Solid Waste administrator, Joel Kroening presented new solid waste rates for 2025 at the board’s February 11 meeting.
It has been five years since various rates have been adjusted. The new rates have been vetted through the Solid Waste committee. Rates are increased for white goods (appliances), electronics, tires, ballasts, oil filters, and landfill material. New rate lines have been added for specific tires and mattresses. There is also a minimum charge ($10) for loads of landfill material that are 100 pounds or less. The new rate list was approved as submitted.
A list of 12 solid waste haulers who have submitted the necessary paperwork was approved for 2025.
Commissioner Mitch Lentz asked about community dumpsters. The dumpsters are supposed to be for recyclable materials, specifically for rural residents. There have been issues of abuse (garbage dumping) especially at the Chatfield and Spring Valley sites. This has been an issue for some time; commissioners have discussed the installation of cameras and/or removal of the dumpsters.
It was decided to place an ad in the newspaper explaining that the dumpsters are to be monitored involving law enforcement. Or, if the abuse continues, the dumpsters for recycling may be removed completely.
Employee Service Recognition
Each year, employees that are in there fifth, 10th, 15th, 20th, or 25th year of service are recognized. This year 11 were recognized for five years, four for 10 years, one for 20 years, and six for 25 years. Paula Melver and Brenda Pohlman, both of Public Health, were recognized for 25 years of service. Derek Fuglestad, Bryan Guber, Timothy Rasmussen, and Lance Boyum, all in the sheriff’s department, were recognized for 25 years of service.
Wellness awards were also presented. Each year one person is honored with the Safety Award; this year that award went to Traci Corson.
Other Business in Brief
- The Hemp and Cannabis Ordinance was approved. A public hearing had been held on the updated ordinance at the board’s February 4 meeting.
- The cooperative agreement for the adult and children’s mobile crisis grant was approved for 2025-2026. Cooperative counties include Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Wabasha and Winona. State financial resources will be integrated into the East Hub Mobile Crisis Program. The one-time funding is $1,378,888 for the two-year period.
- Lentz insisted there is no mobile service in Fillmore County, but this agreement makes us compliant with the state. Social Services director, Wanda Berg explained, if service doesn’t improve in this two-year period, Fillmore County can apply to the state to pull its portion of the funding out so we can set up our own service.
- The SE AMHI (formerly CREST) cooperative agreement was also approved for 2025-2026. This agreement includes Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, and the Minnesota Prairie County Alliance (Dodge, Steele, Waseca, Wabasha, and Winona Counties). SE AMHI is responsible for allocating state financial resources to provide Adult Mental Health Initiative services.
- Approval was granted for an access permit for Keith and Anita Brown for a driveway access to a new building site on County 105 in section 8, Arendahl Township.
- Three sealed bids had been received for the 1990 Talbert Low Boy Trailer that the county planned to sell. The high bid in the amount of $15,000 was accepted.
- Dan Dornink, investigator sergeant, was promoted to Captain, effective February 28.
- The lateral transfer of Jesse Grabau, patrol sergeant, to investigator sergeant was approved, effective February 28.
Leave a Reply