The Houston County Sheriff’s Office will increase by one, from 13 to 14 officers, after the Board of Commissioners gave its approval Tuesday to hiring the county’s first full-time drug investigator.

Sheriff Doug Ely said he will advertise for the position in-house first and go outside the department if necessary. If the investigator is hired from within the department, the sheriff said he would then advertise to fill the vacancy. Salary for the investigator is budgeted through the department, he said.

The commissioners also approved turning management of its adult and juvenile probation department over to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, following a presentation March 18 by Rena Patterson.

In the presentation, Patterson outlined the benefits to the county, which now operates under a town probation system. Basically, the plan calls for the county’s services to merge with Winona County. In addition to savings in computer costs, the state will be liable for its employees, while the support staff n those currently in the county’s probation department n will be the county’s responsibility.

County probation director Kevin Siebald has plans to step down from his position on April 25.

Prior to a unanimous vote on the matter, Commissioner David Corcoran said, “I so move we move ahead with the state options. I believe it would be the best option we’ve got going.”

In his report, Bob Goede of the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust said the county is doing a good job at keeping claims down and that means more money in the county coffers. He reported that in the last five years, $470,000 has been returned to the county.

Coverage for the county has averaged $124,000 yearly for total coverage, including liability, property and workers compensation.

Noting the decrease in workers compensation claims, Goede said the number peaked at 9.8 percent in 2005 and decreased to 3.6 percent in 2008.

“The trend is downward and that’s a good sign,” said Commissioner Larry Graf.

Goede agreed. “You are dedicated to the safety of your employees,” he said.

The commissioners also approved three loans for damages sustained by businesses in the August flood. Ace Telephone Association will receive $41,300, with $10,325 to be repaid in a low-interest loan. Rushford Golf Club will receive $7,129, with $1,782 to be repaid. The third loan, to Tri-State Auto Outlet Corp., is in the amount of $398,242 and was approved subject to further approval by the county attorney. The repayable amount is $99,560.

New ordinances governing the rules and regulations for Wildcat Landing County Park and Botcher Park will be discussed during a public hearing at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 8 in the commissioner’s room in the courthouse. The proposed ordinances may be reviewed at www.houstoncounty.govoffice2.com.

In other business, the commissioners approved improvement to County Road 32, including a new bridge and road alignment. County engineer Marcus Evans said the cost of the project or length of construction time has not been determined.

Also, county surveyor Dick Walter was given the green light to proceed with determining the cost of laying between 1,000 and 1,500 feet of sewer line from the county’s Spring Grove shop to the city’s main lines.

In personnel matters, the court accepted the resignation of Jana Halverson in Human Services, approved hiring Madison Trutza as Drop-Site supervisor, and hiring Sara Heckman for Public Health.