Clay County commissioners like the idea of having a feedlot inspection officer.
They voted Tuesday to support the concept of a delegated county program with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The MPCA program gives counties responsibility for implementing state feedlot regulations for many facilities. In return, the state agency helps pay for the program.
Commissioners' motion brings Clay County closer to joining the state program, though it's not technically the first step, Planning Director Tim Magnusson said.
"The actual first step would be for them to pass a resolution," Magnusson said.
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Commissioners generally agree the feedlot program is the way to go, said Commission Chairman Kevin Campbell.
"What we're unsure of, or what some of our commissioners are unsure of, is the ability to staff it at the amount we'd like to staff at," he said.
Magnusson requested in his 2008 budget proposal a full-time compliance officer who would have other duties. But commissioners appeared to lean Tuesday toward a half-time position.
In one scenario, the county Soil and Water Conservation District could take on those functions.
The county has struggled in recent months to figure out how to handle its feedlots. Some officials have asked whether they go through enough inspections.
Also Tuesday, commissioners approved an annual salary of $98,867 for Brian Melton, the new county attorney who was elected while serving with the Minnesota National Guard in Iraq.
Melton, who returned home last month, was scheduled to start work this week.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Andrea Domaskin at (701) 241-5556
