NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday supporting the Brown County Sheriff’s Office application to the fiscal year 2024-25 State Emergency Communications Board (SECB) grant program.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Dave Borchert for the sheriff’s office to apply for grants to fund communication system enhancements including 911 calls between callers and first responders.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office plans to apply for a New Ulm ARMER half-site project through the grant program. The sheriff’s office has worked with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Alpha Wireless to identify a possible site location for necessary ARMER tower Motorola equipment, T1 microwave links, coaxial cable, two 12-foot stick antennas, communication radio frequency conflict load environmental studies, associated equipment and labor for a 5-channel trunking repeater site to service New Ulm.

Brown County Sheriff Jason Seidl said the grant could provide a backup system in case existing radio service doesn’t work, which he said has happened at times.

Commissioners also unanimously approved:

• Final acceptance of 2.598 miles of CSAH 29 reconstruction including storm sewer and ADA improvements in Essig and shoulder widening from Essig to CSAH 29. The $2,040,952.73 project was completed by Mathiowetz Construction July 9, 2023, motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Brian Braun.

• CSAH 7 culvert replacement and approach work over JD 29, motion by Braun, seconded by Borchert. Brown County Highway Engineer Wayne Stevens said the metal culvert bridge is deflecting at the top and bottom. A 10 feet by 10 feet precast concrete box culvert will be funded with regular state aid construction funds and state bridge bond funds. The plan was approved by MnDOT.

Project letting date is 10 a.m., Oct. 11, 2023 in the county commissioner’s room. Bids will be reviewed and presented to commissioners for consideration Oct. 17, 2023.