BROWN COUNTY — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved local road improvement programs in Stark and Stately Townships Tuesday.

A resolution to sponsor, apply and administer Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) funds for a realignment on 220th Street came on a motion by Commissioner Scott Windschitl, seconded by Jeff Veerkamp.

The project realigns 220th Street away from the eroding Cottonwood River banks. The street currently runs along the south side of the Cottonwood River for about 2,000 feet. The river turns north in the area, creating south bank erosion.

Over the years, bank sloughs resulted in the river nearing the right of way of 220th Street in several locations. The next big bank slough will get into the right of way or take part of the road. The river is nearly 50 feet below the road.

The LRIP funds would be used for realignment construction but can’t be used on right of way, engineering, or inspection costs.

Three Stately Township LRIP projects were unanimously approved on a motion by Veerkamp, seconded by Dean Simonsen. Project submittals include:

• On 150th Street, 3/4 mile east of County Highway 2, the township wants to replace an 8′ by 8′ feet culvert, which is not eligible for town bridge funds because it is not 10 feet wide.

• On 420th Avenue, 1/4 mile north of County Highway 3. The area has been overtopped in major rain events, causing significant road damage. The township wants to pave the overflow area with concrete or bituminous and riprap the road in-slope.

• On 430th Avenue, 3/4 mile south of County Highway 23, the area has been overtopped in major rain events, causing significant road damage. The township wants to pave the overflow area and riprap road in-slope.

Commissioners unanimously approved:

• Continuation of free Brown County Heartland Express fares until Sept. 1, 2021, motion by Windschitl, seconded by Dave Borchert. The State of Minnesota is covering 100% of county funding costs without local match from March 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2021. Heartland Express has been fully funded via the CARES Act from March 1, 2020, through Feb. 28, 2021.

• A COVID-19 update from Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz. She said Brown County’s positive (COVID-19) test rate is 6.4%, below the 7.1% state rate.

“I have to thank all Brown County residents, organizations, and businesses with (COVID-19) strategies in place, so we can keep businesses open and children in school,” said Moritz.

“Our biggest issue now is COVID vaccinations, which I order every week,” Moritz said. “The COVID situation is very complicated and changes day to day.”

• A $10,500 professional services contract with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) LLP for the preparation of 2020 financial statements for the Brown County Auditor-Treasurer’s (AT) Office, motion by Borchert, seconded by Windschitl.

CLA will map the PROfx mapping program for annual financials and provide a training opportunity as the AT office learns how financials are mapped in the new financial program for the financial statement.

• Accepting the Commissioner of Transportation petition to make minor alterations or changes to County Ditch 72 and set a public hearing for 9:10 a.m. Tuesday, March 16.

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