Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
At the July 16 regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Commission, the board appointed Finance Director Carol Lapham as the county’s interim administrator effective July 16. She will serve in this capacity until December 31, 2024.
Houston County taxpayer Michael Warner expressed his support for Carol Lapham as interim administrator. Based on his personal experience Warner said that “Our county is in a state of chaos, some self-inflected and some from outside sources.”
Commissioners in attendance included Dewey Severson, Chairman Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre.
The agenda was approved as presented. The minutes from the July 2 board meeting and the July 9 workgroup session were unanimously approved as written.
Commissioners unanimously declared a state of emergency for conditions resulting from the heavy rains and flooding event of June 16, 2024.
Sheriff Brian Swedberg recommended that the commissioners approve a boat patrol mutual aid agreement between the county and Vernon County, Wis. Swedberg explained that two officers are required in the boat. With this agreement there will be one deputy from Houston County and one from Vernon County in the boat. The agreement was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Burn proposed doubling the wheelage tax from $10 to $20, projecting an additional $200,000 for county road projects. The motion to increase the wheelage tax passed three to two with Commissioners Johnson and Schuldt dissenting.
During the closing public comment period, Warner said that the increase constituted a 100% tax increase. In response to Commissioner Burn’s concerns about seniors facing increased property taxes, Warner noted the availability of state property tax refunds for eligible individuals. He raised questions about non-resident property owners using county roads and the impact of unlicensed equipment causing road damage. Warner advocated for a levy approach stating it would be fairer. Commissioners confirmed that licensed ATVs which are considered recreational vehicles are exempt from paying the wheelage tax. Warner strongly hopes that the board will rethink their decision.
After his presentation, Chief Medical Examiner for Southern Minnesota Ross Reichard, M.D. summarized that 2024 was a stable year in Houston County. In 2023 there were no homicides in Houston County.
Polly Heberlein presented the Annual Disclosure of Tax Increment Districts for the Year Ended December 31, 2023, for the city of Caledonia shared by David Drown Associates, Inc. public finance advisors, for review. There were no questions or comments by commissioners.
Routine business items on the consent agenda included the resignation of Environmental Services Director Martin Herrick, the appointment of Amelia Meiners as the Houston County Zoning administrator, initiate a competitive search for a full-time Environmental Services specialist, the resignation of Human Resource Director Theressa Arrick-Kruger effective September 6, and the resignation of Accounting Clerk Cynthia Melbostad. Kruger and Melbostad were thanked for a combined total of 46 years of service to the county.
In other business, the board:
• Approved the Root River Trail Extension trail plan and a letter of support for the City of La Crescent for a TIIP planning and design spine extension application. The letter of support is not a cost-sharing agreement.
• Approved paying an estimated $350 to replace the rear passenger car window in Kimberly Frank’s car;
• Approved the first purchase with funds from the opioid settlement. Total cost to purchase 25 Naloxone boxes, 15 AEDs, and create educational material is $32,000;
• Approved the payments.
The meeting of the Houston County Commission was adjourned at 10:33 a.m.
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