At the January 23 meeting of the county board, costs and timing associated with the transition to a new state flag and seal were discussed.
A letter has been drafted to send to the governor, local legislators, senate majority and minority leaders, the speaker of the house, and the minority leader in the house.
The letter emphasizes that there will be costs, especially in the sheriff’s office to change the Minnesota Seal on uniforms, vehicles, badges, stationary, and anything else that displays the seal. This could cost somewhere between $25,000 to $35,000.
The letter asks if funds will be allocated to local governments to make this transition. Will the state allow an extended transition period if funds are not provided so the transition can be made over time, for example, as new vehicles are replaced, to lessen the cost.
Can the “new seal be part of the flag instead of the star, so there are not two completely different state representations to follow?”
Chairman Duane Bakke explained that if the transition can be done over time, the cost will be less.
Commissioner Marc Prestby said he won’t vote for any county funds to be expended on the transition. Commissioner Mitch Lentz maintained the state needs to know the consequences of decisions being made.
The letter draft as presented was unanimously approved to be sent to the state government officials listed.
During the Citizens Input portion of the meeting, Aaron Bishop read a portion of the “Seal of Minnesota” poem written by Mary Henderson Eastman, the wife of Captain Seth Eastman who designed the flag that was adopted in 1893. Bishop wanted to put the reason for the flag transition in context. The poem contains statements which include “the rich against poor, the strong against the weak,” and “we (white men) claimed his (red man) noble heritage and Minnesota’s land.” Bishop said the old flag is about taking land.
Other Business in Brief
•The final payment to Croell Inc. in the amount of $158,517 was approved for the concrete overlay on CSAH 25 from intersection of CSAH 10 and CSAH 25 north 5.48 miles. The total value of the work was $3,160,604.32.
As part of the Highway Committee report, the purchase of a vacuum pump was discussed. County Engineer Ron Gregg listed the various uses for the pump, especially to help locate utilities when doing excavation. The purchase of the pump will be considered at the next county board meeting.
•Recorder Roxane Kraling reviewed the 2023 certification of compliance report. A total of 3,947 documents were recorded.
•The board approved the list of expenditures to be paid out of the Recorder allocated and unallocated account for 2024.
•The Ambulance Contract Service payouts per service was raised $1,500 to $6,000 for each service in 2024 (Harmony, Chatfield, Rushford, Preston, Lanesboro pay to city of Preston, Mabel, and Spring Valley).
•The resignation of Jason McCaslin, county assessor, was accepted with thanks after about four years of service. His last day working for the county will be February 23.
Approval was given to advertise the open county assessor position.
•Drew Copley was hired as a part-time jailer, effective January 29.
•Rory Kramer was hired as a replacement auditor/treasurer accounting technician, effective February 5.
•Ashley Ostern was hired as a replacement case aide, effective February 26.
•The resignation of Kimberly Stier, paralegal, was accepted effective January 23.
Approval was granted to transition the paralegal position to an accounting position. Tara Kraling, accounting technician, will transfer from the administration office to the attorney’s office. It was noted that a candidate with two years’ experience and/or certification can move to the paralegal position.
Approval was granted to advertise internally and externally for the accounting position in the administration office.
•The county board will meet next on February 6.
Leave a Reply