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Date:	July 24, 2018
Contact:	Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager
Phone:	651-430-6026, after hours 952-807-3723
E-mail:	yvonne.klinnert@co.washington.mn.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The following actions were taken at the July 24, 2018, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

County Board approves Miller Farms Sixth Addition in Baytown Township
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a 10-lot plat named Miller Farms Sixth Addition in Baytown Township July 24.
The development is west of Stagecoach Trail North and south of Pete Miller Trail North.
Contact: Nancie Schwintek, Property Records and Taxpayer Services Division Manager, 651-430-6758

County will receive funds from DNR to maintain cross country ski, snowmobile trails
Washington County Parks will receive money from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for cross country ski and snowmobile trail maintenance after approval by the County Board July 24. 
The County Board approved an application to the DNR for the cross-country ski grants-in-aid program, which supports the maintenance and grooming of cross-country ski trails. The application requests financial assistance for maintenance on cross-country ski trails at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, Pine Point Regional Park, and Big Marine Park Reserve. The county will apply for $21,428 for ski trail assistance, which is funded through user fee purchases of the Great Minnesota Ski Pass. County parks staff groomed county ski trails 424 hours this past winter, 254 hours more than the year prior, making the county eligible for $21,428 in reimbursement.
The County Board also approved participation in the DNR snowmobile trail grant, which the county will administer for the Star Trail Association. The Star Trail Association consists of 10 snowmobile clubs throughout the county that groom, sign, mark, and maintain 140 miles of snowmobile trails throughout the county. The County Board entered into a county/club agreement with the Star Trail Association in 1991, whereby the county agreed to sponsor the snowmobile club and act as a pass-through agency for funds from the DNR snowmobile trail maintenance and grooming grants-in-aid program. The snowmobile club cannot receive the grant funding directly. All grant revenue received by the county on behalf of the Star Trail Association will be forwarded to the club as a reimbursement for costs expended for trail maintenance during the 2018-2019 snow season. The grant amount varies slightly from year to year, but has averaged $44,000.
The County Board also approved an agreement that allows the Star Trail Association members to enter the county’s regional parks to construct and maintain a 12-foot wide snowmobile trail open to the general public for snowmobile use in the Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, Big Marine Park Reserve, and the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail.
Contact: Dan MacSwain, Natural Resources Coordinator, 651-430-4323

County ready if vote recount is necessary for primary, general elections
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved agreements with the state July 24 that oversee the procedures, should vote recounts be necessary for the state’s 2018 primary or general elections.
Under the agreements, Washington County will act as a Deputy Recount Official designated by the Secretary of State and will conduct a recount as necessary of the votes cast in Washington County and in any additional jurisdiction mutually agreed upon by the county and state.
The county will be paid 4 cents for each ballot handled in the course of any recount covered by the agreement, with a minimum payment of $100 if a recount occurs in Washington County.
Contact: Steve Gransee, Property Records and Taxpayer Services Elections Division Manager, 651-430-8272
 
Sheriff’s Office receives gifts for life jackets, Mounted Patrol
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted gifts to the Sheriff’s Office July 24, to pay for life jackets and to support the offices’ Mounted Patrol.
The SafeKids Coalition has donated supplies, signage, and life jackets for a Life Jacket Loaner
Station, valued at $2,349, to be placed in the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The station will allow people to use loaner life jackets as needed while visiting the park. Lake Elmo Rotary has also joined the project and has agreed to supply replacement life jackets as needed. The loaner station should be in place by the end of July.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office received a donation through the Minnesota Sheriff's Posse Association Banquet, which was hosted by the Washington County Sheriff's Office Mounted Patrol. The gift of $1,000 will be used to purchase additional first aid equipment and replace outdated spring/fall cold weather jackets.
Contact: Sheriff Dan Starry, 651-430-7601

County Board accepts donations to county programs
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted donations to the county of $1,527.35 in cash, and $2,949.38 of in-kind donations July 24, made during the second quarter of 2018.
Landfall Village contributed $600 to the Sheriff’s Office Cops and Kids Fishing Event. The Library received $508.35 through donations boxes and from a women’s study group.
The donation box and tour donations at the Historic Courthouse totaled $419.
Community Corrections received gift cards totaling $150 for the Offender Recovery Program.
Gift cards and gifts for the county’s Foster Care Recognition Event from merchants throughout the county totaled $2,949.38. The gifts are given to foster care providers during the annual event.
Contact: Yvonne Klinnert, Public Information Manager, 651-430-6026







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Phone:  651-430-6001  •  Fax:  651-430-6017  •  TTY:  651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
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