Olmsted County Board — Transcript
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Election Administration and Security Briefing
Adult Detention Center Per Diem Rate for Dodge County Detainees
Letter of Commitment for Southeast Performing Arts Center (SEMPAC) and Spark Children's Museum at Seneca Site
Board and Committee Reports
Votes (2)
Adult Detention Center Per Diem Rate Discussion
Dissent: Commissioners Mueller, Sanjum, and Hopkins consistently voted against the higher fee ($323/day).
Moved by Commissioner Rasman [0:30:19] (Implied, seconded the motion to adopt $100 before amending it) · Seconded by Commissioner Baroi Smith [0:30:20] (Seconded initial motion for $100)
Sheriff Tus presented a proposed increase to the per diem rate for housing Dodge County detainees from $75 to $100, citing agreements among sheriffs in District 6. However, commissioners debated the issue extensively, with several arguing that Mster County taxpayers were subsidizing Dodge County and that the rate should reflect the true cost of housing an inmate (Department of Corrections' rate of $323.13). Concerns were raised about incentivizing Dodge County to rely on Mster County rather than addressing its own detention needs or paying its fair share. The discussion touched upon jail capacity, average detainee numbers from Dodge County, and the nature of inter-county partnerships.
Approval Letter of Commitment with the Southeast Performing Arts Center (SEMPAC)
Dissent: Commissioners Tyne, Wright, and Peroki Smith voted against delaying the decision and favored immediate approval of the letter of commitment.
Moved by Commissioner Peroki Smith [0:39:10] · Seconded by Commissioner Wright [0:39:12]
The board considered a letter of commitment for the Seneca site to SEMPAC, which is a 501c3 organization. The county administrator highlighted that SEMPAC had recently offered Spark (Children's Museum), another interested party, the 'first right of refusal' for the site, due to SEMPAC's current stage in a two-part feasibility study (first part due end of August, second end of December). Legal counsel clarified the letter was structured to maintain county flexibility, acting as a one-way commitment for SEMPAC to meet certain thresholds, likely leading to a 99-year ground lease. Debate centered on whether to approve the letter immediately or delay the decision, with some commissioners emphasizing the importance of honoring previous commitments to SEMPAC and providing 'protected time,' while others argued for waiting until SEMPAC's initial feasibility study results were available to make an informed decision, especially given the significant investment required for the project.
Notable Quotes (9)
our current fee is a 32313 roughly. Don't get me on the sense portion, but it is the 323 and that's we feel that that's in line if we were to take our variable cost for having a adult detent detention center divided by the number of beds that were filled. It would come in around that.
our people, the people in my district, the people in your district, uh have to pay the cost of running the jail and they have to pay the cost of the law enforcement people that are in the jail and they are paying approximately $323 a day for that. I don't think that the people in my district wants to subsidize some other county for less than that.
there's a difference between helping a friend in need by letting him crash on the couch until he can get back on his feet and having them move into one of your bedrooms permanently. Dodge County is a full-time partner in our ADC in every way except paying rent. Just as we are a partner in the NOA JDC, I just ask that they pay their fair share.
Dodge County has been a trusted partner um in law enforcement with with Mstead County for a long time. We work very closely with them on a number of things including probation. Um, we have Mstead County has probation officers based in Dodge County. Um and uh I hate to see this happen because I fear that you know that level of partnership um will uh will be frayed and uh um you know and and no longer um as strong as it has been in the past.
This is structured to keep the county's options at a maximum amount of flexibility. This is a one-way commitment with no commitment, no formal commitment on the other side from the Southeast Minnesota Performing Arts Center. It's a commitment to see if they can reach the thresholds that are spelled out in the commitment letter.
I am not in any way comfortable signing an agreement with an organization that is saying we don't even have the data in hand to know if we're going to do this project. In 30 days, we will have some more data. They will have some more data. We'll be coming back to us to let us know what the community told them.
this is a commitment of protected time and never once in these discussions or any of the communications was there the caveat unless a better offer comes along. In fact, the whole point was a protected commitment of time. And we don't even have consensus that a better offer is in the mix.
is 30 days a killer? No. Um if the result was yes, we will start immediate discussion and looking for an agreement and move forward because our timeline is tight. We need to make a decision.
I I think the 30 days additional time does uh does not hurt the project. It probably actually helps us better understand the implications of our vote because this this is a letter of commitment and uh and it does tie I mean the out is a six-month uh period of of execution of the out. It's 180 days within the document.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
Plan for ADA transition in Public Works (from consent agenda, but excluded from main discussion entities).
New requirement for tracking ballots, equipment, and supplies in elections.
High-level plan for various emergencies during elections, defining staff responsibilities and contacts.
Form available at polling locations for voters or judges to report perceived intimidation or law violations.
Proposed document for approval outlining the county's commitment to the Southeast Performing Arts Center for the Seneca site.