Dr. Tessia Melvin, Human Resources, Inc. (David Drown Associates), provided a 2025 market analysis at the board’s July 8 meeting. She has worked 15 years in city and county government and is a former city administrator.
A study, in part, helps local governments hire and maintain quality employees. Fillmore County’s pay plan is to maintain 5% of the market average. The market average is determined by similar counties. These counties may have similar populations, geographic size, tax rate, tax capacity, levy amount, or services provided.
Melvin determined that the county’s current pay grid is at market average for minimum rates and about 7% under for maximum rates. She recommended adjusting the pay grid by cutting two steps and then adding two steps. The changes will put the county 6% above market average for minimum rates and 1% under for maximum rates.
Melvin recommended classification changes for the veterans’ service officer, traffic sign technician, and the feedlot officer. She also recommended the county assessor be moved to grade 17 and that a career ladder be created for property appraisers as they gain additional certifications. Two title changes were also recommended: Social Services Manager to Human Services Director, and Director of Nursing to Public Health Director.
The board unanimously approved all of the above recommended changes.
Sale of Tax-Forfeited Land
Auditor/Treasurer Heather Broadwater and Sarah Kohn reviewed new laws regarding tax forfeited properties. Tax forfeiture is “the process of transferring property to the state to be held in trust for local taxing districts.” After property taxes are delinquent for three years, the property owner loses rights to the property; the county then attempts to sell the property on behalf of the state. Several changes in the process are a result of “Tyler vs Hennepin County.” There are different requirements when the date of forfeiture is between June 2016 and December 2023.
The Fillmore County Terms for the sale of Tax-Forfeited Land was approved with notice that the 30-day period will begin on September 22. There will be an in-person auction on September 22 probably at one p.m.; from September 23 through October 21 there will be an over-the-counter EMV (estimated market value) sale. On October 22, minimum bids will be allowed for the remaining un-sold properties during a 10-day online auction. It was recommended to use Public Surplus for online sales.
Other Business in Brief
• Jim Karels, MCIT risk management consultant, explained MCIT is not exactly an insurance company, but an insurance risk pool formed by counties for counties. Eighty-one of the state’s 87 counties are in this risk pool. There is also a separate relationship with entities like the Ag Society and the Historical Society. The members benefit by sharing the risks.
Costs are rising; this is the impact of inflation. MCIT also purchases insurance; reinsurance is purchased to protect MCIT from the financial impact of catastrophic losses. In the last five years, the total value of member insured property has increased by 40% due to increased property values.
If any money is left over, MCIT gives it back; Fillmore County’s dividend for 2024 is $28,722. Karels noted the cost and numbers of cyber claims increased two years in a row but were down substantially in 2024. He suggested that the drop in claims is due to better county employee training.
• Shelby Miller reviewed her internship with Fillmore County as a paralegal. County Attorney Brett Corson introduced Miller; he wanted the board to hear about her experience as a paralegal intern. She is a student at Inver Hills Community College. She described her exposure to criminal law, civil law, Child in Need of Protection and Services, and Adult Protections. She said no two days were the same. Miller learned both a variety of skills and how to work with colleagues and attorneys. She advised paralegals to ask questions, be flexible, build rapport and be human. Miller hopes to enter law school in 2027.
• Emergency Manager Jason Harmening urged the board to adopt the Region One Joint Powers Agreement for Emergency Management. This allows them to utilize regional resources when in need. This agreement is a revision and may include 16 counties, the city of Rochester and Prairie Island Indian Community. Each member is a voting member. Revisions to the agreement include language changes and a provision that allows any member to leave with 90 days notice, which will not terminate the agreement for parties that have not withdrawn. Corson noted the agreement is reviewed every five years. The agreement was adopted.
• Recorder Roxane Kraling, Auditor/Treasurer Heather Broadwater, Assessor Ryan Rasmussen, and Community Corrections Director Tom Jensen reviewed their budgets for 2026. The increases in their budgets were mostly due to salary and benefit costs.
• An access permit for John and Jeff Rein for a new driveway access on CR 10, section 35 of Holt Township was approved. Blake Lea explained they will be eliminating two driveways on the south side and constructing a new access directly across from the sand pit driveway to minimize traffic obstruction.
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