FAIRMONT–On Tuesday the Martin County Board of Commissioners heard from Pam Flitter, the planning and zoning director, who presented information about the County Agricultural Inspection Grant.

She said for about 20 years the agricultural inspectors in Minnesota have been requesting dollars to help perform job duties, such as managing noxious weeds, through the Department of Agriculture.

“This last year the Minnesota Department of Ag was awarded $500,000 for two years so each county can apply,” Flitter explained.

She said the non-competitive grant won’t likely amount to to a lot of dollars, maybe $6,000 to $10,000 depending on how many counties apply for it.

“We were told to continue doing the jobs we were doing because there isn’t going to be additional money for projects so we’ll continue to do inspections and enforcement,” Flitter said.

She quickly told the board about some of her department’s primary functions.

Not many complaints come in anymore, she said, due to Roundup Ready corn and beans, some of which have become resistant. She also noted there are some organic farmers in the area. Flitter said they also work closely with the townships as the supervisors are the weed inspectors.

Nonetheless, Flitter said her department will do a local weed inspector training, likely through a newsletter, to get out any updates from the Minnesota Department of Ag.

Flitter also shared that in the spring the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will come to Martin County to conduct seed sampling from certain places that sell seed.

“They take the sample and send it in to see if it’s actually the ingredients that are on the bag and what the people are purchasing. We also go with them to Bomgaars or Tractor Supply to make sure the seed packets are not expired. It’s just to double check,” Flitter said.

Finally, she said her department does pesticide applicator testing, which has increased over the years, as it has changed from paper form to online.

“It’s been a successful tool because… you get the results right away. We do about 50 to 100 exams a year,” Flitter said.

The board approved of the County Agricultural Inspection Grant.

Moving to talk about the feedlot program, Flitter said that last week the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) fiscal department flagged about $130,000 of unspent training performance credit money.

“Because of that we’re able to get additional funds. We’re going to get an additional ten thousand some odd dollars,” Flitter said.

She reminded the board that the county had received just over $31,000 and now it will be getting the additional funds, which will need to be spent in the next few years. She pointed out the department has a vehicle that could be replaced with the funds.

When Flitter finished providing her updates, Commissioner Billeye Rabbe brought up the potential solar farm project in Rutland Township and a recent public meeting. She asked whether Flitter could provide a statement.

“It’s confusing to people that are attending because they keep referring to people as “commissioners” making decisions and it’s really the Public Utilities Commission. It’s obvious that they don’t need to follow our planning and zoning guidelines. I’m wondering if you’re willing to write a statement to the Public Utilities Commission… asking them to at least consider our guidelines from the county,” Rabbe said.

Flitter said the Commission had reached out to her department and asked what the setbacks are. She noted that they don’t need to be followed, but they are required to ask.

“They do contact us and see what they are,” Flitter said.

Rabbe said that, based on what she heard at last week’s public meeting, some people claimed that the panels can be 125 feet from their home. She pointed out that that is less than the county’s guidelines.

Flitter said that she would look into it and, with the board’s approval, provide a statement on the county’s guidelines.

Moving to other matters, the board considered acceptance of the National Opioid Settlement got Purdue Pharma LP.

Back in 2023, the board had passed a resolution authorizing the county to participate in the Minnesota Opioid Memorandum of Agreement to authorize county staff to execute all required documents to ensure the county’s participation in future related opioid settlements.

County Attorney Taylor McGowan said that fortunately Martin County hasn’t had a big opioid problem, but he noted that fentanyl has made its way to Blue Earth County and said it could just be a mater of time before some pops up here.

The board spoke briefly about potential uses for any funds that come in, including a membership to the drug task force, wellness and support services for first responders, or use by police or fire departments.

The board accepted the new opioid settlement for Purdue Pharma LP and authorized the County Coordinator to execute the necessary documents for participation in the nationwide settlement.

In other action, the board:

–Approved the resignation retirement notice from Daneen Hacklander, human resource specialist, effective Sept. 2.

— Approved a closed session time and date of 10 a.m. on Sept. 16 for labor negotiation discussions.

— Approved a letter of support for the Lawrence Welk Show 70th Anniversary. Welk had played in Martin County at the Interlaken Ballroom.