NEW ULM — Brown County Board commissioners will consider purchasing a GPS unit for the Planning and Zoning Office at the board’s March 1 meeting.
The planning and zoning department requested the purchase of a $9,316 Trimble R2 unit based on interior experience, neighboring department recommendation, faster technical support response and operational updates and compatibility to other devices.
Staff received a $5,748 bid for a Leica FLX 100 GPS.
The GPS unit would be used by the office to assist on-site investigations and visits. Now, when staff visits sites regarding variances, wetlands, feedlots, septic systems, emergency management, shore land, and other issues, problems include being unable to mark where setbacks or encroachment are.
Staff has used the Information Technology Department’s older Trimble (GPS) unit but it has battery problems, reliability issues and an outdated operating system.
Commissioners will also consider:
• Authorizing the purchase of a $2,923 evidence pass-through locker system from Schoollockers.com for the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. The county’s Maintenance Department will assemble and install the evidence pass-through locker system in the Sheriff’s Office evidence room.
• Recognizing Betti Kamolz as the 2021 Minnesota County Recorder’s Association Member of the Year. She received the award Feb. 16 at the Minnesota Association of County Officers Annual Conference at the Double Tree Hilton in Minneapolis. Kamolz has worked in the Brown County Recorder’s Office for 42 years, the last16 as the recorder.
• Reviewing corrections advisory council dissolution. The council was established in 1999 to share correctional programming and teen court reports according to a grant agreement.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Minnesota Department of Corrections staff changes, the group has not met for several years. A review found that the teen court has not operating since 2019 and is sharing information in other ways such as social media and email.
• Awarding seal coat oil bids for 2022. The county Highway Department is recommending the $2.03-per-gallon low bid of Flint Hills Resources. The county estimated that 190,000 gallons of oil are needed for the year. The department plans to seal about 47 miles of highway as part of normal maintenance using maintenance funds.
• Authorizing posting a vacancy for a full-time probation director with an annual salary range of $71,201 to $106,237. Probation Director Les Schultz is retiring April 1. During the recruitment and selection process, the county will probably use the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) salary grid for corrections program director. A District Court judge will collaborate with the county in selecting a probation director.
The County Board will meet Tuesday at 9 a.m., March 1 in the county commissioner’s room at the courthouse.
