At the county board’s November 26 meeting, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reviewed the many contributions and accomplishments of Duane Bakke, both in service to the county and the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC).
Bakke is to be honored with the Distinguished Service Award during a luncheon at the AMC conference on December 10. He will be one of four receiving an award.
The well-deserved recognition follows 26 years of service as county commissioner and his leadership in numerous boards and commissions. Noted about Bakke: He is the definition of a legacy leader who works to bring people together; Bakke asks tough questions and encourages others to get involved; He has served in several leadership roles at the AMC, including as AMC president. In this capacity he worked to bring 87 member counties together.
Bakke has testified at the state capital and played a critical role in bringing a State Veterans Cemetery to Fillmore County.
Hillery said the award is deserved and Fillmore County citizens should be proud, as he represents all of us.
Other Business in Brief
- Finance director Christy Smith reported a CD in the amount of $240,000 at MAGIC is maturing; it was invested for six months at 5.55% interest earning $6,746.30. Smith offered options to reinvest the funds; interest rates may be trending down. She recommended reinvesting $229,000 for 24 months at 4.4% with MAGIC. The balance of the funds will be placed in an F & M Community Bank general account. The board voted to reinvest the funds as recommended.
- County Engineer Ron Gregg presented seven bids for the bridge replacement projects on CR 101 and CR 117. The low bid submitted by Midwest Contracting, LLC in the amount of $410,169.50 was approved. The two box culvert replacements will be paid for with Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds. The engineer’s estimate for the projects was $543,715.20.
Five bids were submitted for a bridge replacement project in Preston Township. The low bid submitted in the amount of $284,526 by Generation X Construction was approved. The engineer’s estimate for this project was $357,771.80.
The above project bids are the first to be approved for the 2025 project year.
Commissioner Randy Dahl praised Gregg for his efforts; 2024 projects are basically completed. Going out for bids early for next year’s projects can result in better prices for the county.
- Bakke reported on the Highway Committee meeting. The county is the fiscal agent for snowmobile clubs. MnDOT asked the county to sign off on a permit for a snowmobile route in the Rushford area (Valley Crest Riders). Bakke said the county is not interested in signing off on that permit for liability reasons. Gregg noted no agreement has been sent to the county for its consideration. No action was taken.
The county has been leasing a lowboy trailer, and it was considering purchase of the trailer at the end of the lease. However, the one being leased is too close to the ground. The 2025 budget includes funds for the purchase of a lowboy trailer.
- The Truth in Taxation public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. on December 3.
Leave a Reply