The Douglas County Board of Commissioners tabled a request for a public restaurant/meeting space at the Lake Darling Resort and asked Public Works to come up with options for a safer way to cross County State Aid Highway 22 from a proposed parking lot to the lakeside restaurant. After a lengthy discussion on safety and other concerns, including those shared by residents, commissioners put off the decision on the public restaurant and meeting space, but did give approval for the owners to move forward with several other items in the Conditional Use Permit they requested. The board approved requests for: an expansion of the resort property, the creation of two non-resort unit lots, 12 of the 20 overnight mooring spaces, recreational equipment rental services to the public and the outdoor storage of lakeshore and recreational equipment.
Corrections
Willie Swanson, Douglas County’s District Supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Corrections, gave an eye-opening presentation on a program that dramatically reduces repeat domestic violence. This 24-week program has successfully graduated 47 people since 2021. Swanson said this program is changing offenders’ thinking and behavior and providing new ways of dealing with conflict. He reported to commissioners that only six percent of graduates commit a new felony offense. That compares to 15 percent statewide. Swanson said that means fewer people are victimized and there is less demand for local law enforcement. Brian Loch and Julie Ellison are the facilitators in Douglas County. Board Chair Shane Schmidt thanked the staff for all it does to enhance our public safety.
Public Works
County Engineer and Public Works Director Tim Erickson asked for and received approval to award two road construction bids. The first went to low bidder Central Specialties for a reclaim and paving project on County Road 40 in LaGrand Township. Federal funds will also be used for that project. The second is the 2026 paving contract. The low bidder was Mark Sand and Gravel. Erickson explained the work ahead, “this is on County Road 4, the last lift from what we rebuilt in 2024 and County Road 8 from the interstate to the roundabout, the last lift going on that. We’re also reclaiming and paving from the roundabout over to 82, we’re putting the last lift on County 46 that we built last summer, and we’re also doing a reclaim and pave on County 86.”
In other actions, Commissioners approved a waterfowl management easement and a habitat easement presented by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Commissioners Meyer and Rapp voted no, citing their disagreement with these easements being in place forever.
Justin Swart, Douglas County Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist, presented the annual report on efforts to contain and reduce the threat from zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort, curly leaf pondweed, and Flowering rush in Douglas County lakes. Swart also presented the plan for 2026. He outlined public outreach and the lakes chosen for surveying to detect any invasive species. This year the lakes will be Andrew, Blackwell, Brophy, Freeborn, Grants, Latoka, Lobster, Mill, Mina, Moon, Oscar, Pocket, Rachel, Red Rock and Reno.
The next board meeting will be Tuesday, March 17 at 9 a.m. in the Douglas County Administration Building at 821 Cedar Street in Alexandria.