Routing study completed with time to examine multiple options for connections

By Robert Williams

Editor

The completion of the Heartland Trail routing study and options were discussed at the Becker County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4, along with future plans regarding connectivity westward to complete the connection to Moorhead.

The study explored opportunities, challenges, and community benefits of a proposed 12-foot multi-use trail segment serving Becker County from Dunton Locks County Park to Bucks Mill.

The Heartland Trail Committee held multiple meetings for public input over the summer.

Connecting to the Heartland Trail running westward to Moorhead caused multiple conversations on the need to connect to Bucks Mill or the fact that it could be a dead end.

County Highway Engineer Jim Olson explained that the trail could run from Bucks Mill to County Road 20 leading to the Pelican Lake Zorbaz location and into Cormorant from there.

“We haven’t had those public meetings to gather all those inputs,” said Olson.

One route that was discussed, but is unlikely is cutting through WE Fest properties along a portion of the trail that runs parallel to State Highway 59.

“Just too many obstacles; that’s my opinion,” said Hansen.

In prior discussions, the Becker County Board has stated preferences for the trail to run along County Road 17, rather than State Highway 59, on the Dunton Locks to Bucks Mill connection, mainly for aesthetics. 

Smaller routes were already ruled out, such as Woodland Lane from Dunton Locks running between Munson, Fox and Lake Sallie, along with a route through Shoreham.

“It’s just not doable,” said Commissioner Barry Nelson. 

“They didn’t want it and it’s not doable,” Hansen said.

Money for the engineering costs of the project is available from 2023 bonding funds that were renewed until 2027.

“If we do something similar like we did in Frazee and develop a plan where we would lead this we could get that money secured by 2027 and that work could continue after it once we get that agreement,” said Olson. “Once those funds become encumbered, that gives us a little extra time to do it.”

The bonding funds can only be used in certain situations—preliminary engineering, environmental studies and design, but not construction, thus creating the route to Bucks Mill being one approved manner.

The only portion of construction that was approved was the Detroit Lakes to Frazee connections, which was completed earlier this year.

Jay Carlson of the Big Cormorant area spoke during the open forum about the Heartland Trail future planning regarding routes in the Cormorant area in regard to the current trail plan to connect Dunton Locks and Bucks Mill.

“I think it would be good for the community out there in the Cormorant area,” Carlson said.

Carlson also had resolutions of support from Cormorant Township, Lake Eunice Township and the Watershed District who are all willing to help find a safe and scenic route once planning gets that far west.

Commissioner Phil Hansen, who is on the Heartland Trail board, brought up future road improvements on East Pearl Lake Road as an option for future trail construction westbound.

Clay County has already planned their portion of the trail eastbound to enter Becker County  near Lake Park.

“Every mile costs a lot of money,” said Nelson. 

“If the ultimate goal is to connect to Clay County it seems awfully expensive to go south so far to go back west,” said Commissioner Erica Jepson.

According to Olson, he wants to bring feedback to the trail committee and continue discussions.

“We really do have some time because we need to see what the Frazee trail is like in the spring,” said Hansen.

Guns

Commissioners established the following fee schedule for firearm permits, effective January 1:

• New Permit to Carry: $80

• Renewal Permit (Prior to Permit to Carry Expiration): $75

• All Active Duty Military/Veteran Permit to Carry: $20

• New or Renewal Out of State Permit to Carry: $100

• Duplicate/Replacement Permit: $10

Highway

Becker County Highway collects an aggregate tax under state statute 298.75 where proceeds may be used for transportation purposes and the restoration of abandoned pits located within the County. Becker County currently has approximately  $700,000 in its Gravel Tax Reserve Fund and the Highway Department requested to utilize these funds on its County State Aid Highway 7 grade widening project in an amount not to exceed $400,000.

CSAH 7 runs north out of Lake Park to 100th Avenue south of Flom.

Becker County is planning to implement County State Aid Street Project(s) in 2025 which will require State Aid funds in excess of those available in its State Aid Regular/Municipal Construction and the County is prepared to proceed with the construction of said project(s) through the use of an advance from the County State Aid Construction Fund to supplement the available funds in their State Regular/Municipal Construction Account.

The advance is based on the following determination of estimated expenditures:

Account balance as of 10/31/2025 $ 223,548.15

Less estimated disbursements:

Project #003-634-021 $521,455.82 (Richwood to CSAH 143)

Project #003-635-008 $517,680.32 (CSAH 143 to TH 113)

Project #003-616-016 $600,000.00 (CSAH 7 to Clay County Line)

Total Estimate Disbursements $1,639,136.17

Advance Amount (amount in excess of account balance) $1,415,587.99.

“Essentially, it’s borrowing money from next year’s allotment and then we repay that back, typically the following year,” Olson said.

Mahube-Otwa

Executive Director Liz Kuoppala updated commissioners on the non-profit’s mission of upward economic mobility for people coming for assistance and the five levels of service from basic needs to leadership qualities.

Hansen asked for an example of collaboration with the county that became a success story for Mahube-Otwa. Kuoppala cited the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program employment and training (SNAP E&T) allowing for more people to work and increase their incomes.

SNAP E&T TA has been funded at least in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Jepson, who serves on the Mahube-Otwa board, discussed how she used the Head Start program for her daughter while Jepson attended college and how it positively affected her family’s life.

The discussion turned to the fact that a wide variety of people are benefactors to Mahube-Otwa programs, including senior citizens. Some resources are fraud prevention, medicare advantage plan navigation, tax returns, etc.

“We frequently have success stories from seniors too,” said Kuoppala. “It’s a place seniors can call if they’re not sure about something and get some help.”

Nuclear energy

Sherburne County has requested support from other counties to join the Minnesota Nuclear Energy Alliance, a coalition of Minnesota businesses, utilities, labor unions and environmental advocates calling on state lawmakers to lift Minnesota’s 30-year-old moratorium on new nuclear power development.

There was no action item, but Sherburne County did ask Becker County to join in supporting the repeal of the moratorium. Nelson cited Becker County’s support of the repeal via the Association of Minnesota Counties, which already supports repeal. 

Senior care

Sunnyside Care Center Executive Director Ashley McNally provided an update on the 30-bed nursing home in Lake Park  with four empty beds.

The home employs 78 people, many of them part-time employees and students. 

Sunnyside is a state-ranked five star facility. A “five star facility” refers to a facility that has received the highest rating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating System. This rating is a composite score based on a nursing home’s performance in three areas: health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. A 5-star rating is considered “much above average” quality.

Nelson praised McNally for her efforts and the care centers.

“We are one of the few small nursing homes that is making a profit,” he said. “We are an example for other nursing homes and I think it’s leadership through Ashley that is driving this.”

The board passed a resolution to continue providing $7 per day per resident, a total of $22,000 for the year that is matched by the state.

“It’s a win-win for Sunnyside; it’s a win-win for the county,” said Nelson.

Townships

The Becker County Township Association Meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m.

Watersheds

Nelson announced the resignation of Manager Tony Nistler from the Cormorant Lakes Watershed District, effective immediately, due to health reasons. Nistler’s term expires on Dec. 31, 2026.