Highway staff said Roberts Lake Boulevard (the 2014 FEMA slide area) and a retaining wall on County Road 93 are under construction, County Road 1 resurfacing was recently completed, and two bridge replacements on County Road 16 will move to preconstruction and funding agreements in coming weeks.

Community Services leaders reported growing demand, rising placement and per-diem costs, staff shortages, and state policy changes (MNChoices redesign, CFSS, individualized home supports) that increase county workload and could affect the county's 2027 budget and levy planning.

Rice County highway staff put a turn-back agreement for Trunk Highway 246 on the board calendar; the county expects the state to transfer the rural segment to the city of Northfield and plans to pursue funding with MnDOT and partners if a future roundabout is required, with preliminary cost estimates of $4–$5 million.

A county presenter outlined federal and state legislative changes (cited as HR1/Reconciliation Act) that shift SNAP administration and benefit costs toward counties; staff projected county SNAP administration costs rising to $857,000 in 2026 and potentially $1.2 million in 2027 without state action.