BLUE EARTH — Faribault County commissioners on Tuesday discussed hazardous conditions on county roads.

County Engineer Mark Daly explained that weather conditions are making it difficult to remove the ice from the roads.

He said road salt only works when the temperature is above 15 degrees, and the wind is blowing the sand off the road. Sunshine and sustained warmer temperatures are needed to get the roads completely clear, he added.

Turning to other business, bids for the skid-steer loader were examined. Daly said the favorite among public works employees is the CAT model 289D, because of their past experiences. Daly said the service that CAT provides has been outstanding. The other loader still being considered is a Bobcat model T650, which comes in at a cost about $8,000 less than the CAT.

No action was taken on buying a skid-steer load. The board will meet with some of the public works employees Feb. 19 to hear their input before making a decision.

In another matter, Dawn Fellows, central services director, reported the contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees was signed Jan. 28, retroactive to Jan. 1. It was the final union contract to be settled.