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Becker County board approves engineering reappointment, hires transfer driver and sets public hearing on two feedlots
Summary
At its May 5 meeting the Becker County Board reappointed the county engineer, approved a full-time solid-waste truck driver, agreed to on-call engineering review services and set a May 19 public hearing for two proposed feedlots; commissioners also set bond-review timing for new telecom tower permits.
The Becker County Board of Commissioners on May 5 reappointed the county engineer to a four‑year term, approved hiring a full‑time transfer truck driver for the solid‑waste division and set a public hearing for proposed feedlots, among other routine actions.
The board voted to adopt Resolution 5 26 1 a to reappoint the county engineer for an additional four years after several commissioners praised his steady leadership during the county’s building projects. The reappointment carried on a voice vote.
In a separate personnel decision the board approved Resolution 5 26 1 b, authorizing a new full‑time truck driver in Solid Waste. The county’s solid‑waste manager told commissioners the department has seen growing service time and higher tonnages for cardboard and organics collection; managers have relied increasingly on overtime and temporary coverage for peak periods. The board approved funding for the position and noted that tipping‑fee revenues and existing fee structures are expected to cover recurring transfer costs.
On land‑use and planning items, the board concurred with Planning & Zoning to approve two conditional‑use permits for communications towers, with conditions requiring a Natural Environment Protection Act (NEPA) study to be filed and a financial guarantee to ensure removal and site restoration. Commissioners also instructed staff to review the county’s bond/timing requirement and promised a re‑evaluation within one year.
The board accepted a single bid response for on‑call engineering review services and authorized staff to use Apex Engineering as a professional resource when needed; the board also approved a pass‑through fee structure so applicants pay the engineering review costs rather than the county (Resolution 5 26 1 c).
For two proposed feedlots — applications for operations below the 1,500‑animal‑unit threshold — county staff said the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requires a public meeting. The board set a public hearing on behalf of MPCA for May 19 at 9 a.m. and asked applicants to confirm that public‑notice steps had been run in local papers covering the affected townships.
What’s next: Several items approved at the meeting will return to the board as implementation details, including a review of the tower bond requirement within a year and follow‑up on landfill fencing bids. The May 19 hearing on feedlots will generate a separate MPCA record and the board said it will forward public comment received to MPCA for its permit decision.
