Douglas County Board Meeting October 6, 2026

Beginning January 1, 2027, food trucks, licensed in and owned by a Douglas County resident, will be allowed to sell intoxicating liquor from a food truck for a private event in Douglas County. This follows a public hearing held October 6. In 2026, the Legislature passed a bill that designated Douglas County as a test county for this type of sale. Commissioners voted their approval for the temporary 1-to-4-day licenses at their first of the month meeting. Commissioner Jeff Way voted no. Commissioner Charlie Meyer said the food truck owners will have to follow the same laws as brick-and-mortar establishments and will need the same safe server training. The test period expires one year from the start date.

Following the public hearing, the regular first- of- the- month board meeting was held. Among the items voted on:

License Bureau

License Bureau Director and Deputy Registrar Susan Crotteau asked the board to support an effort to keep more funds at the county License Bureau. Every time a person walks into the county office at 821 Cedar Street and renews their license tabs, the county keeps $8 of the total. If that same person goes online or mails their tab renewals directly to the state, the $8 shrinks.

The Minnesota Deputy Registrars Association is asking the Legislature to pass a revenue sharing process to ensure local offices, like the one in Douglas County, can stay open for business. The plan is for 50 percent of filing fee revenue made by the Department of Public Safety will be disbursed quarterly among all deputy registrar offices in Minnesota.  The board approved the request. Crotteau told commissioners she is finding additional revenue sources to make up for fewer customers. She reminded them the local license bureau sells manuals for CDL, Class D and motorcycle licenses and proctors the Minnesota Driver’s License Exam.

Public Works

A recognizable intersection just west of Lake Le Homme Dieu moved into the future road construction spotlight. Public Works Director Tim Erickson said the property owner at County Road 42 and County Road 11 called and said she was ready to sell. Erickson said putting in a roundabout at that three-way stop is listed on his long-term plan, but the call moved up the need for the board to act. Commissioners agreed to a $364,000 purchase price for the land and the buildings. Erickson addressed the concern of Indian burial mounds in that area. He showed commissioners multiple letters and reports the county had obtained from previous work and said he’s confident the county can protect the historical significance while completing a roundabout. No timetable was announced for when construction will start, but the county will take possession of the land and buildings November 9.  

Erickson also asked the board to approve a Master Plan Update for Kensington Rune Stone Park. The firm WSB submitted the low bid for that plan. That is the same firm that worked on the Lake Brophy Park Master Plan. Commissioners approved the low bid. Commissioner Jeff Way also asked that the sign at Chippewa Park be freshened up. Way said that park is a wonderful place for events, including family reunions.

The next county board meeting will be October 20. It will be held in the old boardroom on the second floor of the courthouse at 305 8^th Avenue W. in Alexandria. It will start at 9 a.m.