WORTHINGTON — Nobles County commissioners approved the 2025 budgets for several county departments during its meeting Tuesday.
Budgets approved for departments led by elected officials were set at $6,301,022 for the sheriff’s office; $500,673 for the recorder’s office; $1,453,603 for the county attorney’s office; and $1,096,242 for the auditor-treasurer’s office.
The board also set the 2025 commissioner salaries at $22,691, a 3% increase from their annual salary of $22,030 in 2024. Commissioners also increased their stipend to $200 per day, up from $150, for attending meetings on behalf of Nobles County.
Furthermore, commissioners approved a 2025 county budget of $52,384,373 and tax levy of $17,002,912. The county budget for the upcoming year was previously presented to the public in a Dec. 5 Truth and Taxation hearing. The county’s overall levy of $17,002,912 will be divided between general government, public works, community services, library, forfeited property and debt services.
In other action, the board:
- Approved Great Places Construction’s low bid of $1,154,206 for the renovation of the War Memorial Building (Nobles County Library) in Worthington.
- Approved Pope Design Group’s $28,250 construction administration service agreement fee for its work on the New Life Prairie Peace Center.
- Approved a Childcare Capacity grant of $5,031.83 for a licensed childcare provider’s installation of a new door and egress window.
- Approved job reclassifications for the assistant county attorney, human resources director, planning and zoning administrator, drainage systems coordinator, environmental specialist, facilities maintenance lead, office support library and environmental services manager.
- Approved the hiring of a part-time intermittent highway worker.
- Was introduced to Nobles County’s new assistant county attorney Ben Dolan.
- Approved Ryan and Sheena Eidhammer’s property tax abatement request for their Lismore home.
- Approved union contracts with courthouse, library and human services groups.
- Approved the 2025 non-union compensation plan using a new 2025 wage chart with a 3% COLA increase for each level and step.
- Set 2025 temporary/seasonal worker wages at $18 per hour.
- Approved a personnel leave of absence from Dec. 26 to Jan. 25.
- Approved the Personal Dress and Hygiene policy as presented, effective Jan. 1.
- Approved the continuation of Nobles County’s IT professional services agreement into 2025 with an updated rate of $50 an hour.
- Approved Nobles County’s emergency operations plans and programs.
- Approved a conditional use permit for Aaron Nystrom, Worthington, to construct a 60- by 120-foot machine shed/cattle working facility.
Samuel Martin became a reporter for The Globe in September 2023. He has a bachelor’s degree in media studies from the University of Sioux Falls.