Chairman Eric Johnson called the August 26 regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners to order at 9 a.m. Johnson opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board members present were Cindy Wright, Eric Johnson, Kurt Zehnder, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre.
The board unanimously approved the agenda with a motion by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Commissioner Zehnder. The minutes from the regularly scheduled August 19 board meeting were approved with a motion by Commissioner Zehnder, seconded by Commissioner Wright, with Commissioner Schuldt abstaining.
Public Comments
Houston County resident Deb Wray addressed the commission regarding the possible purchase of the ABLE building to house county offices. She expressed concern that there has not been an opportunity for county residents to voice their opinions. Wray also raised the issue of the historic jail, which was not included in the study conducted a few years ago. “What was the result of the study? Consider that maybe your answer is right next door, the historic jail is structurally sound. Retrofitting historic building is done all the time with great success,” she said. Going forward, please consider all options and research all options. Keep the public informed of your plans, have a public meeting and present the needs for county offices. Tell the public what your research found, what where the pros and cons of each solution. Consider where the county should be in 10 years down the road. This is a big step.”
Another Houston County resident, Shane Eastman, shared more statistics supporting the safety of hunting with a rifle, a topic previously emphasized by other residents. He included data from various state Departments of Natural Resources (DNRs), demonstrating the safety of using rifles for deer hunting.
Commission Business
Commissioner Zehnder made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Commissioner Schuldt seconded. The motion carried. The sole item on the consent agenda was the approval of the employment status of Melissa Burrow, deputy auditor/treasurer, from probationary to regular, effective September 5, 2025.
A motion by Commissioner Wright to approve the payments, as presented by Interim Administrator/Finance Director Carol Lapham. Seconded by Schuldt, the motion carried.
Report Highlights
Lapham reported that all the department budgets have been submitted, allowing the county’s overall budget to be assembled. “As it stands, the overall budget increase is 15.448%,” she stated.
Commissioner Johnson addressed the county’s solar moratorium and solar ordinance, noting a recent development. “As of last week, on the 19th I believe it was, the USDA immediately halted all government loans and grants for wind and solar project on farmland,” he explained. “Solar on prime farmland is immediately stopped.” He reminded the board that under Houston County’s comprehensive plan, commercial solar projects are currently not permitted. “To move forward, the county would have to amend and appeal the comp plan,” he said, adding, “If they are taking away the funding, grants, subsidies, and credits to do this, I kind of feel it is a moot point.” The commission agreed to hold off holding a public hearing in the near future.
The discussion regarding the upcoming USA Cycling Gravel National Championships on September 20 continued from the last commission meeting. Commissioners discussed how to get the word out to organizers of such events that they need to have a user agreement and a traffic plan.
The commissioners went into closed session at 9:40 a.m. pursuant to Minn. Stat. §13D.03, Subd.1, (b) to discuss labor negotiations, including negotiation strategies or developments or discussion and review of labor negotiation proposals, conducted pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25.
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