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Houston County moves ahead with area-wide communications system |
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Having the proper lines of communication in place, especially during a disaster, is imperative for law enforcement and emergency service units. That was quite evident during the flash floods of August 18 and 19 of 2007.
Houston County is moving forward with 10 other counties in Southeast Minnesota and the city of Rochester to bring the most up to date communications system to the region. The Houston County Board of Commissioners were given a progress report by Chief Deputy Scott Yeiter Feb. 12.
Yeiter presented the board with a joint powers proposal that was drawn up by a regional policy board. The board is made up of law enforcement and emergency services officers, including himself and Sheriff Doug Ely.
“The study to determine what is going to work here in Southeast Minnesota, is going to cost about $120,000,” Yeiter reported. “The state has agreed to pay for half the cost and we are trying to get matching funds from the Department of Homeland Security.
“It’s very important that Houston County is part of the joint powers,” Yeiter continued. “Without it, we wouldn’t have any funding source for the study or to implement the system. We need to be part of this if we want a piece of the pie.”
Yeiter said it will cost between $500 and $1,500 per governmental entity to keep the regional policy board in operation.
The other 10 counties that make up the regional policy board are Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.
Yeiter gave each board member a short summary of the Southeast Minnesota Regional Radio Board Joint Powers Proposal, as well as the 20-page full proposal.
“I realize this is a lot to go through,” Yeiter said, holding up the 20-page document. “But I feel it is important for the board to review it and determine if this is something you feel the county should be part of. We need to find out what type of system would be best for Houston County.”
Because Houston County’s typography is quite different than some of the counties to the west, the 800 mhz that many areas are already using might not work in the steep valleys here. Yeiter noted whatever type of system works best in Houston County will be supported by the regional system.
The board members will be reviewing the proposal and revisit the issue during the Feb. 26 board meeting.
In other board action
What to do with auditor opening
The board briefly discussed the opening that will exist when current County Auditor Peter Johnson retires as of May 31. The county has a number of options- appoint someone to complete Johnson’s term (which would be 2.5 years), hold a special election, or look at combining several departments, and/or create a new financial department.
Commissioner Ann Thompson said she has been in contact with Association of Minnesota Counties Executive Director Jim Mulder about the situation in Houston County. Mulder has agreed to attend the Feb. 19 board meeting to discuss the various options with the board, county department heads, and anyone else interested.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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