By Joanne Bergman The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in its first meeting of the new year. Commissioner Jackie Meier was elected as chair person and Commissioner Molly Malone as vice chair as the first item of business. Other members of the board include: Dave Thiner, Dennis Welgraven and Lori Gunnink.
Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter was given approval of several items. By resolution she was authorized to pay certain claims with a due date prior to the Board’s meeting date. As a cost savings, the website will be used as the primary posting location for the annual audit. The website will also be used as the primary location for posting the listing of paid claims. Approval was given of a 2024 liquor license for Trail’s Edge as a seasonal business.
The bid opening for publication of County business was held with the Murray County Editorial Group as the lone submission. The group includes the Wheel/Herald, The Fulda Free Press, Murray County News and the Advantage. The cost has increased from $13.50 to $14.00 per column inch.
Murray County Medical Center CEO Luke Schryvers presented a monthly report of activity. The bottom line for November was positive at $73,209 for a year to date profit of $274,848. This is well above the negative $243,000 that had been projected.
The report on personnel included the resignation of Tom Bergman as of December 15. Year to date 28 new employees have been hired. The only open positions are for a casual RN and a radiology tech.
Dr. Rupp will begin offering tele-med nephrology services. Dr. Byron began on December 19 offering surgical services three Tuesdays each month.
November saw high numbers of inpatient and ER visits. Respiratory was busy with Covid, flu and RSV patients.
Sheriff Landsman informed the board of the possible sale of some of the used body cameras and related equipment recently purchased. A price of $200 per camera and $800 for a docking station will be offered to Pipestone County. Landsman assured the board that he will be retaining an adequate number of the units for the use of his department.
On the advice of the Planning Commission the Conditional Use Permit of Lundblad Holdco LLC for 1W solar garden in Section 22, Slayton Township, was denied. The location would limit the land use of the area especially for residential development. A change in location or design of the site will require a new CUP and the accompanying review process. The job titles for Museum positions were changed to better reflect the jobs. No change in salary were necessary for this change. The Museum Coordinator will become Museum Director. The Site Coordinator title will now be Collections Manager. Museum Site Coordinator-End O Line changes to End O Line Supervisor. Hopefully the changes will aid in recruiting for the current openings.
