County Engineer Ron Gregg detailed construction projects planned for 2020 at the County Board’s March 3 meeting.
The board approved the lower bid of two bids in the amount of $208,322.07 submitted by Rochester Sand and Gravel for the replacement of the county office building parking lots. The bid was very close to the engineer’s estimate for this project. Work will start on or before June 3 and is to be completed by August 7.
Other proposed projects to be completed in 2020 include CSAH 1 concrete overlay (north and south of Ostrander), City of Wykoff reconstruction project, seal coating of 44 miles of roadway across the county, surface reconditioning of CSAH 44 to Iowa line, land bridge west of Chatfield, bridge replacement in Jordan Township (CR 101), bridge replacement in Pilot Mound Township (CR 104), replacement of township bridge in Canton Township, and surface reconditioning of CSAH 34 from Highway 44 to Mabel city limits. The seal coating of about 44 miles will be paid for with a combination of Local Option Sales Tax funding and Wheelage Tax funding.
Approval was given for the purchase of a 2020 Ford Explorer for the highway department at a cost of $32,920.14, which includes tax, license, and transfer tax. The engineer’s current vehicle, a Chevy Equinox (with about 22,000 miles), will be moved into the countywide carpool fleet. It was suggested that the engineer’s vehicle could be replaced about every four years, after which the used vehicle will be moved into the countywide fleet to maintain that fleet.
Gregg announced that road restrictions will go on Friday, March 6, at midnight.
Other business in brief
•County Assessor Steve Hacken, who is being contracted for his services from Winona County, gave a progress report to the board. He has been concentrating on getting valuations set for the next assessment. Four candidates for property appraiser are being interviewed this day. Instead of replacing just one appraiser for a total of three in the assessor’s office, he has recommended hiring a second property appraiser for a total of four.
Later in the meeting the board approved the request to hire two property appraisers which will bring the number working for the county to four.
Hacken said if they combine similar areas, so as to get more sales to work from, there could be more consistency to valuations.
State law requires every property to be looked at every fiveyears; Hacken said the county is about 20 to 30% compliant with that requirement now. The added appraiser will help to catch up with these viewings. The county has about 21,000 parcels.
He suggested sending Fillmore County Assessor staff to Winona to train with his staff, as they are much more experienced. Lastly, he is trying to bring more structure to the office and to increase communication internally.
•Hauler licenses for 2020 were approved for Advanced Disposal, Harter’s Quick Cleanup, and WM Hanson Waste Removal and Recycling.
•Approval was given for the Child Support Program Interagency Cooperative Agreement between the county and the state. This covers the administration of child support.
•A request to retire with early retirement incentive for Vicky Giese, social worker, was approved with thanks for her 28 years of service, effective August 6.
•County Administrator Bobbie Vickerman updated the board on the ongoing technology projects. Many of the projects should be finished in the next couple of months. Projects include, but are not limited to, computer replacements with 2010 operating systems, new/additional layers to GIS, mapping software, website upgrade, courthouse security improvements, and the upgrading of firewalls for the courthouse and sheriff’s office.
•Auditor/Treasurer Heidi Jones was asked why polling pads are not being used for the presidential primary this day. Jones said she had missed the deadline to notify the state to use the poll pads and apologized to the board and precincts for missing the deadline. She assured the board that poll pads will be used for the August primary elections and the general election in November. Vickerman noted some townships have requested not to use the poll pads.
Commissioner Mitch Lentz said if townships don’t want to use poll pads they should consider going to mail-in ballots. Commissioner Randy Dahl maintained use of the poll pads reduces labor, making the process more efficient. Jones recommended they require use of the poll pads for all state reporting elections.
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