BLUE EARTH — Faribault County commissioners on Tuesday approved the purchase of two solar-powered LED stop signs.

At a previous meeting, Kip Herrmann, a farmer from Delavan, spoke about several issues regarding County Road 18. One of the concerns he had was with the new stop sign location at the junction of 225th Avenue and 415th Street. Herrmann said the new location had poor visibility, and many drivers were speeding through the signs.

Deciding that something should be done, the board authorized the purchase of two solar-powered stop signs, which have a light on each corner of the sign in order to get the driver’s attention.

Mark Daly, county engineer, said the LED stop signs were priced higher than he originally thought, with each sign costing $1,500. Because of this, he brought the motion back to the board for approval.

The goal of the lighted signs, Daly said, is to get drivers used to having stop signs at the new location.

“It’s basically a traffic control change,” Daly said. “We’re trying to bring attention to the change and hopefully after a couple weeks, or maybe longer, people will notice.”

After drivers become accustom to the new stop signs, the board can then make a decision to switch back to a regular stop sign and use the LED signs for a different location.

Because it will take about a month to order and install the LED stop signs, another motion was made to put up stop signs that have a flashing red light as a placeholder.

In other action Tuesday, Faribault County commissioners:

o Approved a conditional use permit for Heidi Walter to have a petting zoo on her farm, which is located within the Bush Creek Township.

o Recognized Jennifer Howard, correctional officer at the Faribault County Jail, for her excellence in performance regarding her work with the Prison Rape Elimination Act.

o Approved a request from the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office to purchase a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado with funds from an aquatic species enforcement grant.