Murray County Board names sole legal newspaper, schedules tobacco ordinance hearing and approves routine contracts and hire

The Murray County Board of Commissioners on July 22, 2025, unanimously approved a slate of routine actions, including designating the Murray County Wheel Herald as the county’s legal newspaper, scheduling a public hearing to update the county’s tobacco licensing ordinance, authorizing final contractor payment on a road project, approving replacement radios, and hiring a new general assistant.

The board, meeting at the Murray County Government Center in Slayton and chaired by Commissioner Dennis Welgraven, acknowledged that three local newspapers—the Fulda Free Press, Murray County Advantage and Murray County News—will cease publication. Commissioner Loy Woelber moved, and Commissioner Roger Zins seconded, to accept a bid of $11.50 per column inch from the Murray County Wheel Herald to provide the county’s required legal publications; all voted in favor. The action makes the Wheel Herald the county’s sole local outlet for legal notices going forward.

Commissioners also addressed a long-standing county ordinance governing tobacco sales. The board noted that Ordinance No. 2016-05-24-01 (Ordinance for the Licensing and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products and Devices) is outdated and needs amendments to conform with Minnesota state statutes. Commissioner Jackie Meier moved, Commissioner Mark Carlson seconded, to set a public hearing on the proposed amendments for Aug. 19, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.; the motion passed unanimously.

On procurement and contract business, the board approved final payment of $27,543.41 to Towne & Country Excavating, LLC for project SAP 051-642-019. Commissioner Roger Zins moved the payment and Commissioner Loy Woelber seconded; all voted in favor.

The board authorized the purchase of four replacement CACHE radios from DSC Communications for $10,370.80, to be charged to account code 01-281-6480. Commissioners described the purchase as part of a routine, budgeted rotation of three to four radios per year; the motion to approve was moved by Roger Zins and seconded by Mark Carlson and passed unanimously.

In personnel action, Commissioners approved hiring Renee Gleason as a General Assistant at pay grade 8 step 1, $24.88 per hour, with an expected start date on or about Aug. 1, 2025. The motion was moved by Jackie Meier, seconded by Mark Carlson, and passed with all in favor.

Other routine items approved without recorded dissent included acknowledgement of an LG220 exempt-permit application for a raffle by the Shetek Area Sportsmen Association (to be held June 7, 2025, at Pelican Cove) and approval of the July 15 county board minutes and June 17 Board of Adjustment & Equalization minutes.

Votes at a glance

• 06/17/2025 BAE minutes added to agenda — Motion moved by Jackie Meier, seconded by Mark Carlson; outcome: approved (5–0). • Approval of July 15 and June 17 minutes — Motion moved by Roger Zins, seconded by Loy Woelber; outcome: approved (5–0). • Shetek Area Sportsmen Association LG220 (exempt raffle) — Motion moved by Roger Zins, seconded by Loy Woelber; outcome: approved (5–0). • Newspaper publication bid (Murray County Wheel Herald at $11.50/column inch) — Motion moved by Loy Woelber, seconded by Roger Zins; outcome: approved (5–0). • Set public hearing for tobacco ordinance amendments (Ordinance No. 2016-05-24-01) for Aug. 19, 2025, 9:00 a.m. — Motion moved by Jackie Meier, seconded by Mark Carlson; outcome: approved (5–0). • Final payment to Towne & Country Excavating, LLC, $27,543.41 (Project SAP 051-642-019) — Motion moved by Roger Zins, seconded by Loy Woelber; outcome: approved (5–0). • Purchase of four CACHE radios from DSC Communications, $10,370.80 — Motion moved by Roger Zins, seconded by Mark Carlson; outcome: approved (5–0). • Hire Renee Gleason as General Assistant at $24.88/hr — Motion moved by Jackie Meier, seconded by Mark Carlson; outcome: approved (5–0).

The board recorded committee reports covering activities from July 6–19, 2025, and adjourned at 9:16 a.m. Future hearings noted on the calendar include a 1:00 p.m. final hearing for improvement to County Ditch 41 and a 2:30 p.m. final hearing for redetermination of benefits for multiple ditch/judicial districts.