Allison Whalen, CEDA, presented a potential agreement between Fillmore County and First Children’s Finance for the Rural Care Innovation Program for the board’s consideration at their October 28 meeting.
Whalen said Fillmore County has been accepted into the program. The program addresses challenges of rural children through the lens of economic development. The intent is to increase the supply of high-quality, affordable childcare in rural communities.
The board approved the two-year agreement contingent on approval of the county attorney. There will be no cost to the county for consulting services provided. First Children’s Finance will provide consulting services valued at $42,846.
MADD
A Victims Services Referral agreement with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) was approved. The agreement will establish a relationship between MADD and the county attorney’s office. It will ensure connection/referral to trauma-informed and no-cost supportive services for victims and survivors of impaired driving crashes. The county attorney’s office supported the agreement to help deal with grieving families.
One in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. Ten-thousand Americans are killed each year in a drunk driving crash. One American is injured every two minutes by a drunk driver.
Other Business in Brief
- City Administrator Bobbie Hillery and Social Services Director Wanda Berg discussed some possibilities to draw from grants to help the most vulnerable people to deal with lost support due to the federal government shut down. Berg has been in touch with the state about moving funds to cover what is needed to help. Programs affected include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program), and WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). A note will be sent out listing food shelves in the area. Hillery said information will be put on social media; we want people to know where they can find a food shelf.
Commissioner Mitch Lentz expressed his concern over using specific grants; he is worried about taking over programs that are not part of the county’s role. Berg said this is just crisis management; it won’t cover everybody, just the most vulnerable. Hillery will provide more information next week on what is needed most at food shelves and on the locations of smaller food shelves.
- A resolution in support of and for the agreement to sponsor the city of Rushford’s pursuit of 2027 Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) funding from MnDOT for the Elm Street Reconstruction Project was approved. This includes a full depth reclamation of roadway, sidewalks and underground utilities within Elm Street from Jessie Street to TH 16.
- Approval was granted to advertise for 2026 road and bridge projects listed in the Fillmore County Capital Improvement Plan.
- The Airport Maintenance & Operations Grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation was approved. The agreement expires June 30, 2027. The state’s total obligation for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 will not exceed $55,151.
- Application for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs annual CVSO (County Veterans Service Office) Grant in the amount of $10,000 was approved. Veteran’s Service Officer Jason Marquardt explained most of the funds will be used for the office (computers, monitors and paper shredder). Some may be used for promotional items or Veteran Stars for graves.
- The retirement of James Crawford, Highway Maintenance Specialist, was approved with thanks for 20 years of service, effective December 18.
- The first draft of Minnesota Paid Family & Medical Leave Policy will be available for review by employees.
- Hillery encouraged people to protect themselves against property fraud, a growing white-collar crime. By subscribing to the free Document Alert service, a property owner can have some protection. An owner will get an automated alert any time a document is recorded in the recorder’s office using the owner’s name or parcel number. An account can be set up at idocmarket.com and by selecting Fillmore County for information.
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