At the April 2 meeting of the Houston County Commission, the board granted County Attorney Samuel Jandt’s funding request. This funding will support a Houston County resident who is currently on felony probation in attending the Treatment Court of Winona County (TCWC).
According to the Winona County website, the mission of TCWC mission “is to enhance public safety and reduce costs to the community and criminal justice system by providing resources and structure that allow offenders to become alcohol and drug free.”
Jandt explained that this is the first individual that Houston County has had that has qualified for drug court since it was established in 2012, adding that the success rate of the program is really good.
The cost for one year ranges from an estimated $3,150 to $3,690. The resident will be in the program for the length of their probation or for however long they need treatment. The work required of the participant is intense. Jandt said, “There is a lot of work for the individual. It would be much easier to go to prison or be on regular probation.”
Chairman Eric Johnson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
All five commissioners were present, including Dewey Severson, Chairman Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre.
The consent agenda as amended and the minutes from the March 26 regularly scheduled board meeting were approved as written.
Interim Auditor/Treasurer Polly Heberlein was available to answer any of the commissioners’ questions regarding the cash and investment report through December 31, 2023. In 10 months, the total investments, CDs, bonds and liquid money markets were up $1 million to $1.5 million. The balance at the end of the year was $13,701,812. Heberlein explained that as we advance she plans to share the report twice a year, noting that it will make it easier to compare.” Chairman Johnson confirmed, “It would be a good idea to look at them twice a year.”
The approved consent agenda included a Peddler license for Jalen Hunter, Platinum Supplemental Insurance of Dubuque, Iowa. The employment status of Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Amy Sylling and Eligibility Worker Kristen Klug was changed from probationary to regular and both Savannah Slafter and Lauren Solum were hired as full-time Social Workers. The board accepted the resignation of Storm Davis and authorized a search to fill Davis’ position.
The commissioners approved surveyor Eric Schmitt’s request to accept a potential grant for certifying and marking 60 section corners and quarter corners in Spring Grove, Wilmington, Black Hammer and Caledonia townships. A consultant will be hired by the county to conduct the surveying, while Schmitt will supervise the project. The cost is $1,800 per corner, totaling $108,000. The project is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2026.
Mark Olson, the Emergency Management Director of Houston County, presented a request to the board seeking authorization for him to sign and execute the grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Homeland Security, the Emergency Management Department. The grant is $22,968 with a matching requirement of $22,968.
A motion by Commissioner Severson to assign lead jailer/dispatcher Rachel Meyer as the full-time, interim jail administrator for a maximum of one year died for a lack of a second. Sheriff Brian Swedberg’s request will be revisited on April 16.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the updated 2024 board meeting schedule as presented. The work meeting with department heads will now take place on the second Tuesday, while the regularly scheduled meeting is slated for the third Tuesday at 9 a.m.
- Unanimously approved the claims for payment as presented by Finance Director Carol Lapham.
- Adjourned the meeting at 10:34 a.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Commission is Tuesday, April 16, at 9 a.m. in the County Commission Board Room 222, located on the second floor in the historic county courthouse or via the county conference call line at (551) 285-1373 and enter meeting ID: 160 320 1413 and password 471739. Public attendees are requested to mute their line until addressed.
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