At the October 2 county board meeting, December meeting dates were set, including Truth in Taxation. There will be only two board meetings in December. The Association of Minnesota Counties annual meeting will be on December 2,3, and 4. Therefore, there will not be a county board meeting on December 4. There will be a regular meeting on December 11 starting at 3 p.m. Later that evening at 6 p.m. the annual Truth in Taxation meeting will be held. There will be a board meeting at its regular 9 a.m. time on December 18, the last board meeting in 2018.
Truth in Taxation is a public meeting required by Minnesota law at which the budget and levy are discussed. The public is allowed to comment and ask questions.
Other business in brief
• County Assessor Cindy Blagsvedt’s resignation to retire was approved with thanks for her 20 years plus of service. Her last day in the office will be December 14. Her retirement is effective January 31, 2019.
• A resolution was passed establishing the market price for disposal of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) at $71.25 per ton. Solid waste administrator Andrew Hatzenbihler said the tipping fee is $76 per ton.
• Approval was given to enter into a detour agreement with MnDOT for the use of CSAH 8 north of Spring Valley to the Mower County line. Darrell Schmitt, Highway, explained MnDOT plans to replace a few culverts on Highway 16. The detour on CSAH 8 will be about 4.17 miles. The state will provide payment to the county for use and maintenance of CSAH 8 as a detour route.
• A resolution was adopted for 2019 Toward Zero Death grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for traffic safety enforcement from October 1 to September 30, 2019. This is the sheriff’s part of the TZD grant and it is mainly used to pay for overtime hours for enforcement of DWI, distracted driving, seat belt, and move over laws. Money is also targeted for dispatch and the TZD conference. The total grant is $7,310. TZD also provides for a public health portion which is geared toward education.
• The advertisement to request proposals for a three year auditing firm contract was approved. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman suggested proposals will be reviewed by the Finance Committee, which will give its recommendation to the board. She said they will be looking for a firm with experience working for counties and that has a consistency of staff.
• The board renewed the offering of Medicare supplemental group plans for retirees. The plans are paid 100% by the individuals with no cost to the county.
• The second reading of the Pre-Employment Physical policy was approved with no changes.
• The board approved the establishment of a Health Savings Account (HSA) for 2019. This will provide an additional option for employees to choose from. There will be no additional cost to the county.