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Freeborn County approves solar project, accepts donations and appoints assessor; board ratifies rule change
Summary
Commissioners approved a $55,593.75 solar installation at Environmental Services (70% grant‑funded), accepted donations to WIC and Human Services, approved personnel and claims actions, and appointed Ryan Rasmussen as county assessor. The board also ratified an amendment to Rule 21.
At its Feb. 3 meeting, the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of routine and operational actions, including a capital project to install solar at the Environmental Services site and several personnel and donation resolutions.
Solar project: Maintenance staff presented a solar installation with a total cost of $55,593.75. The presenter said 70% of the project—$38,915.62 as reported—would be reimbursed through a state grant and that the remaining 30% (the presenter cited $16,678.12) would be covered by a tax credit expected the year after completion. Staff estimated roughly $3,000 in annual electrical savings and said the grant allows sizing up to 120% of the site’s usage. The board moved and approved the resolution to proceed.
Donations and program items: Public health staff asked the board to accept donated funds for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program; the resolution was entered and passed on roll call. Human Services staff reported that department heads had pooled $660 in gift cards to distribute to clients with needs not met by regular funding; the board accepted that donation.
Personnel and rules: The board accepted the retirement/resignation of Andrea Strom, probation officer, effective Feb. 27, 2026. The board also appointed Ryan Rasmussen — described by staff as a long‑time employee with more than 20 years of service — as Freeborn County Assessor; the appointment was approved and Rasmussen was welcomed. Separately, the board ratified an amendment to Rule 21 of the commissioners’ policy that changes how an abstain vote is recorded and removed a previously proposed supermajority requirement; the resolution was passed by roll call.
Claims and adjournment: The board approved claims on a roll call. The chair announced a Feb. 10 workshop in the Freeborn Room at 8:30 a.m. and a Feb. 12 public input meeting at 5:30 p.m. regarding shotgun/rifle public input; the meeting adjourned.
The meeting record shows motions were made, seconded and carried on roll call for the listed items; individual roll‑call entries in the transcript were recorded as 'Yes' for the approving votes listed.
