Staff photo by Fritz Busch By a 4-1 vote Tuesday, Brown County Commissioners ratified disposition of the Brown-Nicollet Community Health Board real property known as the Elixir building and the Elixir fund. The building houses MRCI-New Ulm, 2100 North Broadway.

NEW ULM ‒ By a 4-1 vote Tuesday, Brown County Commissioners approved disposition of the Brown-Nicollet Community Health Board (BNCHB) property known as the Elixir building and the Elixir fund.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Dave Borchert.

Earlier this year, Nicollet County gave notice it intends to withdraw from the BNCHB as of Jan. 1, 2025. The health board consisting of 5 commissioners from Brown County and 5 from Nicollet County voted 8-2 to dissolve a joint powers agreement.

As part of the dissolution, Brown County would pay Nicollet County $495,827.50 for Nicollet County’s half-ownership of the Elixir building located at 2100 North Broadway and half of the Elixir fund balance with Brown County retaining ownership of the building and fund.

“It’s our position that is isn’t really a sale. The building will remain owned by Brown County and leased to MRCI-New Ulm in 2025,” said Brown County Attorney Charles Hanson.

“I look at this as a partnership, not a sale,” said Berg.

Commissioner Brian Braun cast a dissenting vote.

“I’d like to see a better deal that is more equitable for Brown County. Nicollet County comes away with more than $495,000,” said Braun.

Brown County and Nicollet County formed the Brown-Nicollet Human Services Board with a 1990 joint powers agreement that was revised to a joint community health board in 2009.

The Brown-Nicollet Human Services Board purchased the Elixir building Nov. 24, 1980. The board maintained reserve funds in the Elixir fund.

The community health board approved paying Nicollet County $400,000 for its one-half ownership interest in the Elixir building and evenly splitting the Elixir fund balance with each county receiving $95,827.50.