GRANITE FALLS -- Lois Bonde will begin duties as the new auditor/treasurer for Yellow Medicine County at the end of the month.
The Yellow Medicine County Board of Commissioners made the appointment Tuesday at the regular meeting, according to Ryan Krosch, county administrator.
Bonde will succeed Carolyn Sherlin, who previously announced her plans to retire effective Aug. 31.
Sherlin has served as county auditor since 1987. She is currently serving the first year of a new four-year term, but decided to retire to be able to spend time with grandchildren the family is expecting.
Bonde is currently the county's fiscal officer and well versed on the auditor/treasurer operations. She was the lone applicant for the position.
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The County Board indicated that it will ask the state Legislature next year to allow Yellow Medicine County to make the auditor/treasurer position an appointed rather than elected position. Similar legislation was approved previously for Lac qui Parle County.
Also Tuesday, the commissioners expressed their interest in investigating whether or not to develop an off-road vehicle park in a gravel pit on the north side of Canby.
Canby Mayor Rich Blackwelder expressed interest in the possible development. The commissioners were told about the opportunities for state funding to develop a park, and the economic advantages the park might provide. They met with Gary Hendrickx, a Swift County commissioner and chairman of the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission; Dawn Hegland, transportation, recreation and tourism director with the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission; and Gregg Soupir, supervisor of trails and waterways for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Spicer, to discuss the possible park development.
The area under consideration is adjacent to the county fairgrounds. Much of the gravel has been mined from the pit. There is still some gravel taken from it when the water table is low.
The commissioners will explore whether there is support for the proposal in the Canby community, according to Krosch.
In other business Tuesday:
n The commissioners allocated $20,000 to continue moving forward this year with a project to expand camping opportunities at Timm Park on Wood Lake. The funds will allow for landscaping and seeding as well as work to prepare the way for electrical and water services to a camping area.
The park has only offered primitive camping, but the county is now developing 27 camping sites. Each will measure 60 feet by 12 feet, and accommodate either one camper or two tents. Water and electrical service will be provided to the sites.
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The county also plans to develop a shower/bathroom building in conjunction with the camper site development.
n The commissioners indicated the county's interest in continuing to participate in the Prairie Waters tourism coalition. The county is in the final year of a three-year agreement with Prairie Waters. It will provide dues estimated at $13,000 as a member of the tourism coalition.
n The commissioners also reviewed an invitation to rejoin the Minnesota River joint powers coalition of counties. A majority of counties in the Minnesota River watershed are part of the coalition. The commissioners will discuss the county's membership during upcoming discussions to develop the new budget, according to Krosch.
