Most recently added items are listed first

Upcoming MnLTAP Training Opportunities
Added September 23, 2026
The Minnesota Local Technical Assistance Program (MnLTAP) is offering several fall training opportunities for township officials, road crews, and other local government staff. Upcoming programs include Chainsaw Maintenance Training on October 13 in St. Cloud, an Environmental Scoping Webinar on October 26, and Chainsaw Safety Training on November 3 in Shoreview. MnLTAP is also offering six Minnesota Truck-Weight Education workshops at locations around the state in October and November. Additional upcoming programs include the Fall Maintenance Expo, Introduction to Surveying, and the 2026 CTS Transportation Research Conference. Visit the Minnesota LTAP Training Calendar to learn more and register.

Free Minnesota Truck-Weight Education Training Offered This Fall
Added September 21, 2026
Minnesota LTAP is offering a series of free Minnesota Truck-Weight Education Program workshops across the state this October and November. The training is designed to help participants understand Minnesota truck-weight laws and haul the maximum legal weight while protecting public roads and highways. Topics include truck configurations, legal weight limits, seasonal road-weight regulations, winter load increases and spring load restrictions. Participants will also receive take-home materials to help apply the information to their own vehicles and hauling needs. The workshops are free, but advance registration is required. Register for Minnesota Truck-Weight Education Training

• October 20 – Rochester
  MnDOT District 6 Headquarters, 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901

• October 21 – Shoreview
  MnDOT Shoreview Training & Conference Center, 1900 County Road 1, Shoreview, MN 55126

• October 28 – Duluth
  MnDOT District 1 Headquarters, 1123 Mesaba Ave., Duluth, MN 55811

• November 4 – Moorhead
  Joint Public Works Facility, 2951 41 1/2 St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560

• November 10 – Mankato
  MnDOT District 7 Headquarters, 2151 Bassett Drive, Mankato, MN 56001

• November 12 – St. Cloud
  MnDOT St. Cloud Training Center, 3725 12th St. N., St. Cloud, MN 56303

ARPA Reporting and Closeout Assistance Available
Added September 18, 2026
Townships that received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) should make sure their required federal reporting is complete and that all remaining funds are fully expended by the end of the year.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has identified some ARPA recipients that have not completed required annual reporting or that still show unspent obligated funds in their most recent report. All ARPA SLFRF funds must be expended by December 31, 2026.
Townships that need assistance with ARPA reporting, expenditures or closeout are encouraged to participate in an upcoming U.S. Treasury Closeout Office Hours session. Treasury staff will be available to answer questions and provide guidance on remaining requirements.

U.S. Treasury ARPA Closeout Office Hours
Date: Wednesday, September 30
Time: 12:00 p.m. Central Time
Join via computer: U.S. Treasury Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 165 722 8604

Free Suicide Prevention & Mental Wellness Workshops for Agricultural Communities
Added September 8, 2026
The Minnesota Farm Suicide Prevention Campaign is offering free Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) and Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory (COMET) workshops for farmers, township officials, agricultural professionals and others who live or work in rural communities. Workshops will be held in communities across Minnesota from mid-September through late October. Participants may attend either or both two-hour sessions. View workshop dates and register

Northeast Minnesota Elected Leadership Circle
Posted August 27, 2026
Applications are open for the Northeast Minnesota Elected Leadership Circle, a nonpartisan weekend retreat for local elected and appointed leaders. Sessions will be held November 6–8, 2026, and May 21–23, 2027, at the Cloquet Forestry Center. Registration is $195 and includes lodging and meals. Learn more and apply: dawnmn.org/elc

New guidance for townships administering early voting
Posted August 25, 2026
The Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision in MVA v. Minneapolis creates more specific staffing requirements for early voting locations that some townships will need to pay attention to. Now, when a township administers an early voting location, it must have qualified election judges available to perform certain functions. Townships without a full-time clerk only administer absentee voting provisions if they submit notice to the county auditor of their intent to do so, or the county auditor has designated the clerk to administer them. See Sec. 203B.05 MN Statutes. 

Keep in mind that townships must use the Party List when appointing election judges subject to the eligibility requirements and other qualifications established under Sec. 204B.19 MN Statutes. If the Party List has been exhausted, or no list has been provided, the township may appoint other qualified individuals. An early voting location must always have at least one election judge from each of the two major political parties available to perform duties that require two election judges of different major-party affiliations.

Early Voting Duties That Must Be Performed by Election Judges

1. When a voter is challenged, an election judge must administer the challenge questions and resolve the challenge. Only one election judge is required for this function, and the judge does not need to have a particular party affiliation.

2. When a voter registers or updates registration during early voting using vouching as proof of residence, an election judge must administer the vouching process.

3. Early voting locations must offer curbside voting to voters who are unable to enter the polling location. This process must be performed by two election judges of different major political parties.

4. A voter may request assistance marking their ballot from two election judges of different major political parties. The judges must mark the ballot according to the voter's directions and maintain ballot secrecy.

MPCA Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Lake Water Quality Standards
Posted August 25, 2026
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking public comment on proposed changes to Minnesota’s water quality standards for lakes. The proposed rules address nutrient standards, cold-water fish habitat and aquatic life protections. Public comments are due by 4:30 p.m. on October 8, 2026. A virtual public hearing will be held November 2. Learn more.

Federal Grant Opportunities
Posted August 3, 2026
New federal grant opportunities are available that may be relevant to Minnesota townships and other local governments. The July 31 funding update includes information on current federal programs, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and resources for communities seeking funding for local projects and services. Learn More

MnDOT Rural Horizontal Curves Safety Countermeasures Webinar
Posted July 30, 2026
MnDOT’s Local Road Traffic Safety Webinar Series continues September 23 with a session focused on safety countermeasures for rural horizontal curves. The webinar will highlight effective countermeasures, design considerations, and operational improvements aimed at reducing crashes and improving safety on curves. Participants will also receive resources and contacts they can use when considering improvements to local roads. Learn More and Register

Funding Opportunity: EPA Opens $25.5 Million Grant Program for Rural Wastewater Assistance
Posted July 20, 2026
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced $25.5 million in technical assistance funding to help small, rural, and Tribal communities address wastewater and water-quality challenges. The program supports communities seeking infrastructure funding, improving wastewater-system management, maintaining compliance, and addressing decentralized systems such as septic systems. Learn More

Snowplow Simulator Training Available for Township Road Personnel
Posted July 16, 2026
Minnesota LTAP is offering Snowplow and Safety Simulator Training at locations throughout Minnesota during August and September. The two-hour training gives township employees and other local snowplow drivers an opportunity to practice responding to hazardous weather, traffic, and roadway conditions in a controlled simulator environment. Learn More

IRS Mileage Rate Update: 72.5¢ to 76¢ Effective July 1
Posted July 16, 2026
The federal standard business mileage rate increased from 72.5 cents to 76 cents per mile, effective July 1, 2026. Township officials and employees should review the updated guidance when calculating reimbursements for the use of personal vehicles on township business. Learn More

New Road and Infrastructure Training Opportunities
Posted June 3, 2026
Minnesota LTAP offers training, events, online courses, technical resources, and professional-development opportunities covering local roads, maintenance, construction, safety, drainage, equipment operation, and transportation management. Township officials and employees can review current opportunities through the Minnesota LTAP website. Learn More

Latest Minnesota LTAP News and Training Opportunities
Posted April 7, 2026
Minnesota LTAP has released its latest collection of training announcements, workshops, technical resources, research updates, and professional-development opportunities. The information is particularly useful for township officers and employees involved in roadway maintenance, transportation safety, and public works. Learn More

Apply Now: 2027 Infrastructure Project Priority Lists & Intended Use Plans
Posted January 29, 2026
The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority is accepting submissions for 2027 Project Priority Lists and Intended Use Plans, including projects eligible for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA) funding. Communities seeking future wastewater and drinking water funding should review the application process and deadlines. Learn More