The Polk County Commissioners met on Tuesday and held their annual performance review for County Administrator Chuck Whiting. The board and Whiting met for about 90 minutes before reconvening the open meeting and adjourning. Warren Strandell, Chair of the Polk County Commissioners, said they settled many issues and the commissioners are pleased with Whiting’s performance. “Everything has gone very well,” said Strandell. “We’re pleased with his performance and what he’s done. We talked about many issues and got everything settled. Everything is in good shape.”
The commissioners passed their consent agenda, which includes the auditor warrants, commissioner warrants, and sign audit list. Also included were the August 6 board minutes, a payment of $16,188.14 for credit card purchases to Card Member Services, and a $75.00 payment to the Minnesota Association of County Auditors, Treasurers and Finance Officers for election training.
The commissioners also reviewed six foreclosed properties for demolition, one each in the cities of Crookston, Fosston and Woodside Township, along with three in the City of McIntosh. Michelle Cote, Director of Property Records, provided preliminary estimates on the cost for demolition at $104,000 before the properties could be sold. The commissioners voted to move forward securing quotes for the demolition work. “We have six properties that have completed the forfeiture process that have structures that could be deemed unsafe,” said Cote. “All have structures that could be potentially demolished. As part of that demolition, we have to look whether they have asbestos or internal cleanup. We wanted to set a preliminary cost before procuring potential quotes. They did decide to move forward with getting quotes so we can look forward to selling these properties in the future.”
The Commissioners received the allocation request for 2020 from both the East and West Polk Soil and Water Conservations Districts. Both agencies requested to retain their $43,120 allocation, increased in 2019 to fund the Polk County Geologic Atlas Program said West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District Manager Nicole Bernd. “We are requesting that the county allocates us $43,120, which is an increase from years past by about $3,000,” said Bernd. “What we did with that increase is help pay for time towards the Polk County Geological Atlas Program which is currently ongoing for the whole county.”
The Polk County Geological Atlas Program is a study of the geological resources within the county, said project manager Jennifer McDonald. “The County Geological Atlas Program is an in-depth catalog or map of your geological resources, so sediments and rocks in Polk County,” said McDonald. “It is used to plan, predict, and preserve natural resources such as aggregate sand and gravel, and groundwater.”
The Atlas Program will assist the county in making decisions regarding permitting, such as how much water can be drawn from an aquafer. McDonald also said Polk County offers some unique aspects due to being frequently glaciated. “There is a thick sequence of glacial sediment,” said McDonald. “Polk County has been glaciated numerous times in the last 2.6 million years resulting in 300 feet of unconsolidated sediment. So, that’s where you are getting your sand and gravel from, as well as your drinking water.”
Northwest Minnesota Multi-County HRA also submitted their 2020 levy for funding at 25 percent of .0185 percent of the taxable market value, the maximum they are allowed to levy. The County Commissioners during the levy process will have the ability to increase the special tax levy for the HRA up to the full .0185 percent of the taxable market value on all taxable properties at their discretion.
The Commissioners approved three financial donations to Polk County Public Health. A $700 donation from the Downtown Crookston Development, $1,000 from the City of Crookston, and $250 from the Crookston Running Club in support of the bike tool stand. They also approved lowering the current price of Plat Books from $35 to $29.
