Fillmore County Approves Three-Year Contract with LELS

The county has been in contract negotiations with Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) for a few months. At the July 1 meeting of the county board a three-year union contract was approved pending the union’s approval.

Bobbie Hillery, county administrator, and Lindsi Engle, human resource officer, met with the LELS team with input from David Drown & Associates to determine fair grade and step changes for law enforcement employees.

The county proposed a three-year contract with a 3% wage increase for each year. The county proposed no change to FTO/training pay which had been requested by the union. The county agreed to the $5 per month increase in the uniform allowance (currently $60/month). The county also proposed to increase the shift differential pay by $1.25 per hour.

AMC Comments on Proposed SNAP and Medicaid Changes

This day the U.S. Senate approved the Reconciliation Bill by a vote of 51 to 50. The Association of Minnesota Counties had sent a letter, dated May 21, to senators and representatives from the state of Minnesota. The impact of proposed SNAP and Medicaid cuts is detailed. The letter stressed that the workload for counties will be increased with the requirement to have eligibility checks for Medicaid every six months instead of annually. More documentation will be required; increased documentation combined with more frequent reporting will increase the workload for counties.

The bill could shift 25% of SNAP benefit costs onto the state, which could be shifted to counties and property taxpayers. The federal reimbursement rate to the state for administrating the program is to be cut in half.

AMC maintains that the proposed decreases in federal funding for SNAP along with an increased administrative responsibility for counties may result in both increased property taxes and a reduction in services.

Other Business in Brief

•Christy Smith, finance director, reviewed her department’s proposed 2026 budget. Hillery said there is a “net zero” change other than increases in salaries and benefits. Commissioner Duane Bakke noted this still represents a 6% increase.

•Blake Lea, land use director, reviewed 2026 budgets for land use, feedlot, and GIS. He said there aren’t any major changes. Bakke questioned the need to budget $2,000 for part-time help, noting the board needs to figure out ways to cut costs. Lea explained there are three people in the office. When Cristal Adkins takes her vacation, both he and Dallas Dornink, feedlot officer, may be out in the field on good weather days. Hillery agreed someone needs to be in the office at all times.

•The retirement of Sheila Buenger, the assessor’s office account tech lead, was accepted, effective July 11, with thanks for her 32 years of service.

•Payment of jail project paybook #28 in the total amount of $95,463 was approved. Hillery noted the end date for completion of the project is expected to be in November. The new jail facility is expected to open by the middle of July.