Sarah Monroe, Fillmore County Victim Services, Kari Berg, Corrections Services, and Anne Detlefsen, Family Services, asked commissioners to proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the board’s September 12 meeting.
Events planned to bring attention to domestic violence include “Soup for the Soul” to be held October 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the courthouse conference room 102U. A presentation “The Mask You Live In” to be held October 10 in the courthouse conference room will be a discussion on harmful masculinity. A third event “Impact of DV (Domestic Violence) on Children,” will be held in the courthouse conference room on October 24 and will feature video clips and a discussion on how DV affects children. People are asked to wear purple on October 17 as a way to tell others why ending DV is important to you.
There will be a display “Remember My Name” on glass windows in the courthouse in remembrance of the 21 Minnesotans who lost their lives to DV in 2016.
Detlefsen brought attention to the 2016 Femicide Report which is published annually in March by the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women. It details lives lost from DV in Minnesota since 1989. It gives an overview of the homicides and tells each victim’s story that died in 2016. It discusses behaviors associated with DV. Domestic violence has an impact on all members of a family.
Interim Auditor/Treasurer
Carrie Huffman has requested to step down as interim Auditor/Treasurer and return to her previous position in the department. The board accepted her resignation from the interim position effective in about 30 days, She will then return to her previous position.
The Personnel Committee recommended the county coordinator take on leadership of the department until a new A/T is elected and sworn in after the November 2018 election.
County coordinator Bobbie Vickerman was designated as acting A/T when she gets signature authorization from the state. At that time Huffman can step down. Vickerman said she will take no pay increase or a stipend. Commissioner Duane Bakke noted the coordinator is already very involved in budget management. He added he wanted her to concentrate on her office and A/T and less on Community Services to lighten her load.
Vickerman said Social Services Manager Kevin Olson, Director of Nursing Jessica Erickson, and Veteran Services Officer Jason Marquardt are in a good place. Commissioner Mitch Lentz said he looks at the county coordinator as an extension of the board, noting she has been utilized in several areas when needed.
Jail food service
The Sheriff’s office has been working on establishing a local food service provider for the jail to satisfy Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) requirements. Sheriff Tom Kaase presented a potential food service contract with B & B Olympic Bowl to provide meals in accordance with the DOC.
It will cost the county $12 per inmate per day, which is about $2 more than the cost when the jail was providing meals. A total of $65,700 will be budgeted in 2018 for inmate meals based on an average of 15 inmates for 365 days. This is an increase of $8,200 over the 2016 and 2017 budget.
A motion to move forward with the contract with B & B Olympic Bowl was approved.
Other business in brief
• At the next board meeting on September 26, the preliminary 2018 levy will need to be approved. The most recent budget numbers pointed to a levy increase of 7.12%. Chairman Randy Dahl said he would like to see it closer to a 5% increase as did commissioner Marc Prestby. Lentz felt they should maintain a cushion. Bakke and Vickerman pointed to savings that could reduce it close to that level.
• A proposal to purchase sit/stand work stations in the amount of $7,578 from Beckley’s Office Products with funds from the 2017 Southeast Cooperative Wellness grant money was approved. Vickerman noted there have been more requests for sit/stands. A lot are in use now, a number of people like them.
• The resignation of Rebecca Berg, Case Aide, effective September 15 was accepted with thanks.
• Christina Bothun was hired as a replacement social worker effective April 1, 2018.
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