The county board met on January 22 with four commissioners. Gary Peterson had submitted a letter of resignation, citing personal reasons, dated January 16. Peterson’s term would have expired on December 31, 2020. The state requires a special election if there is more than one year left in an unexpired term.
The board accepted Peterson’s resignation with thanks for his service and extended to him their best wishes.
A resolution was adopted detailing the special election process. Publication of the process will appear twice in the county’s official paper, Fillmore County Journal, and also in the Spring Valley Tribune, the paper serving the District 3 area. District 3 residents who wish to file for the office can file from March 5-19. If a primary election is necessary (for more than two candidates), it will be held on May 14. In this case the election will be held on August 13. If the primary is not needed, the election will be on May 14.
The board approved temporary committee assignments to fill in for Peterson until a new commissioner is elected for District 3. A list of other committee appointments for 2019 was approved with a few corrections.
Board supports fines for cardboard contamination
Drew Hatzenbihler, Solid Waste, reported that Winneshiek County Landfill, in a January 14 billing, fined the county $1,359.99 for excessive cardboard contamination. He noted about 80% of that load came in from two haulers.
Hatzenbihler explained no formal resolution or policy change was implemented when this was discussed early last year. On April 16, 2018, a letter was sent to haulers and billing customers informing them that they will be billed for fines resulting from excess cardboard contamination.
Hatzenbihler said the fine should be put into place, making the haulers responsible for their portion of the cardboard contamination. Commissioner Randy Dahl agreed, saying the hauler can go back to the source of the contamination. He said he was in favor of the recommended fine structure for people that contaminate loads, noting “people respond to money.”
A motion was approved in support of the load requirements and fines related to contaminated loads detailed in the April 16, 2018, letter.
Hatzenbihler presented an updated Fillmore County Resource Recovery Center Credit and Operating Policy. The updated policy includes bans on “cardboard,” sharps, appliances, and other materials in loads. The contribution of contamination to a load will result in a bill if excess fees are incurred at the landfill. No action was taken on the updated policy until it can be reviewed by board members and the county attorney.
Approval was given that recognizes a major modification as requested by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This is part of the repermitting process of the Recovery Center. The major modification is a daily tonnage increase.
Other business in brief
• Approval was given to transfer $350,000 to the “City of Preston — Escrow Account for the veterans home.”
• Chairman Duane Bakke thanked County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman for taking on auditor/treasurer duties until the newly elected auditor/treasurer, Heidi Jones, took on those responsibilities.
• The board interviewed Brian Hoff for the position of land records director.
• The resignation of Lori Affeldt, account technician lead, after 2.5 years of service was approved with thanks, effective February 1. A request to advertise for a replacement internally and externally was approved.
• Approval was given to close out the 2016 and 2017 Wetland Conservation Act grants ($8,778 for each year) and the 2018 Local Water Management Grant ($14,728). Donna Rasmussen confirmed the funds from all three grants have been expended.
• County Recorder David Kiehne presented his compliance report for 2018 recorded documents, which was approved. He noted the numbers are similar to last year. E-recording is growing about 15-20% per year.
Annual expenditures for allocated and unallocated accounts were approved as presented.
• The Fillmore County Journal submitted the low bid and was approved as the county’s official newspaper.
• The 2019 Septic Treatment Systems grant agreement was approved. The county will get paid $18,600 to administer the state program to ensure compliance of new and existing subsurface treatment systems in the county.
• The Board of Appeal and Equalization will be held on June 18 at 6:30 p.m. The county board will meet that day at 3 p.m. The other county board meetings in June will be held on the fourth and the 25th at 9 a.m.
• A Feedlot Grant will be used to buy three computers for the zoning department — two ProBooks and a Surface Pro at a total cost of $5,808.43.