County Board makes appointments to advisory committee and watershed districts
The Washington County Board of Commissioners made appointments to the Groundwater Advisory Committee and the South Washington Watershed District March 25.
Jeffrey Thron of Stillwater was appointed to the Groundwater Advisory Committee as a Well Drilling Representative for a first full term expiring Dec. 31, 2027. Thron served a partial term on the Groundwater Advisory Committee from Feb. 6, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2024. He did not seek reappointment for a term beginning Jan. 1, 2025, but after attending the Groundwater Plan Public Hearing, he expressed interest in reappointment to the committee.
Kevin Chapdelaine of Newport was reappointed to a fourth term as a manager on the South Washington Watershed District beginning May 2, 2025, and expiring May 1, 2028.
David Filipiak of Woodbury was appointed to a first term beginning May 2, 2025, and expiring May 1, 2028, as a manager on the South Washington Watershed District.
Contact: Holly Hess, Administrative Assistant, 651-430-6001
County Board approves liquor license application
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved an off-sale liquor license application for Holidays Stationstores, LLC in Denmark Township March 25.
The county processes all liquor licenses for the townships in the county. The county reviews the liability insurance, and the Sheriff's Office, the County Attorney's Office, and the Public Health & Environment Department complete compliance/verification checks.
Those requirements have all been completed for the applications. The applicants license fees pay for the administrative cost of the county's administration, compliance, and verification checks.
Contact: Christine Piskura, Taxpayer Services and Election Division Manager, 651-430-8272
Driver exams at Stillwater License Center expanding to five days a week through June
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division will begin offering driver exams at Washington County’s Stillwater License Center five days a week from April 1 through June 30.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a lease amendment March 25 allowing DVS to expand from offering driver exams from two days a week to five. DVS’s existing agreement is a five-year lease beginning Dec. 1, 2021, and continuing through Nov. 30, 2026.
As it currently stands, DVS will return to two days per week of their driver exam station within the Stillwater License Center as of July 1, 2025.
Contact: Amy Stenftenagel, Property Records and Taxpayer Services Director, 651-430-6182
Sheriff’s Office receives donation from OUR Rescue for forensic access tool
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a $11,820 donation from OUR Rescue to purchase a license for a forensic tool to access encrypted data on mobile devices.
The software called GrayKey Essentials is designed to provide same-day, lawful access to mobile devices and extraction of encrypted data.
OUR Rescue is a nonprofit organization that exists to protect children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, a mission best accomplished through collaboration with law enforcement agencies both in the U.S. and abroad. The donation from OUR Rescue is part of its commitment to empowering domestic law enforcement agencies by providing tools, training, and technology to enhance their abilities to combat child exploitation.
Contact: Chief Deputy Doug Anschutz, Sheriff’s Office, 651-430-7846
Dan Dolan recognized for years of service to University of Minnesota Extension Committee
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized Dan Dolan, who recently retired after serving on the University of Minnesota Extension Committee since 2008 and serving as president of the Washington County Ag Society for 11 years.
In those roles, Dolan advocated for funding to support Extension programming, specifically, the 4-H program. He secured private funds to sustain the 4-H program and expand the Extension presence in Washington County. Dolan broadened the 4-H program to include 4-H Youth Teaching Youth, which trains teens to teach younger children about healthy living. Dolan sought out external funds in 2011 to pilot this program and today it continues to empower 4-H teens to take charge and lead the sessions on their own to their younger peers.
Dolan retired from his service on the Extension Committee earlier this year. The County Board passed a resolution March 25 honoring Dolan.
Contact: David Brummel, Public Health and Environment Director, 651-430-6662
Photo Cutline: Dan Dolan holds a Commissioner Service Award. He is joined, left to right, by Washington County Commissioners Stan Karwoski, Karla Bigham, Fran Miron, Bethany Cox, and Michelle Clasen.
County approves contract and agreements for Stonebridge Trail improvement project
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a construction contract, two cooperative agreements, and a grant agreement March 25 for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 (Stonebridge Trail) improvement project.
The project is along CSAH 5 from Sycamore Street to CSAH 96, located in Stillwater and Stillwater Township. The improvements include:
- Resurfacing the existing roadway and trails.
- Replacing the bridge that spans across Brown’s Creek.
- Adding dedicated turn lanes at the intersection of Johnson Court.
- Adding a new trail on the west side of the highway.
- Adding stormwater basins.
- Replacing aging culverts and highway signs.
The county opened bids for the project in February with Valley Paving, Inc. submitting the lowest bid. The board approved a $5,845,582.30 contract with Valley Paving, Inc. for the work.
In addition, the County Board approved a construction cost agreement and a maintenance agreement with the City of Stillwater. The cost agreement defines design and construction responsibilities and splits costs according to the county cost participation policy. Under the agreement, Stillwater will contribute $133,400 to the project costs. The maintenance agreement defines maintenance responsibilities.
The county continues to advocate for state funding to make a connection from Stonebridge Trail to the Brown’s Creek State Trail.
Contact: Andrew Giesen, Engineer III, 651-430-4336
County Board recognizes April as National County Government Month
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recognized April as National County Government Month March 25.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has proclaimed April 2025 as National County Government Month in appreciation of county government employees who provide services for residents in Washington County.
The employees of Washington County provide services to more than 287,000 residents each day. County services range from public health and environmental services to law enforcement and prosecution, from probation to community services that support those with mental illness, disabilities, or the elderly, from elections to roads and parks, and from libraries to the internal services needed to deliver all county services.
By adopting the proposed resolution, the County Board recognizes, congratulates, and thanks all Washington County employees who fulfill the county's mission of providing exceptional services that enhance quality of life and promote a safe, healthy, and welcoming community for all.
Contact: Brian Kaufenberg, Senior Communications Specialist, 651-430-6008