Good morning. We'll call this morning this morning's meeting of the Klay County Board of Commissioners to order for Tuesday, November 4th. Our first item is the approval of the agenda. Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Bear,
second by Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion on the motion? >> Any other discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose the same sign. Next, we have an employee recognition. All right, we have David Oxendall from
uh the sheriff's office, 15 years, and I take it David Cater this morning. >> All right, so I'll give you this plaque to give to him. >> All right. And then care to say a few words. >> Sure. Uh, so David's been with us for 15 years as a variable hour employee, which means
he just works part-time. That's why he can't be here today. He has another full-time job. But in that 15 years, it uh somewhat demanding on him because he has to also do his full-time position and keep up on postmandated training, which is a lot for us nowadays. So, he's
been able to manage that quite well over the past 15 years, get all his training in, and still assist with uh helping with shifts here in the courthouse. and also at ROG. So, we've been very thankful that he stayed with us for that amount of time and uh we're hoping maybe for another 15 years, but I know it's pretty demanding on him at this
particular point. So, thank you. >> We'll tell him congratulations from all of us. >> We'll do. Thank you. Thank you. In our consent agenda, we did have a um a sizable contribution from Minnesota Western Steam Threshers Union that went
to the Klay County Sheriff's Work Crew in the amount of $1,200. And we just want to say thank you to West Western Minnesota Steam Threshers for that contribution. All right. Do we have any citizens to be heard on items not on the agenda?
Any citizens to be heard? There are none in the audience. Any online? >> None online, Mr. Chair. >> All right. Thank you. We'll move in then to the payment of bills and vouchers. >> For a motion to approve the payment of bills, bills and vouchers. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Mojo, second by Commissioner Krabenhoff. Any
further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. The same sign. Motion carried. Approval of minutes from October 21st.
>> Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from October 21st, 2025. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Bayer, second by Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion? Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. The same sign. That motion carried. All right. Our 835 item is information presentation regarding the federal shutdown and impacts to SNAP, MIP, and
WIC programs. Good morning, Quinn. >> Morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. I have Olen with me from public health. She's gonna jump in. we kind of combined our information into one presentation for you this morning. Um, so just wanted to provide an update from the last time that I was here to speak to the federal
shutdown and kind of what those impacts are for our residents of Klay County. Um, as of today, uh, the federal government shutdown remains in effect. However, last Friday, the 31st, a federal court ordered the USDA to use its contingency fund to resume SNAP
benefits across the country. Uh the USDA was required to report to the court yesterday uh to identify how much funding is available and how it will be distributed to the states. Um in the USDA's response, it confirmed it will release the full $4.65 billion in
contingency funding uh remaining to help sustain SNAP benefits nationwide in November. Um however, the agency also clarified that this amount will cover only about half of the monthly allotment of SNAP benefits nationwide. um and it will take several weeks for states to
receive and process those partial payments. Um the USDA's report to the court also confirmed that no additional funding sources will be used um other than the contingency fund and that anyone that is a new SNAP enrolle uh certified in November will likely not receive those funds. Just people that
have already been on SNAP prior to November 1st. Um as of now, like I said, those funds have not been released. So Minnesota is still uh waiting for authorization before funding can go out for SNAP. Um in the meantime, we continue to process
new applications for SNAP and for MIP so that cases can be ready immediately once the federal authorization is given. Uh Minnesota's been proactive in preparing our Maxis systems for a quick turnaround time so that families can get their benefits immediately once we get the federal authorization. Uh I I want to
clarify one thing for the public. We've we get this question almost every single day. existing balances on EBT cards can be used now. No, no funds were taken from the cards. If you had a balance on there effective November 1st, it's still okay to use. Um,
USDA also confirmed that approved retailers, so the the vendors out there, they will remain active. They do not intend to deauthorize any of the stores that accept EBT. So, we shouldn't see any service loss from where folks use their EBT cards, at least with the information that we have right now. Um
to go along with that uh court order around the contingency fund, Minnesota is one of 26 states participating in another federal lawsuit arguing that SNAP is an entitlement program and the USDA has a legal obligation to continue providing benefits during the shutdown. Uh this legal action combined with that
contingency fund order gives me when I say cautious optimism that families should receive partial funding for sure in November. We just don't know when yet. Uh there's also been a development in the MIT program since the last time I came and spoke with you. Um the MIT
program is a combination of state and federal funds together. Uh initially they were saying that all MIT funds would be paused because there was no way to kind of unmingle the state and federal funds. State of Minnesota has since uh fixed that. Um so it's the cash and food portions of the benefit that
are combined into one payment. They've now separated them. So the food portion of the MIP is kind of on pause just like the federal SNAP program. However, the cash assistance component of MIP will go out as normal in November. That's a good thing. A lot of folks use that for rent,
mortgage, utilities, basic basic needs. So that is a clarification that we received since the last time that I was here. Another thing that's on our radar, unfortunately, uh is uh increased scam activity uh targeting SNAP recipients. Um, this is posted on our website as
well, but I wanted to get the word out there. Um, it's been reported across Minnesota and some counties have had residents lose their SNAP benefits because of these scams. Um, what's happening is people are receiving texts or calls that look official. They're using names like EBT support, MN DHS,
uh, EBT help desk. They're asking for card numbers, pin numbers, personal identifying information, or they'll include a link to a fake website saying they can unlock your card, things of that nature. These are 100% scams designed to steal the card balances. So, I want that out in the community. Please
do not click on those links. Don't reply to the texts. Um, if you feel like you've shared your information or you think that your benefits were compromised, uh, we have the real EBT customer service line right here. And of course, they can call us if they have any questions and we'll point them in the right direction and help them out.
Um, but again, that's on our social media page and on our on our county website as well. Um for there I want to kick it over to Sue to provide an update on the wick program. >> Okay. Um hi, thank you for inviting me to come and visit about this. Um it is
uh something that is very much impacting our our families that are coming in and a lot of ner nervous folks. So um just a little recap on what WIC is for those of you who may not know. Um we're a
supplemental food program and um we do provide nutrition education, breastfeeding education, um counseling service and refer um to public health and and um other various uh programs that can help folks out as
they go through their journey with small children and during pregnancy where we all know um is something that is there's a lot of extra cost involved at that time in your life. Um, who do we serve? We serve women
during pregnancy and postpartum um, if they're breastfeeding through that first year of life um, if they are not breastfeeding up until the baby is six months. We also serve um, the infants and then children up until the age of five.
Um, go ahead. So, what we're looking at is for funds right now, um, the way WICK is funded, we are going back on funds for our fiscal year runs through, um,
October 30th. So, we're just kind of getting paid for October with our September funds. So, we're one month back on that. So, we were able to manage well through the month of October. And since October, we've had some um extra
funding that has been um allocated. Um and we had one shift that went through and it did push our funds to about mid November that we were able to supply um funding for foods um and also just to
keep the services going. Um and and like Quinn had said, it's it's very fluid. Um, just last night I we learned from the National Wick Association that another $450 million was just um
allocated to WIC again to and will be dispersed in the next couple of days. Um estimate about 3 weeks of funding, but it's really contingent on what happens with SNAP and other things where whether people will utilize their benefits more.
Um, you know, we we hope that people don't try to get their benefits early in the month thinking that they may not have them in the end of the month because that'll actually shorten the life of what how long we can keep, you know, providing those funds for folks.
So, um, so that is one thing that we're trying to be super careful on how we're talking to people that we're not putting that fear in them that the food's not going to be there because we're worried that people may, you know, buy too soon, especially with formula and then we kind
of go down that road, too. So trying to keep that out of um just that it's going to be there and we're hopefully that they'll just kind of keep pushing along which it kind of sounds like we're seeing a little bit more of that. Um so I have this slide here. This just kind
of looked I wanted to show you where Klay County is at. Um you can see we're we're pretty steady. We've over the last year been about 1,500 that we serve. Um, as far as clients, um, of those clients,
uh, 62% are children, 18% infants. So, about 80% of them are for our children and infants, and 20% of them are women, either postpartum, pregnant, or breastfeeding. Um, and, uh, so you can see kind of it's a
very vulnerable community that we're serving right now. Um and and this makes such a big difference for them. Um as far as participant um if you want to flip the slide. So what does WIC do? We
do find you know with we've have a proven track record. Wick has been here for 50 plus years. We just had our 50th um anniversary and we um we know participation in WICK um does improve birth outcomes, lowers
infant mortality, promotes child cognitive development, just the the likelihood of breastfeeding. And we we know that our our participants versus those that could be eligible um have healthier diets just having that food
source there as well in the education. Um, so, you know, we want to keep that going because that makes a big difference to our families. Um, and you know, if those funds were to be pulled, um, you know,
people wouldn't re be receiving those services and referrals to programs such as any social services or any public health programs that can help with their health of their child. Um, so, uh,
and if you want to just Oh, thank you. Um, so what could this mean? is going to put if this prolongs our funding were, you know, if we were not able to fund it, it would mean a a loss of access to a lot of critical wick services for many
of our families. Um leading to negative health outcomes and for newborn and young children. Um, so I guess the what we're trying to get, um, Wick has been holding weekly calls now for state
staff, um, administrators, and, um, just kind of it's it's it's flowing. So, we learn new things all the time. So, every Wednesday and we'll find out tomorrow basically how they're going to appropriate that extra um 450 million
that they did appropriate across the board and what that'll mean for the um you know the length of time. It's kind of a guesstimate the way that things are cycling and people are using their benefits. prior to when SNAP wasn't
going that it would be maybe into the first week of December. Um that we would be having enough funds to continue. Um kind of sounds like they are thinking that they're going to kind of get a push forward though of small amounts which of
course isn't an answer and it leaves us kind of sitting like with well what can we do and how do we go forward with this? So, it's um very trying on not only clients but our staff and and that it's it's been an interesting
ride here. Um, I also wanted to what goes out to our clients on this is they have a Wick app and they are getting notifications pushed and we're encouraging families to keep their notifications on on their phone and to watch them. Um, just, you
know, keep their appointments, keep shopping. um if they're having any questions um you know to call our local agencies um and then just watch that app for any further updates if for instance we had a
situation where uh something happened with the cards and it was just a technical issue and for about an hour or two um they weren't able to use their card and a lot of the clients thought that that was due to the shutdown. It had nothing to do with that. It was all
a you know just technology type of thing but you it stoked a lot of fear and believe me a lot of phone calls on our end. So um all adding to just kind of confusion and things like that. So we're trying to keep families as best we can a
breast on what is going on. We too are having some scam issues. I didn't put it in there because it's just something that they've been kind of seeing a little bit. Um they've been getting uh Wick clients have been getting phone
calls asking families for for personal information like social security numbers and WIC will never ask for private information to be sent um via phone, text or email. Um so if families are
getting those calls, we know that they are a scam. um we we ask them not to respond to any of that, not to click on any links of course um any websites and then just to call us if they're having some questions. So we've been kind of
hearing some of those scams as well. Um, so with uh with the updates that I provided already, and I believe uh Commissioner Mojo, you spoke to this at last week's board meeting, but Governor Wallace announced on October 27th a $4 million emergency allocation to help Minnesota food shelves meet the rising
demand. Uh, this is a one-time emergency fund designed to stabilize local food distribution networks across the state. Uh, this funding is going to be distributed through that existing shelf network, not through a new application process. So, this isn't something that people have to apply for. Um,
each food shelf and tribal partner is going to receive a base amount of $5,000 and then additional funds based on local need and demands. Um, we have communicated this with our food shelf partners here in Klay County, definitely encouraging them to stay in close contact with the state and their regional partners to ensure uh
allocations and timing of funds. I have informal confirmation that both the place for hope and Dorothy Day food pantry will receive at least the $5,000 base amount. Um I don't know exactly what in addition to that they may or may not receive as of right now. Um also of
note, the state fiscical year 26 grant funds that go to food shelves such as the Minnesota Food Shelf Program and the regional food banks grants program will be uh distributed early hopefully in the next few days to weeks to kind of help offset some of those increased costs. Uh what's still unclear about this is that
we do not have a published list of allocations by food shelf or by region yet. Um state hasn't released a formula or weighted method for how they're going to calculate what that local need is. Um I'm just kind of unclear of what that is. Um and there's still clarification pending on whether if future rounds of
funds are allocated if that will require an application or any sort of grant reporting of that nature. Um, our role right now is largely about coordination and communication. Um, we're continuing to monitor this daily like Sue said. Um, seems like even as of
about 10:00 last night, there was, you know, additional information that came from the courts um, on some of this. So, we're monitoring it every single day, updating our website and our Facebook page with that information as well. Um, the the teams at DCYF are preparing those technical updates in our software and in our systems to be able to
distribute the funds as we get them. Um, and our teams are ready to go, ready to support residents as soon as we get that authorization and funding so we can distribute those funds to our residents. Um, the I wanted to put this out there. It is on our county website and our uh county Facebook page, but the help me
connect website is a wonderful tool and resource for uh Klay County residents to find different uh accesses to support and basic needs, food shelves, food distribution sites, etc. Uh, with that, I yield for any questions that any of you have. So, so Quinn, the um
on the EBT cards, for example, does Klay County upload the dollars to those cards >> through through the Maxis system? >> Okay. >> We It's state state run, county administered, but the funds come from the federal government.
>> Yeah. And then Sue mentioned that there's a way for Wick people to uh get information online or be part of notifications. Uh, is there a way for somebody who has these EBT cards to find out what balance is available on the card?
>> They can call us. I don't I don't believe we have a fancy app. That's a great idea, but we don't have one for >> Yeah, I was just I was just wondering if somebody's sitting there and they're they're zero right now and I thought might they're it might be good if they
had an opportunity to just be able to You're going to get a lot of calls. >> We sure are. Yep. Please, please call us. Please tell the community to call us. That's >> I was just I was just wondering if there wasn't some um improved form of re checking on a balance other than having
to have your staff take call after call after call. >> No. >> Okay. Well, that's the way they'll do it then. Okay. I I think Commissioner Mojo was first. >> I noticed yesterday there was an announcement from the Trump administration on funding 50% of that
piece. You know, I I I know there's still conversation on what exactly that means and where that money is, but I think that's a helpful development hopefully uh in the interim. Uh both of you, I just want to extend gratitude. I,
you know, I know it's a time where it's really challenging to communicate with clients that may be facing some severe hardship and I know that is a burden that staff feels as well. So, just know that uh we appreciate the work that you all are doing and um I know it's just a really difficult time for folks. So,
thank you for that. A conversation at one of the district meetings I was at in Washington County yesterday came up about donation of frozen food to any food pantries. For instance, uh um hunters that may um have a deep freeze with excess venison frozen from last
year. Likewise, do we know if any of our Klay County food pantries are accepting frozen meat? >> I I believe A Place for Hope is. Um I was on a kind of an urgent uh community stakeholder call on Friday. Uh Daryl from A Place for Hope was a part of that
call. Um he indicated he's open to donations as they can get them. Um I know they've got a couple big large kind of walk-in deep freezers. Um last time I was physically there, they were pretty fullonated. So, kind of another message that I' I'd love to get out there is if you can donate food or funds, please do
so. And I know that they're always looking for volunteers at all of the food distribution sites. >> And then a final comment if I might. Um, one is the, um, utilization of the CAP LP, uh, rural transportation bus that currently is funded right now, but in a
time where there might be some food and security to our seniors throughout rural Klay County, you know, wanting to make sure that we're utilizing that tool as we can uh, to get that news out there for folks. >> Great resource. Yeah, >> thanks,
>> Commissioner Abiger. Yeah, Quinn, my understanding if somebody wants to apply for these benefits, they can apply, but they'll stay in the county. It won't go up to state, >> correct? Yep. They they stay at the county level. It's uh how the case loads work is county specific, county of
residency. I'm not aware of how many people a month either withdraw or lose their benefits, but if that is occurring, is there a way to where we can make sure that the limited funds we have aren't distributed
to to people who are either no longer need them or no longer present to to use them? Is there a way for for us to keep current with with the people who are coming off of these benefits? We're still operating completely as normal. So, as we get information that
people lose eligibility within Klay County, we're continuing to process that. If they move to a different county, if they move out of state, we'll still process that on our end. So, >> we have the control to make that happen. >> Yep. Still the day-to-day functions that our eligibility workers are keeping up on. >> Great. Thank you.
>> Right. Any other questions, comments? >> All right. Thank you, Quinn. Thank you. >> I I I just want to say one more thing. one of our last meetings, some of the different counties had some Oh, sorry. Some of the different counties had some formula that um people are doing for
donations and they're they were trying to go through a local wick program, which we can't do that. So, just kind of if people are looking to donate some of that thing through the food pantries or um we just want to remember Birthright is in our building
>> and they do help out a lot of folks. I mean, wick is supplemental. We don't provide all their formula. So, they do have to look elsewhere. Oftentimes, they use their SNAP for that. Um, especially I I've heard from a couple of families that are on very special, very expensive
formulas that they're not sure how they're going to work around that. Um, we are trying to work with our our folks that are on very um expensive formulas and things. Um, they're medically prescribed to them. of we're working with medical assistants
to see if they can pick up some of that. Um therefore moving some of those formulas over to them, taking them off wick to extend that dollar amount because they're very expensive. So back on the back end of the state, they're
trying to do a lot of those things to help that funding spread a little further. So, those are some things that the state is really working hard on finding any way that we can um keep those funds moving another week, another
day. Um, at this point, >> let's hope this shutdown just ends soon. >> They vote in four minutes. >> Any guesses? Thank you, Quinn. And
All right. Our next item is a request approval for resolutions 2025-30 and 2025-31 to support petitions for Buffalo Red River Wershed District to utilize taxing authority. Christine, good morning. >> Morning.
>> You got some some of your board members here, Bill and Jerry. Good morning. >> Good to see you. Welcome back. >> Well, good morning. Um, thank you for coming and letting us talk to you today um about our um petitions for some
taxing authority. Um, for those of you that don't know me, I'm Christine Gayen. I'm the administrator of the Buffalo Red River Wershed District. And then we have Bill Davis and Jerry Vanamberg who are Klay County some of our Klay County appointed board members. Um so we're here today to for your consideration and
approving two petitions for the Buffalo Red River Wershed District to utilize taxing authority under Minnesota Watershed Law 103D 905. This statute grants taxing authority to wershed districts for basic water management activities if petitioned for by a
political subdivision. And we come to Klay County um because the residents of Klay County make up about 70% of the district's tax base based on the taxable market value. And so in 2026 um the Buffalo Red River Wershed
District is requesting um the Klay County Board to consider two petitions. One is for an assessment in the amount of $550,000. And these funds will be used for contributions for the four soil and water conservation um partners within
the district um for their conservation marketing, their soil health practices um and technical assistance. um as well as education and outreach um and watershedwide programs and activities like the stream gauging program um our water quality monitoring permitting and
then um kind of general investigations if landowners have uh water related concerns. Um the second petition is in the amount of $700,000 and these will contribute to project design and construction um for projects such as uh Whiskey Creek and South Tributary which
is in Barnesville Township um the South Branch of the Buffalo River Restoration and uh the Lower Otteril River Restoration. Um they'll also be used as leverage for state and federal grants. And so one of the things that we always bring to you with these requests is what
this means for the the property owners and what that means for their tax assessments. And so with these two assessments and our other general assessments, um it's approximately $12.71 for um per $100,000 in property value.
Um and if you look at our comparison sheet that we sent you, that's quite a bit lower um than what it's been in the past. And a lot of that has to do with we've been successful at getting different grants. And so there's just less local need um for supporting like the project construction and design. And
so with that, I kind of want to thank you for your time. And if there's any questions, we're happy to answer them. >> So if I'm doing my math correctly, Christine, I think we're the total that you're asking for this year is 1,250,000
compared to 1,595,000 last year. Is that >> Yep. getting that right. >> All right. >> I have one question, Mr. Chair. >> Yes, Commissioner Bear. >> That $700,000 that you're asking for
design on projects, don't those when you design a project, doesn't that go back to that project itself and build to that project? >> It it does. So, this just covers a portion of it. So, if it's just some of the local support and and the thought behind it is that we do these projects
all over the district. So um you know some you know we did one in Glendon a couple years ago. So you know the whole wershed wide supported that project and you know now when we work on the lower otter the the whole wershed supports those efforts but it's just a portion of it otherwise it comes from yeah like you said the the land owners that live
>> on that project >> on that project and then also the state and federal grants as well. >> So the 700 basically reduces everybody everybody you share within that project. That's >> correct.
What? What percentage do you normally lower that share for? >> I don't know that we've ever done it based on like a percentage. I think it's kind of based on kind of the need. Um like the the Glendon project, just the way the bids came in was more expensive and then just based on like the project
area was smaller. So there was probably a greater percentage contributed to that project versus some of our other projects that have more widespread uh or it's a larger project area. So there's more local funds available and then some of the other projects also had more
grant funds. So it just kind of it just kind of depends on the project and I don't know if there's any like calculation. Yeah. >> And I'm I'm reading off of the >> Oh yeah, >> questions where I was trying to follow this last night when I was reading through this.
So the management fund one and two is what these things cover. Um, so where do you get your funds for your administrative and your insurance? Is that through grants or how are you
how are you obtaining those funds? >> So that's a separate level of assessment that is also watershedwide. We just don't have to ask for a petition. >> Okay. So that's that's outside of this taxing authority. >> Yes. Yeah. But it but that's why I um include it in that $12.71
because it's all the same um funding that's coming through. So those you don't need approval on is what you're saying. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Can I can I ask what did what percentage did that go up this year? >> Um for the administrative and um so so
that's on here too. So the administrative actually went down um let's see like $70,000. Um and then so one of the things is every five years we're allowed to assess for survey and data acquisition. So that's like if a land owner has a
concern um they they can we can use those funds to kind of investigate what's happening. And so that's also why the the basic water management one and two went down is that we kind of supplement it with that increase because this was a year that we were able to
assess that. So we kind of work with that as well. >> All right. Any other questions? All right. We're looking for a motion to approve resolution 2025-30. >> I'll make a motion to approve
resolutions 25 or 2025-30 and 2025. >> Hey, we got to do them separate. >> Oh, okay. 2530. >> I will second that. >> All right. We have a motion by Commissioner Krabnoff, second by Commissioner Bayer. Any further discussion?
>> Just one comment. It is lower than last year, so that's always a plus sign. >> It is. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose the same sign. That carried
unanimously. >> Mr. Chair, I'll offer a motion of support uh for resolution 2025-31. >> Second. >> Right. We have a motion by Commissioner Muller, second by Commissioner Ebinger. Any further discussion on the motion?
Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose the same sign. Again, that motion carries unanimously. >> All right. Anything else? Jerry, how are you doing? Anything else for us today?
>> Not from me. >> Okay. All right. Any words of wisdom? >> Your input? >> Well, thank you for your service in the wershed. Bill, anything? >> You guys are looking great today and thank you for your service. >> You should have said that before we took
the vote, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. >> Thank you. I just wanted to comment, you know, we have three great individuals that are serving on this board um that we've appointed. I just really I know you take a lot of late night phone calls and I've been on on farm sites with all
of you. So, thank you for being so willing to address the concerns of the public and serving in this capacity. Um, there's a saying about water and uh and what versus whiskey, which one is worth fighting over and most of the time it
becomes water. So, I know that it's hot button contention, but for the most part, you do such a great job of addressing those needs uh throughout the community. Thank you. You know, we heard a lot about population going down and concern about
that. >> And uh I just want to let you know that uh our watershed is doing its part to keep this population up because she is a new mother >> and Matt is a new father that's also
working. >> All right. >> We've added to the uh >> yes >> to the district. >> Right. >> Congrats. Well, fortunately, Klay County is a growing county, so >> and thank you for adding to that.
>> All right. Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next, we have the overview of employment services provided by Rural Minnesota SE. Morning.
>> You were gonna start this off for us this morning. >> I sure am. So, uh, a few weeks back, um, this board approved our MIT bianial service agreement, uh, outlining the county's local plan for, uh, the MIT program, uh, strategies, performance outcomes, helping program participants
achieve employment. Uh, the day-to-day work of guiding participants towards those outcomes through career planning, job search assistance, and barrier reduction is carried out uh, through our partnership with rural Minnesota SEP. Uh SEP is our contracted provider that delivers employment and training
services for folks on MIP and the diversionary work program. Uh these services are designed to help individuals and families develop skills, obtain employment, and achieve greater self-sufficiency. So the SEP team is here to give a brief overview to you all on the specific work that they do with
their clients. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. I'll start out. My name is David Smith. I'm the program administrative manager for rural Minnesota SEAP. I oversee the 19 counties and the eight teams that operate within. Um, but just to give you
a little idea of what we are, we are a pri private nonprofit partner in Minnesota's workforce system. Like I'd stated, we serve 19 counties across 20,000 square miles. um with over 33,000 annual visits to our eight offices
including the Alexandria, Baiji, Brainer, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, Morehead, and Wadina. And we support over 4,000 thousand individuals in individuals annually in achieving employment and self-sufficiency.
>> Morning. My name is Bill Burnside. >> Again, good morning. My name is Bill Burnside. Um I'm the team leader for the rural Minnesota SEP office in Morehead. We have uh 12 of us in the office and uh we serve a lot of people. I just kind of
wanted to go over the the process um that's involved with the MIB program. The uh the county deems people eligible. So they do the financial work and make sure that the folks are eligible for the program.
if they are found to be eligible. There's really two parts to it. There's the financial part, the the cash uh the food assistance and the housing assistance. And then there's the employment and training portion of MIP. And that's what we do um at Roman SEP is the employment and training portion. So
the the clients are referred to us. Um they're assigned a job counselor. We have uh seven MIP job counselors here in Morehead. I'm one of them. I have a a small client case load. Um the other six
have roughly 70 clients per person. So there there's a there's a large case load. Um once they're assigned, they are given an orientation date. They they come to our office. We orient them to what we expect from them and what they
can expect from us through the program. And uh after that's done, they will sit down with their individual job counselor and just have a meeting to develop an employment plan. And the client kind of goes over their life situation.
Um they they between the two of them, they'll identify the barriers in their life that that is keeping them from being, you know, employed at at uh a rate where they they don't need to be on services.
Um once the the barriers are identified, the employment plan is created. It's signed by both the client and the job counselor. It's kind of a a contract as to here's what we're going to do to move you forward.
The client and the job counselor meet on a periodic basis to track progress. Um if there are several different categories, most of most folks are are just in a job search and it is their job
to search for a job and and we require them to search 35 hours a week generally. In the Fargo Morehead area, if you're job searching for 35 hours a week, you can get a job pretty quickly. Um and and we can help move you forward.
Uh the biggest part of it is to identify those barriers. what what what is it? You know, you have to have a real conversation with people to find out exactly what's going on. Um, we try to point those things out and and and
have them really work on those things. Um, and generally folks do pretty well. Um, some of the services that we offer to our clients, um, we can do on the job training. Our
entity rural Minnesota SEP will help with onboarding costs if they're if you're a client of ours. We have several companies that we work with out in the county or out in the well in the county, but uh also in Fargo. Um we will place
someone at a business and help with the onboarding costs and hopefully that person will become a full-time employee. That's one of the the services we can offer for people who don't really have a work history for whatever reason. They they just they don't have a work
history. They have nothing to put on their their resume. We also work with businesses who will take folks that we're working with and work with them, put them on their schedule, and they're they're volunteers
for the company. We actually pay them. there are employees. We pay them $12.25 an hour. We don't want them to think it's a full-time job, but it it helps them learn how to show up on time, how to deal with a boss, how to deal with co-workers, um maybe a little stress
every once in a while, and and just get them into that that working mindset. Uh we have incumbent worker training. Um, we have funds available to help current businesses upskill their
employees. Uh, we could, we've worked with Crystal Sugar, helped them with their maintenance department. We upskilled some of those folks. We worked with Pactive. We've worked with Aldderon and Holly. They're expanding and we help them uh with that. Um, and then just
career support. We help people write resumes. We have come people come into our office every day and say, you know, I'm I'm job searching and it's just not working. So, we'll look at their resume, help them to to kind of make it the way it needs to be. Some people have 10-page
resumes and and we like them to be a onepage resume. So, help them with that. Um, coaching, we can give them labor market information. We have employer connections. we understand who's hiring, who's looking for folks, things like that out
in the community. We can help with some of the funds that we have to help folks attain a CDL, uh, CNA, just some real short-term things. It's pretty amazing once you have a CDL,
how how quickly you can get hired and and make too much money to be on services. So, um, we have what what are called support services. Some of the barriers that I talked about, um, maybe somebody's car doesn't
work. They're it's it's not running. We can help. We work with local businesses in the community. Um, and we can help fix their car, get them tires, get them brakes, things like that. Some people maybe they don't have insurance. They just need that that little jump start to get going. we can support them for a
couple weeks until they start getting paychecks. Um, that's a that's kind of a a one of the biggest ones is, you know, we can help them with reinstatement fees for their license. We can help them with license fees. We can help them with tabs, things
like that. We we, like I said, we meet with our clients periodically. Some we meet weekly, some we meet monthly, but we do track what they're doing. That's that's part of what we're required to do. And uh so
there's a there's an assessment and tracking portion and then working with our community partners, CAPLP, Voke Rehab. I mean, we we collaborate with with those folks. So, do you have any questions about the process or or what we actually do?
>> Commissioner Krabanov? >> Yeah, just a quick question. What age does this start at? We work with so you have to have a child under the age of 18 in your home. We work with people who are 18 and over. >> Um
the the I believe the child protective services work with younger folks with children. M >> Commissioner Abinger, >> what what's the most prominent
probably couple of of obstacles that people have to employment here? >> Like I said, it's maybe you've had your license taken away, you can't drive. If we can get you a reinstate, we can't pay your fines, but we can pay a reinstatement fee, we can pay tabs, we
can pay insurance. Um, you know, it's a it's a team-based decision. The the job counselor brings it to the team and and it's either a yes or a no. Um, but the biggest obstacle I think is is driving
vehicle. The second biggest would be child care. I have three little kids at home. I can't I can't I can't job search. So, you have to job search because you need to support those three little kids. The
the county helps uh with child care, but what we do is put that in their plan then search for child care and get child care. I mean, and we put them on a time frame. You you need to have child care within, you know, 45 days, then then
we'll take the next step. So, >> thank you. >> Follow question to that. What >> followup question to that? What if they don't find child care in 45? If you give them steps and they're not following through those steps. >> So, if they don't follow the process, um,
we have what's called a notice of intent to sanction. If if they're not doing what they're supposed to do, we send them a letter saying in 10 days there's going to be some action taken. So, you have 10 days to to contact your job counselor and work towards fixing the
problem. If they don't fix the problem, we send uh a status update down to the county financial workers and um they start losing part of their grant. At some point, their case will close if they're just not doing what they're supposed to do.
>> Yeah. They're actually given seven seven times before they're actually we call them sanctioned off and it's basically seven mistakes >> throughout the whole the whole tenure of the of their five years. So, but I uh I
just want to piggyback off of your question a little bit. I think one of the biggest ones right now is the mental health. Um, and I think what helps us is us being able to get them on a plan. Everybody that comes in has to have a
plan. And we get them on this plan. And we and it may just be doctor visits at first. And that's what we do is we hold them accountable to going to the doctor, to seeing their physician, to seeing that psychiatrist. And that's probably one of our biggest growing I feel it's
one of our growing ones, but it's also the ones where you know what, we can hold them accountable. Um, so that's what I feel like we do for a lot that just think that they're just going to ride this out. No, you got to do some stuff. So, >> yes, Commission Bear.
>> What percentage actually get through the program in five years or do they get off the program earlier with full employment? Well, our goal ultimately is to get them off in three years. >> Um, it's kind of it's one of the things I'll talk about is the self-support index. That's a measurement of anybody
that's been on um on the program and they start measuring it when they've hit three years. So, if they're on the program, that's considered a negative unless they're on the program working 32 hours or more depending on their family size. But that's where the that's our ultimate
goal is to get them off early. Um the quicker the better. We have several we have a high percentage I think about 80% of our people that come on are off within a year. 85% after three years. So that but we just do not the self-support
index is just a different monster. It's something the state decides. We usually don't find the out find out about the outcome for about six months after it's ended and we're already halfway through a year. So, it's really a difficult one, but it also is a a kind of a way to
measure someone's success. >> So, how do people um learn about you? Is this something that's referred Quinn by your departments? >> Yeah, so if you're on the MIT program, you're getting a referral to SAP. It's it goes hand in hand.
I just, you know, I listening to you guys today, I just, you know, whether they might be in some legal issue in the past or whether it's mental health or maybe even just low self-esteem. Uh, you know, I think the idea, you know, I think the general public a lot of times
doesn't realize that that we do have systems in place to try to get people back into the workforce and become uh, you know, good members of society and participate with society. And this is one really good way that I see in that
being done. And I I just I'm thankful to to be able to hear what you're what you're about and doing. We actually MIP is just 50% of what we do. We also work with the um WEOA programs. It's the federal programs and some state
dislocated worker programs. But we also do grants. And you talked about those that may have a legal issue. We just completed a grant. It's it was called our re-entry grant. Um we helped 75 people that had a had a and this is throughout our whole set, but it's
anybody that can come on that has like a legal issue like they were previously incarcerated. They're having troubles getting jobs because of that. So we help them do that and that's that's pretty much out of all of our grants. And it that's one of the pr prerequisites a lot
of them is that it's a it's a way for us to enroll them. It's a reason for us to enroll them but it's also the low income. It's also the BIPO, you know, um, uh, we just have a lot. We just got awarded a agricultural grant that allows
us to help those that want to get into the egg business, any egg business, whether it becomes a CDL to be able to drive for a farmer, whether it's, you know, going on to the egg schools to, you know, become an aronomist. Um, so we just learned, we just received that one.
So that will be coming to all of our teams as well. Well, I I I believe it was Bill, I believe it was you that mentioned too that you work with local businesses and um trying to find a place for these things to
people businesses willing to um for lack of better term, maybe take a chance, right? >> On some of these people, right? >> And you know, just understanding that there's businesses out there willing to do that because without those um we get
nowhere. Exactly. >> And so, um, just a hats off to you didn't mention businesses and I'm not here to ask you to to, but for those businesses that are out there that are do that, our community needs to thank them for that.
>> So, yeah, we work with several businesses and the only prerequisite we ask is they cannot be hiring at the time because we don't want to take away somebody that could get a job by us coming in there and doing this. So, but I'll I don't think we've ever come across a business that said they will
not participate. And that's a lot with what we do is we ask the client what they may be interested in. >> And if they say, "Oh, I love working with lumber. I love We'll go to the lumber yard and say, "Hey, would you, you know, would you love to sponsor this person?" We'll pay the wages, the, you
know, workman's comp. And so, and we very rarely get anybody that'll turn us down for it. >> Right. Yes. Commissioner Kremlin. >> Yeah. Just so to be in the MIT program, this is a criteria. >> Okay. Mandatory.
>> Yeah. Mandatory. >> Okay. Yeah. And to hear 80% that's incredible. >> All right. Anything else? I'll just go over a little bit on how we me do our measurements and then if you got and yeah then we'll pretty much and
then a success story from Barbara who's working with one of our clients. Um so I I had mentioned the self-support index that's I believe on the third page um or fourth page. Um that
one there is what the state determines our funds. We do well in it we'll get more funds. If we don't do well, they will actually after two years penalize us by 2 and a.5%. So our goal is uh obviously get to the meats. If we get
and exceeds, we can also get a bonus. So there's a positive. But as you can see, Klay County in the last three years has gone up. We went from 61 or 66.21, which is well above the state average.
In 2024, we went from to 67.39, which is well above the 61.66 and in 20 this previous season um year was 61% to 68% is how we did. So, we've
been improving every year um which is great to see. But like I had mentioned, we don't find out these results until August um 6 months in already to the new year. So we don't know, okay, how do we do it? So our internal way of figuring
this out is through entered employment. The ones that are getting off, are they getting jobs? And that's how we determine our success. And and as you can see through um July, we're at 45.5%.
um and we consider an exceeds are doing really well with the MIP program at 45% and then successful placements. Those are people that are get job but they also may get on social security and that's one of the other services we do
offer is anybody that's on our MIT program and we realize okay it's not going to you know right now they're not going to work they're not able to work with them to get on social security so they can have that time to get better and then come back on the program or
come back and get in back into society. Um, and then the DWP program is very similar. It's actually a short-term program. It's meant for four months. Um, and we look at that at 52% and then the
average wage when they leave is 1756. I'm sorry I skipped the 1851 is how MIP finished last year. Our other big measurement we look at is our return, your return on investment. We
look at anything over a $1.50 per dollar you guys spend or or the county spends as success. And this is and you can see our return on investment is $29. And this is strictly taxes are coming back in. Payroll taxes, income, you know, any
income tax that is coming back in. That's it. You know, that's all we're measuring. even though there's more, it's that person also getting a house, paying property tax, keeping their kids in the school around here that gets us more funds back in. So that's why we
consider $150, but at $29 is huge. We just that's success for us. And I think uh to tie a bow on this uh one of the things we really like to do is is amplify our success stories. We'll ask the uh you know someone who's been
successful to to kind of write up a narrative. There's there's two narratives in here, but I would I really would like uh uh Barbara to talk about one of her clients that that is a super duper success story. Okay. Hi, my name is Barbara and I'm a
job counselor with Rome Minnesota. I've been there almost 24 years. crazy. Anyway, help train Bill in um I have a client and she applied for
cash assistance from Klay County Social Services. So, in order to remain in compliance and keep her grant, she needs to participate with me and have an employment plan. When she first came through the
orientation with me, I did an assessment And this particular client was in a domestic violence situation and she had two children um
with uh some disabilities, special needs. Okay. She'd been a housewife. She'd been member of the community. She had no idea what to do. Um, of course, we address the family
violence. Um, I work very closely with Rape and Abuse Crisis Center, Community Health Services here, and I met her over there and completed a safety plan to keep her and her family safe. We also got her in touch with some
services for her children. And so, that was the initial step, first and foremost, safety of the family. Okay. Then she was ready to do something else.
What next? We do career assessments in our offices. Um so we went put her through a career assessment. What are your interests? What experience do you have? What don't you have? What do you feel you can do?
And based on these things, she decided maybe I should try college. And I said absolutely. go check out the colleges, see where your interests lie. She did get enrolled at MSUM. And
uh this has been a process over approximately three to three and a half years because there's been many steps in between this that she had to do the divorce and child custody and and
finding child care, various other things, bringing children to Mayo Clinic, that sort of thing. But she's persisted amazingly and she finished. She was almost complete
with her social work degree at MSUM and she needed to do an internship and she said, "Barbara, where can I do an internship?" I said, "Anywhere in the county building would love to have you go approach them." Well,
by Con Social Services took her on. The same program that's helping her took her on as an intern. She'll complete her internship in December and graduate with a social work degree. And I have a feeling they
may hire her. So, it's from it's come full circle and that's what can happen on this program. It's really fun to see. Now, it's not true of everyone, but
this particular starfish, it certainly made a difference to her. And she's been amazing. She's done a lot of hard work, and it hasn't been easy. That's what I'd like to share with you. >> Well, thanks for sharing that.
>> Great. Anything else for us today? >> Thank you. >> Thank you for being here. It's all good news. Thank you. All right. Next, we have a request for approval replacing replace budgeted child protection case worker.
>> Sorry, you got to see me a lot today. >> Yes. >> Yes. I'm here uh requesting a motion to fill a vacant child protection case manager position uh with Backfill. Uh we recently had a vacancy in our child protection case management unit. Uh this
position is essential for maintaining compliance with state and federal child protection mandates uh ensuring safety, permanency, and well-being for children in Klay County. Um case managers uh just to refresh your memory, their their role is uh responsible for ensuring child safety, developing case plans, coordinating court-ordered services, and
ensuring that families receive support and interventions necessary to achieve safety and stability. um his work has pretty large legal, ethical, public safety responsibilities with mandated timelines for contacts, documentation, court filings. Um one thing I'd like to
highlight right now is that our case management division is currently under pretty substantial workload pressure over the past few months. Um we've onboarded three new case managers uh still in the onboarding and training phase which kind of limits their ability to carry a full case load. Additionally,
we have one case manager out on FMLA uh with those cases tempor temporarily redistributed to other case managers. So, we're operating at about 60% capacity right now. Um due to that, we have kind of that additional strain on our remaining experienced case managers,
which I know I have the concern that that'll increase the risk of burnout for them, turnover, or potential delays in meeting those uh court-ordered timelines. So ultimately choosing to not refill this position would have pretty significant impacts on child and family safety. Uh negative impacts on autoome
placements and negative impacts on the reunification process. Um also of note consistently large and unmanageable case loads may expose social services to legal liability and reduce the quality uh and timeliness of interventions provided to the vulnerable families that
we serve. We want to highlight that this request was brought through pick and recommended to bring to the board for full approval. Um, when it comes to uh budget impacts, this is a fully budgeted position. Uh, based on the 2025 wage calculator, refilling it is projected to result in
approximately $10,162 in savings compared to the previous staff's wage and benefits. With that, I would yield for any questions that >> questions. I have a question. >> How many uh child protection case managers are are in this group? >> 14 when we're fully staffed.
>> And you're short one right now. >> Short one. one gone on FMLA. >> Yep. >> Is there any way that this position could be filled January 1? >> As much as I would like to say yes to that, I know that it would have pretty significant impacts on the work that we
do. >> Those are my two questions. >> Okay. >> All right, Mr. Chair. >> Yes, Commissioner. I'd >> like to move to fill the ch vacant child protection case manager position with back fill.
>> Second. Motion by Commissioner Abinger, second by Commissioner Krabanov. Any further discussion, >> Mr. Chair, Commissioner Mojo, >> my question is what I noticed on the memo it was brought to pick what was the approved action or >> I the recommendation was to approve the
request. >> Thank you. >> Any further discussion? >> Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I >> oppose. I motion carried. All right.
Um, request approval to replace budgeted eligibility worker position. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, okay. We have a eligibility worker position also vacant on our adult team within financial services. Uh, this position is essential to administering the SNAP
program. Uh, related financial assistant programs that you heard kind of seep talk about a little bit. Um, our eligibility workers ensure the timely access to food and cash benefits for our low-income residents, supporting that food security and economic stability across the county. Uh, the timing on this position is also critical. Um, as
I've been informing this board, the one big beautiful bill has introduced these uh, sweeping SNAP changes including the expanded work requirements which are going to add that administrative complexity to the workload. Um the oversight responsibilities will also
increase for our eligibility workers as a result of this new legislation. Uh maintaining our staffing levels uh is vital to ensure the timely eligibility determination, prevent the backlogs, and uphold our strong record of SNAP accuracy. Um as the SNAP error rates are on my radar, uh leaving this position
vacant would slow that service delivery. It would increase our risk for those SNAP errors and potentially expose us to those fiscal penalties or compliance concerns. Um, so this request is for one replacement. However, the future staffing needs and financial services is
expected to grow, not decline. Um, so I'm really hoping that this board will take that into consideration for filling this. Um, as that's kind of what I'm anticipating our needs will be in the future. Uh, this position was also brought before pick with a recommendation to bring to the full full
board uh for consideration. Um, this is a very long-term tenure staff that is uh leaving the county. Uh, as a result of that, there will be a little bit of a payout in 2025, but in 2026's budget, there should be $29,000 approximately in
annual savings by replacing this position at at step one, which is what we anticipate. So, with that, I'm requesting a motion to fill the vacant eligibility worker position with backfill. >> I I do want to point out again that this was reviewed by PIC and the recommendation is to do it. And I just
do want to comment on the um your narrative there where it talks about that this is expected to grow and I unfortunately I I hate to hear that. Um but I you know I in terms of
future additions uh when we look at where we're at struggling with 2026 and then we're projected having an even a tougher time in 2027. Um, I I think I'm supporting this
request um to try to offset having to have it even grow larger. So, Commissioner Mojo, >> thank you. Um, so is this all levy funds that go to support this? There's no
federal or state. >> We do get 50% FFP with it. >> Okay. Um, so part of, you know, as I'm discerning this, because the community has heard what we're talking about and how we reduce levy pressures and and what makes the most sense to be as
fiscally wise as possible for next year. One of the biggest issues for Klay County will be SNAP error rates. >> Correct. as we've been at the capital and talking about components and updating to systems and and all of those
pieces, that SNAP error rate really will determine what Klay County going forward will need to to pay for that. Um, I think there's maybe a miscommunication at the state about what Klay Countyy's error rate is really. Uh, we are
historically low if you look across the state. Uh, and as we continue to advocate for making sure that our reimbursement rate is based on what our local error rate is, we need to have the tools available to continue to keep that
rate as low as possible because that will allow us to see dividend savings in the future. Um, you know, because of that, this this really does make the most sense to continue to support it from my perspective. Um there's areas where we can cut corners and I don't
believe that this is one where where we will see savings that offset in the future if we don't. >> Yes, Commissioner Bear. >> Same two questions as before. How many are in this position? >> Um
okay. On the family team specifically, we have believe eight or nine. >> And could you get by without filling this position till January one? Again, I I want to say yes. I want to tell you yes, but I the reality is is no. It would it would cause a pretty
significant strain on our staff. >> Thank you, >> Commissioner Kreb. >> Yeah. I just want to comment that I my thoughts were going toward the error rates. Also, I concur with Commissioner Mojo and uh starting to support it.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's uh you know, to to your point, I I don't want to ask more for the levy either in 2027. my my uh kind of letting the board know that that's what's on my radar for 2027 isn't selfishly to add staff. It is exactly what Commissioner Mojo said. My
fear is that if we don't stay on top of the error rates, we'll have a fiscal penalty that is much much greater than the cost of another eligibility worker. So it is kind of taken uh in that whole perspective of saying it would be better to spend a smaller amount of levy funds
to onboard a staff than have potentially I mean we don't know how the air rates are going to trickle down to counties yet but in some of those projections it could have been up upwards of $1.5 million. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes Commissioner. >> Thank you. Because of the savings you've indicated though there will be a
reduction to what your preliminary approved levy will be. So we'll see that adjustment in our overall >> correct >> for for 2026's budget. It this will save 29. >> So this action by filling it will see a reduction in what our overall
preliminary levy will be. >> Well to add to that we I don't know if I have maybe non-public information that we're going to lose a slight amount of licensing revenue that might offset that to net zero. So I I don't want to tell you we're gonna save that when I
>> not public information might lose a little bit of >> revenue a lot of moving parts. >> Yeah, it's fine. >> Well, we'll be able to narrow that down by the time we do our final. >> Yep. >> Right. >> Commissioner,
>> thank Mr. Chair. Um, this was approved by PIC and I think this is one of the things we need to set our sights on is there are a lot of things we are out of control um within the county that are going to come from the state and federal
government and we have to meet a a standard and realistically maintain the the high degree of efficiency that that we've demonstrated over the years. And to do that, we need to support and give the
resources to our departments that uh that they need to meet the standards that they've set. So, having said that, I'd like to mo make a motion to fill the vacant eligibility worker position with backfill.
>> We have a motion by Commissioner Abinger, a second by Commissioner Kraboff. Any discussion? Um I I do have a So when we were at our AMC meeting on Friday, we we've heard discussions and
it's been presented here too regarding the the whole reporting system and the reporting software that's used and and how archaic it is and all that type stuff. Is that is that related to the work that these folks do, too? Yes, that's the direct system
>> and you know so so when I talk about um 2026 and 2027 maybe we should improve that system that would alleviate a lot of the internal work that's needed to be done in doing this >> that would improve our efficiencies
greatly >> right you know and again you improve efficiencies and you're reducing demand on all of those people working in that area so I you know I think that's it's a a perfect example of what we heard about
at our AMC conference in really pushing towards getting updated software that allows improvements and efficiency >> that would be fantastic. >> All right. Any further discussion? Yes. on that. >> You know, you know, as we talk about
legislative priorities, certainly what Commissioner Campbell just talked about is probably the number one priority coming out of AMC and probably your organization as well. I don't believe this board has ever taken a an official position on that or
sending official communication on that. And I really do think sending that to DHS before a session from this entire board is something that we should have on record as we continue to have those dialogues
because it is and and you can even use the example of federally what how does this all federally work together and as Minnesota tries to figure out a system when they keep hearing it's a problem >> we need to go more on record. We just want them to develop a good program, not
like what happened in DMV because they came out with a new program in for DMV and it was a disaster. So >> I think that's what they've found to be it's so large scale and intricate that it it has to do all the things we need
it to do and then it's difficult to just edit the existing system. I think they got to build one for >> going and I and I will call for the vote in just a second here, but going to Commissioner Mojo's comment. Quinn, could you put together for us uh some sort of a um a letter that we could pass
as a board um that would go to DHS or whoever else's uh we find and maybe it's something that once we do it other counties can learn of it. I know we're all together on this as in terms of AMC,
but individual counties also expressing uh support is really important. So, if you could maybe do that and maybe have that put on to our our next agenda if you I don't want to >> absolutely >> too much on you here, but >> yes, >> and I agree with that and perhaps
through you uh or all of us, you know, whether it's on human services policy or with your board, you know, elevated to the highest level within AMC. >> I appreciate that support from you all on that. >> All right. So, any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I >> oppose the same. >> I >> motion carried. All right. Uh, next we have the request approval of productive alternatives. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair and commissioners. I have Holly Wer with me
here. Um, she's kind of overseeing uh uh this grant. Um so social services was awarded the lead agency capacity building grant um a while back by Minnesota DHS to increase competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities uh that
are receiving home and community based services uh in Holly's division. Um, this board approved the releasing of the RFP in September and as a result of that RFP, Productive Alternatives Incorporated was selected to serve as a contracted provider to an employee and employment specialists um to help
implement the grants objectives. Um, the services under this contract will include providing outreach and education to our waiver recipients about their employment uh opportunities and options. Uh, conducting engagement with local area businesses to expand disability inclusive hiring practices. uh support
our case managers uh in informed decision-making and use of new employment tools and facilitating collaboration between Klay County, the employment providers and local schools to align efforts with the Minnesota transformation initiative. Um the contract supports the deliverables
outlined in our capacity building grant work plan and will help us meet those state defined milestones uh tied to the continued funding and eligibility. In terms of timeline, we would uh upon approval, we would put uh that contract immediately into effect with the anticipated onboarding of that
employment specialist in later this month or early December uh with the full grant milestones reviewed and evaluated May of 2025. Um contract amount for this time period is $39,580, all of which is funded by the state
grant. Uh no additional request for levy dollars for this work. Um it is anticipated that upon successful onboarding of this employment staff um the work will continue past June. However, we would like to review the goals um kind of set forth in the contract in this first time period and
bring it back to the board if we would like to see that work continue past June 30th, 2025. I guess with that, I'm requesting a motion to enter into a contract with PI, but I would yield for any questions that you may have. >> Any other questions of Quinn or Ollie?
Yes, commissioner. >> So, this grant runs through June 2026. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> And then after that, we'll re-evaluate it. >> Yes. >> Is there at that point, is there another grant we can go after? >> The this grant can be extended up to an additional five years.
>> Five years. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, we're looking for a motion to enter into contract with Productive Alternatives. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make the motion to enter into the contract with PII, Inc. of employment specialists through the lead agency capacity building grant. >> Second.
>> All right, we have a motion by commissioner bearer, second by commissioner. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose the same sign. Motion carried.
Thank you, Holly. Thank you, Quinn. >> Thank you so much. >> And knowing how how I know I'm knowing how I know this board, we're going to take our quick break now. Thanks for dealing with me so much this morning. We appreciate it. All right, we are now back in session.
We will move to under number eight on our agenda and that is the uh Minnesota Pollution Control Agency funding and public input process update. >> Good morning. I'm Patrick with public health and I'm here to give you an
update on the public input process for the Budweiser settlement funding. You may recall that back on June 3rd of this year, uh Klay County Public Health received a check from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in the amount
of $129,540. uh we are given exactly one year to use that money uh until June 3rd, 2026 and part of the expectation is that we have a public input process to sol solicit the public's opinion on how to
use the money and so we've been working on that and we have three scheduled open houses uh which I want to invite everyone in this room to and everyone uh watching online or on television Um,
the first one will be November 13th from noon to 1 at the Morehead Public Library. The second one will be November 19th from 9 to 10 in the morning at Yamcomst. And the third will be November 25th from
4 to 5:00 p.m. in the evening at Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church. Uh, so these three open houses are 1 hour long. There will be no formal presentation as part of the open house. It's really just walk in uh check out the displays we have uh
cast your vote um and uh I will be there uh to answer questions and I'm hoping some other folks involved will be there as well. Uh so you can come anytime during that hour uh and leave whenever you like. Um there's no formal
presentation. Uh the other thing I wanted to point out is that um I know you have in your packet uh both the flyer for uh the three open houses as well as
uh four other images which are uh the display boards that we're going to have uh in the room. We have already set up uh a a mechanism on the Klay County website for the public to provide input. Uh
that's what the QR code here is for and that QR code is also on the four display boards. Uh I would encourage everybody to scan that. Um we as of yesterday uh we have already had
uh 96 responses on that website. Um so people on the website itself uh people can do one of two things. They can either uh select one of three options that
we've already prepared or there is a fourth option uh which is fill-in- thelank and we have received as of yesterday uh 22 fill-in- thelank responses also.
So out of the 96 responses 22 have been fill in the blank. Um, so I would I guess I'm I'm asking the public uh particularly anyone who lives, works or studies in Morehead to do uh two things. One is to check out the
website and the second one is uh come to one of the our three open houses or more than one if you like. Um and we have not we have a committee together. We uh our committee has not set a date when the public input closes.
We have not determined that yet, but my hope is that uh we can uh close the public input and have a decision made uh on what we want to use the money for by the end of 2025.
Uh because we do need some time to implement whatever we decide on. I should also point out that uh of that $129,540, it's not an all or nothing thing in terms of what we use the money for. We could uh divide that money and use it
for uh two or more purposes. Uh so it doesn't all have to go to a single purpose. Um and I I think with that I'll just open it up for questions. >> Commissioner Mojo, >> thank you. Patrick, I had a question. I I think I was out of town on the third,
so I apologize if this was covered on the third meeting. I have had a lot of calls from folks on this piece. This is really garnered attention in the community. So, when we talk about the one-time payment, um Klay County Public Health is health share, what was the
amount of the other share and who did that go to? So, um, if you have the, uh, flyer in PDF form, uh, in the bottom left corner, it says information on MPCA action. That's
actually a hyperlink. Obviously, it doesn't work on a physical piece of paper, but that's actually a hyperlink. You can click on that. That will take you directly to an article on the MPCA website about the settlement. >> Okay? And I don't have the exact amount
off the top of my head, but I think it was about $300,000. >> Okay. >> Uh, and I don't know what the MPCA did with the remainder that they did not uh remmit to us.
>> So, I'm on your I scan the QR code to try to go to the Klay County site that talks about it and that hyperlink isn't on there. So, that might be helpful. >> Oh, yeah. My other my other question is um within the purview of what's allowable expenditures.
Uh one thing that folks had come to me with is food availability during this time of unknown. Is there an ability to utilize some of these funds for food shelf uh donations or grants if you will?
>> I think so. Um, the state statute language that has been provided to me governing this process really doesn't specify what uh the county can and can't use the money for. So, it appears that any reasonable
public purpose is eligible. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Commissioner KB. >> Yeah. this background. Can you tell me uh a little history background of the infraction? >> So, I don't know a lot of details of the
infraction, but I believe that uh Annheiser Bush and specifically the Budweiser plant in Morehead was found in violation of various uh air quality standards uh and they were fined. Uh I I don't know the exact nature of those
violations. I would encourage anybody who's more curious about that to contact the MPCA. >> Thank you, >> Commissioner Abinger. >> Yeah, I'm familiar with the the funding here and it was penalties that resulted
from excessive emissions um and the testing came out. My understanding was the funding uh went to Klay County. I didn't know there was a distribution of other parts of it, but
uh it they it came to us for direction to the the part of the community that was immediately affected is how the language was when we first got this. We had to discuss it because
it went to Klay County and not to other members of the of the uh the public health uh coalition. Sarah again just coming in clutch sending us the link. The um
>> the settlement was 323,850. She's a rock star. >> Yeah, just going back to um Commissioner Mojo's comments and maybe what she's heard from some some of the public. We're under trying times right now. And I I know that when you look at some of
these um eligible improvements, you know, you look at the red I just look at the page regarding the Red River corridor improvements and it talks about benches and um lake, you know, bike lane markings and things like that. Those are
all uh interesting things that, you know, if you have an opportunity to use funds like that, it's worthwhile. Uh I do think it's I I think it is in our interest to um take a look at public needs under
current times too. And I that might be a something you know when you we just heard this morning about impacts to our food pantries and our quick program and those types of things. And maybe maybe a
portion of that could be a temporary way to help. You know, we're talking about the state of Minnesota providing $5,000 to our local food pantry. Maybe maybe we could look at something like that.
>> Sure. Uh I would encourage any Morehead uh anyone who works, lives or studies in Morehead who has thoughts along those lines, please visit our website and we have a sort of open essay option and uh some people have written us three words,
some of some people have written us two paragraphs. uh please give us your input uh on what you'd like the bunny used for and uh if we will um you'll notice in the in your agenda packet there are four dis we're going to
have four display boards there. Uh three of them are are sort of prepared options. The fourth one is the fill-in-the-blank option. There will also be opportunities at the uh open houses uh for people who have ideas that are
not of the first three uh to uh to provide that input as well. And uh we do very much care about the public input. Uh but it is not I think I'll I'll reiterate what I said a moment ago which is that
this is not on autopilot in the sense that well whichever option gets the most votes that that's what we're putting all the money into. So it it's still within the discretion of the county how to use the money and so if other needs if the county identifies other needs that
weren't necessarily the top vote getter uh it's still within the county's discretion to use the money for that purpose. Well, from a federal standpoint, it moves down to the state and then back to the local area, which is right now causing some of these crisis situations
that we're having in within some of our departments. Um, maybe just having the federal government open back up might be a really good thing and then we wouldn't have to deal with uh these temporary fixes. So, all right. Anything else for
Patrick Steve? >> Mr. Sure. I just want to uh just to thank Patrick for his leadership on this uh this issue. This is only the second time it's happened in Minnesota. So, he's had to uh do a lot of research to to better understand. He also the committee that Commissioner Mojo talked
about uh to because of the time constraints uh to keep everybody on a path moving forward uh is very important and he's done a great job. So, I appreciate his work. >> Thank you very much. >> I have one. So, when when does when does the county have access to this funds? Do
we already have that? >> We are already in position in possession of the money. Uh we we we actually received the check itself on June 3rd. >> Okay. >> I believe that was deposited immediately. So uh we have the money. Yes.
>> All right. >> Thank you, Patrick. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next we have the request approval for out of state travel for the emergency prepar preparedness manager and we have with us Rory this morning. Good morning Rory.
>> Morning Mr. Chair and commissioners. I'm here to request approval for outofstate travel for our emergency preparedness coordinator Sylvanas to attend a national emergency preparedness summit in Baltimore next spring. Um, as
you see, estimated costs with airfare, all things included, about $2,500. That money is is budgeted in a response and sustainability grant from the Minnesota Department of Health. Um, and to give you a little background, our CHB
sends two um representatives each year and we alternate which counties. Last year it was Becker and Wilin. This year it's Ottertale and and Clay County. And as I've learned in this process, they there's an expectation that those who
attend take copious notes and come back and present on those. And last year it was on volunteer management. And interestingly, this Friday, Klay County is hosting a emergency preparedness volunteer management training uh as a result of
last year's annual event. This year is more about connecting state and local um authorities and um and so I'm here asking for permission to uh use dollars that are that are budgeted for to send
Sylvanas to this event in uh in the spring. >> Any questions? >> Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve the out ofstate travel for the emergency preparedness manager to attend the National Emergency Preparedness
Summit in Baltimore from April 13th to April 16th, 2026. >> A second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Ebinger, second by Commissioner Kraov. Any further discussion on the motion? >> Any further discussion? This I'm in
favor of this because we're using grant dollars for this. So, >> all right. Seeing no further discussion, all in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed the same sign. >> Motion carried. Thanks, Rory. >> Thanks, commissioners.
Next, we have a request approval to appoint Laura Laura Johnson to a third term on the planning commission. Good morning, Matt. >> Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. Yes. Uh and at their October meeting, the planning commission made a unanimous recommendation to you as the board to appoint Laura Johnson to
her third and final term on the planning commission. Uh Laura serves as the secretary the plan of the planning commission and um she's been a very solid reliable uh planning commissioner for the six years that she's served. She's also uh on the Elton Township
board, so brings a lot of the township perspective um to those meetings. Any questions for me at all? >> Yes, Commissioner Mojo. >> No questions, but just to can attest to the work that Laura has helped contribute to on the planning commission. She uh really does her
homework. She's active uh in kind of fielding questions from the community and it's been really a joy to work with Laura in this capacity. If there's no further questions, I'll make a motion to reappoint. >> I will second. >> Have a motion by Commissioner Mojo,
second by Commissioner Bayer. any further discussion. I just want to point out that this is a reappoint and therefore needing bio information. I think we talked about this last week when a previous um I think it was extension brought forward somebody and
and we didn't really have any bio information and um I think that's I think that's really important especially when we're doing a a first term appointment that we have information. So maybe it's just a me maybe something for you, Matt, to understand because these
are all term limited positions, too, right? They're three three-year terms. >> Three three-year terms. Yes. Yep. >> So when we get somebody new, we'd want to be able to have some sort of bio on them. >> Absolutely. >> Anyway, I thank you to Laura for wanting to do that again. That's being on the
planning commission is a difficult difficult job. So, Commissioner Mo, >> if I might, this is outside of this appointment per se, but maybe as a policy or just direction to our administrator that um because this board has turned over, you know, in the time
that Laura has u been on this board, maybe just as a standing understanding that we want to have bio information on any committee appointment, reappoint, action if it's going on the agenda, make sure that we have that. >> Yeah, Mr. Mr. Chair and Commissioners,
when we have a new appointment for someone who's never been on before, they do have to fill out an application and that's typically included in the in the packet for that appointment. But, um, for reappoints appointments moving forward in the future, I can be sure to to add that additional information.
>> And again, I I think what Commissioner Mojo is talking about here is, you know, we we do have turnover on this board as well. So, u even though Laura might be familiar to some of us, maybe it wouldn't be to the a newer commissioner.
So, >> probably a good point. So, >> um any any further discussion? >> Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I >> I oppose the same sign. Motion carried. Thank you, Matt. >> Thank you.
Okay, we're going to skip our 955 break and we're going to go right to out of state travel for GIS. Good morning, Mark. >> Good morning, Mr. Chair and commissioners. Um our employees are valuable to us and we invest in them to
make sure that they are able to provide the best uh skill sets that they can to us as well as we feel that it's in it's a valuable thing to do to for them is to help them grow in their professions so they become much more talented at what they do. And what we do, one of the things we look at
is how do we best train them? And one of the opportunities that presents itself to us for our GIS communic coordinator specifically is the opportunity to attend the ESRI user conference which takes place each summer in San Diego. Um the attendance to the conference is
included with our license agreements and though the only expense involved is our travel expenses and we feel that this type of uh training is a very coste effective way to get a lot of knowledge and skills and learn new things in a in a relatively
cost-effective approach. So what I'm asking for today is permission to send our GIS coordinator to San Diego next summer to attend a conference. Now, this conference is every year, but we don't send one every year. We we've um internally decided that we're right now we're going to try every other year and
see if that's uh doable. So, that um you know, just because there's there's some expense. So, I'm not going to do it always, but I think that it's worthwhile to do. If you remember uh last time she went, which was in summer 24, she actually presented a thing that we work that we were doing
here at the conference, which was pretty amazing. And we're hoping that uh by sending her again, we'll learn some more things and be able to better utilize this the tools and resources we have on hand. >> Does that fit in her calendar? >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> All right. >> Couple questions. >> Yes, Mr. Bear. >> So, you've already chose the employee that you're going to send. >> Yes. >> Do we have a cost estimate on airfare and lodging? uh it's under under $3,000 and we have that in our budget for next
year >> and I appreciate you going every other year instead of going every year. I think that's that helps. So, >> all right. Any other questions? I'll make a motion to approve on a state
travel for the GIS specialist to attend the ESRI user conference in San Diego in July 26. >> Second motion by Commissioner Krabanov, second by Commissioner Ever. Any further discussion on the motion?
Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose the same sign. >> Motion carried. Our next item is request approval for a small government enterprise agreement with ESRI. >> That's right. Um
uh Mr. Chair, commissioners, I'm uh this is a contract that we signed with ESRI to provide us with our software licensing for the GIS software. We have options where we could buy individual, you know, like a desktop package or something like that, but this is where
we buy a sitewide license. Um, and it provides us the opportunity to use all the software that they provi they have available, however we need it at a fixed price regardless of how many people we have using it or how much we deploy it. It's been a very effective program since
it first started. We first signed on with this in 2008 and we've been renewing every three years ever since. Um, it's u costwise it's a good good thing for us. uh we were able to negotiate a little bit reduced rate uh because it's based on population but we
actually will get a um since city of Morhead also has an enterprise agreement with the SRI we were able to negotiate a lower level so we actually are paying for the uh 25,000 population level instead of the 65,000 that our whole county would be which is
a very nice to see. Um this this has been the same contract over and over and over. This will be our seventh time signing it. I sent it to the attorneys for review, but it hasn't changed. So, it's so good. Uh, the one thing we did notice is just like everything else we've been dealing with, it's a 9%
increase from the last contract. Um, so suppose why spread out across that be 3% a year. But the nice part about these three-year contracts is once they're done, it we're set. So, I won't come back with a new price for three more years. So, it locks us in. So, for
budgeting, it's a really effective tool. Any questions? >> I have no questions with that. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the small government enterprise agreement. >> Yes. All right. >> I'll second the motion. >> Have a motion by Commissioner Bear,
second by Commissioner Mojo. Any further discussion on the motion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose the same sign. Motion carried. All right. Next, we have a briefing on
customer service training. >> Mr. Chair, commissioners, I brought this one forward just because mostly because I'm here today and I said, you know, I should tell you about this. Um, this is not the kind of thing that would normally come before the board, but and it's already happened, but I just I figured I said I should let you know
that we did this. Um, a year or so ago, we were approached by I was working with this supervisor's group and I said, "What kind of training do your staff need?" And we're working through all the different things. And one of the things that came up they said was, "You know what? We'd really like to see is some good old-fashioned customer service training. The training for those folks
that are the frontline folks. We're talking to window the people serving our customer service windows, the people that are directly working with our our citizens, you know, you know, all those folks that come to us that don't want to come to us, those folks." So, we said, "That's a great idea." So, we tried to figure out how we could do that. Well,
we can't send those folks away for any length of time because we have to function. So what we did was we were able to create with the help of a company that um was recommended to us actually by technology services that they use them for their training. Um they were able to bring an instructor on
site. We did a 4-hour class on customer service training and bring our employees in and we would work through that and we did it actually in four sessions over two different days so that we could get all the people through. Um and and uh
so we end up with 67 people signed up and went to this class. What that really represents 67 staff from 12 different departments in five different buildings. And uh it's a huge cross-section across our county, but these are the folks, you know, that DMV and the social services
and the the landfill and the um all the all the different so all the different people that are actually working with the customers were actually able to go through this training and um one of the best things I got was I debriefed with the instructors afterwards and uh one of the things the instructors told me
that's the reason I came today was our folks know what they're doing is what the instructors told us. We have good people. um they're very passionate about their jobs and uh they're doing good things. So, as an organization, I think it's just important to know that we're
trying to make sure that our customer service staff have the skills and resources they need. And it was nice to see that they are doing well. And I just thought I'd pass that on to you guys to know that we're we're doing good things.
>> Yeah. Commissioner, >> you know, I'm I'm this confirms a suspicion I had having worked 40 years in different local government entities and I just keep thinking, are they hiding something from me or is it really
as effective and and are they really as committed? It's just one of those things where it's great to have my suspicions concerned. the people around here really care as much as it appears about the public and about giving service. And I
think it shows good leadership. I think it shows uh a a good HR system that brings people on board and gives them reasonable expectations and makes it clear what we need. This is just a good place to work. And I wished I'd worked
here when I was a real employee. uh it would have been a great opportunity, but I just want to compliment not just our people, but the leadership that gets them there and the fact that we provide things like this training to help them sharpen their
skills. And I appreciate you bringing this information to us. Okay. All right. Anything else on that one? All right. Then we'll move on to the GIS day celebration announcement. Mr. Chair, commissioners, this is probably the most exciting things I'm here to talk about
today. GIS day is coming soon. >> I can't imagine that. >> It's a it's a festivity you don't want to miss. So, just want to make sure everybody knows it's happening on Wednesday, November 19th over at the GIS workspace at the government center. Come on over. We're going to be showcasing some of the wonderful things we're doing
and uh we we're always doing more with and newer stuff. So, come on by. We'll give you a cookie. And I just want to invite everyone. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. Thank you. Um I live in a family that is kind they kind of nerd out about maps. They love maps and so I have had
the opportunity to bring my kids to this GIS day celebration. Although seeing the hours I think you stayed later than after school hours for me and maybe others in the past, but um it's really a cool opportunity to see the uh tools that we have available for folks and the
work that your group does. uh because it, you know, I'm not great with the overlays and all those pieces, but you walked through it with me and it's just a really cool opportunity for the public to see. So, thanks for having that uh day available for folks. >> You're welcome. And yeah, our biggest
goal is what ours in said is we're targeting our staff because we're trying to shy show try to show them that we do all these things. Maybe there's things we doing that could help you. So, >> yeah. Well, we we might be a little bit biased here, but I think we think we
have the best in the in the state here in terms of >> Yeah, that's No, that's actually true. >> Good to see you, Mark. >> Uh, no, it's not on our website. It'll be out on the bits of clay. >> Can you share it on the social media? >> Yeah. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Welcome. Next, we have a request approval to sign an addendum to this cooperative service agreement for the resource recovery and transfer station. >> Steve, good afternoon. >> Good morning, Mr. Chair, commissioners.
Uh, today's a positive uh positive day. Over the last year, we've been working with the city of Morehead uh in regards to the cooperative service agreement. Uh we've had several meetings dating back to to last November. uh worked uh with with Brian uh in regards to the
addendum. Uh with in within your packet, you have both the the original con contract, the amended contract uh and then the addendum. The addendum was actually a request from Commissioner Commissioner Campbell uh in showing uh where the original the original document
read and what the changes were. So when the parties that are no longer working here, we'll have a have the background available to them. And so, uh, the terms of the contract before you, uh, essentially stayed the same. We're looking at a three-year contract. Uh,
the addendum highlights, uh, the the fact that we, we, in the initial contract, we had that city Morehead paid for custodial services, uh, which we never we never did request funding for that. uh and also uh it did not identify
that uh that the county provides this scale house staffing uh that all uh both private and public uh comes through on a daily basis and utilizing the facility. And so uh that was captured uh in in the addendum. Uh anything that uh that uh is
not has not changed to this addendum remains in full effect per the original agreement. With that, I'd yield for any questions. I think the only other thing that was uh involved with this, but it was addressed in in the the amendment to the original contract, and that was the
uh going from the metered system for um services to a percentage being 57% morehead. >> Yeah. >> And that was that was done through an amendment. And so this basically what this addendum
is is it's an addendum to the original contract as it was amended. Right, Steve or Ryan? Okay. So, >> I'm going to jump into this.
>> All right, there we go. >> I uh am thrilled to see this on the agenda today. I um can't underscore the immense amount of hours that went into this renegotiation. Not only Klay County staff, but city of Morehead staff, the
commissioners, but also um Steve Moore and Kirk Rosenberger helped kind of with the historical uh side um of this. And you know, I've had the opportunity to attend a lot of the all 10 of the district meetings over the last six
months throughout AMC. And uh one thing that continually comes to the surface with all of these meetings is how do local entities, counties, and municipalities and school districts work together to offer a high level of
service at the lowest cost to our residents. Uh this project is something that um really exemplifies all of those components. It's a way for us to continue to provide a high level of service with solid waste management um
and and and realize a substantial amount of savings by doing so. It's a phenomenal facility that I'm really really proud of all of the work. But um this was one of those um agreements that if we were not able to find a solution, I was losing substantial sleepover
because I knew the cost that our community would realize by us going separate ways. So, um, thanks to you, Steve, uh, to city manager Molly, too, on kind of getting all of the parties together to finally see the the light on
this piece, but, um, just thrilled that we're finally able to continue this component. >> Was that a motion? >> Well, I didn't know if you wanted a motion before discussion. Okay. >> But, um, you know, I am going to make a motion to approve this request.
>> Is that a motion? did make a motion. Yep. A >> motion to approve the the addendum. >> I'll second that. We >> have a motion by Commissioner Mojo, second by Commissioner Bear. Any further discussion on the motion? >> She was right on all she said. It was a
lot of work. Glad it's done. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. The same. Motion carried. All right. Next, we have our 2026 budget discussion. >> Uh, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't have any specific agenda items to
bring forward to impact uh impact the levy. What I can share with you, yesterday we did meet with Troy Amenson, Lori Johnson, uh Brandon and Tristan from the auditor treasur's office in starting the review process uh of revenues for uh the the detox facility
uh in hopes that uh we'll have some additional information uh about the potential of of higher revenues that could maybe impact uh Quinn's social service funding mechanism, which where where funding comes for the detox. So, um, we had a good discussion yesterday,
uh, and, uh, Lori is going to be reviewing with Brandon some additional information and we're going to schedule another meeting and and we'll see if there's some adjust adjustments that can be made. >> I would I would note that Troy did report yesterday that uh, for the first
time all 32 beds were filled on Monday morning. So >> uh while we're on the topic of the budget, I I was going to raise this issue in my um committee reports regarding the pick committee meeting.
And for the second time in our pick committee meeting, we've we've had some discussions about a early in retirement incentive program. This was something that we did I think it goes back to what
2010 I think when we last did it. And we've had uh two rounds of meetings and pick on this. Some really good discussions and we think we have some uh good ideas in mind about what could be done. I don't want to get in the
weeds on it today too much, but I I think it's at this point we're getting close to bringing something before the board. Um, and I guess because we're doing this any we just wanted to make
make it aware that for anybody who might be considering retiring now to understand that we might be coming forward with with some and we'd hate to see somebody uh put in a retirement notice and find out two weeks later that
there's some sort of an incentive that they would not qualify. So, in fairness to anybody who might be I think we need to do this. Uh I I think it's really good. I think there's some potential that it could really help our not only
our 2025 I mean certainly our 2026 budget and um but I I think the details of that and through our pick committee meeting we asked Steve and Darren to maybe or or to
present what we're considering to the management committee as a heads up. And so I believe you're doing that Steve on the 12th >> 12th. >> So we'll we'll get give them some of the what we're talking about here and uh
then I think the plan would be for us to u talk about it as a board on the 18th of November. So, just from a timing standpoint, again, I don't want to get too far into it until uh Steve's had a chance to talk with management >> and once that's done, we'll bring we'll
have a pick meeting on the 18th. I I guess I should No, we're I I was hoping then that because we did say it was go back to pick. So, we might have to schedule another pick meeting before the after the 12th, but before the 18th. And then we'll have something uh hopefully
for the full board to discuss on the 18th and it would allow us certainly if we're not ready that week, we can still move forward. But there is there is certainly with this u program there is
the potential for uh some budget savings in 2026. Um, so I think it's that's well it'll be a good discussion and I you know I think really what this
boils down to is I think anybody who might be considering retiring in the next 18 months might have an interest in this. So, all right. Um, and I guess I guess I just wanted to bring that bring that part forward as a budget item discussion
because it could have an impact on what we want to accomplish in 2026. >> One comment. >> Yes, >> Steve. Could you let the public know where we're sitting at down right now with the budget? >> Uh, right now, Mr. Chair, Commissioner Bear, we're we're still sitting at that
4.93%. Um, we're we've had some discussions with Quinn uh and also with public health about this is a time of the year where they start uh getting their actual uh actual uh grant dollars and so we may see some minor adjustments coming up. Uh
but uh but that we're still still at that same number at this point. So, if I can in regards to part of what uh Commissioner Bear just asked. So, like this just this morning we had we had two um we refilled two positions and
it showed on there the savings of those positions. Um our we have not incorporated that into our preliminary budget numbers. >> That's correct. with the with the board's action today, you can talk with Lori and we can make those adjustments.
>> I mean, I between the two of them, I think that's like $30,000. But I I I do want to make note that Quinn did warn that there might be some sort of additional >> counter uh portion to that one that was
>> Yeah, there's he shared that there is some licensing fees that they were not made aware of that uh there's there's been some adjustments to to eligibility based on the requirements for the licensing and so >> but I think those things I think
certainly You know, every I think every quarter of a million dollars we save can be a half a percent on that levy. >> Correct. >> All right. Anything else on the budget today? Do any other board members have any
anything? >> Commissioner Abinger, >> just an update um on the library issue. As you recall, we we had approved half of the requested increase, and I've come
to the board asking that we uh look at meeting the require the requested increase. I spoke to a couple of our Becker County um uh colleagues who are also grappling right now with the contract. They have
not come to a decision on it. they will pay some they've already decided they'll pay some of the increase maybe not all of it but just to bring the uh the commission up to speed there's going to be a total overhaul and a reevaluation
of the u funding mechanism uh for all the partners with lake agassy uh that's going to take place next year I have no idea what the impact would be to costs I uh I suspect
there's going to be a big shift from what Becker County is paying possibly more of it towards Detroit Lakes but you know that remains to be seen but uh you know I I would just reiterate I think to
go with the request at the amount that they've asked would be prudent for us at this time. It's going to have to come from somewhere. And what it'll be is um depending on the on the degree of of uh us coming in under what they've asked,
there's going to have to be hours cut back in the rural libraries. This would not impact on on Morehead. Morehead is a separate signatory than us or than Klay County. So, uh just to give you an
update on that, I may have some specifics. They want to work with it. They don't want to cut anybody's hours. And our uh our libraries here in Klay County, uh I think they want to keep the hours they've got.
So, I'll have probably an update within a week or two, but they're trying to mash that out. I think the request is still prudent. >> That that dollar amount again going from 5% is it like $5,000?
>> 15,000. Oh yes. Yeah. Okay. >> And so if you're gonna when you do that then you would also the al the alternative to that would be the loss in hours of operation, right? That's how they compensate for that. So
>> and that's what you're going to provide us with those details. So >> I'll get a I'll get a detailed. They wanted to sit down and look at it. Um again with three libraries to look at and one of them is very low on hours. I don't know how you can cut cut it back
further. Um, you know, I want to hear what they've got to say before I speculate on what they do. The uh, and this this we're patching this together to get through one more year, then we'll have a total overhaul on on
how this is determined. I do understand Becker County's concerns. uh it it really is look somewhat disproportionate, but that's a flaw in the in the in the funding formula that they came up with 30 years ago, and
that's something we'll we'll address. >> All right, Steve. Anything else on the budget? >> Nothing else, Mr. Chair. >> All right, and we'll move into our committee reports. Ezra, I think I started with you last time. Or am I starting with you this time?
>> All right, Ezra. start meeting. What I voted on our main priorities is your mic on >> I will start over.
So October 31st I was down at Fergus Falls with the AMC district 4 meeting where most of us all attended. The main thing I took out of that was we had to prioritize our
our concerns for AMC and we came up with the top five for legislature legislative priority list and technology modernization was our number one that came out of that group and that's what we discussed
with Quinn today about on how that could make make good changes in his department. Then number two was mental health, number three was solid waste, number four was bonding for roads and bridges, and number five was the emergency response system.
Um, we also had a good update there on the executive committee report and an update on the executive director's report. It was a very good turnout. I think overall everybody was there. I believe from every at least one member from every county was there. I don't
think there was anybody missing. So, that's that report. And then also, I received an email from Glendon Township discussing the casino in their township that's looking at coming there and they want to
be part of the dialogue there. They have been part of some of the dialogue, but I also would like to be part of more of that dialogue. So, if myself, myself, and Commissioner Campbell sit on that committee, I would just like to make sure that staff knows we would like to be on those phone calls. If they're
weekly phone calls with the rest of that committee, but if we could be on those with Glendon Township, that would be very much appreciated. So, if we can start relaying that information to us. So, even if there's not much happens on those phone calls, we'd like to be part of those phone calls. And that is all I
have for committee reports, Mr. Chair. >> Right. Just on that. So Steve, you can notify or make sure everybody's notified about that. Okay. All right. Commissioner Aberinger. >> Thank you. Uh last week on Wednesday had the pick committee which we've
addressed um the request from social services. Uh we will get an update on the early retirement incentive program. We also looked at a at a draft of a board of commissioners operating guideline.
uh that was reviewed on uh oh later that day attended uh Commissioner uh Campbell and I both attended the Red River Regional Dispatch Center Board of Authority. Uh
we had a uh let's see a motion to approve the amended job description uh modifying titled to radio and systems coordinator Byron Zastapil who is a whiz at at operating our equipment keeping
things up and running and they extended his uh his responsibilities to cover the systems that are currently coming into next generation 911. Um
reviewed the budget and had a really good Red River Dispatch Center faculty update or facility update. Uh we are about $1.47 $47 million under budget and uh the for all
intent purposes there's still some work to be done but the facility is complete. Following the board meeting we had a uh ribbon cutting and we we had an opportunity to walk around and get a
look at the new facility. It is stellar. It's it's kind of sparse. uh is very much designed to keep the employees who are working 10 to 12 hour shifts comfortable and alert. Give them
places to get away from the console and clear their clear their minds after a traumatic or a difficult situation. We've got more consoles on the floor. I believe 12. Was it not? Yes. 12 which is >> and room for two more.
>> And room for two more. Right now they're they're crowding eight and they're cheek to jow. This is spread out. It's got light that keeps it people alert and comfortable. It's got an ability to have additional heat or cooling at each
station uh for people who have different uh requirements in that area. It's just a really neat modern facility that's going to serve serve uh the community well. It's also uh resistant to tornadoes.
Uh it's got a great security component to it, which of course nobody talks about, but our employees are going to be safe. It's just uh we this has been something I've wanted to see happen
long, long ago. While I was chief of police, it became apparent that the facility we had was not adequate. And it's been a long haul for this. And I'm very gratified that it got done and the staff out there and the leadership of
the trip is is going to make this continue to move forward as a as a blue ribbon topshelf operation. Um on Friday, attend the AMC fall district 4 meeting which has been
covered. Um, I will reiterate something we've already said and was put as a priority in district 4. We really need to get a 20th century or 21st century uh
system for our social services and it's been talked about and it's been I even think there's partial funding that's still in reserve that's been there for years. This is something the legislaturator is going to have to take action on and I think it's something that I'm glad that we're we're taking
the lead on getting word to them that it needs to be done. Uh yesterday I attended virtually the Greater Fargo Morehead EDC executive board meeting. There was a lot of discussion on
Innovate 28 and I I did at that point discuss with the board the fact that Klay County is not funding that initiative and that we are go going to continue to fund uh at
the appropriate level the Chamber of Commerce and uh the EDC but uh there was a lot of talk of the allocation between two agencies and how that was to be distributed and I made it
clear that any funding that we provide will make the allocation and pay the source that we get the the benefits from. I think that's justified by some of the other uh goals we put for some of the funding on that and uh it's also
uh in recognition I think of the good work the chamber has done and that completes my report. >> Thank you. Just uh just one note. So, um, when we had the discussion on the, um, confusion on that chamber thing,
Steve, the number that you've been giving us, that 4.92, did that include bumping that chamber back up to 100? >> It did, Mr. Chair. >> Okay. Thank you. All right, Commissioner Kraboff, your >> chair. Um,
last Wednesday, uh, Commissioner Mojo and I had our weekly meet with our lobbyists, uh, concerning, uh, PTRF and the nonsecure facility. We met with uh Haley Cobb um
spoke a little about um bringing information toward the um governor advisors and then also about our upcoming um bonding tour uh event that's coming on November 13th and Haley hopes
to be with us on Friday. I was also with at the district 4 meeting. Ezra gave a very good report on that one. Uh I'll just add one little thing. Our executive director brought up the use of CAP GBT
and all the uh um I guess uh um how how it can help us in so many ways um um you know to bring forward narratives and uh it isn't perfect but at least it saves a lot of time. Um then
uh yesterday I had um my uh monthly uh planning commission meeting with the city of Morehead. Um two things were brought forward. Uh uh there is a storage ammonia storage facility that we have down by Mstate along the tracks
there. They receive ammonia and 90,000galon containers that are temporarily stored on the track. And what they were getting approval for from the city of Morehead, which they were strongly in favor of was the cup for a new storage facility
that's closed uh for up to 30,000 gallons. And uh it's uh the whole part of it is to get these uh more vulnerable places, you know, that are stored on the track better security and and more
efficiency for those uh for that process on delivery. Uh also there were text amendment uh uh changes made uh relating to cannabis uses and regulations and where they would be. Uh the two areas
that were being talked about were testing facilities. Uh it's still kind of up in the air how many the state's going to put out there, but um they want to be in place with their uh their their
zoning so it can uh place those testing facilities in appropriate places which now is uh light industrial and heavy industrial but they're going to look at some commercial uh places also. Um then
the second part of it was a text amendment change that uh there are um areas where there are what we'd call shop condos. I think most of us are aware of that and it's making uh the tax
amendment change so that if someone were to buy one uh for the use of marijuana whether it's micro mezo cultivation retail and or wholesale that they those businesses
once one would be in a building the rest of the building would have to be for some sort of cannabis use. And uh um so anyway, and both those passed and and
the part about um uh the containment had a lot to do with uh order and keeping those orders in combined in one building rather than uh uh interrupting the operation of someone
else in another building. So anyway, that's my report. Thank you, Commissioner Mojo. >> Thank you. Last week, I attended the Red River Regional Dispatch uh ribbon cutting. Uh such a fantastic facility. I know a lot
of work from county staff um the sheriff's department as well went into uh you know, the vision in that. So, thank you for the work of the folks that did that. I I think the most important piece that I took away from there is
we've heard from our smaller cities on their concerns with uh representation in that piece and to have a Minnesota specifically designated council is such a great development out of that. Really hopeful that that will um put those
concerns at ease there. U glad to have representation. Uh the next day I attended the Klay County legislative strategy uh meeting as reported by Commissioner Krabanov. A good dialogue there in preparation for the Senate bonding tour. All of you are
welcome to do that to participate with that. I think it's really powerful to has have as many commissioners present as possible that day. I attended a MetroCog review with the director um as chair. We have some HR issues that we're
working through for next week. I participated in a chamber legislative call with Kale Dunwy on some of the priorities and wordage on the document that will go out that chamber um I think next week or the week after we'll
officially vote on what the policy pieces are. and did have the opportunity yesterday to travel to district 10 to hear from the metro on their um AMC platforms and wishes after attending
almost all of the nine out of the 10 of the district meetings in the last 6 months. I will tell you that the priorities don't change much from rural Minnesota counties to the metro. Uh really interesting to see that threat of
solidarity with our concerns. Um what you reported on is the same things they voted on as priorities. Um which I think helps our one voice conversation as we approach the legislature. Um I think
it's important to note today is the kickoff to the operation green light. uh the next until the 11th. Uh make sure and put a green light out on your porch to um show solidarity with uh veterans
during this time. Really appreciate the work that our county veterans office does to give a voice to our veterans locally. That concludes my reports. >> Thank you. All right. On October 28th, I we had the personnel issues committee. We dealt
with two of the issues from social services this morning. I did give an update on the early retirement center program that we're looking at. Um more to come on that. And then I believe you all got a um
draft of an operation guidelines for for commissioners that um administrator Larson sent to you and I think that'll be coming forward for discussion. Was it next week or two weeks from now? Two weeks from now. Um
that same day. Then we also had the rever dispatch meeting. Commissioner Abiger talked about that. One of the other things when we talked about the council for um Minnesota. There's also now one one council for fire. Uh they
did a all the different fire departments requested that they have. So anything that's fire related will also have its own council whether you're Morhead Pete or Morhead Fire Department, Fargo Fire Department, any fire department will probably go through that that council
and that's something that the fire departments had recommended. Another thing that they talked about is that um ambulances the uh Sanford ambulances now are are going to be carrying blood uh on board
on their ambulances. So uh in the event that something is needed right on site, there's going to be something that they're going to have that they didn't have before, the ability to assist in the event of blood loss. Um the turnover of the building is
scheduled for November 10th, which is just a week from today. I think it is week from yesterday. And uh they are at 34 of 38 FTEES. They have nine shift supervisors and they're able to reduce their
overtime to a minimum right now, which is all good news. um November they will be installing the vendor equipment and on December 4th the 911 lines will be up and running and so
I would assume a short time after that the facility will be operational and I do have just a slight difference in the number of savings that Commissioner Ebring he said I believe he said 1.47 million and my numbers were 1.49 49
million. So I'll take my numbers. That's savings now. So but anyway, it's really it's good to um it's good to see that uh that project is coming in well under budget in terms of the capital improvement. I also then on the uh 31st
I attended the district 4 meeting. Um, you know, I there was I think the biggest thing I got out of that was the uh discussion on the um archaic um
software that we're having all of our social services operate with. And when you talk about the inability to uh be more efficient, that's a big holdup. And I what I did
hear them talk about was looking at both a short-term fix to try to get something going that's better in the short term with the idea that the permanent fix is going to take and when I started hearing three to five years that's a long time. So hopefully we can come up with
something in the short short term that's better. Uh we did um receive numbers on preliminary levies from all counties. Um, I'll save those numbers for later when we talk about
doing our final levy. Um, I I did I did want to also mention that uh Commissioner Mojo has uh she mentioned she's been to 10 of the 11
nine of the 10 district meetings uh in Klay County and she is running for second vice president. Um, and I think that's um that's something that it should be encouraging to those of us in
Klay County. Um, having her uh put in that position really I think really elevates our positions both at the AMC and the state level. So, um, thank you to Mish Commissioner Mojo for willing to
put her name on the line there and we wish her success that is voted on in December at the annual meeting. So, uh, with that, I have, um, oh, the other the other thing I wanted to just note,
um, on our we have the Friday meetings with the Kale and Jason Benson, we have updated um, meetings on plan, strategic planning for legislation, how we're going to act legislatively. And one of the things
that we have, I don't believe we've included our lobbyist in those. And I was going to kind of leave it up to you two to talk about that and maybe talk about that with Kale and Jason and may because I know that Morehead's on there and I believe Morehead has their
lobbyist on those calls. So, I did talk to Kale about this because we have the same lobbyist as the chamber and so uh he is working through to see if that makes sense, but they are sending them all the all of the information as well on that piece. But very good point.
>> Okay. >> I I believe they're trying to uh for the bonding tour because there is a a water tour as well before. So, I think Winthrop is trying to make it there in person for both of those. But good point.
>> Right. That concludes my report. Steve, >> thank you, Mr. Chair. Last Tuesday, I participated in pick, which has been well covered. Also was able to go to the ribbon cutting of the dispatch center again uh thanks to the board's leadership uh on
being an important part of that expansion. It's a great facility and well needed. Uh on the 30th, I met with Anna and Jesse in a series of HR issues. on the 31st participated in the AMC district meeting which has been well covered. Uh that afternoon worked with
Anna uh and uh continued to uh review applications for the public health director. We're looking to have interviews uh uh screening interviews next Monday on Friday and one and then the remainder on on uh Friday and then or Monday and
then we'll be bringing uh candidates for the full boards for their consideration. Uh yesterday worked a considerable amount on the truth and taxation presentation uh coming up in December. Uh also as I mentioned earlier met with Lori, Brandon, Tristan and Troy in
regards to uh the detox revenues. U continue to look at those as we move forward. Um uh yesterday afternoon met with Darren and Anna uh in regards to union negotiations and some other HR issues. And just a reminder for our citizens,
uh, next, uh, Tuesday there will be no board meeting, uh, in observation of Veterans Day as our county will, uh, be closed. Our next meeting is November 18th. That concludes our report. >> All right. And Steve, if I can just um
and Darren and maybe Anna's not here, but again, if if we can schedule another pick meeting after the 12th, but before the 18th on on the issue that we talked about this morning. All right, Brian, do you have anything for us this morning?
All right, Darren. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh I was also at the pick meeting on Tuesday the 28th of October. Um we did have a brief discussion on changes coming to the uh paid leave um and that running concurrently with uh the parental leave
and FMLA. Um also on the uh leave measuring period we will be changing that. Uh all of that information went out in an email from Anna. So, if anybody has any questions on that, you should have an email
outlining some of those changes. On Wednesday the 29th, um I had the deputy negotiations. On Thursday, I was off. On Friday, I was um
celebrating 38 years of witted bliss or something like that. Um on November 3rd, yesterday uh we had uh prep for negotiations uh negotiations with the lieutenants and sergeants and
then also had the meeting with uh Anna and Steve yesterday afternoon. That concludes my report. >> Congratulations on your anniversary, too. >> My witted bliss and your divorce. >> Yeah, it was great.
All right, Sarah, anything for us this morning? >> All right, we're all we're all scheduled for our December conference, right? All right, very good. >> Right, with that I have one one more announcement. Sorry about this. I missed
this. Open enrollment starts tomorrow uh for everybody. Uh information has been sent out. Starts tomorrow, runs through the 19th. We do have new providers and new ancillary benefit providers. So, everybody must who is benefit eligible
must sign up. Uh it is all online and if you have any questions or anything, give Anna or Jesse a call. Thank you. >> Cool. All right. With that we are