After several months of negotiations, a professional services contract with the City of Spring Grove for law enforcement services was unanimously approved by the Houston County Board of Commissioners at its regular board meeting on January 6. The board also recognized 16 employees for their service to the county.
Sheriff Brian Swedberg informed the board that the Spring Grove contract had not changed since the commissioners last reviewed it. The contract runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. The cost of the contract in the first year is $220,000 for one deputy providing 70 hours of coverage every two weeks. Every subsequent year includes a 5% cost increase.
Houston County employees recognized for their service to Houston County included:
- 30-year award – Sheila Schroeder;
- 25-year awards – Suzanne Bublitz, Ann Diersen, Holly J. Gleason, Shawn Peter and Luke Sass;
- 20-year awards – Duane Brownlee Jr. and Andrew Milde;
- 15-year-award – Kelly Petersen;
- 10-year-awards – Joann Curley, Michael Meiners, Leah Mikle, Danny O’Heron, Kelly Rohland, Robert Schuldt and Haleigh Sierzant.
The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by Chair Pro Tem and County Coordinator Brent Parker. All commissioners – Cindy Wright (District 1), Eric Johnson (District 2), Kurt Zehnder (District 3), Bob Schuldt (District 4), and Greg Myhre (District 5), were present.
At the first meeting of the year, the board conducted elections for the 2026 chair and vice chair positions. Commissioner Greg Myhre was elected board chair by roll call vote, receiving three votes in favor; Commissioners Johnson and Wright voted in opposition. Commissioner Cindy Wright was unanimously elected vice chair by roll call.
The meeting agenda and the minutes from the commissioners’ regular board meeting held December 30, 2025, were unanimously approved.
Several public comments were made by Houston County residents regarding the elimination of the state’s shotgun-only zone for deer hunting that went in effect January 1, 2026. Speakers emphasized safety concerns and asked that it be kept the way it is. The board was asked when a public hearing would be held on the topic. Myhre said that the board would discuss the issue at its workgroup meeting on January 13 after consulting with the county attorney. It was noted that public hearings are posted on the county’s website and official newspaper.
The agenda listed three appointments: a public hearing to implement new real property protection fees; recognition of county employees for years of service to the county and opening sealed bids for the official newspaper for 2026.
Consent Agenda
The board unanimously approved the Caledonia Argus as the county’s official newspaper for 2026 at $3 per column inch.
The board adopted Resolution No. 26-02 and 26-03, granting account powers for Merchants Bank N.A. and ESB Banking. According to the agenda request form, powers were granted to County Auditor/Treasurer Polly Heberlein, Finance Director Carol Lapham, and Chair Myhre.
After accepting the resignation/retirement of Appraiser Kelly Petersen, Appraiser, the board thanked her for her 15 years of service to Houston County residents.
Other Action Items
Houston County Recorder Michelle Werner explained the reason for implementing new real property protection fees during the public hearing. No public comments were received. The board unanimously approved a $75 fee for each property notice, a $75 fee for each consent and a $75 fee for each request, as allowed by statute.
The board approved a request from Houston County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski to authorize the use of an alternative method to disseminate bids and requests for transportation proposals. Pogodzinski explained that this allows the highway department to use the county website.
The board approved designating the County Coordinator Brent Parker as clerk of the Houston County Board of Commissioners.
Resolution No. 26-06, designating 2026 annual appropriations included as part of the 2026 operating budget, was approved as requested by Finance Director Carol Lapham.
The board approved paying the bills totaling $41,456.39 as presented by Lapham.
The final order of business was to review and appoint the 2026 Board of Commissioners Committee appointments.
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