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FAIRMONT-- The Martin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday heard from County Assessor, Jessica Laue, who gave an update on the county's property tax abatement program.
The program started with a passed resolution in 2020 and offers up to 100 percent abatement of the county's portion of real estate taxes on new, single family homes for up to five years.
In the last six years 50 property tax abatement requests have been approved in Martin County.
"These represent a total estimated new construction value of $21.9 million," Laue said. "Based off of the 2025 assessment data, of the 50 applications, there is approximately $13,674,100 of estimated market value."
She said part of that difference is between reported construction costs versus value. Laue also added there there are still 10 application that don't have any estimated market value because they haven't constructed anything as of Jan. 2, 2025.
"In total, we have added, with this program, almost $13.7 million since 2020," Laue said.
On Tuesday the board held a public hearing and passed the 50th property tax abeyant application for Donovan and Julia Bremer for new construction in Tenhassen Township.
The board also got as brief update from County Engineer Kevin Peyman regarding some work being done by the highway department. He said that this month they're beginning to prepare for winter by finishing up crack filling and mowing.
Commissioner Joe Loughmiller asked if they'll be completely moved into the new shop in Trimont by winter and Peyman said it's unlikely and that the closing date is in mid-November.
"We've got to do some interior work and move things over... it will probably be going out of both this winter," Peyman said.
In other business, the board dealt with some issues concerning the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
First, following the retirement of Corey Klanderud, the board approved of a request to have his signature removed on the sheriff's office checking account and to have Chief Deputy Matt Owens added.
The board also approved the promotion of AJ Sowieja from deputy sheriff to deputy sheriff sergeant and authorized recruitment to fill the position. The promotion is to fill the position vacated from Owens, who took the chief deputy position.
In other news:
-- The board accepted the resignation of a full-time maintenance specialist and authorized recruitment to fill the position.
-- The board approved the promotion of Shaun Bulfer to the full-time position of construction and design manager for the Martin County Highway Department and to authorize recruitment to fill the vacant highway technician position.
-- The board set the time and date of 11 a.m. on Nov 9. To canvass the election results.