Douglas County Board Meeting May 5, 2026

Men and women, dressed in green, filled several rows at the May 5 Douglas County Board Meeting held in Alexandria. They were there to hear commissioners proclaim May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the county. Community Human Services Director Tabitha Kremmin asked for the proclamation which reads in part, …“scientific research is producing tremendous breakthroughs in the understanding of mental illness, resulting in more effective treatments that allow people to reclaim full and productive lives”. The proclamation is intended to increase public awareness of mental illness.  

Becky Schmitz, executive director of the Vikingland Community Support Program, also told the commissioners about the initiative to paint the town green from May 11 – 15.  Businesses and organizations will decorate their buildings and people will wear green to show support for the issue of mental health awareness. The week concludes with a walk from Vikingland Community Support, located at 1106 Broadway Street, to Alexandria City Hall on Friday May 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Participants can enjoy a light lunch together and learn about a range of mental health services to help adults build the skills they need to live independently and thrive in their communities.

IT Department

Douglas County will now participate in the Minnesota Cyber Response Team. IT Director Brent Birkland explained to the board how this statewide multi-county-led team will ensure a faster and more coordinated response when a cybersecurity incident unfolds. The team is supported by the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) and offers counties immediate, informed guidance when needed most. 

Hospice of Douglas County

The annual Hospice of Douglas County butterfly release event will take place on the courthouse lawn August 11. The county board approved the request from Horizon Public Health which hosts this event to honor past patients served by the hospice program. The event is open to all community members. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. that evening and last about an hour. 

Land and Resource Management

The board approved several items previously recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission.

A diesel truck and equipment repair business called Chance Truck Repair will be allowed to locate south of I-94 in Orange Township. The permit will allow outdoor storage, parking of trucks and the display of vehicles for sale. 

Commissioner Charlie Meyer expressed concern about fluids leaking from the vehicles, reminding those in attendance this area is the top of a watershed. Director Dave Rush assured him the permit addressed those concerns.

Joshua Peterson applied for and received a conditional use permit to allow chickens on his property. This permit is required because the property is located within the General Development Shoreland district of Lake Osakis. Peterson will be allowed to have no more than 25 chickens which must always remain in a coop or fenced area. No roosters will be allowed.

The board also approved a permit to allow horses and chickens on land owned by Billy and Dana Pazdernik. The land is in Ida Township and is located within the Residential and Residential Shoreland zoning district. The board permitted up to 4 animal units (horses) and no more than 25 chickens or other fowl. Rush included in the information to the board, neighbors’ letters of concern regarding both projects.

The next board meeting will be held May 19 at 9 a.m. at the Administration Building located at 821 Cedar Street Alexandria.