Caledonia Argus

County reorganizes, accepts deputyís resignation

Posted: 1/13/04

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Writer

Larry Graf is the new county board chairman and Nels Gulbranson is the Vice chair.

The county board used its first meeting in 2004 to approve committees appointments. There were no major changes from 2003 Commissioners noted that continual service on the same committee allows them to be more effective because they are familiar with the issues .

The board will not raise its per diem which has been set at $30 for most committee meetings. They are limited to claiming one per diem per day. Mileage reimbursement is paid for any out-of-county meetings which committee members must attend, but not for in-county meetings.

Also, the per diem for the planning commission remains the same at $45. It was felt that this is a very difficult committee to serve on and deals with controversial matters and so the rate should be higher.

The board had already agreed not to increase their annual salary which is $16,224.

Board accepts resignation

Commissioners approved the resignation of deputy Linda Coffield. She will also be sent a letter of appreciation for her years of service. Coffield has been employed with the Houston County Sheriffís Office since 1990.

Personnel Director Tim Comstock delivered five sealed envelopes to each commissioner that had been sent from Coffield. ìIím assuming itís the same resignation letter that I received,î he said.

Comstock informed commissioners that in resignation situations, they try to fill the vacancy. However, the county is currently in the process of hiring a deputy to replace a previous vacancy and so Comstock recommended that the replacement process will be tabled until that process is complete. Previous to Coffieldís resignation, Coffield had been on a 12 week leave of absence.

In other business, the board approved classifying five people as temporary employees to be used as needed for transporting people for the Houston County Sheriffís Office. They include: Bob Reider, Leon Vick, Gordy Bauer, Larry Rice and Tom Lee.

Board buys new loader

The board approved purchasing a used loader for $80,000 and also extending the warranty of a loader they currently own for $2,300. The money has already been budgeted, said Tom Molling of the highway department.

County airport inspected

Commissioners received a report from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Aeronautics with the results of an inspection of the Houston County airport that took place June 9, 2003.

The report noted several things about the airport that needed to be changed.

They include the following recommendations: repair of runway pavement removal of trees that are obstructing the approaches; and new runway markings.

It was also recommended that a copy of the airport license and safety and traffic rules be posted at the airport.

Board invited to dental clinic

Darla Zahn invited the commissioners to attend a dental access coalition meeting on January 13.

Zahn anticipates a lot of good discussion will be held on dental benefit changes. She said that more than 65 invitation went out to dentists in Houston, Fillmore and Winona Counties, and so far she has received a positive response.

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