StoryProperty acquisition for new highway maintenance facilityApril 16, 2025

Wright County Approves Property Purchase for New Highway Shop

Meeting date: Apr 16, 2025
Published Jul 2, 2025

The Wright County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a 5.98-acre parcel in Montrose for $470,000 to build a new highway maintenance shop, replacing the outdated Waverly facility.

The board unanimously approved the purchase agreement during their April 15 meeting, with the deal contingent on city planning and zoning approval within 150 days. The property acquisition is part of a multi-year capital improvement project budgeted at $400,000 for 2025, $400,000 for 2026, and approximately $2.9 million for construction in 2027.

Jeremy Carlson, the county's right-of-way agent, said staff worked with Montrose city officials to identify suitable locations. The selected site on the west side of town was recommended by city staff after the county evaluated multiple options, including parcels south of County Road 12 that were deemed unsuitable due to poor soils and water runoff concerns.

In other business, the board approved transitioning from a probationary delivery system to a community corrections system, a change that has been under consideration for several years. Mike McMillan from the corrections department said the switch will provide more local control over service delivery and align Wright County with most peer counties. The transition is expected to be completed by December 31.

The commissioners also recognized National Work Zone Awareness Week for April 21-25 and received an annual presentation from Great River Regional Library, which reported strong usage across Wright County locations with over 98,000 cardholders systemwide.

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Summary

The Wright County Board of Commissioners met on April 15, 2025, covering library services, work zone safety, bridge prioritization, highway shop property purchase, and community corrections system changes. Key decisions included supporting federal library funding, recognizing work zone awareness week, purchasing property for a new highway maintenance shop, and transitioning from probationary to community corrections delivery system.

Key Highlights

Action Items

Schedule parks committee of the whole meeting

Responsible: County AdministrationDue: 2025-05-12

Schedule transportation committee of the whole meeting

Responsible: County AdministrationDue: 2025-05-13

Complete property purchase for highway maintenance shop

Responsible: Property Services/Highway DepartmentDue: 2025-07-15

Implement community corrections system transition

Responsible: Mike McMillan/Corrections DepartmentDue: 2025-12-31

People, Places & Organizations

Great River Regional Library · OrganizationWright County · Government EntityCity of Montrose · MunicipalityAJ Moore Electric Inc · ContractorMinutex Library Services · OrganizationCommissioner Holland · Elected OfficialCommissioner Shane · Elected OfficialCommissioner Dietrich · Elected OfficialCommissioner Moina · Elected OfficialKaren Punac · Library ExecutiveMike McMillan · Department Head
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