Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cottonwood County commissioners approve permit extensions, hire dispatcher and greenlight N71 design work
Summary
At a June 16 meeting in Windom, the Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved two 60‑day permit extensions for a gravel pit and a telecommunications tower, hired a part‑time jailer/dispatcher pending clearance, and approved schematic design contracts totaling $24,000 for the N71 building.
The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners on June 16 approved a series of routine actions including two 60‑day permit extensions, the hiring of a part‑time jailer/dispatcher and schematic design contracts for the N71 building, according to the meeting minutes.
Chair Tom Appel opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Cottonwood County Courthouse in Windom. Planning & Zoning Technician Alex Schultz asked the board to extend an Interim Use Permit for Kyle Ludewig to re‑open a gravel pit in Amo Township; Commissioner Donna Gravley moved and Commissioner Larry Anderson seconded the motion to grant a 60‑day extension, which passed unanimously. Schultz also requested a 60‑day extension for a Conditional Use Permit filed by Darren Haugen to erect a telecommunications tower in Delton Township; Commissioner Wayne Maras moved and Anderson seconded that extension, and the board approved it unanimously.
The board approved two schematic design proposals for the county’s N71 building. Motion by Commissioner Kevin Stevens, second by Gravley, approved Contegrity Group’s $7,000 proposal for schematic design phase services; a separate unanimous motion (Gravley/Maras) approved Widseth’s $17,000 proposal for schematic design services.
Human Resources Technician Kathy Marsh requested approval to hire a part‑time jailer/dispatcher. The board voted unanimously to hire Trent Rothenberger at a rate of $25.85 per hour (Range 12‑minimum), pending successful completion of all hiring requirements; a start date will be announced when known.
Chair Appel also introduced a draft agreement prepared by the county attorney to allow Cottonwood County DAC to use a fenced portion of 11th Street for recreational activities; the board approved the agreement and authorized the board chair to sign. The board agreed to send a letter of support for a Healthy Housing Grant after a request from the group identified in meeting materials as the "DVHHSNobles County SHIP Team." The board accepted the 2026 Minnesota Boat and Water Safety Grant in the amount of $691 and approved placing a sign in the courthouse elevator to indicate the Law Library’s location.
Commissioner Wayne Maras moved and Commissioner Kevin Stevens seconded approval of June warrants across county funds: County Revenue $24,925.19; Ditch $32,868.82; Taxes and Penalties $5.00; Road and Bridge $37,042.94; Waste Abatement/SCORE $10,166.75; and Landfill Enterprise $32,738.66. The total warrants approved were $137,747.36; the motion passed unanimously.
In closing remarks, Chair Appel provided updates on ongoing building projects and asked commissioners to identify county economic development activities; examples discussed included tax abatements, broadband, daycare support and Blandin Seed Capital funding. The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
