[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6191683,"mediaKeyId","4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860","parentId",4465402,"title","County OKs flagpole at Highway Building; board discusses continuing to fly old Minnesota state flag","audioSeconds",516,"startMs",1960000,"endMs",2476000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860&start=1960&end=2476","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860/thumbnail_1960000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191683/Houston-County/Minnesota/County-OKs-flagpole-at-Highway-Building-board-discusses-continuing-to-fly-old-Minnesota-state-flag","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191683-8c734740a8a8cad2a9cac1494704d10f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193649&Signature=EfyJ~tC431m5y6y9HIT9tZQG6aAmXy0gTmzMFD2RdJABTjKYirnc3Gm~12Drn162GLLDmhf88dZiJOGIloLi30k0XCKp8bL0EDax8JWeIMMxzFZLlNGcZOOoyZzdrj-ZoGGzyXUr0snZvTI47SFSN8mhjtmrYq3-eXnQnfLcReWL3tREUv5O-jEen7a9AfneSHkKHQfdV-n8ZIztV8QBm5r8Ng3cR1DlrFJrC8IEjIqyVji5KSWa6P5XMF0Wn~oYMGBOTypXayODmfKKJdhCw9m3sdf8oA4bRD3gxN9dG4mVEAldSEgzv-emYg61DssZi0xd5i4UttXRxR7XGEgbGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston County, MN","date","2025-06-18T19:59:19Z","article","The Houston County Board approved spending to install a commercial-grade flagpole, lighting and initial flag purchases at the Highway Department following a presentation of estimated costs.

County staff said a 25-foot commercial flagpole with required lighting and electrical installation would cost about $5,000 for initial setup; ongoing costs would be modest (roughly $250 annually for flags and electricity), staff said. A commissioner moved and the board approved the project by voice vote.

Commissioners also discussed which Minnesota state flag to fly. County staff noted that Minnesota adopted a new state flag on May 11, 2024. Board members discussed whether the county was required to adopt the new flag; staff said counties and most local offices are not required to switch flags. Several commissioners expressed a preference for continuing to fly the previous state flag. One commissioner said, \"I would just keep flying the old flag,\" and another said, \"I'm of the opinion that we would fly the old flag also.\" The transcript records that the board did not take a formal vote to change county flag policy; the discussion concluded with a consensus to keep the existing flag in use.

Why this matters: Installing a flagpole at the Highway Department creates a visible county presence at that facility and adds a small recurring cost for flag replacement. The discussion of the state flag touches on ceremonial practice and local sentiment but did not produce a formal policy change in the meeting.

Ending: The flagpole installation was authorized and staff will order materials and arrange electrical work. Commissioners left the state flag question at informal consensus to continue flying the older flag at county facilities; no formal resolution was adopted during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Official Houston County Board Meeting 6-3-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Houston County Board authorized about $5,000 in initial spending to install a commercial-grade flagpole and lighting at the Highway Department and informally discussed continuing to fly Minnesota's previous state flag rather than the design adopted by the state in 2024.","taxTitle","Houston County, Minnesota","taxId",73152,"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},6191688,"Houston County approves automatic door openers for Highway Building to improve accessibility",337,1601000,1938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860&start=1601&end=1938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860/thumbnail_1601000.jpg","/articles/6191688/Houston-County/Minnesota/Houston-County-approves-automatic-door-openers-for-Highway-Building-to-improve-accessibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191688-9944903b0b93d309f191922fb1d2bf75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193649&Signature=HE5yglc1UVqxKyY4PKQ-lpdUYx5ZtwnmUZdeQb0r6z83LdkaY3bbNGs6HGtcFZrUvgUUcxK-e8AWAOUMkOPNzV55n2cTNKwt-58-NS1yFetM-n0whIbe3belaz5TJeeJTLz4foL2YKCNVmsb-QkUSe7nVJaxNiEvfcF07Dqz7XOMIha6k43o9Nsuc9F9hLieren2ZMTQPNvEqV9jw93ymsPNSPkMZkT59wCY4ThV5YYOgypYzYODRB8czjSPVw2IQDsIMC5udIj-RrE2~ufhcPkUvLDf56I8~UegJFQZ6KE2cnRE98VFrinAVO2vEdiOPz2fhwHHkMgKuZbUJmLz7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston County Board approved a quote to install two automatic door operators, actuators, wireless transmitters and receivers on the Highway Building's north (public) entrance to improve accessibility and align with updated Minnesota requirements for public-serving buildings.

County staff said the building complied with accessibility requirements when it was built but noted that Minnesota regulations changed in 2022 and newer public buildings are required to provide powered door openers. The quoted cost for the door operators is $8,625; county staff estimated electrical wiring would add $1,500 to $2,000, making the total roughly a little over $10,000. The installation will use a push-button activation mounted on a wall; manual operation will remain available.

A county staffer explained the practical and liability considerations: while the current building, built before the 2022 rule change, is likely compliant as constructed, modifications to the building or an accommodation request could require powered doors later. \"It'll be a push button activated,\" the staffer said when describing how users will operate the system.

Funding and vote: Board members discussed budget availability and noted salary savings and other budget variances that should allow the county to absorb the cost without a formal reallocation; staff said fund balances and vacancy savings make the project manageable within the current year. A commissioner moved to approve the quote; the motion passed by voice vote.

Ending: County staff will proceed with the vendor installation and arrange electrical wiring; the doors will remain usable manually and will have push-button activation for users needing assistance.","The county approved a vendor quote to install two automatic door operators and wireless transmitters on the Highway Building's public entrance, with estimated total cost a little over $10,000 including electrical work.",{"_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},6191693,"Houston County reviews two tax-abatement requests; board approves Spring Grove cinema abatement",933,655000,1588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860&start=655&end=1588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860/thumbnail_655000.jpg","/articles/6191693/Houston-County/Minnesota/Houston-County-reviews-two-tax-abatement-requests-board-approves-Spring-Grove-cinema-abatement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191693-1511db7b179aec54557c84eaad33b50f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193649&Signature=NkYgNRtkP8tpKFqaGsik0yDJAdaEtduyhlFNFPv3pSsxbG9oq20JoyTGkX3WJ40D5nFHtqJN5qPNv9Ea6Dyac3ISCryUIV1UDHXaKc3Uuu9A~ZrRTBMzYcKtUXpmMhzT3n8oTl31wo3QY1QXwBArvFhknvMz9fr-Xg6ED4YvqESA7LJ8NOsMLW48Mst5xYlok23AD--8lALVEzHI8pQ84HqmHBnng82xzX5mb61ZGFViCtSYd35~n3zk5g8WlntzB~Zmb1SNL3hlu2f88P01uTUUuSnUrBytRSFnFQZyvVi970ed72iw7cGJP89UJd8357nt81NTSQmpE0th2AzuGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Houston County officials examined two tax-abatement requests during an action-item session: one involving a rural property used as a venue and campsites and a second from Real Haven LLC for Spring Grove Cinema. The board approved the cinema abatement and did not approve the campsite/venue abatement during the meeting.

The campsite/venue property: County staff described an application from property owners (identified in the transcript as Jake and Holly) who asked that part of their land not be treated as commercial. The assessor told the board that published news reporting and a later site review suggested the property operates a larger number of campsites than the owners reported—estimates in the meeting referenced roughly 75 campsites and three cabins—and that a portion of the parcel corrections (a house assigned to the wrong parcel) needed administrative fixes. The assessor said the commercial use question could change the tax calculation and that, because the potential abatement would exceed $3,000, the board must decide. The transcript records no motion approving that abatement; a county official said, \"I do not [recommend the abatement],\" and the board did not move to approve it during the meeting.

Spring Grove Cinema abatement: The board approved an abatement request from Real Haven LLC for the Spring Grove Cinema after the assessor recommended it. County staff said an earlier removal of a \"location adjustment\" from the property's valuation had raised expected taxes for the new owner, who purchased the building in December and had not had an opportunity to appeal prior valuation notices. The assessor said most of the abatement was tied to restoring that location adjustment and that the correction to the upstairs square footage in the assessor's records represented a smaller portion of the abatement. \"I would recommend this abatement,\" the assessor said, citing the new owner’s lack of notice and lack of opportunity to appeal before purchase. A motion to approve the Real Haven LLC abatement passed by voice vote.

Why this matters: The decisions affect how several commercial and quasi-commercial properties are taxed and how valuation errors or missing notifications are handled after property transfers. The board’s handling of such abatements signals how it will treat owner appeals tied to valuation adjustments and disclosure to buyers.

Clarifying details and next steps: County staff said they will correct parcel assignments and make square-footage corrections where needed. For the campsite/venue parcel, staff noted the discrepancy between the owners’ application and on-the-ground use and news reporting; because of that discrepancy and the potential size of the abatement, the assessor said the board should decide. No board motion approving the campsite/venue abatement was recorded in the transcript. The Spring Grove Cinema abatement was approved; staff said they will apply the corrected valuation going forward.

Ending: The board moved on after approving the Spring Grove Cinema abatement and taking no action on the campsite/venue request; staff follow-up is expected to correct parcel assignments and clarify valuation displays in county records.","The county considered two abatement applications: one for a property with a wedding venue and extensive campsites where the board did not approve an abatement during the meeting, and a second for Real Haven LLC (Spring Grove Cinema) that the board approved after assessor recommendation and corrected valuation items.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191698,"Resident asks Houston County to hold special meeting on Moneycreek alley vacation",324,115000,439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860&start=115&end=439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860/thumbnail_115000.jpg","/articles/6191698/Houston-County/Minnesota/Resident-asks-Houston-County-to-hold-special-meeting-on-Moneycreek-alley-vacation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191698-15589af2fcf66e131e9c60f83d8992e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193649&Signature=Mp6RTKLMguWCc50jq37lWfBEB8zg8CyQigD7Y8H-P--CZxNHbBu34WYy6o6IvCyS5Bg61QuqABtOL8IrYIqy36hFHx1uguYFKCn5W1QlwboZHADJ4sM0cMFfhzTXqpzFVtq3hAHJa8fi14UWp7zw6i2xy7iGo3ejtF6H0fXZQQ7rw4Irs~beWdDxHZU0bybrad0ezjrxZ6MI7BwOGBIs2G4937HIz~s6PB~1GkLojI7C1-ntCNWjNafbcOt7ocuPmsbRxafKVupGZDTQ8T1aoVD72pw3dFJodUsPqVb9rhxbu9dqJ81rWdLvylqgTv~gmndlwLOadm~EBnQ3jvYZ5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robin Danielson, a Moneycreek resident, asked the Houston County Board of Commissioners to schedule a special meeting with the county attorney and staff to review the proposed vacation of a 10-foot portion of a 20-foot alley and to ensure the process is handled correctly.

Danielson told the board she and other property owners, including her husband and Brian Forsyth, have paid taxes on the parcels abutting the alley for more than 48 years and that earlier county records show the north half of the alley had been vacated and conveyed decades ago. She said township records were lost in a fire and the township attorney told them he would not try to trace the missing records, prompting her request for the county to examine the title and filing history before the vacation is finalized. \"We would like to request the board or the board's attorney to come to a special meeting on this Thursday at 5 p.m. in Moneycreek, regarding the vacation of an alley,\" Danielson said in public comment.

Why this matters: Danielson warned that if the county treats the current proceeding as a new vacation rather than recognizing the earlier partial vacation and conveyance recorded with the auditor, property owners could face retroactive tax liability or penalties, or the county could incur costs to resolve title questions. She said the failure to file a notice in the prior proceeding \"does not invalidate the vacation proceedings, per the ordinance,\" and asked the board to confirm that the earlier conveyance remains effective.

Board response and next steps: A county board member (no name supplied on the transcript) told Danielson to \"make it a point to show up for that\" if a special meeting is scheduled. The board did not make a formal decision during the meeting to schedule a special meeting; no motion or vote on the alley vacation was recorded in the transcript. Danielson said she had documentary evidence (deeds, a recorded conveyance, photographs of a retaining wall and planted landmarks) but was short on copies for the board.

Outlook: Danielson asked the board to instruct the county attorney to review the earlier conveyance and to verify whether the township's loss of records alters legal title or the county's obligations. The transcript contains no follow-up assignment, formal direction to staff, or a board vote on scheduling the requested special meeting.

Ending: The board moved on without taking formal action on Danielson's request; Danielson and other neighbors may seek to return at a future meeting if the board schedules further review or if the county attorney provides clarifying guidance.","A Moneycreek resident told the Houston County Board she and neighboring property owners want a special meeting and legal review before the county completes vacation of the final 10 feet of a 20-foot alley they say was partially vacated decades ago and has been treated as private property for more than 48 years.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191678,"Board transfers EDA loan funds and approves 2025 budget amendments",615,2519000,3134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860&start=2519&end=3134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4465402-89aa3adcb67eced44e5866f452e19860/thumbnail_2519000.jpg","/articles/6191678/Houston-County/Minnesota/Board-transfers-EDA-loan-funds-and-approves-2025-budget-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191678-6571c36201ff2496848f88b9839b5f2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193649&Signature=EXz3yR4sZR7GTzKVZN~wdaxeioD9SAwZOkJ2Wm~F0HTcFtML0JgUbHRiKFOGm8o6vkbg25nJsFl-Qs0dOUraqjmX3M~FwBxFWStfCVdvatlpQm3e78S7Y6LllE0S2Uvm8iQI9vhNwuSrYvi0W2BDGJgAAgOOqW7EkrV5ObmMGWsv7ADdTV9-ZWnkH6Z31iLYf3b-y5ZHEtn305Ur5zRdygIg347h2JIE~m9qD~osOcVWdUCnuv6r3kkqJecEwypQvNYEFU4heTLMFhG5hgewf6LGu88lPHFX6TCM2vcSrOKqSF5Un7v8H-~j3HDWWT4IPON1TKHAPbP8BOR4Hr5ibg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston County Board approved a fund transfer to create a dedicated EDA (Economic Development Authority) fund and adopted multiple 2025 budget amendments covering salary, benefit and program revenue adjustments.

EDA fund transfer: County staff said the transfer moves EDA loan balances from the general fund to a newly established EDA fund following audit guidance that the amounts are now material. The loan balance identified in the meeting was $378,192.09 with $9,836.23 in interest. A motion to transfer the funds to the EDA fund passed by voice vote.

2025 budget amendments: County finance staff presented amendments that adjust department salary and benefit lines and other revenue/expenditure items. The presentation highlighted a $74,609 increase in general-revenue budgeted revenues and expenditures (presenter: \"The total for general revenue is an increase of $74,609\"). Road and Bridge salary budgets showed a decrease (staff cited about $121,500) because of an unfilled position; Human Services salaries increased by $139,471 with matching funding increases from the state of $165,478 to offset those positions, staff said. After the amendments, staff reported the general fund moved from a projected surplus to a projected deficit of $7,004.78 for 2025, while Public Health and Human Services would move to a small surplus; staff also said road-and-bridge would have modest surplus funds available to cover previously approved projects.

Why this matters: The EDA fund separation aligns accounting with audit guidance and provides clearer tracking of EDA loan activity. The budget amendments reallocate personnel and program funds, reflect state reimbursements for public-health positions and create modest capacity for planned capital items discussed earlier in the meeting.

Vote and next steps: A commissioner moved to approve the fund transfer and another moved to adopt the 2025 amendments; both passed by voice vote. Staff said department heads will receive May reports and begin work on the 2026 budget process with the salary adjustments as a starting point.

Ending: The board approved the accounting and budgetary changes and instructed staff to proceed with the EDA fund set-up and to implement the budget amendments; department heads will monitor line items and prepare materials for next year's budget process.","The Houston County Board moved EDA loan cash and approved a set of 2025 budget amendments that reallocate salaries, record EDA activity in a separate fund, and adjust revenues and expenditures across departments; the actions were approved by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County OKs flagpole at Highway Building; board discusses continuing to fly old Minnesota state flag

Houston County approves automatic door openers for Highway Building to improve accessibility

Houston County reviews two tax-abatement requests; board approves Spring Grove cinema abatement

Resident asks Houston County to hold special meeting on Moneycreek alley vacation

Board transfers EDA loan funds and approves 2025 budget amendments