At the September 2 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, a request from Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) members to divide union membership into three bargaining units was discussed.
The division into three bargaining units would include upper-level personnel, deputies, and jail/dispatch employees. Minnesota statutes allow for a request from the majority of members to divide into one unit for peace officers (licensed/deputies) and another for other essential employees (non-licensed/jailers and dispatchers).
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reported seven union members are considered to be upper-level personnel, 11 are deputies, and six are jailers or dispatchers.
Sheriff John DeGeorge gave his perspective. Day to day, there will be no change regardless of what the board decides on the division of the union. DeGeorge says the advantage of dividing the union into three bargaining units will be felt when there is a case where a supervisor needs to discipline an employee. The division will take away the conflict of interest because the parties involved will have different union representatives.
Chairman Marc Prestby said he was in favor of denying the request for the LELS to divide into three bargaining units, “If we do nothing, they can make the decision to break into two bargaining units.” Commissioner Mitch Lentz suggested the division requested will create three silos of employee groups. Commissioner Duane Bakke maintained the division into two units is enough; it is the legal way to divide. Bakke later recommended to do nothing this day and then ask union representatives to come in and tell us why they want to divide into two or three bargaining units.
By consensus the board decided to take no action this day.
Other Business in Brief
- Finance Director Christy Smith made recommendations for the investment of county funds. The county’s cash is an earning asset; the investment policy “foremost objective” is to ensure the safety of its principal. Smith recommended investing $2 million with First Southeast Bank for 18 months at an interest rate of 4.5%. She also recommended investing $2 million with Moreton Capital Markets creating a bond ladder for three to five years. This investment with Moreton Capital Markets, will provide options for investment to lock in higher interest rates for a longer period to realize maximum interest. Hillery noted interest rates have been good but likely will be dropping. The board unanimously approved investing the total of $4 million as recommended by Smith.
Approval was also granted to close out a $200,000 CD at First National Bank upon maturity later this month.
The Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) was discussed at length at the August 26 board meeting. This day, approval was granted to pay the one-time filing fee of $500 to the state to waive the state administration of PFML. Approval was given to have PFML privately administered through The Hartford with Integrity Benefits. The one-year premium with The Hartford will be $83,006 (0.79% of employee gross wages), or a savings of $9,456 per year. The one-year premium with the state of Minnesota to administer the plan would have been $92,463 (0.88% of employee gross wages).
- Payment of Paybook #30 in the amount $554,230.45 was approved. This day, as part of remodel of the old jail, crews are installing a new roof on that building.
- The 2025 MCIT dividend is $11,871. Approval was granted to allocate these funds to the infrastructure fund and for safety conferences as has been done in past years.
- The 2026 budget and levy were again discussed. The preliminary levy increase at this point has been reduced to 7.56%. Hillery said she has yet to hear from all departments. This number could possibly be reduced further. The preliminary levy will have to be approved later this month.
- A closed session was held at the end of the board meeting. A motion was approved to support the decision of a Houston County attorney regarding the investigation of a terminated employee.