Public hearing set to address county bonding

By Anna Jauhola
During a special meeting on Friday, Feb. 28, the Kittson County Commissioners set a public hearing for the courthouse improvement project.
The three-minute meeting was necessary to pass resolution 2025-05, calling for the public hearing, which they set for Thursday, March 20 at 6 p.m. at the courthouse in Hallock.
The hearing will address the county’s capital improvement plan and allow the commissioners to obtain a general obligation bond to pay for the project. The public notice states the commission is seeking to issue capital improvement plan bonds for up to $7 million. If bids come in lower than this amount, that is all the county will bond for. If they come in over $7 million, the county would have to rebid or find other funding.
The overall courthouse project is the sole focus for bonding purposes, as the commissioners agreed to remove the highway department projects and fund those through regular budgeting. The boiler room demolition is completed and the commission agreed to do the server room cooling portion later.
The bidding will now include replacement of the HVAC piping system, induction unit and fan coils, and the windows; upgrades to digital controls, fire alarm system, lighting and electrical service entrance; and also retro-commissioning the building to ensure proper airflow.
As was the case with the county seeking a general obligation bond in 2024, the public has the right to file a petition requesting a vote from the people of Kittson County.
If anyone would like to review the capital improvement plan, copies are available for review at the county administrator’s office in the courthouse.