The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. All five of the commissioners were present at the meeting. As is normal practice, the meeting was available to the public live via zoom. The link can be found on the Murray County home page https://murraycoun- com/ Ditch Inspector Travis Radke had three ditch repair petitions to present: Judicial Ditch 20 in Bondin Township, Section 17 was not approved for repairs with Commissioner Thiner’s position that the dry weather has dried up the flow of the ditch. The beavers can be removed as they are currently in season. The petitions for repair of County Ditch 65 in Murray Township, Section 1 and for Judicial Ditch 7 in Fenton Township, Section 29 were both approved for repairs.
The Murray County Soil & Water Conservation District quarterly allocation was approved following the report of activities. The district has $500,234 in funds committed to projects with a total budget of $874,905.
Carol Biren, MN Department of Health, was on hand for discussion of the $299,445 of Opiod Settlement Money that is slated for Murray County over the next eighteen years. Public Health is preparing to administer the use of those funds as directed in the settlement, if Murray County would decide to go in that direction. The Commissioners want to hear the discussion in neighboring counties before going forward with the decision.
Steve Erickson was on hand to discuss an increase in funding for the local pound. He has the contract with Murray County, the City of Slayton and the City of Fulda to handle stray animals collected by law enforcement in those entities. The current contract price of $7,000 a year is not covering his costs and he asked for an increase to $12,000 to cover 280 days of care. Animals not considered strays but impounded for other reasons will be charged at $25 a day. The system has been working well for all of the parties without any other options available, so the Commissioners did agree to the contract.
Chief Deputy Heath Landsman requested the purchase of a 2022 vehicle to be used for under cover use at a cost of $44,080. The funding will come from his 2023 budget and will replace the current 2016 vehicle used for that purpose. Vehicles have been difficult to obtain so he felt that he should take advantage of the opportunity. No further information was provided on the vehicle due to its use. The purchase was approved.
Jean Christoffels and Sarah Soderholm asked for a representative of the County on the Cottonwood-Middle MN One Watershed, One Plan Board. Lori Gunnink volunteered with Molly Malone to serve as second. Submission of the DesMoines River One Watershed, One Plan Joint Powers Agreement was also approved.
A Snowmobile Trails and Safety Resolution was approved for a one year period.
The continued work on the Government Center building was approved with a cost increase of $68,500. This was over the $60,000 ceiling that had previously been approved. Updates include solar panel replacement, decommissioning underground tank, and the mechanical room updates. Only one proposal had been received for the work. Any change orders will come at an extra cost.
For the present, the current house on the recently purchased Doom property will remain intact. The Commissioners will wait for more definite plans for the use of the property before demolishing the building. Utilities with the exception of the sewer have been disconnected.
