BLUE EARTH — Faribault County commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to reappoint Mark Daly as county highway engineer for four more years.

Daly told the board that work has begun on the shoulders of County Road 15. He said full-depth reclamation work on County Road 23 will begin May 11.

Daly reviewed bids for three box culverts and the board awarded the job to the low bidder, Landwehr Construction of St. Cloud, for $819,271.

Next on Daly’s list was setting a date to open the county parks.

“I do not want to open them up for permanent campers and then tell a family that shows up for a weekend that they are not allowed,” said Commissioner Tom Warmka. “I do not want to open them up until we can have them open for everybody.”

County Attorney Kathryn Karjala reminded commissioners the parks are to remain closed under the executive order issued by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Commissioners decided to keep the parks closed at least until their next meeting May 19. They will wait to see if the governor again extends his stay-at-home order.

In the meantime, commissioners voted to allow people who have permanent spots in the county parks to make appointments with the Public Works Department to be admitted to the campgrounds for maintenance purposes, such as mowing the lawn around their lot.

“It is inconvenient, but that is the way it is,” said Commissioner Tom Loveall.