Faribault County assessor, Brady Rauenhorst, left, and Faribault County Human Resources director, Amanda Shoff, right, spoke with the Faribault County Board of Commissioners about creating a new position in the assessor’s office, an assistant county assessor. The plan is to fill the position internally and there will not be an increase in the total number of employees in the assessor’s office.

The Faribault County Board of Commissioners did not have many items on their agenda when they met for their second meeting in the month of August.

One of the items brought to the board for discussion came from Planning and Zoning administrator Sara Hauskins.

“The Faribault County Planning and Zoning Commission met on Aug. 12 to start discussions regarding the new cannabis law,” Hauskins said. “Concerns were brought forth that early provisional licenses could be issued prior to Jan. 1, 2025, when the new law goes into effect. Passing a moratorium would protect the planning process and allow local units of government time to determine what actions are most appropriate relative to cannabis business operations”

Commissioner Greg Young asked if this would affect the cities in the county.

“No,” Hauskins replied. This would be for the unincorporated areas of the county like the rural areas and any unincorporated towns like Guckeen or Huntley, for example.”

Hauskins commented that the State has been very slow in coming out with guidance concerning the new cannabis law.

The board passed the moratorium on a 5-0 vote.

County Assessor Brady Rauenhorst was also at the meeting with a request to have the board create a new position in his office, assistant county assessor.

“The assessor’s office is responsible for valuing and classifying all taxable property in the county, as well as maintaining property records and maps,” Rauenhorst said. “My office also provides information and assistance to the public, other county departments and local taxing authorities.”

Rauenhorst explained the reason for his request is because the assessor’s office is facing several challenges that require additional leadership and expertise.

“One of the needs we have is to comply with the statutory requirements and deadlines for assessment and equalization processes,” he added. “The public and the State are also demanding more accurate and timely assessments and services.”

Rauenhorst shared an assistant county assessor would report to the county assessor and assist in the overall management and supervision of the office.

“The person in the new position would also perform the duties of a property appraiser as needed,” he noted.

If approved, Rauenhorst said he would post the job opening internally as soon as possible and conduct a competitive and transparent hiring process.

“We would not be adding any employees to the assessor’s office, just making one of them the assistant assessor,” he clarified. “We have the money in our budget to cover the extra salary cost for the remainder of this year. Beginning next year, there would be an added cost of $10,400 per year.”

The board approved adding the new position by a unanimous vote.

Public Works director April Wellman attended the meeting and had just a few items for the commissioners to consider.

“We have a low bid from Mensing Construction of Blue Earth in the amount of $966,750 for work on the Wells Construction Project,” Wellman said. “Since this is on a county road, it is a joint project between the city of Wells and Faribault County so the bid must be approved by both entities. The Wells City Council approved the bid from Mensing Construction at their last City Council meeting so now it needs to be approved by the county.”

The board approved the bid from Mensing Construction by a unanimous vote.

The board also awarded the Public Works fuel contract to Freeborn County Cooperative who had a low bid of $244,530, which was over $100,000 below the budgeted amount.

Action was also taken to pay the balance of $508,564 to Ulland Brothers Inc. for the overlay work the company did on County State Aid Highways Nos. 11, 17, 23 and 51.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the property tax abatement for parcel 21.310.0270 in the city of Blue Earth.

• Approved the request of Veterans Services Officer Jenna Schmidtke to attend the Women’s Veteran Summit in Washington D.C.

• Voted to approve the request of Ellen Skaden of the Veterans Services Office to attend the Minnesota Association of Veterans Services Office Assistants Association Training and Certification Conference.

• Approved the request of Merissa Lore of the Faribault County Drainage Department to attend the Drainage Work Group and subcommittee meeting.