The owner and operator of the popular Beavertrails Campgrounds along Interstate 90 took his grievance with a Mower County employee to the county board Tuesday.

Thursday, November 30, 2000

The owner and operator of the popular Beavertrails Campgrounds along Interstate 90 took his grievance with a Mower County employee to the county board Tuesday.

William C. Sheely appeared before the Mower County Board of Commissioners to complain about Bill Buckley, the county’s environmental health services director.

Sheely brought with him a file folder of documents and pictures to prove his case.

Sheely’s complaint stemmed from what he alleged was Buckley’s mishandling of his documentation of work done in processing his application for compliance with the county’s individual sewage treatment ordinance.

The commissioners and Buckley listened to Sheely’s lengthy presentation.

Sheely told the commissioners his Beavertrails Campgrounds is in the midst of a major expansion brought on by a growing demand for services.

He said he requested the assistance of state Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin) in dealing with his alleged problems at one point.

Buckley asserted he was only enforcing the county’s IST ordinance and complying with the law.

The personnel committee held a special meeting at the conclusion of Tuesday’s regular county board meeting to study Sheely’s complaint.

According to Len Miller, Fourth District county commissioner and chair of the personnel committee, the differences were resolved.

"Mower County will send a letter to the state agencies, stating that Mr. Sheely is in compliance with our IST ordinance,’ Miller said.

Approve lab fees

Also Tuesday, Buckley won the county commissioners’ approval of new fees for water testing.

A basic test for bacteria goes up from $10 to $12.50, fluoride testing increases from $200 to $300 and fecal chloroform testing increases from $10 to $15.

According to Buckley, the county’s lab rates have not been adjusted for five years.

He also recommended an increase in the collection fee from $10 to $20 and the county commissioners also approved that.

However, the commissioners decided not to approve a $10 hike in the individual water testing fee of $20.

Buckley said he will advise all of the county’s municipalities of the rate hikes by letter. The increases do not go into effect until 2001 and will not be collected until 2002.