Legislation passed during the 2015 Minnesota legislative session gave Freeborn County the option to opt out of a state audit to enlist a private firm to conduct the audit. The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners Tuesday voted to move ahead with the option.

Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for audit services for the county’s 2017 audit that will be completed in 2018.

Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever said Finance Manager T. Pat Paquin and administrative assistant LaRae Cassens worked with Carver, Sherburne and Olmsted counties in the process.

Having the audit conducted by CliftonLarsonAllen — expected to cost $45,000 to $46,000 before an expected 5 percent decrease due to the county’s work with Carver and Sherburne counties during the process — will allow the county to save approximately $50,000 for auditing services, Kluever said.

State Auditor Rebecca Otto filed a lawsuit against Becker, Wright and Ramsey counties and the state of Minnesota after the law was passed. The lawsuit has not been resolved.

Though Otto, a candidate for Minnesota governor, could still require Freeborn County to be audited by her office if she wins her lawsuit, Paquin said the county has a clause that ensures they will not owe the auditing firm money if that happens.

Paquin and Kluever said last month that though the state auditor’s office does a good job, they supported the option of enlisting a private firm, as other local government entities do.

“We think it’s better for the taxpayers to have a decrease in the costs,” Paquin said. “The state auditor — I am not going to say anything bad about them. They do a good job, but their costs are higher.”

Paquin said CliftonLarsonAllen underwent a quality control review and conducts 35 certified county audits.

“We have no control over the costs that they have,” he said of the state’s audit. “They went from $81,000 to $93,000 — it’s never set. So it’s impossible to budget for. But here, it’s a set fee. We know exactly what it’s going to be, so we can budget for that.”

In other action, the board:

Ratified an agreement with correctional sergeants with the Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement Employees Union Local No. 320. The agreement includes a 2.25 percent raise for union correctional sergeants in 2017 and 2018. The agreement included an allowance increase for uniforms from $600 to $650.

Approved a liquor license for Oak View Golf Course, Clarks Grove Golf Course and Harmony Park. Commissioners approved a 2 a.m. closing time for Harmony Park.

Accepted the resignation of maintenance employee Gary Schreiber and approved filling the vacant position.

Amended a contract with CIS for professional services and passed a resolution that created a joint powers agreement with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for the National Incident-Based Reporting System.

Awarded a contract for the bituminous overlay on Bridge Avenue from Hammer Road to Interstate 90 to Ulland Brothers Inc. for $1.69 million.

Commissioners awarded a contract for a 2-foot bituminous shoulder widening and rumble stripes on Freeborn County Road 1 from County Road 18 to the east county line to Ulland Brothers for $727,163.

The board approved awarding a $1.14 million contract to AAA Striping Service for 6-inch edgeline pavement markings on various highways.

Adopted the 2016-21 water plan with amendments, and approved a lot consolidation request.

Proclaimed April as National County Government Month and Wednesday as National County Health Day.

Were presented the progress of the Choose Civility program by Albert Lea Public Library Director Peggy Havener.