Chairman Eric Johnson called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners to order at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Present were Dewey Severson, Chairman Eric Johnson, Robert Burns, Bob Schuldt and Grey Myhre, with Schuldt attending remotely via Zoom, necessitating roll call votes for all decisions.
The agenda was approved as presented, followed by the approval of minutes from the July 16 board meeting as corrected.
During the public forum, Caledonia resident Chuck Schulte stood before the board to voice his opposition to the recently approved wheelage tax increase. He started by stressing that it makes the board look bad when the meeting videos are not uploaded immediately to the county website, adding that he can upload videos from his cell phone before leaving the building. Continuing, he stated that he does not understand “pulling $200,000 out of the taxpayers of this county.” According to Commissioner Burns, the deadline to increase next year’s wheelage tax is August 1. An additional $200,000 of revenue is for the highway department, thus preventing the county from increasing the levy by $200,000. “Why are we being treated so badly by the state,” concluded Schulte. “We need a bigger slice of the pie.”
Shirley Johnson, president of the Houston County Historical Society (HCHS), along with Vice President Deborah Wray, presented the non-profit’s annual report and 2025 budget. Johnson thanked the commissioners for their continued support and noted that the Society has had a good year. HCHS is working on the interior of the First Presbyterian Church of Sheldon due to water damage. The Christian Bunge Jr. Store Museum in Eitzen needs a new roof as do the other buildings owned by HCHS. Volunteers have been busy working on four new exhibits, including the history of the railroad, an art gallery featuring the work of Houston County artists, a display celebrating the 145-year-old anniversary of the Caledonia Argus, and a vintage clothing display. Commissioners are encouraged to check out the displays during the Houston County Fair. Chairman Johnson said, “I learn something new every time I visit.” In answer to Commissioner Burns question about volunteers, the ladies stated that 10 volunteers come weekly, 75 volunteers staff the museum during the fair, and others that come once a week. Recently, a bus tour of 55 people stopped by for a visit.
The approved consent agenda includes appointing Amelia Meiners as the interim County Environmental Services director and initiating a competitive search for an Environmental Services director. Lynn Colsch’s appointment was changed from three quarters time to fulltime and Social Worker Jennifer Curtis went from probationary to regular, begin a search for a full-time probationary PHHS account clerk, and revise the current Public Health nurse search to that of a PHN or staff RN.
In other business, the board:
•Approved the final payment to Nadeau Companies for the taxi lane at the airport. The total cost of the project was $271,312.
•Clarified the July 2 board minutes to indicate repairs to the Spring Grove salt shed and not a new building.
•Approved submitting a UCare grant application to support the renovations at the Public Health Office. The motion does not include a financial commitment.
•Reviewed and approving the payments.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:24 a.m.