The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, December 8 having missed the regular meeting date on Tuesday. This allowed their attendance at the annual meeting of AMC.
A Conditional Use Permit has been approved by the Planning & Zoning Board to allow Verizon to construct a 250 ft telecommunications tower in Section 27, Lake Sarah Township in 2023. The tower will improve service to that area.
Approval was given for the necessary signatures on a Memorandum of Agreement for the Cottonwood-Middle Minnesota Watershed.
Approval was given to move forward with a Rental/Redevelopment Program brought forward by the Economic Development Authority as presented by Justine Wettschreck. The program will provide $60,000 for the repair of rental properties or to redevelop older homes for rental or resale. The grants available on a first come first served basis are a one-onone match at 2% interest, six month deferred first payment and due in five years. $20,000 will be made available for a Treasurer Heidi Winter’s is currently set at $93,999; Recorder Karen Brown’s is at $68,575 and newly elected Sheriff Heath Landsman’s is at $88,680. Other County employees have been granted an increase of 5% plus COLA for the upcoming year. No action was taken at this meeting as the Commissioners consider a decision at the next meeting.
Staffing matters were discussed with Human Resources Manager Ronda Radke. With the resignation of County Assessor Marcy Barritt advertising will begin for that office. A 90 day interim will be considered at the next meeting. Full Time License Clerk Laurie Hill will also be resigning. Part time clerk Tessa Risacher will move to the full time position with a the part time position to be advertised. Gerald Lawson has been hired as the part time recycling worker.
An amendment was approved by the Commissioners to accept Pipestone County as a member of the SWMN ACE program. The actual annual costs of the program will be shared. In addition Thirty Five cents per resident will be assessed for the first year totaling $3,299.
The Commissioners will continue to meet three times a month on the First, Third and Fourth Tuesday although Commissioners Molly Malone had argued for a schedule of twice a month. Malone felt that $10,000 a year could be saved in Per diems with the change.
