Lonny Otterson was welcomed "officially" Tuesday.

Friday, May 04, 2001

Lonny Otterson was welcomed "officially" Tuesday.

The new Mower County Extension Service educator was a special guest at the Mower County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Otterson replaces Dave Quinlan, who died in November at the age of 52.

The native of Clarks Grove has agriculture education and Extension Service experience.

In other matters Tuesday, the Mower County Board of Commissioners granted a request from Glen Jacobsen, chief deputy prosecutor for the count, for additional temporary attorney assistance.

Because of a change of venue, Mower County Attorney Patrick A. Oman will be assisting in the prosecution of three murder suspects in Dakota County District Court at Hastings beginning May 14.

The other responsibilities of the county attorney’s office will fall on Jacobsen plus two other attorneys and clerical staff.

The county board granted the request for a temporary attorney to be hired for the period May 14 through July 1.

Also Tuesday, the county board members spent an hour behind closed doors discussing Hormel Foods Corp.’s tax court petition.

The company is seeking a reduction in the valuations of its properties in and near the city of Austin.

The commissioners heard from County Assessor Mike Sutherland and chief deputy prosecutor Jacobsen. When they reconvened in open session, they announced that no final decision has been reached.

Unless the company and the county can reach an agreement, the petition will be heard in tax court.

The commissioners had no indication when attorneys for both sides would be meeting again or when a new out-of-court settlement would be offered to parties.

Wendy Todd of the Southeast Minnesota Community Action Agency (Semcac) received "half a loaf" of victory Tuesday.

Todd returned to the county commissioners for their final decision on an application for funding the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Project.

Action on the request had been delayed for more study and having completed that study, the county board stood by their resolution of April 10.

According to that resolution, the county board acknowledges the designated agencies to perform the required activities of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Family Housing Prevention and Assistance Program.

However, the resolution clearly states that any funds received on behalf of Mower County go directly to the county to administer the funds, including all funds for administration expenses.

In the case of Mower County, the Salvation Army Austin Corps will be the sole agency to administer those funds.

The action by the county board members was unanimous and continues their efforts to ensure more accountability for recipients of the funds and for those who administer them.

The Southeastern Minnesota Housing Network Project works with the Freeborn County Community Action Agency, Semcac, Olmsted Community Action Program and Three Rivers Community Action Program.

The county board is authorizing the Southeastern Minnesota Housing Network Project to remain the authorized agency for applying for funds, but effectively removes the Semcac agency from its role of handling the monies received for the homeless program in Mower County.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.