County joins economic development initiative
By KURT NESBITT Journal Staff WriterNEW ULM - Brown County will join and support a county-wide economic development effort headed by Bridging Brown County and Brown County Economic Development Partners.
The board adopted the agreement with Brown County Economic Development Partners without any discussion.
According to a memo sent by Brown County Economic Development Partners to county, city and economic development officials throughout the county, the effort was started by conversations about the need for a cohesive regional strategy that would advance economic development in Brown County.
Bridging Brown County and BCEDP are leading the initiative. The group recently received a grant from the Blandin Foundation and hired Region Nine Development Commission to help the effort.
In other county board news:
The annual 2 a.m. bar closing license for City Limits of Sleepy Eye was renewed on a unanimous vote without any discussion.
The board adopted the lowest quote offered to repaint the county courthouse exterior. Brown County Facilities Manager Kim WIlliams said the courthouse exterior has not been painted since 1991 and the paint has begun to crack in the last few years. Commissioner James Berg made a motion to adopt the lowest quote of $19,075, which was made by Miesen's Color Center of Springfield.
The board adopted an agreement with MnDOT and the DM&E railroad that will update the signals at the intersection of CSAH 27 and the DM&E tracks in Sleepy Eye. Brown County Highway Engineer Wayne Stevens said state rail office identified the intersection as a "likely candidate" for signal replacement.
The board approved the resolution giving county wetlands administrator Desiree Hohenstein the power to make enforcement action decisions under the Wetland Conservation Act. Hohenstein said she will not be "the final decision-maker" and will be working with the DNR, the Army Corps of Engineers and the chair of the county Soil and Water Conservation District. The current appeals process will stay in place.
The Public Health Department realized a $55,227 budget shortfall because of changes in South Country Health Alliance reimbursements. While the department saw a $99,407 reduction in SCHA reimbursements, it also saw $44,181 in spending reductions. Public Health support supervisor Mary Beach said the reduction in spending lessened the impact of the lost SCHA money.
Commissioner Charles Guggisberg said the report is "a good tool for when we make the budget."
Commissioner Richard Seeboth added, "It's not good, but it's better than a surprise."
County Administrator Chuck Enter said the amounts in the report are current estimates.
"Some things are changing, but it is a working document," he said.
