FAIRMONT — Ashley Brenke of the Martin Soil and Water Conservation District provided an update to Martin County commissioners on Tuesday.

Brenke, the district manager, offered the board a proposed 2020 budget and discussed various programs.

“One thing I wanted to give a report on was our aquatic invasive species program,” she said. “Martin County has received over $529,000 over the last five years for that program. We’ve spent about $134,000, and have $105,000 earmarked for future projects.

“With that, we want to keep a reserve of a couple hundred thousand in that account in case [invasives] are ever detected in Martin County. We know that it would be expensive to work to remove or eradicate them, so we want to make sure we have that reserve balance.”

Brenke said technician Dustin Benes conducts a lot of early detection monitoring.

Commissioner Kathy Smith asked if his work includes any boat landing monitoring. Benes said it does happen, but with restrictions.

“We can talk to people at boat launches, but we’re not allowed to touch boats and we have to be careful with what we do,” she noted. “When we first got our interns, I took them with me to DNR training, and they became ambassadors so we could go talk with people.”

Benes said that, for the most part, people are cooperative.

Commissioner Steve Flohrs complimented the district for the work it does in keeping local water sources clean.

As for the budget, Brenke said the district is requesting a $3,000 increase in its county allocation.

“This increase would be matched dollar for dollar by the state Board of Water and Soil Resources,” she said. “Those funds would then be specifically used for priority projects such as cover crops and conservation tillage.”

Turning to other business, the board heard from Fairmont economic development coordinator Linsey Preuss, who is seeking a tax abatement for CHS Inc., related to a proposed $100 million project. Commissioners approved a motion to schedule a required public hearing prior to any action on the abatement. The hearing date will be 10 a.m. Sept. 3.

In other action, the board:

o Approved the hire of Sarah Halvorson as an account technician in the Recorder’s Office.

o Approved the hire of Jessica Laue as an appraiser in the Assessor’s Office.

o Approved the appointment of Tanya Rathman as interim jail administrator while the county goes through a formal hiring process.

o Approved a $232,580 contract with Restoration Services Inc. for the courthouse dome tuck-pointing project.