Douglas County Board Meeting March 19 2024

At their March 19 meeting, Douglas County Commissioners took the required action for the process of a proposed Osakis Lake Improvement District to proceed. Commissioners acknowledged receipt of a petition for the lake improvement district and, in coordination with Todd County, established Tuesday, April 16 as the date of a public hearing. That hearing will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Osakis Public School Auditorium.

According to a letter from the Osakis Lake Association, there is a petition, signed by the majority of property owners, which reflects support to develop an improvement district which would provide a program of water and related land resources management. Specifically, the objectives include reducing sediment and nutrient loads, the reduction of curly-leaf pondweed, and stabilization of water levels in Lake Osakis.

Public Works  

The board also approved an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for funds so the county can perform grading, drainage improvements, and other construction at Highway 94 and County State Aid Highway 8.

Sheriff’s Office

Commissioners accepted two donations for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Troy Wolbersen thanked Paul and J.C. Thompson for their $2,500 donation which can be used as needed and a $300 donation from the Golden K Kiwanis to be used for the DARE program.

Board

The board also accepted the retirement notice of Laurie Bonds, the director of Douglas County Social Services. She will continue in her role until mid-June.

The meeting concluded, as it always does, with the opportunity for members of the public to share concerns. Retired Assistant Public Works Director Scott Green used his allotted three minutes to share concerns about the board’s recent decision not to support construction of a roundabout at McKay Avenue and CSAH 82. Green said he believes a roundabout at that location would improve safety and he asked the board to reconsider its decision. Commissioners Jerry Rapp and Charlie Meyer reiterated that the decision, made at the March 5 meeting, was based on several factors including the price of land the county would need to acquire and the need to consider how a roundabout would impact bicyclists and walkers using the Central Lakes Trail. The concern, Meyer said, is that roundabout traffic never stops.