Austin and Mower County leaders can do more to work together, at least one city official believes.

Marv Repinksi, chairman of the Austin Housing and Redevelopment board, spoke at the county board meeting Tuesday to suggest the city and county HRAs collaborate.

Repinski said he could see the county and city HRAs under one roof eventually, arguing such a move could save $150,000 to $200,000 annually.

“I’m for good service and saving money,” Repinski said.

For the second week in a row, Repinski also urged for the county board not to demolish the condemned grandstand of the Mower County Fairgrounds, saying commissioners should change their vote and repair it.

“It’s built for the ages,” he said of the grandstand.

For the second time, Repinski offered HRA funds to help repair the grandstand. He noted such funds have been used for non-HRA projects before. HRA executive director Jim Hurm said HRA officials were unsure whether such funding could be used to repair the grandstand and he would look into it.

The board voted last week to request the city to allow the Austin Fire Department to burn down the structure, which county officials have previously said would require extensive, costly repairs to be fit for use.

County officials did not offer any comment in response to Repinski, who was not on the agenda and spoke during open time at the end of the meeting.