Dear Residents and Contractors,
We want to make you aware of a recent increase in scam invoices being sent to individuals and businesses in the area. These fraudulent invoices may appear to come from the County or licensing/permitting departments, but they are not legitimate.
Please review the following reminders to protect yourself:
• The County will never send an invoice demanding immediate payment without prior communication.
• Official invoices will always come from an @SteeleCountyMN.Gov* email address or through our recognized billing system.
• Be cautious of invoices requesting unusual payment methods such as gift cards, wire transfers, or personal bank information.
• If you receive a suspicious invoice, do not pay it and do not click on any links.
We encourage everyone to stay alert and help prevent fraudulent activity in our community. If you believe you have already responded to a scam invoice, please contact law enforcement immediately so they can assist.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Amber Brooks
Director of Planning & Zoning
Responsibilities
The department administers land use and zoning ordinances within the rural areas of Steele County and enforces the Minnesota Building Code for those areas, as well as for the cities of Medford, Ellendale, and Blooming Prairie.
Staff also oversee regulations involving subdivisions, floodplains, and shoreland development. The department works closely with residents, contractors, and property owners to ensure that all development aligns with local and state requirements.
In addition, the department oversees the Environmental Services, which handles regulations related to feedlots and individual sewage treatment systems.
Significant Elements of the
Planning & Zoning Department
Issuance of permits and applications that include:
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- Building permits
- Septic system permits
- Variance requests
- Rezoning applications
- Conditional use permit
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Planning & Zoning Director
Amber Brooks
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