HOME INITIATIVE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST
The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on August 2, 2022 in the first session of the month. Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter presented the Commissioners Warrants and the Ditch Bills for approval. She also brought forward the report of the ARPA committee for expenditure of the funds that will total nearly $1.6M at the completion of the program. The current requests were for $46,750 to update the HVAC system for the data center located in the courts building. The 60-80 month expected delay for equipment was unexpectedly shortened with an offer from the supplier for a unit for which another order had been canceled. Another $76,224.63 was approved to line all of the sewer lines in the Courts Building after cracks have been discovered.
Ditch Inspector Travis Radke presented the ditch repair petitions. One for County Ditch 40 in Section 25, Bondin Township; the second for Judicial Ditch 17 in Section 10, Slayton Township. The repair of JD 17 that is located along the Slayton Golf Course was denied due to the depth of the tile line and further damage that will be caused while doing the repairs.
Chief Deputy Heath Landsman requested $16,970 to outfit the new 2022 Tahoe patrol vehicle that arrived unexpectedly. It is normal expense to add all of the needed law enforcement equipment to a new vehicle.
A County Veterans Service Office Operational Enhancement Grant was accepted. This allows for Veteran Service Officer Jim Reinert to provide outreach services. This grant maintains service “as usual”.
Zoning Administrator Jean Christoffels received approval of the Des Moines River Watershed plan. There are thirteen county entities involved in the effort. There is a 60 days review period of the plan. The Conditional Use Permit extension of 60 days was granted for the plan of Doug Rupp for development of 24 residential lots in Section 24, Lake Sarah Township. The parcel of land is in the Flood Fringe District and awaits a decision on the wetland type/delineation application from the Murray Soil and Water Conservation District. His plan calls for placing 1,000 cu yards of fill on the low lying area of the development. The CUP will be delayed as Rupp voluntarily agreed to an environmental assessment worksheet. He also stated that he will increase the scope of the project to 29 lots as allowed following an EAW.
Murray County Economic Development Coordinator Justine Wettschreck received approval for a Home Initiative based on information from other counties. New home construction, not for vacation or recreational purposes, will be exempt from County property taxes for five years on the increased value of the land. The initiative will go into effect January 1, 2023
