The Houston County Board of Commissioners wrapped up the year with a full agenda for their final meeting on December 31. Chairman Eric Johnson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led both the board and the standing-room-only audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioners present included Dewey Severson, Chairman Eric Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre.
The agenda and the minutes from the December 17 commission meeting were unanimously approved.
Sheriff Brian Swedberg recognized three members of his department with Life Saving Awards for their heroic efforts on November 30 at 3 a.m.; Sergeant Zach Swedberg, Dispatcher Pat Molling, and Deputy Ethan Meyer all went above and beyond the call of duty. The trio played a critical role in searching for a woman who had left the scene of a domestic violence situation on foot in 10-degree weather. The woman was found unconscious face down partially in the frozen water of the Root River. Due to their dedication and teamwork, the men saved her life. Sheriff Swedberg presented each man with a plaque for their service.
During the public hearing on a proposed 12-month countywide moratorium on building commercial solar fields in the county, local farmers Sheri and Andy Allen urged commissioners to consider a shorter three-month moratorium. They said that a year-long moratorium would negatively impact their plans for the Wild Turkey Solar Project, a 5-megawatt solar field capable of providing power for over 1,000 households. The proposed project, located in the town of Caledonia, would be built on approximately 27.5 acres of land of a 109 acre parcel and serve the nearby town of Caledonia. Beth Esser, a project manager from OneEnergy, an independent solar development company based in Madison, Wis., and Kent Whitcomb, vice president of Member Services for MiEnergy Cooperative, addressed the board and answered the commissioners’ questions regarding the Wild Turkey Solar project and commercial solar developments. Both offered assistance in developing a permitting process and ordinance for the county. The board approved a six-month moratorium.
After 18 months of discussion and questions, the commissioners adopted the cannabis business ordinance with the changes proposed at the December 11 special commission meeting.
The MnDOT Limited Use Permit (LUP) for nighttime, two-way use of snowmobile trails was denied following the advice of the county attorney due to liability concerns.
The next item of business was to approve the consent agenda. Five items were on the consent agenda: 1) Hire Tami Klinski as a full-time Deputy Auditor/Treasurer. 2) Hire Cynthia Kincs, as a 7-day Public Health Nurse to assist the WIC clinics. 3) A contract with Woods Psychological Services. 4) The 2025 MFIP/DWP contract with Workforce Development (WDI). 5.) 2025 tobacco licenses for the River Valley Convenience Store, Houston Food Mart, and Dollar General.
In other business the board:
• Approved Houston County Hauler License renewals for 2025.
• Approved the Ability Building Community contract and Richard’s Sanitation contract and increase for 2025.
• Appointed Peter Privet to the Houston County Extension Committee for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2025.
• Approved Letters of Support for the La Crescent’s Active Transportation grant, Safe Routes to School grant, and Transportation Alternatives grant.
• Approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for bridges located along state borders.
• Approved going out for bids for the eight T-hangers at the airport.
• Approved the final allocation of ARPA dollars.
• Adopted 2024 budget adjustments to accurately reflect various revenues and expenditures and fund balance usage of the Recorder’s technology fund and the compliance fund.
• Adopted the 2025 operating budget.
• Approved a 6.5% wage increase for County Recorder Mary Betz, Sheriff Brian Swedberg, Attorney Samuel Jandt, and the county commissioners.
• Appointed Suzanne Bublitz as the Interim Houston County Attorney as of January 4, 2025.
• Approved Finance Director Carol Lapham’s request to designate County Revenue, Road & Bridge, and Public Health and Human Services as major funds; Debt Service and Capital Projects as minor funds, and established fund number three for Economic Development as a minor fund within County Revenue.
• Adopted the fee schedule for 2025 with one change.
• Approved the claims.
The board thanked Dewey Severson and Robert (Bob) Burns for their service and dedication to the residents of Houston County. Burns served approximately six years and Severson served four years on the Board of Commissioners.
In their last official act, Commissioner Burns moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:58 a.m., seconded by Commissioner Severson. Motion carried.
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