Posted: 11/16/05
Board hears request from arts council
Two members of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) made a request to Houston County commissioners for a $500 donation at the November 8 board meeting.
Commissioners did not make a decision that day. They said they would consider the request as part of next yearís budget, which should be finalized by December 15.
Patricia Alcott, SEMACís executive director, talked about the history and benefits of her organization. She noted that the Minnesota Arts Council had lost $200,000 in state funding in recent years due to state budget cuts. The group has 1-2/3 employees and serves 11 counties, she said.
Drue Fergison, SEMACís board representative from Houston County, listed some of the activities that the group has brought to the Houston County Fair. She reminded the board of SEMACís contributions to Houston County, which totaled nearly $16,000 over the past three years. SEMAC has given money to the county fair, Caledoniaís Scottish Heritage Committee, the City of Houstonís Summer Youth Program, and the Caledonia Sesquicentennial Committee.
Fergison said she realized that everybody is hurting financially, but that the money is for a good cause. ìIt kind of sends a message that youíre supportive of those efforts,î she said.
Several board members responded that they appreciate the effort of the arts council.
No action on Bear Creek assessment idea
In other county board business, Root River Soil and Water District manager Ralph Tuck brought up the idea of assessing people who live in the Bear Creek Watershed a 1 percent levy.
Tuck estimated that this would pay for more than half of the operation and maintenance of the watershed. The levy would be consistent with one in place on residents of Crooked Creek Watershed, he said. Commissioner Dave Corcoran said he liked that consistency. Crooked Creek Watershed has one assessment that is watershed-wide, and one on landowners who benefit from watershed structures, Tuck said.
A lot of mapping and parcel work would have to be done before the assessment could be put into place, Tuck added.
Commissioner Larry Graf suggested the board not make a decision until fifth district commissioner Tom Bjerke is present. Bjerke was absent from last weekís meeting. The board followed Grafís recommendation, and will take up the subject at its November 15 meeting.
Election hearing set
The board also set a public hearing for a county election equipment plan for November 29 at 10 a.m. in the commissionerís room.
Auditor Pete Johnson requested the hearing, which he said must be held in order for the county to receive grant funding to meet new election compliance regulations. Township and city officials will be notified of the hearing so that they can look over the plan and bring forth any concerns, Johnson said.
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