Department heads advocated for their 2023 legislative priorities at the board’s January 24 meeting. Rep. Greg Davids and Senator Jeremy Miller attended the meeting virtually. Davids commented that it will be an interesting session with the huge $17.4 billion surplus. The 2023 legislature is dominated by one side. Davids suggested it is not good to have the legislature one sided, regardless of party.
The following are some of the highlights of the county’s priorities. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery asked for additional support for the County Program Aid program. Any new or changed programs should provide long-term funding and sustainability, so the burden doesn’t fall solely on local taxpayers.
Fillmore County, as of the first of the year, has a stand-alone community corrections program. Tom Jensen, community corrections, said adequate funding is sorely needed for the probation system. There was concern about recent marijuana legislation. There needs to be a proper enforcement agency to monitor and ensure legal sales and proper labeling to protect children. Hillery said they are working at the Joint Board of Health on the cannabis issue.
County Engineer Ron Gregg emphasized the importance of bridge bonding. He noted there was a 4% shortfall in county state aid highway funding and construction costs are up 8%. He asked that they backfill the shortfall as it affects construction and maintenance of roads.
Pam Schroeder, highway/airport manager, reported she received an email from Senator Tina Smith’s office about the grant in the amount of $947,101 for the airport terminal building. Nineteen grants were granted for general aviation and less than half of them went to small airports like Fillmore County’s. The construction of the terminal building is expected to have a significant positive economic impact on the county.
Wanda Berg, Social Services, emphasized the importance of modernizing human services programs/technology. The current systems are antiquated and need updating. Jessica Erickson, Public Health, reported the county supports a statewide increase in funding to support local public health capabilities. She said your zip code should not affect the services available. Access inequities for clients are occurring as service providers may be reluctant to provide services as costs are more than the reimbursement. The county supports state-level investment in Public Health Emergency Preparedness to ensure strong future response to health threats.
Assessor Jason McCaslin wants a simplification of the property tax system. Christy Smith, acting as auditor/treasurer, said the county supports a more equitable distribution of the mortgage registration and deed tax (state is paid 97% and county is paid 3%, disproportionately benefiting the state).
Sheriff John DeGeorge explained how the ARMER system which started in 2008 benefited metro areas and not rural areas. He said they communicated more efficiently with VHF radios, especially in bluff country. Additional towers are expensive and still provide short range communication due to bluffs. He asked legislators to find solutions and help pay for them.
DeGeorge maintained there is a problem recruiting law enforcement candidates, especially with the vilification of police. It may help to change political rhetoric. Many in law enforcement are nearing retirement age. He suggested the state provide a tuition reimbursement program. A two-year associate degree is the minimum requirement for a licensed peace officer. He insisted, there will be no one to do the job if there aren’t applicants. Senator Miller encouraged DeGeorge to get the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association to take this up as a priority for recruitment and retention.
County Attorney Brett Corson insisted forfeiture is an important tool for law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Forfeiture discourages criminal activity. Don’t further restrict forfeiture laws. Corson asked that the gap that allows criminal offenders to be released or have charges dismissed under Rule 20 be fixed. Mentally ill offenders are released without supervision, treatment, and services with this gap. This creates public safety issues.
Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins asked legislators to address solar panel end of life handling, so financial burden does not fall on local government.
Jason Marquardt, veterans officer, asked that the Veterans Bonus Program be amended to include Inherent Resolve, Kosovo campaign, and NATO medals to allow these reservists and active-duty personnel to be eligible for the $1,200 bonus.
Senator Miller thanked the board and stated mental health has long been a bi-partisan issue. He stated my priority is a full elimination of taxes on social security payments. He suggested the reason for the surplus is over taxation and he supports permanent tax relief. Although, he does recognize that there are other needs for part of the surplus funds.
Rep. Davids thanked the board and stated he has been in favor of getting rid of the tax on Social Security since 2011. He will work on a road and bridge bonding bill. He added he expects there will be changes coming that he does not favor. He concluded we do need to incentivize people to go into law enforcement.
Other business in brief
• Erik Hildebrand, DNR, updated the board on Chronic Wasting Disease, fall 2022. New areas have been found in the state, but the area between Preston and Lanesboro is considered the core infection area. The board authorized access to county property (only fields 8 and 9) for 2023 for the purpose of disease control from January 24 through April 2. All deer from agency culling are available to the public. Only deer with a not-detected test will be distributed. through the “Share the Harvest” program.
• Roxane Kraling, county recorder, presented the Recording Compliance report for 2022. A list of expenditures to be paid from the recorder allocated and unallocated account for 2023 was approved.
• The Fillmore County Journal was designated as the legal newspaper for 2023.
• A request to advertise the concrete paving project in Lanesboro on CSAH 8 from the south intersection of Coffee St. and North Calhoun Ave. and ending at the intersection of Coffee St. and trunk highway 16 was approved. Concrete paving will be used because of heavy truck traffic at the sale barn. Commissioner Duane Bakke noted it has been proposed to pave from Highway 250 to Highway 16, but only the portion described above will be completed until needed utility work can first be done by the city.
• A contract with Advanced Correctional HealthCare, Inc. (ACH) was approved with the understanding that other options will continue to be looked at and that the agreement with ACH has a 30-day out. DeGeorge brought the contract forward because their current contract for the provision of healthcare at the jail will end by the beginning of February, as the company has declared bankruptcy. That contract with MEND Correctional Services was costing about $32,000 per year. The ACH contract will cost $80,499 per year for healthcare services, or about $24 per day per inmate. Bakke said it is very expensive, but at this point there is no other choice. Jail administrator Jamie Fenske said they are required to have a doctor sign off on all meds.
• The resignation of Deborah Peterson, eligibility worker, was approved with thanks for 18 years of service, effective February 16. A request to advertise for her replacement internally and externally was approved.
• A request to advertise for a Public Health nurse lead from internal candidates was approved.
• The resignation of Matthew Rislov, highway maintenance specialist, was approved, effective January 19. A request to advertise for a replacement highway maintenance specialist was approved.
• A list of commissioner committee assignments was approved for 2023.
• Community Corrections Advisory Board members were appointed including commissioners Lentz and Bakke, Judge Jeremy Clinefelter, Tom Jensen, Brett Corson, citizen representative Laura Nauman, school representative Heath Olstad, Wanda Berg, John DeGeorge, Minnesota DOC supervisor Dayna Burmeister, state public defender Milind Shah, and county administrator Hillery.
• Dan Schmidt was appointed District for Extension Committee Representative.
• Carter Hovland was approved for schoolwork experience at Solid Waste through Lanesboro Schools.
• The board will meet next on February 7.
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