Concerns over the possible future transmission of swine flu between a proposed hog nursery and an existing turkey breeding farm took center stage Tuesday at the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners meeting.

The issues were raised after farmer Matt Holland has applied for a conditional use permit to construct and operate a confined structure housing 4,000 head of 10- to 50-pound hogs.

Trevor Bordelon with Freeborn County Environmental Services said the site proposal meets the required setbacks, and the county’s planning commission voted for a recommendation of approval in May.

The hog structure would be about 1,400 feet south of a turkey feedlot operated by Bob Wayne and Lisa Dunn, which Dunn said raises breeding stock for Jennie-O.

She said their barn was built specifically for breeding stock and is a little over 11 years old. She said the operation would be put at risk if the new hog structure were allowed to be built, citing University of Minnesota veterinarians who state turkey and pig barns should be a least one mile away from each other.

Tom Lang, a veterinarian in Clarks Grove, said he has seen cases when swine flu was transferred to other facilities and said it can be “devastating.” He recommended a setback of at least one mile, and said it would be better at two miles away.

Lang said swine flu can become aerosolized and move based on wind. He said smaller pigs are more susceptible to swine flu and more apt to spread it.

“This is really what I call the worst-case scenario,” he said, noting over 95% of pigs experience swine flu, though the signs are not always shown.

Holland said the barn would have a small footprint on the area at 102 by 148 feet and claimed it would have lower air emissions than the turkey barn.

He said his feedlot meets all the county setbacks and noted all of his hogs would be vaccinated.

He asked the commissioners not to make an exception for his situation when he meets all the county requirements.

Bob Ball, who owns land west of the proposed hog confinement, said he, too, is opposed to the hog confinement. His land is used as conservation land, and he has a number of youth events there each fall teaching about safe hunting. He said the value of his land would go down drastically if the hog operation were approved, and it would limit his ability to build on his land.

Freeborn County Attorney David Walker said the commissioners need to consider if there are facts that show whether the hog facility would be injurious to a neighbor.

The board ultimately voted to send the issue back to the planning commissioner for further review of new documentation that was presented. It will come back before the board at a later date.

In other action, the board:

• Approved the re-zoning of two sites owned by Todd and Nancy Leach from “A” Agricultural District to “R-H” Country Homes District south of Albert Lea.

The commissioners required the Leach family and neighboring properties move forward with a civil agreement stating various feedlot rules.

In opposition were Al and Andy Bakken. Al Bakken stated approval would eliminate eligible manure acres for his feedlot because the site would be within 300 feet of where he previously applied manure.

Andy Bakken said he hoped the commissioners understood what is at stake and asked commissioners follow existing rules regarding setbacks.

• Approved a resolution approving the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners to assume the powers and duties of a human services board. This will allow human services items to be voted on during the regular county commissioners meeting.

• Passed a resolution for the sale of surplus county property. Freeborn County Public Works Director Sue Miller said the property will be sold in an online public auction.

Property includes a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado pickup, a 2016 GMS Sierra 1500, a 2009 Chevrolet pickup, a 2008 Ford Explorer, a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, a 2012 Ford F150 and a 2011 Ford F150.

Miller said the vehicles have higher mileage.

• Accepted the resignation of Brandon Servantez as a probation officer. Servantez has accepted the position of veterans services officer.

• Passed a resolution placing Sheena Ericksen, a Department of Human Services child support officer, on full-time status.

• Approved a contract with Freeborn County Human Services and The Children’s Center for group child care and group child care for at-risk children.

• Appointed Mark Kossman as a voting member to the South Central Community-Based Initiative Joint Powers Board. Charity Floen will serve as alternate.

• Approved a resolution approving repairs to the drainage system.

• Heard from four residents who thanked the commissioners for the action they’ve taken to fight for hospital services to remain in Albert Lea instead of being transferred to Austin.

Jennifer Vogt-Erickson talked about the importance of keeping a birthing center in Albert Lea. Birthing services are slated to move from Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea to Austin in 2020.

Resident Carol Smith told the commissioners people are paying attention to the board’s decisions and asked for continued support.

Smith said she believes competition is good for health services and thinks people should have the ability to have a choice.

Al Arends passed along messages from Albert Lean Paul Overgaard, who encouraged the commissioners to take the resolution statewide that was passed in May demanding Mayo Clinic Health System keep birthing services in Albert Lea.

Martha Sichko thanked the board for its support.