The Washington County Board of Commissioners met July 22 and approved the 2025-2035 Groundwater Plan, among other meeting items.
Prepared, adopted, and implemented as allowed for metropolitan communities in State Statute 103B.235, the updated groundwater plan replaces one due to expire this August, passed back in September 2014. Groundwater plans are updated every 10 years and are comprehensive documents that lay out technical information, issues, goals, and strategies to address existing and future groundwater topics and concerns. Washington County relies fully on groundwater for drinking water. Challenges to groundwater management include competing interests and groundwater contamination. Washington County adopted its first Groundwater Plan in 2003.
The county’s new 2025-2035 Groundwater Plan was released for a 60-day public comment period before a public hearing held Feb. 18. Following the public hearing on the draft plan, the County Board approved submitting it for final review by the Metropolitan Council, state agencies, and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.
The plan was approved by the Board of Water and Soil Resources June 25.
Also in news from July 22 County Board, Washington County received seven Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo).
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized staff from the winning programs and projects at its July 22 meeting.
The Washington County Office of Administration and Public Health and Environment, Library, Human Resources, and Public Works departments received awards for the following programs and projects:
• Land and Water Legacy Program – Mississippi Dunes Reserve Conservation Easement Project.
• The Washington County 2024-2029 Strategic Plan.
• Community Empowerment in Opioid Settlement Funding.
• Library Extended Access Pilot Program.
• Emerging Leaders Program.
• “Your Career at Washington County Awaits” recruitment videos.
• Improving the Parks Seasonal Hiring Process.
Since 1970, the NACo Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services. Noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities. Founded in 1935, NACo is an organization that represents county governments in the U.S., advancing county priorities, promoting innovative policies, nurturing leadership skills, and building networks of knowledge and collaboration.
As for road news from July 22, the Washington County Board approved a $4.6 million construction contract with Bituminous Roadways for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 15 (Manning Avenue) Roadway Improvement Project.
The county, in partnership with West Lakeland Township and Valley Branch Watershed District, is leading a project to improve traffic operations and improve the pavement condition along CSAH 15 between CSAH 10 (10th Street) and 30th Street. This section of CSAH 15 sees from 11,255 to 16,869 cars per day and last had a pavement improvement project in 2001. The current roadway Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is 39 (red zone) and requires pavement resurfacing due to deteriorating pavement conditions on the roadway.
The project scope includes adding turn lanes at four key intersections, repaving the roadway, converting 18th Street into a cul-de-sac, replacing highway signs, and pavement striping. Bids were opened on July 8, and four bids were received with Bituminous Roadways as the lowest bidder.
In addition to the construction contract, the County Board also approved a cost-share agreement with West Lakeland Township, a memorandum of understanding with the Valley Branch Watershed District for stormwater treatment permitting, and a budget amendment to fund the contract.
Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-August.
The Washington County Board also accepted donations made to the county during the second quarter of 2025 July 22, including for the library department and parks division.
The Library Department received $941.78 in donations from the public during the second quarter.
The Parks Division in the Public Works Department accepted $791.83 in donations for parks and trail enhancements and the Living Forest program that contributes to reforestation efforts of native trees throughout the parks.
The Sheriff’s Office received $1,150.00 for the K9 unit, the Cops N Kids Fishing event, and food for staff.
Closing out the County Board update from July 22 , the Washington County Board approved an off-site gambling application from the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center.
The off-site gambling application is for conducting a raffle on Sept. 7, 2025, at 12805 St. Croix Trail S. in Denmark Township.
Minnesota state law requires County Board approval by resolution of permits for organizations to conduct off-site gambling within townships. The County Auditor reviewed the application, and the applicant met the requirements to conduct raffle activities. The approved application will now be sent to the State Gambling Board for consideration.