-
Alt Text for Image
The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 with all members present. Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter was given authority to pay any end of the year bills prior to being approved by the Board. Ditch bills were approved for engineering on CD22 $1044, CD41 $504, JD3 $630 and JD6 $162.
Ditch Inspector Travis Radke along with Robert Mathiowetz were present to acquaint the Board with a problem on CD 87, Lake Sarah Township 36. The tile installed in the 1920’s, has been found outside of the easement area marked on the map for a lot purchased by Mathiowetz. He will be unable to construct a home on the lot unless the tile line is moved. County Attorney Travis Smith will work with Ditch Attorney Kurt Deter and Radke to find a solution for moving the tile.
Robbie Kidman came before the Board to discuss the status of a repair petition #2020-029 on County Ditch 34 in Ellsborough Township, Sec 24. Work has not been undertaken due to the reluctance of one landowner to allow spoils of a clean out to be deposited on the easement on his land. Radke and Kidman will work to determine the current width of the ditch at that point and find the most economical method of completing the repair.
A Public Hearing was held for input on the 2022 County Fee Schedule. The schedule has been reviewed with all the departments and published prior to the hearing. No comments were received.
Economic Development Director Justine Wettschrek received the Board’s approval for a $70,000 Revolving Loan at 3.75% for a term of seven years as gap financing to Dr. Jenn Reith. She is purchasing the Slayton Vet Clinic with a proposed signing date of January 3 dependent on SBA approval.
Human Resources Director Ronda Radke presented a listing of the staffing levels of each department. This is an annual procedure. The meal reimbursement was once again set at $50 daily. Mileage reimbursement was set at the IRS rate, currently at 58.5 cents per mile. The 2022 Commissioner salary was set at the current $21,000 plus $100 per diem for committee meetings. The salary of the Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter currently at $85,000, after much discussion was increased $9,999 to meet the average salary of auditors in neighboring counties. The salaries of other elected officials were raised 5.5% to stay in line with increases given to other employees with satisfactory performance evaluations. That increase brings the Coun ty Recorder Karen Brown to $68,575, and County Attorney Travis Smith to $89,675. Sheriff Steve Telkamp remains at the current $88,680.00.
The Board agreed to an amendment to Preferred One Service Agreement. $19 will be paid for each employee in the plan monthly with a possible $29,000 returned to the County’s self insurance plan from rebates paid by drug companies for prescriptions filled with their medications. The seven counties in the collaborative will benefit from the change.
Historical Museum Coordinator Jakob Etrheim received the Board’s authorization to apply for a $10,000 Legacy Grant. The monies will be used to find a publisher and editing a history of End O Line Park. The manuscript has been completed by Janet Timmerman with publication expected prior to fall 2022 to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the park.
Discussion continued on the ventilation and mold problems in the Law Enforcement Center. The system was installed in 2012 with complaints first noted in 2018. Some changes in operation of the system were discussed with the design work for a new system to move forward at this time.
Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter presented the final budget and levy worksheets prior to receiving approval of the 2022 figures. The levy was set at an increase of 4% and cannot be raised. The budget was set at $8,309,623 with County Revenue at $5,472,480, Road and Bridge at $1,518,504 and Human Services at $1,318,639.
