Note: The Commissioners did not meet on April 21st.
LWV Observer - Georgiana Campbell
All commissioners were present.
On April 14th the Rice Co. Commissioners met to settle some routine business and some that was less routine. Planning and Zoning had 5 CUP's (Conditional Use Permits) that had been requested. These were o.k.'d.
Michael Cook (from Solid Waste) presented information on the new Landfill Gate Schedule. Although the Landfill has been open on most holidays in the past, that will no longer be the case. (Past closings have saved money.) The Landfill will be open on only one Saturday from November until March and two Saturdays April through October. Again this should save money. These changes were approved by the commissioners.
The transmission line route for the CAPX2020 Utilities Line route (bringing electricity from South Dakota to Minnesota and Wisconsin and even farther east) has been discussed for some time. Earlier this year, the commissioners had discussed the route (which had been highly controversial). At that earlier time Jeff Docken volunteered to be the Rice County Commissioner who kept tabs on the issue and reported back to the Commissioners. At this week's meeting he brought news of the transmission line as well as resolutions regarding its placement which the Commissioners voted to approve. Docken stated that there had been much discussion of where exactly the utilies line would be laid. Many people, including Rice County residents, did not want it in their area. Docken had attended a meeting in New Prague to which 400 people had come in order to express their views. The Rice County Route (as opposed to a route farther north) was not the preferred route as far as most Rice County ciitizens were concerned. One of the Commissioners asked if the electricity so transferred would be generated by wind. The answer was, "No, it will be coal." (There has been word to the opposite lately. Perhaps it is not yet settled.) However, there are many Rice County citizens who are relieved to know that the transmission line will not be going through their fields or yards.
The Rice County Commissioners were featured in a recent issue of the Northfield News, Readers were reminded of the commissioners' salaries and the amount of their time that is spent on County business. Each commissioner serves on several committees having to do with County concerns They regularly decide whether to approve Planning and Zoning decisions, improvements of roads and highways, whether the Sheriff's office should fill a new deputy position, etc. There are many other issues, usually with financial implications - important in our 2009 economy.
