By Joanne Bergman The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on June 17, 2025. Ducks Unlimited and MN DNR discussed the acquisition of land included in Judicial Ditch 27 that spans both Murray and Lyon Counties. The ditch will be partially abandoned with changes planned in 2026 that will restore 36 wetland areas. Private tile owners were assured that they will have access to the area for repair of their tile lines.
Sheriff Heath Landsman was present for the Public Hearing for Dangerous Dog Ordinance. Citizens Dodi Haugen and Mike Nelson both spoke in support of the ordinance. The ordinance will give the Murray County Sheriff’s Department the ability to prosecute an owner of a dog that is a danger to the public. The Commissioners approved the Ordinance. Sheriff Landsman urged the cities of the county to adopt the same ordinance.
Sheriff Landsman also presented a contract with the City of Fulda to provide Emergency On Call Service by his department. This will happen when Fulda does not have an officer on duty to respond to calls. If possible, Landsman’s department is to be advised of the Fulda schedule.
A Joint Powers Agreement for Cannabis Enforcement and Regulation was approved adding four Murray County cities and 10 townships. A Retail Cannabis and Hemp Business Registration Application and Fee Schedule was also adopted. The County was delegated to register retail cannabis businesses under the agreement. The fee schedule will be presented for an end of the year review.
Parks Director Justin Hoffmann was given approval for rental of horse barn stalls. On the recommendation of the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee the rental fee was set at $35 per day with an additional $10 if parks personnel has to clean the stall. Two bales of wood chips are included in the rental fee.
The Commissioners filled a vacancy on the Extension Committee with Sharon Staples. She was one of three applicants for the position.
On the recommendation of the Board Marcus Feit will be hired as Deputy Sheriff following completion of his POST requirements.
Elizabeth Hoffman, Director of Plum Creek Library, presented her annual report. On the requirement of the State of Minnesota all of the system library directors have completed the Collection Development course work. The 50th Anniversary of Plum Creek Library System was celebrated. A new delivery van was purchased with the use of funds on hand without the need to cut into the salaries budget as had been the case in the past. The libraries are funded by County and State so are not affected by loss of federal funding. Inter library loans are federally funded and will need to be supported by other sources.
The last item on the agenda was discussion of Phase Two for the Highway Department Building. Some items had been removed from the original design of the facility to keep the costs in check. The fuel island, salt shed, two cold storage buildings and a larger generator are estimated to cost $3.5M to complete along with another $1M for design and fees. Construction was approved for early 2026 construction to be funded with State Aid monies on an 84/16 cost share. The sale price of the old building and site is expected to cover the County share of the project.
