As 2025 comes to a close, the county is tasked with renewing contracts for the start of the new year.
Last week, the Sherburne County Board approved and renewed a number of contracts for the Health & Human Services (HHS) Dept.
Shelter Agreement
The board approved a hotel shelter agreement with America’s Best Value Inn for 2026-2028.
The agreement is for temporarily sheltering unhoused individuals and families when emergency shelters are not available or not appropriate for the household in need of shelter.
The program has proven successful for households as a bridge to permanent housing. In the last year, 13 different households have been served by the program, with the average length of stay being 48 days.
The total amount of the contract is $142,350 for the three-year period. The funding comes from Local Homeless Prevention Aid and State Affordable Housing Aid.
SILS Agreements
The board approved a three-year Semi-Independent Living Skills (SILS) Agreement with Mains’l Services Inc., and a similar agreement with HealthChoice.
SILS is a service available to individuals with developmental disabilities. Covered services include the following: Engaging in activities that make it possible for an adult with developmental disabilities or related condition(s) to live in the community; Exercising social, recreation and transportation skills, including appropriate social behavior; Learning and exercising the rights and responsibilities of community living (i.e., self-advocacy training); Maintaining personal appearance and hygiene; Managing money, preparing meals and shopping; Obtaining and maintaining a home; Performing first aid and obtaining assistance in an emergency; Using the phone and other utilities.
The agreements will be in effect from Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2028. The total amount to be paid to Mains’l Services Inc. is not to exceed $150,000 for that period. The agreement with HealthChoice is $75,000.
Screening Grant
The board approved and accepted the 2026 Children’s Mental Health Screening Grant from the MN Dept. of Human Services in the amount of $20,075.
The grant is used to help offset mental health expenses, such as diagnostic assessments or limited therapeutic needs for eligible children/youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Mainstreet Contract
The board renewed a contract with Mainstreet Family Services for three years for a total of $100,000. These services support families in Sherburne County in gaining parenting education and in-home therapy, as well as seeing their children in a supportive and safe setting.
Legal Services
The board approved a Purchase of Service Contract for Legal Prosecutorial Services for the Sherburne County Attorney’s office to provide prosecutorial services for public assistance welfare fraud
The total for the three-year contract period is $60,000.
Child Support
The board approved the 2026-2027 Child Support Interagency Cooperative agreement with the State of Minnesota. The agreement covers the administration of child support, establishment of paternity, and medical support liability programs.
The budgeted amount is $66,300, with 66% Federal Administrative reimbursement.
Investigative Services
The board approved a 2026-2029 agreement for Investigative Services of Welfare Fraud. The cost of services provided to the HHS Dept. by the investigator will be $45.32 per hour, up to but not greater than $94,265.60 per year for a contract limit of $377,062.40.
AVIVO Contract
The board approved a 2026 contract with AVIVO for the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and Divisionary Work Program (DWP) for Employment Training and Services.
Total budget amount is $455,559.
Other Business
In other actions the Board:
• Reappointed Laura Kangas to the Sherburne County Economic Development Authority for a six-year term beginning January, 2026;
• Passed a resolution in support of Livonia Twp’s application for funding through the 2025 Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP) for reconstruction of 253rd Ave. NW. Townships are required to have a county sponsor as fiscal agent between the State and Township;
• Passed a resolution in support of the City of Big Lake’s funding application through the 2025 Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP) for construction of Minnesota Ave. to complete a roadway link between Co. Rd. 43 and 177th Street;
• Approved the (Retroactive) 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Agreement in the amount of $38,359.00. The funds provide critical assistance for annual planning, conferences, training, and Emergency Operations Center staff time. The grant is retroactive to 2023 and has a performance period from Jan. 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026.
