A year ago during the initial furor over the analog conversion of television signals that would make some older televisions obsolete and require others to use converter boxes to receive the signal on "rabbit ear" signal receivers, Wright County made an effort to help residents safely dispose of the old television. The county set up a one-day amnesty day where it would waive the $20 fee to dispose of outdated televisions. The program was so successful, that the county is going to conduct another such event this month - this time targeting computer equipment.

Wright County Environmental Health Officer Bill Stephens came before the board asking that it set aside Wednesday, July 29 as the drop-off day at the county's recycling (compost) facility - a one-day event that would accept computers and televisions from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Again, the typical $20 fee would be waived.

"We will be concentrating on computer equipment this year," Stephens said. "Last year, vendors were clamoring to get the materials that are extracted from the components. This year, because of the economy, there isn't such a market. However, we found a vendor that will give us a rate of 25 cents a pound, which is less than we would have paid last year."

With as much as 80,000 pounds of material expected to be collected, the cost to the county could be as high as $20,000. The funding would come from S.C.O.R.E. funds - money paid to counties and cities for recycling programs and hazardous waste collection. Televisions and computers are among the primary hazardous waste concerns among electronic items, putting them at the top of the priority list.

The board unanimously approved waiving the fee and setting July 29 as the date for the one-day pickup. Because of the delay in the conversion of the television signal from February to June, televisions will again be allowed to be dropped off free of charge. The commissioners, most of whom volunteered time at last year's drop-off, said the program was extremely effective in 2008 and they're hoping for the same in 2009.

"It gives us a chance to get some of these potentially hazardous items out of the communities," Commissioner Elmer Eichelberg said. "It has been a good program that is worth the cost considering what we take in."

In other items on the June 30 agenda, the board:

ANNOUNCED the total revenue from the annual county auction conducted May 30 was $55,625. Almost $35,000 of that total came into the Wright County Auditor/Treasurer's office, while another $19,000 went to the sheriff's department for vehicles seized in DWI/drug arrests. Less advertising and auctioneering fees, the county netted $53,489 from the sale.

CONTINUED discussion of seeking a change in speed limits on County Rd. 37 near Maple Lake High School to a future transportation committee meeting. The City of Maple Lake is requesting a review of a decision made by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to maintain a 55 mph speed limit on a section of County Rd. 37 that approaches County Rd. 8 - near Maple Lake High School - in the City of Maple Lake. City and school officials wanted a MnDOT study to get the speed limit dropped, but, after doing such a study, MnDOT determined the 55 mph speed limit is appropriate. It is possible that changes could be made to the entrances to the school that might affect the decision for speed limits. It is expected that, once school re-opens later in the summer, that the situation might change after monitoring traffic patterns.

REFERRED discussion of potentially changing the fees charged for county services to the ways and means committee.

APPROVED a rate increase for the sheriff's department when performing special details or outside employment. There are certain large-gathering functions that request the use of sheriff's deputies to provide security. The county had been charging $40 an hour - deemed to cover the cost of a deputy being paid overtime and an administrative fee. That price was deemed to no longer cover all of the costs on the county's end, so the charge was increased to $45 an hour.

LAID over until the July 22 meeting of the ways and means committee discussion of the contract rates for the sheriff's department to provide service to cities.

AUTHORIZED signatures on a grant from the Minnesota Department of Safety's Office of Juvenile Justice Programs. The grant is for $15,105 and requires a county match of just $1,678. Wright County Court Services Director Mike MacMillan said the state has reduced the grant amount three times in recent years - 2004, 2007 and 2009. The county has been receiving the grants since 2000. In a related item, the board approved signatures on a Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program application for $12,281. This grant will be used for intensive aftercare supervision and is expected to offset the reduction of the OJJP grant.

APPROVED sealcoating several areas of rumble stripes along County Rd. 35, which residents have complained are both extremely noisy and dangerous. Since being put in from County Rd. 35 to the city limits of St. Michael, several loose hubcaps have shot off vehicles that have crossed the lane marker and onto the rumble stripes, including one report of a hub cap narrowly missing a small child that was playing in his yard.

SCHEDULED a labor/management health insurance committee meeting for 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 22.