Posted: 5/23/06
Board hears update on no-interest bonds
By Heather M. Gray
Spring Grove Herald Editor
The Houston County board had the first and second period Caledonia High School civics class as visitors during its meeting on May 16.
The board and the students received a lesson from Aaron Rittenhouse of Johnson Controls who admitted he was a former civics teacher.
Some interesting facts Rittenhouse told the group:
ï The state of North Dakota has more wind resources then the entire country of Germany.
ï N.D. is currently producing 17 megawatts of power while Germany is producing 5,000 megawatts of power.
Rittenhouse complimented the board on their interest in renewable energy and applying for the grant to make the criminal justice center (CJC) energy friendly.
He explained that if the county receives the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Clean and Renewable Energy Bond (CREB) of $6 million at zero percent interest, the county will be the issuer and the borrower.
The bonds will strictly be for the building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing and technology) of the new CJC.
Northland Securities will serve as bond counsel as the county moves through the process, and help the county sell the bonds to residents and companies who anticipate $5,000 or more in federal income tax liability each year.
Rittenhouse presented the board with a preliminary time line for the CREB bonding process. The board tabled any decision until the first meeting in June after they know more about their construction management firm.
Survey for Historical Society
The board approved a request by County surveyor Dick Walter and Houston County Historical Society president Shirley Johnson to have the Houston County Highway Department survey the proposed site of the new museum complex on the Houston County Fairgrounds. It was estimated to cost $800 in labor for staff to perform the work.
The society has raised enough money that they are ready to begin construction on the project later this spring.
Personnel changes
ï Lisa Scribner was hired as a public health nurse starting at Step 5 and working 4/5ths time.
ï Social worker Pam Boyd resigned. Due to the length of time it takes to hire a social worker, they are required to take the Minnesota Merit System test with the Department of Human Services which adds at least a month to the hiring process, the board agreed to hire two temporary employees for Human Services- Jesse Rommes and Carrie Swenson to work no more then 67 days.
Both graduate students have been unpaid interns in the department and are familiar with the staff and office so the learning curve will not be as steep.
One employee will handle Boydís workload and the other will assist the department in complying with the necessary paperwork for the Children and Family Services state review later this year.
The county board meets the first four Tuesdays of each month at 9 a.m. in the commissionerís room of the Houston County Courthouse in Caledonia.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com