By Joanne Bergman The regular meeting of the Murray County Board of Commissioners was held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Ditch Inspector Travis Radke had three repair petitions for review. Two of those were in Lake Shetek Township and one in Leeds Township.
Economic Development Director Justine Wettschrek presented information during the public hearing on a Murray County Home Initiative application. Eric and Mindy Janssen will be purchasing a custom built home to place on a lot at 311 Cotter St. in Iona. The couple will relocate from their current home in Blaine MN. The estimated value of the completed home is $220,000. The application was approved by the Commissioners to grant a five-year abatement of County real estate taxes. All other taxes will remain in effect. The abatement is available for Murray County residents completing a new year round residence during the current three year period.
Parks Manager Justin Hoffmann presented one bid for the construction of a new picnic shelter at Seven Mile Park in Fulda. The project was approved for $35,000 with the bid from Jerome Schreier. Parks staff will be doing removal and concrete work. Hoffmann also outlined a project for new concrete along fifteen feet of the north wall in the Horse Arena to be completed at this time. The plan calls for completion of the south wall after the fair. Matt Beek submitted the low quote for the first half of the project.
Human Resources Director Ronda Radke has completed the hiring of two additional Season Museum Assistants. Carson Engelkes will be a first-year hire with Jesse Ray returning for a second year.
Sheriff Heath Landsman was given approval for a Joint Powers Agreement forming the MN Anti Heroin Task Force. The State of Minnesota project will reimburse staff for overtime incurred investigating opiod overdoses.
During the course of the meeting information was received of the success of two projects affecting Murray County approved in the legislative bonding bill. One was for $1.32M for use of the Casey Jones Trail. The second was $4.2M for dike reconstruction on Valhalla Rd (Co. Rd 13). The official notice will be forthcoming.
The legal firm of Rinke Noonan represented by Hannah Schaherl will be filing a Civil Claim on behalf of Murray County and County Ditch 11. The action will ensure the rights of the County to legally pursue payment of damages and expenses incurred with the collapse of the ditch under Highway 30 near Lake Wilson six years ago. The County is asking $154,016.89 to cover those expenses that have become the responsibility of that small system.
Highway Engineer Randy Groves, along with staff accountant Lisa Saner, presented the annual financial statements of the department. The report is broken down into costs of the State Aid highways, maintenance and construction, bridge replacement projects, county road construction and maintenance, township bridge replacement. All labor and materials expenses are tracked for each road system for the report and must be submitted to receive aid money from the State. Tax revenues were $9,421,203.72 with expenses at $9,158,602.99. Townships receive highway monies based on number of road miles and population based on a MnDot formula with the money funneled through the County. A minimum maintenance road remains eligible for funds if it is maintained at least eight months of the year.
Groves is expecting the Currie bridge replacement to be completed and open for traffic beginning June 15. He has been notified that expenses relating to major flooding of roads in 2018 are expected to be reimbursed soon, adding $182,000 to funds.
Groves questioned the Board members regarding appropriate action to be taken as memorials are being placed in road ditches that may become dangerous to other motorists. He was advised to use MnDot guidelines and to act with compassion towards those mourning loved ones.
