Notice is hereby given that Houston County Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on February 26, 2026 at 5:00pm in the Houston County Commissioner’s Room, Room 222, 304 South Marshall Street, Caledonia, MN 55921, for the following applicants:
Edward and Karen Voight
Michel and Susan Bashaw
Barta Family Trust
Burns & Hansen, P.A. on behalf of Cory and Jackie Baker, Scott and Cindy Hatleli, and Rosemary Iversen.
Zoning Public Hearings February 2026
Please contact the Planning & Zoning Department at zoning@hocomn.gov or 507-725-5800 with any questions or comments
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public Hearings on the Use of Rifles for Deer Hunting in Houston County
Notice is hereby given that Houston County, Minnesota, will hold public hearings to receive input regarding the potential use of rifles for deer hunting within Houston County beginning with the 2026 deer hunting season. These hearings are intended to assist the County Board of Commissioners in determining whether to adopt a local ordinance limiting the use of rifles during the deer season.
Background
During the 2025 Minnesota Legislative Session, the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation repealing the state’s longstanding shotgun-only zone and authorizing the use of rifles for deer hunting statewide beginning with the 2026 deer season. Under the new law, hunters generally will be allowed to use legal rifles or shotguns wherever deer hunting is permitted in Minnesota, unless a county formally adopts an ordinance restricting the use of rifles within its boundaries.
Minnesota Statutes § 97B.031, Subd. 7 authorizes a county board located in the former shotgun zone to adopt an ordinance after notice and public hearing to limit the type of firearms that may be used to hunt deer within the county.
At this time, Houston County has not adopted any ordinance or resolution regarding the use of rifles for deer hunting.
Purpose of the Public Hearings
The purpose of these public hearings is to provide an opportunity for residents, landowners, hunters, and other interested parties to comment on the new law, share perspectives on whether Houston County should adopt an ordinance limiting the use of rifles for deer hunting.
Public Hearing Information
Public hearings will be held as follows:
- February 4, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
- March 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Both hearings will take place in the basement of the Houston County Criminal Justice Center, 304 South Marshall Street, Caledonia, Minnesota.
All interested persons are encouraged to attend and provide comment. Following the public hearings, the Houston County Board of Commissioners may consider the matter at a future regular board meeting.
Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Board of
Commissioners of Houston County, Minnesota, until 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday,
February 4, 2026 for the for the rental of 5.59 acres more or less, of cropland owned by
Houston County located at the Houston County Airport. Bids can be dropped off or
mailed to the Houston County Highway Department at 1124 East Washington St.,
Caledonia, MN 55921 or sent by electronic email to quotes@hocomn.gov .
See the full proposal below.
Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Board of
Commissioners of Houston County, Minnesota, until 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday,
February 4, 2026 for the for the rental of 17.63 acres more or less, of cropland owned
by Houston County located at the Houston County Airport. Bids can be dropped off or
mailed to the Houston County Highway Department at 1124 East Washington,
Caledonia, MN 55921 or sent by electronic email to quotes@hocomn.gov .
See the full proposal below.
Farm Land Runway Full Proposal 2026
The Houston County Board of Commissioners hereby provides notice of its intent to consider a proposal to change the offices of Recorder and Auditor / Treasurer from elected positions to appointed positions pursuant to Minnesota Statutes.
A public hearing on this matter will be held during the regular meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners on Mar 24th, 2026, at 9:05 am. in the Commissioners’ Room at the Houston County Courthouse, 304 South Marshall Street, Caledonia, Minnesota
*Sample Resolution*
RESOLUTION TO MAKE THE POSITIONS OF AUDITOR, TREASURER, AND RECORDER APPOINTED PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTE § 375A.1205
WHEREAS, the offices of County Auditor /Treasurer, and County Recorder in Houston County, Minnesota are currently vacant and being fulfilled on an interim basis by individuals appointed by the County Board; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes § 375A.1205, Subdivision 1, allows the County Board to make these offices appointed upon the occurrence of a vacancy; and
WHEREAS, the County Board believes that transitioning these positions to appointed roles will promote efficiency, enhance administrative oversight, and improve continuity in service delivery.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. The Board hereby declares its intent to make the positions of County Auditor / Treasurer,and County Recorder appointed rather than elected pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §375A.1205.
2. This resolution shall be published in the official newspaper of Houston County prior to adopting, and a 30-day period shall be provided for the public to submit a valid petition requesting a referendum on this change after adoption.
3. If no valid petition is filed within 30 days after adoption of this resolution, this resolution shall become effective, and the County Board shall appoint individuals to these positions pursuant to Minnesota law.
In Minnesota, the shift from elected to appointed county auditors, treasurers, and recorders is aimed at increasing professional qualifications and administrative efficiency. While Minnesota Statute 382.01 traditionally mandates these as elected four-year positions, counties have increasingly used optional forms of government to make them appointed.
Why Counties Choose Appointment
- Professional Expertise: Elected positions often have no minimum educational or experience requirements. Appointment allows counties to hire individuals with specific financial, electoral, or technical backgrounds to manage multimillion-dollar budgets.
- Administrative Efficiency: Allows for the continued modernization of the office by refining the appointed Auditor-Treasurer structure to improve workflow and service delivery.
- Performance Oversight: County Boards can hold appointed officials directly accountable for performance concerns, which is not an option for independent elected officials.
How the Change Occurs
- Under MN Statute 375A.1205 (enacted in 2019), a board can pass an 80% resolution to make a position appointed without a prior vote, provided there is a vacancy or the incumbent agrees. This change only goes to a vote if citizens successfully petition for a referendum.
Returning to Elected Status
Under MN Statute 375A.1205, subd. 7, a county can revert an appointed office to an elected one if the following conditions are met:
- Three-Year Waiting Period: The office must have been an appointed position for at least three years before any action can be taken to change it back.
- Board Resolution: The County Board can initiate the change by adopting a resolution. This requires a 60% majority vote of the board members.
- Public Notice and Comment: Before adopting the resolution, the board must publish their intent for two consecutive weeks and hold a public comment period at a regular meeting.
- Voter Petition (Referendum): Citizens can also force a return to elected status via petition. If a petition is signed by at least 10% of registered voters and filed by August 1 of an election year, the question must be placed on the ballot for the next general election.
COUNTY OF HOUSTON
STATE OF MINNESOTA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
APPROVAL OF PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the County of Houston, Minnesota will hold a public hearing on November 18, 2025 at 9:30 A.M. or thereafter at the Houston County Commissioner’s Room, Room 222, 304 South Marshall Street, Caledonia, MN, 55921, to consider granting a property tax abatement under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.1812 to 469.1815, to assist in the construction of a cold storage facility (the “Property”). The Property is described as follows:
Tax Parcel No. 211163000
Legal description is:
The South One-Half of the Southeastern Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 24, subject to the right of way of Minnesota Highway No. 44 and that part of RG&G Addition to the City of Caledonia not included in Lot 2 and Lot 3 of RG&G Addition to the City of Caledonia EXCEPTING the following described parcels:
- Parcel One: All of the premises lying southerly of the northerly line of Green Acres Drive; and
- Pacel Two: Lots 2 and 3, Block 1 of RG&G Addition to the City of Caledonia according to the official plat thereof on file and of record in the Office of the County Recorder in and for Houston County, Minnesota.
All being a part of Township 102, Range 6, West, Houston County, State of Minnesota
The abatement of County taxes shall not exceed a period of six years and will commence with taxes payable 2027. The annual amount of the abatement shall be stepped on the following schedule:
Year 1 The County shall abate 80% of the County’s taxes
Year 2 The County shall abate 65% of the County’s taxes
Year 3 The County shall abate 50% of the County’s taxes
Year 4 The County shall abate 35% of the County’s taxes
Year 5 The County shall abate 20% of the County’s taxes
Year 6 The County shall abate 5% of the County’s taxes
The County estimates that the total maximum amount of the abatements will not exceed $194,359.98. Following the public hearing, the County will consider granting the abatement which will be provided for the addition of a minimum of 1 job as proposed under the terms of the Tax Abatement Agreement.
A draft copy of the abatement resolution containing the terms of the abatement will be on file at the County Courthouse and available for public inspection on and after the date of this notice. Any person wishing to express an opinion on the matters to be considered at the public hearing will be heard orally or in writing.
BY ORDER OF THE COUNTY BOARD
Carol Lapham
Interim County Administrator
PUBLIC NOTICE OF NEW VOTING EQUIPMENT IN HOUSTON COUNTY
Jan. 7, 2025
Notice to Municipalities:
From: Polly Heberlein, Houston County Interim Auditor-Treasurer
This is to inform you that Houston County has upgraded the Assisted Voting Device (AVD) to be used by your municipality in upcoming elections.
This new AVD equipment consists of an ExpressVote terminal which is replacing the AutoMark AVD that had previously been used by Houston County.
The ExpressVote has been fully certified by the State of Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office. It will be used for the first time during the March 11, 2025 Township election in La Crescent Township only. All 27 precincts in Houston County will begin using ExpressVote terminals for all State and Federal Elections going forward.
Please note, this new voting equipment will be on display and available for demonstrations at the Auditors Office (Room 116) at the Houston County Historic Courthouse, 304 S. Marshall St. in Caledonia MN beginning Tuesday, January 28, 2025 thru Monday, March 10, 2025. Demonstrations will be available from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm daily.
Please contact Polly Heberlein, Interim Auditor-Treasurer at polly.heberlein@co.houston.mn.us or 507-725-5815 with any questions.
FROM:
Houston County (hereinafter referred to as Owner):
Houston County
304 South Marshall Street
Caledonia, MN 55921
And Collaborative Design Group (hereinafter referred to as Designer):
Collaborative Design Group, Inc.
125 Main Street SE, Suite 240
Minneapolis, MN, 55414
Johona Harris
(612) 371-6458
jharris@cdg-mn.com
TO: POTENTIAL BIDDERS
- Houston County is seeking bids from qualified firms to provide all labor, materials, equipment, and supplies to perform the work for interior renovations of the Houston County Public Health and Community Services building, including HVAC and electrical improvements, as described in the project manual and as shown on the drawings.
- A Pre-bid Conference will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the project site.
- Bids are due no later than Monday February 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Bids will only be received and accepted via the online electronic bid service through QuestCDN.com. To access the electronic bid form, download the project documents and click on the online bid button at the top of the bid advertisement page. Prospective bidders must be on the Planholder list through QuestCDN for bids to be accepted.
- Bid Security is required.
- Late bids will not be accepted.
- Contacts
- All questions regarding project should be referred to Johona Harris at Collaborative Design Group, Inc., in writing via email to jharris@cdg-mn.com.
- Questions will be accepted up to Friday, January 24, 2025 at 4:00 P.M. Responses will be collected and issued in a numbered and dated Addendum. Questions received after this time will not be responded to.
- Documents: Digital copies of the Bidding Documents are available at http://www.questcdn.com for a fee of $22.00. These documents may be downloaded by selecting this project from the BIDDING DOCUMENTS link and by entering bid document No. 9480320 on the SEARCH PROJECTS page. For assistance and free membership registration, contact QuestCDN at 952.233.1632 or info@questcdn.com.
END OF BID SOLICITATION
HOUSTON COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE HOUSTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION VACANCIES
Notice is hereby given that applications are being accepted for two vacancies on the Houston County Planning Commission. These three-year term appointments will begin in January 2024 and expire on December 31, 2026 The Planning Commission generally meets the evening of the 4th Thursday of each month, with additional and/or special meetings scheduled as needed.
In order to be considered, a completed application form must be submitted to the Houston County Personnel Office, Rm 208, 304 S. Marshall St., Caledonia, MN 55921, by 4:30 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2024. For an application, please visit the Houston County Website https://www.co.houston.mn.us or contact the Personnel Office at 507-725-5822. EOE
2026 Valuation Notices and Property Value Changes for Houston County
Residents of Houston County can expect to receive their 2026 property valuation notices beginning in early April. These notices will arrive alongside your 2025 tax statement, in a separate color, as an additional page. It's important to review these notices carefully, as this is the time to check for any discrepancies or changes in your property's valuation.
Keep in mind, questions about the 2025 tax amounts or any tax changes should have been addressed last fall. The 2026 valuation statements will also indicate any class and homestead changes, as well as the time and date of the local board of appeals meeting for your city or township. If there is no local meeting scheduled, the statement will note "Open Book," which means your appeal process will occur at the County Board of Appeals meeting in June. The assessor's office is always your best resource for any valuation questions.
Understanding the Valuation Process
Minnesota law requires assessors to value properties based on sales from the previous year. The sales study for 2026 values was based on sales between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. This is a key period to keep in mind when reviewing your valuation statement. For the upcoming year, the housing market in Houston County has largely stabilized, and if the trend continues through the next sales period (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), it may impact the 2027 valuation notices.
Additionally, Minnesota law mandates that assessors apply a "time trend" to account for any changes in sale prices since the time of the sale. The state determines the rate at which property values have increased over the course of the sales study and applies that rate to each sale, adjusting it to January 2 of the year for which the values are being set. For 2026, the Houston County Assessor's Office successfully appealed the state's 19% time trend, believing it did not reflect the current market conditions. The state agreed, resulting in a significantly lower increase in property values for the county.
2026 Value Changes in Houston County
Countywide Increases:
- Steel Utility Buildings: $2.15/sqft
- Basement Finish: $3.00/sqft
- Fireplace: $300 to $900 (depending on style)
- Garage Finish: 5%
- Average Bathroom: $1,600/bathroom
- Two-Story Houses: 8%
- Garage Doors: $3,800 (previously $500)
- Electric only Sites +5,000/ Site
Additional Increases by Township & City:
- La Crescent Township: 5%
- Union Township: +10%
- Black Hammer Township: +10%
- Caledonia Township: +10%
- Houston Township: +15%
- Crooked Creek Township: +5%
- Hokah Township: +20% (excluding certain neighborhoods)
- Brownsville City +15%
- Marina Dr +15%
- La Crescent City + 13%
- Eitzen City + 15%
- Shore Acres + 15%
- Horse Track +5%
- Horse Track Twin Homes +5%
- La Crescent 2 Story Condos +10%
- Wildwood Townhouses + 10%
- Wilmington Township +5%
- Yucatan Township +15%
- Green Acres Addition +20%
- Sunset Addition +10%
Decreases in Value:
- Fox Chase Addition: -10%
- Fox Shadows Addition: -10%
- Wagners Addition: -10%
- Brookwood Addition -10%
- River Terr Addition -10%
- Money Creek Township: -10%
- Valley High Addition: -5%
- Money Creek Twp -10%
- Mound Prairie Twp -15% (not Valley High)
- Valley High Addition -5%
- Unfinished Basements -5%
- Ag Site Acres -1000/acre
Land Value Changes:
- Tillable Land (100 CER rating): $10,300/acre (up from $10,000)
- Woods: $5,700/acre (up from $4,200)
- Pasture: $3,600/acre (up from $3,000)
- Eitzen City Lot +$65/Front Foot
- Green Acres Addition + $50/Front Foot
- La Crescent City Residential Land Along Hwy 6, +13%
- Shore Acres Site +$5,000/Site
Quintile Review Process
The Assessor’s Office conducts a "Quintile" review each year, reappraising 20% of properties across the county. This ensures that individual property characteristics are considered, beyond the mass valuation based on sales studies. Homeowners can assist by providing accurate information during the Quintile review process, which is essential for an accurate property value assessment.
This year, the following areas will undergo Quintile reviews starting in May:
- Spring Grove Township
- Spring Grove City
- Caledonia City
- Black Hammer Township
- One-third of La Crescent City
When an assessor visits your property, they will ask about your home and any outbuildings. If allowed, they may also inspect the interior. Homeowners are encouraged to cooperate with these reviews, as failing to do so may result in inaccurate assumptions about your property’s value.
Conclusion
It is essential for property owners to carefully review their 2026 valuation notices and participate in the Quintile review process. Providing accurate property information ensures that your property is valued fairly and accurately, and that you are not overpaying or underpaying your taxes. If you have any questions about your valuation, the Assessor's Office is the best place to start.
Look out for the Yellow Call Back Cards if you are part of the Quintile review areas this summer. We also offer an online option to respond to questions for your convenience.
To read more on the Cannabis Use in Public Ordinance click the link below
Salary Compliance Notice
Chapter 156 of the Session Laws of 2005 [471.701] [SALARY DATA.]:
A city or county with a population of more than 15,000 must annually notify its residents of the positions and base salaries of its three highest-paid employees. This notice may be provided on the home page of the primary Web site maintained by the political subdivision for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days, in a publication of the political subdivision that is distributed to all residents in the political subdivision, or as part of the annual notice of proposed property taxes prepared under section 275.065.
The following information is provided pursuant to this statute:
- County Attorney - $147.000.00
- Sheriff - $147,000.00
- County Coordinator/HR Director - $136,468.80
Date of publication: January 7th, 2026
To read the full news release for "Public Input Wanted as County Updates Hazard Mitigation Plan"
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Houston County has been alerted of a potential scam whereas a company is mailing via US Mail to county residents a preprinted ‘Purchase Agreement’ to purchase their land. Please beware and cautious before signing any document and consult an attorney before doing so.
Houston County Auditor-Treasurer
304 S. Marshall Street
Caledonia, MN 55921
EPOLLBOOKS-POLL PADS
“What is an EPollbook/Poll Pad”? It is simply an electronic roster used at the polling place to check-in voters. EPollbooks replace paper rosters. Of the 87 Minnesota Counties, 64 currently use Knowink EPollbooks. Houston County has 27 precincts that would benefit from using EPollbooks. The County currently has 12,389 registered voters. The largest City, La Crescent had 3519 voters in 2020 with a total election turnout of 92% overall for the County. As 2022 is a gubernatorial election year, we do expect high voter turnout.
- Is the Epollbook connected to the internet at the polling place and what voting data capabilities are provided with their use? No, the only time the Houston County Auditor/Treasurer will connect the EPollbook to the internet is when the ePollbooks are returned to the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. The day following the election, County Staff uploads the signed roster information to the Minnesota Secretary of State Voting Registration System (SVRS) through a secure connection. This is not a voting system. Ballots are not counted using the Epollbooks; they are used solely to check-in voters. There is no voting history stored on the EPollbook. There is no real time recording.
- Is this system cost effective for the County, even though Houston County has fewer voters than a large Metropolitan County? Yes, it is a cost effective system. This tool will save time on the back-end of the election process, thus minimizing additional staffing costs and over-time. EPollbooks add efficiency to election day registration as the EPollbook is capable of reading a driver’s license to process the registration and eliminates ineligible handwriting issues.
- Is the roster information data uploaded and stored? Yes, the data is stored for 22 months on a secured data site. The County may elect to store the data for a longer period, much like paper registration options.
- EPollbooks will work without WiFi? Yes, EPollbooks are designed to work without WIFI. Houston County will NOT connect EPollbooks to the WIFI at the poll locations.
- Will there be a backup provided to the Polling Places for the fall election? Yes, the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office will provide a backup, paper master list to each precinct in compliance with MN Statute 201.225.
- Is there federal testing governing the design of the EPollbooks? No, there is not a federal certification process or requirement. The County will continue to comply with MN Statute 201.225 regarding rosters.
- Are there precincts that would have multiples precinct voter lists? No, there is only ONE voter precinct loaded onto each poll pad.
- How many EPollbooks does the County currently have and how were they funded? The County purchased 33 EPollbooks with approximately $3,300.00 of County funds. The balance of funding was provided through the Vega Grant and some Cares Act funding.
- Why were EPollbooks not used in 2020 elections? Due to Covid 19 restrictions, the County opted not to implement and use the EPollbooks in 2020.
- Will it be a challenge to train on the EPollbooks? No, the training is straight-forward. As Auditor/Treasurer, I will have all head judges fully trained, familiar and comfortable with the operation of the EPollbook. I will also have an adequate number of other judges trained at each site.
As Auditor/Treasurer of Houston County, the integrity of any election is always my top priority. If you have additional questions concerning the EPollbooks, please reach out to me at Houston County 507-725-5815.
Donna Trehus
Houston County Auditor-Treasurer
Houston County News Release Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Public Review 2024
Houston County has completed an updated raft of its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) and is now seeking public feedback. Like all Minnesota counties, Houston County is vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards such as tornadoes, windstorms, severe winter storms, flooding, drought, and extreme temperatures, which can threaten the loss of life and property in the county. Planning for natural disasters minimizes the impact of events that can cause vast economic loss and personal hardship. See the links below for more information.
Houston County News Release HMP Public Review (11-12-24)
Houston County HMP Website Home Page
Houston County Mitigation Action Charts