NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday for a tax-forfeited land auction Thursday, Sept. 21 in the Law Enforcement Center training room.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Brian Braun for an auction including 23 land parcels beginning at 10 a.m, Ten parcels in the Lakeside Village Addition in New Ulm will again be offered for sale as a group since utilities are not installed.

The A/T (Auditor/Treasurer) department recommended two additional parcels in Sleepy Eye and Evan be sold to adjacent landowners.

Under Minnesota Statute 282.01, a county board can choose to sell a parcel of tax-forfeited land to an adjacent owner when that parcel cannot be improved because it doesn’t comply with local ordinances regarding minimum area, shape, frontage, or access.

Earnest money of $500 is required on parcels with a sale price over $1,000. This has been requested in the past and ensures purchasers complete paperwork to transfer parcels to their names.

Brown County Auditor/Treasurer Kelly Hotovec said photos of the properties are available in her office and that the auction notice will be published in Brown County newspapers. She added that letters about the auction were sent to adjacent and nearby landowners.

Commissioners unanimously approved:

• Appointing Brandy Gatzlaff as Brown County Deputy Registrar and Driver’s License Agent, motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Scott Windschitl.

• Authorized the License Bureau Supervisor to submit application to perform third-party proctored exams so the Brown County License Bureau can accommodate additional Class D written tests besides weekly state exams, motion by Braun, seconded by Berg.

The license bureau currently has weekly driver’s license tests on Thursday conducted by state examiners. A need for more testing is anticipated due to the upcoming Driver’s License For All.

• A tobacco license for The Nine-One Bar LLC, the former Hanska Municipal Liquor Store, as of Aug. 22, 2023 to June 30, 2024, motion by Berg, seconded by Windschitl.

• Purchasing 30 new City of New Ulm Soldier’s Rest burial plots for $725 each, totaling $21,750, motion by Windschitl, seconded by Borchert. The additional 30 plots brings the plot balance to 49.

Brown County Veterans Service Officer Greg Peterson thanked Assistant County Veteran’s Service Officer Mike Montalto for applying for federal plot reimbursements, enabling Brown County to recoup $189,800 in levy dollars spent from 1940-2022. Peterson said Montalto’s work created a $25,958 surplus.

• Accepted Brown County Human Services Director Barb Dietz’ retirement resignation, effective Jan. 4, 2024, motion by Berg, seconded by Borchert. Her job will be posted according to policy. Dietz worked for Brown County for 32 years.