The Washington County Board of Commissioners took action on housing assistance, transportation and trail improvements, election administration, library planning and other county business at its July …
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The Washington County Board of Commissioners took action on housing assistance, transportation and trail improvements, election administration, library planning and other county business at its July 14 meeting. Among the board’s actions were accepting $1.2 million in additional family homelessness prevention funding, approving a $381,529.77 contract for the County Highway 12 Safe Routes to School Trail Project, authorizing a cost-share agreement for pavement work on the St. Croix Scenic Byway, and approving a $180,000 contract to develop a long-term Library Strategic Facility Plan.
County Board makes appointment to Community Corrections Advisory Board
The County Board appointed Florence Idowu-Olushesan to a partial term on the Community Corrections Advisory Board as a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, person of color) Representative July 14.
The term starts July 15, 2026, and expires on Dec. 31, 2027.
In addition to making the advisory board appointment, commissioners addressed funding aimed at helping county residents maintain or secure stable housing.
The County Board accepted $1,200,000 in grant funds for homelessness prevention for families and for securing housing for families experiencing homelessness July 14.
The purpose of the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) is to provide supportive services and/or financial assistance to families, youth, and single adults who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MN Housing) awarded Washington County $814,000 in FHPAP funds for two years beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and ending Sept. 30, 2027.
Washington County has been awarded $1,200,000 in additional funding, bringing the total FHPAP amount to $2,014,000. The Minnesota Legislature recently approved an additional $40,000,000 in one-time FHPAP funds in response to the current rental housing crisis in Minnesota, with a goal to spend the majority of this additional funding by Dec. 31, 2026. Any remaining funding can be carried over into 2027.
The Washington County FHPAP Advisory Board recommended that the board allocate these additional funds to Washington County and existing FHPAP sub-grantees:
The County has received FHPAP grant funding since 2007. It has contracted with community providers to utilize the funds to stabilize families in their existing homes, shorten the amount of time that families spend in emergency shelters, and assist families with securing transitional or permanent affordable housing.
Election preparations were another item before commissioners, with the board naming members to the canvassing boards for the upcoming primary and general elections.
The County Board also made appointments to the Washington County Canvassing Board July 14 for the state primary election and the state general election.
Commissioner Fran Miron, District 1, and Commissioner Michelle Clasen, District 5, were appointed to be on the Washington County Canvassing Board for the state primary election that will be held on Aug. 11. The canvassing board meeting will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, in the Board Room on the fifth floor of the Washington County Government Center.
Commissioner Miron and Commissioner Bethany Cox, District 3, were appointed to the Washington County Canvassing Board for the state general election that will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The canvassing board meeting will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, in the Board Room on the fifth floor of the Washington County Government Center.
The Washington County Canvassing Board reviews and certifies the election results. This board is made up of the county auditor, the court administrator of the district court in the county, the mayor of the most populous municipality in the county (Woodbury), and two members of the County Board.
The board meanwhile also acted on county licensing business, approving an application for an off-sale liquor license in Denmark Township.
The County Board approved a new off-sale liquor license application July 14 for Cenco Farms, doing business as Afton Apple Orchard, located in Denmark Township.
The county processes all liquor licenses for the townships in the county. Issuance of an off-sale license is subject to the town board adopting a resolution supporting the issuance of the license, a public hearing held before county board action on the application, publication of the notice, notification to cities within three miles, and the County Sheriff’s and County Attorney’s Offices review and approval.
The county reviews the liability insurance, and the Sheriff's Office and the County Attorney’s Office complete compliance/verification checks. Those requirements have all been completed for the application. The applicant’s license fees pay for the administrative costs of the county's administration, compliance, and verification checks.
The meeting also included action on transportation infrastructure, beginning with pavement preservation work along the St. Croix Scenic Byway.
The County Board approved a cooperative cost-share agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) July 14. The agreement is for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 21 (St. Croix Scenic Byway) pavement preservation project.
This project will resurface and restripe approximately 300 feet of deteriorated pavement on CSAH 21 adjacent to the MnDOT Trunk Highway 10 improvement project. To maximize construction efficiency, minimize impacts to the traveling public, and coordinate improvements within the project area, this work has been incorporated into MnDOT's Trunk Highway 10 project scope.
Before awarding the construction contract, MnDOT requires execution of a Cooperative Cost Agreement that defines the responsibilities of each agency and authorizes MnDOT to perform the county roadway improvements as part of the larger project.
Commissioners also recognized the work of community corrections professionals serving Washington County.
The County Board proclaimed July 19-25, 2025, as Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week July 14.
The week honors the work of pretrial, probation, and parole officers in Washington County and recognizes their achievements. This year’s theme is “Connected for Change: Building Bridges in Supervision.”
Probation officers and the staff who support them continue to work together to find solutions to the myriad problems that challenge community corrections. When we lean on each other and support each other, it makes for stronger bonds between colleagues, community partners, and with those under supervision. This collaborative work done by community corrections professionals keeps communities safe and transforms the lives of justice-involved clients.
Returning to transportation improvements, the board approved a construction contract and related agreements for a Safe Routes to School trail project in Mahtomedi.
The County Board approved a $381,529.77 construction contract with Dresel Contracting, Inc. July 14 for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 12 Safe Routes to School Trail Project in Mahtomedi.
This project will construct a new trail along the south side of CSAH 12 (75th Street North), from the signalized intersection at Mahtomedi Middle and High School to Inwood Way. It will also construct a second segment extending north from that intersection to the existing off-road pedestrian/bicyclist facilities located within the school campus. This is a joint project with the City of Grant, Independent School District (ISD) 832, and the State of Minnesota.
Bids were opened June 30, and the county received seven bids. The low bid was submitted by Dresel Contracting, Inc. The county will be reimbursed for actual construction costs through the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Program. At the July 14 meeting, the County Board approved the grant agreement of up to $381,529.77, which matches the contract with Dresel Contracting, Inc.
In addition to the contract and grant agreement, the County Board also approved the following agreements:
The board concluded its major actions with a long-range planning initiative for Washington County’s library facilities.
The County Board approved a $180,000 contract July 14 with MSR Design to develop a Library Strategic Facility Plan. The plan will guide investment in library buildings over the next 15 years.
County staff identified the need for a long-term facilities plan to support decisionmaking and ensure library spaces continue to meet community needs.
The plan will assess existing library buildings, identify current and future gaps in service based on geography and population, and develop recommendations that advance both countywide goals and the Library’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. That plan established four priorities: improving service delivery, strengthening organizational culture, enhancing physical spaces and technology infrastructure, and expanding the library’s reach.
Community engagement for the strategic plan showed strong public support for library facilities, while also highlighting challenges related to space limitations and diverse user needs. The Facility Plan will translate those priorities into an infrastructure roadmap that supports equitable access to library services.
A Request for Proposals was issued on April 22, 2026, and six consulting firms submitted proposals. MSR Design was selected as the preferred consultant. The scope of the contract includes:
