The Sherburne County Board Tuesday recognized the Golly Family of Clear Lake as the 2025 Farm Family of the Year.
Kiel Golly grew up farming alongside his dad, John on land first established by his parents, John and Lynette, in 1979.
The farm started out as a chicken layer operation before shifting to cattle and crops. Kiel now manages about 1,700 acres, raising corn, soybeans and rye seeds. They use a mix of no-till, cover crops and some conventional tillage, always working to keep the ground productive and healthy.
The farm was recently certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Program, highlighting their commitment to stewardship. John and Lynette remain involved as the original founders and partners, while Kiel’s wife, Malorie, and their kids, Brielle, Lincoln and Brooks, support wherever they are needed.
The family stays active in their community. They serve on the Clear Lake Twp. board, the fire board and the Sherburne/Benton Corn Growers Association board. Kiel is also a member of the local American Legion, having served in the Marine Corps, and was previously in the fire department. Meanwhile, Malorie is involved with the PTSA for their local school district.
“I appreciate the opportunity to have been thought of for this,” Kiel said to the to board. “We’ve been granted a lot of opportunities to work with everybody. The conservation district has been very good to us and pointed us in the correct direction. We enjoy farming in the community and helping out in the community. Thank you.”
Commissioner Gary Gray said he appreciated how Kiel and family have continued the farming tradition.
“His farm is about two miles from our family farm. He’s part of the next generation of young farmers that have moved in to Clear Lake Twp. and Palmer Twp.,” he said. “The older guys can’t keep up with the technology, but these young kids can. I want to commend you on all of that and what you’re doing.”
Construction Amendment
The board amended the Professional Services Construction Administrative Contract with Bolton & Menk to include additional construction administration tasks for the Hwy. 169/Co. Rd. 4 interchange project.
The amendment covers previously unknown or unforeseen items such as enhanced construction communication with the community, design support for unforeseen field conditions and shop drawing reviews, geotechnical and environmental oversight, billboard relocation services, and additional construction expense due to the drawn-out federal funding approval and now subsequent changes to the construction staging plans and specifications.
The cost of the amendment is $387,400. No levy dollars are included in the amendment or base contract.
Rebate Payments
The board approved the issuance of checks totalling $156,331.81 to the following parties in accordance with Tax Rebate Financing Agreements: S&B LLC; GATR of Sauk Rapids, Inc- RAN Properties LLC; Morrell Oversize, Inc- Scott Morrell LLC; Sportech Inc; Apex Embroidery Design, Inc. & SBH Properties, LLC; Ice Man Properties LLC; Zablocki Roofing Inc & OZ Properties; Garage Guys LLC; CMP Attachments LLC; Beaudry Oil LLC.
The parties listed above have paid their 2025 property taxes in full and will be receiving a tax rebate on the county portion of their taxes according to their taxes and their individual agreements on file.
Wireless Policy
The board approved an update to the county’s “Wireless Communication Device” Policy to include two amendments: 1. All county-owned wireless communication devices will have the RAVE public safety application and text/email alerts installed and operational prior to utilization by any county employee, 2. Employee-owned wireless communication devices must have the RAVE public safety application and text/email alerts installed and operational prior to receiving a monthly reimbursement as part of the device monthly allowance plan provisions outlined in the Wireless Communication Device policy.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Approved the final payment of $39,558.37 to Knife River for the Co. Rd. 65 Reconstruction and Clear Lake Township’s 74th & 106th Surface Improvements. Final contract amount is $2,919,693.51;
• Set the per diem rate for volunteer/citizen committees appointed by the County Board at $50 per meeting plus mileage. The rate also applies for other volunteers who serve in an official capacity under the Board’s jurisdiction and for whom per diem is declared appropriate;
• Approved a Gambling Premises Permit for Ducks Unlimited - Zimmerman for a planned event on Jan. 10, 2026 at the Getaway Bar on 26211 184th Street in Orrock Twp.;
• Approved the solicitation of requests for quotes (RFQs) for servicing the cities of Becker, Big Lake, and Zimmerman’s yard waste drop-off locations;
• Passed a resolution enabling the county to use the eminent domain process to acquire property for the Co. Rd. 23 Improvement Project from Edgewood Street to north of Co. Rd. 127;
• Approved the annual report from the Three Lake Improvement District;
• Set the time for the County Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting at June 16 at 3 p.m.;
• Approved memoranda of understanding regarding paid leave for the Law Enforcement Labor Services), LELS Patrol/Investigator Unit, LELS Licensed Supervisor Unit and LELS Public Safety Telecommunicator Unit.
