By Joanne Bergman The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October 01, 2024. Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter presented one request for Subordination of a septic system loan with action of the board to approve it. The Board accepted three donations for the third quarter of the year. Phil Kramer and the Murray County Ag Society each paid to offset the cost of a new bench for use during the fair. The Peoples Association of Lake Sarah (PALS) donated $2000 to offset the cost of the picnic shelter in East Lake Sarah Park.
Douglas and Kathryn Stockton, residents of Arizona, offered a lot situated between two residential lots in Lake Wilson.
Currently there are abandoned cars and overgrown trees that would become the responsibility of the County. Maintaining the property would also be problematic with no other nearby areas to care for. The Board therefore refused the donation of the lot in the City of results brought a $9.9 million in funds for the 54 EMS agencies in this 18-county service area. A recent strategic financial and operational assessment identified 39 potential actions for evaluation. Of those, eleven will become the focus on services, marketing and updating the overall facility strategic plan.
September was a standard month with continued growth with an increase in patient services in all categories over the past year. Current cash available is $9.6 million with patient receivables expected to be collected in the amount of $3.4 million. Year to date positive income is $367,374.
Jean Christoffels had one Conditional Use Permit for approval. In Section 1, Mason Township, Dave Kremer will be allowed to install an ornamental lighthouse on the point of his lot on Lake Shetek using an alternative method of elevation.
The Commissioners approved the DNR acquisition of 12.5 acres of land in Section 1, Cameron Township from Mc-Cord-Laible. The payment, in lieu of taxes, will be $259 until it is reassessed. It will become a Wetland Management Area open to hunting and fishing.
A resolution was approved naming Janice Moen, Ryan Blom and Jeff Davis to the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System Board of Commissioners for a term of four years beginning January 1, 2025 and expiring on December 31, 2028.
There was a lengthy discussion of providing a forgivable loan to Wonder World day care facility in Slayton. A new building is being proposed for the day care facility following the loss of their lease at their current location. Arguments ranged from it being an important service, a needed service for those employed in the County and as an investment in the County. Successful grant applications will look at the amount of support to the project. Negative arguments included it being a support to the City of Slayton and not a county wide project. There were questions of whether other projects, e.g. daycare or housing, would also be viewed favorably if financial support were requested. The answer was “Yes”. An amount of $750,000 in a forgivable fifteen-year loan was proposed with additional funds recommended from the remaining ARPA Fund. No funds to be transferred to Wonder World until the goal of $3.5 million was met. In a final vote Commissioners Thiner and Welgraven voted “No”. Commissioners Malone and Gunnink voted “Yes” with the deciding “Yes” given by Chair Meier.
