Input Sought on Key Houston County Government Roles

The Houston County Board of Commissioners set the date for two public hearings at its October 7 commission meeting. The purpose of the hearings is to allow residents an opportunity to voice their opinion and ask questions regarding the appointment of the auditor/treasurer and recorder positions versus electing them.

Commissioners agreed that public hearings should be held during the day and in the evening to make it more convenient for residents to attend. The first is scheduled for October 28 at 9:05 a.m. and the second is scheduled on November 12 at 6 p.m. in room 219. Two more public hearings will be scheduled at a later date. The commission will make a decision after the first of the year on whether the positions will be elected or appointed. 

All commission members were in attendance: Chairman Eric Johnson, Cindy Wright (District 1), Eric Johnson (District 2), Kurt Zehnder (District 3), Bob Schuldt (District 4), and Greg Myhre (District 5).

The meeting agenda and the September 23 minutes – with one correction – were unanimously approved.

The approved consent agenda included one personnel item: the employment status of Community Health Worker Susan Felten was changed from probationary to regular, effective October 15.

In other business, the board:

• Approved a request from Public Health to apply for a $15,000 Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care grant to support the Children’s Dental Clinic Mobile Unit. The program provides services to underinsured or uninsured individuals in Houston County. If awarded, the funds will be available at the beginning of next year and will be used to cover transportation costs from the cities. The grant does not require a match.
• Set a fee of $1,000 for a Type V septic system. Environmental Services Director Amelia Meiners explained that the department’s fee schedule is missing a charge for this type of system. Recent submissions will require this type of system. 
• Approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Cloud I Services LLC to build a telecommunication tower in the Agriculture Protection District in Mayville Township. The Planning and Zone (P&Z) committee recommended approval with two standard conditions.
• Approved a CUP for Cloud 1 Services LLC to build a telecommunication tower in the Agriculture Protection District in Wilmington Township. P&Z recommended approval of the application with two standard conditions. Commissioner Myhre abstained from voting since the tower is going to be built on his property.
• Approved a CUP for Tim and Gwen Nelson to build a dwelling on a parcel smaller than 4 acres within the Agriculture Protection District in Yucatan Township. Environmental Services Director Amelia Meiners noted that the Nelsons plan is relocate a historic home from another site to the property.
• Adopted Resolution No. 25-35, the Prioritized Bridge Replacement List. The list includes four bridges (West Beaver Road, Pfeffer Valley Road, R249, and Sylling Road) for a total of $1,497,509, with $1,385.509 requested from township or state bridge funds and $112,000 from local or state aid funds. The work on the bridges is scheduled to take place in 2026 and 2027.
• Adopted Resolution No. 25-36, granting final acceptance of CP 2025-06, Contract No. 340 with Scott Construction Inc., for the bituminous seal coat project. The total cost is $506,558.62.
• Approved the 2025-2027 labor agreement between Houston County and Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc., Local #577 (Chief Deputy Unit), contingent upon review and approval by the County Attorney. Personnel Director Brent Parker noted that Local #577 consists of a single staff member.
• Approved payment of bills totaling $908,610.76, as presented by Interim Administrator Carol Lapham.
• Set the date for the county’s Truth and Taxation meeting. It will be held on December 2 at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the budget.