The Marshall County Commission met Tuesday morning, addressing more bridge matters and a personnel hire.
Highway Superintendent Dustin Hofland updated the board on department business, joined by Chelsey Sheridan of IMEG, who reported on the 2025 bridge inspections. Of the 24 bridges scheduled, three have not yet been inspected. Two bridges already reviewed were recommended for reduced load limits: one on 418th Avenue will decrease from 12–20 tons to 5 tons, while one on 422nd Avenue will drop from 14–24 tons to 12–20 tons. Sheridan said she will prepare a prioritization list to aid commissioners in future planning. Commissioners also authorized the chairman to sign agreements with the state for preliminary engineering studies on three bridges that received Bridge Improvement Grant funding.
Sheriff Sam Swanson met with the board to discuss the 2026 budget, though no action was taken. In personnel matters, the commission hired Kassi Jones as a shared full-time deputy between the treasurer’s and auditor’s offices at a rate of $20 per hour, effective Sept. 15. The hiring reflects her prior county office experience.
In zoning matters, the commission approved the following: A plat for Schlekewy Addition - Lake Township – Approved. Building Permits: Patrick & Wanda Lien - Veblen Township; Dave & Connie Finley - Lake Township; Justin Monson - Lake Township; Kaleb Pitkin - White Township; Alex & Kelsey Suther - Eden Township; Randy & Rosemary Heitmann - Red Iron Lake; Terry M. Nelson - Lowell Township; Damian Bahr - Newport Township.
Zoning Director Erin Collins-Miles also gave a brief update on permits that are currently being worked on and awaiting updates. More information on these permits will be provided as it becomes available and will be addressed at one of the next scheduled meetings in the coming weeks. Discussion on the interpretation of the current language in the zoning ordinance regarding Lakes and the Lake-Front Residential District took place. No action was taken on either of these topics.
The next commission meeting will be Sept. 30.
