New assessor, attorney sworn in

Two new county employees were sworn in at the August 2 meeting of the Waseca County Board of Commissioners: Attorney Deja Weber joined the county attorney’s office. Waseca resident and former Steele County Assessor Brock Nelson was sworn in for a four-year term as the county assessor.

MnDOT Presentation  

Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), including the district engineer and acting planning director, gave a presentation regarding the Capital Highway Investment Plan (CHIP). The presentation summarized a 10-year plan which looks at available funding and at roadway conditions, and prioritizes repairs and construction projects. According to MnDOT’s Ride Quality Index (RDI), Waseca County’s highways have been found to be either in good or fair shape, although two intersections in the county are regarded as “poor”: One is the junction of Highways 13 and 30 at the eastern edge of New Richland, another is along Hwy 13 in the northern half of Waseca. 

The earliest MnDOT project scheduled to take place in Waseca County isn’t until 2031, when Hwy 13 north from Waseca to state Hwy 60 will be repaved. In 2032, a “potential project” is under consideration: a section of Hwy 13 entering Waseca from the south is on the schedule to be resurfaced.

Action Items

Authorization for the County Engineer to purchase highway right of way for a bridge located on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 over the Little LeSueur River was approved. The bridge is in need of replacement and construction plans have been prepared in accordance with state requirements. 

The VFW donated money toward the purchase of a new Veteran Transportation van. Commissioners voted to approve acquiring the needed vehicle, which will cost about $45,000, and will have more safety features than the one currently in use.  It was suggested that the replacement is badly needed, since the current van already has 300,000 miles on it.

Commissioners also approved updating the mileage reimbursement rate for standard mileage when on county business. Eligible miles will now be paid at the new federal rate of  62.5 cents up from the previous rate of 58.5 cents. 

Administration

A water quality assessment for milfoil in Loon Lake is underway to determine some baseline numbers. Workers on this will come before the Board of Commissioners at some point in the future. 

Construction should be wrapped up in the courthouse at the end of this week, possibly the beginning of next week. 

The public is reminded that special elections are coming up on August 9. Sample ballots were run in last week’s Pioneer.