The July 24 county board meeting was attended by numerous veterans, demonstrating their support for the veterans home. The board’s agenda included a request for a veterans home donation.
Commissioner Duane Bakke said the process for the veterans home is moving forward. The legislature approved $10.2 million for the Preston site in its bonding bill. Every local dollar brought in or pledged prior to late August will be counted for a 2:1 federal match. The city of Preston is requesting funding from the 15 counties in the catchment area, including Fillmore County.
Bakke noted the city of Preston as of today has a total of $470,000 pledged for the veterans home. This does not include the $210,000 the city paid for the land, which is not eligible for the 2:1 federal match. City Administrator Joe Hoffman in a phone conversation broke the $470,000 total down: $125,000 from the city, $125,000 from the utility and another $110,00 0from the utility in lieu of some of the infrastructure investments, and $110,000 from the Preston Community Foundation and Ron Scheevel.
Bakke said, “We need to step up.” A donation from Fillmore County can demonstrate its support. Letters to the other counties in the catchment area are to be sent out by the city of Preston requesting a donation from each of them.
Chairman Mitch Lentz commented that it would have been nice if this were done (a donation from the county) before the location was selected by the board. He added the board was forced into that decision by the legislative process. These donations being sought now will be put toward construction of the building.
A campaign is being planned and will be soon set into motion by the city of Preston to raise donations from individuals, Servicemen’s Clubs, Legions, and VFWs.
Bakke noted pledges made before late August will help determine the design. Design and the number of beds could be determined by dollars available. Or, it could be determined that not enough funding is available to make the home viable; in this case, an application may not even be submitted for federal funds in April 2019.
Commissioner Randy Dahl commented that not a single person he had talked to about a county donation was against making the donation. He added he feels privileged to represent a county that supports our veterans.
Lentz commented if an applicant falls short, it will be cut out. The land and infrastructure are secured. Time is short to get pledges from other counties to receive the 2:1 match. Lentz maintained the time to make the commitment is now. Bakke made a motion to make a $500,000 commitment from the county, which was seconded by Lentz.
Dahl amended the motion saying he was originally at $250,000. He amended the motion to make a donation of $350,000. Commissioner Marc Prestby agreed. Lentz reminded the board that no one thought we would get this far. The amendment to the motion was approved with the understanding that the figure could be revisited down the road, if need be. A motion to donate $350,000 was approved unanimously.
A check will be written to the state of Minnesota. The funds will be put into an escrow account. If nothing develops, the money should come back to the county.
Other business in brief
• Tim Penny, president and CEO of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), presented an annual review of the foundation’s collaborative efforts within the region. The foundation concentrates on three areas including: early childhood development, economic development, and investments in community vitality. Fillmore County has six community foundations. SMIF collaborates to support communities in a 20 county region.
“SMIF has invested $9.5 million in Fillmore County since 1986.” In a recent example, SMIF and loan partner CEDA helped Caleb and Blake Lauritsen-Norby expand inventory and equipment at Parkway Market and Coffeehouse in Lanesboro. For every donation of $1 in Fillmore County $30 is invested back into its communities. Penny said he appreciated local support from the county.
• Marty Walsh, EDA director, reported on the availability of a USDA Rural Housing Services Home Improvement Grant. The grant could be used for weatherization, e-connectivity, or anything that improves the rural quality of life. Funding would be 80% provided by USDA and 20% could come from the EDA’s revolving loan fund or the property owner. He suggested applying for a $40,000 grant. The board questioned how this would fit with Semcac’s weatherization program. Dahl was concerned if there could be competition with Semcac. An application has to be submitted by August 9. Walsh was directed to check if there is a conflict with Semcac. Authorization to apply for the grant will be considered at the August 7 board meeting.
• Kristina Kohn, Human Resources, said they were doing an annual review of the county’s policies. She recommended no change to most of the seven policies discussed. They will be brought back at the next meeting for a second reading. A question was raised about the safety of non-public data. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman explained firewalls are in place to protect personal data from hackers; she admitted that firewalls are not 100% protection from determined hackers.
The resignation request from Deputy Sheriff Nathan Olson was accepted effective August 7 after 2.5 years of service.
Approval was given to advertise both internally and externally for a replacement Deputy Sheriff.
• An agreement to have a contractor to do herbicide treatments for Japanese hops on county owned land along the Root River from Preston to Lanesboro and possibly further downstream was approved and signed by chairman Lentz. This is a renewal of a 2015 agreement. Donna Rasmussen, SWCD, reported that funds from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will be used to hire the contractor. Land owners are being contacted to get land owner agreements signed. Japanese hops are an aggressive vine that smothers other vegetation. The plants are found starting in Preston and downstream.
• Authorization was given by resolution for Wayne Hall to repurchase forfeited property contingent on county attorney approval. Hall has agreed to pay the past amount due and the current amount due totaling $1,366.07 to buy the property back, which is located in Canton.
• A proposal for Mitel Phone Expansion Project and PRI upgrade was approved. The 36-month upgrade is expected to provide some savings.
• Sheriff Tom Kaase updated the board on Text to 911 Program. He said they are looking at a way to do this regionally to minimize costs.
• Solid Waste Administrator Andrew Hatzenbihler and County Assessor Cindy Blagsvedt presented their proposed 2019 budgets, kicking off budgeting season. Budgets will reflect possible salary increases of 2.5% and health insurance cost increases of 15%.