Mower County public meetings in 2024
19 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Mower County Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will decide on 2025 General Fund appropriations, the countywide fee schedule, and staffing levels. The meeting includes decisions on elected official salaries and two housing tax abatement applications.
- Resolution to approve 2025 General Fund Appropriations
- Housing tax abatement applications for Wyatt Richardson (PIN 05.018.0040) and Brian Kasel (PIN 16.006.0080)
- 2025 salaries for County Attorney, Auditor/Treasurer, Sheriff, and Commissioners
- 2025-2030 Host Fee Agreement with Waste Connections Inc. for WCI Austin (SKB Lansing) Landfill
- Appointment of Mitch Wenum as County Engineer effective 1/1/2025
Mower County Board of Commissioners
The Mower County Board will vote on a new Cannabis Ordinance and accompanying changes to the Zoning Ordinance. It will also decide on three housing tax abatement applications, several conditional use permits and a rezoning request, and consider the 2025 budget and tax levy. Additional items include a software renewal contract for $6,545 and a joint powers agreement for cannabis business regulation.
- Adopt NEW Cannabis Ordinance and modify Zoning Ordinance to align land uses
- Resolution on housing tax abatements for Frost (PIN 04.030.0030), La (PIN 34.509.0010) and Gehling (PIN 14.018.0050)
- Approve or deny rezoning of parcel 02.007.0511 from R‑1 to Agricultural "A" District
- Approve or deny CUP #985 (sand and gravel mining) and CUP #987 (additional dwelling) requests
- Consider resolution to adopt the 2025 budget and tax levy
General
The Board of Commissioners will present recommendations for the 2025 budget and levy. The meeting includes a public comment period for residents to discuss the proposed county budget and tax levy.
- Overview of 2025 Budget & Levy Recommendations
- Public comment on 2025 County Budget and Tax Levy
Mower County Board of Commissioners - Work Sessions
The Board of Commissioners is holding a work session to receive an annual update from the Mower County Ag Society and Fair Board. The meeting also includes time for miscellaneous discussion.
- Annual update from Kevin Finley, Mower County Ag Society / Fair Board
Mower County Board of Commissioners
The Mower County Board of Commissioners will consider several financial resolutions, including final payments to contractors for box culvert projects and a striping contract. They will decide on a housing tax abatement for a single‑family home on Nature Ridge. Additional items include a $5,402.04 CivicPlus software renewal, a juvenile detention services contract with Houston County, and a $61,890 HVAC control replacement proposal.
- Resolution to approve UHL proposal for pneumatic HVAC control replacement at Public Works ($61,890)
- Resolution to approve/deny housing tax abatement application for Bigelow & Lennon Construction (PIN 34.468.0110)
- Motion to approve CivicPlus Statement of Work contract renewal for Agenda Meeting Management software ($5,402.04)
- Motion to approve Inter-Agency Juvenile Detention Center Services Contract with Houston County (effective 1/1/25‑12/31/25)
- Final payments to Fitzgerald Excavating and Trucking for multiple box culvert projects in Racine, Nevada, Frankford, and Sargeant Townships
Mower County Board of Commissioners
The Mower County Board of Commissioners will meet to approve contracts for law enforcement services in three cities, set waste disposal rates, and appoint members to the canvassing board.
- Approve Law Enforcement Services contracts for Adams, Lyle, and LeRoy
- Set Trust Account rates for C&D and ISW waste in Fee Schedule
- Authorize staff to negotiate Host Fee Agreement with SKB
- Approve Spectrum Charter Communications Local Contributions Agreement
- Appoint Canvassing Board Members
Mower County Board of Commissioners - Work Sessions
The Board of Commissioners work session will include an annual update from the Turtle Creek Watershed District, a presentation on a Midco internet service option for county residents, a report on landfill trust account fees and SKB permit modifications, and a training session on setting elected official salaries. The meeting will conclude with miscellaneous discussion before adjournment. No formal decisions are listed on the agenda.
- Turtle Creek Watershed District Annual Update
- Midco internet service option for Mower County residents
- Landfill Trust Account Fees and SKB Permit Modifications
- Training – Setting Elected Official Salaries
- Miscellaneous / Other Discussion
Mower County Board of Commissioners
The Mower County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and vote on a housing tax abatement application for Bigelow & Lennon Construction. The board will also review quarterly financial statements and approve several service agreements.
- Housing tax abatement application for Bigelow & Lennon Construction at Lot 2 EXC E90FT, Block 1 Oak Ridge Addition, Austin
- 2025-2027 Memorandum of Agreement with University of Minnesota Extension
- Memorandum of Agreement with Center for Internet Security for Endpoint Security Services
- 2024 CLA's Statement of Work
- 3rd Quarter Financial Statements and Investments
Mower County Board of Commissioners
The Mower County Board will consider resolutions to approve or deny housing tax abatements for three separate property owners. It will also vote on a conditional use permit (CUP #984) for storage and maintenance of construction equipment. Additional business includes approving a final payment to Asphalt Surface Technologies for micro‑surfacing projects and accepting a $42,400 grant for county sewage treatment. The meeting also covers HR benefit approvals and other routine items.
- Resolution to approve/deny housing tax abatement for Bigelow & Lennon (PIN 34.468.0080)
- Resolution to approve/deny housing tax abatement for Cedar City Builders, LLC (PIN 34.468.0070)
- Resolution to approve/deny housing tax abatement for Carpentier/Mindrup (PIN 33.002.0290)
- Resolution to approve/deny CUP #984 for storage and maintenance of construction equipment
- Approve final payment to Asphalt Surface Technologies for SAP 50-606-030 and SAP 50-620-017 micro‑surfacing on CSAH 6 & 20
Mower County Ditch Board
The Mower County Ditch Board will meet on October 8, 2024. The board will discuss and vote on a budget amendment to increase funding for repairs to Ditch #8 from $15,000 to $25,000. It will also approve the annual repair assessments, budget and levy for 2025, and adopt the agenda and minutes.
- Budget amendment to increase Ditch #8 repair funding from $15,000 to $25,000
- Approval of annual repair assessments, budget and levy for 2025
- Approval of meeting agenda
- Approval of meeting minutes
Freeborn/Mower Counties Joint Ditch Board #5
The Freeborn/Mower Counties Joint Ditch Board #5 will meet on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 11:25 AM in the Board Room Lower Level, Government Center, Austin, MN. The agenda includes approving the annual repair assessments, budget and levy for fiscal year 2025. The board will also consider approval of the agenda and minutes before adjourning.
- Approve annual repair assessments, budget and levy for year 2025
- Approve agenda
- Approve minutes subject to review by chair
- Adjourn
Freeborn/Mower Counties Joint Ditch Board #26
The Freeborn/Mower Counties Joint Ditch Board will consider several routine items. The board will vote to approve the agenda, the annual repair assessments, the 2025 budget and levy, and the minutes from the previous meeting. These actions are standard for the board’s regular operations.
- Approve agenda
- Approve annual repair assessments, budget and levy for 2025
- Approve minutes from prior meeting
- Adjourn meeting
Mower County Board of Commissioners - Work Sessions
The Mower County Board of Commissioners will hear the Soil & Water Conservation District's annual update from District Manager Cody Fox. A miscellaneous discussion will focus on the University of Minnesota Extension contract. No formal decisions are noted on the agenda.
- Soil & Water Conservation District annual update (presented by District Manager Cody Fox)
- Discussion of the University of Minnesota Extension contract
Mower County Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will hold public hearings on four single-family home tax abatement applications. The body is also considering the creation of an Unforeseen Economic Impact Forgiveable Loan Program and the 2025 County health plan rates.
- Public hearings for housing tax abatements in Grand Meadow, Austin, and Racine
- Septic loan assessments for Mark and Jamie Schulz ($24,600) and Wayne and Mary Kaye Peterson ($19,086.08)
- Approval of 2025 Mower County Health Plan and contribution rates
- Professional Services Agreement with Lucas Consulting for Solid Waste
- Grant agreements for FY25 DWI Traffic Safety Officer and FY24-25 Traffic Safety Enforcement
Mower County Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will consider a preliminary tax levy for 2025 and a housing tax abatement application. The meeting includes a department update from County Assessor Michael Harvey and a session for the Health & Human Services Board.
- Set 2025 preliminary tax levy at 4.99% or $26,252,538
- Public hearing and resolution for housing tax abatement for Bigelow & Lennon Construction at Lot 16, Block 1 Nature Ridge 3rd, Austin, MN
- Set date and time for annual budget and levy public hearing
- Approval of Commissioner Warrants
Mower County Board of Commissioners - Work Sessions
The Mower County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session to discuss and review the county's 2025 budget and proposed levy. The meeting will begin with a pledge of allegiance, followed by the budget discussion, and conclude with miscellaneous items before adjourning. No decisions are indicated in the agenda.
- Discussion / Review of 2025 Budget and Levy
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Miscellaneous / Other Discussion
Mower County Board of Commissioners
The Mower County Board will hold a public hearing on a housing tax abatement application from New Horizon Homes LLC for a single‑family home at Lot 1, Block 2 Nature Ridge Third, Austin (PIN 34.468.0210). After the hearing, the board will vote on a resolution to approve or deny the abatement. Additional agenda items include approving the Sheriff's EMS Medical Direction Agreement, discussing the purchase of a Veterans Service van, and reviewing several public‑works quotes and bids. The meeting also covers routine consent agenda items and a closed‑session discussion of a county legal matter.
- Public hearing and resolution on housing tax abatement for New Horizon Homes LLC (PIN 34.468.0210)
- Motion to approve Southeastern MN EMS Medical Direction Agreement (Sheriff's Office)
- Discuss/approve purchase of Veterans Service van
- Discuss/approve quote to purchase 2025 Ford Explorer 4WD
- Review/approve bid for striping project CP 50-24-07
Mower County Board of Commissioners
The Mower County Board of Commissioners will meet to approve minutes, employee reimbursements, and a leave of absence. The agenda includes discussions on a union agreement, a veterans' grant, and a zoning ordinance update.
- Approve minutes and employee expense reimbursement ($210.38)
- Discuss/Approve AFSCME MOA
- Accept 2024 State of Minnesota Veterans Affairs Grant Contract
- Approve Solid Waste Facility License for Austin Transfer Station
- Award architectural firm for Space Study and Master Plan
Mower County Board of Commissioners - Work Sessions
The Board of Commissioners will hold a work session to receive a 2023 audit exit presentation from Clifton Larson Allen. The session also includes updates regarding cannabis and ARPA.
- 2023 Audit Exit Presentation by Doug Host of Clifton Larson Allen
- Cannabis update
- ARPA update