An unusually long board meeting on December 17 included two public hearings, Douglas County Commissioners voting to close on a land deal for the proposed new library, updates from the Region 4 Mental Health Consortium and approval of opioid grants, and a presentation of a service award to retiring Commissioner Keith Englund.
Chair Englund opened the first public hearing at 9:01 a.m. County Engineer and Public Works Director Tim Erickson presented information on the Local Option Sales Tax for Transportation and the addition of projects to be funded with that tax which was established by resolution in 2014. It is one half of one percent and generates approximately $5 million a year.
Erickson asked the board to approve using the tax to fund additional road projects as identified in the Douglas County Highway Improvement Plan dated December 17, 2024. The board approved the request.
The second public hearing was a request for a property tax abatement from a group planning to build a new hotel in Alexandria. The Runestone Hospitality Group is proposing a 92 room Holiday Inn Express & Suites to be built on South Broadway Street. Nicole Fernholz with the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission explained the property tax abatement process and why it’s used. She described it as a way to increase the county’s tax base, create employment opportunities, and foster economic development. The Runestone Hospitality Group is asking for an eight-year abatement. In return, the group will provide a pre-determined number of jobs and meet other conditions. Commissioners approved the request. Commissioners Charlie Meyer and Shane Schmidt abstained from the vote.
Douglas County Parks
Commissioners approved Douglas County Parks Superintendent Brad Bonk seeking a grant to overlay part of the Central Lakes Trail. The funds would provide for a two-inch overlay from Garfield to Nelson. The Board also accepted the donation of $4,011.10 from the Rotary Club of Alexandria for picnic tables to be used primarily at Lake Brophy County Park.
Douglas County Library Board
In her final appearance as president of the Douglas County Library Board, Becky Albright asked commissioners to accept an environmental review of the donated property for the proposed library, agree to sign the purchase agreement and set a closing date. The land was donated by the Brent and Sally Smith family. Albright said this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get 10 acres in a central location. Commissioners approved the requests and Commissioner Shane Schmidt, a member of the library board, publicly thanked Albright for her work on the proposed library. “You put your heart and soul into this,” he said.” Without you Becky, this wouldn’t have happened. Thank you very much.” Albright replied that it has been an honor to serve on the library board.
Region 4 Mental Health
Kesha Anderson, the administrator for the Region 4 South Mental Health Consortium, updated the board on the work of the group including its mobile crisis teams which serve five counties, including Douglas County. She told the board the crisis teams respond to calls at the Alomere emergency room, Douglas County jail, schools and other locations. She said regionwide, they serve 30 to 45 new clients each month.
Opioid Settlement Task Force
Commissioners approved requests for projects to reduce the misuse of opioids in Douglas County. The county receives funding from a national settlement with private businesses that oversold opioids. Some of the funding will be used by Horizon Public Health for a media campaign to educate the public and for the Healthy Voices Healthy Choices Coalition which will expand its work beyond the Alexandria High School to the rest of Douglas County including at least two additional schools.
Service Award for Commissioner Keith Englund
The meeting ended with a service award given to retiring Commissioner and Board Chair Keith Englund. Englund served two terms on the board and Vice Chair Commissioner Jerry Rapp presented the award saying, “It is my honor on behalf of the board to be awarding commissioner Englund a very prestigious plaque for his 8 years of service as commissioner of Douglas County District 1.”
Commissioners will meet again Tuesday, January 7 at 9 a.m. An organizational meeting will be held first, followed by a board meeting. All meetings are held at the county Administration Building located at 821 Cedar Street in Alexandria.