It seems as though 2025 just started but we find ourselves two-thirds of the way through the first quarter, with warmer temperatures the sun has that spring feel to it.
There has been plenty of activity to keep us commissioners on our toes as we wrapped up 2024 and headed into 2025. The Meeker County board welcomed two new commissioners to the board in January, Cheryl VanOrt from Litchfield in District 2 and Darren Sombke from Dassel in District 4. We have kept them drinking from the fire hose thus far as there is always plenty to learn and discern, but they are adjusting and joining in on the workload.
Meeker County has been in the renovation process for over a year now, the finishing touches are now being completed on the newly remodeled Family Services Center which is now renamed the Meeker County Government Center. The Government Center is located at 114 North Holcombe -Avenue in Litchfield and still houses our Health and Human Services Department with the additional offices of: Treasurer, Recorder, Auditor, Assessor, Land Use Director, HR Department, Veterans Services, County Board Room, Administrators Office, and future elections space. With the renovation we were able to bring many of the offices from the courthouse over and combine them into one campus so residents can visit all the departments I mentioned without leaving the building. We will be holding an open house soon so come check it out.
The Courthouse is also under construction now that we were able to vacate some of the office space and will become the Meeker County Judicial Center when completed this summer. The newly remodeled space will house the County Attorneys, Court -Services, Sheriff’s Office and Litchfield Police Department. Our Dispatch Center and Jail Operations will move from the west side of the building to new areas on the east side and a secure entrance with a new elevator for court services being added as well.
Meeker County has done a great job of controlling the levy over the years and keeping it in a range of 0% to 3.75% so when we received the Governor’s proposed budget in January with a shift of $200 million in 2026 back to the counties, we began penciling things out immediately. (June is usually budget time) If the projected budget stays as is, it will equate to $860,000 to Meeker County residents before any additional annual expenses are figured in, this means our starting point this year could be 8%. Needless to say we sent a response to the Governors Office and all six of Meeker County’s Legislators this past week; all 87 counties have expressed their individual displeasures as well.
With the warm weather we will be seeing the roads being posted with weight restrictions before long so watch for that, also if you notice a roadway concern in your neighborhood do not hesitate to call your township or the County Highway Department to make the right people aware so it can be addressed. We cover a lot of miles of roadway and spring is when many trouble spots show up as the frost comes out. Speaking of roads, CSAH 3 from MN 22 west to the Kandiyohi County line (11 Miles) will be ground and resurfaced this late spring and early summer so expect delays and reroutes in this area. There are culverts to be replaced in certain areas so it will be impassable at times.
The Meeker County Board meets every 1st, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 8:30 a.m., we provide time for public comment at all of our meetings. We encourage you to come and learn about your county government.
I continue to do a radio segment about Meeker County -Government on KDUZ in -Hutchinson on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 8:15 a.m. as I have for five years to get information out to the public. I can be reached at (320) 333-0655 or email at steve.schmitt@co.meeker.mn.us. Do not hesitate to reach out! Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your communities!
Steve Schmitt of Eden Valley
District 5, Meeker County Board of Commissioners