NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved funding to become MRC (Minnesota Rural Communities) members in 2024 Tuesday.

Action to join the affiliate organization of the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) for a $2,500 annual fee came on a motion by Borchert, seconded by Tony Berg.

Commissioners heard a report from Minnesota Rural Counties (MRC) Administrative Services Lead Anne Kilzer and Lead Lobbyist Britta Torkelson of Capitol Hills Associates, Inc. of St. Paul.

Kilzer said annual county dues are $2,200 to $2,900 annually based on county population and would be about $2,500 for Brown County.

CHA team members share a similar approach and method to lobbying Minnesota state government, taking a long-term view while representing and communicating client’s interests, maintaining significant, positive relationships with both sides of the aisle, according to the board request.

Torkelson said Capitol Hill Associates works on lobbying “side by side with the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC).

“Lobbying is a very collaborative effort. The more voices you have, the better,” said Torkelson.

Commissioner Brian Braun asked if lobbyists work with townships. Torkelson said they did.

Other commissioners voiced support for the organization’s lobbying efforts.

“The work you did alone on the Drainage Registry Information Portal (HF 4274) makes me want to stand up and cheer,” said Commissioner Tony Berg.

Minnesota House File 4274 got an introduction, first reading and referral to the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Policy Committee but did not become law when it died in committee.

The legislation would have required the Board of Water and Soil Resources executive director to establish and maintain a searchable, public, electronic database of all documents initiating proceedings and non-petitioned repairs.

“One battle won. We can assume they (legislative bill proponents) will come back with the same thing or something similar,” said Torkelson.

Minnesota legislative testimony sent March 7, 2023 to the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee from a number of conservation organizations supported HF 2354 in detail.

Names under the testimony included David Minge of the Izaak Walton League Minnesota Division, Ted Suss of the Friends of the Minnesota Valley, Scott Sparlin of New Ulm and the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River and Peg Furshong of CURE (Clean Up the River Environment).

Current notice requirements of the Minnesota Drainage code fail to provide effective notice of proposed drainage projects to downstream landowners, state and local government units, and people who live outside the drainage area but hunt, fish and otherwise recreate on public lands and waters inside that area,” read the testimony.

“The threats are severe. The Minnesota River is badly impaired by excess sediment and other pollutant loads. Stream bank erosion is largely to blame. The State of Minnesota has committed to reducing current sediment loads by 50%, largely by reducing erosion from frequent, ‘low flow’ storm events,” continued testimony.