The Mower County board is set to hear an update at its Tuesday meeting on a proposed plan to merge Austin’s fleet of buses known as AMCAT with three other counties.

In May, county officials discussed the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s goal of merging transit systems in Mower, Steele and Freeborn counties in an effort to save money.

The Mower County Board and the city of Austin would have to approve the merger, and county officials said in May they didn’t yet know how the merged transit authority would affect service. They also didn’t know if staying on their own would affect funding.

The county used to pay more than $100,000 for AMCAT each year, but was about to cut it from the budget when the board started partnering with the city. The partnership later secured more state funding.

AMCAT, which offers rides to 60,000 to 70,000 people per year, is available to the public and serves all of Austin, Mapleview and the rural edges of city limits.

The county board meeting starts with a department report by Assessor Joy Kanne at 8:35 a.m., followed by Human Services Board at 9 a.m. and the regular board meeting at 9:30.

 

Other business:

—The board will hear updates from Community Health on a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Award, a contract for Infant Mental Health Consultation with Fernbrook Outreach and a contract with Olmsted County Public Health clinic.

—The board will discuss a grant application for $15,000 to $40,000 for septic grant funds.

—The board will discuss a resolution of support for bond funds for the Blazing Star Trail.

—The commissioners were invited to attend a Water Committee Meeting with special attention on crop irrigation, permitting and well interference at the Hormel Nature Center’s Ruby Rupner Room from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.