By Joanne Bergman In the final meeting of 2025, the Murray County Board of Commissioners set the 2026 levy and set salaries of elected officials.
The final levy amount to meet the County’s budget for 2026 was set at $10,024,548, an increase of 8.13 percent. While not happy with the needed increase, the Commissioners all voiced concern of an even larger levy in the next budget year if an increase was not made for 2026.
A motion to approve the salary of commissioners by 3 percent to $24,675 was approved. Per Diem for attending assigned committee meetings was revised from $100 to allow an additional $50 for a second or lengthy meeting on the same day.
Salaries for elected officials were set for 2026.
Murray County Auditor/Treasurer Heidi Winter received an increase of $14.9 percent, for a total of $125,000.
Murray County Attorney Travis Smith received a 5 percent Cost of Living increase, along with the equivalent of a onestep increase totaling 7.5 percent over his current $103,810 salary.
Murray County Recorded Karen Brown received a 6 percent increase in her current $79,385 salary.
Murray County Sheriff Heath Landsman received a 10 percent increase, bringing his salary to $137,500 for 2026.
Murray County Emergency Management Director Carl Nyquist received approval of an Emergency Management Performance Grant in the amount of $14,440. This is 20 percent lower than in previous years. This grant is intended to partially cover his salary and benefits. Nyquist also informed the commissioners of a settlement with FEMA in the amount of $63,000 for damage to ditches in 2024.
The Slayton American Legion was reimbursed in the amount of $259.35 for sausages stored in the 4H Building freezer that spoiled when a breaker was accidentally turned off recently.
The levies on the numerous drainage ditch accounts were finalized. This is needed when expenses on a system exceed the balance of a particular account. The funds are loaned with interest from accounts that have a balance.
Fund balance changes were approved with $40,000 transferred from Sunrise Terrace to the General Fund. This is a yearly payment made to cover a $395,000 loan made to cover shortages during a period of low occupancy. $234,775.89 was transferred to the General Fund from funds remaining in a Debt Service account. The General Fund transferred $150,000 to the Drainage Fund to be repaid with the sale of bond proceeds.
An agreement for legal services for zooming matters was approved with the firm of Squires, Waldspurger & Mace. The annual flat fee is $5,500, which includes advice, consultation and short letters on nonrecurrent matters. Research or drafting will be billed at hourly rates.
Highway Engineer Randy Groves received approval of payment of the final amount for the Iona Bridge Replacement and the road striping contract. A bid opening date of January 29,2026 was set for a culvert replacement on CSAH 38 near Robbins Slough. Approval was given to the contracts for the construction of a new storage building, salt shed and a fueling island to complete the highway department’s new site on Highway 30 west of Slayton. Thirty-four bids were received in nine different categories of work on the project. All bids presented were reviewed and deemed responsive. Total contract costs were under anticipated costs of $4.4M at a total of $4,047,660.00.
Human Resources Director Sharon Giese received approval for a state mandated Family & Medical Leave Policy for County employees, to take effect January 1. The policy will ensure compliance with the law and will provide consistent guidance for employees and supervisors.
An extension of three months was approved to the lease agreement of Southwest Health & Human Services for the building on Maple Road.
