BLUE EARTH– “The paving on CSAH (County State Aid Highway) 19 was completed yesterday,” Denny Wick of the Faribault County Public Works Department told the commissioners at the Faribault County Board meeting held on Tuesday. “They started the shouldering work this morning and I expect that to take three to four days. The striping will follow once the shoulder work is complete.”

Wick also shared that the concrete for the shelter at Pihls Park has not yet been poured.

“We are waiting on the contractor,” Wick said.

Wick also mentioned the Public Works Department is facing a shortage of help.

“We are looking for some seasonal help,” Wick commented. “We are hoping that with school now being out that we could get some people interested in earning some money over the summer.”

Jim Langborg of the Faribault County Economic Development Authority had a couple of items for the commissioners to consider for approval.

“At the Faribault County EDA meeting on May 19, the board reviewed seven applications that met the minimum requirements for the Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) Home Improvement Loan,” Langborg said. “The EDA Board approved the requests, which totaled $92,274.13, and now are asking for final authorization from the County Board prior to disbursement.”

Langborg explained there was a $15,000 limit per recipient and that each application went through a vetting process.

“These grants are to be utilized for low-income families to help take care of their needs,” Langborg added. “We want to make sure the money is going to the right place and will continue to work with the communities we serve.”

Commissioner Tom Loveall then asked, “Are these grants going to different communities?”

“Yes, they are,” Langborg responded. “We have had applicants from Winnebago, Blue Earth and Wells.”

Langborg said that rural homeowners are also eligible for the program.

“The LHTF currently has an available balance of approximately $219,000,” Langborg said. “The approval of these seven applications will leave a balance of $126,725.87.”

The board approved a resolution to fund the seven grant/loan requests.

The board also:

— Set the starting time for the June 16 board meeting for 3:30 p.m. The Board of Appeals meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. the same day.

— Approved the requests of Erin Beske and Sue Jahnke of the Faribault County Sheriff’s Department to attend Minnesota Law Enforcement Administrative Professionals Fraud and Data Practices training.

— Voted to approve the request of Sheriff’s Department employees Nick Bleess and Kaylynn Smith to attend a Communications Training Officer Workshop.

— Approved the request of Daniel Killion of the Sheriff’s Department to attend the 2026 BCA Criminal Justice Information Users Conference.