The Washington County Board of Commissioners has been at work again, keeping the wheels of local governance turning steadily. Yesterday, they gave the nod to several measures aimed at improving county services and the environment. For starters, they've locked in several reappointments to the Washington County Workforce Development Board, with terms kicking off on July 1, 2025. Reinstated for duty are Chris Eng as an Economic Development Representative, Monica Brown as an Education Representative, and Holly Jackson and Laurie Levine, both as Business Representatives. These folks are set to serve through December 31, 2028, confirmed by officials.
In other community-centric moves, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities can count on extended support, as the Board approved a service contract with Minnesota Care Counseling Services. Effective immediately upon signing and through 2026, this deal ensures that case management services to adults and children won't peter out, but will rather be fortified by a fresh influx of up to $40,000 of county money. Minnesota Care Counseling Services will be joining the ranks of private agencies and social workers already in the mix, with the contract initiation instigated by a competitive proposal process that drew 17 hopefuls.
Keeping an eye on environmental prospects, Washington County has also rallied behind a comment letter about 3M Chemical Operations, LLC's proposed stormwater project aimed at lowering PFAS levels discharged from the Abresch Disposal Site – the protagonist among three within the Oakdale Disposal Site, known best for its Superfund status. The project, scrutinized in an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) conducted by the state-spearheaded DNR, could reroute stormwater to a specially designed basin, finessing the quality of water that dribbles its way down to the Twin Cities East Metropolitan area. Nestled within the EAW are county concerns — touching soil remediation to public engagement —on record courtesy of Washington County Public Health and Environment's gathered insights.
Infrastructure also gets a facelift with the Board's approval of a contract worth $199,725 for the final design phase of the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 (Olive Street) project. The contractor, Kimley-Horn, will undertake the grand task of refitting Olive Street from Pine Tree Trail to Owens Street with pedestrian paths, a glossy new road surface, and spiffy essential structures like gutter systems and road signs. Kimley-Horn, which has had its hands in the project mix since the preliminary design round, looks set to shepherd the venture through to the coveted construction stage slated for 2026.
Lastly, an energy-efficiency push is on the agenda, with the Government Center campus in Stillwater set to bask in the glow of modernity. Over 1,200 fluorescent fixtures across the Law Enforcement Center and Government buildings will succumb to the rise of LEDs under a $250,000 contract with B & B Electric Inc. This lighting revolution, which stirred the waves of bidding in May, promises a less power-thirsty future, where LEDs will cut energy use, last longer, and sidestep nasty chemicals that have marred their fluorescent predecessors. This is merely the opening act of a broader campaign to greenify the Government Center campus, showcasing Washington County's stride towards sustainability.
