Posted: 8/16/05
New engineer hired for county
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Tracey Alan Von Bargen of Alexandria, Minnesota was hired as the new Houston County engineer on August 9.
Von Bargenís starting date will be sometime in September, county personnel director Tim Comstock told commissioners at their weekly meeting. His contract will expire on April 30, 2006, after which commissioners could appoint him to a four-year term. He will be paid $70,033.60.
ìWeíre very, very fortunate,î commissioners Dave Corcoran said is praise of Von Bargen.
ìAll four [who were interviewed] were talented individuals,î commissioner Larry Graf added.
Comstock said that Von Bargen has been a registered professional engineer for seven years, which was a requirement for the job. Heís also been an assistant county engineer in Goodhue County for four years, Comstock said.
Von Bargen has worked as a private consultant on some bridge projects in Houston County, so local officials are familiar with his work, and he in turn is familiar with this region, Comstock said.
Other personnel items
The board also approved hiring Denise Schaffer as administrative assistant in court services for Gina Gran, who resigned.
Comstock said background checks are being done on the deputy sheriff finalists. The results should be done in a couple week.
Interviews are also taking place with case aides, Comstock said.
Refuge money reported
Jim Nissen, La Crosse district manager of the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, reported to the board that Houston County will receive $10,165 in 2005 from refuge revenue sharing. This annual payment is made to local units of government as compensation for the loss of tax revenue on lands that are part of the refuge system.
The amount is down from last yearís amount of $11,167 because the supplemental Congressional appropriation dropped by 5.6 percent from Fiscal Year 2003, Nissen said.
Money also comes from revenue received from the things like oil and gas leases, timber sales, grazing fees, and fur harvest in refuges throughout the United States.
Local refuge land will be reappraised this year, so the money that Houston County receives will increase in the next year or two, Nissen said. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns about 12,277 acres in Houston County, all managed as part of the refuge.
The refuge acquired 159 acres in 2004-2005 in Pool 8, which goes from Dresbach to Genoa. Houston County gained 56 acres, called the Strupp Tract, located along the pike just outside of La Crescent.
Nissen also gave an update on the refugeís Comprehensive Conservation Plan. The plan, when completed, will guide management and administration of the refuge for the next 15 years.
Public comment ends on August 31. Refuge managers will release a new preferred plan called Alternative E in mid-October, Nissen said. This will incorporate many of the suggestions given at the public meetings and workshops that were held earlier this year. More open houses will then be held.
The Upper Mississippi Refuge, which goes from Wabasha to Rock Island, Illinois, is the most widely visited refuge in the United States, Nissen said, with about four million visitors a year. The La Crosse District of the refuge includes Navigation Pools 7 and 8.
Grants, UCare approved
Michelle Herman, director of victims services, presented two grants to the board for approval. One was a general crime grant of $35,506 and the other was an emergency fund grant of $1,000. The board approved the request.
The board also approved a UCare contract presented by public health director Linda Grupa. It will provide public health and Medicare-certified home care services, and care coordination.
Board chairman Ann Thompson was absent from the meeting. Vice-chairman Kevin Kelleher ran the meeting, which lasted 75 minutes.
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