Douglas County Board Meeting July 15, 2025

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, July 15 and, among the most closely watched votes, decided to deny a request to build 68 individually owned storage units in Carlos Township. DOB Properties LLC requested the project on 25 acres on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 42 near Prairie Road.

The request, like others, was first heard by the Planning Advisory Commission (PAC) which recommended a denial of the project at its meeting July 8. Land and Resource Management Director Dave Rush detailed the application, what he called a lot of feedback from members of the public, and the findings of the Planning Advisory Commission which include: the project is not compatible with the specific location which is residential and agricultural in nature, the property is adjacent to a designated Scenic Byway, and traffic would increase near the intersection of CSAH 42 and Prairie Road. The public and project developer were allowed to speak at the public hearing held at the PAC meeting. The public was not permitted to speak again at the board meeting, other than the three-minute items from the floor time period allotted at the end of the board meeting. The county board vote was unanimous. 

Social Services

The director of Social Services, Tabitha Kremmin, asked the board to approve a grant application that requests funds from the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging for the Senior Services office. This vital office provides a variety of services including the annual Senior Expo to share information on how older residents can best avoid financial fraud and exploitation. In the application, the county shares its hope to continue the work already proving to be effective and expand on outreach to minimize financial scams and fraud. 

Public Works

County Engineer and Public Works Director Tim Erickson explained his sound, documented reason for requesting commissioners award a contract for centerline culverts to the second lowest bidder rather than the lowest. County Attorney Chad Larson added his consensus, and the commissioners agreed to award the contract to Midwest Contracting LLC to do the work on County State Aid Highway 14. A centerline culvert is a drainage pipe installed under the centerline of a road or highway to carry water flow beneath the roadway. 

Erickson also asked to award the engineering contract for a roundabout design on CSAH 46 and Pioneer Road to the lowest bidder, which is a company named Interstate. Erickson shared that the company has not designed a roundabout, but he is confident they can do the work and wants to give them a chance.   Commissioner Charlie Meyer said, “If it saves $65,000, it’s a great opportunity for them to get some on the job training for a lower price.” The board approved the request.