During the Citizens Input portion of the September 1 board meeting, Reverend Anders E. Nelson of the Mabel-Henrytown Tri-Point Parish accompanied by people from the area spoke in support of free and fair elections.
He said he is hoping to ground people with the facts. Nelson said, “We want to be visible and build connections with the board. We want the board to be accountable for holding free and fair elections. We support the board and thank-you for your work and service. We have a democracy pledge and would like to chat with you.”
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery noted she had given a power point presentation for the League of Women’s Voters. This allows residents to see the equipment for the election. Commissioner Duane Bakke said a forum on the elections is a good idea. Hillery said she will record a presentation about the elections and make it available publicly.
2027 Budget
Hillery offered a trimmed down 2027 budget to the board. She had reduced a preliminary levy increase of 11% down to about 8.5%. Two proposed positions to be filled in 2027 were eliminated; a Land Use Director for the Land Use Department and an additional eligibility worker for Human Services. Cuts or adjustments were also made in Sanitation. An additional full-time position in Sanitation was kept in the budget at this point.
Hillery will continue to look for ways to reduce the 2027 budget. About 2.5% of the increase in the 2027 budget is due to federal cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and tightening federal waiver policies shifting Medicaid funding cuts to the states. The state has passed a portion of these costs on to the counties.
Hillery will continue talking with department heads looking for more cost reductions. The preliminary budget and levy for 2027 is required to be approved by the end of September. The county generally has used those preliminary numbers in the final levy to be approved in December.
Other Business in Brief
• A resolution was approved to hold a special election to fill the District 3 vacancy. Chairman Randy Dahl again offered his condolences to the family of Larry Hindt who died on August 23. Dahl said he was a very good commissioner and we will miss him. The special election will be held on February 9, 2027, if there are two or less candidates. If there are three or more candidates, February 9 will be a primary election and the general election will be held on April 13, 2027.
• A request from Sheriff John DeGeorge to purchase a six-month Accurate Controls Maintenance plan for the remainder of 2026 at a cost of $8,504 was approved. The maintenance plan covers the entire building (lights, cameras, etc.).
• County Engineer Josh Lensing provided a list and map of 2027 construction projects. His request to advertise for the 2027 projects was approved.
• Approval was granted for the first full license (retail and on-site endorsements) to Luis Hummel-Microbusiness Registration for 5th Sun Gardens in Lanesboro.
• A Conditional Use Permit was approved as recommended by the Planning Commission for Shawn and Megan Merkel for a commercial use intended to serve agriculture on their property in section 26 of Bloomfield Township. The welding business does work for ethanol plants and farmers. There was no opposition to the CUP at the Planning Commission public hearing.
• A Conditional Use Permit was approved as recommended by the Planning Commission for Nathan and Katie Drewitz for a farm winery on their property in section 17 of Chatfield Township. There is one condition on the CUP; the Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) serving the winery must comply with Minnesota Rules 7080. There was no opposition to the CUP at the Planning Commission public hearing.
• Dahl asked Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins about the possibility of a float tube rental business in his district along the river. He was asking on behalf of one of his constituents. Adkins explained to him that under existing ordinances a commercial business in the Ag District that doesn’t serve agriculture is not permitted. If the owner lived on the property, it could be approved as a rural home-based business, but in this case the owner does not live on the property.
• An access permit for Shayne Schmidt for a new field access on CR 102 in section 15 of Sumner Township was approved.
• An access permit for the widening of an existing driveway for the Kraling Family Farm to access CR 22 in section 8 of Harmony Township was approved.
• Jail Project Paybook #42 in the total amount of $8,111 was approved. These are management fees to Contegrity Group, Inc. Sheriff DeGeorge conducted a tour for commissioners of the finished jail project after the board meeting; they toured the remodeled old jail which is now mostly offices and the new jail control center, emergency operations center (EOC), and sally port (secured controlled entryway/garage).
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