Commissioners OK agreement with SOS office for recount

Talk about it

As elections draw near, a related item was near the top of the Douglas County commissioners’ agenda on Tuesday, October 9.

Commissioners authorized a joint powers agreement with the state of Minnesota through the Office of the Secretary of State to act as an election recount site for the 2012 general election.

Should a recount occur, Douglas County will be compensated three cents for each ballot handled and a minimum of $100 if a recount occurs in the county. Other items discussed at the meeting were staff changes, grants and partnerships.

STAFF CHANGES

Public Health Director Sandy Tubbs was granted approval to increase a dietician position to full-time for the county WIC program. Commissioner Paul C. Anderson voted against the change. Tubbs justified the need because the position contributes to the five county Horizon plan.

Horizon is a partnership between Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens and Traverse counties to engage in a combined public health department with shared services to benefit residents of each county.

Facilities Director Steve Ziemer was given authority to fill a custodian vacancy and any other positions that should arise. Keith Albertsen, county assessor, will be filling a vacancy to replace Carl Lindquist, who has accepted a position as Grant County assessor.

GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS

Commissioners approved grant terms and conditions for bridge bonds on County Road 111 and Mill Pond Road.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation grants are part of a local bridge replacement program. A grant for $132,573 with a $95,584 match will be put toward the County Road 111 project; $131,475 is available for the Mill Pond Road bridge with a $280,000 matching requirement.

Public Works Director and County Engineer Dave Robley said work on the bridges could start as early as October 22 and each project could take as little as four days.

Commissioner Bev Bales requested that Robley oversee the posting of aluminum signs at county entrances proclaiming Douglas County as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon community. The program provides support for soldiers and their families. Robley accepted the task.

County Coordinator Bill Schalow presented the board with a joint powers agreement for the Chippewa River watershed project.

Douglas County has entered into the agreement and will pay $4,200 into a reserve account to be put toward development and implementation of plans to promote the water quality of the Chippewa River Watershed.

Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Pope, Stevens and Swift counties are also included in the agreement and will contribute funds as well, based on the land mass of each county in the watershed.

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