Houston County Commissioners Work Through Lengthy Agenda

Chairman Eric Johnson, called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Board of Commission to order at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

All board members were present, Dewey Severson, Chairman Eric Johnson, Robert Burns, Bob Schuldt and Grey Myhre.

The meeting agenda was approved with one item pulled from the list of action items.

The board approved the minutes from the August 6 board meeting and August 13 workgroup session. Chairman Johnson recused himself from voting on the August 6 meeting minutes because he was not in attendance.

There was no public comment.

The revised consent agenda was approved: 1. Cindy Augedahl will be on unpaid leave from mid-September until mid-October. 2. The 2023 Annual Disclosure Statements for City of Spring Grove Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts for the year ended December 21, 2023, was reviewed. 3. Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Darlene Johnson’s job status was changed from part-time probationary to full-time probationary. 4. Darlene Johnson will be on unpaid leave from October 22 through November 8, 2024. 5. Approved the banding and pay rate change of Administrative Legal Assistant Cindy Augedahl and Julie Von Arx-Abnet from B23 non-exempt to B24 non-exempt, Step 7 backdated to May 26, 2024. 6. As of August 26, the employment status of social worker, Abigail Bendel, changed from probationary to regular.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the aquatic invasive species prevention aid resolution number 24-25. This is an annual request of the board.
• Appointed Dave Melbostad of La Crescent, a seasonal camper at Wildcat Park and Landing, to the county’s parks committee.
• Approved the Bolton & Menk contract to prepare the runway 13/31 clear zone acquisition plan. A MnDOT grant will cover 75% of the cost, leaving the county’s share at $2,500.
• Approve the contract with Next Chapter Technology for CaseWorks for the accounting department. The project cost will be covered by a state MA unwind grant.
• Tabled the allocation of ARPA funds and contract with Next Chapter Technology for CaseWorks for the social services version and the allocation of ARPA funds of up to $15,000 for data transfer associated with CaseWorks Social Services project until the numbers are confirmed. 
• Approved the purchase of two vehicles. The board approved after inspection purchasing a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse LT with 48,331 miles, six cylinders, all-wheel drive for $13,500 from Tri-State Auto Outlet Corp., Hokah. The second vehicle is a 2019 Equinox for $17,499 with 41,901 miles on it from Apple Auto, La Crescent. In case the Traverse does not pass Burns’ inspection, the board approved the 2017 Ford Edge from Tri-State with 32,927 miles for $16,700 as an option. Burns emphasized that both cars will be purchased in Houston County.
• Ratified the 2025-2027 MCCC/TriMin Systems addendum to the 2022-2024 master agreement for the Integrated Financial System support.
• Tabled taking any action regarding HR contract and facilities until Interim Administrator Carol Lapham has a chance to study options.
• Approved the payments as presented by Lapham to the turn of $2.6 million, which included a payment of $1.9 million to Dunn Blacktop Company.

The commissioners discussed three major topics during the commissioners’ reports.  One was the Houston County, Historic Jail, solar fields and wind turbines, and the daycare situation in Houston County especially Spring Grove with the closing of The Little Gnome Daycare Center and Preschool. Each topic requires more research before any decisions are reached. It was noted that there are funds available for in-home daycare to help with the daycare situation which is at a critical point.

Houston County commissioners went into a closed meeting at 10:19 a.m. to discuss labor negotiations pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.03, Subd.1. Commissioner Severson made the motion to accept the tentative agreement between Houston County and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schuldt with all voted in favor except for Commissioner Burns, who abstained due to a conflict of interest.