NEW ULM — Brown County Board commissioners unanimously approved an engagement agreement for cost allocation plans Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Dave Borchert, seconded by Jeff Veerkamp for the pact with Government Management Group estimated to reimburse the County $166,000 in federal money in fiscal year 2022.

Brown County Auditor-Treasurer (AT) Kelly Hotovec said the agreement reimbursed Brown County $90,000 in federal funds in fiscal year 2020.

Based on survey results and past experience, Hotovec recommended 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.

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

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 unanimously approved:

• Continuing a legal services agreement for drainage services at 2022 hourly rates with Rinke Noonan Attorneys at Law at St. Cloud, motion by Commissioner Dean Simonsen, seconded by Borchert.

The drainage committee met Feb. 1, 2022 and recommended 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.