NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners will consider an engagement agreement for preparation of cost allocation plans on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

Based on survey results and past experience, Brown County Auditor/Treasurer Kelly Hotovec recommends renewing a contract with Government Management Group (GMG) Inc. of Lakeville to prepare 2021-2023 central services cost allocation plans. An annual fixed fee for the plan is $3,500.

According to a Nov. 17, 2021 letter to Hotovec from GMG Vice President Angie Pond, GMG will submit cost allocation plans for fiscal years ending Dec. 31, 2021, 2022, and 2023 to the designated cognizant agency on the County’s behalf, assist in plan negotiation and make any revisions that may be needed.

In addition, GMG will monitor federal payments to ensure the County received all eligible recoveries.

Based on fiscal 2020 recoveries, 2022 federal reimbursement for indirect cost recovery is estimated at $166,000.

A survey sent to counties to determine what consulting firm counties used showed 30 counties use GMG, five counties use Maximus U.S. Services, Inc. and one county uses Diversified Services Network, Inc.

Hotovec reported Brown County has worked with GMG for many years and they have continually provided expert and timely service.

Commissioners will also consider:

• Continuing a legal services agreement for drainage services at 2022 hour rates with Rinke Noonan Attorneys at Law at St. Cloud. The drainage committee met Feb. 1, 2022 and recommends continuing the agreement using proposal option 2 – hourly services only with Rinke Noonan for drainage issue representation as needed.

Service rates for senior attorneys rose from $325 to $360/hr. in 2022, from $250 to $285 for associate attorneys with 4-7 years experience, from $200 to $260 with 0-3 years experience, and from $95-$185 to $115-$205 for paralegals and legal technicians.

• Planning Commission recommendations including a conditional use permit (CUP) application filed by Thomas Goeritz & Verizon Wireless on property owned by St. John’s Lutheran Home, Section 20, Burnstown Township.

The application is to renew an existing CUP to continue to allow use of a 250 foot high-guyed tower used as a communications facility; and to maintain, construct, repair and operate it all in the A-1 agricultural protection zoning district.

A preliminary plat application filed by Lorin Helget on property owned by Cecilia D. Zwaschka, 8.09 acres in Section 25, Mulligan Township to expand Lot 1, Block 1, Zwaschka’s 2nd Subdivision all in the A-1 agricultural protection zoning district.

• Setting a public hearing time and date of 9:25 a.m., Tuesday, March 8 at the planning commissioner meeting for Brown County Zoning Ordinance revisions. The zoning ordinance was last revised in 2019.

The county board meeting starts at 9 a.m., Feb. 15 in the courthouse commissioner’s room.