NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved changing Brown County License Bureau hours to be consistent with all county officers and union policy Tuesday.

Changing license bureau hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday came on a motion by Commissioner Dean Simonsen, seconded by Commissioner Dave Borchert. Department heads will schedule hours of work at other times when necessary to promote more effective performance of work tasks.

Customer advantages include wait time reduction, creating service lines for quick transaction and better lunch hour coverage with 30-minute lunch breaks instead of the current hour lunch periods.

Brown County Auditor-Treasurer (A-T) Jean Prochniak said she plans to get other A-T staff trained and able to provide service at the license bureau in a more consistent manner with the change.

“We have plans to transition tax collections to the license bureau to create a one-stop for paying taxes/assessments, mobile home transfers and registering to vote. Eventually, we hope to have marriage licenses and birth certificates available at this location as well,” Prochniak wrote in her board request.

“It seems appropriate for us to establish a customer service location that would be able to address the most common needs of our clients,” Prochniak added. “With improved service, we hope to attract vehicle dealers from other areas.”

Commissioners also approved:

• The 2020/2021 Natural Resources Block Grant with the Board of Water and Soil Resources, motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp.

In 2020, the total grant is $100,772. Brown County will receive $32,000 for septic system upgrades, $18,600 for septic (SSTS), $13,633 for local water management, $8,778 for the Wetland Conservation Act and $2,675 for shore land.

• Set a public hearing date for Brown County Zoning Ordinance changes for 9:25 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Brown County Planning Commission meeting, motion by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Windschitl.

Proposed ordinance changes include (507.1 and 603.2) removing language about a 5-year waiting period for building, 603.4 moving seasonal produce stands to an allowed use, 603.6 removing language about no side yard required for farmsteads, removing bluff setback exemptions, 712.1 updating maximum gross area for accessory building in the R-1 Zone and 712.3 removing language about no accessory building without primary structure.

• Planning Commission recommendations from the Nov. 12 meeting including a conditional use permit application filed by Brian Domeier for a seasonal campground in Section 14, Sigel Township, motion by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Windschitl.

Windschitl voiced concern about adding a storm shelter to the campground.

Domeier said the campground on Clear Lake has 40 by 40 foot lots and water and electrical hookups.

“I’d like to see it developed. I think it’s a nice spot. There are lots of campers with no place to go,” Windschitl said. “I’d like to see a storm shelter.”

• Requesting ISG Engineering complete a County Ditch 44 feasibility study for landowners. Studies have ranged in cost from $1,500 to $3,000, motion by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Veerkamp. The ditch includes 645 acres in Sections 16, 17, 20 and 21 in Albin Township.

The Drainage Inspector and Auditor-Treasurer met with landowners concerned about improper system drainage despite multiple repairs. It was felt a long-term solution should be considered.

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