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Board approves aerial imagery contract, airport grant and several local projects
Summary
Houston County commissioners approved a set of routine contracts and funding actions including a contract amendment for EagleView aerial imagery, a state aeronautics maintenance grant for the county airport, final acceptance of a road contract, an EDA loan to a bakery, and a 2024 tax abatement correction.
Houston County commissioners approved a package of contracts and budget actions at their Sept. 16 meeting, authorizing staff signatures and closing out a road contract while also approving several smaller economic and administrative measures.
The board authorized the county to amend a contract with EagleView (Pictometry) for aerial imagery to be collected in 2026, removing the vendor's change-finder service and upgrading urban areas to 3-inch resolution. The change was presented as producing about a $700 savings and will allow Eric Schmidt (county official) to sign related documents.
Commissioners also adopted a two-year state aeronautics maintenance and operations grant (July 1, 2025June 30, 2027) that provides a 75% match of $24,662.12 for eligible airport maintenance and operations expenses, such as snow removal and restroom cleaning. The board authorized acceptance of the grant and related signature authority.
The board granted final acceptance for construction contract CP 2025-1 (contract no. 339) with Bruni Grock Aggregate for delivery and stockpiling of maintenance rock. Final certified cost was $396,976.65, within the $400,000 total the board had previously approved.
On economic development items, the county approved a $10,000 EDA loan at 3.5% over 10 years to assist an expansion project at the Caledonia bakery. The board also approved routine payments and a consent agenda item.
Separately, the board approved a property tax abatement to correct a 2024 assessment for Leonard Weezer (parcel split and homestead clarification), totaling $3,558.
A short EDA/administrative action to authorize Eric Schmidt to sign the EagleView amendment, and other ministerial approvals, were taken by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies for individual commissioners.
Votes at a glance
- EagleView aerial imagery amendment/authorization to sign: motion approved (no recorded roll-call). Notes: Opt out of change-finder; upgrade to 3-inch resolution in Caledonia and La Crescent; ~$700 savings. - State aeronautics maintenance grant (Res. No. 20531): approved; two-year agreement July 1, 2025June 30, 2027; 75% match of $24,662.12 for eligible airport expenses. - Final acceptance CP 2025-1 (Contract 339, Bruni Grock Aggregate): approved; certified final cost $396,976.65; within previously-approved $400,000 budget. - EDA loan to Caledonia bakery: approved; $10,000 loan at 3.5% for 10 years. - 2024 property tax abatement for Leonard Weezer: approved; $3,558 abatement to correct dual-parcel accounting and homestead status. - Review/approval of payments and consent agenda: approved.
Several items returned to staff for follow-up or were tabled for more information elsewhere on the agenda (see separate articles on the cannabis interim use permit, budget review and social-worker search).
