During the Houston County Commission meeting on February 13 John Pugleasa, director of Public Health and Human Services, outlined the intended utilization of housing funds allocated by the Department of Revenue.
In 2023, $26,242.00 was allocated and must be spent by the end of 2024. The allocation for 2023 and 2024 is a total of $98,990, and Pugleasa estimates that the annual allocation through 2028 will be around $50,000. Pugleasa explained that his department is looking for ways to work with families that are experiencing homelessness or ways to prevent families from becoming homeless such as rental assistance, case management, or mortgage payments. Pugleasa emphasized that the funds are for local families with children.
Public Health received an allocation of $192,000 for 2023 and 2024 for affordable housing which is not very much for “bricks and sticks.” Pugleasa is working with the county EDA to see what it would take to create a local housing trust fund. This money could then be leveraged with other funds for rehabbing homes.
Chairman Eric Johnson said that this is the first time that he knows of that there are not any items on the consent agenda or any action items. The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the February 6 regularly scheduled board meeting as written.
Board members in attendance included Dewey Severson, Chairman Johnson, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre. Commissioner Robert (Bob) Burns was absent.
John Bell, 508 S. Marshall Street, Caledonia, stood before the commissioners to express his surprise at the increase in his real estate taxes. Bell vented his frustration at trying to find out who is responsible for the increase. He stated that he keeps getting the “run around” from the state and county, adding that he still doesn’t know who is responsible. Secondly, Bell wants to know why the county blocked his emails. He has informed the state, and they are looking into the matter. The board assured him that they are receiving his emails including the one(s) referring to his concern about blocked emails. Bell believes that the county should make sure that all Houston County real estate taxpayers are made aware of state refunds. Bell questioned why the county is not sharing those resources with residents. It was confirmed that the rebate is listed on the back of the state designed property tax form. Since it was a public comment, no action was taken regarding Mr. Bell’s complaints.
Chairman Johnson informed his colleagues of potential new legislation proposing sanctuary state status being introduced in the 2024 legislative session. According to the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, The North Star Act (SF2724, HF2860), “A bill for an act relating to public safety; making Minnesota a sanctuary state for immigration enforcement purposes; restricting state and local officials from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts.” There was no discussion or action taken at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting is Tuesday, February 27, 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.