Public Works presented a five-year bridge-priority replacement plan with 28 bridges on the county list; 12 qualify for replacement funding, 5 county-owned and 7 township-owned. Townships are expected to commit $20,000 per bridge toward special town bridge funding.

Freeborn County approved a joint resolution with the cities of Albert Lea and Hayward asking the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to identify a path to complete the remaining ~0.5 mile of the Blazing Star Trail within Myra Big Island State Park; the county will participate in a joint signing and press release in Albert Lea.

Freeborn County commissioners set a proposed 2027 preliminary levy of $36,437,497 — a 16.8% increase over 2026 — and scheduled the Truth and Taxation meeting for Dec. 22 at 6 p.m.; commissioners said the figure is a ceiling and options to lower it remain before the December final levy.

Public works recommended final payments on two county construction contracts totaling roughly $305,528; staff also reported problematic 'flushing' observed on Bridal Avenue chip-seal and said MnDOT will perform friction testing before deciding on corrective steps.

Public health staff said 117 existing clients — including 19 nursing-home residents and 32 elderly-waiver participants — will transfer from UCare to Medica effective Oct. 1 if the board approves. The board approved the agreement to preserve local continuity and staff positions.

During public comment, several residents praised local election officials and urged the board to protect voting integrity for November; one speaker raised broad allegations of fraud and corruption at the federal level.

Commissioners reported on a Power On open house about high-capacity transmission lines and urged residents to submit comments on the Public Utilities Commission docket before the end-of-August deadline to ensure inclusion in the environmental assessment.

The board authorized the administrator to collaborate with Sherburne County on legislative advocacy and to potentially spend up to $6,000 (may not be used) to resist proposals that could restrict counties' ability to engage in federal contracts; commissioners debated overlap with AMC/NACO and fiscal prudence.

The Freeborn County Board approved a series of Public Works contracts on March 3, 2026, including culvert pipelining, sand supply, seal coating and two major paving projects and related maintenance agreements; all passed by roll call following brief discussion of budgets and federal grants.