Houston County Board of Commissioners signed Resolution 26-08 as amended opposing the proposed 765 kV “Gopher to Badger Link” transmission project within Houston County at the regularly scheduled commission meeting on February 17.
Chairman Greg Myhre called the meeting to order at 9 a.m., in Room 222 of the Historic Courthouse in downtown Caledonia. Myhre led his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda, and the previous minutes from the February 3 board meeting, the special board meeting on February 4, and the workgroup session on February 10.
During the public comments the board heard from Sheila Schroeder who thanked the commissioners for listening to herself and the group on the MariBell Transmission Line project and for preparing the resolution on the agenda today which hits all the points identified by the group. She kindly encouraged the board to vote yes on the resolution.
At the end of the meeting, Director, System Planning & Operations Steve Porter, P.E. read a statement on behalf of Dairyland Power Cooperative. The statement read in part, “Dairyland’s vision is to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective energy to our member distribution cooperatives, which includes MiEnergy here in Houston County. Throughout Minnesota’s state permitting process, Dairyland’s goal is to have an open dialogue with impacted landowners and communities.” Dairyland assures the Houston County Board that many of the questions and concerns raised in the resolution will be addressed through the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) Certificate of Need and Route Permit process.” He noted that additional open houses are planned for April and that comments will be able to be submitted as the PUC considers the application submitted by Dairyland Power and Xcel Energy.
The following four personnel items and two land agreements on the consent agenda were unanimously approved: hire Christine Novak as an Accounting Clerk and Lynn Buhl as a Child Support Officer. Transfer Dianna Kerns from a Social Worker to a Child Protection Social Worker. The board also approved a competitive search for a full-time social worker and awarded the renting of the two parcels of land at the airport to the highest bidders and approved the land agreements.
Environmental Services Director Amelia Meiners asked the board to approve the purchase of a Recycling Truck, 2026 Western Star 47X Palfinger HT 500 hook truck at a cost of $245,773.07 including sales tax, registration, and title transfer fee from Dave Syverson Truck Center which was unanimously approved.
Before County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski discussed his purchase requests, Commissioner Johnson said, “Get the checkbook out,” causing everyone to laugh. Pogodzinski first confirmed that all the following pieces of equipment are in the 2026 budget. The board unanimously approved the purchase a 2027 Western Star 47X Tandem Chassis for $163,556 from Syverson Truck Center; a plow truck box from Towmaster for the Swenson body at a cost of $217,462; a mulching head from Diamond Mowers for the 72” drum mulcher for $49,950; and two Vermeer 5050 mowers from Hammell Equipment for a total of $26,899. The board tabled the purchase of a new Skid Steer from RDO Equipment giving the department time to get a local quote. Commissioner Johnson noted that the board prefers to buy local.
In other business, the board:
- Approved separating public health and human services into two distinct county departments.
- Approved the 2026 annual contract with Ability Building Community (ABC). The only changes are the rate increases, 3% increase to individual services, and a 2% increase in redemption costs.
- Approved a cooperative agreement detailing agency responsibilities with the City of Houston regarding project SAP 028-013-013 located within the City of Houston.
- There were no questions for Finance Director Carol Lapham regarding the payments which were unanimously approved for payment.
Before the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m., County Coordinator Brent Parker reminded the board of the upcoming public hearing on March 3 at 6 p.m. The board was also reminded that the Bluff Country Collaborative (BCC) Career Fair/Hiring Event will be held on March 11.
Leave a Reply