BLUE EARTH — One newly elected commissioner and two reelected commissioners were sworn in ahead of the Faribault County Board’s first meeting of 2021.

Bruce Anderson joins the board after being elected to fill the spot of Tom Warmka, who retired. John Roper and Bill Groskreutz were also administered the oath of office after winning reelection last November.

Once the meeting began, John Roper was elected to the position of chairman and Greg Young was elected to serve as the vice chairman.

Although it seems the construction season just ended for county road projects, Public Works director Mark Daly attended the board meeting to attain approval for seeking bids for some of the 2021 plans which are in the works.

“We have three bridges which are to be replaced this year. The east fork of the Blue Earth River has two locations where the bridges are to be replaced,” Daly explained. “One of those is on County Road 21 and the other is on County Road 109. The other bridge is in the southwestern part of the county on County State Aid Highway 9. It will go over Judicial Ditch No. 7.”

Two of the ditches were originally scheduled to be replaced in 2025 but are now scheduled to be replaced this year.

“I would also like to seek bids for striping, seal coating and crack sealing,” Daly told the board.

The board approved a motion allowing Daly to proceed with the bid process.

A motion to accept $268,008 as part of Minnesota’s Coronavirus Relief Act was passed with the board directing the Faribault County Economic Development Authority to administer the business and non-profit grant program.