The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on February 4, 2025. Murray County Medical Center CEO Luke Schryvers presented his monthly report of activities to the Board. End of the year statistics were great, according to Schryvers. Acute admissions, Swing bed days, observation stays, surgeries, ER visits and Clinic visits were above 2024 numbers. The current available cash is over $10M. The end of the year saw a positive net income of $554,747. Debt has decreased to $1.25M with the mortgage from the last remodel slated for final payment in 2027. Plans are being made to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the February 1, 1951 first admission to the facility next year in 2026. MCMC will continue to participate in the SW MN Private Industry Council’s internship program. Three college students were hosted in 2024.
Historical Museum Director Nick Demuth received the OK to serve wine at the upcoming fundraiser, “Day After Valentines Day” dinner.
The date of March 13 was set for the opening of bids for two highway projects. One will be for bituminous overlay of CSAH 42 and 47 along with CR67. The parking lot of the highway department is also included. The other bid opening will be for reconstruction of CSAH 13 (Valhalla Road). Contractors have expressed interest in these projects.
Jean Christoffels and Carl Nyquist both requested the Board’s support in requesting continued funding for AIS and for Nyquist’s position of Emergency Manager. AIS is funded with grant monies. Nyquist’s salary, wages and benefits are entirely funded with federal grant monies.
Sheriff Heath Landsman requested the purchase of two stand up desks at a cost of $3973.00. Gun permit funds will be used for the purchase. He also requested the per capita payment to the Buffalo Ridge Drug & Violent Crime Task Force. The cost of $4.50 each for 8179 residents of Murray County totals $36,805.50. An effort is being made to replace federal grant monies with State funding.
Landsman also informed the Board of Department of Corrections’ proposal to require additional personnel to operate the jail. Those costs would force the closing of many smaller facilities such as the one in Murray County. A closure would make it difficult for work release inmates and for those scheduled for court hearings.
Bids were opened for the proposed new Cattleman’s building on the fairgrounds. Ankrum Construction was the sole bidder for construction at $141,300. Slayton Plumbing & Heating was the sole bidder for plumbing at $43,285. The concrete bid was awarded to Huset’s at $43,072. The lowest of three bids for the electric work was Mears Electric at $23,500. Murray County will contribute $110,000 toward the structure with the Cattleman Ass’n funding the balance.
