BLUE EARTH– The Faribault County Board of Commissioners, at its meeting on Tuesday voted to approve a new labor contract with AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees).

The approval was on a 4-1 vote with commissioner Tom Loveall voting against the approval. The vote came after the County Board went into a closed session for over half an hour to discuss the labor negotiations.

The board also took action to approve the exemption of homestead taxes for a totally disabled Vietnam veteran who lives in Wells.

Veteran Services Officer Jenna Schmidtke addressed the commissioners about the request.

“It was because of extenuating circumstances and through no fault of this veteran that he did not receive this benefit,” Schmidtke stated. “The paperwork had been filed on time.”

The homestead property tax exemption benefit, in the state of Minnesota, is afforded to veterans who hold a disability rating through the Department of Veteran Affairs at 70 percent or greater and are residents and property owners in the state of Minnesota.

“This man moved into a different residence,” commissioner Gertrude Paschke, the former county assessor added. “He had the exemption for his former residence and it should have followed him when he moved.”

The board’s vote to approve the request means that $4,032 in homestead taxes, which were due, will be waived.

All of the commissioners expressed their thanks and gratitude for the service of the veteran.

The board also:

— Approved the request of county auditor/treasurer Charles Schrader to attend the 2025 MCRA (Minnesota County Recorders Association)/MACATFO (Minnesota Association of County Auditors, Treasurers and Finance Officers) Summer Conference.

— Approved the request of John Oswald of the Highway Department to attend the NHI (National Highway Institute) Bridge Inspection Training Course.