Unofficial Minutes of the Budget Meeting 2.4.2026
Dan Stommes called the Budget meeting to order at 8:45pm. The board reviewed the budget information and expenses from the previous year and set the budget to propose at the annual meeting at $340,000. With $100,000 of the budget being put into the tarring fund for future use and the balance of the funds to be used for operating funds. Jason Willenbring made a motion to set the proposed budget at $340,000 for the 2027year. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried. At 9:35 Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the Budget Meeting, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor motion carried.

Unofficial Minutes of the Board of Audit Meeting 2.4.2026
Dan Stommes called the Board of Audit Meting to order at 8:40pm, The clerk and Treasurer not met before the February 4,2026 meeting to reconcile their records. They will meet in the upcoming week. The supervisors reviewed the reports that were presented by the treasurer. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the report as presented. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried. At 8:45 Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the Board of Audit, Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.

Unofficial Minutes 02-04-2026
The February Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present . Also present were John Blenker, Dale Lange, Dan Rea, Leo Gerads, Dewey Klaphake, Rich Rothstein and Officer Carden Mueller from the Stearns County Sheriffs Office.
The January minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Dan Stomemes seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Robyn Brinkman gave a treasures report with $712,222.12 in checking, Money Market and one operating CD. $1,511,279.31 in tarring fund CD’s for a total of $2,223,501.43. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to renew the CD that is coming due on February 10,2026 for the best rate possible, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dan Rea was present to request liquor licenses for the Farming Baseball Club, the licenses would be valid for the period of April 10 2026 to October 09 2026. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve a on site Wine License for the baseball park and 3.2 Percent malt liquor license for the softball park. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dale Lange was present to obtain a signature on the final plat of parcel 10.06208.0008. When presented Dan Stommes and Linda Theisen both signed.
Rich Rothstein was present to discuss what can be done with the culvert on Manannah Road. Discussion was held. It will be looked at as part of the road tour in April.
Officer Mueller gave a report of activity in Farming Township, there were 12 calls in January and 9 calls in February. They were routine calls, nothing out of the ordinary.
Absentee ballot board, Discussion was held Ben Mergen made a motion to appoint Linda Theisen and Tom Winkels to the absentee ballot board. Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Annual election and meeting, discussion was held if the election and annual meeting need to be cancelled in case of inclement weather. Jason Willenbring made a motion to move the annual meeting on the third Tuesday of March should the second Tuesday be cancelled due to inclement weather. If the third Tuesday does not work, then the annual election and meeting be moved to the fourth Tuesday. Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor motion carried.
At 8:40 pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to recess the regular meeting to do the Board of Audit and Budget meetings, Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor, motion carried

Break.   See Board of Audit and Budget Meeting Minutes posted seperately.

At 9:35 Dan Stommes called the regular meeting back to order
Millwood Transport, Stevens Transport and Krain Transport had presented a request to travel on Farming Township roads while road restrictions were in place. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to allow Millwood Transport, Stevens Transport and Krain Transport to transport agriculture goods on Farming township roads with a maximum speed of 30 mph, while road restrictions are in place. Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Getting a printer for the Treasurer. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to allow Robyn Brinkman purchase a printer for the township with a budget of under one thousand dollars ($1000), Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7463 Sunnybrook Enterprises Monthly guarantee/snow removal $3625.00
7464 Total Agri-Business Services Prepare W2’ and 1099’s /postage $170.70
7465 Chain of Lakes Fire Protection $1903.63
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly electric bill $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill internet $77.70
Total $ 5,842.34
Year-to-date Total $ 16,918.25
At 9:50 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.
Note: The meeting date was changed to Wednesday night instead of Tuesday night because of precinct caucuses.

Unofficial Minutes 1-06-2026
The January Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were: Dewey Klaphake, Tom Winkels and Holly Roush.
The December minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, after correcting the check numbers on the list of claims that were paid. Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Robyn Brinkman presented the treasures report, there was $715,189.38 in checking, Money Market and one operating CD. Tarring fund CD’s balance was 1,511,279.31 for a total of $2,226,468.69. The tarring fund CD that was due in December, Robyn renewed it for a six month CD because of a better rate, than doing a 12 month CD. Discussion was held regarding the balance in the checking account. Jason Willenbring made a motion to move $100,000.00 from the checking account and add it to the CD, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Jason Willenbring gave a report from the Chain of Lakes Fire meeting. The fire department has ordered a new truck, and they had 171 calls in last year.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7459 Mayers Repair Farming Sportsman project $133.35
7460 Sunnybrook Enterprises Snow Removal/guarantee $10200.00
7461 United States Treasury 4th Quarter Payroll tax $543.15
7462 Star Publications Legal Notice $56.40
ACH Stearns Electric Monthy Electric $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly Internet $77.70
Total $ 11,075.91
Year-to-date Total $ 11,075.91
At 8:50pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjorn the meeting, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried

Board of Canvass Meeting 3.10.26
The Board of Canvass for the 2026 Farming Township Election was held on March 10, 2026 at 8:15 pm.
Present were Dan Stommes, Jason Willenbring, Ben Mergen and Linda Theisen. Also present were election judges Victor Kotten, Tom Winkels, and Marlene Statz
The Results were:
Office of Supervisor:
Dan Stommes 31 votes
Tom Winkels 2
Jason Willenbring made a motion to declare Dan Stommes the winner of the Supervisor position, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Office of Clerk:
Holly Roush 30 votes
Brian Wellner 2 votes
Linda Theisen 1 vote
Jason Willenbring made a motion to declare Holly Roush the winner of the Clerk position, Ben Mergen seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Minutes taken by Linda Theisen