COMMISSION CANVASSES ELECTION RESULTS, TALKS ROY LAKE ROAD

    The Marshall County Commissioners met last Thursday as to handle post-election business. The board conducted the canvass following the Nov. 5 election. Auditor Megan Biel noted that she felt the whole election went smoothly. She explained that she had three provisional ballots cast. After research, two of them were discarded as the voters had not registered. One provisional ballot was accepted. The post-election audit board will meet this week. Per state law, this body has to hand count two races, one of which must be a statewide race. The commission drew for which races and precincts would be audited. See next week’s paper for more on the audit board. 
    Regarding commissioners, Jason Bender was elected for the District 3 position in the recent election. He had been serving due to an appointment. Andrea Kilker was elected to the District 4 spot, winning the position over incumbent Leron Knebel. Both terms of office will start in January. 
    In highway matters, Superintendent Dustin Hofland noted that the state has contacted him various times about redoing the Roy Lake road from Highway 10 to Highway 25. They have money set aside for the estimated $3 million project and are asking that the county contribute 25%. Hofland added that he has been told that engineers no longer recommend chip sealing on the road as it is beyond its lifespan. 
    “I have a hard time even looking at this project because I know what kind of light traffic is on that road and the condition of our other roads,” Hofland emphasized. The board generally agreed with him and decided against contributing to the project at this point.  
    It was noted that Marshall County Treasurer Pam Oelkers retired last week. Upon her retirement, the commission appointed the position to deputy treasurer Amanda Streier who will receive a starting wage of $50,000. Streier ran unopposed for the position and will serve by appointment until her official term starts in January. 
    In other board business, the opening of the courthouse project bid package #2 was postponed as delays had happened with that process. The group accepted the resignation from Becky Wade from her position as dispatcher. They approved a furnace replacement at the Community Building by Mike’s Heating and Cooling. 
    In zoning matters, the commission addressed various approvals and updates. A variance request from Tania Henning in Lake Township was postponed. Several building permits received approval, including those for Matt Feldhaus in Nordland Township, Kyle Hoines in Sisseton Township, Scott Gangle in Lake Township, Jason Bender in Waverly Township, Leonard Wolf in Newark Township, and Clear Lake Investments, LLP, also in Lake Township.
    Additionally, the Zoning Director Erin Collins-Miles highlighted an issue with the location of a section line on the Marshall County Web Viewer GIS System. This discrepancy has been reported to District III for correction. 
    The next commission meeting is Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the North Marshall Fire Hall. On the agenda so far is zoning and highway, Marshall County ambulance and an executive session to discuss personnel.