Fillmore County’s distribution under the CARES Act was over $2.5 million. The deadline for purchases was this day, December 1. Several last minute purchases were approved. The ninth extension of the Declaration of Emergency for continuing operations from the COVID-19 was approved, extending it to January 5, 2021.
County CARES funds were distributed through grants to businesses ($638,564), non-profits ($176,598), and school assistance ($547,078). About $350,000 has been expended to purchase technology equipment. Approval was given this day to purchase a comprehensive system so virtual meetings can be held from three conference rooms, including the county board room. It is expected that meetings will need to be held virtually for quite awhile longer. A total of $4,500 will go to SWCD to help with their technology needs. Approval was also given to purchase wall mounts and two 50 inch TVs at a total cost of $6,241.26. Other technology expenses approved earlier included phones, additional laptops and squad technology.
Assistance for households and families totals about $13,000. Funds for solid waste/recycling are at about $8,000.
Approval was given for the lower of two bids, which was submitted by Morem Electric in the amount of $85,750 for the purchase of natural gas generators for the courthouse and the office building, providing protection for computer backups and vaccine refrigeration during an outage. This is to include any additional cost required to hook up gas lines to the generators.
Payroll expenses due to COVID for county staff using CARES funding have been over $188,000. Another $120,000 of payroll expenses have been covered with other grants received by the county. To date, over $63,000 in payroll has been paid out to employees who have had to quarantine. So far, expenses for PPE/sanitizer and immunization supplies have been over $37,000. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery said she didn’t feel they are stocked sufficiently with theses supplies, but it is hard to get them. Approval was given to purchase supplies and to make payroll adjustments as needed through the end of December.
The county will not be purchasing an emergency management trailer since it won’t qualify under CARES funding unless it is only used for vaccinations. The board agreed this is not a good use of funding.
A total of $68,535.17 was sent back to the county of unused CARES dollars from the cities of Rushford Village, Harmony, Lanesboro, and Fountain. Roughly $400,000 will be sent back to the state from the county.
Auditor/Treasurer to be appointed
The public has been allowed to give their input at two board meetings, including this one, as to their opinions regarding a transition from an elected A/T to an appointed A/T. During this meeting five people expressed their opinions. All of them supported the appointment of the A/T. Nancy Bratrud said it is appropriate to appoint someone to this position; a skilled individual is needed. Bonnie Haugan listed the limited requirements for someone to run for the elected position, 18 years of age and not convicted of a crime; the position should be appointed to get someone with adequate credentials. Loni Kemp added the position is highly technical and an administrative position; it makes sense to appoint. Jason Resseman sent a text stating the A/T should be appointed. Harvey Benson said a person with the necessary qualifications should be appointed to this position.
The board unanimously adopted a resolution, which will authorize the appointment of the Fillmore County A/T effective 30 days from this approval, as it has met the requirements laid out in Minnesota Statute 375A.1205, Subd. 6. The process to hire an A/T will begin and is expected to take some time.
Other business in brief
•County Engineer Ron Gregg requested a variance for the construction/replacement of a bridge in Jordan Township (located south of CSAH 5 on Morgan Road). The variance would be from a standard 30 mph curve to a 20 mph curve. This will allow the DNR to protect a scientific nature area from disturbance and it will allow the county to keep the road within the current right of way. This is currently a 60-foot single-span steel beam bridge over the Root River which is functionally obsolete. The replacement bridge is to be 3-span (40-foot – 50-foot – 40-foot) continuous concrete slab span, total length 130-feet. State rules require a minimum design speed of 30 mph. There is also expected to be a cost savings with the proposed 20 mph design of about $385,000.
Commissioner Duane Bakke noted the resolution indemnifies/holds harmless the state of Minnesota from any claims or actions. He said it is a township bridge and they have their own liability insurance. The resolution requesting a variance was approved with the stipulation that Gregg will work with Jordan Township on a resolution that will indemnify Fillmore County.
•The Medical Consultant Contract for 2021 between Fillmore County and Dr. Stephanie Jakim was approved. Jessica Erickson, director of nursing, said it is the same as it has been for the last couple of years. Erickson said Dr. Jakim does a wonderful job and provides her services at no cost to the county or the Community Health Board.
• The 2021/2022 Children’s Mental Health Screening Grant Contract with the state was approved.
• A 3-year service agreement with Schneider Geospatial was approved. The cost of services will be $65,100 for 2021, $65,100 for 2022, and $69,180 for 2023.
• Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) provided the 2020 dividend payment in the amount of $72,808. The funds will be put into the county’s Infrastructure Fund.
• Grant contracts with the state of Minnesota for 2020-2021 snowmobile season were approved for Bluff Valley Riders, Mabel-Canton Trail Busters, Hiawatha I and II, and Tri-County Trail Blazers.
• Caleb Benson, section 27 Newburg Township, received approval to rezone property on the north side of Mabel from Agricultural to B1 (General Commercial). The Planning Commission heard no concerns and had recommended approval.
• Timberwolf Wind, LLC applied for a CUP to construct a Meteorological Tower in section 19 York Township on property owned by Lloyd Johnson Living Trust. During the Planning Commission public hearing no concerns were voiced. The board approved the CUP as recommended by the Planning Commission.
• A CUP for the relocation of a sawmill was approved. Reuben and Barbara Hershberger, section 16 Canton Township, applied for the CUP. The Planning Commission held a public hearing; there were no questions or concerns and they had recommended approval.
• An access permit for Brothers Farmland L.P., section 29 Bloomfield Township, was approved to provide access from CR 3 to an irrigation well system.
• An access permit for Daniel and Mary Zook, section 5 Canton Township, was approved to widen the existing driveway access to a maximum of 24 feet to CR 115.
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