Brown County public meetings in 2024

Board of Commissioners

The Brown County Board of Commissioners will meet to approve claims, grant applications, and personnel policies. The meeting includes a public hearing on fee schedule revisions and a workshop on a cannabis ordinance following the session.

• Public hearing on fee schedule revisions (Resolution 2024-41)
• 2025 Brown County Committee Appointments
• Personnel Policy 2025
• Insurance-HSA MOUs with AFSCME and LELS
• Carbon Reduction Program Grant Application sponsorship for Springfield

The Brown County Board of Commissioners approved the 2025 fee schedule, numerous claims and contracts, and several personnel and operational items. All votes were unanimous except for two 4-0 roll-call votes on electronic funds transfer authority and acting as fiscal agent for Springfield's grant. The board also approved multiple drainage repairs, a PFAS treatment proposal, and union MOUs.

• Adopted 2025 Brown County Fee Schedule (Resolution 2024-41, Ordinance 2024-5) unanimously
• Approved general government claims totaling $268,013.69 and human services claims totaling $10,898.34
• Approved 2025 committee appointments effective January 1, 2025
• Approved internal posting for over 30-hour transit driver position
• Approved electronic funds transfer authority (Resolution 2024-43) on 4-0 roll-call vote
• Approved 20 drainage repair requests totaling $100,000+
• Approved acting as sponsoring agency for Springfield's Carbon Reduction Program grant (Resolution 2024-42) on 4-0 vote
• Approved PFAS treatment system proposal from GEI Consultants (not to exceed $9,750)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will meet to adopt the 2025 County Budget and supplemental budgets. The agenda includes decisions on 2025 commissioner salaries and the scheduling of a public hearing for fee schedule revisions.

• Adoption of 2025 County Budget and Supplemental Budgets
• Resolution No. 2024-39 regarding 2025 Brown County Commissioners Salary
• Surface rehabilitation projects on CSAH 33 and CSAH 34
• Planning Commission recommendations for applications APP-C-0180, APP-P-0160, and APP-P-0161
• Fuel bid for 2025

The Brown County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2025 certified levy of $17,813,775 (a 7.99% increase from 2024) and the 2025 budget of $45,869,475 (a 7.97% increase), both by unanimous roll-call votes. The board also approved numerous contracts, permits, and agreements, including a fuel contract with Braun Oil for $219,263.16 and a Local Option Sales Tax agreement for transportation. Several items were approved with dissenting votes, including the Wetlands Conservation Act contract with Watonwan County (4-1) and the SafeAssure Contract (4-1).

• Adopted 2025 certified levy of $17,813,775 and budget of $45,869,475 (5-0)
• Approved fuel contract with Braun Oil for $219,263.16 (unanimous)
• Approved Local Option Sales Tax for Transportation agreement (5-0)
• Approved 2025 drainage assessments totaling $176,200 (5-0)
• Approved 4% interest rate for 2025 drainage assessments (unanimous)
• Approved WCA contract with Watonwan County (4-1, Windschitl dissenting)
• Approved SafeAssure Contract for $12,370 annually (4-1, Berg dissenting)
• Approved 2025 Board salary of $31,050 plus per diems (4-1, Berg dissenting)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding a conditional use permit for a farm equipment repair shop. The body will also review a final plat application for the Wellmann 2nd Subdivision.

• Public hearing for Conditional Use Application APP-C-0180 (Scott Cowan) for a farm equipment repair shop
• Plat Application APP-P-0160 for the Final Plat of Wellmann 2nd Subdivision (Kristen Wellmann)

The Brown County Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a farm equipment repair shop, a final plat for Wellman 2nd Subdivision, and a preliminary plat for Marz Subdivision. All recommendations will go to the County Board for final action. The commission also approved its 2025 meeting schedule.

• Recommended approval of conditional use permit for farm equipment repair shop (APP-C-0180) (4-0)
• Recommended approval of final plat for Wellman 2nd Subdivision (APP-P-0160) (4-0)
• Recommended approval of preliminary plat for Marz Subdivision (APP-P-0161) (4-0)
• Approved agenda as amended (4-0)
• Approved November 12, 2024 minutes with one correction (4-0)
• Set 2025 meeting dates (second Tuesday of each month)

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing regarding a variance application for Kucera Family Properties LLC. The board will determine if a sign may exceed the 20-foot height limit to reach 32 feet.

• Variance Application APP-V-0067: Request to increase advertisement sign height from 20 to 32 feet in the B-1 Business Zoning District

The Brown County Board of Adjustment approved a variance allowing Summit Locations LLC to erect an advertising sign 32 feet tall, exceeding the 20-foot limit, on property owned by Kucera Family Properties LLC in the B-1 Business Zoning District. The motion passed 3-1, with Boelter dissenting. The board also unanimously approved the October 8, 2024, minutes.

• Approved variance APP-V-0067 for 32-foot sign height (3-1, Boelter dissenting)
• Approved October 8, 2024, minutes (4-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Brown County Board will review and approve the meeting agenda, then discuss several procurement items, including a battery backup, a LEC router, and a high‑availability firewall. A preliminary hearing on County Ditch 74 will be heard, and the Highway Department will give its monthly update. The meeting will conclude with a public budget session to present the 2025 county budget.

• Preliminary hearing for County Ditch 74
• Battery backup replacement purchase
• LEC router replacement
• High‑availability firewall purchase
• 2025 public budget meeting

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review human services claims and contract renewals. The meeting includes discussions on the Elixir Building and the Elixir Fund, as well as a memorandum of agreement with the University of Minnesota for 2025-2027.

• 2025-2027 Memorandum of Agreement with University of Minnesota
• Elixir Building and the Elixir Fund discussion
• Transit ADA Resolution
• Transit Bus Donation
• Human Services Contract Renewals

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will discuss several administrative contracts, including a 2024 audit engagement and a cost allocation plan. The meeting includes reviews of planning commission recommendations for a conditional use permit and a preliminary plat application. Other business includes radio grants and staffing for the license bureau and public health.

• ARMER Radio Grant and Countywide Radio Purchase
• Conditional Use Permit APP-C-0179
• Preliminary Plat Application APP-P-0160
• 2024 Audit Engagement Contract
• MN Historical Society Grant Agreement

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding a conditional use permit for a livestock operation. The body will also consider a preliminary plat for a subdivision.

• Public hearing for APP-C-0179: Travis Vogel request to expand swine and beef cattle feedlot from 561 to 693 animal units
• Review of APP-P-0160: Preliminary Plat of Wellmann 2nd Subdivision

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will discuss the Ten Year Road & Bridge Construction Program and a MN DNR land acquisition. The meeting includes decisions on personnel appointments and drainage ditch repairs.

• Resolution No. 2024-31: SAP 008-599-062 on 125th Street in Stately Township
• Ten Year Road & Bridge Construction Program
• Resolution No. 2024-30: MN DNR Land Acquisition
• Resolution No. 2024-32: Appointment of Deputy Registrar
• Brown County Coroner resignation and appointment

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners is holding a special meeting to conduct interviews with two finalists for the County Engineer position. The board intends to select a candidate during this session.

• Interviews with two finalists for County Engineer
• Candidate selection for County Engineer

Board of Commissioners

The Board will review and approve the meeting agenda and consent items, and hear reports on human services claims payments, staffing, the SCHA fall 2024 report, the third‑quarter budget, and an interim IT lead role. It will consider a request for a commissioner’s leave of absence and discuss the Brown County Assessor’s four‑year term and reappointment. The meeting will also include routine correspondence, committee updates and calendar coordination before adjourning.

• Human Services Claims Payments
• Q3 Budget Report
• Interim Lead Role – IT
• Addendum: Brown County Assessor Four-Year Term and Reappointment
• Request for Leave of Absence

Board of Commissioners

The Brown County Board of Commissioners will discuss budget reports and planning commission recommendations. The body is reviewing a 2025 NRBG SSTS grant agreement and training approvals for the Sheriff's Office. Other items include drainage ditch repairs and seal coat aggregate for 2025.

• 2025 NRBG SSTS Grant Agreement
• Sheriff's Office approval for LETAC Training in 2025
• SCHA County Community Reinvestment Grant
• Conditional Use Permit APP-C-0178 and Final Plat Application APP-P-0159
• Drainage ditch repair and payment requests

Planning Commission

The Brown County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on CUP Application APP-C-0178, which seeks approval for a power sports repair, sales, and welding shop. The commission will also consider the final plat for the Wilfahrt 2nd Subdivision (APP-P-0159). Additional agenda items include recommendations to the County Board, a September zoning report, and per diem claim forms. The meeting will conclude with scheduling the next session for November 12, 2024.

• Public hearing on CUP Application APP-C-0178 for a power sports repair, sales, and welding shop
• Review of Plat Application APP-P-0159 for the Final Plat of Wilfahrt 2nd Subdivision
• P & Z Recommendations to County Board on 10-15-2024 at 10:00 AM
• Discussion of the September Zoning Report
• Processing of Per Diem Claim Forms

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing regarding a variance application for a property in North Star Township. The board will also review minutes from the August 13, 2024, meeting.

• Public hearing for variance APP-V-0066 (Darvin & Kay Voge) to allow a 15.6-foot reduction from the required 125-foot setback from the center of the county road for a four-season porch

Board of Commissioners

The Brown County Board of Commissioners will review and approve routine agenda items, then discuss several new business items. Key topics include a payment request for drainage ditch repair, a resolution authorizing a bridge repair project on County State Highway 5, a soil health grant agreement, a comprehensive watershed management plan, and a proclamation for 4-H Week. The board will also consider a memorandum of agreement with AFSCME Local No. 1204 and a budget report for January–June 2024.

• Drainage ditch repair and payment request
• Resolution No. 2024-27: Bridge repair project on CSAH 5
• GBERBA Soil Health Grant Agreement
• Resolution No. 2024-28: Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan
• MOA with AFSCME 65, Local No. 1204 (Courthouse)

General

The Brown County Solid Waste Advisory Committee will convene to review minutes from March 2024 and receive updates on landfill operations, including leachate recirculation and gas monitoring wells, as well as the status of the 2024 recycling collection events.

• Review minutes from March 11, 2024
• Landfill gas monitoring wells update
• Leachate recirculation update
• 2024 Recycling Collection Events update
• Rural Recycling with RVS update

Board of Commissioners

The Brown County Board of Commissioners will review and approve the agenda, then discuss several items including human services claims payments, the Evaluation Center contract, a summer camping report, a human services update, an MRCI presentation, and a transport skid purchase for the sheriff's office UTV. The meeting will also include committee reports and calendar coordination before adjourning.

• Human Services Claims Payments
• Brown County Evaluation Center Contract
• 2024 Annual Summer Camping Report
• MRCI Presentation
• Transport Skid for Sheriff's Office UTV

Board of Commissioners

The Brown County Board of Commissioners will conduct interviews with five finalists for an open position and select a candidate. The meeting is scheduled for September 24, 2024.

• Interviews with (5) Finalists
• Candidate Selection
• Special Meeting of the Brown County Board of Commissioners
• Agenda Review and Approval

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will discuss the proposed 2025 property tax levy and hold a public hearing on the 2025 County Budget and Levy. The meeting includes reviews of planning commission recommendations and various equipment and software purchases.

• Proposed Property Tax Levy for 2025
• 2025 County Budget and Levy Public Hearing
• Resolution No. 2024-25: TH 71 Detour Agreement
• Preliminary Plat Application APP-P-0159 and Conditional Use Permit Application APP-C-0177
• Opioid Settlement Grant Application and Award Agreement

The Brown County Board of Commissioners approved a 2025 proposed tax levy of $17,978,725, an 8.99% increase over 2024, on a 3-2 roll-call vote. The board also approved several purchases, including new voting equipment, network security software, and data storage, and authorized a highway detour agreement. All other agenda items, including claims payments and a preliminary plat approval, were approved unanimously.

• Approved 2025 proposed tax levy of $17,978,725 (8.99% increase) (3-2)
• Approved $6,085 purchase of Poll Pad packages and hot spots from KNOWiNK (5-0)
• Approved $12,990/yr Splunk network logging software plus $4,990 implementation fee (5-0)
• Approved $32,600 purchase of new data storage (5-0)
• Approved TH 71 detour agreement with Kraemer North America, LLC (5-0)
• Approved $330,543.26 for tandem cab/chassis and snowplow equipment (5-0)
• Approved Wilfahrt 2nd Subdivision preliminary plat (5-0)
• Approved $118,365.43 in Human Services claims (5-0)

Planning Commission

The commission will hold a public hearing on a conditional use permit (APP-C-0177) filed by Kevin Jeurissen for a sawmill and woodshop operation. It will also review the preliminary plat (APP-P-0159) for the Wilfahrt 2nd Subdivision. Other business includes upcoming Planning & Zoning recommendations to the County Board, the August zoning report, and per diem claim forms.

• Public hearing – Conditional Use Permit (APP-C-0177) for sawmill and woodshop, applicant Kevin Jeurissen
• Public hearing – Preliminary Plat (APP-P-0159) for Wilfahrt 2nd Subdivision
• Planning & Zoning recommendations to County Board scheduled 09-17-2024 at 10:00 AM
• Review of August Zoning Report
• Consideration of Per Diem Claim Forms

The Brown County Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a sawmill and woodshop in Albin Township, and a preliminary plat to replat Wilfahrt 1st Subdivision into three lots in Cottonwood Township. Both recommendations go to the County Board for final action.

• Approved minutes from August 12, 2024 (5-0)
• Recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit APP-C-0177 for sawmill/woodshop (5-0)
• Recommended approval of Preliminary Plat APP-P-0159 for Wilfahrt 2nd Subdivision (5-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Brown County Board of Commissioners will review and approve the official proceedings and claims from the previous meeting, receive a staffing report, and authorize an amended agreement for fiscal year 2025. The agenda also includes a presentation on MnDOT District 7 CHIP outreach and updates from the Highway and Planning Commissions.

• Approval of General Government Claims
• Staffing Report
• Amended Agreement to Resolution No. 2023-20 for FY25
• MnDOT District 7 CHIP Outreach Presentation
• Planning Commission Recommendations

The Brown County Board approved a conditional use permit for a manure compost processing facility on property owned by Mathiowetz Construction Co. in Prairieville Township, with conditions including compliance with regulations and windrow height limits. The vote was 4-1, with Commissioner Borchert dissenting. The board also approved several other items, including drainage repairs, a crime victim services grant amendment, and a tree stump removal contract.

• Approved Conditional Use Permit APP-C-0174 for manure compost facility (4-1, Borchert dissenting)
• Approved drainage repair for CD68 in Lake Hanska Township, $5,431.15 (unanimous)
• Approved amendment to Resolution 2023-20 for Crime Victim Services 2025 Grant (unanimous)
• Accepted MnDOT District 7 Capital Highway Improvement Plan report (unanimous)
• Accepted Highway Department Monthly Update (unanimous)
• Approved $3,500 tree stump removal contract with Carr's Tree Service (unanimous)
• Authorized signature on Wellner Hagemann Dam Inspection Report (unanimous)
• Approved $16,200 concrete flooring installation at Landfill cold storage building with Scott Kral (unanimous)