By Joanne Bergman The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 with a short agenda. Ditch Inspector Travis Radke had three new repair petitions to present. One was on Judicial Ditch 12 in Bondin Township, the second on County Ditch 20 in Lowville Township and the third on County Ditch 75 in Slayton Township.
County Sheriff Heath Landsman requested $14,811.24 to upfit Unit #175, a vehicle he had not expected to receive in 2023. The new unit will replace a 2017 Expedition that will be sold. The new unit is the second vehicle to be replaced this year. County vehicles are now supplied through Enterprise on a rotating basis.
County Engineer Randy Groves made a request and received approval for three new trucks for the Highway Department. One new 2023 Chevrolet Silverado will be purchased on state bid from Karl Auto Group at a cost of $50,549.00. Two new 2022 diesel units will be purchased from Billion Automotive at a cost of $55,000, a price discounted for the department.
Human Resources Manager Ronda Radke informed the Board of the upcoming resignation of License Center Supervisor Dawn Butler as of October 2nd. Radke will be starting the recruitment process. Starting wage for the position is $21.28 to $27.67.
County Administrator Carolyn McDonald asked for Public Meeting for a Cannabis Ordinance on August 15 at 9:00 a.m. The proposed ordinance will prohibit the use of cannabis in public places and places of public accommodation in Murray County. The Minnesota legislature passed the adultuse cannabis bill this season legalizing the use, possession and sale of cannabis in Minnesota. The cannabis can be self grown, received as a gift or purchased on an Indian reservation for private use as of August 1.
ANOTHER SHORT AGENDA FOR COMMISSIONERS
By Joanne Bergman The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, August 01, 2023. Ditch Inspector Travis Radke and landowner Rick Miller were on hand to discuss the placement of a private crossing to allow him access to 32 acres of farm land in Skandia Township. Of concern to Miller was the size of the culvert that would be required. After discussion of the size of other tile culvert in the ditch it was decided that a 48 inch culvert would be effective. Miller will also be working with County Engineer Randy Groves as the field access will be from a County road.
Luke Schryvers, CEO of the Murray County Medical Center presented his monthly review to the commissioners. A new contract has been signed with Dr. Snow with his role to be more focused as the part time hospitalist and acute care coverage in the clinic. His endoscopy procedures will continue on a weekly schedule.
Urology services with Dr. Gillett will start in August with a full schedule of patients on that date. Paige Freeman has become certified to offer Advanced Care Planning for patients.
Hospital admissions have declined 44% over last year to date numbers. Surgeries are have declined 33% over last year’s numbers. Emergency Room visits and Clinic visits have both increased over the same period of time.
Overall cash has increased to a total of $8.6M with a sharp decrease in patient receivables as days in AR have decreased. Gross revenue in June was $2.2 with a year to date negative income of $40,576. “Not a terrible number, according to Schryvers, but not where they want to be.”
A Public Hearing on a Murray County Home Initiative application of John and Rose Rueb was held with discussion lead by Economic Development Director Justine Wettschrek. The Rueb’s will be building a new home at 16 Royal Oaks Rd, Garvin with an estimated value of $646,300 as a permanent residence. The application was approved.
Jean Christoffels presented the final plat of Sunrise Shores Addition. The plan calls for five riparian lots and three nonriparian lots on 34.59 acres in Section 21, Lake Sarah Township. The plat was approved on the recommendation of the Planning Commission.
A Conditional Use Permit will allow EE Solar LLC to construct a 1MW Community Solar Garden. The garden will be located in a Rural residential district in Section 21, Slayton Township owned by Gaylen Jensen. The major concern in regard to the solar garden related to the glare that may affect the home to the west of the garden. As recommended by the Planning Commission the developer will be required to construct a fence on the west side of the garden with ten foot high slats to prevent glare. Another of the the twelve requirements for the project was the removal all equipment and debris if the garden is ever discontinued.
In the final action of the board, Mary Magnus was approved as the part time Sunrise Terrace meal server.
