At the November 6 County Board meeting, there was a lengthy discussion about replacing retiring County Assessor Cindy Blagsvedt with the hire of a land services director.
County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman explained this has been discussed at several personnel committee meetings. Someone with an Accredited Minnesota Assessor (AMA) certification is required. This Land Records model is used by some other counties. A job description for this position was offered with a few changes. Within two years the land services director will be expected to get a Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor (SAMA) certification.
County Attorney Brett Corson expressed some concerns of possible conflicts with duties of other elected officials, possibly removing some of the duties of elected officials. He suggested the newly elected auditor/treasurer should be allowed to take office and then provide input along with the county recorder. Commissioner Duane Bakke stated we have the right to do this and the time to make the change is when a retirement is in place.
Vickerman said she did consult a labor law attorney, adding each county is different. Vickerman noted that Blagsvedt’s last day is December 14 and the state requires that they have someone that is AMA certified by March 31.
The position would get a slightly higher salary than a newly hired assessor, but less than the current assessor who has been with the county for years.
Commissioner Marc Prestby wanted an organizational chart to be decided by the board instead of going back to the personnel committee. After looking at different recommendations, it was decided by consensus to have the elected county recorder supervise the office support Sr. or deputy recorder and for the auditor/treasurer to supervise the finance officer, account tech lead, and account tech. The land services director will directly supervise the assistant director and three property appraisers and also two account tech leads, GIS, and an account tech.
Chairman Mitch Lentz said this structure will allow elected officials to do the job they are elected to do. “I do really feel this is a good model that works in other counties.”
County Recorder David Kiehne argued another layer of bureaucracy will not necessarily make the system work better. I don’t see the benefit of an assessor with director abilities. I don’t know if it will improve the process for the public.
Bakke stated the organizational chart will encourage collaboration between the land services director and the auditor/treasurer and the county recorder. Kiehne insisted collaboration between the departments is already going on. Vickerman said we have to rely on our staff people, it is not about power. We are all doing our job and we need these people to get the job done.
A motion to proceed with the process to hire a land services director was approved unanimously.
Other business in brief
• A proposal from Maxfield Research and Consulting, LLC to do a housing study was approved. EDA director Marty Walsh explained it is ready to go. Funding has been provided in the 2019 budget. The study will provide factual backup of housing demand for developers. A survey will be taken of existing housing stock. Interviews will be conducted with major employers, developers, realtors, and city and government staff. Walsh said they will look at the number of undeveloped properties plus national, statewide, and regional trends. Also, they will look at demographics and the need for senior housing.
Housing will be looked at for the short term, for the next three year period, and projections out to 2030. Employment analysis will likely include the potential employees needed for the veterans home. They will identify the demand for housing and for the variety of housing (rental, ownership, and senior).
The 2018 proposal was at a cost of $19,000. Compeer Financial offered to sponsor the housing study with $5,000 from its fund for rural America. The sponsorship was approved and a letter thanking Compeer Financial for the grant will be sent on behalf of the county board.
•An application for the Minnesota Evidence-based Family Home Visiting Grant with Houston County was approved. Director of Nursing Jessica Erickson said this grant would provide funding for a lot of training. This would be an expansion of the grant which has been in seven counties (Rice, Dodge, Steele, Freeborn, Goodhue, Wabasha, and Winona Counties). If expanded to Fillmore and Houston Counties it will be in a total of nine counties. Rice County Community Health Service is the primary applicant and the fiscal host for Healthy Families of Southeast Minnesota. The grant period is from mid 2019 to the end of 2022. The county attorney will be asked to approve the final agreement.
Erickson reported that remaining funds from the Statewide Health Improvement Program will be used by the end of the year (about $28,000).
•Approval was given for Winona Heating and Ventilating Inc. to do roof repairs on the law enforcement center for the amount of $5,774.
•Final payments were approved for Highway projects on CSAH 1 in Sumner Township, CR 105 in Arendahl Township, Ivy Rd. in Carrolton Township, and for a project in Sumner Township.
Highway/Airport Office Manager Pam Schroeder reported on an application she has been working on for Airport Supplemental Appropriation Funding. If federal funds are awarded there will be no local match. Schroeder said this is a highly competitive grant.
•A Foster Care Transportation Agreement with Kingsland Public Schools was approved. The district and county agree to split the cost of transportation. Bakke asked social services director Kevin Olson to reach out to other school districts. This is for transportation costs associated with any elementary or secondary students that have been placed in a different school district.
A resolution of support was approved for using bonding for regional triage centers for crisis intervention.
•General Election Canvassing will be on November 14 at 10 a.m.
•Approval was given for Convene, LLC training using 12 live webinars and a couple of live events. The cost is $999 per year. Budgeted dollars are available. There is no limit on the number of people who can attend.
•A three-year agreement was approved for the SELCO contract for library service. The county will increase its payment in the amount of $5,500 per year. The funding from the county in 2019 will be $233,809.