Commissioner Shane Schmidt is the chair of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners for 2026. Commissioner Jeff Way is the vice chair. The two leadership positions were among the many decisions made during the January 6 organizational meeting. Other decisions commissioners made include dates and times of meetings for the year, committees they will serve on, and members of the Board of Adjustment/Planning Advisory Commission.
Auditor Treasurer Vicki Doehling asked the board to approve a list of financial institutions the county will use as depositories and or investment brokers in 2026. The one change from 2025 was eliminating Bremer Bank and replacing it with Old National Bank.
The board opened and reviewed submitted bids for legal publication and vehicle maintenance. The Echo Press was the only newspaper to submit for legal publication. Two businesses submitted for vehicle maintenance. Commissioner Charlie Meyer said Shutters was the low bid and the board voted to accept it. However, after input from the floor, the board made clear Shutters must follow the exact invoicing required under the bid.
Dave Rush, director of Land and Resource Management, asked the commissioners to approve a now yearly resolution to limit the number of cannabis retailers to one registration for every 12,500 residents of the county. That currently means there will be no more than four retail cannabis registrations outside of cities and/or townships that register their own. Rush pointed out this does not impact the number of low potency hemp retail businesses.
County Coordinator/HR Director Lee Katzmarek and his staff compiled a list of the fees the county charges for various documents. Katzmarek asked the board to approve the fees which he said are now more standardized and will be easier for the public to find. The board voted following a required public hearing which occurred at the start of the organizational meeting.
Following the organizational meeting, the board held a special meeting for additional business.
Community Human Services Director Tabitha Kremmin asked for, and was given, permission to hire additional staff, if needed, to fill gaps created by the newly implemented Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave program.
Auditor/Treasurer Vicki Doehling asked the board to appoint two members to the county canvassing board. The board meets to review election results. Commissioners Jerry Rapp and Jeff Way will serve on that board along with Doehling, the court administrator of the district court, and the mayor of the most populous city which is Alexandria. Commissioners also established an Absentee Ballot Board and a Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act Ballot board.
The final item on the agenda was from Commissioner Jerry Rapp who requested discussion of how to better enforce the dog leash requirement at Lake Brophy County Park. Ideas included additional surveillance cameras, a letter to violators reminding them of the leash policy, and citations for violators. The next board meeting will be January 20 at 9 a.m. in the Administration Building at 821 Cedar St. Alexandria.