Posted: 10/26/04
Board gives tax abatement to assisted living facility
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Houston County commissioners enthusiastically approved a request for tax abatement for an assisted living facility in Spring Grove at their October 19 meeting.
The business, called Spring Grove Assisted Living, will receive a $30,147 tax abatement from the county. It begins in 2008 and runs for 10 years.
Joyce Iverson, director of the Southeast Minnesota Development Corporation, said the facility will create 12 full-time equivalent jobs.
Linus Red Soppa and his son, Terry Soppa, both of St. Charles, told the board that the building will be able to house 20 people. Each room will have its own bathroom. There will be a shared living room and dining room, and a beauty shop. Meals will be provided.
Tax abatement helps keep costs down, Red Soppa said. We can hopefully take on more people from the county and make it work.
I love the idea that people have private rooms, third district commissioner Ann Thompson said.
Im glad youre willing to invest in Houston County, second district commissioner Kevin Kelleher added. He felt it would fill a need that will continue to grow.
The Soppas own two assisted living facilities in St. Charles. A 20-unit one in 2002 was filled right away.
Spring Grove has done a good job with elderly apartments, Red Soppa said. Youve got a nice area here. We feel the need is here.
Fifth district commissioner Nels Gulbranson, who represents the City of Spring Grove, agreed with that. I think we really need it and the people want it, he said.
Spring Grove city administrator Tom Falbo said that the city has been working on bringing in an assisted living facility for 10 years. The city approved $51,820 in tax abatements for the plan in April.
The facility will be on the east side of the city, across the street from the medical facility and nursing home.
Its not just for Norwegians is it? Kelleher asked
I hope not, Falbo answered with a chuckle.
Human services gets grant
After the regular board meeting ended at 11:30, the board met with human services director Beth Wilms and social services supervisor Karen Meier-Binde. This meeting is held the third Tuesday of every month.
Wilms and Meier-Binde talked about a $235,000 grant that the county has received with Wabasha, Winona, and Fillmore Counties.
The two-year grant will be used to develop family group decision making as a child welfare strategy. Winona County will manage the grant and funds.
Other business
The board approved a plat for Jim McNamer in section 12 of Money Creek Township. McNamer bought lot one of the current Konkel Subdivision, and plans to break it into two separate lots. Each lot is bigger than the half-acre minimum, and it meets all setback requirements for property lines. The new lot will have separate access off Highway 76. Lot one will come off Franklin Drive.
The board voted to vacate a portion of the old County Road 7 in section 33 of Hokah Township between Hokah and Highway 26 to the Larry Kreibach family.
The board approved a supplemental contract for bridge replacement on County Road 5 in Winnebago Valley. More rock has to be added to the base of the bridge because a spring is there.
County engineer Allen Henke told the board that the new bridge on County Road 10 by Schechs Mill will be finished on October 19. The next step will be road construction to and from the new bridge.
The board gave verbal consent to personnel director Tim Comstocks request to hire a temporary worker for 10 hours per week in the county recorders office. Comstock said he would bring in more information at the October 26 meeting.
The board also approved without a vote having a counter put in the personnel office that will separate customers from the office staff.
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