Trending
NEW ULM -- Legislators representing Brown County will meet with Brown County commissioners to share their perspectives on the 2022 legislative session at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4.
Rep. Paul Torkelson R-Hanska and Sen. Gary Dahms R-Redwood Falls are scheduled to meet with commissioners for up to 55 minutes.
Minnesota Veterans Commanders' Task Force 2022 legislative priorities include paying a bonus to post-9/11 veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, much like Minnesota did for other war veterans. The task force proposes paying combat veterans $1,000; era veterans $500 and next of kin of service members who died as a result of military action $1,500.
The task force urges lawmakers to increase the annual state grant given to veteran service organizations to $1 million to help veterans statewide. The grant has been decreasing over the past several years.
Legislators will also discuss Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Legislative Policy Priorities adopted by AMC directors Dec. 5, 2021; public health, social services, planning and zoning and solid waste priorities.
Commissioners will also:
• Reorganize with board chair and vice chair elections, adoption of Robert's Rules of Order with three provisions and review operating rules and guidelines at 8:30 a.m., Jan. 4.
• Review and comment on the county highway department monthly update including CSAH 13 concrete overlay, CSAH 34, 35 projects in Sleepy Eye, CSAH 13 (Boundary Street), Hale Bridge and CSAH 11 2022 projects and ditch work.
• Receive an update on emergency management initiatives and activity in 2021 from emergency management director Shawn Stoermann.
• Consider renewal of the Madden Galanter Hansen, LLP consulting services contract for assistance as needed to address union labor contract matters. The proposal reflects raising hourly rates from $180 to $190 an hour in 2022 for basic labor relations services and from $190 to $200 for representation in arbitration and administration hearings.
The regular county board meeting begins at 9 a.m., Jan. 4 in the courthouse commissioner's room.