The Murray County Commissioners heard an update from Terry Nelson of Woodstock Communications during their first meeting of the month on Tuesday.
Woodstock projects are in various stages of the process, but what they have named the Skandia Project, partially funded by a Border-to-Border grant, is struggling with archeological issues, Nelson said. The grant was awarded in January of 2025, but permitting issues are taking a toll. Over $650,000 has been spent on permitting and they are not done yet. The project – which covers 95 miles of fiber with 180 homes passed – has been slowed down as Woodstock is unable to plow in many areas due to archeology. When they have to change routes because of findings, then archeology crews have to come out again as routes are adapted to the findings.
Nelson said by the time the project is done, they will have spent $1 million in permitting and directional boring.
Other projects include a Shetek Line Extension grant that covers Edgewater Bay, Lake Shetek Drive and Valhalla and Keeley Islands. Archeology has not been as much of an issue on this project as they were able to use the sewer project study, Nelson said, but there is one area on Valhalla Island where state dollars cannot be used due to a potential burial ground.
Wireless upgrades are being made on several towers, Nelson said.
Another project that was supposed to be funded by a BEAD grant is at a standstill. According to Nelson, zero dollars of the grant have been used since they were awarded 5 years ago. Woodstock was awarded just over $1 million, but Nelson said politics got involved. His personal opinion is that the program will fold and the money will be sent back to the feds.
“We are considering backing out due to the uncertainty of the program and problems such as fiber shortages and permitting requirements,” Nelson said.
To finish covering all of Murray County in fiber would cost about $25 million, he estimated. His question for the commissioners was whether there was interest in partnering on some small projects. If the projects were not using state and federal dollars, they could be done without the archeological studies. That would make the projects happen faster and at a 10 to 20 percent reduction due to permitting alone, he said.
While commissioners want to see the county completely served with fiber, things are not looking good for the county, Commissioner Loy Woelber said.
In other county business, commissioners approved a change in dimensions for the lot size that is to be used for Soil & Water when they move to a new location at the county recycling area. Also approved was the $49,069 quarterly allotment for Soil & Water.
Commissioners approved a sewage treatment grant agreement, a conditional use permit for a feedlot expansion and a Plum Creek Wind limited construction agreement. Also approved was a Des Moines River Watershed Partnership cost share agreement for the sealing of several wells.
Commissioners considered changing the CDL requirements attached to a job description at the highway department, but County Attorney Travis Smith suggested that labor counsel be consulted before any decisions are made.
Human Resources Manager Chrissy Harris asked commissioners to approve an annual employee survey, which would be the same as the Your Voice Matters survey sent out last year.
“We would like to see how our culture is doing in Murray County,” Harris said.
Commissioner Jackie Meier commented that annual reviews were already being done, stating that was how employees could voice their thoughts. Harris explained the Your Voice Matters survey is anonymous.
The first survey, which took place last summer, led to an investigation against the then-administrator and resulted in that person resigning on the condition the investigation against her was dropped.
Both Meier and Commission Dennis Welgraven voted against repeating the survey.
“I don’t like the anonymous portion,” Welgraven stated. “I say no.”
They were outvoted 3-2, and the survey will be sent out to Murray County employees.
