NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioners will consider an $89,272 quote Tuesday to remove bridge debris due to excessive rain that caused many trees to wash into the Cottonwood River in June and early July.

Some of the trees snagged on bridges on County State Aid Highways (CSAH) 10, 11 and 13. Quote requests to remove debris were sent to eight contractors. One response was received, from River Ridge Construction.

Debris removal is part of the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) reimbursement request. The estimate submitted to FEMA for the debris removal was $85,000. The contractor will not guarantee debris removal by the end of the year, as required.

The Brown County Highway Department recommends accepting the quote that includes $9,096 for CSAH 10, $33,091 for CSAH 11 and $47,085 for CSAH 13.

Commissioners will also consider:

• Setting a public hearing date to consider continuing the Local Option Sales Tax for Transportation. The Brown County Highway Dept. suggests holding the hearing at 11a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Commissioners reviewed and approved the Ten Year Road and Bridge Construction Program Sept. 4. Changes to the previous program were made based on current construction costs, bond payments, estimated State Aid, Wheelage Tax, a $125,000 local construction levy and continuing the Local Option Sales Tax for Transportation.

Projects to consider for the sales tax continuation as listed in the 10-year plan are:

• CSAH 13 from New Ulm to Hanska in 2021, $3,700,000.

• CSAH 20 from CSAH 13 to TH 15 in 2022, $1,050,000.

• CSAH 20 from CSAH 16 to TH 4 in 2023, $2,100,000

• CSAH 27 from TH 14 to CSAH 11 in 2026, $2,100,000.

Estimates are based on current construction costs with inflation added to future years. Estimates are updates annually.

• A 1.5% rate adjusted to the current Riverview Sanitation (Braun & Borth Sanitation is owned by Riverview Sanitation) recycling contract in the total amount of $389,610 in 2019 and a 1.5% increase in 2020 to $395,454 as recommended by the Brown County Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

The projected fee amount is based on the number of residential units in Brown County rural and incorporated areas. Rural residents are charged at one unit per household for drop-off service. City residents are charged at two units per household for curbside, pickup service.

Due to depressing recycling markets, River View Sanitation requested a 1.5% increase for 2019.

• Reviewing and approving proposed revisions to the Mathiowetz Enterprises Inc. contract to operate the Brown County Landfill for three years including the self-hauler, credit card payment option.

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee met with Mathiowetz Enterprises Sept. 4 and Oct. 23. Cost increases of 1.9% for each year were due to increased costs for personnel, parts, equipment and health insurance.

In addition, a credit/debit card payment service has been asked to be added at the landfill with 85 to 90% of self-haulers asking for the credit card option to pay tipping fees. A $700 per year fee for credit/debit card payment was added to improve service to the public.

Brown County will reimburse the contractor any time diesel fuel prices rise above yearly, designated prices. The contractor will submit fuel invoices quarterly to the county for payment and reimburse the county if fuel prices fall below designated minimum prices.

Minimum and maximum prices are $2.36 to $3.16 in 2019; $2.38 to $3.18 in 2020; and $2.40 to $3.20 in 2021.

The county board meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the courthouse commissioner’s room.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.