[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6206861,"mediaKeyId","3760176-f81e8fb4de892a4f3844f0a3df4af9a7","parentId",3760176,"title","Blue Earth County board approves equipment purchases, software upgrade, highway funds advance and policy update","audioSeconds",193,"startMs",2610000,"endMs",2803000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760176-f81e8fb4de892a4f3844f0a3df4af9a7&start=2610&end=2803","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760176-f81e8fb4de892a4f3844f0a3df4af9a7/thumbnail_2610000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206861/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/Blue-Earth-County-board-approves-equipment-purchases-software-upgrade-highway-funds-advance-and-policy-update","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206861-d4edb9cfb5042b8e1d3296fe5fb4e670/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678558&Signature=TQPp0G~Jr~IB4kMXyVQOsesXDxwNapT5zm28qHh3HThbZrr2BuQ5rZoeXUOaAeS2HhScqe93k~I4hH2YSV~3g-myz0kLimpkCTuxOxSucfudhuQ9yTs65c2IVjo9Rn6eDaBL20eKrkfhiqnoitbEGvHsYcJo4zYLTR0VpXo3-oVOqjSnL7QM-KLF8RAI~FmXCy44sAwTMx3vYV1ISKfBf7TFAqqekqvFMpmZpPgAuUcz4CwMlXPh~W1XwoVzDS6rAEUfq7fUbUfuum6q~WVxgG8GCnbP61NQ8SDUHRGC9x1-rVsObJmzwCXrPLocVnEalH1le3l5YZN1TYDDK2YvgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Blue Earth County, MN","date","2025-06-11T08:49:54.823Z","article","The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners on June 10 approved a series of administrative, equipment and policy items included in the day's consent and regular business.

Property and Environmental Resources Director Michael Stahlberger asked the board to add Marshall & Swift commercial and industrial valuation data to the county's Tyler property-tax system. Staff said the one-time conversion fee is $18,600 with an annual update cost of $3,000; the board approved the purchase to tighten valuation accuracy and reduce outside appraisal costs.

The board also authorized two capital equipment purchases at the Ponderosa Landfill included in the county's capital plan. Staff presented a purchase of a Caterpillar 963 crawler loader with a preventative maintenance plan for a net price of $740,000 (trade-in included) and a John Deere 950P crawler dozer with a net cost of $642,650 (trade-in included). Staff said lead times are six to eight months and these purchases keep critical landfill operations under warranty; motions to approve both purchases carried.

Public Works presented two resolutions that the board approved. The board authorized advancing anticipated County State Aid municipal construction funds for work on County State Aid Highways 15 and 28 in the city of St. Clair to fund upcoming construction. The board also approved a resolution requesting the Metropolitan Area Planning Organization (MAPO) conduct a corridor study of County State Aid Highway 16 (Stoltzman Road) from 1,000 feet south of Pleasant Street to Riverfront Boulevard in advance of a 2027 construction project.

The board approved a $10,000 expenditure of opioid settlement funds to the South Central Community Based Initiative for planning work to establish a regional children's crisis center. Finance staff presented the county's financial status report for May 31 showing year-to-date revenues and expenditures and current cash and investment balances; the report was accepted as informational.

Human Resources Director Laura Albelbach presented updated salary-adjustment procedures to comply with a recent Minnesota statutory revision that prohibits use of pay history in compensation decisions; the board approved the procedural revisions effective June 15. The meeting packet also included routine approvals for an on-sale liquor license for the county fair and an exempt gambling permit for Ducks Unlimited; both were approved.

Board members asked questions about equipment lead times, trade-in values and continuity of landfill operations; staff said redundancies exist so a single equipment failure can be managed while in-warranty repairs occur.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners Meeting for June 10th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its June 10 meeting the Blue Earth County Board approved the purchase of valuation software, two landfill pieces of equipment, resolutions to advance county-state aid funds and request a corridor study, an opioid planning grant, and updated salary adjustment procedures.","taxTitle","Blue Earth County , Minnesota","taxId",52764,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206866,"Drainage Authority approves sediment-storage basin on County Ditch 56 to reduce sediment and peak flows",207,1116000,1323000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760176-f81e8fb4de892a4f3844f0a3df4af9a7&start=1116&end=1323","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760176-f81e8fb4de892a4f3844f0a3df4af9a7/thumbnail_1116000.jpg","/articles/6206866/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/Drainage-Authority-approves-sediment-storage-basin-on-County-Ditch-56-to-reduce-sediment-and-peak-flows","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206866-2e1e2de9b8620fca0bae3e2e5ec6b430/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678558&Signature=QbqB0-hyUhgNCPeni8aCIP~xoLhf1gaMP2n9RAqi6Hhv9-fZP1B~6hPzs7HG07My455i0M1gMCXz62CwLNIGWIdQiYOdHYPkLJBP~-PgzgdYejVrytj3IE5qpMzzUlJMT8MzMpuQf5jSMMR91EGz0QdWb3TaN53ys3hh8GKsUoKM-KkH2kt8k4LyyoTXLexM9zHsPEaSBrbA8rmnjVkfDpgiiGVAFJyGbvJDYjECzWAPFBVP3EhuaKW4DcWC8r6lODxeyalK5rhZ~EZD750dBcfQuEmM~zQtxcVJ0UVXryA4T5m9LTY3HJSknAW35LN9hljCPcTpt1QOJh8Nr~~NNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Blue Earth County Drainage Authority on June 10 approved a petition to impound, reroute and divert portions of County Ditch 56, authorizing construction of a storage and wetland basin intended to capture sediment and reduce peak flow rates into Lake Crystal.

ISG engineer Chuck Bridal presented the engineering review and recommended approval after a landowner meeting and hydraulic modeling. \"In conclusion, the project is feasible, and I feel it is a benefit to the system. It will reduce flooding, capture sediment,\" Bridal said during the presentation. The board voted to accept the engineer's findings and order, including a reroute of Branch 1 and the condition that all necessary drainage easements be obtained.

Staff said the County Ditch 56 watershed covers roughly 9,400 acres in Garden City and Lincoln townships. The approved design creates about 5.5 acres of storage and wetland within a 7-acre easement area, with total storage of about 51 acre-feet and a 4-foot-deep sediment trap. ISG estimated the basin will capture roughly 350 tons of sediment and reduce routine cleaning in the open ditch and municipal culverts. Engineer modeling in the packet showed reductions in flood elevations upstream and downstream during many events.

Project cost was estimated at $662,000, county materials showed; an awarded grant for the project was reported at roughly $596,075 (packets also referenced a $600,000 award), leaving an estimated funding gap of about $65,925. The City of Lake Crystal and the Crystal Waters group committed a combined $60,000 toward the project (board clarification corrected an earlier $6,000 figure). No members of the public offered comment during the hearing.

Board members praised the collaborative effort among landowners, the Soil and Water Conservation District, ISG, the city and county staff. Commissioner Kevin, who moved approval, said the project could cut sediment loads substantially and serve as an example for other projects in the state. Staff said construction could begin shortly after finalizing plans and easements, with most work likely after harvest this year or next year depending on bids and scheduling.","Blue Earth County Drainage Authority granted a petition to impound and reroute parts of County Ditch 56, authorizing a 5.5-acre basin to capture sediment, reduce peak flows and lower maintenance needs, with state grant funding covering most costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206870,"Blue Earth County EDA OKs $150,000 for Community Land Trust, approves vouchers and advisory appointment",136,682000,818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3760176-f81e8fb4de892a4f3844f0a3df4af9a7&start=682&end=818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3760176-f81e8fb4de892a4f3844f0a3df4af9a7/thumbnail_682000.jpg","/articles/6206870/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/Blue-Earth-County-EDA-OKs-150000-for-Community-Land-Trust-approves-vouchers-and-advisory-appointment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206870-4c1c2a4cea84e4dd71f16747564c9211/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678558&Signature=ULOm~u8edkslj71VkmdsePT4DhVP01oVhQnpCplOwMfSsrQNjwY4cUy81~59c4utuklXXzZY8cSnT7~N0-3QwKD7CtCiq6~~5VHaKavM1KtxaQrSi2XuZHO9HZEzJzNTLfFesYZAazh8wKdOsrF44EcUETQkZB3G-IEwYowE70E9rivPO2frlttLfkHJ19~M7cxVeoA3I7ZEpqmnQk6KMS2F6QMZu5hHJXg5is6dpeECjikKdfbYXLlyBdR7G919mrODriqtzuPN7GUnU9PXOQslIh~R-ClRIylq1IFtz8JhiEN6gedYvugXJF5-VpSFmiiMljq9knb3003r9YHO8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Blue Earth County Economic Development Authority on June 10 approved $150,000 from the county Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support Phase 5 of the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership's Community Land Trust, county staff said. The funding will be used to lower purchase costs for homes targeted at households at or below 80% of area median income.

The EDA packet and staff presentation said the land trust application layers multiple funding sources to make homes affordable. Jen Theaneman, director of real estate and community development for Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, said the partnership has secured New Markets Tax Credits, city of Mankato funds, philanthropy from the Target Foundation and Auto Bremer Trust, and recent Minnesota Housing funding that matches the county contribution. \"Our homeownership advisors work with City Of Mankato residents to, not only qualify them, but also do all the things that are necessary,\" Theaneman said, describing mandatory homebuyer education and credit-counseling work the partnership provides.

County staff described the request as $250,000 to subsidize about 10 homes (roughly $25,000 per unit). EDA staff recommended using money set aside in the county's affordable housing trust and noted the county has an available statewide affordable housing aid balance in the packet. The board voted to approve the EDA recommendation; the motion carried without recorded opposition.

At the same meeting the EDA appointed Corey Murrell, a Pioneer Bank employee with local affordable housing experience and Habitat for Humanity board service, to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund advisory committee. The appointment motion carried.

The EDA also authorized the county to sign a Minnesota Housing grant agreement and a cooperative agreement with the South Central Community-Based Mental Health Initiative for the Bridges program. County staff said the award provides 25 Bridges vouchers and $437,801 in funding for two years; the South Central initiative will provide case coordination and support services and the county will sign the grant documents to accept the award.

Board members and staff described the actions as continued local support for multiple years of partnership work on the Community Land Trust and related rental-assistance programming. The EDA adjourned after approving the items on its agenda.","The Blue Earth County Economic Development Authority approved $150,000 from the county Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support Phase 5 of the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership Community Land Trust and authorized a Minnesota Housing-backed Bridges voucher agreement; the EDA also appointed a new advisory board member.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Blue Earth County board approves equipment purchases, software upgrade, highway funds advance and policy update

Drainage Authority approves sediment-storage basin on County Ditch 56 to reduce sediment and peak flows

Blue Earth County EDA OKs $150,000 for Community Land Trust, approves vouchers and advisory appointment