanski
Carried 4 aye · 1 nay
Bram Szymanski: aye · Constance Aluko: aye · Ellery Vandenberg: aye · Harold Pemberton-Reyes: aye · Roseanne Delacroix: nay - Regular Agenda
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Opioid Settlement Funds — Spending Plan Amendment
Amending the opioid settlement spending plan to fund two recovery navigator positions.
Recommendation: Approve the amended spending plan.
Fiscal impact: $412,000 from opioid settlement receipts. No levy impact.
Motion: Motion to approve the amended opioid settlement spending plan.
Moved by Ellery Vandenberg, seconded by Constance Aluko
Carried 5 aye
Bram Szymanski: aye · Constance Aluko: aye · Ellery Vandenberg: aye · Harold Pemberton-Reyes: aye · Roseanne Delacroix: aye - Reports
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Annual Financial Report and Auditor Communication
Presentation of the annual comprehensive financial report and the auditor’s communication to those charged with governance.
Recommendation: Receive and file.
Fiscal impact: None.
The auditor presented the report and answered questions from the Board.
- Closed Session
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Personnel — Classification Appeal, Position 4418
The material for this item is classified as not public under Minn. Stat. § 13.43 (personnel data) and § 13D.05, subd. 2(b) and is withheld from the public packet. The item itself, and any action taken on it, remain public.
The Board closed the meeting at 11:40 a.m. under Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. 2(b) and reconvened in open session at 12:05 p.m.