The Houston County Board of Commissioners spent considerable time discussing the proposed law enforcement contract with the city of Spring Grove during its regular 9 a.m. meeting on December 16. The board ultimately tabled the item to allow time to hear back from Spring Grove officials and to gather answers to the commissioners’ questions regarding the impact of the agreement on Sheriff Brian Swedberg’s budget and as well as the county’s overall budget.
Sheriff Brian Swedberg said that the Spring Grove mayor indicated that the issue was not the level of service being provided.
The proposed agreement is a three-year contract between the county and the city. Under the proposal, Spring Grove would have one full-time deputy assigned to the city instead of two, and there would no longer be a fixed work schedule. Instead of 70 hours every week it is half. The administrative assistant would be part-time, and the language would allow termination “with cause.” It was emphasized that the city cannot cancel the contract for budgetary reasons. The total cost of the agreement is $ 220,000, which is $2,000 more than the city of Spring Grove requested. Each year there is a 5% increase.
The meeting agenda, and the minutes from the December 2 regular board meeting were approved.
At 9:05 a.m., the board closed the regular meeting and entered a public hearing to consider changing the auditor/treasurer and recorder positions from elected to appointed. County Coordinator Brent Parker noted that four public hearings have already been held on this topic, with one additional hearing to be scheduled in 2026 before the board makes a final decision. Houston resident John Haines spoke, expressing opposition to the proposal and emphasizing the importance of protecting the democratic process.
The board then recognized Public Health Nurse, Mary Zaffke, who received the Minnesota Department of Health’s 2025 Betty Hubbard Maternal & Child Health Leadership Award for 2025. Zaffke was given a standing ovation by commissioners, colleagues and members of the audience.
Commissioner Zehnder made a motion to accept the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Wright. The motion carried. Items approved included: Changing the employment status of Emma Walter, deputy recorder, from probationary to regular; accepting the resignation of Nicole Lemke, child support officer; hiring Kohl Betcher as a 67-day temporary/casual drop site supervisor; accepting the resignation of Abigail Bendel, child protection social worker; and adopting the Houston County Policies and Procedures Manual.
Commission Johnson thanked Nicole Lemke and Abigail Bendel for their service to the residents of Houston County.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the 2026-2027 MPCA Feedlot Program Delegation Agreement Work Plan as presented by Houston County Environmental Specialist Jeremy Burt.
- Approved a Social Worker Internship Agreement with Winona State University. It is a five-year agreement and is a good recruitment tool. PHHS Director John Pugleasa said there is a student interested in interning with the department next year. Commissioner Zehnder added, “We do this with the law enforcement side of it, and it works really well.”
- Approved the 2026-2027 Biennial Healthcare Access Plan.
- Approved advertising for a full-time child support officer and a child protection social worker.
- Approved payment of the bills.
Sheriff Brian Swedberg requested a 3.5% increase, which county employees got, and a 3% step increase in his 2025 salary of $141,473. If approved, his 2026 salary would be $150,817. He reviewed his resume, emphasizing what he has done, and then he talked about his plans for 2026, including four safety classes and UTV and snowmobile certification classes next year. He said, “The jail and the Spring Grove contract were the big things.”
Board members updated their colleagues on the meetings they have attended since the last commission meeting and any upcoming meetings.
Since there were no closing public comments, the meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
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