Representative Greg Davids and Senator Jeremy Miller listened to concerns of the county administrator and department heads at the January 27 board meeting.
County Administrator Bobbie Hillery detailed the county’s 2026 priorities. These four areas were emphasized as they are super important to Fillmore County.
Human Services Director Wanda Berg said the state’s human services software systems are antiquated and very inefficient. IT professionals are not trained in these old systems. No one is trained to fix these systems. Because the systems don’t talk to one another, workers have to use multiple programs for work on one case. The Association of Minnesota Counties urges modernization of the archaic, state-run human services technology platforms, calling them outdated, overwhelmed, and unsustainable. The antiquated technology puts Minnesota’s safety net at risk and helps push up property tax levies.
County Engineer Ron Gregg explained the importance of bridge bonding to the county; 33 structures are on a replacement priority list (cost estimate of nearly $19 million).
Sheriff John DeGeorge asked for assistance to bring Institution Community Work Crew (ICWC) inmates back to the county. The county has hosted ICWC inmates for 15 years; this allowed the county to have long term inmates to serve on its work crew. Fillmore County was the only county dropped from the program in 2025; the explanation was that the county didn’t have an operating jail. DeGeorge said the county now has the newest and most up to date jail in the state. The county wants to start its own local Sentence to Serve program using ICWC inmates. The legislators said they will ask the state to reconsider its decision to drop Fillmore County from the program.
Joel Kroening, Solid Waste, explained our facility is past its time; scales and compactor are shot. The county is asking for bonding dollars to replace the Solid Waste Transfer Station that is 40 years old, overused, and underbuilt.
The county’s platform lists numerous other asks from each of the county departments.
DeGeorge praised Miller regarding his time in the Senate; he spent his time working together, across the aisle. Miller is not running for reelection.
Miller thanked the board and said, “It has been great working with you. I have one more year/session left.” He thanked the county staff, noting that more responsibilities have been shifted to counties.
Davids thanked the board and retiring commissioner Duane Bakke. He thanked Miller, saying, “He is one of the best.” Davids recognized department heads for their work and added, “We will have a committee on modernization of human services technology.”
Other Business in Brief
- Alexander Catevenis, SE Minnesota Emergency Medical Services, described a proposed opioid partnership with the county. SE Minnesota EMS was born in 1983 with funding from the state and serves 11 southeast Minnesota counties. The proposed partnership would use some of the 2021 Opioid Settlement funding. Funds were awarded to each county based on population.
Some Fillmore County settlement funding could be used for lifesaving equipment and training. This would include the purchase of Lucas devices (chest compression system) and/or cardiac monitor/defibrillator devices. The Fillmore County Settlement Project would provide timely medical services to all residents. The devices would be a one-time investment; each Lucas device will cost $11,014 and each monitor/defibrillator will cost $21,076. First responders with these devices will help provide all people, especially rural populations, with timely access to care.
No action was taken this day. Catevenis said they will determine where this equipment is needed and provide quotes for departments that don’t have these devices. It will be brought back for the board’s consideration when a dollar amount has been determined. Commissioner Mitch Lentz said this is an opportunity to use the money as intended. Public Health Director Jessica Erickson said using the money in this way is allowable with Opioid Settlement dollars.
- Fillmore County’s 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan was adopted as recommended by Emergency Manager Jason Harmening. The process to update the plan began in the spring of 2024. The plan identifies mitigation goals and actions to reduce risk to people and property from the impacts of hazards and disasters. The plan is to be updated every five years.
- Recorder Roxanne Kraling presented the report to the Board of Compliance for 2025. The recorder’s office recorded a total of 4,126 documents in 2025. Almost a 100% of recorded documents were returned to submitters in 10 days or less whether recorded on paper or electronically. An expenditures list to be paid from Recorders Allocated and Unallocated accounts for 2026 was approved.
Kraling noted property fraud is growing. One way to protect yourself is to subscribe to a free Document Alert service by setting up an account at idocmarket.com and select Fillmore County for more information.
- A Fillmore County ordinance has been proposed limiting firearm types in former shotgun-only counties. A public hearing is scheduled for March 3 at 10 a.m. Those who come to the meeting will be heard and any letters submitted to the county administrator will be read at the hearing. Action could be taken on the proposed ordinance after the hearing.
- Approval was granted to advertise for the Peterson Bridge replacement project with the stipulation that language regarding federal funding availability should be added unless the county engineer gets an assurance of the availability of federal funding.
- The final payment to Generation X Construction for a project in Preston Township was approved in the amount of $14,110. The total value of the work was $282,200.
- The final payment to Minnowa Construction, Inc. for a Local Options Sales Tax (LOST) project on CR 9 in York Township was approved in the amount of $8,071. The total value of the work was $161,423.
- The final payment to Minnowa Construction, Inc. for a LOST project in Jordan Township on CSAH 38 was approved in the amount of $6,936. The total value of the work was $138,737.
- Approval was given to enter into a cooperative agreement with the city of Peterson for the replacement of a bridge on CSAH 25 (between TH 16 and River St.) within the city limits of Peterson. Peterson has adopted and signed the agreement.
- The hire of Jordan Kohnen, part-time jailer, as a part-time deputy, effective February 3 was approved.
- The resignation of Chelsey Rislove, Public Health Nurse, effective April 17, was accepted with thanks after three years of service.
- A request to advertise for a replacement RN or hire from a recent interview list was approved.
- The resignation of Ryan Rasmussen, County Assessor, was accepted effective February 27. Approval was granted to advertise for a replacement. The board approved a temporary contractual agreement to be presented to Freeborn County for assessor support. There is a shortage of SAMA (senior accredited Minnesota assessor) certified assessors.
- Jo Anne Agrimson spoke during the Citizen Input portion of the meeting. She said she supported the board’s work, “Fillmore County puts its trust in you.” A former educator, she noted, “It is important to disagree cordially working with fact and opinion. We need civil discourse.”
- Jail Project Paybook #34 through December 31 was approved in the total amount of $24,341. Jail Project Paybook #35 from December 31 through January 20, 2026, was approved in the total amount of $15,934.
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