Travis Gransee, director of Dodge-Fillmore-Olmsted (DFO) Community Corrections, highlighted juvenile probation data at the October 22 county board meeting.
Gransee pointed out that there was an increase in the number of juvenile clients in Fillmore County in 2019 (44 in 2018 and 51 in 2019). His data showed that there was a significant percentage decrease in both Dodge and Olmsted Counties from 2014 to 2019, while the percentage of juvenile clients was trending upward in Fillmore County.
Gransee suggested juveniles are better served if they are kept out of the justice system for minor offenses. He recommended a different approach, keeping kids out of the court process when possible. A diversion program offers a way for youth to take responsibility for minor offenses outside of the court system.
Commissioner Randy Dahl asked what the top age of a juvenile is. Gransee answered, “Anyone under the age of 18 when charged with a criminal offense.”
One theory for the upward trend is the increase in the number of cases where mental health is a significant factor, which is also a state and national trend. Teresa Small, probation officer, explained social media, the fast pace of life, and family life problems contribute to the increase in mental health related cases. Gransee added kids being diagnosed with mental health related problems are more prevalent than 40 years ago.
Chairman Duane Bakke asked if Social Services has to be asked to get involved. County Attorney Brett Corson said the family will not always voluntarily participate with Social Services. Then the case is referred to the court system to hopefully address the concern before the juvenile becomes an adult.
Gransee noted there is a national trend showing juvenile correction numbers are going down, and wondered why are they not trending down in Fillmore County?
Dahl said he was not as concerned about the numbers as the trend, adding that the goal is to produce the best outcomes for these juveniles. Commissioner Mitch Lentz insisted truancy should not be a court problem, but a problem addressed by the family.
Sheriff John DeGeorge commented that he had been an investigator for 11 years. One or two cases in a given year can skew the numbers. His thoughts were that maybe we rely on probation more than the other counties; it has been our “go to” diversion program.
Corson stated that it is not a trend, but the ebb and flow from year to year. One case/a few kids can throw the numbers off. Kids can be put on probation in an effort to get the same results that some diversion programs do. Probation can be used as a way to get more services or keep the juvenile law-abiding while keeping a conviction off the juvenile’s record.
Technology upgrades
County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman said several companies were reviewed for a future redesign of the county’s website. Two were asked for their proposals. Revise was finally recommended as it had the most experience and was also the low bidder. Other counties using Revise’s service had positive comments about the company. Proposals from both companies included hosting the website.
The first year cost for the Revise redesign will be $19,500. The second year and those following will cost $3,900 per year for tech support. Vickerman added the cost is in the 2019 budget. The website will be ADA compliant so people with a disability can get around the website. Using Revise for redesign of the county’s website and hosting was unanimously approved.
Two quotes were presented for mapping software. The current software (ProWest) doesn’t work with every type of system. Vickerman said it is not compliant right now with Windows 10. Mapping is used by dispatch/sheriff’s office. Leroy Eickhoff, lead dispatcher, recommended Geocomm. Sheriff DeGeorge said he agreed with his recommendation. A quote from Geocomm in the amount of $32,989 was approved. The annual cost will be $3,000. The software will cost $15,984. The funding will come out of 911 funds and unallocated funds.
Jamie Fenske, jail administrator, explained the use of digital recordkeeping. The inmates will wear wristbands that can be read with handheld devices. This will eliminate 95% of handwritten records. A quote from TimeKeeping Systems, Inc. was approved in the amount of $9,552.88. There will be a three year service agreement ($199/year).
Approval was given for three additional courthouse security cameras at a cost not to exceed $4,100.
After some discussion, Vickerman was directed to work with some department heads to look into options to upgrade the AS400 server and associated software. This will be discussed at the November 5 meeting.
Other business in brief
•Gabby Kinneberg, Preston Chamber of Commerce, and Jennifer Hengel, Rushford-Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce, reviewed the promotional work of Root River Trail Towns and Southern Minnesota Tourism Association.
Hengel requested an appropriation in the amount of $2,000 in 2020 for the non-profit organization consisting of nine towns along the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley state trails. The website www.rootrivertrail.org has the content and events calendar.
Kinneberg pointed to the economic impact of tourism in 2017 for Fillmore County (gross sales nearly $22 million, over $1.5 million in state sales tax, and the employment of 678 people). The Southern Minnesota Tourism Association is dedicated to marketing and promoting tourism in southern Minnesota. The appropriation requested from Fillmore County in 2020 at five cents per capita is $1,056.10.
•County Engineer Ron Gregg asked for and received approval for five projects that are ready to go for construction in 2020. The projects included replacement of upper and lower parking lot at the county office building, a bridge on the Canton/Harmony Township line, a bridge on CR 104 in Pilot Mound Township, a bridge on CR 101 in Jordan Township, and the 2020 sealcoat program which includes CSAH 8, 11, 17, 21, 2, 4, 5, and 10. There will be a total of 45.13 miles of seal coating which Gregg says will get us caught up. Sealcoating ideally should be done every five to seven years to prolong the life of the road. Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) will pay for 14.78 miles of sealcoating and the Wheelage Tax fund will pay for 30.35 miles of sealcoating.
•Approval was given to enter into a contract with Bolten & Menk for preliminary site work for the construction of T-Hangers at the Fillmore County Airport. The cost for the preliminary work is not to exceed $24,980. The Federal Aviation Administration pays 90%, MnDOT pays 5%, and the county pays 5% of this cost.
•Approval was given for the creation of a Public Health Advisory Committee. The purpose of the committee is to improve health among residents and to make recommendations to the Fillmore County Board of Health. The committee membership will include a nurse, EMT/veteran, nurse/nursing home, pharmacist, mental health, attorney, medical director, county coordinator, and a commissioner.
•Approval was given for a Foster Care Transportation Agreement between Fillmore County and Mabel-Canton Public Schools. This agreement is the same as with other school districts.
•Bakke reported that of the 468 bridges in the county, 420 are adequate, 34 are structurally deficient, 14 are functionally obsolete, and two are closed. This is an improvement over the report made 10 years ago.
•Jonathan Whitney was hired as a replacement full-time dispatcher effective October 23. Nayna Johnson was hired to replace a full-time jailer through an internal promotion effective October 23.
•A 2018 resolution change was approved as requested by the DNR. Both the 2.5-acre piece and the 24.75-acre piece are approved for acquisition to be added to the Choice Wildlife Management Area in Preble Township. Previously, the 24.75-acre piece was approved as a donation.
•The Saint Paul Port Authority requested the Fillmore County board place Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) special assessments on two parcels (Schwier Family Farms LP and Scott and Robert Schwier). PACE provides a financing mechanism for installation of energy efficiency, renewable, and conservation improvements. The investment will be paid back over a 10-year term at 5% interest. The solar energy efficiencies will deliver a benefit right away, but the initial cost will be paid back over 10 years. The special assessments were approved.
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