Emergency Manager Jason Harmening asked the county board at their October 27 meeting to consider the submission of a letter to Governor Tim Walz requesting state disaster assistance for damage resultant of the September 18 flood event.
Beginning on September 18 there were repeated heavy thunderstorms across all of the county. The State Preliminary Damage Assessment conducted on October 13 revealed damages to public infrastructure over $1 million. The state program is a 75% reimbursement program. Approval was granted to submit the letter to the governor.
Approval was granted to enter into a three-year contract with Everbridge, public safety communications, at a cost of $6,257 per year. Everbridge sends out emergency alerts (Integraded Pubic Alert and Warning System, or IPAWS) to everyone they deem to be in affected areas during an emergency. These are critical public safety messages.
Other Business in Brief
• The 2027 Toward Zero Deaths Grant Agreement with Minnesota Department of Public Safety was approved. Sheriff John DeGeorge explained the $12,300 grant is used for overtime costs for distracted driving enforcement, impaired driving enforcement, seat belt enforcement and speed enforcement. The funds will be used beginning on October 23 through September 30, 2027.
• A resolution was adopted for the companion grant agreement (Minnesota Department of Transportation) for the Airport Septic Project. Work on the project will be done in 2027.
• A resolution was adopted for the companion grant agreement (Minnesota Department of Transportation) for crack filling at the Airport. This work has been completed.
• The retirement of Wanda Berg, Human Services director, was approved with thanks for her four years of service, effective January 4, 2027. In her retirement letter she said, “From now until my retirement date, I will work to support an orderly transition of leadership and assist with the transfer of responsibilities.”
• The resignation of Bryan Milnes, part-time jailer, was approved after three months of service, effective October 29.
• A request to post an ad to hire a transfer station attendant at the Resource Recovery Center was approved. This will be the only additional hire for the county in the 2027 budget.
• Approval of an updated contract for Ryan Rasmusson for Assessor services was approved.The only changes in the agreements was the inclusion of the word “continual” instead of 90 days. Extensions are done every 90 days. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery said they have been advertising for a county assessor, but so far unsuccessfully.
Rassmusson said they are getting by right now, but this arrangement is not ideal for the long term. He added he has a good crew to work with here in Fillmore County.
• Approval was granted for Hillery to be the voting delegate and Commissioner Duane Bakke to be the alternate at the annual Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust Annual Meeting.
• Policy committee representatives for the 2026 Association of Minnesota Counties Annual Conference were named. The conference will be held December 6-9.
• An updated agreement for Darrell Schmitt for phased retirement was approved, moving the start date to December 16.
• Commissioner Marc Prestby said he has been getting calls asking why the county board hasn’t voted on a resolution regarding the proposed 765 Transmission Line. He added the proposed line will go across his whole district.
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