Caledonia Argus

Off-sale liquor license denied; county health insurance rates rising

Posted: 11/25/03

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

The Houston County Board of Commissioners will not allow Troy Nelson of Houston to sell liquor in Money Creek Township, based on a report from the Houston County Sheriffís Office.

The decision was made at the Tuesday, November 18 county board meeting.

Nelson fulfilled all the requirements of the law for obtaining an off-sale liquor license except for the criteria for being of ìgood moral character and reputeî according to Minnesota Statute340A.402.

According to a memo from Houston County Attorney Rick Jackson, a background check revealed that Nelson had been convicted of a gross misdemeanor DWI in 2001. Also, according to the Houston County Sheriffís Office, Nelson had recently told a Houston County deputy that he intended to use the store to sell light grocery items, which would be a violation of what he was licensed to sell.

The township board in Money Creek gave its consent for Nelson to have an off-sale liquor license in September as part of the first step to bringing his application to the board. If the board had approved Nelsonís application, the final step for receiving a license included holding a public hearing. The purpose of the public hearing is to gather public comment. If no objections are raised, then the board can give its approval.

Several minutes after the unanimous vote, Nelsonís attorney, Gregory Schultz, arrived, but did not contest the boardís decision.

Health insurance increases

The cost of the countyís health insurance will likely increase by double digits.

The county wonít know how much until after employees have signed up for the plan of their choice in December.

It had been anticipated that health insurance for Blue Cross /Blue Shield would increase by 30 percent, but now figures have lowered due to slight changes in coverages. To make it more affordable, the county has increased its deductible for a single person from $250 to $500 and from $750 to $1,000 for a family plan.

Other changes include a mandate on generic drugs, an increase in drug co-pay from $8, $16, and $32 to $10, $25, and $40. The office co-pay will increase from $15 to $25 and the wellness benefit will increase from $150 to $300.

Personnel director Tim Comstock said people are understanding of the increases. ìWeíre all in the same boat. Weíre trying to contain the cost of individual health insurance.î

Commissioner Kevin Kelleher commented, ìHealth insurance is just killing everybody. If we donít do anything, our costs will increase 29 percent.î

Recycling options considered

Waste Management of La Crosse may be the recycling center of choice for Houston County in the near future.

Because of budget cuts and dwindling markets for recycled material, commissioners have been looking at different recycling options. It had looked at hauling its recyclables to Monroe County because of its new MRF (Materials Recovery Facility). A MRF is able to sort out recyclables mechanically instead of by hand. But Houston County has since concluded that an agreement with Monroe County would not be as cost effective as one with Waste Management.

Waste Management is closer and pays for some of the recyclable items it receives, while Monroe County does not.

Houston County Zoning and Solid Waste Officer Rick Frank told The Argus that going with Waste Management is a better financial decision than keeping its own recycling center.

He expects the board to make a decision on this recycling issue soon.

If the county does decide to contract with Waste Management, patrons will be asked to separate their recyclable items by fiber and non-fiber.

The fiber items will be recycled in La Crosse, while the non-fiber items will be hauled to Madison.

If the county signs a contract with Waste Management, the current recycling center in Houston may be used to house the vehicles needed for hauling the recyclables.

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