Rep. Greg Davids and Sen. Jeremy Miller listened to the county’s legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session at the December 17 county board meeting.
The top priorities for District 9 were a bonding bill, tax relief, modernization of Human Services system, and Mental Health (public safety), Mental Health (public health and human services).
Department heads reviewed priorities for their individual departments. Ron Gregg highlighted the need for bridge bonding noting 45 structures are currently on the replacement priority list. He asked for support through state bonding for the rehabilitation of the Forestville Bridge.
Wanda Berg, social services, stressed the need for modernization of human services programs to greatly increase efficiency. The county supports the creation of a Children’s Mental Health initiative funding source to help children in need of placement.
Jessica Erickson asked for a policy change to expand medical consultants to include nurse practitioners or physician assistants. The county supports two-year registered nurses to fill crucial services.
Auditor/Treasurer Heather Broadwater asked for statutory changes in tax forfeiture administration and also funding for cleanup of tax-forfeited sites.
Sheriff John DeGeorge discussed the issues the county has with the ARMER system. There are many places in the county that portable radios don’t work well. He said law enforcement has an aging workforce and the number of students studying for law enforcement has dropped. The county asks legislators to provide tuition assistance to a high school graduate who is accepted into a law enforcement program.
Joel Kroening, solid waste, said the county is seeking support for bonding dollars for a solid waste transfer station; the current outdated building has reached its end of life after 40 years.
Blake Lea, land use director, wants the legislature to address the decommissioning of renewable energy systems so it doesn’t fall on local governments. He asked that county feedlot inspectors be allowed to inspect feedlots with over 1,000 animal units. The MPCA inspects the large feedlots, but they are falling below their targeted inspection rate.
Jason Marquardt, veterans’ services, asked that legislators make it a violation of the consumer fraud act for a person to receive compensation for assisting a veteran with any veterans’ benefits matter, except as permitted under federal law.
The above are just a few of the legislative priorities discussed. Matt Hilgard, Association of Minnesota Counties, discussed the Earned Sick and Safe Leave law and Paid Family Medical Leave Act. He said there are practical policy issues to be revisited concerning these laws. Hilgard believes all 87 counties have issues with the laws.
Miller explained that balance has returned to the legislature; one party control is never good. He said he is optimistic even with the looming budget deficit.
Davids explained how the 67-67 House will work. “There will be co-chairs and equal numbers from each party on committees. It is a good thing because we will have to work together.”
2025 Budget and Levy
The 2025 budget was approved. The 2025 levy was certified for property taxes payable in 2025 in the amount of $13,729,152. This represents a 4.47% increase, or $587,139, over the 2024 levy.
Other Business in Brief
• Approval was granted to pay all regular and ordinary bills through the end of 2024. This is expected to be the last county board meeting in 2024.
• Draft changes to the Purchasing by Credit Card policy were discussed; it was last updated in 2010. The limit for department heads was raised from $5,000 to $7,000 and the limit for the county administrator was raised from $7,000 to $10,000. The changes included an Instant Card (Virtual Card). Lentz said the Instant Card will have accountability. Use will be for special instances and will be monitored. The draft will be reviewed by department heads and considered at the next board meeting.
• An interagency five-year agreement with Olmsted County was approved for the Tuberculosis Clinic.
The purchase of a voice bar kit for Room 108 was approved at a cost of $7,626.95 as requested by Jessica Erickson, director of nursing. The audio and camera system will be used with an existing TV and will allow for virtual participation in meetings through Zoom. The voice bar kit will be paid for with COVID grant funds.
• The final payment in the amount of $32,840.72 to Minnowa Construction, Inc. for two bridge replacements (on CSAH 12 and CSAH 30) was approved. The value of the work was $656,814.32.
• The 2024 Fillmore County Bridge Replacement Priority list was approved. Bridges on this list are eligible for state or federal funding. The county has a total of 469 bridges.
• The purchase of a 2025 Ram 1500 pickup at a cost of $40,637 was approved for the Highway Department.
• A resolution was adopted in support of the pursuit of an Active Transportation Grant for improvements in Spring Valley on Broadway Ave. It is a $1 million grant to improve concrete sidewalks on and along Broadway Ave. and key intersections. The county is the sponsor for a city with a population under 5,000.
• A motion was approved to purchase body cameras for the sheriff’s department pending the outcome of a public hearing. The total cost over five years is expected to be $95,500.
• A policy for the body-worn cameras was reviewed by the board. A public hearing on the policy will be held at the January 14 county board meeting.
• Ancom Communications provided a quote in the amount of $45,685 to relocate and install three dispatch operator consoles to a shared office in the new jail building. The quote was approved and is to be paid for with 911 funds and restricted cash.
• The 2025 contract for Code Red costing $11,209.40 was approved (5% increase over 2024). This is a warning system to alert the public in an emergency.
• Sheriff DeGeorge reviewed 2024 accomplishments and goals for 2025. He requested a salary of $139,482 for 2025, which is the 2024 average of comparable size county sheriff salaries in the state. He requested a salary of $120,969 for Chief Deputy Lance Boyum.
• An access permit for a new field drive on CR 21 in section 17, Amherst Township, was approved for David Byler.
• An access permit for Erick and Cara Bothun was approved on County 8 in section 10, Carrolton Township for access to a new building site.
• The reclassification of the Lead Longterm Care Nurse was approved.
• The first reading of draft changes to the Electronic Communication System Use policy was reviewed. Department heads will review the policy, and it will be back to the board for their consideration.
• Approval was granted to exit the DHS Merit System, effective January 1. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery said the process to exit is completed.
• The resignation of Kari Cahill, social worker, was approved with much thanks for her 35 years of service, effective December 19.
• Nine jail project change orders were discussed by Joe Imholte, Contegrity Group. Board members questioned whether the county should be responsible for some of the change orders which should have been in the plans. A motion was made to approve the work spelled out in the change orders and have attorney Brett Corson talk with BKV Group about who should be responsible for some of the cost. The total cost of the change orders is $38,502.
The new jail addition should be completed and turned over by the middle or end of March. It is expected to take nine months for phase 2A and 6-9 months for phase 2B.
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