At the August 22 meeting of the county board, Miranda Wendlandt, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, presented the audit for the year ending on December 31, 2022. The audit was issued on August 3, which is well ahead of the September 30 deadline.
An unmodified (“clean”) opinion was issued on the financial statements, which is the highest level of assurance. Wendlandt listed some control weaknesses which are common for local governments, including the lack of segregation of duties.
It was noted that the State Auditor recommends a minimum of five months of expenditures in government fund balances. The county’s actual amount was about three and a half months of expenditures in its government fund balances. The unrestricted fund balance as a percentage of expenditures was 29% (state recommends 35%-50%).
The board will consider accepting the audit at their September 5 meeting. Commissioner Mitch Lentz asked about publishing a condensed version of the audit. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery said under state statute there is a list of what needs to be published in a condensed version. Wendlandt added, in her opinion, a summarized version is easier to read making it more likely that people will read it.
2022 Medical Examiner Data
Chief Medical Examiner R. Ross Reichard M.D., Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, presented Fillmore County data for 2022. Seventy-nine percent of deaths are reported to the medical examiner’s office. There were 236 deaths in Fillmore County in 2022 with 186 being reported to the medical examiner. Fifteen deaths underwent a complete autopsy.
There were no homicides in 2022. Three deaths were attributed to suicide, 15 to an accident, and 168 to natural causes. Accidental deaths included 11 due to falls, one due to choking, one drowning, one motor vehicle accident (weather related), and one due to drugs.
Reichard stated, “The potency of fentanyl cannot be overstated.” Overdoses continue to be an issue, not so much in Fillmore County, but in other counties. Most deaths by natural causes are due to heart disease and cancer, but also neurologic. The percentage of natural deaths are highest in the 75-95 age groups.
Other Business in Brief
• Sara Sturgis said she has been with the Historical Society for four years. The museum in Fountain has had some overdue repairs this last year. The Historical Society partnered with Fountain to do a sinkhole exhibit. Visits to the museum this last year were the highest in the last 10 years. Sturgis requested a 2024 appropriation to the Historical Society.
• Lisa Dierks, UMN Regional Director of Extension, said there were minimal changes in the budget, but an increase in computer expenses. Ag educator Katie Drewitz reviewed educational activities including apple pruning workshops, gardening with a focus on trees, soil testing for vegetable and fruit farms, and youth farm safety.
• Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins explained the conditional use permit for the Fillmore County Solar Project (located in section 14 of Beaver Township) was issued in 2021 and it will expire in January 2024. They have met the requirements for significant progress and may not begin the installation of equipment until next year. She suggested a two-year extension of the CUP. The extension of the CUP was approved as recommended. Zoning (Land Use Budget) and Feedlot budgets were reviewed for 2024 with minimal changes.
• Sheriff John DeGeorge and staff reviewed 2024 budgets of his department including contracts with specific cities for county law enforcement services, 911 funds, sheriff contingency funds, DARE program, dispatch, court security and emergency management.
• Riley Buley, SWCD administrator, reviewed the SWCD department budget for 2024. He noted they have 24 active grants including local, state and federal funding. He did a brief recap of activities. Buley requested a $5,000 increase in the allocation from the county.
• The retirement of Leroy Eickhoff, PSAP Manager, effective October 6 after 34 years of service was accepted with many thanks. DeGeorge said there will be no replacing the amount of knowledge Eickhoff has accumulated over the years.
• The resignation of Kari Broadwater, Child Support Enforcement Aide, was accepted after one year of service, effective September 1.
• A request to transfer Sharon Miller, Accounting Technician, to Child Support Enforcement Aide, effective September 8 was approved. Advertisement for a replacement Accounting Technician in the Auditor/Treasurer’s office was approved.
• The resignation of Lexis Thorson, Social Worker, effective August 25 was approved after three months of service. Advertisement for a replacement Social Worker was approved.
• Administrator Hillery reviewed her department’s budget which included general government, commissioners, district court, law library, accounting services, technology, GIS, county farm, other general government and medical examiner.
• Hillery presented a preliminary 2024 estimated budget proposal which showed a 18% levy change. She noted there are definitely areas to make cuts, which she will bring to the board’s next meeting. Highway and Solid Waste have not, at this point, reviewed their budgets before the board.
• By consensus the board agreed to use the MCIT 2023 workers’ compensation dividend in the amount of $32,896 to send two employees to the Safety Conference and to put the rest in the Infrastructure Fund.
• The county board meets next on September 5.
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