Houston County commissioners voted August 18 to begin the process to discontinue county operation of the driver’s license center and support a private entity to provide driver and vehicle services to Houston County residents.
County officials said the decision was driven by staffing challenges at the license center, including a recent retirement and an employee on leave. County Coordinator Brent Parker said only a limited number of employees are trained and authorized to perform driver’s license work, making it difficult for the county to maintain the service.
Parker said the county will work with the state to begin the transition process, with the change expected to take place the first of the year. Under the plan, a private individual or entity could become the deputy registrar and continue offering DMV services in Caledonia.
Parker noted that some county employees are not permitted to work in the license center because of their responsibilities issuing passports. “You can’t issue out a passport and issue out a driver’s license,” he said. Commissioners also noted that many motor vehicle offices in Minnesota are privately operated.
Commissioners emphasized that if no qualified operator is found to take over the license center, the county will continue operating it.
Vice-chair Cindy Wright called the regular meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners to order at 9 a.m. in Room 222 of the historic courthouse. Wright then led the commissioners and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board members in attendance included District 1: Cindy Wright, District 2: Eric Johnson, District 3: Kurt Zehnder, and District 4: Bob Schuldt. District 5 Commissioner Greg Myhre was not in attendance.
The board unanimously approved the August 4 minutes and the minutes from the August 11 workgroup session.
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included transferring Melissa Jordan to a full-time Child Support Case Aide position and Lee Langager to a full-time Certified Minnesota Appraiser position; authorizing a search for a full-time assessor tech clerk; accepting the resignation of child support officer, Karen Fryseth and authorizing a competitive search for one full-time child support officer; appointing Anne Yakle and Kate Snodgrass as Ballot Board members for the State General Election to be held November 3; approving an exempt gambling permit for for the Caledonia Girls Court Club for raffle activities at Ma Cal Grove Country Club on October 23; reviewing the 2025 Annual Disclosure Reports for the City of Spring Grove and the City of La Crescent Tax Increment Financing Districts for the year ended December 31, 2025; and paying the bills.
The board authorized aid to prevent aquatic invasive species, noting that it is an annual board action.
Parker said Public Health is asking residents to complete its community health survey. Feedback will help guide local programs, services, and priorities that support a healthier future for all. The anonymous survey is available at www.compassnow.org and on the county’s website.
Before the meeting was adjourned for the day, there was a lengthy discussion regarding the proposed Gopher to Badger Link 765 kV High Voltage Transmission Line Project.
Commissioners expressed frustration that even though they received a response, they did not get concise or direct answers.
Commissioners made clear they oppose the proposed 765 kV transmission line, saying they remain concerned about the project’s impact on Houston County and the lack of direct answers from project representatives.
Commissioner Kurt Zehnder said he has repeatedly asked how the project would benefit Houston County but has not received a satisfactory answer. “I’ve gotten zero on how it benefits Houston County,” Zehnder said. He questioned why residents should bear any cost for a project he believes offers them no clear benefit, adding that he is “adamantly, publicly adamantly against this” and stands with the residents.
The board also heard from three representatives of the NO765MN, a grassroots group opposed to the proposed transmission line. John Pugleasa, Charles Wray, and Kyle Johnson stressed the need for the board to submit a comment with supporting documentation to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) next month.
The representatives expressed their thanks to the board for approving a resolution last fall opposing the proposed transmission line.
Commissioner Schuldt ended his report by saying, “See everyone at the fair.”
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