This meeting is being recorded. Thank you. It's January 6, 2026. This is the Wright County Board of Commissioners organizational meeting in my capacity as the chairperson prom. I'm going to call the meeting to order and we'll begin with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> At this point in time, members of the board, nominations are now in order for the position of chairperson of the Wright County Board of Commissioners. >> Mr. Kryser. I would like to nominate Derek Veetch as chair and I'll second that. >> Commissioner Veetch is nominated. Are there any further nominations for chairperson of the county board commissioners? Are there any further nominations for chairperson of the right county board of commissioners? If not, the nominations for chairperson of the Wright County Board of Commissioners are closed. Nominations having been closed, the question before the body is the election of a chairperson. Discussion will now be in order if any hearing. No discussion, roll call will be taken in alphabetical order. Commissioner Dedricch, >> I. >> Commissioner Holland, >> I. >> Commissioner Moina, >> I. >> Commissioner Shane, >> I. >> Commissioner Vetch, >> I. >> Congratulations, Commissioner Vet. >> Thank you, sir. >> Chairmanship. >> Thank you, board members. Uh, we'll move right forward here. Uh, second item on the agenda here would be the appointment of a vice chair. Uh, I'll stand for nominations for a vice chair. >> Mr. Chair, I'd like to nominate Commissioner Moa for vice chair, please. >> All right, we have a motion for Commissioner Mo. Is there any other nominations for vice chair? Is there any other nominations for vice chair? >> I'll nominate Naen Shane. >> All right. Is there any other nominations? Is there any other nominations? We'll move forward here for discussion. All right. Is there any discussion? All right. Uh moving forward, we will go with the uh suited side as administrator Ker with alphabetical order vote. Uh we'll do a voice for it. Uh Commissioner Dedric, >> we're we're voting. Can you be clear on that? >> Vice Chair, there's A or B. You have two choices on the on the Commissioner >> Moina. All right. Then, Mr. Chair, I can go forward with you. Commissioner Holland, >> Shane, >> Commissioner Moina. >> Well, I guess I'll vote for myself. Commissioner Shane, >> vote for myself. >> Commissioner VCH, >> and I'll vote for Commissioner Shane. All right. With that, the commissioner Shane will be vice chair for 2020 uh6 with on the vote here. Okay. Now, moving forward to the next item uh for the is the moving forward with the county board meeting schedule for 2026. Uh moving forward with the typical fashion of every other Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. in this room here. Uh is there any modifications? Otherwise, we'll move forward with the proposed schedule as uh traditional. We'll make that motion. Second. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Dietrich, second by Commissioner Shane. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Pose. Same sign. All right. Uh now moving on to item D, committee assignments. Uh the committee assignments were discussed uh last month and I will stand for a motion for the appointment of committee assignments for 2026. >> Mr. Chair, I'll go ahead and make that motion. I'll second that. >> All right. Commissioner, a motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Holland. uh for the appointment of committee assignments for 2026. Is there any discussion? >> Mr. Chair, I would just uh just for clarification purposes, um we updated the listing in the agenda after the agenda was originally published and we removed you, Mr. Chair, as an alternate from the Great River Regional Library Board because they don't have alternates. So, just a typographical correction that was made after the agenda got published, but I believe it's correct in the packet online now. >> Thank you, uh Administrator Kryer. Uh is there any other discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. All right. Motion passes unanimous. Item E, we have the approval of the transfer back of unused funds in the county attorney's contingency fund, sheriff's contingency fund, and the internal funds to general revenue. Uh housekeeping item annually. I'll stand for a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Holland, second by Commissioner Shane. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. All right, motion passes unanimous. Next item F, uh, recalling of all unused budgets from 2025. I'll stand for a motion. >> So moved. I'll second. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Holland. Sec or motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Holland. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. All right. Motion passes unanimous. All right. Next is moving forward here. Uh, item number three there. We will kind of hold off on that for this time and moving on to the approval of the minutes from 1216 2025. >> I'll make a motion to approve the minutes as presented. >> All right. And we have a motion by Commissioner Holland, second by Commissioner Shane to approve the minutes. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Same sign. All right. Motion passes unanimous. And next we have the approval of today's agenda. Is there any modifications to today's agenda? >> Yes, Mr. Chair. I'd like to uh pull a few items or move some things around. On the consent agenda, finance and taxpayer services item C5 for the non-point ARP funds. They'd like to remove that from the agenda entirely. Uh human resources item on consent number E1. I'd like to move that to items for consideration. That's the union contract with ASME. Um, and then also just a typographical change under finance and taxpayer services under item C32. There's a reference to 2025 warrants in there that should read 2026. Just a typographical correction there. All right. With that, I'll stand for a motion to the uh approval of today's agenda with the modifications. >> So move. >> All right. We have a motion by Commissioner Holland. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Shane. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. All right. Agenda is approved unanimous. Uh today's consent agenda. Would anyone like to remove anything from today's consent agenda for further discussion? If >> not, I'll stand for a motion to approve today's consent agenda. >> I'll make that motion. >> Motion. Motion by Commissioner Holland, second by Commissioner Moina. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I >> oppose. Same sign. All right. The consent agenda is approved unanimous. And we're moving along quite well here. We're already onto our first timed agenda item. And Chad is making his way to the podium to the approved resolution 26-3. >> Morning, chair, commissioners. Um the fir the resolution is uh previously brought to the board in September. We pulled it. Um, we had to make some revisions with MDOT. This is for the Chattam Township covert upgrade to a box covert/bridge U right behind Mil Creek. That road always washes out in the Buffalo Lake. Um, so this is just a variance to reduce the cost and fit the setting of that roadway. If you ever been back there, it doesn't need to be a state aid road. So this variance allows us to right fit that project. So, um, township has their resolution for next week and this is just ours as being the sponsoring agency fiscal agent. So, >> Mr. Chair, Chad, thank you for working with the township, Chad Township. It's been a process. I mean, I think they've been working on that for like a year and a half. >> Yes. >> At least. >> Ry's been spearheading that at the township. He's been doing a good job. >> Yeah. And it's well needed. I mean, it's just it's uh keeping trying to keep that water in the place it needs to go. >> Exactly. So, thank you. Y >> All right. And do we have a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Dedrick. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Shane to approve resolution 26-3 regarding the variance of Minnesota rules of state aid operation design. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Resolution vote. Commissioner Mo. >> I >> I >> I >> I. >> Resolution passes unanimous. Now coming on to the second item resolution 26-4. Thank you chairman. This one is our annual resolution to allow the authorizes the use of our website as our official publication for our transportation projects. Um this is we've done it for a few years now. So um gives us a little more flexibility on getting projects out for bid. We don't have to wait for the public. We still send it to the papers but it's not the official publication. This is just meets the statutory requirements. So >> all right. Very good. And with that is I'll stand for a motion. >> So moved. >> All right. Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Holland, second by Commissioner Dedric to approve resolution 26-4 uh adopting the use of a website publication for legal notice. All right. Any discussion? Hearing none. Resolution vote. Commissioner Shane. >> I >> I >> I >> I. >> Resolution passes unanimous. All right. Thank you, Jack. >> Thank you. And I this is a non-controversial item. I'll bring Mr. McMillan up here. Good morning. >> Good morning, uh, Chairman Betin board. Uh, before you, you have a resolution to that we worked with finance on to address, um, and address our current and past practice of using gift cards. Um so uh our request is to approve and adopt the resolution to accept donations or use of state funds for the following um treatment drug court programs uh from the Minnesota judicial uh branch donation fund uh MIA to purchase gift cards. Uh juvenile supervision from local collaborative time study funds and alternatives to incarceration state funds um to purchase gas gift cards. Very good. Any discussion on this? Otherwise, I'll stand for a motion to adopt and approve resolution 25- or 26-5 for donations. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Sh. Sorry, Commissioner Holland, second by Commissioner Dietrich. Any further discussion? >> All right. Very good. Resolution vote. I'll vote. I >> I >> I >> I think it's a unanimous vote there. All right. Thank you. Thank you. And now we are going to put on our Health and Human Services hats and go into the Health and Human Services portion of the agenda. Uh first item on the Health and Human Services portion of the agenda would be the consent agenda for the Health and Human Services. A couple items on there. Uh stand for a motion at this time to approve the Health and Human Services consent agenda. >> So moved. >> I'll second. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Moina, second by Commissioner Holland. Any discussion, >> Mr. SH I just wanted to say thank you to those that have served on the committees that are now uh resigning their position. So >> thank you. >> All right with that is there uh any discussion hearing? None. All in favor say I. >> I same sign. All right. Consent agenda approved unanimous. Now Jamie, your floor is yours for first item on time agenda. So, we bring to the board our um resolution to accept our um 2601 accept December 2025 donations. And you'll see in uh the paper in front of you, we've got $84 of donations from the forgotten initiative, um Candace King, as well as some um donations from HHS staff for our HHS farming closet in the amount of $84. >> I'll make a motion to accept those donations. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Holland. Second. >> Second by Commissioner Shane. Any discussion? As always, we greatly appreciate all the donations uh that help aid the county services. And so we can't thank you enough for that. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Resolution vote. Commissioner Holland. >> I >> I >> I >> I >> I resolution passes unanimous. >> Thank you. Um next I would like I just have a few director's comments. Um the first I wanted to share with the board and I believe it's in your packet. the adult protection and child support performance measures from um actually probably DHS or DCYF. I'm not sure which um which organization at this point. I wanted to point out on page five the um percent of vulnerable adults reported as maltreated with initial disposition for response made within five working days. Um Wright County achieved a 99.9% on that measure. Um the statewide performance is 97.16. And just to note that if you look under the county performance and the years um the number from 2024 went from 852 reports to 1,19 reports. Um the board approved a um third adult adult protection social worker back in 2024. So it's very timely given that a as evidenced our reports are increasing as well. Um and the staff did a very nice job with that at achieving that time frame. On the next page, um page six, percent of vulnerable adults reported as male treated with initial disposition for response within five working days. We're at 97.44 um with the state average being, I believe, 98.31. And again, with a lot more additional um um reports to be reviewed. Yikes. Next, um percent of open child support cases with paternity established. We're doing very well in that measure. 104% um with the state average being 95.93%. Um and we exceed our um the other our regional performance as well in that area. I think there's just a couple more. On page 10, you'll see the percent of open child support cases with an order established. Obviously, in order to get funding money um to kids, we need to have an order established. So, we do very well in that area as well. We're at 93.14%. Um, the region's at 90.83% and the statewide average is 86.53%. And finally, I believe um is the percent of current child support paid. So, obviously, we since we have the orders established, what's getting to the kids um or to the families, I should say. Um, and if you're familiar with collections um and then you see numbers like 78.856, 856, which is what Wright County achieved, that's really high. So, out of $100 of collections, we've collected 78.56% of um current obligations. Um with the statewide average being about $7312. And with that, I would conclude the um health and human services performance report from this last iteration. Um I also wanted to report that we had a lead agency review known as an L in our home and community based services. Um Wright County Health and Human Services received a very positive review of both the accuracy and quality of the work um with our clients and our documentation with our providers. Um there is a corrective action on that report. It's one that we share with most other counties and that's that timeliness compliance um that we're not meeting timelines and I think the entire board is familiar with the fact that we have a wait list in this area and that we are not meeting the required time frames for this in that area. Um and again seeing um phenomenal growth in that area as well. And that is the area in the um the waiverss that the state as you know is looking for a savings about $178 million to be forthcoming hopefully in a um partnership that they're working with counties over the next year or so. And then I wanted to report also that um public health director Sarah Grocious and I met with Carrie Trip from Community Action yesterday just as kind of a sign of solidarity, unity, and collaboration going into the new year um between our two agencies and it was a very good meeting. Um I was able she toured me through the um our our old building um um cubicles that they have set up over there. It still is wearing very well and they're very happy with them. Um and also just as uh information note, this is a year that our letter for intent on the wick program, I think it comes out every either four or five years is going to be um coming out probably in March. And this is a time when we usually do meet with community action to see is the situation we have currently where community action administers our county wick program. Is that the um pro is that the way we want to still go ahead with that over the next years? Um, so at this point it's um, community actions intent to go ahead with that letter of intent to file to continue doing the WIC program. >> Great. >> And that's all I have. >> All right. Thank you, Jamie. Commission, could I just um I just want to say with all the uh allegations of fraud in the state. Um I did have a conversation at the uh AMC about why the counties can't cuz you guys are so good at preventing fraud. We have auditors. We have elected officials. And she said in 2018 it got it got taken away from counties and giving to these non-governmental agencies or organizations nos and and I said it's really sad when it makes us look bad it makes you look bad but I just want everyone to know that you guys do a phenomenal job at at preventing fraud in >> I appreciate that and I I agree. I think we're um I think some a lot of times we're the flag waivers about you know potential fraud that we see and and react to it. Um there was a um an op-ed on the I think the Sunday paper anyhow within the last few days kind of about that um privatization of a lot and where I think a lot of the fraud stems from is like you know Minnesota was kind of at the very forefront of a lot of privatization and I think there's kind of the thought that private entities or you know NOS's as well will run things more effectively than government and I would maybe stand to say that I think government does a very good job in these areas um and that when um things get dispersed uh the way that they are now. It has opened itself up to fraud. But I appreciate that, Commissioner Holland. We are very um intent on finding fraud at the nexus. We actually look at fraud in two ways. We look at fraud um the incoming fraud. How what can we prevent in going out the door in the first place so you never see it because we don't approve those types of applications or you know um look at them very robustly. and then to go out and seek fraud that happened um you know unbeknownst to us or you know somebody provided us with false information and then to um actively go after that as well and it's something that I I think Wright County you you can be very proud of Wright County. I think we do a good job in that area. So thank you. I appreciate that, Jamie. And it's great to see that that on top of uh trying to be good stewards of the money on top of it, you uh are keeping ourselves uh really well in comparison to other counties across the state from a scorecard perspective. So, that's a hats off to you and your staff. Great work. All >> do. Thank you. >> All right. Uh with that, we're moving on to items for consideration. First one would be uh set the agenda for Tuesday, January 13th, next week's um workshop. I'll stand for a motion to approve the workshop agenda for next week. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Holland. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos? Same sign. All right. Motion passes unanimous. Second would be a housekeeping item to schedule a transportation committee of the whole for Tuesday, January 13th. Uh just after the board meeting just making sure that works for everyone >> or after that. It's not board meeting, the workshop. So moved. >> All right. Second that motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Holland. Any discussion? >> Mr. Chair, I would just note that this is just a tenative agenda that you see. There will likely be some more additions before we publish it. >> Very well. Perfect. So we'll be transportation committee the whole at 10:15 on Tuesday January 13th following the workshop is there's no other discussion uh hearing none all in favor say I. >> I post same sign. All right the transportation committee the whole is scheduled unanimous. Now to schedule a date and time for the annual county board meeting uh board of appeals and equalization meeting uh typically happens on the first two weeks in June. I think they have us proposed of Monday, June 15th. >> That works. >> That works. All right. At 4 p.m. I'll stand for a motion. >> So moved. Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Shane. Second by Commissioner Holland. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Post. Same sign. All right. Motion passes unanimous. The next would be adopt the resolution 26-6 approving lawful gambling application for the Rockford Lions. >> So moved. >> All right. I'll second >> motion by Commissioner Moa, second by Commissioner Shane. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. Oh, it's resolution vote. That would be Commissioner Dedric. >> I >> I >> I >> I >> I. >> Resolution passes unanimous. Next would be the approval of resolution 26-2 of final acceptance of final payment of contract 252 in the final amount of $103,925.80 for Black Top uh Allied Black Top I'll go ahead and make that motion. >> Second. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Moina. Uh, any discussion? Hearing none. Resolution vote. Commissioner Moina. >> I >> I >> I >> I >> I. >> All right. Resolution passes unanimous. Next, we have the approval and authorization of signatures on the 26 through 28 collective bargaining agreement with the Minnesota Teamsters. Uh at this time I will stand for a motion to approve the collective bargaining agreement with the local 320 teamsters. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. A motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Moina. Uh this will be a roll call vote. Commissioner Shane. >> Um I just want to say is there conflict of interest that we need to >> I think we'll deal with that. Yes. Call vote. Y >> Okay. Okay, just wanted to make sure. Um I >> I >> abstain >> abstain. >> I >> All right. Uh resolution passes 300. >> Comment. I want to thank uh uh Commissioner Vetch and Commissioner Shane and uh Administrator Kryser for all the hard work uh in the labor negotiations. I did that for 14 years in the school board and it is not an easy task. Um, and also all of our or all of our unions. Uh, it was a it was great that you guys uh worked together and came to a conclusion and I appreciate all the time and effort. >> Uh, thank you, Commissioner Holland. Um, I appreciate the, uh, employees, the unions, uh, those that have worked with us and have come to some, uh, agreements and resolution. I appreciate their efforts and times. Uh so it's been a uh a good process. So thank you. All right. With that, um we're moving on to the committee minutes. We have the minutes from >> Mr. Chair, we had one addition there that I pulled from consent. Uh it's the it's the authorized signatures on the contract with uh Ask Me Union. >> Oh yes. Yep. There you go, >> Mr. Chair. Um, the motion would be to approve the agreement and authorize signatures contingent upon the county administrator and labor attorney reaching agreement with the union on amendments to paragraph 24.3. >> All right. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion by Commissioner Moina, second by Commissioner Holland to approve the labor agreement with ASI ask me contingent upon the uh county administrator and labor attorney reaching an agreement uh with paragraphs 24-3. All right. Is there any other discussion hearing? None. Uh all in favor say I. >> I post same sign. All right. Motion passes unanimous. Now we're moving on to the committee minutes. The committee minutes from 11:18, which was the salary disc uh salary discussion for the uh elected officials uh which has already been acted upon. So uh just a housekeeping item to approve those minutes for the record. Uh I'll stand for a motion. >> Second. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Holland, second by Commissioner Shane. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. All right, minutes are approved unanimous. Next would be the approval of the truth and taxation minutes from December 11th. >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. >> All right. Motion by uh Commissioner Holland, second by Commissioner Shane. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. Motion passes unanimous. Next would be the approval of the minutes from the 1216 uh committee of the whole minutes. The 1216 committee the whole was the committee assignments the budgetary carry forward discussion and the legislative priorities were the items topics of discussion uh most of which have been acted upon uh at this time I'll stand for a motion >> so moved >> second motion by commissioner Shane second by commissioner Moya any further discussion hearing none all in favor say I >> I post same sign all right motion passes unanimous next would be the approval of the uh committee minutes personnel committee minutes from 1216 uh which was the backfill of request for facilities department uh at this point this these uh actions have already come forward on few uh the agenda already but looking to get approval of the minutes >> so motion to approve >> all right motion by commissioner Shane >> second by commissioner Dedric any further discussion >> hearing none all in favor say I >> I post same sign all All right, the minutes and recommendations from 12:16 have been approved. Next would be the personnel committee from December 29th, which was a uh a staffing level discussion within the sheriff's office and then a personnel policies uh that needed to be changed to meet state statutes uh changes. So, a housekeeping item uh looking for approval of the 1229 personnel committee minutes and recommendations. >> So, moved. >> Second. Motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Moina. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. All right. Motion passes unanimous. And as we're coming to a close here of today's agenda, uh if anyone did notice, we were uh hoping to get the attendance, but due to uh circumstances, uh Princess K of the Milky Way was going to join us and was unable to uh >> I think the weather played a rather large impact being in rural Wright County here this morning. So, unfortunately, she wasn't able to make the meeting, but I have confirmed with her that January 20th at 9:00, she'll be here at our next meeting. All right. Well, great. We look forward to uh chatting and congratulating Mallerie in uh the end of the month. >> Mr. Chair, before you close, there's something I'd like to to bring up once again as this has become a regular occurrence at our meetings. Just wanted to make the residents of Wright County aware that on December 17th, 2025, so last month, uh, Wright County was served with a writ of prohibition from the DOC Commissioner Schnell and Attorney General Keith Ellison. This is another attempt for Schnel to prevent Wright County from participating in the Community Corrections Act. Not only has Commissioner Schnell refused to allow us to participate in the CCA subsidy program, but he's now suing Wright County in the 10th in the 10th Judicial District for our efforts in trying to make Wright County probation more efficient and a safer delivery system. In his attempt to prevent Wright County from transitioning, he has also cost his employees that were going to leave his employee to work for the county 10% or more in wage adjustments and raises that they would have received at the end of 2025, which would have now taken effect as we get into 2026. So, not only is he costing the taxpayers of Wright County money by suing the county and attempting to extort us, he has cost his employees thousands of dollars in raises that they would have earned by working for the county and that they so rightly deserve to have. on another thing that I'll mention that at the end of December, the Minnesota Sheriff's Association took a vote of no confidence on Commissioner Schnell and it passed and it was a large majority of the counties that voted in favor of this vote of no confidence for the DOC commissioner. Uh that vote was passed by sheriffs from all over the state and it's my understanding that even the Henipa County Sheriff and our own Sheriff Daringer voted in favor of of this. I wasn't there so I can't confirm it but that's my understanding from what I've been told. Uh and I just would like to thank uh Sheriff Daringer on his support of this and his support of us and probation and what we're trying to do. So, just wanted to bring that up and and thanks for the time on that. >> Commissioner Moa, on behalf of the board, I appreciate all your efforts and uh keeping uh a close thumb on this and and pushing against it hard. Uh continue your efforts working with staff. Uh this needs to come to a resolution at some point. Hopefully, not too many more tax dollars are wasted in this effort, but unfortunately, it's not our choice in this matter. So, All right, with that, is there any other comments? >> Yes. Uh, at this point, I'd like to um uh thank Ken Felgar. He served in planning and zoning as a commissioner uh and was a delight to work with. Uh we appreciate his service uh for uh serving on the board on behalf of district >> four. >> Four. >> Yep. And I also want to say thanks to Ken for the 14 years of dedication that he that he showed forth for Wright County citizens. All right. Well, wonderful. Well, thank you, Ken. Uh and with this, if there's no other uh comments here or statements here, we will close today's board meeting at 9:32.