EDA Director Marty Walsh summarized the recently completed Fillmore County Housing Study at the county board’s November 12 meeting.
Maxfield Research and Consulting, LLC prepared the housing study analysis. It concludes with recommendations on the types of housing needed in the county, both now and in the future.
The summary begins with an analysis of the county’s demographics. While the population within the county has been estimated to have expanded by just over 1% in the last decade, it is estimated the rate of growth will climb 5.6% in the next decade to about 22,285 by 2030. Most of the growth is expected along the major transportation corridors.
Currently, about 15% of the population is between 55 and 64, the largest age group in the county. With the aging of the baby boomers, the 65 and older group will increase in the next few years, especially the 65 to 74 age group. Another group expected to grow in the coming years is the 35 to 44 age group.
Eighty percent of the households in the county are owner occupied. This is higher than the home ownership rate across the state (71%). Thirty-seven percent of households consist of married couples without children and 27% are single person households.
Fillmore County has a 3.2% unemployment rate. About 5,638 workers living in Fillmore County commute for work outside of the county. About 2,111 workers commute into the county for work. Another 3,432 workers both live and work within the county. Many of those workers that commute into the county for work come from over 50 miles away. The largest employment sectors are education and health services.
An average weekly wage in Fillmore County is $639, which will make up to $830/month an affordable rent. That wage could make a home priced at about $128,000 affordable. Walsh noted it is hard to build a home in this price range. In this region it will likely cost at least $200,000 to $225,000 to build a house.
Over 90% of the residential units permitted in the county since 2000 were single family homes. Only 8% were multi-family units. Walsh suggested more multi-family and/or rental units are needed, especially in the northern half of the county.
Units for active adults and memory care are in short supply. Memory care units are currently fully occupied. There are 378 senior housing units in the county.
People moving out of Rochester will likely increase demand in Fillmore County in the coming years. Maxfield calculates that there will be demand to support 883 general occupancy housing units in the county between now and 2030 (283 of those being rental units).
Walsh added that we should reach out to Rochester area builders, encourage local developers, and work with the county’s health and zoning departments to meet future housing needs.
Walsh expects some cities will take steps to do some orderly annexation in the near future. A city will need to work with the township. Chairman Duane Bakke commented that part of an annexation agreement is talking a landowner into selling some land.
Other business in brief
•The board discussed and approved changing the position title of the county coordinator to the county administrator. All duties included in the county administrator job description are currently being done by Bobbie Vickerman. Her role will not be changed and the pay will be the same. Vickerman added that nothing will change from what we have now. Kristina Kohn said there will be the same oversight responsibilities and the same authority.
•Former County Assessor Cindy Blagsvedt gave a 30 day notice for ending the contract for assessor services. It was accepted with thanks for her time.
•The hire of Karla Ambrose as the replacement county assessor was approved effective no later than December 9. She has her top tier accreditation, Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor (SAMA).
The return of Brian Hoff to the property appraiser position was approved, effective November 12.
•A request to advertise for a replacement full-time jailer was approved.
•Drew Hatzenbihler, Sanitation, requested an increase in the hauler licensing fee from $75 to $100. The increase was approved.
•Approval was given for a 2019/2020 foster care transportation agreement between the county and Lanesboro Schools. Kevin Olson, Social Services, said all the schools have this transportation agreement in place now.
•The 2020 CEDA contact for Economic Development Services was approved. The contract is unchanged except for a 3% cost of living increase.
•The final payment to Swenke IMS Contracting in amount of $29,521.98 for the Heron Rd. project leading to the Old Barn was approved.
The final payment to Icon Construction, LLC in the amount of $59,416.55 for a bridge on the same road was approved.
•County Engineer Ron Gregg presented a new bridge replacement priority list. Gregg said this is an updated list of bridges needing replacement over the next five to 10 years. Bridges have to be on the list in order to apply for funding. The priority list was approved as presented.
•The commissioners approved a request to have the Public Health Law Center give a presentation to the Fillmore-Houston CHB at the Joint Board meeting to be held on November 26.
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