Departmental budgets for 2025 again dominated discussion at the county board’s August 13 meeting.
At the last meeting, County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reported that preliminary 2025 budget numbers may result in a 9.3% levy increase. Commissioner Randy Dahl suggested departments have been presenting very accurate budgets. He added there are likely just two ways to reduce the budget: reduce the procurement of equipment or increase revenues.
Hillery expects she will have actual health insurance increases and other firm numbers by the end of August. The estimated increase in health insurance costs has driven much of the increase in several departments. She noted larger increases in total salaries over the last five years have generally resulted when employee positions were added. Health insurance increases are driven by increases in premiums and also by the premium difference between an individual and family plan.
Hillery asked the board what percent increase they want to shoot for. The consensus seemed to be it will be hard to get below a 5% increase in the levy.
This day Lisa Dierks, University of Minnesota extension regional director, reviewed the proposed budget for extension. She noted there is a significant increase in staffing costs. The Extension Committee recommended a total request of $164,438; this would provide for one full-time educator for youth development, one half-time educator for agriculture, a 4-H intern, and an agriculture intern.
Commissioner Duane Bakke maintained the board supports the 4-H position wholeheartedly. However, professional or commodity groups could be asked to pay for an agriculture intern. The extension budget as presented showed an increase of about $27,500 over 2024.
Sheriff John DeGeorge reported on the various budgets associated with his office including Sheriff, Jail, Dispatch, and Emergency Management. The total proposed increase for 2025 for all of the associated budgets is $337,167.
County Assessor Kathryn Frette presented her department’s budget, which was a little less than $2,000 higher than in 2024. She explained that two to three county vehicles need to be available for her department for the appraisers to be able to do their jobs. Hillery said the goal is to get at least one vehicle assigned to the assessor’s office so they can rely on it being available. In order for the office to fulfill the state requirement of doing a physical inspection of one-fifth of all properties each year, the availability of county fleet cars is necessary. Frette said, “When we fall behind (on inspections), it is really hard to catch up.”
Approval was granted to hire Steve Hacken as a consultant for the assessor’s office for up to eight hours per week or as needed contingent on the county attorney review of the contract. Some of Hacken’s consulting can be done remotely. The contract will end December 31, 2024.
Other Business in Brief
• Bretta Grabau, interim director of the Fillmore County Historical Society, noted she served as the assistant director for five years. The museum provides a place for meetings for other organizations around the county and provides presentations and tours. Improvements to the facility have been aided by Sentence to Serve. The Historical Society has been working on a kiosk to educate people about sinkholes. Next year an upgrade to the HVAC system is planned. She thanked the board for their past support and requested the board continue support at the same level as last year or $51,800.
• An access permit for Freddie and Katie Gingerich, section 8 of Spring Valley Township, to relocate the existing farm access on CR 8 was approved.
• An access permit for Raphael and Lee Her Lee, section 5 of Amherst Township, to provide access to a new building site on CR 21 was approved.
• The resignation of Dakotah McIntyre, 911 dispatcher at the Sheriff’s Office, effective August 1 was approved.
• The resignation of Alan Polzin, highway maintenance, effective August 29 was approved with thanks for his 30 years of service. A request to advertise for a replacement highway maintenance worker was approved.
• The resignation of Sandra Solberg, office support specialist senior, effective August 9 was approved with thanks for her five years of service.
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