At the April 28 meeting of the county board, Assistant Fillmore County Attorney Marla Stanton and Captain Dan Dornink reported on a social media safety program which they continue to present at local schools.
Stanton explained the first of these programs began in 2017. The content has changed over the years. Nine years ago, it was “scared straight” and now students are taught that “nothing is so bad you can’t come back from it.”; Let kids know that they are not alone.
Stanton said you need to teach everyone how to be safe when talking to another person online. When online one has to be responsible and not give out personal information. For teens, being online is their language, they are savvy and Stanton encouraged them to teach their parents and grandparents how to be safe online.
Dornink explained he has talked to elderly groups about how to be safe online, about online privacy. Stanton and Dornink reported on scams that use the ability to create someone’s image and/or voice to take advantage or to hurt another. Continuing education is needed to use technology safely, especially now with AI.
Other Business in Brief
- Some of the Pilot Mound property owners have petitioned the DNR opposing the labeling of Money Creek as a Designated Trout Stream.
The county board was asked by the property owners to add its support to the petition. During the board’s discussion of the request, it was noted that DNR surveys have found a significant population of trout in the stream. Also, landowners can post their property denying access to the public if they want to. No action was taken by the board.
- Approval was granted to purchase a new DS 200 for Early Voting. The system will cost $6,945; annual hardware maintenance and software license fees cost an additional $276.
The purchase of new software for the Election Reporting System was approved costing $2,947. This upgraded software will have its own connectivity secured through Marco; it is not connected to the Internet.
- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Feedlot Program 2025 Year-End Review, Feedlot Financial Report and 2025 Feedlot Annual Report and request for signature was approved as presented by Feedlot Officer Dallas Dornink.
- The Peterson Bridge project contract was awarded to Icon Constructors LLC with a bid of $6,115,190. This was the lowest of two bids. The engineer’s estimate was about 3.2% higher. Federal funds will cover the cost of the bridge itself. The bridge project possibly will begin mid-May.
- Joel Thoreson was reappointed as Fillmore County Ssurveyor with another four-year contract.
- James Lokken was hired as a new accounting technician, effective May 18. He will be working in Zoning to learn from Cristal Adkins. Lokken has experience with GIS.
- Becky Larson was hired as a replacement eligibility worker, effective May 22.
- Megan Rowe, jailer, will be transferred to an accounting technician. She has worked for the county for over 10 years.
- Advertisement for a replacement jailer was approved.
- Jail Project paybook # 38 in the total amount of $197,029 was approved. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery said they are closing things out. The county will be getting a good chunk of sales tax back.
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