Wright County City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
The Initiative Foundation's Investments in Wright County
Recognition of GIS Team for SAG Award
Resolution on DMV Revenue Sharing
Appointment of Election Canvassing Board Members
Scheduling of General Budget Committee Meeting
Scheduling of County Board Meeting for Demographer Presentation
Discussion on Flock Cameras
Starlink Ground Stations and Federal Preemption
Votes (8)
Presentation by The Initiative Foundation on Investments in Wright County
A representative from The Initiative Foundation provided an update on their extensive work and financial impact within Wright County since 1986. They detailed their philanthropic efforts, including substantial grants to nonprofits, loans for small businesses and childcare facilities, and initiatives like the Enterprise Academy and the Buffalo Area Community Foundation. The presentation also highlighted the impressive return on investment, where every local dollar contributed generates $15.38 in investments.
Recognition of GIS Team for SAG Award
Larkin and Alex of the GIS team were lauded for receiving the prestigious 2026 SAG Award, the 'gold standard' in the GIS community. The award recognized their exceptional work on the 'Wright Access Portal,' a project that has significantly improved citizen access to information and reduced the need for direct phone calls and visits to county offices, demonstrating the team's innovative approach and leadership.
Resolution 2655 Supporting State Revenue Sharing for Local DMV Offices
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Shane [00:22:15] · Seconded by Commissioner Holland [00:22:20]
Jessie presented Resolution 2655 on behalf of the Minnesota Deputy Registrars Association, urging the state legislature to allocate a portion of online and mail-in vehicle registration fees to local DMV offices. The discussion underscored the financial strain on local offices due to state-managed online services, emphasizing that without shared revenue, many local DMV locations face closure, leading to decreased accessibility and potentially massive service queues for the public.
Appointment of County Board Members to Election Canvassing Board
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Shane [00:24:45] · Seconded by Commissioner Holland [00:24:50]
County Auditor Lindsey explained the statutory requirement for a five-member canvassing board, which includes two county board members not on the general election ballot, to officially certify election results. For the upcoming primary election, Commissioners Mona and Shane were nominated and approved to serve on this critical board, responsible for the final review and verification process.
Schedule General Budget Committee Meeting
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Holland [00:26:25] · Seconded by Commissioner Shane [00:26:30]
The Board scheduled a General Budget Committee meeting for Tuesday, September 15th, at 9:30 AM, directly following the regular County Board meeting. This scheduling was a precautionary measure, allowing the administration to secure a date for the adoption of the preliminary budget, ensuring flexibility in case of unforeseen delays.
Schedule County Board Meeting for Demographer Presentation
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Mona [00:27:50] · Seconded by Commissioner Shane [00:27:55]
A County Board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 9:00 AM, to feature a presentation by a state demographer on county census trends. This session is deemed crucial for informed planning and tax base considerations. Commissioner Mona noted he would be absent for workforce development efforts in Washington D.C., but the board agreed the meeting was essential.
Discussion on Flock Cameras
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Mona [00:36:50] · Seconded by Commissioner Shane [00:37:00]
The Board continued its discussion on Flock cameras, with Commissioner Holland expressing disappointment over the Sheriff's decision to continue their use despite public opposition. Commissioner Mona, after consulting with county administration and the Sheriff, clarified that the Board lacks direct authority over cameras on state highway rights-of-way, and Flock holds permits for county rights-of-way that are legally difficult to revoke. The County Attorney confirmed the contract is between Flock and the Sheriff, raising concerns about potential county liability if cameras were forcibly removed. The Board ultimately voted to refer the Flock camera right-of-way permits to legal counsel for review regarding potential revocation, balancing public trust with legal constraints.
Starlink Ground Stations and Federal Preemption
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Mona [00:56:40] · Seconded by Commissioner Shane [00:57:35]
Commissioner Shane brought to light the unpermitted installation of Starlink ground stations in Rockford Township, facilitated by federal preemption, which bypasses local oversight. Concerns were raised about the lack of local control over these 'mushroom-like' satellite dishes, potential safety implications (e.g., proximity to Buffalo Airport, radiation beams), and the unknown financial burden of equipment removal at the end of leases. The County Attorney confirmed the strong legal challenge posed by federal preemption, recommending a focus on federal legislative change. A Committee of the Whole workshop was scheduled for September 3rd to thoroughly investigate and discuss the issue.
Notable Quotes (18)
Since 1986, we've granted 607 grants totaling 5.1 million here in Wright County. That's our work around really supporting nonprofits, and we do grants in a number of different ways.
For every one local dollar contributed, we've been able to invest $15.38 here in Wright County.
We won our 2026 GIS Achievement Award, which is called a SAG Award, not the Screen Actors Guild Award... The SAG Award is truly the gold standard in the GIS community, and it's a huge accomplishment for any professional in the field.
Again and again, you impress me and the board members with the leaps and bounds that you have gone through in our GIS department. You've gone from a department that works well to being an innovator in the GIS realm, especially in the government sector.
Our goal is to create a permanent revenue sharing fund with the state to help offset the increasing costs of operating the DMV, as well as the increasing responsibilities and services that are added to our offices.
If this practice continues and they don't change the fee schedule to either share more money with the deputy registrars or to adjust it so that there's money for us to continue to operate... what we might see is a number of these DMV stations close across the state.
The canvassing board's role is to complete the final review, verification, and certification of election night results, which is the final step to making election night results official.
We in administration, Mr. Chairman, board members, aim to adopt the preliminary budget on the 15th, but in case anything happens, we're just trying to get something on the calendar to keep things moving.
Currently, on the agenda for that date is to have a state demographer come and give a presentation on county census trends. I think it'll be a fruitful meeting on that day, and we look forward to adding it to the agenda.
I will not be here. I'll be in Washington D.C. for a week on the Capitol for workforce development.
The Sheriff removed himself from the agenda, and then ultimately sent an email saying, 'Since we're currently under contract with Flock, our use of Flock will continue for the duration of my remaining term as Wright County Sheriff.'
After lengthy discussions that I've had with both county administration and the Sheriff himself last night, we as a board have no authority over any of the cameras that are on state highway rights of way.
The contract is between Flock and Sheriff Deringer. It is not with the county. It's not with the Board of Commissioners... My concern is, are we infringing on their property rights if we remove those cameras, and if we damage them, we would be liable for them.
Benjamin Franklin said that those who give up a little bit of their privacy for security, they deserve neither of them. Again, not a direct quote... This is simply a matter of trust. There's so much distrust, and we either need a heavy, heavy, open forum, educational campaign on this, or we need to stop using it. That's my position.
This is about Starlink... internet, that they are installing, and it does not require local government permitting. The FCC claims that they can just come in and do this, and then they're doing it, and nobody knows about it until it's completed.
From a county perspective, the scary thing is that with solar, we know that they contract with the county to remove all those solar panels at the end of the farmer's lease. But in this case, we don't know if they're just going to leave all that equipment on somebody's farm and we're going to have to, or the townships are going to have to deal with it, which is going to be a taxpayer burden to us.
It deals with federal preemption. There's a federal law that preempts any county level or local level or state level action, and it is very, very legally difficult to get around that.
Mr. Chair, that's the whole point. None of us even knew that these things existed. So, everywhere I call, I just keep getting, 'Well, try this person, try that person, do this.'
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
A resolution supporting state revenue sharing with local DMV offices, brought forth by the Minnesota Deputy Registrars Association.
Minnesota statute requiring each county to form a five-member canvassing board to certify election results.
Minnesota statute broadly outlining the Sheriff's duties to preserve county peace and utilize county authority as needed.
Permits obtained by Flock for camera installation within county rights-of-way, subject to legal review for potential revocation.