Polk County approves start of eminent‑domain process and awards $2.15M road contract
April 08, 2026 | Polk County, Minnesota
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Polk County commissioners voted to begin an eminent‑domain process for a right‑of‑way needed on Cassaw 40 and approved a $2.146 million low bid to mill and overlay Cass 22, a federally funded pavement project.
The board approved Resolution 2026‑16 to commence eminent‑domain filings after staff reported a landowner west of Winger on the south side of County Road 1 refused to negotiate a temporary easement needed for dirt stockpiling and construction access. County staff said the board’s action starts the court process — the county will deposit funds with the court while continuing to negotiate — and stressed the step does not mean the county must complete acquisition if a negotiated agreement is reached.
On the same agenda, engineers reported bids opened for a mill‑and‑overlay of Cass 22 (from Trunk Highway 220 to the county line). The lowest responsible bidder, Agassi Asphalt LLC of the Thief River Falls area, submitted a bid of about $2,146,185. Staff recommended awarding the contract now, noting the project carries roughly $1.5 million in federal funding and that material and diesel prices have pushed estimates up; the contract includes a fuel‑escalation clause that permits upward or downward adjustment based on the diesel index.
Commissioners discussed whether the mill‑and‑overlay was a long‑term fix. County engineers explained that soil‑cement under the existing pavement acts like a concrete layer and that full reconstruction (removing soil‑cement, importing aggregate base and rebuilding) could exceed $20 million for the corridor. Given projected costs, staff said the practical near‑term option is mill and overlay with targeted culvert work and future planning toward reconstruction in multi‑mile segments.
Votes were taken by voice (motions made, seconded and carried). Staff said right‑of‑way and contract documents will be filed and that the county will begin construction coordination and federally required contract administration.
The board approved Resolution 2026‑16 to commence eminent‑domain filings after staff reported a landowner west of Winger on the south side of County Road 1 refused to negotiate a temporary easement needed for dirt stockpiling and construction access. County staff said the board’s action starts the court process — the county will deposit funds with the court while continuing to negotiate — and stressed the step does not mean the county must complete acquisition if a negotiated agreement is reached.
On the same agenda, engineers reported bids opened for a mill‑and‑overlay of Cass 22 (from Trunk Highway 220 to the county line). The lowest responsible bidder, Agassi Asphalt LLC of the Thief River Falls area, submitted a bid of about $2,146,185. Staff recommended awarding the contract now, noting the project carries roughly $1.5 million in federal funding and that material and diesel prices have pushed estimates up; the contract includes a fuel‑escalation clause that permits upward or downward adjustment based on the diesel index.
Commissioners discussed whether the mill‑and‑overlay was a long‑term fix. County engineers explained that soil‑cement under the existing pavement acts like a concrete layer and that full reconstruction (removing soil‑cement, importing aggregate base and rebuilding) could exceed $20 million for the corridor. Given projected costs, staff said the practical near‑term option is mill and overlay with targeted culvert work and future planning toward reconstruction in multi‑mile segments.
Votes were taken by voice (motions made, seconded and carried). Staff said right‑of‑way and contract documents will be filed and that the county will begin construction coordination and federally required contract administration.
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