Houston County Board approves hires, contracts and committee changes; tentative union agreement cleared in closed session

The Houston County Board of Commissioners approved a series of personnel actions, contracts and committee changes at its meeting and ratified a tentative labor agreement in closed session.

Key outcomes at a glance:

- Rehire and benefits reinstatement: The Board approved hiring Daniel Coogan as a full‑time assistant county attorney (E62 Step 2), including reinstatement of his prior vacation accrual and remaining sick leave balance from earlier employment. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Committee dissolution: The Board voted to dissolve the Water Planning Committee after staff explained that watershed planning has moved to the One Watershed One Plan framework and that the committee’s duties have diminished. The committee had previously voted to dissolve.

- Contracts and agreements: The Board approved the 2025 Hiawatha Valley Mental Health contract and rates (adult and children’s services), the Southeast Adult Mental Health Initiative (AMHI) agreement (formerly CREST), AMHI bylaws (including creation of executive committees), and the SEMCAC contract for transportation services (non‑emergency medical transport and volunteer driver program). Motions to approve were seconded and passed by voice vote.

- EDA appointments: The Board accepted the resignation of Dana Burdners from the Economic Development Authority and appointed Sandra Solum to the EDA Board for a three‑year term effective Feb. 18, 2025. Motions were passed by voice vote.

- Payments and consent agenda: Consent agenda items (four items) and routine payments were approved by voice vote.

- Labor negotiations: After a closed‑session discussion pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.03 subdivision 1, commissioners returned to public session and approved a tentative agreement with LELS Local 4415 (lieutenants). The transcript records an approving voice vote.

How votes were recorded: The meeting transcript records voice votes with Board members indicating “aye” or “opposed.” The transcript does not provide a roll‑call record or a detailed roll of individual yes/no votes for these items.

What happens next: Staff will implement the approved contracts and hiring actions and proceed with contract reporting and the steps described in provider agreements. For the labor agreement, final ratification steps with the union (if any) were not detailed in the transcript.

Actions listed here reflect items introduced on the meeting agenda and voted on by the Board during the session.