Henderson resigns after 46 years with Brown County
NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously accepted Brown County Human Services Director Tom Henderson’s resignation effective July 31, 2019, after 46 years with Brown County Tuesday.
With a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Commissioner Dean Simonsen, an ad hoc committee of Henderson, County Administrator Sam Hansen, Board Chairman Dave Borchert, Vice Chairman Tony Berg, Public Health Director Karen Moritz and Human Resources Director Ruth Schaefer to explore short and long-term replacement options.
Henderson, who has worked in human services for 51 years, said he does not plan to retire at this time, instead hoping to work part-time in the human services field or do volunteer work.
“I wanted to be a social worker all my life,” Henderson said. “I worked in Swift, Anoka and Scott County before coming to Brown County, learned it was a great place to work and just stayed here.”
Commissioners unanimously approved:
• A $76,977.60 Deputy Registrar Reimbursement Agreement Tuesday, June 18.
Legislation was passed and signed by Governor Tim Walz during the 2019 session to reimburse Deputy Registrar offices for the effects the implementation of MNLARS had on statewide offices over the past couple years. The grant submission must be made by June 30.
“I’m really glad to see some reimbursement here,” said Commissioner Scott Windschitl.
Brown County Deputy Registrar Suzanne Jensen said the money will help with extra staffing commissioners earlier approved.
Commissioners will also consider:
• A county drainage ditch tree, brush and weed control spray quote of $38 an acre from Larson Helicopters, motion by Commissioner Simonsen, seconded by Commissioner Berg.
Scott’s Helicopter Services did not submit a bid. Nine drainage systems that don’t have buffers along the ditch were quoted for aerial spraying.
Since the application is spot spraying, aerial sprayer bills are based on herbicide gallons used at the prescribed rate per acre. Seven contracts were sent for bids.
“The helicopter bid is high, but we need to do it,” Simonsen said. “The ground spray bids are too high. More will be requested.”
Four ground spraying contracts were sent for bids. Central Applicators bid $700 an acre. DBI Services did not submit a bid. Thirty-one drainage systems without ditch buffers were quoted for ground spraying. Bids are based on herbicide gallons used at a prescribed rate per acre. Ground sprayers spot spray buffers and ditch slopes.
• A 5th Judicial District, shared drug-testing call-in system contract. The District Court pays $190 a month for the online program and for any use if calls go over 250 per calendar month.
Brown County Probation Director Les Schultz said Brown County saves a lot of money by not having to provide its own system and pay annual maintenance costs.
• Appropriating $3,000 to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation in the draft 2020 county budget, motion by Windschitl, seconded by Simonsen.
• Planning Commission recommendations, motion by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Simonsen approving a conditional use permit filed by Jeremy Hogen in the Lamonte Helget Subdivision, Section 26, Leavenworth Township, allowing expansion of a feedlot of 100 animal units all in the A-1 Agricultural Protection Zoning District.
Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.