BLUE EARTH — Faribault County’s Board of Commissioners learned the county will be receiving $91,000 in grant money from the state of Minnesota to aid in the completion of their Safe Routes to Schools project.

“The grant was applied for through the Commissioner of Transportation and we received word the funding is available,” Public Works director Mark Daly told the board. “This money will be used to help complete the bike path on the west side of Blue Earth by Leland Parkway and for a sidewalk to connect U.S. Highway 169 to the Blue Earth Area High School.”

Daly said $295,111 of Federal Aid had also been received for the project.

“Only $75,492 had to be paid for locally,” Daly explained.

Tim Langer, the Public Health sanitarian for Faribault and Martin counties was also at the meeting to review proposed updated ordinances for the county.

“One ordinance concerns food and beverages and the other is in regards to public swimming pools,” Langer shared. “Most of the revisions reflect changes which have been made in state ordinances. We would be updating our rules and regulations to match the state’s.”

The board approved the updated ordinances.

Langer noted roughly half of Minnesota’s 87 counties have their own Public Health Department.

“It is more efficient. We can handle matters ourselves instead of waiting for someone from the State office to show up,” Langer noted. “I believe we have also been able to develop trusting relationships with the people and businesses we work with.”

Earlier this year the County Board voted to hold off collecting licensure fees from county businesses until July 1, instead of the normal Jan. 31 deadline.

“I cannot tell you how well that gesture was received,” Langer said. “Being able to delay their payments was greatly appreciated.”