FAIRMONT– The Martin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday heard from George Eilertson with Northland Securities who gave an update on the preliminary bond sale calendar.

He said that while he and the board previously discussed using lease revenue bonds, which flow through the economic development authority, to help fund the Justice Center, certificates of participation could be used instead.

“It’s very similar to lease revenue bonds. In fact they mirror each other. The difference is that that the lease revenue bonds are issued by the EDA… and the certificates of participation is more of a streamlined process. This kind of debt is issued through a county board,” Eilertson said.

According to Eilertson, certificates of participation are issued around the state at both the city and county level for government-type facilities.

The other financing option on the table to fund the Justice Center is general obligation jail bonds. Eilertson said, relating to that, the state has a county credit enhancement program and that it’s specifically for jails, among some other projects.

“It lifts your bond rating from double A to triple A… Not only does it raise your bond rating and lower your interest cost, but the cost to access the program is $500,” Eilertson said.

He went over some upcoming key dates for the project that take place in April, May and June and lead to a tentative July 2 date for closing on the bonds, at which point the proceeds would be available.

Commissioner Joe Loughmiller said he and some other commissioners learned at an Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) session that there are a few counties in the state that have more broadly applied the use of jail bonds. He asked if there were more liberal uses and whether the county could pursue it, too.

Gina Fiorini, the county’s bond attorney, said that she would be happy to look at what other counties are doing, but that in her experience, when people say, ‘we issued bonds for that,’ they really mean they ‘cobbled together some different authorities.’

“I think we need to see some final plans from the architecture to really finalize it,” Fiorini said.

Eilertson pointed out that there are different financing plans that governments can use for jail projects, such as accessing sales tax, etc. and that they will continue to look at other options.

“Our goal, as yours, is to get the most efficient financing for you,” Eilertson said.

Speaking to some of the key dates, he said that on May 6 the board would call for a bond sale and in the middle of May the bond rating will be in hand. On June 2 the bond sale would take place, with an award given the next day.

Loughmiller asked if money would not be received until construction bids are awarded. Eilertson said that the board would know the construction bids are ahead of the bond sale.

Because the board was considering the issuance of tax-exempt bonds, Eilertson said it was recommended by the IRS that the board consider a specific resolution. The board thus approved a resolution declaring the official intent of Martin County to reimburse certain expenditures for the Justice Center Project from the proceeds of bonds to be issued by the county.

On Tuesday the board also considered adopting an ordinance regulating cannabis businesses in Martin County. The board has discussed the ordinance on several occasions and County Attorney Taylor McGowan said area stakeholders have also been involved in the process. He said that he used a model ordinance provided by AMC and tweaked it slightly.

“I think it’s something we can use right now and then see how things work out,” McGowan said.

County Coordinator Scott Higgins said that at least two cities have indicated that they would like to fall under the county’s ordinance.

Desta Owens with the Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention (MCSAP) Coalition spoke during the public hearing and shared some about the group’s mission, prior to some student members speaking to the board.

“We want to sincerely thank you for your efforts in putting those safeguards in place and getting those stakeholders together to protect youth. We know that balancing the interests of the entire community is not an easy task and we really appreciate the work you’ve done to prioritize youth safety,” Owens said.

Once the public hearing was closed, the board approved a motion to adopt the ordinance regulating cannabis businesses in Martin County.

In other business:

— County Economic Development Authority (EDA) consultants Celia Simpson and Amber Patten presented the 2024 annual report. The two also presented the report to the county EDA board earlier this month.

— The board approved the purchase of a Burchland EZR Material Roller with a Skid Loader attachment from Ramy Turf Products in Mankato in the amount of $7,050 to be paid for using money received from MnDOT.

— The board approved the hire of Benjamin Petersen as a full-time Highway Maintenance Specialist.

— Planning and Zoning Director Pam Flitter provided the board with the 2024 Martin County Feedlot Program year-end review.

— The board set a public hearing time and date of 10:00 a.m. on April 15 for a tax abatement request from Andrew Challinor and Erika Englund for construction of a single family home in Trimont.

— The board approved a tax abatement request from Dan and Ashley Stensland for construction of a new single family home in Fairmont.

— Per a citizen’s request, the board discussed the possibility of televising board meetings and will revisit the topic at a later date after more information is gathered.