By Joanne Bergman The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, December 03, 2024. The County will continue to be the agent for the 2025 Snowmobile Trail Assistance Program. The monies are received to support upkeep of the trails. It comes to the County as a check then issued to the Driftbreakers.
The fee paid to townships for pocket gophers will remain at $2.00 each. The fee paid for beaver control in county parks and drainage ditches will remain at $75.00. The Solid Waste Assessment will remain at $24.00. The 911 sign assessment will remain at $3.00 per parcel. The monies are used to replace signs especially at intersections.
CEO Luke Schryvers presented the monthly report of the Murray County Medical Center. October was a great revenue month with 18 acute admissions. 2024 has seen an increase of 29 admissions for a 22% increase. Swing bed days have shown a 26% increase. Clinic visits have increased by 940 year to date. Financially a positive $310,134 profit is shown year to date. Chronic Care Management will become available January 1st. The goal is to monitor medicare patients to complete preventative screenings and routine visits to reduce hospitalizations.
County Recorder Karen Brown received approval for a five-year renewal of the Fidlar contract currently being used for land records. The public and businesses have on line access to those records through the program.
Sheriff Heath Landsman advised the Commissioners that he will be canceling the contract with the City of Fulda to provide part time services. He anticipates a staff shortage of three officers by the end of the year. The contract requires a 90 day cancellation notice.
Zoning Administrator Jean Christoffels advised the Board of the decision of the Planning Commission to deny the Conditional Use Permit of Doug Rupp for the rezoning to allow the Pelican Bay 2nd Addition on Lake Sarah. The application was considered too broad with any changes potentially opening the area for other types of business. There was also concern expressed regarding the inadequate road to the site.
The meal reimbursement will remain at $50.00 for 2025. The Board will continue with a schedule of three meetings a month. At times one of those will be used for workshops or planning meetings for the commissioners. The final decision of a levy amount was postponed until the December 17th meeting. The changes discussed at this meeting in regard to funding the $250,000 to update the lighting at the racetrack have the possibility of reducing the levy from 5.84% to 3.10%.
