Interim Contract for County Assessor Approved

At the February 24 Fillmore County board meeting, commissioners approved an agreement with Freeborn County to provide interim county assessor services. Commissioner Mitch Lentz was absent.

Assessor Ryan Rasmussen is leaving at the end of February. Fillmore County is looking for a new assessor. In the interim an agreement has been approved with Freeborn County to provide interim county assessor services to support Fillmore County for 90 days. Services will be for no more than eight hours per week. For those hours Fillmore County will pay Freeborn County $77 per hour. Any more hours will be on the assessor’s personal time.

A second agreement was approved between Fillmore County and Assessor Ryan Rasmussen beginning March 2 through May 31. He will be paid $65 per hour for services as interim assessor. He will be a Freeborn County employee. Services for Fillmore County on his personal time will be as an independent contractor.

The state has approved the agreements for 90 days. The agreements were approved contingent on final review by the county attorney’s office.

Citizens Input

Natasha Young-Ray addressed the board. She said she was giving the board a name and face to contact from Congressman Brad Finstad’s office.

Other Business in Brief

• Minnesota’s Department of Agriculture’s Spongy Moth Management proposal was approved. There are three areas to address (near Fillmore, Pilot Mound, and Preston). Applications of organic product will be made via low flying aircrafts to the tree canopies.
• A public hearing will be held on March 24 at 10 a.m. for the naming of an unnamed creek within Peterson.
• Brody Ruesink was hired as a replacement Highway Maintenance Specialist, effective March 16.
• The resignation of Scott Kiegly, Sergeant, was accepted with thanks for two and a half years of service, effective March 1.
• Chief Deputy Lance Boyum presented a quote from Thin Line Outfitters for the purchase and installation of squad car equipment. The total quote to equip four squads is $74,960 (equipment for each squad costing $18,740). The purchase of equipment was approved as presented.
• Joel Kroening, solid waste administrator, reviewed a list of 13 licensed haulers. The board approved 2026 haulers’ licenses.
• Human Services Director Wanda Berg asked the board to approve a Service Agreement with Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center for services paid through Adult Mental Health Initiative dollars. The center provides a local area advisory council on mental health issues as required by state statute.
• A resolution was approved to enter into a detour agreement with MnDOT for the use and maintenance of CSAH 11, 8, and 7 during resurfacing and culvert replacement on TH 52 between Chatfield and Fountain. Detours may be in place a good part of the construction season.
• A 20-foot-wide easement was approved on Andrew and Gail Bunge’s property in Preston for a sewer line across Fillmore County property which is south and adjacent to the SWCD property.