At the January 27 Houston County Commission meeting, County Coordinator Brent Parker announced that the public hearing on the use of rifles for deer hunting has been rescheduled from February 3 to February 4 due to precinct caucuses being held on February 3. An additional public hearing on the topic will take place on March 3 at 6 p.m. Both hearings will be held in the basement of the Houston County Criminal Justice Center in Caledonia.
A separate public hearing will be held during the regularly scheduled commission meeting on Tuesday, February 3. The purpose of that hearing is to gather public input regarding whether the auditor/treasurer and recorder positions should be changed from elected to appointed positions. The commission meeting starts at 9 a.m.
Chairman Greg Myhre called to order the meeting at 9 a.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda and the minutes from the January 20 regular board meeting were approved as presented.
Public Comment
Several county landowners addressed the board regarding the MariBell Transmission Project, noting that despite community open houses, there remains a lot of unanswered questions.
Sheila Schroeder, representing a growing group of concerned landowners, outlined a list of concerns which included project need, electromagnetic fields, noise levels, stray voltage, land acquisition, GPS interference, cell phone tower interference, increased electric costs, cost-benefit analysis, 911 communication towers, airport interference, wildlife and hunting, damage to Houston County’s beautiful landscape, roads and bridge damage, and soil compaction.
The group asked for the commissioners “support in trying to discourage the placement of these lines in our area.” Caledonia business owner Kristina Hauser asked whether a moratorium was an option. A moratorium would give time for the county to gather answers to their constituents’ questions. The county stated it would look into that possibility.
Dayva Goetzinger from Houston County, urged commissioners to hold Dairyland and GridLiance accountable, stating, “We are still having these conversations and having to advocate for property, our beautiful homes, and for our children.”
Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda was unanimously adopted including Resolution No. 26-06 2026 establishing the 2026 Houston County Absentee Ballot Board, as well as the resignation/retirement of Danny O’Heron, Recycling Center Lead, effective April 9, 2026. The board thanked O’Heron for his 10 years of service to Houston County residents.
Action Items
Houston County Assessor Luke Onstad recommended that the board approve a 2026 property tax abatement totaling $5,450 for Larry Ledbhre, whose home was destroyed by fire on November 8, 2025. A motion by Commissioner Johnson to approve Onstad’s recommendation was seconded by Commissioner Zehnder, passed unanimously.
Onstad also recommended that the board approve the 2026 unpaid Green Acres payback amounts to be added as parcel-specific special assessment tax and adopt Resolution No. 26-07. Commissioner Zehnder made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Wright. Before voting, Commissioner Johnson asked Onstad if the property owners had been notified, which Onstad confirmed that they had been sent two letters. The motion passed unanimously. Onstad also explained that if the property was sold, the new owner must re-apply within 30 days to continue the deferral; otherwise, the payback is triggered. New owners are notified, so they are aware of the program and their responsibilities.
Human Resource Director Brent Parker recommended that the board approve advertising for a full-time appraiser and a full-time recycling center lead (B23). Both were unanimously approved.
Treasurer Carol Lapham explained that the $45,314.82 payment to Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative (MnCCC) “is a lot of our programming costs and they’re typically paid quarterly.” Being there were no questions from the board, Commissioner Zehnder made a motion to pay the bills, and Commissioner Wright seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Adjournment
After the commissioners’ reports, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
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