A public hearing was held at the August 10 county board meeting regarding a developer’s (G-Cubed Development, Inc.) request for a property tax abatement related to a housing project in Lanesboro.
The developer is proposing a single family subdivision within the city of Lanesboro. The developer has requested that the city of Lanesboro and the county provide abatement assistance to reimburse a portion of the costs.
Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, explained the abatement plan. He said Lanesboro has been struggling to do a housing development, complicated by the city’s geography. The city has spent a significant amount of money on infrastructure. Geoff Griffin said he will do the development, but in return will need a pay as you go tax abatement. Griffin will build a phase at a time. An abatement can be run for each phase. The abatement will end in 2045. The project will not happen without public assistance.
The county agrees to abate 75% of county taxes generated by all platted subdivisions for a term not to exceed 15 years commencing with the second year after each subdivision is platted. School districts are not involved. The county will have an agreement with the city of Lanesboro.
Lanesboro Mayor Jason Resseman said Lanesboro has been in dire need of housing for some time. The city has invested millions of dollars to upgrade infrastructure. The city council voted unanimously at a special meeting earlier this morning to approve the resolution for tax abatement. The city will abate 100% of the taxes generated by all platted subdivisions within the tax abatement area for a term not to exceed 15 years. All issues have been resolved and the annexation has been finalized. No one else from the public commented.
Griffin said in the beginning the majority of the property will be undeveloped. County Attorney Brett Corson said with a phased development it could extend to 2045. If it is developed slowly, some phases may not be abated as it ends in 2045.
The resolution for the property tax abatement related to G-Cubed Development, Inc. Housing Project 2021 in Lanesboro was approved contingent on the county attorney’s approval.
Other business in brief
•The Independent Emergency Services (IES) 911 maintenance quote for June 2021-June 2022 was approved. The yearly contract ($12,511.08) is paid out of 911 grant funds.
Sheriff John DeGeorge reviewed his proposed 2022 budgets for Sheriff, Jail, Dispatch, and Emergency Management. He said nothing significant has been added to the proposed budget. He explained policing contracts with cities the county serves will increase a little. DeGeorge will go to the city council meetings to explain the increase in costs.
•Drew Hatzenbihler, Solid Waste administrator, reviewed his department’s proposed 2022 budget. His budget reflected a 1.3% increase over last year.
•Jessica Erickson, Public Health, requested and received approval to apply for a Public Health Workforce Grant. The grant is through the Minnesota Department of Health and is to be used for things tied to COVID. The total amount of the grant for both Fillmore and Houston Counties is $160,000.
Erickson spoke about the uptick in COVID cases. There were 35 new cases between August 1 and this day. Employees in her department will be wearing masks inside, leading by example. The CDC recommends wearing masks in indoor places when there is a higher risk status.
•Bonita Underbakke commented on ditch spraying to control wild parsnip during the Citizens Input portion of the meeting. She said spraying ditches will not eradicate wild parsnip and it is a waste of tax payer dollars.
•County Engineer Ron Gregg stated he was able to secure additional funding from Bridge Bonding Funds (Local Bridge Replacement Program) for the replacement of a bridge on CSAH 29 in Newburg Township. The funds total $77,052. The grant agreement says if any money is left over it must be returned and any cost over the grant must be picked up by the county. Gregg said the project may not get done this year if the pipes don’t become available. The grant participation agreement with MnDOT was approved.
An agreement between Fillmore County and the city of Rushford for the design and construction of canoe launch access road within Rushford city limits was approved. The county serves as the fiscal agent for the dispersion of funds.
Approval was given to amend the joint powers agreement between MnDOT and Fillmore County for the sharing of the Chatfield Shop facility. The amendment extends the agreement for an additional two years.
•The transfer of Roxane Alden to Recorder’s Office as an accounting technician lead effective October 1 was approved.
Approval was given to move Kayla Pierce, account technician, to property appraiser, effective August 23. Approval was given to seek an account technician for the Assessor’s Office from the candidate pool, if there is a viable candidate. Five will be interviewed this day.
The resignation of Troy Soiney, highway maintenance specialist, effective August 17, was approved after 19 months of service. A request to advertise for a replacement highway maintenance specialist was approved.
The current county surveyor’s last day is September 7. Ron Gregg discussed the possibility of a licensed surveyor covering two counties to act as a consultant to take on the licensing function for the county. This will be discussed further in twoweeks.
•The appointment of Ramona Johnson to the Extension Committee was approved.
•County Administrator Bobbie Hillery presented a very preliminary budget for 2022. The last GO bond payment will be due in 2024. Insurance was figured in at an estimated 12% increase. Hillery said the insurance increase could possibly be only 2.5%. The preliminary levy has to be approved by September 30.
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