The Martin County Board approved starting a fund for the Martin County Veterans Memorial. The motion was presented by Commissioner Dan Schmidtke as members of the memorial committee were unable to be present.

“They had asked us over a year ago for some donations and we had budgeted $20,000 for the Martin County Veterans Memorial,” said Schmidtke, who noted that the money will not be spent instantly, rather it will be put into a fund to grow.

County Auditor/Treasurer James Forshee said a fund could probably be established for that purpose.

“Basically, we would take that $20,000 and put it into that fund,” he said. “It stays within the county and the board has control of that fund, and then when a request comes in then we can address it at that time.”

Commissioners heard from MCSAP Coalition Project coordinator Steph Johnson and several student and adult members and County Attorney Terry Viesselman, who presented them with a proposed Martin County social host ordinance. It would hold individuals responsible for hosting or knowingly providing a place for underage drinking. Before such an ordinance could be adopted, a public hearing would need to be held. The board chose to schedule the public hearing for Nov. 6.

Martin County Highway Engineer Kevin Peyman gave a construction update to Martin County commissioners Tuesday saying County Road 26 east of Fairmont is nearing completion, and a dry forecast may give construction crews the opening they need to finish the project.

The project has been delayed by relentless rain over the summer and fall.

Commissioners also accepted with regrets the formal retirement notice from County Assessor Dan Whitman effective at the end of this year.