By Mel Stegner

News@pctribune.com

Pope County Commissioners decided to extend an invitation to local state legislators to a future meeting of the county board prior to the legislative session. Members of the board would like to share their concerns for rural communities with legislators before they head to the capitol for the 2024 legislative session that begins on February 12. 

The decision to extend the invitation came after a discussion about ways to communicate with urban area representatives to share perspective of what rural areas may need. “The needs we have out here, like the cost per mile of roads is higher in urban areas, but we have more roads out here,” stated Commissioner Larry Lindor. “We need to be able to communicate these issues so that we can all work together.”

In other action, Commissioner Paul Gerde was elected board chair for 2024 and Lindor was elected vice chair. The board then went through their committee assignments for the year. Commissioners voted to re-appoint Greg Vold as the District 3 representative for the Pope County HRA/EDA board.

The board passed a resolution designating the Pope County Tribune as the official newspaper for 2024. Minnesota state statute requires that every county annually designates an official newspaper to publish official proceedings and other publications required by law.

The financial institutions of Pope County were all designated as official depositories of county funds at the meeting and the auditor/treasurer was approved to make electronic funds transfers.

A value and tax abatement were approved for a property in rural Starbuck. In September the house caught fire and burned down, displacing the residents.