County year-end business

At the December 20 board meeting, the last of 2016, the board approved a five year contract with Harter’s Quick Clean Up for solid waste hauling and recycling.
Terry Schultz, Building Maintenance Supervisor/Solid Waste Administrator reviewed two proposals which had been submitted. Harter’s services will cost $504,746.15, which is about $145 higher than the proposal submitted by Waste Management. County Attorney Brett Corson justified accepting the slightly higher proposal noting that Harter’s was the most responsive and responsible bidder. Both proposals had a 2% increase per year in their contract.
It is expected that WM will continue until March 1. A Harter’s representative said if WM pulled out earlier, they could provide the service immediately if necessary.
The solid waste hauling and recycling service cost increase from 2016 is just over $70,000.
The County’s
12 Days of Christmas
Fourteen county employees entertained the commissioners with their creative version of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The song was performed during the Citizens Input portion of the meeting. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my county gave to me: twelve deputies driving, eleven snow plows plowing, ten families thriving, nine levies dropping, eight flu shots given, seven building permits, six homestead questions, five old PCs, four voters calling, three fleet cars, two deeds recorded, and a bridge that will never be replaced.
Other business in brief
• The final budget of $28,021,700 for 2017 was approved. The final levy resolution was adopted for 2017 totaling $9,859,697, or a 6% increase from 2016. This total includes $119,773 of disparity aid.
County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman said the $72,000 in the budget for court security will be placed in the unallocated fund. Also, any difference (savings) between budgeted salary amounts for elected officials and yet to be approved salaries will be placed in the unallocated fund.
• This was the last board meeting for commissioner Harry Root, who did not run for reelection. He said it has been a good board to work with and thanked them all. We have been able to work together even when there is disagreement. He encouraged the board to work on providing court house security in the coming year, adding he feels strongly about the need for it. Gary Peterson will represent District 3 starting in 2017.
• A cooperative design and construction agreement with the city of Ostrander for the reconstruction of CSAH 1 and CSAH 3 within the city limits of Ostrander was approved. County Engineer Ron Gregg said Ostrander is taking on a large infrastructure improvement project next year. The municipal utilities will be replaced beneath these county state aid highways within the city. The county is responsible for 50% of the cost of replacing sidewalk and curb and gutter.
Commissioner Duane Bakke reported that almost all road projects for 2016 have been completed. Also, the county used DOT to stripe roads instead of going out for bids, saving the county money.
• Chief Deputy Tony Weber was reappointed as chief deputy for 2017. It was announced that Weber will retire late in October. Sheriff Tom Kaase stated a new chief deputy probably won’t be appointed after Weber’s retirement until 2018. Weber, at the time of retirement, will have worked 29 years in law enforcement, 27 of those years serving Fillmore County.
Weber’s salary was set at $79,050 for 2017, a 3% increase. Kaase had argued for Weber’s salary to be set at $81,000 due to his many responsibilities and the 24/7 nature of his job.
• Sheriff Kaase, County Attorney Brett Corson, and County Recorder David Kiehne provided their salary requests for 2017. The board will set elected official salaries in January.
• Assistant County Attorney Melissa Hammell’s hours were increased from .8FTE to full time effective January 1. Corson said she handles misdemeanors and child protection, advises social services on court cases, and works with schools and kids on truancy issues. She has been with the county since February 1.
• Commissioner Randy Dahl said he wanted to move away from the Merit Pay Plan. Human Resources Officer Kristina Kohn said she has been researching the steps needed to get off that system. There was a consensus of the board to work toward moving away from the Merit system.
• Possible policy changes to Paid Time Off and Severance Pay were discussed. Dahl said he favored a reduction in the amount of carry over PTO allowed.
• Cell phone stipends for county employees were discussed. Kohn said the intent of the policy is not to completely pay for an employee’s cell phone, but to pay a portion due to one’s use of a privately owned phone for county business. After a long discussion, the board approved leaving the policy the same until it can be discussed in the Department Head committee. Commissioners Bakke and Lentz who argued for lower stipend rates voted no.
• A 2.5% increase in the non-union pay plan effective January 1 was approved. A 2.5% increase in the merit pay plan effective January 1 was also approved.
• The Semcac contract for 2017 was approved. The contract is about the same as 2016. Dahl noted the county will continue paying half of the IRS rate for unloaded miles for Medical Assistance clients. He called the Volunteer Driver Program a good program, as it gets people where they need to be.
The Zumbro Valley Health Center, Community Support Program-Adult Case Manager/Mental Health Practitioner contract was approved. Neva Beier, Social Services, explained the $36,780 for the practitioner is reimbursed through the Adult Mental Health Initiative/CREST funding.
Approval was given for the installation of interview room video surveillance equipment for the Cornerhouse Room at a cost of $20,000 and the purchase of a document shredder at a cost of $1,849 and 11 Surface tablets. All the purchases will be paid for with Child Protection Grant funds.