At the August 26 county board meeting, Emergency Manager Jason Harmening asked commissioners to approve a letter to Governor Tim Walz requesting disaster assistance.
The severe wind/rainstorm on July 28-29 resulted in damages across the county. On August 5 the board declared a local emergency. The county has submitted a damage/impact assessment. The preliminary assessment found more than $333,000 in damages. The state is expected to reimburse 75% of the cost of those damages. Approval was given to write and send a letter to the governor.
2026 Budget
The last of the departmental budgets for 2026 were reviewed including extension, social services, and the various administration budgets. At the August 12 meeting a preliminary draft showed a levy increase of over 16%. The most recent draft discussed this day has the levy increase reduced to 8.6%.
The health insurance increase came in at 7.9%; the estimate had been a 15% increase ($151,175 in savings). The equipment budget for the highway department was reduced; not all replacement equipment will be new, some will be newer, but used. Other cuts included things like sand and salt because of supplies left over from last winter. Savings were also found in the general fund, human services (now a 9.88% increase), and sanitation.
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery said she may be able to reduce the levy by another 1%. She will go back and work with each of the department heads.
Commissioner Duane Bakke noted $360,000 has been paid out for professional fees and IT. Hillery agreed to see if it would be possible to hire a full time IT person, save on costs, while maintaining necessary security.
The preliminary budget and levy will need to be approved before the end of September.
Other Business in Brief
- Integrity Employee Benefits, LLC is an insurance brokerage that works with many municipalities. Dan Ochs reviewed questions and answers about the new, mandated program, Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). The program will be effective on January 1, 2026.
He said there are two options to consider, a state plan for administration or use of an insurance carrier who will collect premiums and pay claims. The cost is .88% of wages which is essentially a new tax. Half of the cost can come from the employer and the other half from the employee. Ochs explained how the benefit payment works and who is considered a family member.
Requests for proposals were sent out; about four responses were received. He recommended Hartford Insurance, which is one of the county’s current carriers. Hartford proposed a .79% rate which will provide $9,400 in savings. With the state at .88%; half of that cost with the county’s current salary base is $46,000. Hillery noted the lesser amount with Hartford will be locked in for two years. No action was taken this day. It will be acted on at the next meeting.
- SWCD Administrator Riley Buley requested a $5,000 increase in the county’s allocation to account for inflation. The allocation was $220,000 for 2025. Buley reviewed the work that district staff completed in Fillmore County, Root River Watershed, and more. In 2024 and 2025 Fillmore County was one of eight Minnesota Counties to take part in the Alliance to Advance Climate Smart Agriculture. He said the program was successful and that the program’s federal funding has been paused with the change in administration.
- A grant agreement between Fillmore County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety was approved for traffic safety projects from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.
- An application and resolution were approved for the repurchase of tax-forfeited property in Mabel by the previous owner, Dale Donahue and Peg Davis. The purchase price, all fees, and taxes due were paid in full ($5,054).
- Approval was granted for the purchase of a bucket truck for the highway department at a cost not to exceed $40,000.
- The resignation of Samantha Drogemuller, dispatcher, was accepted, effective August 12 after two years of service per agreement.
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