At the December 4 meeting of the county board, a resolution was adopted approving a grant agreement between the state of Minnesota through its Commissioner of Transportation and the county.
Airport Manager Pam Schroeder explained the agreement is in relation to the purchase of an end loader or snow removal piece of equipment.
The total purchase price of the new end loader is $289,700. Through the Federal Aviation Administration, an Airport Infrastructure Grant will pay a total of $275,215 toward the purchase of the piece of equipment. The agreement with the state will make the state responsible for 2.5% of the cost, or $7,242. The county’s share will also be 2.5% of the cost, or $7,242.
The agreement was approved as presented.
Other Business in Brief
- During the Citizens Input portion of the meeting, Bonita Underbakke asked the board to do what they can to help the hungry in our county. “I know you are responsible for tax payer money.” She maintained we don’t have it covered (hunger) in ordinary times and “now” we do not have it covered. Underbakke said she knew hunger as a child, saying, “My mother was grateful that her children had one hot meal a day. We were not special; it is happening now.”
- The final payment in the amount of $144,021 was approved to be paid to Croell, Inc. for the project on CSAH 17 in Preston and Carrolton Townships. The total value of the work was $2,880,429.
- Brent Kohn presented two quotes for a used excavator. He recommended the quote from RDO Equipment Co. The used 2022 John Deere 210GLC will cost $126,360 after the used Caterpillar trade ($32,000). He recommended the purchase of the John Deere over the quote from Ziegler Cat because the John Deere was three years newer and a heavier machine. The purchase was approved as recommended. Funds for the purchase will come out of the 2026 budget.
- The 2026 Toward Zero Deaths grant agreement was approved. Funds will be used mostly to pay overtime for a special enforcement program (speeding and distracted driving).
- County Administrator Bobbie Hillery explained the Department of Agriculture was ordered by the court to pay SNAP benefits from contingency funds. The timeline for the payments of about half the normal amount has not yet been announced. Social Services Director Wanda Berg said there have not yet been calls from struggling community members, and they are waiting for direction from the state. Benefits would normally come to people on the third day of the month. There has been a lot of fund/food raising in the community to help those who need help. A Veterans Emergency Fund is available for struggling veterans.
- The second reading of the Minnesota Paid Family & Medical Leave Policy was approved. Minor grammatical changes had been made as suggested by staff.
- Paybook # 32 in the total amount of $79,964 was approved for the Jail Project. Currently, they are looking to move staff into the remodeled facility in the second week of December.
- The appointment of Commissioner Mitch Lentz to the Southeast Service Cooperative Board of Directors was approved.
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