At the September 5 meeting of the county board, two issues dominated the board’s time, discussion of recommended changes to the Hemp Ordinance and the 2024 budget. Chairman Larry Hindt was absent.
Revisions and clarifications to the ordinance that was adopted on May 23 are proposed to make it consistent with Minnesota legislation (Statutes 151.72 and 342). The ordinance will regulate the sale of hemp-derived topical products, hemp-derived consumer products, edible cannabinoid products, nonintoxicating cannabinoids, and lower-potency hemp edibles.
The purpose of the ordinance is to regulate these products for the protection of public health and safety.
Registration with the county and licensing with the state are required. Clerks in a licensed retail business must be 21. Sales of these products are only allowed on premises located in industrial or commercial zones and businesses must be at least 250 feet from a school. Age verification is required. Products are not to be sold to individuals under 21 years of age. Businesses need to comply with county zoning requirements.
The board discussed the possibility of allowing online sales. By consensus the board agreed to not include the possibility of online sales in the revised ordinance.
The board approved a motion setting a public hearing for September 26 at 10 a.m. to take public comment on the new version/draft of the ordinance regulating the sale of hemp-derived (low dose) consumer products.
A printed copy of the entire ordinance is available online at https://www.co,fillmore.mn.us/government/ordinance.php or at the Fillmore County’s administrator’s office.
2024 Budget
The county will need to approve a preliminary 2024 levy by the end of September. This day, Solid Waste Administrator Joel Kroening reviewed the solid waste budget. Commissioner Duane Bakke praised Kroening and his staff for the job they have been doing in keeping the recycling center cleaned-up. Kroening noted tipping fees are up. Legislation has been passed increasing grant funding for solid waste. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery adjusted the sanitation budget, reducing it by $10,308. The levy increase for sanitation is 8.15%
County Engineer Ron Gregg and airport manager Pam Schroeder reviewed the four separate highway budgets (highway administration, maintenance, engineering, and shop), the airport budget, and surveyor budget. The road and bridge budget proposed is now 13.82% higher than it was in 2023.
With a review of these budgets, Hillery pointed to revisions that will lower the preliminary levy by $680,500, which will reduce the preliminary levy increase to 9.72%. The possible 2024 budget/levy at this point is about $13,316,153. The county’s health insurance contribution is most likely up over 20%.
The 2023 jail debt adds $523,320 to the 2024 budget/levy, or over 2%.
Commissioners would like to see the levy increase cut more to 8% or less. Hillery will work with department heads and bring further revisions back to the next board meeting.
Other Business in Brief
• The 2022 audit conducted by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP was approved. Approval was given to publish the 2022 short summary version of the audit in the Fillmore County Journal.
• Approval was granted to move Tax and Penalties Funds leftover from 2022 to the county General Fund as of January 1, 2023, as recommended by CliftonLarsonAllen.
• Authority was granted for finance director Christy Smith to enter ICS and CDARS agreements with local banks.
• A telecommuting agree-ment was approved for income maintenance eligibility worker Jason Wetzel as recommended by Social Services Director Wanda Berg. Wetzel will work four days from home and one day in the office each week. Productivity is about 20% higher for telecommuters. Their work is monitored.
• Kimberly Stier was hired as a replacement paralegal, effective September 6.
• Due to an unexpected absence of an eligibility worker for up to 12 weeks, the board approved the social services director’s request to hire a temporary eligibility worker. The intention is to use a person who recently retired, if possible, paying the wage this person was getting before retirement.
• Three bids had been submitted for a snow push plow with wings for the airport. Brent Kohn, maintenance supervisor, recommended the purchase of the Metal Pless MaxxPro 1048-20 with hydraulic wings at a cost of $42,000. The purchase was approved and will be paid for with CARES funding (using no levy dollars).
• Approval was granted for Paybook #4 totaling $24,875.30 for the jail project per construction manager, Contegrity Group. Hillery said the construction trailer is on site and internet connection has been provided.
• The county board meets next on September 12.
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