NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously authorized the county administrator, auditor-treasurer and assistant auditor-treasurer to negotiate a development agreement with the CBC (Coldwell Banker Commercial) Fisher Group of Mankato to develop the former George’s Ballroom site Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Scott Windschitl. Brown County Auditor-Treasurer Kelly Hotovec said a steering committee will meet with CBC this week and more project details will be brought to the county board when they are known.

The proposal includes an architectural site plan by Oleson & Hobbie Architects, LLC of Mankato.

The mixed-use development plan includes 90 parking stalls and 10,360 square feet of commercial space on the lower level.

The first floor plan features 22,995 square feet of commercial space, eight apartments and 26 parking stalls. Second and third floor plans include 21 apartments.

On July 6, the George’s ballroom Steering Committee unanimously recommended the city and county enter negotiations with CBC Fisher Group to develop the ballroom site.

Steering committee members are county commissioners Dave Borchert and Scott Windschitl; county administrator Sam Hansen, A-T Kelly Hotovec, AA-T Amy Kral, New Ulm Mayor Kathleen Backer, City Council President Andrea Boettger, City Administrator Chris Dalton, Brown County Historical Society Executive Director Amy Johnson and former New Ulm Mayor Terry Sveine.

Commissioners also approved:

• The 2024 transit budget with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for continued operation of Heartland and Herman Express, motion by Commissioner Brian Braun, seconded by Windschitl.

MnDOT gave all state transit system a 3% increase. With the new budget, there should be no county cast as fares should cover the required 5% local share.

• Approving a contract with Horizon Homes to provide adult rehabilitative mental health services (ARMHS) to clients who do not have medical insurance or are under insured, motion by Braun, seconded by Berg.

ARMHS is a medical assistance (MA) paid service to help people develop and enhance psychiatric stability, social competencies, personal and emotional adjustment and independent living and community skills.

Individuals who do not qualify for MA can also benefit from the program. The contract is similar to county contracts with other mental health providers.

• Approval of a lease agreement effective Aug. 1, 2023 with Horizon Homes to operate a mobile crisis service out of the Brown County Extension Office in Sleepy Eye, motion by Berg, seconded by Windschitl.

After consulting with Sleepy Eye and Springfield schools who support having access to someone to assist with mobile crisis services in those schools plus Comfrey and Butterfield schools.

The individual will work with law enforcement and be available for up to 40 hours a week to provide assistance and go on calls, as appropriate; plus do outreach and marketing about mobile crisis service access.