[0:00] e [0:58] he [1:28] e [1:58] e [2:28] e [2:58] e [3:28] e e [4:27] let me know Frank [4:34] can do itk Kirby sit up here get let get used to it soon as you give me the thumbs [4:44] up all right all right Kelly Craig all [4:49] right good morning everyone it is Tuesday December 17th we'll call the Ray [4:55] County Board of Commissioners to order and at this time [5:04] [Laughter] [Applause] [5:13] that's my era Chicago Bulls ladies and [5:21] gentlemen live from the right County Government Center in downtown H Buffalo [5:32] Minnesota it's time for our main [5:42] event at this time I'd like everybody to step out of their chairs oh no stand [5:50] up everybody put their runs in the air and acknowledge your District 5 [6:00] tribal [6:07] [Applause] Chief oh yeah he is the Tower of Power [6:15] too sweet to be sour funky like a monkey oh yeah dig [6:22] [Laughter] it he's the lady's pet and the men's [6:28] regret to be the man woo you've got to beat the [6:37] man he's whined and dined with kings and [6:43] queens he's never met in the uh cons implied consent agenda that he's ever [6:50] [Laughter] liked and ladies and gentlemen I just [6:55] got one final question for you brother [7:00] what you going to do what you going to do right County when casamania runs wild [7:07] on you [7:14] [Applause] brother and [7:19] Now ladies and gentlemen introducing your [7:24] new hining defending Undisputed Hurrican [7:29] heavyweight champion of the world Mike [7:38] [Applause] [7:45] catchmark there we go we [Laughter] [7:51] got oh my oh thank you that was a big surprise they got me there administrator [7:59] Matias lured me back for a meaningful conversation thank [8:06] you I tried Mike you were done talking to me though Mor stalling wow [8:14] commissioner catchmark you know we want to start off this uh final meeting with you H in honoring you for the uh many [8:22] years of service for to R County as a staff member and an elected official uh [8:28] you've been very dedicated uh to the citizens and to the organization and we can't thank you enough for that uh I [8:35] personally uh have a award to give you for fiscal responsibility in citizen [8:41] advocacy if anybody doesn't know Mike Mike has spent the greater part of the [8:47] last four years looking in trying to find as many ways that he can save uh [8:53] funds within this organization and we can't thank him enough for that not everybody May necessarily agree with [8:59] always all the aspects of it but his dedication is truly at heart for the [9:04] advocate advocating for the citizens of right County and on top of that I don't know anybody else out there that works [9:11] as hard as you do when somebody calls them up with an issue you you go at it as hard as you possibly can you know [9:17] sometimes you can make it happen uh as all of us know it's not always possible but you you you dig yourself into it as [9:23] hard as you can and we can't thank you enough so with that this is my gold star to you Mike thank you Mr chair I [9:33] appreciate and chair I just want to say I am I as somebody who's followed the [9:39] County Commissioners for years I truly believe Mike katchmark was one of the best um not only loved by staff and [9:48] citizens uh but as fellow Commissioners he always kept us laughing um he on his [9:55] uh on his wall there is a picture of uh the Wy coyote um and the sheep dog uh [10:05] chucking in their time sheet time card every day and that's what he did when he [10:11] when he came in he worked hard and then when he went home he there was no ever [10:16] no grudges uh and that was that's really just a really great skill and he did [10:23] deep he dug deep and it we're really gonna miss you Mike thank you [10:29] commissioner Holland yeah and I would like to step in on that as well and I [10:36] want to say that you have taught us many many things and this t-shirt um and [10:42] what's in this bag will will will signify what you've kind of taught us is [10:48] it G-rated that I can show again yes [10:57] [Laughter] say I'm the legendary [Laughter] [11:06] gatekeeper all all your Gates that you were responsible for and cleaning up very much appreciate I was expecting [11:12] some form of gate I'm glad it wasn't a 10- foot cattle gate but some appreciate the gates more than [11:19] others I'm sure we enjoyed the gates we will miss the Gat keeper commissioner [11:25] chck C catch Mar just thank you I think they've said it all but thank you for your service to people right County [11:30] thank you commissioner dedri and before we give you a moment here to uh recap your years but I do want to say that I [11:36] will cherish my uh full four gold stars that I've received over the years they are very very hard to earn I don't even [11:43] know that how many everybody uh my cohorts here have gold stars but I do know that I have gotten four of them for [11:48] Mike uh one of them had a string attached but he did he did cut the string on it so I I do uh thank you for [11:56] that so now thank you Mr chair yeah there was a lot of stars given out I I [12:02] can't find any more good Stars so it's a good time for me to go the ones in the store I didn't like so they're going to [12:07] be virtual from here on out but uh starting with Mr chair I I'll try and [12:12] kind of summarize it's hard four years into four minutes or so here but one year a commissioner job is like seven [12:19] years doing something else it seems like there's just a lot you never get caught up it's like a conveyor belt back there [12:25] if you're not here it's still going around if you're here you pick it up it look okay put it back if you got [12:30] questions you take it off and look at it but Mr chair uh hundreds of meetings thousands of topics uh that's a [12:38] thankless job being the chair you're repeating maybe you'll get a repeat out of this next year that's maybe [12:44] unprecedented I don't know but it's a thankless job sometimes you need a referee shirt at times but you keep the [12:50] meeting going in a nice way and that's uh hats off to you for that and I worked [12:56] with seven Commissioners um all different but I think the good thing is that we have our [13:03] differences in the big room but it's always nice when we leave the differences at the threshold here and we [13:08] go back and we just go about our business and I always like that with with the group when we're when we're [13:14] able to do that we got different philosophies but uh in the end we we get [13:20] along back in the in the bullpen typically but uh I was always a voice for the people I appreciated the contact [13:28] with the constit consents and there was a wide range of things I I called myself a full service commissioner everything [13:34] from the guy that called wanted an idea of where to take his wife for a birthday dinner that was a call from a [13:40] constituent and then there were the calls of the people that had beavers cutting their trees down or blocking [13:46] their ditches and they heard I could take care of it and I did uh recently removed 10 from a guy's Pond he thought [13:53] he only had three so uh that that was just kind of something to get around [13:58] about just we bring what we bring to this job and and and that's why we're elected I believe and uh to my successor [14:07] Kirby I kept the seat warm for you here a lot of constituents said well I hope he asks questions and look looks into [14:14] things so you've been told that's what they told me and uh and I'm sure you [14:19] will that's that's what they're what they're looking for so thanks for your interest and uh I have a lot of [14:26] quotables and notables but show up and show interest is is one of them so uh [14:31] I'm glad that everybody was able to make it today and I appreciate the support and I appreciate the staff that that pre [14:39] past present and future make a commissioner's job easier and you know who you are the ones that we depend on [14:45] we don't all depend on the same ones you get different connections and relationships and different needs but [14:51] the trust there that is needed because we don't have all the answers I don't pretend to have them but I I always [14:57] appreciated being able to go to the right people at the right time and get the right information that's that's [15:02] really what made this work for me and uh so I thank all of you for that um that's [15:09] all I have so thank you we'll do it one more time here and that's it but thanks [15:15] for the all the the last two years for some and four years for Mr chair thank [15:21] you [15:32] thank you Matt the ditch [15:39] are Mike we do expect you to wear that belt all day today well there'll be plans for all [15:47] [Laughter] day okay at this time uh we will uh go [15:53] back to the regular agenda we'll uh commence with the Pledge of Allegiance at this time if you wouldn't mind joining me [16:00] you all rise I pledge aliance to the flag of the United States of America and [16:05] to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with [16:11] liberty and justice for all all right uh at this time we are [16:18] going to recognize the dedicated service of years of the employees here in wri [16:24] county and the wonderful work that they do for the citizens of wri County and the work that they do for this organization uh at this time if board [16:31] members want to join me up front here in handing out the certificates and mugs as administrator kryer calls [16:48] names thank you Mr chair members of the board we'll begin with the fiveyear of service recognition for [16:55] employees we have Jonathan Jonathan price from the sheriff [17:01] office Brandon Ray Information [Applause] [17:09] Technology Wendy Ryan Health and Human [17:17] Services Marissa Clems [Applause] [17:26] assessor Tanya persons [17:33] Administration Rebecca Murphy projects administ [17:38] [Applause] Administration Cody lean Parks and [17:46] [Applause] [17:52] Recreation Jamie Jensen Assessor [Applause] [18:00] Anthony robc Sheriff's [18:07] Office Kelsey klier Health and Human [Applause] [18:16] Services Adam Bloomquist [Applause] [18:24] assessor Ryan sebasco witz Sheriff's Office [18:32] Mark Tibido [18:38] facilities John holler [18:45] Administration William Swan Sheriff's [18:53] Office Brian zader Highway Department [Applause] [19:01] Mr chair moving on to our 10 years recognition we have Taran Anderson [19:07] Health and Human [Applause] [19:16] Services Jessica gadit license [Applause] [19:25] center Kate doll finance and taxpayer services [Applause] [19:34] Shannon Hunter Sheriff's [19:41] Office Richard Olen Sheriff's [19:49] Office for 15 years of service we have Nathan helgason Highway Department [20:03] Mr chair members of the board 20 years of service Patricia hair Sheriff's [20:12] Office Kimberly Hoffman Sheriff's [20:19] Office Katherine Maine Health and Human [20:26] Services Karen wolf attorney's [20:33] office Joshua tester Sheriff's [20:40] Office 25 years of service we have Barry reinberger planing and [20:46] [Applause] [20:55] Zoning Michelle Gardner recorders [Applause] [21:04] office Don Noy assessor's [Applause] [21:14] office 30 years of service we have Kurt Ike planning of Parks and Recreation [21:30] Mr chair members of the board this time we have three people receiving an [21:35] astounding 35-year award recognition first one is Mary Jacobson Health and [21:41] Human [21:47] Services Michelle Raymond Health and Human [21:56] Services and Douglas schinsky highway [Applause] [22:13] department so Doug we Doug we want you to tell us how many tires and oil changes you've done in 35 years that's a [22:19] big number yeah [22:39] as you all leave I want to say thank you again your commitment to the citizens in [22:45] this organization is great and we can thank you enough uh having the continuity of employees over the years [22:52] uh helps get the most efficiency and gets us the best service to the citizens [22:58] of the county and thank you for that at this time we'll take a short uh 5 10 [23:03] minute recess here to give people an opportunity uh to leave if they so choose so we'll recess for a short [23:27] bit [23:57] e [24:27] e [24:57] e [25:27] e [25:57] e [26:27] e [26:57] e [27:27] e [27:57] e [28:27] e e [29:19] okay at this time we'll reconvene the uh County board meeting here at 9:24 now going back to our regular [29:26] agenda uh we the third it item on the agenda here today is to approve the minutes there's uh five sets of minutes [29:33] we can approve them all individually or collectively at this time I'll stand for any modifications or a motion to approve [29:39] said agenda uh said Mr CH oh uh commissioner catch Mark then commissioner d uh thank you so uh [29:47] reference board meeting minutes on 123 uh letter B under committee [29:55] recommendations second paragraph where it talks about me and the [30:00] lobbyist that's a little out of context I didn't bring up the lobbyist and I'm not in favor of using it so I think I'd [30:06] like to just strike that line reference the lobbyist from catchmark to training [30:13] center just delete that if we were going to put it in it' have to have more context because a [30:20] non-board member brought it up in the first place so that's what I'm where I'm at with that y I don't know if anyone [30:26] have any other changes for that one or not for that one oh do you have other ones [30:33] uh not at this time all right and commissioner Dietrich yes [30:39] thank you Mr chair I would like to add under a approve approved minutes of the committee the whole sheriff and attorney [30:45] celer on 119 2024 I would just like to add um after uh the discussion over the [30:52] past year there was discussed by the committee um that was also discussed [30:58] that a data request by right County citizen was discussed with it was added [31:03] was excuse me was discussed by commissioner Holland and [31:10] Shane okay okay at this time I will entertain [31:17] a motion to approve the minutes uh I'm guessing at this point collectively uh [31:22] with the said modifications or otherwise individually so moved all right motion by commissioner Shane second second by [31:30] commissioner Dietrich to approve uh the minutes collectively a through e uh any [31:36] discussion no discussion at this time I'm not quite clear on the addition to [31:44] the minutes I from which one the I should [31:49] clarify from uh D commissioner dri um there there was a comment that was made [31:55] to it so I think if you it was fair if she wants to uh uh put that in there so [32:02] y it's minutes so all right so with those uh modifications and we have a [32:07] motion a second if there's no other comments uh all in favor say I I I oppose same sign all right minutes are [32:14] approved unanimously all right now uh approval of today's agenda is there anything that needs to be added to [32:20] today's agenda uh administrator kryer uh nothing further from Administration Mr chair all right at this time I'll [32:26] entertain a motion to approve today's agenda unless there's a modification by board members so moved second all right [32:32] motion by commissioner Shane second by commissioner Holland to approve today's agenda is there any discussion hearing [32:37] none all in favor say I I close same sign all right agenda is approved unanimously uh today's consent agenda [32:44] would anyone like to remove anything from today's consent agenda for further [32:50] discussion hearing none I'll entertain a motion to approve today's consent agenda [32:55] as presented so moved second Mot Mo by commissioner s second by commissioner Holland to approve today's consent [33:01] agenda is there any discussion hearing none all in favor say I I poose same sign all right consent [33:09] agenda approved unanimously all right moving on to today's first timed agenda item uh we have Alicia here I think [33:17] she's made her way to the podium already good morning good morning Mr chair members of the board um I'm just here to [33:24] uh do a bookkeeping item for our AIS uh management funds for uh 2025 we will [33:30] receive $237,900 [33:57] but we did over 18,000 inspections this year at a majority of the accesses in [34:03] wri County um it's the second most we've ever ever done um we uh also had the [34:10] highest inspections per hour again uh this year at 2.2 inspections and it doesn't sound like a lot but honestly [34:16] it's it's better than ever so let's uh we um also started a uh AIS tool station [34:23] program for the Lake Associations to purchase lowcost tool stations so that both voters can clean their equipment [34:29] right at the access um we provided over $60,000 in [34:35] treatment uh to 28 uh Lake Associations across the county um we helped pay for a [34:42] PBS uh SL educational slot as part of the Prairie Sportsman uh program um and [34:49] actually just recently I went out with the Minnesota Zoo to collect Zebra muscles to try to get them to reproduce [34:54] in the laboratory so that they can study them and find different treatment um options we were we were able to find [35:00] some that they they could use so that was kind of a fun adventure but it was really cold out so uh just with that I [35:06] would uh ask that you pass the resolution to P to uh ad send those funds on to right on water Mr chair yes [35:13] I'll make a motion to approve that and I just want to also comment thank you for uh targeting the most busiest times so [35:19] that we can have those most in the most inspections done um in the county here so thank you all right we have a motion [35:25] by commissioner Dietrich do we have a second I'll second second by [35:32] commissioner catchmark uh discussion at this time I first of all I want to say uh thank you to the Lake Associations [35:39] that actually partner with the right Soil and Water and wri County to actually make this 237,000 almost double [35:46] that amount uh for treatment and inspections as well as other educational pieces so without their partnership uh [35:54] we wouldn't be able to do nearly the amount of things that we were able to to do uh so that's the biggest thank you [36:00] but uh additionally I want to thank all the staff members and other citizens that participate uh in our AIS committee [36:08] that help us to better allocate all these funds in 2025 we've made a little [36:14] bit of a shift in trying to put a little bit more money into the treatment side of things as we've realized that the [36:19] dollar month that we get from the state has been very flat and the cost of treatment has gone up uh exponentially [36:25] over the years so to be able to get that same value for it we need to kind of shift a little bit more of it into the treatment side of it so just wanted to [36:32] pass on that little tidbit but thank you Alisha for your uh bringing this [36:37] forward all right is there uh any other discussion no discussion this is a [36:43] resolution vote uh commissioner catchmark i i i i i all right resolution [36:49] passes unanimously thank you thank you all right now moving on to our 913 [36:59] and oh I was looking for somebody different oh no Brad's here I I skipped it 913 I forgot 908 I crossed yours off [37:06] Brad I guess okay I'm very forgettable I guess so morning Mr chair on the board [37:11] uh I am here this morning just to present a resolution to adopt a donation from the Minnesota mountain bike race [37:17] series from the inaugural beram saddle Buster mountain bike race that we held this past year uh we had 398 registrants [37:25] 301 actual competitors so it was a very successful event and [37:30] part of that partnership is this donation of $5,7563 [37:58] all right is there any other discussion hearing none resolution commissioner Shane I I I hi hi resolution passes [38:07] unanimously thank you thank [Music] you and Tyler has been waiting back [38:12] there ever so patiently uh to give us a little recap of the 2024 general [38:18] election [38:28] Mr chair members of the board I am pleased to be here today with you to announce that we did have a successful [38:34] election for the 2024 election cycle uh during the 2024 general election we had [38:40] over 9,442 votes cast um and we have over [38:46] 104,000 registered voters so just to give you context I was just looking in 2014 we had 72,000 registered voters so [38:54] we've just seen tremendous growth uh in this County and that's reflected in our registered voter count um register or [39:01] voter turnout and voter participation within the county is about 84% and wri County continues to lead the state in [39:07] voter participation and the percent of our eligible voters who are registered to vote so it's a real credit to our [39:13] citizens for being so engaged I'm sure you experienced that as well with the phone calls and all that good stuff and [39:19] so it's just really encouraging to see our constituents come out and vote and participate within the system uh the [39:25] County elections team we administered four last year that was the P&P the March Township election the primary [39:31] election and the general election so we served over 100,000 uh registered voters [39:37] um we can't do that without our temporary election clerks and our uh election judges we have temporary [39:42] election clerks who assist us um in the county our elections are a citizen run process and so we really could not do [39:49] our work without the help of our temporary election judges and temporary election clerks I'd also like to thank [39:55] our over 700 uh election judges within the county um they help us administer [40:00] voting on Election Day and at our five absentee cities so again we really just want to thank them for their efforts [40:06] during this busy election cycle um I also just want to thank the county we had over 8,000 constituents visit us [40:12] during the absentee in person period And so thank you for allowing us to block off those conference rooms and clog up [40:19] the main hallway I'm sure you saw we had lines of Voters out there it's just again a real credit to our constituents [40:25] uh for coming out and participating with our election um countywide absentee turnout was 37% [40:31] so while we did not reach the highs of the 2022 pandemic um again it is just kind of a recognition that the way our [40:37] voters vote and engage with the process is slightly changing um and so we were happy to kind of meet our constituents [40:43] where they were at with that inperson voting process and also just want to thank our five cities that administer [40:49] absentee voting so they took nearly 50% of that burden um administering voting [40:54] at their cities and Township halls and just mailing out those bot so again we really want to thank them for their [41:00] commitment to our constituents and administering those processes at the city level um again you know I want to [41:06] kind of highlight some kind of under the under the radar things that we do here at the county election team one of those [41:11] is our health care facility voting so we actually send our teams of temporary election clerks and Lynette palman who's [41:17] our absentee coordinator she goes out to our residential facilities and administers that voting to our [41:23] Healthcare residents and then state law did expand the definition of who is [41:28] eligible for that kind of voting and so it was optional but we were able to administer voting to several assisted [41:34] living facilities within the county and so again that's just a great service that we're able to provide uh to our residents to help them stay engaged with [41:40] the voting process um we would also like to recognize the contributions from our [41:45] other right County departments we could not do this without their support and so it's the county attorney's office [41:51] Carolyn Who provided uh legal support on numerous questions related to the [41:56] election the it team for providing us cyber security support on Election night they were hanging out with us till the [42:02] very end while we were processing votes and waiting for returns to come in uh we want to thank the county sheriff's [42:07] department for providing Security on Election night uh feel like I'm forgetting somebody here but um again we [42:14] just really really thanked all the other departments for kind of pitching in and assisting us we had the taxpayer Services team come in with staff members [42:21] to help us get over the finish line and uh get us through that process so again we really want to thank all the all the [42:27] different departments within the county for helping us uh with this election uh so Public Service it is one of our core [42:33] missions of the elections team you know we do have the privilege of being a service oriented department where we're [42:38] working directly with our voters um we continue to improve our processes and deliver accessible voting to all our [42:44] constituents and so I think you know looking back at the 22 cycle this is my second election cycle you know we're [42:50] kind of learning about big problems and so it was nice to kind of focus in on those smaller areas and really needle [42:56] down and kind of those smaller areas where we can make big improvements to offer better services for our [43:01] constituents um I also just want to say that we um uh we had a great uh post [43:07] elction review the the returns were great and so when we think about our elections process it's that uh public [43:14] acity testing testing our equipment demonstrating the accuracy of our electronic tabulators uh before the [43:20] election then getting those results on Election Day and then doing those hand recounts after the election to again [43:26] verify that the public acity tests and the results on Election Day match the hand count total so again we have a lot [43:32] of confidence in the way we administer our elections and again we just could not do it without the support of you all so thank you very much uh happy to [43:39] answer any questions about the process and we are on to our next election it's already time for the M March Township [43:44] election so we're getting prepared for those in March so thank you thank you Tyler chairman VCH I just want to say um [43:52] the Tyler you just did a great job nobody knows uh how hard work uh Tyler [43:59] as of uh election night had been working straight 11 days in a row and um it and [44:07] my my two cities just had nothing but good things to say um and especially Odo [44:14] with the the big amount of Voters that they had come in they said it was very Flawless so I just want to thank you [44:21] Tyler because uh it really you did a really good job thank you so I guess now with two elections under your belt [44:27] you're a seasoned veteran I am yeah it's uh you know I started out in the City of Minneapolis and um we were doing [44:34] probably 12 thou or 1,200 voters a day and I never really thought I would see that here in Wright County and it was [44:40] both encouraging and a little to see that many voters but again that's that's what we really enjoyed [44:45] doing we you know our whole team we just love serving the voters and just enjoying the energy and the excitement of the vote Center and working directly [44:52] with those folks and helping everybody get their ballots cast well time thank you thank you thank [44:58] you okay now moving on to our 918 uh Chad making his way to the podium [45:10] here all right going chairman Commissioners we have um one item today it's the uh board [45:18] action to approve resol resolution for begin condemnation proceedings on uh three Parcels in [45:25] Handover um and this is just to we've um that's the casa 19 construction from the [45:31] bridge to BB Lake Road Casa 34 and um reach settlements with the other eight [45:38] properties and this is just to ensure that we have access to the properties in [45:43] the spring when construction starts and we'll continue like I said well this is a 90-day process Greg is uh has much [45:49] more well versed in this than me but the process will continue to negotiate and and I'm fairly confident we won't need [45:55] to go through the full process but we at least have to get the clock ticking today so thank you Chad for uh uh [46:03] bringing this forward this is usually a route that we don't always have to do but sometimes we have to start this [46:09] process to make sure that the project stays on time and that we can also get [46:14] uh individuals sometimes to uh have more conversations with us about coming to an agreement on it uh so it is definitely [46:21] not the uh our priority route but in some cases we have to at least start this process us to keep it on a timely [46:28] fashion and in the vast majority of situations it doesn't ever come to a a [46:33] com condation so chairman Commissioners I think in the 12 years I've been here [46:39] it's we twice I think we've gone through the um process or gotten near to the [46:45] full process so it's not very often but Mr chair I would just like to add you know the importance of proper [46:52] um compensation for the property owners as well I mean this is the whole process and we're certainly improving the [46:59] intersection and doing some good things with the road but just making sure that we're getting the compensation proper [47:04] thank you thank you Mr vet um one question Chad um are you also uh um [47:11] getting the services of uh the city councilman and uh I I know we have an outgoing mayor but in Handover but are [47:19] they also helping you pursue these uh um because they have a vested interest in [47:24] this project they running this project yeah are you using them to help maneuver [47:30] um you know Jeremy is obviously our main point of contact but you know and at at times if we need potentially help [47:36] getting feedback or somebody to reply we'll reach out and say hey is there somebody that has a good relationship with them that can help us out and you [47:44] know um and so yeah we're we're we're Partners in this and it's been going well it's just like there's there's a [47:49] few things that need to be worked out yet on with a couple Property Owners so great yeah thank you yeah so at this [47:56] time I will entertaining motion to uh for the uh approve the resolution I'll [48:01] make that motion all right motion by commissioner Holland second second by commissioner Dietrich any further [48:07] discussion Mr chair if I could I'd like to make a comment um I'm in opposition [48:12] of this because I was hoping for further negotiation before it had to get to um this time limit um but I do want to [48:20] thank Chad for sitting down and talking with me um and giving me the information that we have at this Point um but I mean [48:29] we can do the vote I'm just letting everyone know that I'm in opposition of this wanted to kind of go down a [48:35] different avenue but I understand the timeline with the road and necessity and so I I I understand if [48:42] your being your district and having the uh Insight that you may want to be able [48:48] to have a little bit more conversations with it and being the fact that we have a two-e break here if we do that just [48:53] kind of pushes us even further out and us want note that we're we're in all [48:58] intentions here not wanting to go this route but we need to get people to uh communicate with us a little bit more so [49:04] we can uh hopefully come to a resolution on this definely and with that I will uh [49:11] resolution vote I will vote i i i i nay all right resolution passes 4 one thank [49:18] you yeah thank you all right now moving forward to uh our 921 agenda item we'll [49:25] put on our health and human services and public health hat as Jamie makes her way to the podium here thank you and [49:31] actually I think this is part of the regular County board meeting if I'm correct about that yes I believe so it's [49:38] related to opio settlement funds so you can keep your hats on morning thank you [49:45] uh good morning Mr chair and members of the board Becky and I are here today on behalf of the opio settlement advisory [49:51] Council and we're trying to get our presentation up [49:56] uh this is pertains to our request for proposals that we published in September [50:02] it closed on October 31st this time around we received 10 proposals we went through the typical [50:10] review process and we ended up with two proposals eligible uh that went to our [50:16] Council last week Tuesday I went to the council last week [50:22] I'm hoping I remember what's on the slides last week Tuesday for vote uh we are bringing one here today for your [50:30] consideration we do have one other we went back to the the applicants requesting some more information uh we [50:36] hope to get that information and be able to vote as a council in January and we'll hopefully bring that back to you [50:42] in January for a vote from you sorry ell it's not that's [50:48] okay do you want me to [50:54] sure because he needs this version of the PowerPoint yes you can have it um [50:59] the PowerPoint that we provided to you we needed to keep the name of the applicant um still quiet until today we [51:07] are able to release that today uh and so we'll get the power running see how good your memor [51:13] is uh the I know it's a little bit um yeah so the applicant was rivers of hope [51:19] they requested a 100 they requested just under [51:27] 107 there we go there has just under $170,000 100 yep to uh work on the [51:34] abatement strategy of providing treatment of trauma for those with UD um [51:40] such as violence sexual assault human trafficking uh and their family members and then training healthc care Personnel [51:46] to identify and address such trauma included a summary of their project here [51:52] uh they're doing some research on opioid use amongst victims and Survivor of domestic violence developing educational [51:58] materials and training Healthcare Providers uh all in hopes that they develop new referral Pathways to get [52:05] referrals to for their services um providing additional clients for their Advocates to kind of walk the road of UD [52:12] and domestic violence with them uh that is all the information that we have for you to present we're more [52:19] than happy to answer any questions that you [52:25] have okay commissioner vet um I have a question uh every year uh people submit [52:32] at like what's the point where they submit for these like is this a year-long process to come up with this [52:39] like knowing how much money and so we have sub we've put out two request for [52:46] proposals over the course of two years we don't live on any predictable timeline of when that will be we try at [52:53] this point we're trying to do about one RFP year um that could increase or [52:58] decrease you know our funds kind of were front loaded so we have a lot that we're working with right now but we're not [53:03] going to have as money in the future so the council meets monthly to determine what the best option is given the funds [53:10] that we have and the needs that we're seeing I'm very exciting that we uh we [53:15] have a new um a new treatment program facility in Rockford Township it's a a [53:23] Minnesota delt Team Challenge just met the the head of that and it just opened up and it's very exciting so hopefully [53:30] in the future they can submit for some funding over there another good resource absolutely yes thank [53:36] you I just want to comment that uh having had conversations with the rivers of Hope and I'm glad to see that they [53:43] came forward and applied to the opioid Council and getting some good utilization of these funds uh I know [53:49] with having those conversations with them that they run into a lot of the individuals that are either uh victims [53:57] of it or are suffering from it themselves and it's a they offer so many [54:02] great resources that I think that this is money well spent that and I'm interested to you know see what kind of [54:07] information comes out of some of their research out of it so thank you for uh this [54:15] recommendation all right so if there's no other discussion uh looking forward for a motion to approve the [54:22] recommendations from the opioid council with the uh of the funds of $169,800 [54:58] Megan Coleman will be joining me um for the next [55:08] item go ahead Meg hello everyone good [55:14] morning today I am here to present uh the adoption of the re County ordinance [55:20] Amendment 24-8 cannabis regulation and registration now this um um ordinance [55:27] was actually something that was a collaborative effort across the county we had City and Township members come [55:33] together over the course of the year and we use the guidance of the office of cannabis management as well as the [55:40] public law centers Mitchell Hammond Law School of Law they had a model ordinance [55:46] which did suggest us to adopt some Public Health [55:52] um what is it public health rationals to our ordinance which we did include [55:57] granted we did eliminate quite a few because we do want to make sure that businesses are going to be able to [56:05] um per the Planning and Zoning we wanted to make it available for each Township and for each City to have businesses if [56:12] they wanted to have them so for your recommendation I would like to have this adopted please all right [56:20] yes Mr chair yeah before you as Megan indicated as ordinance amendment number 24-8 cannabis regulation and registra [56:26] we had a public hearing on December 3rd 2024 after the regular board meeting in the afternoon um all the minutes of that [56:33] preceding are before you all affidavits of publication on notice of intent have been filed with Administration and have [56:38] been published and Administration has also supplied the board with an amendment 24-8 a which removes one [56:48] clause and then corrects the typographical air um so staff would recommend adoption and I can read a [56:55] proposed motion which be to approve ordinance amendment number 24-8 cannabis regulation and registration with [57:01] Amendment 24-8 a I'll make that motion all right motion by commissioner Holland second second by [57:08] commissioner Shane uh just a quick comment that I want to say uh thank you to the uh public health and Health and [57:14] Human Services as well as Administration uh as well as the cities the great participation and the great discussion I [57:20] don't think that everybody got exactly what they wanted in this ordinance I think it was a a compromise there was a [57:27] uh vast different perspectives on all sides on how the Cannabis should be [57:33] managed within the county uh we left a lot of uh latitude for local jurisdiction local control within this [57:39] uh within each municipality uh I think that was a good compromise within this uh so with that I would support the [57:47] adoption of this ordinance uh 24-8 all right is there any other [57:52] discussion or comments Mr chair if I could just add from Administration I I do want to thank public health and Megan [57:57] specifically for all your work that you did on this over the last year this was a collaborative process we went in I [58:03] think maybe thinking one thing might happen in the workshop and things once you hear from the other constituencies [58:10] the cities and the towns um I think we came up with an even better product at the end result here that I think is [58:16] going to put R County on a very solid footing for regulation and registration process for cannabis going forward and [58:23] I'll just add my thing oh sorry commissioner Hollen no I just and I want to uh I'll [58:29] piggyback on that I just want to thank public health and especially Megan um it [58:34] it's just been a constant moving Target uh the office of cannabis management has [58:41] thrown uh things our way throughout this process and they're quick on their feet [58:47] and uh always sharing it with everybody and so I really appreciate everything [58:53] from HHS standpoint and would go ahead and say to with Megan while she was [58:58] doing this she was pivoting from the dental coordination to this so it's been I'm sure a learning experience for her I [59:04] agree I think we have a great product I think you know as it plays out we'll maybe have to tweak or refine things as we go forward not really knowing what [59:11] the future holds and you know I guess my only trepidation is now having yet another state agency that oversees Health and Human Services type of work [59:18] so um just add them to the list I guess thank you so commissioner Holland I [59:23] don't know if you feel I feel like I might be just mild becoming an expert on it after the uh the Dozen plus meetings [59:29] that we've had over the the year discussing it all and uh Megan you've done a great job on giving us some uh [59:36] paperwork that that was I'm gonna say digestible because there there was a lot [59:42] to learn let me tell you so sure well thank you and we have a motion in a [59:48] second any other discussion hearing none all in favor say I I oppose same sign [59:55] all right motion passes unanimous now at this time we need a summary publication motion to publish a summary of the [1:00:03] ordinance 24-8 for a resolution do I have a motion this is [1:00:09] the summary publication of ordinance 24-8 so I'll moved I'll second all right motion by commissioner Dietrich second [1:00:14] by commissioner Holland to approve a summary language for publication on ordinance Amendment or not Amendment [1:00:20] ordinance 24-8 all right resolution vote commissioner Holland I I i i i [1:00:27] resolution passes unanimously thank you now moving on to items for [1:00:33] consideration first item on the agenda for items for consideration is to schedule a legislative Committee of the [1:00:39] whole uh looking and targeting January 6 but open for discussion with board [1:00:44] members Mr chair I guess I'm just curious if we can move that just a little bit further in later in that week [1:00:51] or even after the board on the 7th or something [1:01:00] so looking to I I know we wanted to uh get somewhere be by the 8th 9th at the [1:01:07] latest uh because we want to be able to get bills introduced early and try and do do we want to do after the board on [1:01:13] the seventh at all or the seventh let's see here Mr chair we do have quarterly leadership with the [1:01:19] board I believe at 10:30 that day you'd have to move it to either like 12:30 1:00 if you were going to go that rout [1:01:25] no no leadership we can meet after leadership [1:01:31] I'm fine with that you sure I'm good with the with a 12:30 1 o'clock on January [1:01:37] 7th all right all right so I'll entertain a motion to uh set a committee [1:01:43] of the whole at 1:00 on January 7th I'll make that motion all right [1:01:49] motion by commissioner Holland is there second second by commissioner Shane to set a committee [1:01:54] the whole for uh legislative uh issues for 1 o'clock on January 7th uh any [1:02:02] comments hearing done all in favor say I I I post same sign all right committee [1:02:08] the whole is scheduled unanimously next would be to schedule a public hearing for redetermination of benefits on [1:02:14] County ditch 19 uh it looks Matt has January 13th at [1:02:19] 1 pm is the targeted date sorry all right no just had one [1:02:26] correction it's uh the reestablishment of records for County ditch number 19 sorry I didn't catch that okay no [1:02:32] problem we discuss this I'll make the motion second all [1:02:39] right motion by commissioner Holland second by commissioner Shane to schedule a public hearing for reestablishment of [1:02:44] records for County ditch 19 and January 13th at 1:00 all [1:02:52] right with that all in favor say up hi hi same sign all right the [1:03:00] redetermination of benefits public hearing is scheduled for January 13th at 1:00 next we have to schedule a [1:03:07] negotiation Committee of the whole for January 23rd and time is open Greg yes [1:03:15] Mr chair time is opened we've secured both of these days uh to meet with representatives from ABDO um so their [1:03:22] their calendars are blocked so whatever time works for the board either of those [1:03:27] days morning on the 23rd works I can do the morning but I'd have to go 10 [1:03:32] o'clock or later I'm going to 10 I'm going to 10 [1:03:38] 10 yeah all right so I'll entertain a motion for 10: a.m. on January 23rd I'll [1:03:47] make that motion second motion by commissioner Holland second by commissioner Shane to schedule a [1:03:52] negotiations Committee of the whole for 10: a.m. on January 23rd all right all in favor say I I post [1:04:00] same sign all right commit the whole scheduled [1:04:06] unanimously all right now the fourth item on items for consideration would be approve a resolution setting the perum [1:04:12] for appointees to county uh appointed boards and Health and Human Services committees and other commissions within [1:04:19] the county all right this is our annual uh resolution that we need to pass so [1:04:26] at this time I'll entertain a motion Mr chair I'll go ahead and make that motion [1:04:31] I'll second that all right motion by commissioner Shane second by commissioner Holland any [1:04:37] discussion hearing none resolution vote uh commissioner Dietrich i i i i i all [1:04:44] right resolution passes unanimously all right next is the adoption of resolution [1:04:52] setting the County attorney salary for 2025 this time I will entertain a motion or [1:05:00] I'll make that motion second motion by commissioner Holland second by commissioner Shane any discussion Mr [1:05:06] chair yes just one thing it was said at the other at the meeting for this but didn't make the minutes [1:05:13] but I agree that the County Attorney is doing a great job my tough position with [1:05:19] this is to give a 99.5% raise to him on the $90,000 salary [1:05:27] when we have a lot of other staff doing a great job and they're pretty much capped at 6.5% for next year that wasn't [1:05:35] explained in the minutes it just said I was opposed so I just wanted to give a little context to to my no it's not the [1:05:42] performance it's just the percentage of raise compared to the rest based on the [1:05:47] the salary currently thank you and I I respect that perspective and [1:05:53] I uh I I struggled with with that percentage amount myself but uh understanding that we wanting to keep [1:05:59] him in Market uh with that of what the moves the state has made uh and that as [1:06:06] well as what our uh other Counties have done and then uh for those of that you may not know uh Mr loots runs a really [1:06:14] tight ship uh I there's not a county attorney's office in our region or even [1:06:19] of our size that is able to do the case load with the number of attorneys that he does it with he runs a lean uh Al [1:06:26] Leen and mean shop and does a fantastic job that we have no issues with and for that reason uh needing to keep him in in [1:06:33] the market uh is where that re raise has brought himself to that amount uh it [1:06:38] still by no means puts him at the top of his comparables or even that of the state but it at least Keeps Us in that [1:06:44] range and if we uh don't do that we will be like some of the county attorney's offices in the state that have lost [1:06:50] really great County attorneys uh because they've found ways to work either at the state or in the private sector [1:06:56] so for that reason uh is the justification for uh the set amount Mr chair yes just to be certain um we are [1:07:03] to evaluate based on performance and um accomplishments as well as comparable [1:07:08] wages so um he deserves the 99.55% rate and commissioner vet I just want I I too [1:07:16] uh um my cities really appreciate seeing Brian he's everywhere um he uh he uh [1:07:24] along with with going to so many cities and school safe school meetings he also [1:07:32] uh is a working uh lawyer um and and then on top of that is uh working [1:07:39] overtime as as a county attorney so I appreciate all the hard work and he and [1:07:44] he does it without like with his personal car I can't imagine all the miles he puts on his car because he is [1:07:51] everywhere and my cities appreciate that and I I that's one thing that I'm glad [1:07:57] that you put that out there and I don't think the citizens of the county even recognize how dedicated this man is [1:08:02] because the vast majority of County attorneys in the state of Minnesota don't keep a case load other than the [1:08:08] very rural counties but the more urbanized counties ones that have uh a half dozen or a dozen attorneys a lot of [1:08:14] their County attorneys don't take case loads and Mr loots does and he does it [1:08:20] uh for multiple reasons he enjoys the work but he also wants to be uh sharp [1:08:26] and involved and he also wants to be a good Steward to County taxpayer dollars um Mr chair fellow Commissioners [1:08:32] uh thanks for all the kind words I appreciate that very very humbling and I just wanted to acknowledge the great [1:08:38] working relationship we have and I do I do love my job I love the county and it's you know the old saying if you love [1:08:44] what you do you never work a day in your life and I I truly love my job um but I'm I'm appreciative of all the kind [1:08:50] words and certainly the uh the compensation that that you've approved for me so [1:08:56] thank you thank you thank you all right and at this time we will uh it's a [1:09:02] resolution vote uh commissioner catchmark nay i i i i all right [1:09:10] resolution passes 41 I had a motion on that didn't we I [1:09:16] know I lost track on that yeah that's what I thought I had I had marked it here but I for a second there I second [1:09:22] guess myself all right now moving on to adop the resolution uh for the r County [1:09:27] Sheriff's uh salary for 2025 entertain a motion I'll make that motion second all [1:09:34] right motion by commissioner Holland second by commissioner Shane to adopt the resolution for the r County [1:09:39] Sheriff's for 2025 Mr chair yes are we having discussion on this item please you want it's discussion this point yes [1:09:46] yes I would like to make a statement um if you um consider that I am asking the county Bard to reconsider the salary for [1:09:53] our Sheriff I'd like to start by discussing the Staffing situation in the law enforcement nationally as very [1:10:00] difficult since the defund the police movement started in 2020 Reich county has the third largest sheriff's office [1:10:06] in the state behind hennipen and Ramsey County currently Reich county is fully staffed with over 107 licensed deputies [1:10:13] with a historic low turn turnover rate of over over the last two years low [1:10:19] turnover rate Excuse excuse me the jail has been fully staffed for over a year and this this is both exceptional [1:10:26] compare this to hennipin county office which is down 15% in licensed deputies [1:10:31] and down 20% in Corrections Officers in fact right county has been boarding hennipen County inmates since October [1:10:39] bringing in fees of 20 $218,000 in October and [1:10:44] $238,000 in November do you know why hennipen county is sending us their inmates because they don't have enough [1:10:51] staff to properly supervise and keep safe the inmates in their custody according to the State Department of [1:10:57] Corrections hennipen county has down 40 Corrections Officers why does this [1:11:02] matter to right County because our sheriff and his team have kept improving our staff to provide for the safety and [1:11:08] well-being of the citizens of right County recently right County was featured for its outstanding Staffing at [1:11:13] the Minnesota Association of Sheriff's winter conference it it is because our [1:11:18] Sheriff has built a team that finds ways to support train and develop leadership [1:11:24] while emphasis izing a positive healthy culture for all 300 Sheriff employees re [1:11:30] County was also featured at that conference on a panel discussion a b to a benchmark analytic analytics with [1:11:37] mcit regarding the positive things going on in the jail the sheriffs sheriffs of [1:11:43] Minnesota want to know what rake county is doing right I also want to highlight [1:11:49] that after the state passed changes to the SRO law in 2022 the sheriff trained extensively with his school resource [1:11:56] officers in proper techniques prior to the start of school and he also then testified at the state legislature [1:12:03] several times to make corrections to the SRO law the post board just recently [1:12:08] adopted that model policy that will benefit the safety of our SRO and the students in our school district the [1:12:15] sheriff has continually strived to develop his leadership after graduating from the FBI National Academy in 2015 he [1:12:22] collaborated with the FBI to build the joint County Training Center the county is now Contracting with our local police [1:12:29] departments for training at that facility the sheriff has also been voted onto the Minnesota sheriff's Association [1:12:35] executive board for the past five years this summer the sheriff was offered the unique opportunity also to travel to [1:12:42] Israel to learn the security measures needed to keep their citizens safe and he has shared that knowledge with the [1:12:48] sheriffs across the state he has been acknowledged locally Statewide nationally and intern nationally for his [1:12:56] leadership why should this be considered by the board today because the board is required to determine the share of's [1:13:02] salary based on his performance accomplishments as well his comp as comparable wages even the County [1:13:09] Attorney acknowledged in the meeting that his successful prosecutions are predicated on the thorough and [1:13:15] professional investigations of the Sheriff's Office the County Attorney received a salary increase of [1:13:22] 99.55% the sheriff discussed his request for for 6.3% increase based on his [1:13:27] leadership performance and accomplishments of as a sheriff and of his staff with the comparable M wages I [1:13:36] moved to amend the resolution to increase the shareff salary to 6.3% for [1:13:43] 2025 thank you for sharing your uh your comments there commissioner uh Dietrich [1:13:48] um we have a motion we have a second I do want to say that uh Sheriff daringer does a fantastic job [1:13:56] and there's many factors that we have to take into consideration with setting the salary and as much if it this money was [1:14:02] my personal money I would definitely by all means maybe have a different negotiated dollar amount do I [1:14:07] necessarily 100% uh think that this is the right dollar amount not necessarily but it was a negotiated dollar amount [1:14:14] and and for that perspective uh and taking into consideration the market and [1:14:20] making sure that he isn't that we're not creating a new market by being being the [1:14:25] one that pays the the most because all that does is end up creating inflation across the entire uh law enforcement [1:14:32] Market by doing such uh so by all means I believe that he does a fantastic job [1:14:37] uh and I and I thank him for that uh and like I say I I would maybe uh personally [1:14:44] I would I would he's he's worth his weight and gold uh but on a professional level and looking at the market and what [1:14:51] uh comparables in the market are at he is still on the upper side of that comp compensation side of it uh so when you [1:14:57] in a in any employment long enough you tend to top out and he is uh in that [1:15:03] range of an area where you tend to hit the upper end and the topping end of your compensation so as much as I [1:15:09] personally would love to be able to throw uh a larger dollar amount at it uh [1:15:15] the the capacity to do so just isn't there and then there just also was a dollar amount that we had to negotiate [1:15:21] and be able to get enough votes to be able to come up with uh a Collective agreeable amount so uh just wanted to uh [1:15:28] share my few tidbits there thank you for your uh your pieces as well I think uh I [1:15:33] do agree with uh much of those statements and the work that he's done to retain and attract employees to right [1:15:39] County Mr Sher I would just add it would be worth him being the top of the pce [1:15:44] scale because he is one of the best sheriffs in the state of Minnesota all right so with that I just [1:15:53] have to say um I too agree the sheriff is doing a fantastic job um I just also [1:16:01] have to say that if it we are guarding the taxpayer dollars and I to agree that [1:16:09] um because because of this salary I do [1:16:15] not feel it Justified that he would make as much as the hennipin county uh Sheriff um the hanban county sheriff has [1:16:23] a lot more to deal with has a very hard time getting things across the court [1:16:29] system um for prosecuting uh the the [1:16:35] constituents that failed to fail to uh uh abide by the law so a lot more [1:16:43] factors also Ramsay and uh Washington County um they have those sheriffs have [1:16:50] a hard job we are very blessed because we we are a very [1:16:55] Pro law enforcement County and that if you ask the the law enforcement um the [1:17:02] deputies the uh attorneys they love working in rank County because of the [1:17:08] culture that we have here and uh and our citizens are very Pro um law enforcement [1:17:16] and and uh I there's a lot of other underlying things uh things that I was [1:17:23] hoping wouldn't wouldn't get in um that's why I kind of OB objected to [1:17:29] putting the data request in um the minutes uh just for his uh say like [1:17:37] just I don't I didn't think that needed to be in there um for his privacy but uh [1:17:43] there was a data Bri there was a data request uh when there was a three simple [1:17:50] uh questions about use of purpose uh with no receipts and because of it uh uh [1:17:57] the Commissioners got a data request from the Sheriff's Attorney that costed [1:18:03] uh the county uh upwards of $99,000 and there's been a continual uh [1:18:13] um bad acting and poor management skills [1:18:19] uh even though those requests were made numerous times uh to have that go away [1:18:25] and they didn't go away so I Mark that Mr chair Mr Mr dietr um I would just [1:18:34] like to speak to the data request every citizen of right county has an opportunity can I call the question [1:18:39] because we've spent time on and to retaliate called sh the question has been retaliate sh [1:18:47] for out of order the question's been called under [1:18:52] ridiculous at this time um I'm going to say on both sides that this isn't the proper venue to discuss this matter into [1:19:00] into those depths uh if if those were conversations that were wanting to take place on details of a personal nature or [1:19:09] of a professional nature of their actual performance uh even being an elected official I don't necessarily know that [1:19:15] uh the depths of it is for this room but with that the questions been called and [1:19:20] at this time it's a resolution vote we have a motion in a second uh to to adjust the or not adjust to set the [1:19:27] salary as stated within the resolution it's a resolution vote uh commissioner Shane I I I no to a 2% increase I all [1:19:38] right resolution passes 41 thank you all right now at this time we have [1:19:46] uh seven the item sorry agenda item items for consideration number seven to [1:19:53] adopt the 2025 budget and Levy all right at this time everyone has in front of [1:19:58] them and the proposed adopted Levy for 2025 uh it [1:20:05] is mimicking that of the original one uh that we proposed back in September uh so [1:20:12] I appreciate once again all the dedicated time of board members and staff on putting this budget together [1:20:18] and working hard to try and uh mitigate any impacts to taxpayers as well as [1:20:24] making sure that the functions of the county and the needs of the citizens are being met so with that I'll entertain a [1:20:32] motion I'll make that motion motion by commissioner Shane I'll second it second by commissioner Holland any discussion [1:20:39] Mr chair yes just a question to clarify on the medical clinic money with us [1:20:45] switching medical insurance health insurance next year and with the current [1:20:50] provider is running that is the intent still the same I just want to make sure nothing change to take $300,000 from the [1:20:57] taxpayers to help support the employees clinic for the whole next year is that [1:21:03] still set that actually that dollar amount has actually changed quite a bit because of the change in our health [1:21:09] insurance we were able actually to uh uh shift some of our Wellness dollars into [1:21:14] funding it uh so the dollar amount that's actually out of the actual Levy [1:21:21] is nominal I guess uh Greg I'm going refer to you to get the actual dollar amount I know it's pretty nominal at [1:21:26] this point after we've put those uh I think it was 150,000 of we Wellness dollars to buy down that dollar amount [1:21:32] as well as then we don't know what the utilization amount is but the utilization amount we can conservatively say would buy down almost 75,000 if not [1:21:40] 100% of the remaining amount yeah yes Mr chair members of the board and specifically to commissioner Katch [1:21:45] Mark's question the there are some Wellness dollars that are going to be devoted to it and also with our addition [1:21:52] of a new plan 6 HSA plan we had to adjust the rates that we seek from reimbursement we're almost doubling the [1:21:58] reimbursement rate from $50 to $90 per visit uh we have to do that to comply [1:22:04] with IRS regulations with the HSA plan um so that'll be buil at $90 per visit [1:22:09] HSA plans have to pay it and employee would have to pay that until they hit the deductible but in our negotiations [1:22:15] with Medica they actually are going to classify our Clinic as a convenience care so employees that are on plans four [1:22:21] and five will actually get convenience care covered at 100% at that $90 reimbursement rate so we're going to get [1:22:27] more dollars we're devoting more funds over there through the health insurance and we're also going to be recouping [1:22:33] more funds through Medica through insurance reimbursement so the overall Levy impact should be greatly reduced [1:22:39] here this next year if we can keep our utilization rates up where they currently are and Health Partners has [1:22:45] always been very impressed with our utilization uh for a clinic like ours it's through the roof and um we're we're [1:22:51] borderline discussing whether or not they add another day because it can be tough sometimes to try to get an [1:22:56] appointment for same day if you have a sick kid who wakes up with a sore throat or ear infection can be kind of tough or [1:23:02] for an employee who is sick during the middle of the day but the the cost savings to the the county in terms of [1:23:09] just staff being able to go down there for 15 minutes and not have to take eight hour or four hours or even eight [1:23:14] hours of PTO to go to a doctor I think can't be measured and also what we're [1:23:19] getting for workplace certifications with the sheriff's department TB testing [1:23:24] and also I just normal just day-to-day workplace exams that our provider down [1:23:30] there is certified to do um save us from sending employees up to Centra Care in St Cloud or [1:23:36] monell and chairman v i uh coming from the health uh Health World um uh just [1:23:43] going to the minute clinic at CVS costs $135 for just a simple Walkin just to [1:23:50] get us a a test for strep Thro so then the $90 is encouraging that we that's [1:23:57] what our uh that's what our rate is um so for that reason I'm glad you guys [1:24:03] worked on getting that down Mr chair yes sorry but I didn't get my answer [1:24:10] what I got is a lengthy sales pitch because the usage we have found is way [1:24:17] lower I think isn't it like 60% or so of the employees are using it now I'm hearing that they're so busy we almost [1:24:23] have to open it another day that doesn't make sense to me but for Finance in the budget team is [1:24:30] $300,000 still the amount that is in the books to take from taxpayers to run the [1:24:36] clinic next year as we sit here today I never got any correspondents that were [1:24:41] not taking 300,000 can our Budget Finance experts tell me that Mr chair I [1:24:47] can answer that yes it is currently in the budget we have not made any amendments since we received the the [1:24:52] bids back from Meda and since we renegotiated these rates we have not reduced anything in the proposed okay [1:24:59] final Levy that's before you yep okay 300,000 300,000 is what's in there uh we [1:25:05] I can save definitively 150,000 of it will not be utilized all [1:25:12] right uh because we are use we've got Wellness dollars that we won't get that money until until January when we are [1:25:18] actually officially with Meda that influx of those Wellness dollars then would be used to uh funnel down half [1:25:25] that cost the rest of that money is based on utilization and then the [1:25:30] insurance reimbursement back to pay back the the money that we collect for the [1:25:36] total operational cost so that number is likely to be close to zero but we don't [1:25:42] know that uh I guess would from a strategy being that this is the first [1:25:48] time with Meda not knowing when we would get that $150,000 Wellness dollars and [1:25:53] not with the utilization is we felt that we couldn't actualize that money till next year's budget in reducing that [1:26:00] money down to whether it's zero or 10,000 or whatever it may be and that's [1:26:06] where the number the money is still sat in there because we don't know and we still have to front the the co [1:26:12] operational cost and so from a cash flow perspective you would budget it first and then once you know a better track [1:26:18] run on it you would subtract it out at a later date okay thank you [1:26:27] all right so we have a motion and we have a second to approve the in setting the 2025 budget and Levy uh is there any [1:26:35] other discussion if not it's a resolution vote [1:26:40] uh I vote i i i nay I all right and the [1:26:45] levy is passed for one thank you all right next a adopting the [1:26:51] resolution uh setting the County Board salary for 20 2 uh any [1:26:57] discussion Mr chair I would just like to note that the process um to set the the [1:27:03] salary for the County Board um wasn't followed uh it was added to an agenda and there wasn't a time to prepare for [1:27:10] that discussion so I just want to note that thank you all right thank you for your [1:27:17] comments commissioner d uh I will thank the uh board members and [1:27:24] the discussion and in the making the uh decision to uh not make any changes to [1:27:29] it uh in light of the Ever Changing economic climate and the understanding [1:27:35] that uh we are uh compensated fairly within the market uh and for that reason [1:27:42] uh making no changes to it I think is a a admirable move by the board so with [1:27:47] that I'll entertain a motion motion by commissioner Shane second by commissioner Holland to uh [1:27:53] approve the resolution setting the County Board salary for 2025 all right [1:27:58] any discussion hearing none commissioner Holland I nay i i i resolution passes [1:28:07] unanimous thank Mr Mr chair if we could go back up to item sorry not uh [1:28:12] resolution passes 4 One sorry sorry for interrupting you Mr chair but item number seven we actually have two [1:28:17] resolutions there one is for the budget and one is for the levy oh we combine them I'm sorry so I have to go back back [1:28:24] to seven so um how would you like to me to go about that cuz I guess that the board is in agreement I said my first [1:28:31] one was on the levy so we'd have to set another one setting the 2025 budget is there a motion to uh set the 2025 budget [1:28:40] so moved second all right motion by commissioner dietro or sorry commissioner Shane second by [1:28:46] commissioner Holland to set the 2025 budget uh any discussion hearing none [1:28:52] commissioner Dietrich i n i i i all right resolution passes [1:28:59] 41 all right and now moving on to the item B1 [1:29:07] uh adopting resolution committing funds uh balance for unspent uh ARP rescue [1:29:13] funds uh for government Accounting Standards uh I believe board members [1:29:18] have had discussion with financing and under finance and understanding this unique move uh largely just trying to uh [1:29:26] make sure that if for some reason uh projects were either under budget or [1:29:31] were unable to come to fruition we were able to uh utilize them in a different fa fashion potentially so Mr chair you [1:29:39] might want to go back and because did we do this before we go on to this one Mr [1:29:44] chair I am I have the same paper copy as you and it omits number nine which is on [1:29:50] the screen in front of you okay oh yeah oh okay sorry I see that's what I get [1:29:57] when I print them out days earlier and then you guys add things after the fact Mr chair I'm on the same boat as you I [1:30:03] was wondering where it went and then I saw it on the [Laughter] screen and see and I even and I looked [1:30:09] back at it the other yesterday and didn't even catch that all right at this point uh we have number nine approved [1:30:15] the budget amendments for 2024 uh these were items that were discussed at the workshop and at uh [1:30:23] their committee so so moved all right motion by commissioner Shane second second by commissioner Holland any [1:30:29] further discussion hearing none all in favor say I I I oppose same sign all right motion [1:30:37] passes unanimous all right thank you now we can go [1:30:43] on all right now moving on to the the same item that we were just discussion [1:30:48] here regarding the adopting the resolution for the funds for the unspent uh rescue plan like I said this is just [1:30:55] a resolution so in the uh rare circumstances that one of these projects is unable to come to fruition or comes [1:31:02] in under budget that we're able to utilize These funds in a different fashion all right I'll entertain a [1:31:08] motion so moved motion by commissioner Dietrich second second by commissioner Holland any further discussion Mr chair [1:31:15] yes was this the one that was going to be parted out between ditch no ditch [1:31:21] money this is a this is yep [1:31:26] oh that was supposed to be separated right where we no this has nothing to do with ditches no this this [1:31:32] one is is we have some uh what I'm going to call uh Pro what I'm going to call [1:31:38] it's ARP projects that are still out there that have been extended numerous times and they're we have until 2026 to [1:31:45] encumber those expenses but they actually haven't been encumbered yet so in the circumstances that it uh for [1:31:53] whatever reason one of them was unable to be done we could then divert that money to a different project because [1:31:59] they have to be committed by December 31st of this year so what we're doing is [1:32:04] we're overc committing These funds to multiple projects so that way if one of those projects doesn't come through we [1:32:10] can move those funds to a different project okay sorry that's coming in the workshop then where we split the we [1:32:17] split the money on that Finance project and then the rest went to ditch Grant [1:32:22] that's that's the workshop minutes that's yor want to make sure I didn't miss that and I'm seeing Heather's [1:32:28] agreeing with all of the things that I'm saying right okay they're give me the thumbs up thank [1:32:34] you all right so Mr chair I'll make that motion for the ARP funding all right we [1:32:40] have motion by commissioner Shane second by commissioner Holland for the resolution of committing funds uh for [1:32:46] the unspent American Rescue PL uh dollars all right any other discussion [1:32:52] hearing none res resolution vote uh I'll vote i i i i i resolution passes [1:33:00] unanimous all right now moving on to the highway we have to approve a resolution [1:33:06] for final acceptance and payment of contract number 2402 in the amount of $ [1:33:11] 7,984 49 to Pearson brothers so moved [1:33:17] all right motion by commissioner Dietrich I'll second second by commissioner Holland any further [1:33:23] discussion hearing none resolution vote commissioner Holland hi hi I I I [1:33:30] resolution passes unanimous all right now moving on to committee recommendations we have the first one [1:33:37] would be approve the and adopt the recommendations from the committee of the whole uh this item we will have [1:33:43] already taken action on so there is no action necessary uh as there is no recommendations left at this point as [1:33:50] we've already done that through the resolutions above so that one is purely just informational only the second item [1:33:56] is to approve and adopt the recommendations from the County Board workshop and this is the one uh [1:34:01] commissioner catch Mark that you asked that we be uh parting them out I would agree thank you Mr chair one at a time [1:34:08] yep we will go one at a time here just one second here I'm bringing up my recommendations and [1:34:14] we all right so the first one is uh there's no recommendation uh that was [1:34:19] purely informational there's no change there and it was discussed that we will discuss discuss it again in January so [1:34:25] you will have another opportunity to have a discussion on that if we want we can discuss it every month uh throughout [1:34:30] the next year so it's it's always a fluid decision thank you Mr chair yes uh then the next item is to uh schedule a [1:34:37] public hearing which we've already done so there's no action necessarily for uh item number two uh the third item was to [1:34:44] review projects recommendations and allocation for uh American Rescue plans [1:34:49] uh those items are in the recommendations as you everyone states there uh there was basically parted into [1:34:56] two phases one was a an IT infrastructure project with Oracle and [1:35:01] the REM remaining amount of it is an allocation uh to our County ditches Mr [1:35:06] chair yes can I comment on this I know I wasn't there for the full conversation but um had submitted a project as well [1:35:11] with um how we were approaching this um but considering as we as one of the [1:35:16] things again I want the improvements done with our ditches um but part of my concern is that uh that we're going to [1:35:25] be putting General Dollar funds toward ditch improvements um and and what about [1:35:31] previous ditches that have been assessed these F these these costs and then we're paying in for these ditches and in the [1:35:38] future are are we going to dedicate General funds to ditches as well I'm just really concerned um that that that [1:35:45] hasn't been fleshed out totally I mean we could use this money just for general fund to offset taxes or the levy um I I [1:35:52] just I what I would like to recommend is that we um that we table this item and [1:35:58] have further discussion there's no urgency with this funds it's in our our general funds now um and I'd like to [1:36:05] just flush that out a little bit more so that we understand the implications when we're contributing to the ditches I'm [1:36:11] all for improving our ditches but the state law does says we would say we have to assess those repairs and improvements [1:36:18] and Matt knows the the you know fine tuning of that but um I just to allocate [1:36:24] it now in a set flat you know amount that's not ongoing um I just think it [1:36:30] would appear unfair uh for other ditches as we move forward that has haven't been allocated um General funds to offset [1:36:37] their assessments so that's what I make a recommendation B I just want to say that [1:36:44] we had I I want to say September a thre [1:36:50] hour meeting on the implications of the ditches the fact that the county or the [1:36:57] Commissioners ahead of us pushed this down the way