Houston County Clerk Allison Wagner announced at the October 11 Houston County Commission meeting that the commissioners extended the date to participate in the Comprehensive Land Use Survey to October 31, 2022. The online survey is available at https://bit.ly/Houston-County-Comp-Plan.
Chairman Greg Myhre promptly called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. He led commissioners and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioners unanimously approved the meeting’s agenda with two additions and the minutes from the October 4 regular board meeting.
Commissioners in attendance include Chairman Myhre, Teresa Walter, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson. Robert (Bob) Burns was absent.
The commission unanimously approved the consent agenda. Personnel Director Tess Arrick-Kruger submitted a request to hire James Sweet as a probationary highway maintenance specialist, effective October 24, 2022. Sweet’s employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. In addition, the commission was asked to confirm the appointment of Denise Becker to serve on the Water Planning Committee. The three-year term expires on December 31, 2024.
Commissioners approved the out-of-state travel request from County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski to attend the NACE (National Association of County Engineers) conference in 2023. Commissioner Waters said, “It is an honor to have our Houston County Engineer serve as president of a national trade organization.”
The commission approved Chief Deputy Brian Swedberg’s request to purchase a 2020 Chevy Tahoe from the City of Spring Grove for $42,000.00.
The Commissioners tabled Facilities Manager Tess Arrick-Kruger’s request to amend the Collaborative Design Group Facilities Utilization Study Agreement to include the Justice Center, thereby increasing the utilization study cost by $13,250.00, for a total cost of $63,130.00. Chairman Myhre asked Arrick-Kruger to invite the Collaborative Design Group back to the October 25 commission meeting to negotiate changes to the contract. Due to the lengthy planning process, there is miscommunication regarding which county-owned buildings should be included in the facilities utilization study.
The commission set a date for the Truth in Taxation meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 6 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
The next regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting is Tuesday, October 25, at 9 a.m. in the county commission board room 222, located on the second floor in the historic county courthouse, Caledonia, or via the county conference call line (312) 626-6700 enter ID: 994-7297-7175 and password 368422. Public attendees are requested to mute their line until addressed.