Posted: 10/2/07
County-wide radio update is required; funds are available
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
Keeping up with the Jones, or in this case, keeping up with ever-changing technology, can be an expensive endeavor for governmental agencies. Most of the time, mandates are handed down without any accompanying funds....but not always.
At the Sept. 25 meeting, the Houston County Board learned the current system used by all emergency agencies in the county is becoming outdated. This includes the sheriffís office, local police departments, ambulance crews, fire departments, and city and county maintenance departments.
Houston County Sheriff Doug Ely and Chief Deputy Scott Yeiter explained the state has established a program to help get all agencies on the same page, as far as radio communications are concerned. And thereís money available.
According to Yeiter, the state has set aside $9.5 million for the 10-county southeast Minnesota area to bring their radio communications up to speed. Each county is required to conduct a feasibility study, which can be paid for by a $575,000 grant from the state. Once the study is completed, the remaining funds left from the $9.5 million pot will be divided up between the participating counties to help pay for new radios, transmitting towers, and other software needed.
"Houston County is way behind, as far as the study," Ely told the board. "Most of the counties have been working on their studies. We need to get going on this now."
Yeiter went on to explain the county needs to send a letter of intent to the state indicating Houston County wants to be part of the program, is planning on conducting a study and requests the $575,000. The deadline is October 18 for the letter. The board approved submitting a letter of intent.
In other action:
County sells boat
Ely told the board the boat his department had been using to patrol the Mississippi River has been sold. The sheriffís office was able to purchase a new boat through a government grant and put the old boat up for bids.
"I am pleased to announce we sold the old boat for $6,601 to a local bidder," Ely said. "We received three bids, and that was the top one. I am very pleased with that price."
Ely added the boat grant the county recently received for the purchase of the new boat specified all of the money from the sale of the old boat had to be used to purchase equipment needed for water patrol.
Forensics purchases
The board approved a request by Lindsay Pierce of the countyís Information Services Department for $4,629.04 in computer upgrades. Pierce explained Houston County is the only county in this corner of the state that offers forensic computer work for criminal cases.
Pierce is the only trained and certified forensic computer expert south and east of Rochester.
"With the ever increasing amount of criminal activity committed via the Internet and computers, Lindsayís expertise is utilized on a constant basis," Yeiter told the board. Yeiter added that Houston County has mutual aid agreements with other counties in the area for various services. By providing Pierceís computer services, other counties reciprocate with services they can provide that Houston County doesnít have.
FEMA receives praise
Houston County Emergency Services Director Kurt Kuhlers told the board over $1.5 million has been doled out by FEMA to Houston County residents so far since the August 2007 floods.
"FEMA has been absolutely wonderful to work with," Kuhlers said. "They have worked very hard to make sure everyone who needs help has been getting it."
Kuhlers noted there have been 633 claims processed so far in the county, with $1,475,000 provided to private property claims and another $60,000 to damaged businesses.
Rep. Ken Tschumper attended the Sept. 25 meeting. He stressed that persons still wishing to make claims must do so by Oct. 22, and they should apply through the SBA as well.
"The state legislature has appropriated funds for helping the residents of Houston County. But these people need to go through the SBA to receive state money and FEMA for federal money," Tschumper said.
The relief sign-up office is open in Hokah Monday through Friday from 9 to 7 and Saturdays from 9 to noon.
"If persons are not satisfied with the original inspection or decision by FEMA, they can appeal it," Tschumper said. "They can ask for a second inspection. In some cases, mistakes are made. But they must make their appeal within 60 days."
It was noted that some residents have been receiving FEMA checks within 10 to 15 days.
Tschumper added that residents who sustained damage to their driveways due to the flash floods need to realize their driveways are part of their personal property and eligible for compensation.
"Even if your driveway has been fixed, if you have documentation as to the cost of the materials and the hours spent fixing it, you can submit a claim," Tschumper continued. "If your homeowners covers a portion of the costs, that must be figured in first."
Caledonia Argus
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507/724-3475
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