Todd County approves several equipment purchases and accepts two grants

At its Nov. 18 meeting the Todd County Board of Commissioners approved multiple grant acceptances and equipment purchases presented by public works and county offices.

The board accepted a 2026 Minnesota Department of Agriculture County Agricultural Inspector grant for $10,300 that will reimburse wages, fuel and weed-notice expenses. The sheriff’s office reported it had received a $50,000 Sourcewell Public Safety Impact Fund grant to purchase portable radios; the board accepted that grant as well and commissioners discussed whether routine grant acceptances should be handled administratively in the future.

Public works received approval to purchase a surplus 1984 Ford fire truck from the City of Clarissa for $4,200 to assist with culvert and maintenance work. The board also authorized a state-bid purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 to replace Unit 74 for $49,532.10 and approved a budgeted purchase of a 72-inch drum mulcher attachment under the state bid from FarmRight for $48,497 to improve right-of-way maintenance and worker safety.

A proposed accounting/budget request to transfer $18,300 from 2025 crack-filling and striping budget lines to capital equipment was debated. One commissioner moved to deny the transfer; the motion to deny ultimately failed procedurally and staff said the item will be brought back for clarification about maintenance-versus-capital accounting treatment.

Votes on the grants and purchases were recorded by voice or roll call as part of the consent and agenda items during the meeting.