The Sherburne County Board last week approved a two-year pilot commuter bus service agreement to replace the NorthStar Commuter Rail service.

The board approved the concept in early October. The bus service is expected to use the current Metro Transit fare of $3.25, and use the Metro Transit passes for easy transition from Northstar. It will be less than the current NorthStar fares of $6.25 from Big Lake and $4.75 from Elk River.

Under the program, the Metropolitan Council will operate commuter express bus service between Big Lake, Elk River and downtown Minneapolis. The state will reimburse the Met Council under a separate joint powers contract.  

Sherburne County will subsequently reimburse the state 50 percent of the operating costs invoiced under the joint powers contract for the commuter express bus service.

The pilot project with both MnDOT and Met Council will begin January 5, 2026 and extend until Dec. 31, 2027. The county’s share, approximately $550,000, will be funded with Local Option Sales Tax, the same funds that were used for operation and maintenance of NorthStar Commuter Rail.

Wine Bar Permit

After a 45-minute discussion last week, the board decided to delay a decision regarding a conditional use permit (CUP) for a wine bar in Santiago Twp.

At issue was the status of an existing CUP for a farm-related business - a wine bar.

At a long meeting in November, the Sherburne County Planning Commission voted to recommend revoking the permit, citing a number of violations to the conditions of the permit. Those violations included having cars leaving the property after business hours, having live music on site, posting an additional sign and surpassing the total number of vehicles allowed on site.

The board debated whether to amend the terms of the CUP or revoke the permit.

They eventually agreed to send the issue back to the planning commission to modify a number of conditions based on the board’s discussion. It will come before the board again in January.

Attorney Agreements

The board approved  Court Appointed Attorney professional service agreements for a three-year term from Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2028, for the following Attorneys/Firms:  Rutland Law PLLC; CC&S PLLP; Poss Law Office, PLLC; Wolford Law & Mediation, LLC; CGW Law Office, LLC; Kabele Law and Mediation, LLC; Trek and Trust Law.

The service agreements provide mandated legal representation and professional services for ongoing and newly filed Sherburne County court cases. The county is mandated by statute to provide court appointed attorney services for  Guardianship/Conservatorship; Child in need of Protection or Services (CHIPS)/Termination of Parental Rights (TPR); Family - Paternity/Contempt; Commitments - Mentally Ill (MI), Chemically Dependent (CD), and Mentally Ill/Chemically Dependent (MI/CD); Commitments - Sexually Dangerous Persons (SDP), Sexually Psychopathic Persons (SPP), and Mentally ill and Dangerous Persons (MI&D).

Connexus Support

The board approved a letter of support for Connexus Energy’s Empowering Rural America grant application submission to the US Dept. of Agriculture. Connexus plans to add 282 MW of renewable energy in their continued efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and meet Minnesota’s 100% carbon-free mandate. Connexus currently serves approximately 24,333 homes and businesses in Sherburne County.

Engineering Agreement

The board approved a professional services agreement with Houston Engineering, Inc. to provide consulting services to the county for the calendar year 2026. The firm will assist the Solid Waste Dept. with review of various solid waste reports and construction documents as provided by landfills located within the county. The cost is $100,000 to be paid using solid waste surcharge monies.

Other Business

In other actions the board:

• Approved the reclassification of a Full-time equivalent clerical staff in HHS to an Income Maintenance Case Aide. Due to reimbursements, the change will save approximately $25,000 a year;

• Approved a one-year contract with YMCA to provide on-site child care services for providing safe and nurturing care for children when their parents/caregivers are meeting and working with Health & Human Services staff. Budgeted request is $65,000 using MFIP Consolidated funds;  

• Approved out-of-state travel for the Parks Director to attend a two-day Park Management Training in Denver, CO, from Feb. 9-12, 2026. The cost of the training is $500, plus airfare, two-night’s lodging, and meal reimbursements. The expense fits within the 2025 Parks Budget;

• Approved the addition of a Transport/Court Security Deputy in order to provide the necessary public safety services as they relate to campus security of the Government Center and the safe transport of inmates being brought to and from the Sherburne County Jail;

• Approved the addition of one Master Control Operator position to ensure adequate staffing levels in the Jail’s Master Control Center;

• Approved the reclassification of one Jail Support Specialist position to a Senior Jail Support Specialist to increase the support position duties within the Jail;

• Approved the reclassification of an Office Supervisor to Administrative Supervisor in the sheriff’s office.