By Joanne Bergman Eric Earhart of the United States Department of the Interior presented an easement to Murray County Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from landowner William Johlfs for Section 26, Mason Township. The easement for 75 acres of grassland and wetlands will be permanent and will remain with the property. The parcel is private property and will not be open to public hunting. It is the intent of the easement to provide for the benefit of wetland bird species and it does not change cropland or other agricultural uses. The Board agreed to approve the easement.
Murray County Medical Center CEO Luke Schryvers presented his monthly report to the commissioners.
A second traveling physical therapist, Elizabeth Hurley, PT has joined the team for up to thirteen weeks. She will work between Slayton, Tracy and Westbrook sites. David Masjewski, PA, has joined MCMC as a locum provider in the Emergency Room to cover shifts as needed. A new XRay unit is being planned with an architect and designer chosen for the project. A portable unit is available for use if needed prior to the installation of the new unit. With the expected downturn in patient volumes for the month there was a net loss of $84,098. October-December numbers are expected to be stronger as is typical for the year end.
Zoning Administrator Jean Christoffels presented and received approval for the Shetek Headwaters Addition. The developer, Doug Rupp, has not completed preliminary work necessary to put the three lots on the market.
Highway Engineer Randy Groves received approval of the Winter Maintenance Work Order for State Highway 267 (Iona to Highway 30) The request for maintenance will come with a payment of $11,500 and will continue past practice by Murray County. Approval was given to authorize advertisement for bids for Phase 2 of the Highway Department building. This phase will add storage buildings, a salt shed and a fuel island for construction in Spring 2026.
Parks Director Justin Hoffmann received approval to allow the racing association to add a 16’x18’ section of catwalk to give pit crew members a view of the racetrack. A smaller section had been built for the last season. There will be no cost to the county for the project. Hoffmann also received approval to prepay $7,500 for hook up to Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water at Swenson Park. The project is planned for 2026 with the prepayment made to avoid a price increase as of the first of the year. Total cost is projected at $40,219.
Two Commissioners were appointed from the nine counties in the Red Rock Rural Water System, Mike Carlson and Jay Mickelson will serve January 1 to December 31,2029.
A job description was approved for an Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator position.This will be used for advertising for candidates for the newly developed full time position.
The hiring of Johnathon Reim as Deputy Sheriff was approved as a requirement for his certification process.
