Fillmore County Fair board members Doug Lind, treasurer, and Mike Fenske, president, updated the county board regarding ongoing improvements for the fairgrounds and other uses for the fairgrounds throughout the year at the county board’s June 18 meeting.
Fenske thanked commissioners for their past support, saying, “Last year’s attendance at the fair was good; we continue to add more activities.”
In 2024 there will be a bounce house for the kids, paint ball, a trampoline and two new food vendors.
Lind noted during the year the fairgrounds is used for hog, sheep and cattle shows, along with other activities. Spaces are rented out to businesses for storage. Local groups use the fairgrounds. A lot is going on throughout the year.
Improvements include LED lighting for the grandstand. Upgrades have been made in the commercial building including the new handicapped accessible bathrooms. Lind reported there was a dumpster fire in the rabbit/poultry building. Fenske said the driveway has been widened to 85 feet to accommodate large trailers. The old rabbit barn will be painted before this year’s fair; they are considering building a shop in this building at some point.
The campground is growing at the fairgrounds. Fenske said they don’t take reservations, but there are campsites all summer long.
The grandstand is old and located in the flood plain. Rebuilding or upgrading the grandstand is part of a five to 10-year or longer plan. The grandstand is inspected every other year.
The fair board is considering buying or renting a portable mobile stage on wheels. If one is purchased, it could be a rental for other groups. They asked whether the county would consider sharing the cost of a mobile stage.
2023 Performance Measures
The county has been participating in the Performance Measures Program since 2010 when the Minnesota legislature created the Council on Local Results and Innovation. The Performance Measures are intended to develop a standard/system to aid residents and officials with planning, evaluation, budgeting and management of services for optimal future outcomes.
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reviewed results for the thirteen 2023 performance measures. She noted she had received responses from all department heads. The county receives a little over $2,100 from the state for participation in the program.
A summary of the 2023 performance measures are as follows:
•Reduce total accidents on county/township roads. In 2023 there were four fatalities and 29 injuries. In 2022 there were three less fatalities and three more injuries.
•The county exceeded its goal for Pavement Quality Index rating of 2.8. In 2023 the PQI was 2.98.
•Tobacco use among adults continues to be higher, rather than the goal of lower, compared to the national benchmark. Fillmore County was at 18%, higher than the state at 15% and the nation at 16%.
•The goal of Child Support Program cost effectiveness of $7 for every dollar spent was not reached in 2023. Fillmore County collected $4.57 (slightly higher than 2022) for every dollar spent on the program, ranking 17th in the state.
•The percentage of low birth-weight births lower than national average was reached at 5% (national at 8% and state at 7%).
•The median ratio for three types of assessment ratios between 90% and 105% was reached for three classifications (commercial/industrial, ag/rural vacant, and residential).
•The 10-day turn around for document recording was met in 2023.
•The goal of 100% post-election results was met in 2023.
•An increase by 5% for state and federal dollars brought into county for veteran benefits was not met. The increase was 1% in 2023. Forty-five veterans were lost in 2023, so an increase was not expected.
•The goal to maintain 85% of veterans receiving services and/or benefits was met.
•The goal of 5,000 library visits per 1,000 residents in 2023 was not met for actual library visits which were 4,167. There were 7,165 website visits per 1,000 residents.
•The debt service levy was under 10% (2.12% in 2023) meeting that goal. The debt service levy per capita is $12.36.
•The recycling rate of Municipal Solid Waste for 2023 was 31%, which is an improvement over 2022, but short of the goal of 35%.
Results of the 2023 Performance Measures will be presented at the Truth in Taxation public hearing in December. Results are required to be submitted to the state by July 1.
The board adopted a resolution for participation in the 2025 Performance Measures Program. Goals for 2025 were approved that were essentially unchanged. Two minor changes discussed include the goal set to keep debt service levy under 11% (was 10%) and maintain state and federal dollars brought into the county for veterans’ benefits (rather than increase by 5%).
Other Business in Brief
•Approval was granted for remote work for Dacia Inglett, eligibility worker, effective July 1, as requested by Social Services Manager Wanda Berg. Inglett has been with the county for nearly three years.
•Hillery gave a progress update on the jail project noting there were four changes (reduced countertop in Central Control, tile changes, additional parking lot light, and vending machine power outlets). The changes resulted in a net savings to the project in the amount of $4,516.
•The issue of outlets being mistakenly installed on the exterior rather than the interior in the training room was discussed along with a fix. The proposed fix was approved along with the above changes. The included fix of the outlets signed off on by Lake town Electric will be done at no cost to the county for the correction.
•A closed session was held after the meeting to discuss pending litigation.
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