County Administrator Bobbie Hillery provided an early preliminary budget percentage increase for 2027 at the county board’s August 11 meeting. Commissioner Larry Hindt was absent and Commissioner Duane Bakke participated through Zoom.
The spreadsheet provided by Hillery shows a levy increase of over 12%. The county does not have a firm number on health insurance costs yet, which can be a big factor. Some more departmental budgets will be reviewed at the next meeting. Commissioners will have an opportunity to try to whittle down the numbers some before the preliminary budget will be considered near the end of September.
Highway Engineer Josh Lensing and Airport Manager Pam Schroeder reviewed their budgets. Lensing reviewed the highway administration, highway maintenance, highway construction, highway shop, and survey budgets. Brent Kohn detailed the equipment purchases that are being considered for 2027. The department has been trying to catch up by updating several pieces of equipment that could together cost as much as $1 million. Chairman Randy Dahl suggested they may be able to knock off a couple hundred thousand by buying low hours used equipment.
Schroeder reviewed the airport budget which is pretty much the same as in the previous year.
Other Business in Brief
• Allison Whalen, CEDA, asked the commissioners for a letter of support for the 7 Rivers Alliance’s application to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) for the 7 Rivers Regional Business Park Initiative. The alliance is looking for potential industrial development opportunities. The regional area includes Winona, Fillmore, and Houston Counties and some Wisconsin counties. The letter of support was approved.
• The final reading of the new Revenue Recognition policy was considered; the policy was approved. Finance Director Christy Smith said the policy has been followed for years but hasn’t been in writing.
• The final payment in the amount of $8,690 to Rochester Sand & Gravel for the LOST project on CR 119 outside of Chatfield was approved. The total value of work was $173,818.
• A bid for a LOST project on CR 104 in the amount of $357,521 was awarded to Rochester Sand & Gravel.
• A bid from Rochester Sand & Gravel for a Highway Safety Improvement Program project for pavement between guardrails on CSAH 1 in the amount of $136,380 was approved contingent on State approval.
• An access permit for Brock and Allison Johnson for a new building site on CR 18 in section 35 of Preble Township was approved.
• An access permit for Richard and Ann Bell for an access to a parcel on CR 102 in section 15 of Jordan Township was approved.
• A closed session was held after the regular board meeting for union mediation, AFSCME Social Workers Union.
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