Wabasha County commissioners elect Key chair, approve consent agenda and two conditional-use permits; set Feb. 4 public hearing

Commissioners elected Commissioner Key as Wabasha County Board chair for 2025 and Commissioner Wabbe as vice chair, approved a multi-item consent agenda, set a Feb. 4 public hearing on transferring municipal state-aid construction funds, and approved two conditional-use permits (CUPs) for manufacturing and an event center during the board’s first regular meeting of the year.

The board opened by asking for nominations to serve as chair and vice chair for 2025. Following nominations and seconds, Chair and vice-chair appointments were confirmed by voice vote. The board then approved the agenda as presented and moved on to the consent agenda, which included approval of December 17 minutes; payment of claims, per diems and meal vouchers; acceptance of several donations; appointment and reappointments to the extension committee; a transfer of local affordable housing aid to the housing trust fund; authorization for solicitation of transportation project bids; and authorization to purchase two Dodge Durangos, among other items.

County Engineer Dietrich Fleche asked the board to set a public hearing, as required by state statute, to transfer the county’s municipal state aid construction account funds into the county’s…