Two weeks ago, the county commissioners approved a resolution limiting their role and the role of McNeilus/Oshkosh in the estimated $3.4 million project.

The McNeilus/Oshkosh financial role is limited to $125,000, which would go toward construction of a new water tower in the city of Dexter and other water main extension lines to the site outside of town.

The cap on the county's financial role is $250,000 loan to the DCA and a $3.4 million ceiling on the total estimated project costs. Any cost overruns exceeding that amount would have to be financed by McNeilus/Oshkosh.

At a special meeting Thursday afternoon, Craig Oscarson, county coordinator, explained how a hearing will be necessary for awarding the business subsidy.

"It's just a formality, but it's required by Minnesota statute," Oscarson said.

The state law also requires McNeilus/Oshkosh to detail specific employment and wage goals, which must be "sensitive to prevailing wage rates,

local economic conditions, external economic forces and the competitive enforcement in which the recipients's business exists."

Also, Oscarson pointed out to the commissioners, McNeilus/Oshkosh must define how their proposed business development project will enhance economic diversity, retain jobs, when loss is imminent or demonstrable, how the project will stabilize the community and the project's "risk and reward" ratio.

The hearing will be held beginning 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, in the county commissioners' meeting room at the government center in downtown Austin.

On Aug. 21 the commissioners expect to hear the results of a Larson, Allen, Weishair and Company study of the Mower County fund balance and general financial position.

It will give them good information for the Aug. 27 hearing and future meetings to decide the county's financial role on the Dexter project or other similar requests to come.

"This public hearing before that meeting is just to adopt the criteria for making a business subsidy and nothing else?" Richard P. Cummings, 1st District, wanted to know.

"That's all you would be doing. It's just a formality of the law to hold a hearing in matters like this," said Oscarson.

The commissioners unanimously approved the request to hold a public hearing.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com