The Crookston Ways and Means Committee met on Monday evening to discuss cannabis regulations and the 2026 budget.
CANNABIS REGULATIONS-
The committee discussed Cannabis regulations, now that the State has given more guidelines for cities and counties. The state allows one cannabis shop per 12,000 people, which would allow three businesses in Polk County. Shops can operate from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and there are six different types of businesses the state allows. Micro businesses, Mezzo businesses, Cannabis retailers, Municipal Cannabis businesses, Medical Cannabis, and Lower Potency Hemp businesses, which communities cannot limit. “The state passed the law allowing cannabis for recreational use and sales. Unfortunately, they didn’t have many guidelines at the time,” said Interim City Administrator and Crookston Police Chief Darin Selzler. “Now, the state has developed an Office of Cannabis Management, which manages those cannabis-related businesses and guidelines, etc., and another part of that is they set out some guidelines or statutes or rules for cities and counties to follow.”
Several people have inquired about possibly opening a business in Crookston. “We have received inquiries from several interested individuals, and our city clerk has also received some inquiries,” said Selzler. “Moving forward with the application process and the licensing process, and considering how we will determine which businesses to choose from if we have an influx of several interested parties. Consensus again tonight was like a lottery system, open it up for a period of time, allow people to apply, and then select through a lottery system on who might be eligible to come into the city of Crookston.”
BUDGET DISCUSSION –
The committee discussed the 2026 budget, and several issues were raised. Selzler told the council that with the approval of the $113,000 in non-profit grants, they are at a budget shortfall of $164,570. The council set the preliminary levy at an eight percent increase and is currently considering reducing it to five percent. “I know it’s the first part of November, but there’s still some work to do. We have truth and taxation coming on the first Monday in December,” said Selzler. “I just wanted to present this early to see if there were any other comments or maybe some budget revisions or some guidance from the council that they’d like to see moving forward. I didn’t get a lot of appetite for that. So I’m going to stick with the original budgets that were presented to council back in September.”
FINANCE DIRECTOR HIRING UPDATE-
There have been five applicants so far for the City of Crookston Finance Director position, with the application deadline on November 17.
POOL QUESTION ON THE BALLOT
Councilman Dylane Klatt said he wants more information on what they can do to put a question on the ballot next November, asking if residents of Crookston want to see an increase in taxes to support the pool, or whatever the state allows them to ask on the ballot.
