The Sherburne County Board last week recognized Imholte Farms in Clear Lake as the Farm Family of the Year.
Lori Vicich, West Central Regional Director for the University of Minnesota Extension gave some background about the Imholte Family and said the award is given not only to a successful family farm operation, but because of how the family gives back to the community.
Imholte Farms was started in 1880 by John and Anna Imholte. The farm has passed through Leo and Alma, Alfred and Mary, and Mark and Lila Imholte. The Imholte farm has been designated as a Century Farm.
Through the years, the farm has evolved from hogs, cattle, sheep, chickens, and grains to strictly crop production. Today, the farm legacy is operated by Matt and Ross Imholte.
The Imholtes are also involved in many agriculture and community organizations, including the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Central Minnesota Irrigators, Irrigators Association of Minnesota, the Clear Lake Fire Department, the Clear Lake Township Board, the Clear Lake Lions Club, and Clear Lake Lioness Club.
While accepting the award, Matt Imholte said it was the intention to pass the farm down in the family to the next Imholte generation.
Tax Rebates
The board approved payment of the 2023 Tax Rebate Financing totalling $133,000.73 to the following businesses: Sandhills Holding LLC; S & B LLC; GATR of Sauk Rapids, Inc./RAN Properties LLC; Morrell Oversize, Inc.; Scott Morrell LLC; Sportech Inc. & Envision Company LLC; Apex Embroidery Design, Inc. & SBH Properties, LLC; Garage Guys LLC; Ice Man Properties LLC.
All the listed businesses have paid their 2023 property taxes in full and will receive a tax rebate on the county portion of their taxes according to their individual agreements on file.
Road Bids
The board awarded the contract for the reconstruction of Co. Rd. 73 from Co. Rd. 11 to the Elk River Bridge to Knife River Corp. at $2,490,292.98.
Other bidders on the project were: Kraemer Trucking & Excavating Inc. ($2,545,084.60); Veit & Company, Inc. ($2,884,376.23); Duininck, Inc. ($3,161,425.19); Meyer Contracting Inc. ($3,579,716.69); Park Construction Company ($3,593,704.28); US SiteWork, Inc. ($3,648,166.80) and New Look Contracting, Inc. ($3,648,924.25). The engineer’s estimate was $2,462,295.10.
Contracted dates will be Feb. 5, 2024 to Aug. 30, 2024.
Zoning
In zoning actions the board:
• Approved the Residential Preliminary and Final Simple Plat for “Maciej Acres,” consisting of one lot on 148.82 acres at Co. Rd. 42 in Blue Hill Twp.;
• Approved the rezoning of 48.95 acres from General Rural to Industrial in Livonia Twp. The five parcels on the site abut land used for residential and commercial to the north, Elk River Landfill to the south, Great Northern Trail to the west and Hwy. 169 to the east;
• Approved an Interim Use Permit for Merlin Valerius for Mining (Peat) on 41.4 acres near Co. Rd. 25 in Livonia Twp.;
• Approved the Residential Final Standard Plat of “Meadow Estates North” consisting of six lots on 18.15 acres at Co. Rd. 43 and 174th Street in Big Lake Twp.
Planning
Appointments
The board appointed the following individuals to the Sherburne County Planning Advisory Commission for the period of Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2024 - Palmer Twp: Representative Stephen Demeules and Alternate Mitch Wipper; Santiago Twp: Representative David Jehoich and Alternate Jeffrey Pappenfus.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Appointed Laura Kangas to the Great River Regional Library Board of Trustees for a term of three years from Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2027;
• Approved a 2023-2024 tobacco license application for Uptown Off Sale in Zimmerman;
• Approved a 2024 renewal of a 3.2% Liquor License for Del-Tone Gun Club;
• Approved the purchase of an envelope/letter/date stamping opener by the Auditor-Treasurer from Quadient at a cost of $8,649.36, which includes shipping and installation/training;
• Approved the purchase of a 2.H-GAC - Ambulance, EMS, and Special Services Vehicle for use by the Sheriff’s Office. The contract amount will not exceed $350,000, utilizing available Jail Enterprise funds and with no impact to the county levy.
