The Polk County Commissioners met on Tuesday in the board chambers at the Polk County Government Center. The commissioners approved the creation of a joint airport zoning board for the Fertile Airport, the hiring of a full-time extension coordinator for the 4-H program and a workforce center contract with social services in the amount of $12,195.
The board also approved advertisement of a maintenance position with the Highway Department, to replace Richard Kuzel, who is retiring after 12 years with the county. Additionally, the board received notification of an emergency management grant from the state in the amount of $26,502, which the board accepted.
Polk County Attorney Greg Widseth updated the board on a settlement agreement with Wal-Mart on the property tax valuation suit they had filed. The agreement covers two years of property tax valuation and will have the county repaying Wal-Mart $35,000. “We have reached a settlement we can all agree with that puts [Wal-Mart’s] valuation in line with other counties, cities, and Wal-Marts our size,” explained Widseth. “It’s not perfect but avoids further litigation on a pretty complex case that may have required us to hire outside counsel, so it saves the taxpayer’s money.”
Michelle Cote, Director of Property Records, updated the commissioners on early voting in the county. “We have had many ballots either filled out in person or mailed in, yesterday we set a record for early voting in the county processing 442 ballots,” said Cote, who offered a reminder that they are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day at the Taxpayer Service Center.
Darin Carlstrom, the Polk County Construction Engineer, informed the board that a recent inspection with MnDOT found an issue with the Climax Bridge. “There may be some movement with the piers or abutment with some bearings or rockers locked up,” said Carlstrom. “MnDOT will contract with a firm in Pennsylvania to design a girder for the west approach to provide additional support.” The county hopes to have the construction complete by December 1 and will need to do further investigation next year.
The commissioners were also introduced to Peter Sedgeman, who succeeded Kent Johnson as Director of Polk County Social Services on October 8 following Johnson’s retirement. Sedgeman grew up in Warren, where his father was the music director for Warren/Alvarado/Oslo High School and his mom was a social worker with Good Samaritan Nursing Home. Sedgeman comes to Social Services from Sanford Health in Thief River Falls, where he was employed as a financial analyst. Sedgeman has been busy in his first week on the job, “I met over 100 people the first week and have been working to sort of get my feet wet in a variety of programs.”
The next Polk County Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 23 at 8:00 a.m. in the Board Chamber at the Polk County Government Center.
Polk County to Repay Wal-Mart $35,000 In Tax Settlement
