Over the next couple of months Fillmore County department heads will come before the board with their proposed budgets for 2021. This process began at the board’s July 14 meeting with the finance department.
Finance Director Lori Affeldt presented the relatively new department’s budget for the first time. There are two staff members in this department. Early budget estimates will figure in a 2% cost of living increase and a 15% increase for health insurance. The actual insurance cost increase will not be known for several months. The total proposed budget for the finance department is just over $190,000.
Coronavirus Relief Fund
The Minnesota Department of Revenue is responsible for distributing $841 million in federal dollars to counties, cities, and townships throughout the state. The money is to be used to cover expenses incurred due to the pandemic. This is the state’s allocation, which was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Each government entity has to apply for funds. They have to certify to get dollars. Any funds not expended by cities and townships by mid November goes to the county and any not expended by the county by December 1 is to be returned to Minnesota Management and Budget by December 10. Cities get approximately $75 per capita and townships get about $25 per capita. The cities of Peterson and Whalan and Preble Township will receive no funds due to limited populations.
Documentation is required for CARES funding.
Commissioner Duane Bakke questioned whether monies that are not expended could go to school districts to help schools open. The money could stay in the county and help the school districts. He said he doesn’t know if that would be legal. Maybe the legislature should change things, if not legal, so it could be. It is about reopening schools safely. He questioned whether some government entities would have the volume of legitimate COVID related expenses to spend their allocation.
Schools may open or there could be virtual classes or a hybrid of both. Technology needs to be provided for every student.
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery said the staff is being encouraged to wear masks when in another’s space: lead by example. She suggests employees let their department head know if they are being tested for COVID. Director of Nursing Jessica Erickson said test results may take anywhere from 24 hours to five to seven days to get. When an employee is tested they are told to stay home until the results are in. Our biggest concern is to keep people safe. We want to keep the public informed as much as possible. Erickson said they do there best to have an accurate count.
Emergency Management has reported that supplies for the pandemic are close to running out.
Other business in brief
•Kristina Kohn, human resources, explained David Drown reclassified the position of registered dietician to grade 12 from grade 11. The reclassification was approved effective the next pay period. The position of lead public health nurse was classified as a grade 14. This classification was approved with the understanding that filling the new position will follow the hiring process.
•The implementation of EASE online benefit software was approved as recommended by the Benefits Committee. There will be no cost to the county. It is made available by Colonial Life. It should streamline the process so employees can make appropriate changes electronically. There will be education prior to 2020 enrollment for use of the system. Bakke voted no as he felt it should be an option to use the software, not mandatory.
•The hire of Mary Miner as a temporary election employee for the primary election was approved. Commissioner Lentz voted no.
•An access permit to CR 30 for Emanuel Raber Jr., section 30, Bristol Township was approved. The access is for a new Amish school.
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