FAIRMONT– The Martin County Commissioners considered a letter of support for the County’s request for senate congressional directed spending for the proposed Public Safety and Justice Center during its meeting on Tuesday.

As part of previous board action to pursue federal funding through the senate congressional directed spending request in the amount of $3.5 million for the proposed justice center, the board was asked to provide a letter of support for the county’s application.

The board looked over a draft to Senators Klobuchar and Smith, which outlines the need for a new jail facility and several services, including mental health. It also touched on the impact to taxpayers from the amount it costs to transport inmates to facilities that can better care for them.

A portion of the draft stated that without state bonding, funding the entire $38.9 million facility could require up to approximately 5 to 6 percent property tax increase on county residents and agriculture operations.

Commissioner Elliot Belgard asked that the word “regional” be added in as that’s what the facility would be and it would help their chances of getting funding.

The commissioners authorized the board chair to sign the letter of support for the congressional spending request. Commissioner Kathy Smith said that additional signatures of support from key people in the county, such as mayors and police chiefs can be obtained before the letter is due on April 15.

Doug Hartke of Fox Lake Conservation League was present to provide notice to the county on the League’s purchase of 190 acres of land from Valley News Corporation in section six of Westford Township. Hartke said they bought the land at an auction about 10 days ago.

“I never dreamt we’d get it. It’s now going to make the Perch Creek WMA (Wildlife Management Areas) the latest WMA in Martin County. With this addition it will be over 11,019 acres,” Hartke said.

He said several months ago they bought 110 acres to the east of this parcel and never thought they would get the whole thing. It was purchased within the appraisal at $1.8 million.

Hartke said that the farmability must not have been what farmers wanted. He said they’ll be able to protect the Blanding Turtles that enter the creek on the parcel.

The council also heard from County Assessor Mike Sheplee regarding setting a public hearing date and time for three single family home tax abatement requests.

Sheplee said the three applicants have all met the requirements and the next step is to set the public hearing.

One is a request to build a single family home at 938 260th Ave. in Granada. Another is a cabin on Silver Lake on Coleman Lane in Fairmont. The third is at 21 Schafer Shore Dr. in Sherburn on the east side of Temperance Lake.

“With these three projects, the total of these housing tax abatements total about $5.43 million worth of value and over those 10 years an estimated tax amount that will be rebated is about $260,000,” Sheplee said.

“That’s the way we wanted this program to work,” said Belgard.

Commissioner Richard Koons asked if the cabin would be the permanent residence to which Sheplee said no.

“If they don’t live there, they don’t qualify,” said Belgard.

Sheplee said that that wasn’t included in the policy and Belgard said they had denied a request on Fox Lake for that very reason. He said if this one qualifies, that one should have as well.

Belgard said the other two can be approved easily enough but the other needs to be looked into before the public hearing. County Attorney Terry Viesselman said he will take a look at the policy.

The commissioners approved to set the public hearing on the tax abatement requests for 10 a.m. on May 3.

Moving to other matters, Wayne Walter, Ceylon City Council member, requested financial assistance to help with the demolition of a house at 311 Main Street E. in Ceylon. Walter said the house is completely beyond repair.

The cost for demolition of the structure is about $8,385 and tree removal is roughly $7,000. The commissioner’s policy has been to pay up to half of the cost, up to $10,000.

County Auditor Jessica Korte said the county has a levy and all of the sales from forfeited land houses go into it and there is currently $124,000 in that fund.

Smith said she doesn’t recall ever paying for tree removal. Commissioner James Forshee said they should keep it consistent in what they’ve done in the past and help pay for the removal of the structure and not the tree removal portion.

Walter said any financial assistance would be appreciated. The commissioners approved to provide financial assistance up to half of the invoice up to $10,000.

In other action, the commissioners:

— Approved recruitment for one summer help position at the Martin County Highway Department at the rate of $13 per hour.

— Approved the hire of a part-time administrative secretary for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

— Approved the hire of a full-time administrative assistance for the U of M Extension/4-H program office.

— Authorized the board chair to sign a letter of support for Federated Rural Electric for the Ceylon Broadband project.