8/9/2019 Browerville Blade - 08/26/2010 - page 1

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A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Volume 98; Number 11

www.bladepublishing.net

Wed. Aug. 25

Mostly Sunny

69/45

Thur. Aug. 26

Sunny

75/58

Fri. Aug. 27

Sunny/Wind

85/62

Sat, Aug. 28

Mostly Sunny

88/61

Sun. Aug. 29

T-Storms

84/61

Mon. Aug. 30

T-Storms

84/62

Tue. Aug. 31

T-Storms

78/61

Wed. Sept. 1

Showers

77/57

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Renovating ToddCounty's historical

courthouse will cost

ess than one cup of

coffee per month per

property taxpayer

Its time for another season

of Tiger sports

75

Hot, humid conditions did not hamper people from enjoying fresh sweet corn, potato bar

and grilled burgers during the Browerville Commercial Clubs 6th Annual Harvest Fest held

on August 20th in the parking lot of the Browerville Liquor Store. Approx 200 people attend-

ed this years event. Money raised by the event will be used by the Commercial Club for future

community projects. Thank you to everyone that donated time, and products. Additional pho-

tos inside.

With football and volleyball practice well under way, parents and fans are also gearing up

for another exciting season of Tiger sports. Additional photos and and a season preview on

page 8.

Filings for City/School

officesBrowerville City Council filing for the 2010 elections are:

MAYOR 2 year term

Mike Aksamit

Bob Heid

COUNCIL MEMBER 4 year term two positions open

Mike Iten

Hannah WieshallaLyle Olson

George Santer

Independent School District 787 filings for four school

board positions are:

Corey Heid, Heidi Iten, Robert Bryniarski, Joe Duncan

Harvest

Fest is a

success

By Tim King

Renovating Todd County'sistorical courthouse will cost

ess than one cup of coffee per

month per property taxpayer,

eople attending a recent public

meeting learned.

Approximately fifty people

stened to the County's

ngineering and Architectural

onsultant's presentation on the

otential uses of a renovated

odd County historical court-

ouse prior to the Todd County

ommissioners meeting on the

vening of Tuesday August 17.

ounty Administrator Nathan

urkett also reviewed the

ptions for the 120-year-olduilding.

The consultants once again

ointed out that the building is

ound. They had previously

ointed out the building is struc-

urally sound enough to last for

t least another 100 years. By

moving various departments,

cattered throughout Long

rairie, into the courthouse and

oser to other county depart-

ments the county will be able to

perate more efficiently, the con-

ultants said.

Burkett said the efficiencies

aused by renovating the court-

ouse and moving variousepartments into it would create

avings and income for the coun-

y. He said staff would likely be

eliminated and rental income

generated. He estimated thesavings and income would be

approximately $194,000 per

year.

Burkett and the consultants

pointed out renovations of all

three floors of the courthouse

would cost approximately $4

million. Additional costs to move

the 9-1-1 system, furnish the

building, and construct an ener-

gy efficient geothermal heating

and cooling system would bring

the total cost to just under $4.4

million. The consultants said it

would be possible to do the con-

struction in phases and spread

the cost out over a longer periodof time. They pointed out con-

struction costs are at an all time

low now, however. Burkett said

construction costs for a project

to build a new jail in Douglas

County came in 20% under the

engineers estimated costs.

On the other hand, demolish-

ing the courthouse and moving

the 9-1-1 system to a new loca-

tion would cost about $400,000.

Commissioner Ruda had previ-

ously said the $400,000 demoli-

tion expense would provide

nothing for taxpayers.

A number of taxpayers spoke

at the meeting. None expressedan interest in demolishing the

building. However, two speakers

Continued on page 16