The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on July 5, the first meeting of the month. Meetings are regularly scheduled for the first, third and fourth Tuesday each month. Commissioner Molly Malone currently serves as Chairperson. Dave Thiner, Dennis Welgraven, Jim Kluis and Lori Gunnink make up the remainder of the board.
Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter presented the recommendations of the ARPA fund to be expended for public safety. The first at a cost of $22,000 will be for installation of a warning siren at Swenson Park on Current Lake. Current practice is for the camp host to knock on each camper’s door to advise of weather threats. The second project, at a cost of $4,000, would provide training in the use of sonar for search and rescue operations. The training will be available countywide for emergency personnel.
Luke Schryvers, CEO of the Murray County Medical Center presented his monthly report to the Board. MCMC has been accepted as one of ten facilities to receive training targeting swing bed usage. An additional grant application, if successful, will provide training in the economics of the community and the facility. A podiatrist from Marshall, Dr. Mahoney, will begin service at MCMC on a monthly schedule beginning August 2nd. An additional Emergency Department provider will be sought on a part time basis to share the schedule of one other provider. May and June have been very busy ending on a strong financial basis.
Zoning Administrator Jean Christoffels presented the final plat of Kevin and Susan Carlson’s addition. In Section 12 of Mason Township, the addition shows seven lots and a road right of way. The plat was approved pending legal filings to correct the right of way descriptions.
The results of the annual financial audit report of the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water system was presented by Jason Orby. The audit was described as clean with $93M in assets. Rising costs of the supplies for hookups are a concern and may require action to increase the fees. Requests for service have risen considerably in the past year. In Murray County there are 152 hookups.
Parks Director Justin Hoffmann had only one bid for the Olson Arena Lighting Upgrade. $5200 has been received in grant monies and $4,000 was donated by Compeer Financial to cover the costs. The bid from Engelkes Electric was $9000. A request was discussed for additional outlets in the 4H Building along with LED replacement lights with an estimated cost of $5000. It was the decision of the Board to offer the project to Engelkes Electric on a time and materials basis. The amount is under the threshold required for bidding. The costs will be covered by $2500 in grant monies from Pioneer Seeds and by the 4H Federation.
