Meeker County Board Meeting
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation today by Treatment Court Coordinator Karon White. She was accompanied by two Drug Court participants who will be graduating soon.
White says the Drug Court began in the 8th Judicial District Court in 2014 and 65 individuals have graduated from the program since then – with 33 graduates from Kandiyohi and Meeker Counties since 2016. She says 67% of those local graduated have not been convicted of new criminal activity.
White thanked the Board for its support of the program. She says it helps individuals return as productive members of society, and she brought the two program participants to put a human face with the program. “Joy” told the Board about her history with drugs and how the program changed her life and helped her achieve her goals as she is now working at two jobs. She’ll graduate on May 3rd. “Alex” told the Commissioners about getting on drugs in high school, having 21 convictions, being sober now for 800 days, and being steadily employed for nearly two years. He will graduate from Drug Court on May 31st.
The Meeker County Commissioners have approved of the Local Road Improvement Project grant agreement. The $700,000 grant will help with costs associated with a project this summer on County-State-Aid-Highway 14 – south of Darwin.
The Meeker County Board approved of executing the State of Minnesota off-highway vehicle grant contract agreement for funding not to exceed $7,560. The Board moved to award the 2023 seal coat contract to ASTECH of St. Cloud for an estimated total of $589,563.69 for 20-miles of roadway on County-State-Aid-Highways 21, 23, 28 and 31, and approved of awarding the 2023 paving contract to Duinick’s of Prinsburg for an estimated $4,275,187.89 for projects on County-State-Aid-Highways 14 and 4 and 640th Avenue.
In personnel matters, the Meeker County Board of Commissioners approved of advertising for a temporary file clerk; approved of promoting Melissa Voigt as Meeker County Assessor, and reappointed Lorlane Schmeling and Kimberly Ertl to the Park Board.