Houston County Board Postpones Decision on MCIT Snowplow Settlement

At its April 22 meeting, the Houston County Board of Commissioners deferred action on a $215,171 settlement offer from the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) related to a county owned snowplow that was totaled this past winter. The board is also considering the purchase of a 2026 tandem axle truck and plow box as a replacement but opted to wait for additional information before making a final decision.

Board Chair Eric Johnson expressed concern over the offer, stating that he believes MCIT’s offer is “light.”

Coincidentally, MCIT Risk Management Consultant Jim Karels presented the association’s annual report. 

The session, which began at 9 a.m. and was opened by Chairman Johnson with the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting agenda and the minutes from the April 15 commission meeting were approved as presented. All five commissioners – Cindy Wright (District 1), Eric Johnson (District 2), Kurt Zehnder (District 3), Bob Schuldt (District 4), and Greg Myhre (District 5) – were in attendance.

Houston County farmer Don Peterson, a board member of MiEnergy Co-op, referenced the county’s solar moratorium. He urged the board to limit solar development to 40 acres,  a measure he believes would discourage large commercial developers from using hundreds of acres of prime farm land to converted into solar fields. He added that keeping projects under 48 acres allows them to be built within the substation footprint. “Keep solar power local,” he emphasized. Peterson also noted that, as of now, 1,102 MiEnergy members have solar installations on their properties. 

EDA Director Allison Wagner introduced Jayme Longmire, Community and Economic Development Associates’ (CEDA) newest employee. Longmire will be working four days a week in Spring Grove. Longmire is a resident of Spring Grove, where she and her husband Patrick are owners of Fat Pat’s brewery and restaurant.

The board unanimously approved the five items listed on the consent agenda. These include the change in the employment status of environmental specialist, Jeremy Burt, who will move from probationary to regular status. The board also accepted the resignation of Shane St. John, Highway Department mechanic, and expressed gratitude for his 2 ½ years of service to the residents of Houston County. A competitive search will be started to fill the full-time Houston County Highway Department mechanic position. Additionally, the board considered and approved a Minnesota gambling permit, for the Goodview-Winona Youth Hockey, located at Money Creek Haven, Inc. 18502 County 26 in Money Creek Township. The permit will remain in effect perpetual unless the county enacts an ordinance requiring annual renewal. Finally, the board approved a request from the Saint Paul Port Authority for Houston County to place Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) special assessments on three parcels in Houston County for Green Terrace Properties LLC. These assessments, carrying a 6.0% interest rate over 10 years beginning in 2026, will apply to the following parcels: 21.0767.000 and 21.0769.000 both in the city of Caledonia, and parcel 24.0534.002 in Houston

In other matters, the board approved:

1. Last year’s feedlot program annual and final report.
2. Adjusting the appointed department head job descriptions to state “Reporting to County Administrator”  instead of “Reporting to Board of Commissioners.”
3. Advertising for a deputy recorder instead of a chief deputy recorder.
4. Accepted the low quote from REVISE for website development and design to maintain ADA compliance for a total of $37,900. Installments of $7,580 to be billed over the next five years.
5. A credit card for the county recorder’s office. Administrator Carol Lapham explained that the county no longer issue credit cards to individuals. They are instead issued to departments.
6. The claims as presented by Lapham.

The board was reminded of the upcoming Bluff Country Collaborative Career Fair & Hiring Event, rescheduled to Wednesday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at the La Crescent Area Event Center. 

The meeting concluded following a closed session discussion on labor negotiations.