WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=tB1AEu_Bopg

Part: 1

1
00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:23.680
Well, good evening everybody and welcome to the Candy Ohio County Board of Commissioners meeting for Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. Please stand for the pledge. To the flag of the United States of America and to the rep for it stands one

2
00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:41.280
nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> I thank everyone who is in the room tonight as well as everyone who is uh watching us on YouTube. Thank you for your interest in Candy Ohio County

3
00:04:41.280 --> 00:04:58.080
government. Our first item of business is approval of tonight's agenda. >> I'd move on the agenda, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. And is there a second? >> I'll second that, Mr. Chair. >> We have a motion and a second to approve the agenda. Discussion.

4
00:04:58.080 --> 00:05:14.639
Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. >> All opposed. That motion passes. Next item is consideration of the consent agenda. consent agenda uh consists of typically non-controversial items which include the approval of the June 2nd,

5
00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:30.560
2026 county board legal minutes, approval of the auditor's warrants and claims, approval of the human services warrants and claims, approval of the June 2nd, 2026 closed session minutes, and a permit application and insurance

6
00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:46.479
approval for Spicer Commercial Club for uh the Fourth of July events out at Salsbury each. Uh do any commissioners wish to pull any of these items uh off the consent agenda? Hearing none. Is there a motion to

7
00:05:46.479 --> 00:06:01.680
approve the consent agenda? >> Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Thank you. And a second. >> I'll second it. >> We have a motion and a second to move on the consent agenda. Discussion. >> All in favor say I. I. All opposed. That

8
00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:19.000
motion passes. Thank you. Uh at this time uh we are going to receive for information uh uh uh from Dana Wenish, our income maintenance supervisor. Uh and this is a fraud investigation update.

9
00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:33.520
>> Good evening, >> Dana. Good evening. >> Hi. >> Um >> pull that mic just a little closer to you there. Perfect. >> There we go. Um I am just here to tell you about the continual improvements that we're trying to make in our fraud

10
00:06:33.520 --> 00:06:51.039
program given there's such a large focus on fraud going on. Um we're in the process of implementing several initiatives aimed at strengthening and enhancing our fraud prevention program. Some of those include um one of your handouts

11
00:06:51.039 --> 00:07:08.080
is our process and procedure guide. Um there was not any type of written instruction for how to do a fraud referral um how to process a fraud referral for with the investigator. So this is something that I have made for

12
00:07:08.080 --> 00:07:24.319
our workers and the state is also taking my copy of this and um giving it to other counties to follow our process. Now >> outstanding. Um to further strengthen program integrity, um Caroline and I updated the fraud investigator roles,

13
00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:40.960
responsibilities and performance performance expectations. Um this is going to increase accountability and ensure greater effectiveness within our programs. Some of the significant focuses that I have worked on this year um has been

14
00:07:40.960 --> 00:07:57.599
education with the staff and prevention efforts. So implementing a comprehensive year-round fraudrevention training program designed to increase awareness, improve detection skills, um, and reinforce prevention stat strategies. We've expanded the fraud detection

15
00:07:57.599 --> 00:08:13.680
training for eligibility workers, case aids, and office support staff because we all come into contact with anybody in the community, and I want everybody to have those um, sites set on something that might be a red flag for them. We're also working to reestablish

16
00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:28.639
collaborative partnerships with the local law enforcement. My understanding is um about 15 years ago, there was a very strong um bond between our fraud investigator in county and the lead detective that

17
00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:44.480
was over at um the sheriff's office here. And over time, you know, with changes of staff, there's been kind of just um less connection with them. And so we're really working to start connecting with them to make sure that

18
00:08:44.480 --> 00:09:01.440
we're doing our part for fraud, but then they can also do their part in the community. Uh let's see, sorry. So some of the other training structures that we are implementing um is doing

19
00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:16.560
monthly tips and tricks. Some of that you're probably going to laugh is how to spot a fake ID. um how to zero in on cases that would have no income for a certain period of time and what you can look at to see if there's something

20
00:09:16.560 --> 00:09:32.000
outside of what's being reported. Investigator trainings provided by the investigator who is Julie Bush. She is a new investigator for us. Um and then also implementing annual regional training. So we're um gathering

21
00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:48.240
with Bigstone, Chipoa, Lacap, Pararl, Mloud, Mer, Renville, Swift, I just blinked, Yellow Medicine, I think. Um, so and what we're doing is we're having the state come to us as a as a region because we are not huge

22
00:09:48.240 --> 00:10:03.360
counties by any means, but they will send somebody out if we can get a regional meeting together. Um, and they're going over topics, refreshers, and things like that. The layered approach is ensuring that our fraud prevention remains a continuous focus throughout the year and

23
00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:20.000
providing staff with opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills. Does anyone have questions on either what I've handed out or information that's specific? I can try. >> Now, I'm just uh so so this is just kind of a formalization of things that were

24
00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:36.480
already happening. Uh but for whatever reason, they just really weren't written down. the knowledge was maybe all up here and you know now you have something that you can work with and pass on down to future staff as well. >> Right. A lot there is a large part of it

25
00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:53.519
that is the process procedures but there's also um been kind of a [clears throat] lack of training and so getting that um [clears throat] that sighteline of okay why you know it's inconsistent information why is it inconsistent following up on that. There's people

26
00:10:53.519 --> 00:11:09.920
downstairs want in our in our unit, they want to help people. So that's not necessarily where their mind is trained, if that makes sense. >> Um, and so trying to get over that that mindset has been it's been a little bit of a challenge in the last couple of

27
00:11:09.920 --> 00:11:25.760
years. Um, and some of this is not just previous knowledge, but it's things that I feel really strongly about. Um, not just the education, but having processes. So, it's a black and white process. Everybody is going to be treated fairly. It's going to be a

28
00:11:25.760 --> 00:11:41.760
consistent process. Um, every fraud referral is going to be looked at the same way. >> So, uh, Commissioner Anderson, >> thank you, Mr. Chair. I I just think it's really neat that you [clears throat] came up with this here and then the state kind of almost like

29
00:11:41.760 --> 00:11:58.000
took it. It's like we can't even send them a bill for it. But um my question my question is uh because this is going off of grant money that we're getting from the state. Am I correct? >> Yes. >> And then uh >> if if a county doesn't apply for a

30
00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:14.639
grant, does that mean they don't have to look for fraud or I mean how does that weird way? >> Each county is required to have some kind of fraud pre prevention program whether it is an in agency um law enforcement or a privately contracted investigator. Uh there is a lot of that

31
00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:31.279
in the smaller counties because they can band together and just get one investigator, but it is in statute I believe and I couldn't quote it off the top of my head. Jane [laughter] um that that each county does have to have some kind of prevention program. >> Okay. But then when you get this you

32
00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:46.639
you're expected to find a certain amount of fraud or right I mean dollar amount or >> um yeah it I'm sorry I'm trying to think of how to explain that. Yes. So, um, our cost benefit should be a 3 to1 ratio. Okay.

33
00:12:46.639 --> 00:13:02.639
>> So, for every dollar that we get in a grant, we should be finding $3 of fraud. >> Um, the state average is $6, I think, right now, roughly. So, our county is certainly not the only county that is looking at these things if the statewide

34
00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:18.480
average is $6 cost benefit. >> So, it it's not a problem to find that, do you think? Or >> I don't think going forward it will be. Again, we've done a lot of training. The education piece of it, formalizing things so that people can follow a process is really going to help.

35
00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:34.160
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Mhm. >> Commissioner B. >> Oh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, you talk about our fraud unit. Who how many people are in the unit? >> Well, we have one fraud investigator. Okay. >> And that would be Julie. Um, and then I as her supervisor right now, I have an

36
00:13:34.160 --> 00:13:50.079
investigator role through the state because Julie is new and in a learning process. So um between her and I and then our case aid is going to be learning some of these processes so that she can give support with that. Um so three if you want to go with that.

37
00:13:50.079 --> 00:14:06.480
>> Um sometimes we get updates of like how many cases you have and the dollar amount. Is that going to be more of an annual report? >> Um >> instead of today. >> Yep. Um I can certainly do it annually. I break it down each month, each quarter. So yeah, that is information that would be available.

38
00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:21.040
>> Okay. >> Mhm. Commissioner Index, >> thank you. Um, my question maybe expands a little on what Commissioner Berg said. >> So, I heard you say, "What is the full-time equivalence in your department?" And then we also have somebody over at the sheriff in the

39
00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:36.560
sheriff's department that is >> We are not contracted with the law enforcement, but they do have a detective that works with us because there are some things that are beyond our scope um just being in the civilian world. So, um, [clears throat] but we do not contract, you know, we we're not

40
00:14:36.560 --> 00:14:54.240
paying a detective there at this time. We do have one full-time fraud investigator. If you look at just the FTE, it is one single investigator. >> So, our total for the county, including whatever's in the sheriff's department, is one FTE. >> Yep. >> Okay. And I probably misunderstood this,

41
00:14:54.240 --> 00:15:11.040
but I was thinking there was a grant that allowed for the sheriff's department to have somebody that was paying for somebody to also investigate fraud. That that's not the case. >> Not that I know of, unless it's through the sheriff's office. Ours is um they give us a dollar amount. Um I believe it

42
00:15:11.040 --> 00:15:25.920
well I don't even want to quote it because I can't tell you for sure what it is this year. Um but they give us our dollar amount and that covers our full-time fraud investigator. So that covers the wages, benefits, um, expenses.

43
00:15:25.920 --> 00:15:41.920
>> If I may, Mr. Chair, you may. >> So it sounds like there's really no levy dollars being used for fraud investigation, >> correct? >> Okay. And um, you mentioned I think you mentioned $3 for every dollar spent.

44
00:15:41.920 --> 00:15:56.720
>> Uh, that's our or that's the expectation. Is that >> That's an expectation. And what is Do you know what our um realization is? You said the state is about a $6 average or something like that. >> Yeah. So statewide the average is about

45
00:15:56.720 --> 00:16:13.360
$6. Um expectation is three, but off the top of my head I'm not sure. I could get that to you at another time, but I'm not sure off the top of my head what it is. And just uh because I took a lot of questions on this over the winter about about [snorts] fraud and >> uh the general public hears in the news

46
00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:27.759
what you know the feeding our children and all the different things and most of those notorious cases I'll I'll use the descriptor as notorious cases that we hear about in the news are not run through counties or going directly from

47
00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:45.279
the state department of of u uh human resource uh DHS human services to these subcontractors. We have I know we have some subcontractors, but the fraud that they're talking about is not the same kind of fraud. The fraud you're talking about is somebody who under reportports

48
00:16:45.279 --> 00:17:00.560
their income or they've got somebody living with them that's contributing income to the household that they're not reporting. >> Correct. Any um provider fraud referrals that we get, we typically send them to the Office of Inspector General or on an

49
00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:16.400
anonymous tip line. there's something online that they can go on and do that for providers. We're not necessarily taking the provider and investigating them. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other uh questions for Dana

50
00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:31.440
comments? >> Uh I think the Did you >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. A couple other questions to going forward. um any one area generally I couldn't think of it and and but I'll

51
00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:49.440
let you come up with that uh maybe it's not true anymore but one area is more susceptible to fraud that you run into >> um as far as programs or what most of the referrals are >> um [sighs] >> really we we see a lot I mean it is

52
00:17:49.440 --> 00:18:06.160
pretty even across the board we are just being allowed to relook at medical assistance overp payments. So that's a process that's finally restarting after all of the COVID restrictions. So that I couldn't tell you is on an even, you know, even keel with the other ones

53
00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:21.520
because it's they're just allowing us to look at those again. >> Sure. And if I may just follow up on that, too. Um my experience from way back as well as now too, I understand the 3 to one is

54
00:18:21.520 --> 00:18:36.720
easily met almost every year. And I think the good news is that we are still close enough and we catch these fraud early enough before something gets really out of line and and I commend you and your unit and your department. Also, I I like the emphasis that you're

55
00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:52.960
educating the whole system as you're going through it too and that's important to do that. Everybody's keeping an eye out for that, not just your unit. Yeah. >> So, good job. >> Thank you, >> Dana. You just mentioned uh the CO uh

56
00:18:52.960 --> 00:19:10.160
years and uh can do I take it that under that uh they weren't really putting an emphasis on this more the idea was to get out there and get the funding that was coming down from the state and federal government out to people. Was that kind of the directive from the

57
00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:26.400
state [clears throat] or federal government? >> Yes. And in a simple answer, yes. um we weren't allowed to make changes if they if things were reported, we couldn't make anything um like any negative kind of actions and so even if something had come to light, we weren't allowed to act

58
00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:43.280
on it um until not that long ago, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. >> And and is that that change that's happened recently allowing you to you know act on it or be is that what they refer to as the unwinding? >> Okay. Yeah, we're actually through the

59
00:19:43.280 --> 00:19:58.880
unwinding, which is why we're now allowed to do the MA overpayments because we're past any of those restrictions. So, >> all right. Thank you. >> Well, um, any other questions for Dana? >> I just say one thing. >> Yes, go ahead.

60
00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:14.640
>> I I just want to thank you for doing that. it. Um people when I talk to them and I tell them that we do investigate fraud, they you know they they're relieved to hear that we are actually trying to do that when they hear all the rumors from you know in the media.

61
00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:31.200
>> I have one more question. >> Thanks >> Commissioner. >> Thank you. So not all fraud is intentional is it >> correct? >> And you know somebody may have forgotten an unusual payment that they got this month. Let's I always use the example of a co-op dividend, payment dividend if

62
00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:46.159
they if if they're paying electrical bills or gas bills or something. So, do you have a sense for how much is intentional uh and how much of it is just oversight or unintentional? >> That's something that I could probably

63
00:20:46.159 --> 00:21:01.440
get back to you on. I would say I mean there there's a lot of times that someone's like, "Oh, you know what? I I just forgot." or you know like you said it's a quarterly payment or maybe there's um an asset that would be over the asset limit but they're not

64
00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:18.240
necessarily aware of that. So those, yes, they're a fraud referral, but we don't process them as fraud, if that makes sense. >> Cuz I I mean, we all have applications we put in ourselves and it's easy to

65
00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:33.760
forget something in an application that you're whether it's for for Medicaid or or SNAP or, [clears throat] you know, filling out some bank form or something. We >> a lot of questions on those applications. You guys went through those. So, it's it's a lot of information to try to remember and

66
00:21:33.760 --> 00:21:49.760
process. >> Well, Dana, uh thank you so much and uh Julie, thank you. Uh thanks for coming on board and uh uh we'll we'll look forward to a report at uh some time that

67
00:21:49.760 --> 00:22:06.320
is agreeable to everybody. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. At this time we will have some planning commission recommendation from uh zoning administrator Eric Van Dyken. Eric, good evening.

68
00:22:06.320 --> 00:22:21.679
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Eric Van Dyken, County Zoning Administrator before you this late afternoon with a single request for um [laughter] action on the planning commission recommendation from their

69
00:22:21.679 --> 00:22:37.830
meeting of Monday, June 8th. This is a conditional use permit request from a company called Canker. They are proposing a layown yard. This site is south of Atwater on County Road 2

70
00:22:37.830 --> 00:22:54.720
[laughter] about perhaps a mile or a little less than a mile on the west side of the road. The proposal would have them using the property for about two years to service their project that's coming from Lion County [cough] going

71
00:22:54.720 --> 00:23:11.039
all [clears throat] the way up to the Shero power plant that's being um decommissioned that will allow renewable energy to to match uh get up to the grid up there. That project just kind of just skirts the southeast corner of the county on the county line there for a

72
00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:26.240
couple miles. And this site will provide them with a fairly centralized location to work from somewhere little north of Bird Island all the way up to Kimble Eden Valley area. Um out of this site it

73
00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:43.520
would um consist of them having several job trailers. Um the power poles, large steel power poles would be stored there and then brought to the rightway. Um [snorts] the conductors and the insulators would be there. Some of the

74
00:23:43.520 --> 00:23:59.280
rebar would be there, not all of it. They do tie the larger cages on site because then they don't have to do um oversize um transportation on the roads and worry about that permitting. Um workers would assemble there in the

75
00:23:59.280 --> 00:24:15.279
morning from various crews, get their daily briefing, safety uh reports and and head out for the day. they would propose to uh have the site all reclaimed at the end because they are turning the whole site into a big gravel lot for the time being and then at the

76
00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:30.559
end of it they would um put take all the gravel off put all the top soil back. So with that description and recommendation, staff does recommend approval of the request with the eight attached conditions, fairly standard

77
00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:48.080
type of conditions are um not not really specific and uh eight findings as you see in the draft minutes. >> Eric, is this a uh regular conditional use permit or is this something else? Uh the reason I'm

78
00:24:48.080 --> 00:25:04.159
asking the question is that it appears that there's an expiration date on on this. >> It is a regular conditional use permit. We do that um occasionally on shorter term um requests. Um so we honor their

79
00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:19.200
proposed timeline. In this case, we go just a little beyond to make sure we don't end up with a um a little bit of a um you know snag right at the end if they have a little delay. But we do do that on occasion. So it isn't anything that will run with the property past

80
00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:34.159
that end date. >> It will um it will sunset as per that condition. There's there is bit differing legal advice. Sometimes some attorneys will tell you you can't do that. The land use attorneys that we have historically gotten our training

81
00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:51.120
from say that [clears throat] you can do it. Um if it's agreed to by the the applicant. if the applicant were to challenge it, you could find yourself um in a difficult spot. So, in other words, if you were placing a condition that they were not immunable to um and they

82
00:25:51.120 --> 00:26:07.039
they chose to challenge it, you could find yourself in a little bit of a tenuous spot. >> But in this case, the applicant agrees that they only need this for x amount of time and you know during during this project and and that they agree with the sunset after that.

83
00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:21.760
>> That's correct. >> All right. Thank you. Are there any other questions, Commissioner Anders? >> So, Eric, [clears throat] on that on that expiration date, so it has to be all back to regular dirt by then, or or are they going to take the gravel and

84
00:26:21.760 --> 00:26:38.799
stuff off after that point? >> The condition does require that they have that done by the expiration date. Okay. And that's part of the reason why I built a little more time in than what they had [clears throat] even asked for, just to give a little cushion, make sure we aren't running sideways with them at the end. >> Yep. Sounds good. Thanks, Mr. Chair. I'd

85
00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:55.760
move on the uh recommendation from staff citing the conditions and uh findings. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> We have a motion and a second to approve the uh conditional use permit with the uh uh with the conditions and findings.

86
00:26:55.760 --> 00:27:12.159
Any further discussion? >> I just point out I didn't know what a layown yard was until [laughter] uh that term got used here, but we drive by it every time we go to St. cloud just uh on Highway 23, just east of the granite sheds. Uh on Highway 23, you'll often

87
00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:28.640
see sometimes wind turbine towers and blades and stuff like that. >> All right. [clears throat] Anybody else? All right. We have a motion and a second to move on the conditional use permit. All in favor say I. >> I. All opposed. >> That motion passes.

88
00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:43.039
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. [clears throat] Uh next we have uh turn the page. Uh we have a nuisance abatement. Gary Gear, environmental services director is here to uh present

89
00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:59.039
on that. Gary, good evening. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, Gary Gear, environmental services office here before you and presenting the nuisance abatement uh site uh owned by Roger Moan and uh staff had received a complaint in

90
00:27:59.039 --> 00:28:16.240
early May and sent uh did a property inspection [clears throat] and verified violations of the nuisance ordinance and then gave them uh until June 5th to abate that problem or the nuisance. And uh following that, a June 5th inspection

91
00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:31.679
was done of the property and nothing has occurred. There's nobody uh living at the property currently either. So the property has been abandoned since last summer, I understand. So with that uh information and no action being taken on

92
00:28:31.679 --> 00:28:47.520
the request by the office to abate the nuisance, then this hearing was scheduled today before you to go ahead and have the uh the staff recommendation being to have the nuisance abated by the county with uh all abatement costs being

93
00:28:47.520 --> 00:29:03.039
incurred uh to the property. >> Is this the first time that we've had to abate a nuisance [clears throat] on this property? >> It is not. Um it actually was uh 2018, 23 and 25 that we worked with them. It

94
00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:20.320
was just in 25 last uh last year that we did uh actually come to the board still and have and the board took action, but prior to uh staff scheduling the cleanup, they did take care of it last year themselves yet. So, this is the

95
00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:36.880
first time that I would anticipate fully that we will have to go in and do the abatement ourselves. >> All right. Any uh Commissioner Anderson? >> Gary, do you are you going to have to take like part of the house down too or how far do you go?

96
00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:54.480
>> Correct. The house would be removed. It's uh there's multiple holes in the roof that you could drop a small car through. Uh holes through the ceiling as well then. So it's, you know, completely into the livable area. Um the there's

97
00:29:54.480 --> 00:30:11.679
certainly Burman uh infestation of the property when I was there as well. >> Uh um and again, this is coming from complaints to the office. We're not out looking for these, but uh people in the immediate area are concerned with the

98
00:30:11.679 --> 00:30:28.640
current state of the structure. So yes, the structure would be removed. Okay. Commissioner Bur. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, have you had any feedback at all? Are you sure they got the notice? >> I am not sure that they got the notice. I did not get feedback. I

99
00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:44.000
>> They was sent to that address, right? And they're not living there. >> Correct. >> So, how would they know? >> Um, I would anticipate that it's being forwarded. I've not received anything back. Um, and I would be [clears throat] making an attempt to contact them yet by

100
00:30:44.000 --> 00:31:00.399
phone prior to any action by the county. >> Okay. [snorts] [clears throat] >> Commissioner MDC, >> I wonder if we shouldn't consider postponing this action until until we know that they have received

101
00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:16.720
notice. Um and and and maybe maybe a clarification from either the administrator or the county attorney or yourself, Gary. Uh is a certified letter or anything like that required in this instance?

102
00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:33.279
>> Um certified was not It was not certified. It was standard mail and I don't believe required. >> Are are the current taxes up to date? >> I'm not sure. I did not >> have not looked at that. They I would guess so because they just uh moved out

103
00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:50.159
last year. >> If I may, Mr. Chair, so I have received uh phone calls from township residents and and township officers actually on this property before, but I'd be really nervous if they hadn't actually received

104
00:31:50.159 --> 00:32:04.559
that abatement and all of a sudden they or notice of it and they drive up and there's a hole in the ground. Um, so I I I guess as long as it's been there, and it's been there a long time in this condition, uh, two more weeks probably

105
00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:22.159
would not um be that significant. Uh, and give us an effort to make sure that they've received the notice. I can >> administrator Baker, have you been able to see if the taxes are up to date? >> No, sorry, I just got there. I won't take me too long.

106
00:32:22.159 --> 00:32:39.600
The other question would be is are the is the tax if they are up to date is the tax u statement being sent to that address as well. >> While we're waiting for that, Commissioner Anderson. >> Yeah. So, have you already given them a

107
00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:56.640
notice? I mean, you said you've mailed them something, correct? Was it this letter or? >> Yes. >> Okay. And so, they've been given how much time on that? It was my letters. It was May 8th was my first letter for a

108
00:32:56.640 --> 00:33:13.360
June 5th cleanup. >> Okay. >> And then I inspected the property on June 5th and then sent another letter June 11th >> for this meeting notice of this meeting. >> Okay. And then those those vehicles that are there, I can't quite see what year

109
00:33:13.360 --> 00:33:29.519
they expired. >> Um >> you have blue tabs on there. It was last year it was 2025 tabs on both. >> Okay. So they have been there. I mean >> they have been but they have not moved for over [snorts] two years. >> Okay. >> They they that was one way that they

110
00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:44.399
avoided the nuisance bayment last year. They put tabs on them but they have not been started or moved. I'm I'm I'm tending to agree with Commissioner uh MDC that we just make sure if we're going to be taking a more

111
00:33:44.399 --> 00:34:01.200
extraordinary action than we typically do on uh on these abatements uh that uh we just make sure that the tees are crossed and eyes are dotted and and like like you said, two more weeks are probably not going to make or break

112
00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:22.159
this, but then we can at least make the >> uh additional good faith effort >> y >> to make sure that uh we've done everything we reasonably can to contact [clears throat] the property owner. >> Um if I may then I do um I would need to

113
00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:39.280
double check with our auditor treasurer because if I look under my taxes it says they're not paid but I know I paid them but it's um the total due so I'm going to guess it it the the taxes are up to date. Um, but there is an apartment address that is also listed

114
00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:55.200
um that we did not send it to, but I don't know what was sent in 25 either. [clears throat] >> Um, >> in 25 it was this address, too. And >> and they received that. >> Correct. >> Yep. So, I don't know if county attorney Baker would have to weigh in on the

115
00:34:55.200 --> 00:35:12.800
address verification or not if or you would just feel more comfortable postponing then. >> Yeah. Actually, I I would move that we postpone it. Uh what are we in the sec to the second meeting in July, whenever that is, because it might take more than two weeks to track down where where they

116
00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:28.240
actually are at, you know, if if it's an apartment or whatever to get verification that they have received that. I mean, the way it's been the last >> several years, one more month is probably not going to, >> but we should communicate with the

117
00:35:28.240 --> 00:35:44.640
neighbors that it is something that's being >> correct, >> pursued. I can do that. >> Commissioner Anderson and then Commissioner Burke. Well, I just think, you know, my wife works for the post office and I I would really suggest, Gary, that you start doing certified mail because the post office is getting

118
00:35:44.640 --> 00:36:02.400
to be a not very reliable source and and it's a hard thing to to know if it actually is getting delivered or not. I know it's an extra cost, but there ones like this, maybe it's worth doing certified mail to try and make sure we have some

119
00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:18.480
>> so we know they got it. you know, otherwise you you were kind of second guessing it. But >> but >> well, to your point, you can't even get an auto they don't automatically postmark mail. >> No. >> Uh at the local offices anymore. You have to request a hand cancellation if

120
00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:35.040
you need something like that to do that for my uh state and federal taxes this time around. So, Commissioner B. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of things. I noticed the one uh vehicle has a handicap uh license plate on it. I don't know what the situation is. My

121
00:36:35.040 --> 00:36:50.079
other question, it looks like the house isn't even livable, right? >> Correct. >> It's just >> correct. >> So, it's not like we're kicking somebody out of >> there. You know, significant holes through the roof and through the ceiling into the home and uh in 2025, the

122
00:36:50.079 --> 00:37:05.359
building official was in the home as well and >> uh sewer was not working at the time either. So, it it has significant the reasoning as to why they're not there. So we have a motion from Commissioner Mdeck to postpone uh to

123
00:37:05.359 --> 00:37:23.599
date certain being the [clears throat] second meeting of uh uh July and I'll second that motion. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All right. All in favor say I. >> All opposed. >> That motion passes. Thank you. And uh

124
00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:40.560
Gary, thank you so much. By the way, I I didn't mean to uh at our last meeting, and I didn't uh I didn't mean to sideswipe you with my comments about the uh recycling event that uh uh I sorely miss. >> So, u So, uh thank you.

125
00:37:40.560 --> 00:37:58.240
>> Sorry if I put a put a start into you on that one. [snorts] >> Doing fine. Thank you all. >> Thank you so much. >> All right. At this time then we have some information coming to us from uh ironically enough information technologies and Scott Hovindland our uh

126
00:37:58.240 --> 00:38:14.720
IT director is here to present. Scott good evening. >> Uh good afternoon. Uh Scott Hovind IT director. uh just was asked to uh give you a little update of what's going on with our department as well as um what we're looking [clears throat] to do with

127
00:38:14.720 --> 00:38:33.520
in regards to Microsoft Office as we migrate to to that. Um okay. Um so this is kind of our road map of where we're at. We're we're swimming. We've got a lot of things going on as as you've heard in the past. Um, so some of

128
00:38:33.520 --> 00:38:50.000
the things we've got going on right now, Microsoft Office 365, um, big project. It, um, it's been bigger than we had anticipated. Uh, we've, we've learned a lot. We're learning even more. Um, and

129
00:38:50.000 --> 00:39:05.920
we're finding lots of hurdles that, you know, we uncover one thing and bring up three more. So, um, that's been been good for us. It's getting us in the right direction. Um, but that's where we're at with that. We're we're moving our mobile device management. All our

130
00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:20.480
cell phones and iPads that are managed through one piece of software are going to go to a Microsoft platform. Part of what we're doing. Um, lots of updates to our Windows servers as they come end of life. Um, and then another big one that we've been talking about for a few years

131
00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:36.480
is getting an update to our phone system and going from our traditional phone system, um, our voiceover IP to Microsoft Teams. Uh, so all integrated, putting those eggs in a basket. Uh, we pay quite a bit in maintenance and

132
00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:52.960
infrastructure on that system. Uh, it's served its life quite well um, over the years, but it's it's time. And so we're going to integrate into teams. So, we're going to have some investment up front, but we're hoping that our monthly costs will will come down and and provide some

133
00:39:52.960 --> 00:40:08.320
efficiencies. Another big project we're working on that you've heard about from human services is our EVA um AI call flow solution. Uh so, that's taken a little time, but it's exciting to see it right in the uh stages of being

134
00:40:08.320 --> 00:40:25.599
implemented, you know, today. So, uh, I've got staff who are looking at daily vulnerabilities just a little bit ago. It's what's coming up with the the next elections and and things like that. So, we're we're spread that way. And then just making sure that we've got our

135
00:40:25.599 --> 00:40:41.599
our bases covered, changing how we do some of our backups over time. um making sure that if and you know used to be if now we're under the you know the guise of there will be a time when something hits us and we have to do something and

136
00:40:41.599 --> 00:40:58.880
how do we protect that data of the [clears throat] county um so that it's not touched by bad actors. Um so along the lines of cyber security and risk management one of the things we've been doing in IT as well as law enforcement as as dictated by um FBI

137
00:40:58.880 --> 00:41:14.240
policies sieges compliance is doing multiffactor at the desktop. Um so the Microsoft authenticator or the RSA the codes you've got to put in not only do I put my password in I put my little code in. So um if my password get compromised

138
00:41:14.240 --> 00:41:29.920
that's another layer. uh there will be the decision at some point that we will make some investment to bring that to every desk in in the county. It causes some frustrations. It's different. Um but I think as you've all seen too, you've gotten the Microsoft

139
00:41:29.920 --> 00:41:45.040
authenticator as you've gotten your new email accounts. It's different. It's not the end of the world, but gives us a little bit of, you know, a little I don't know if it's relief, but it's a little bit of security in there. Uh

140
00:41:45.040 --> 00:42:00.160
we've done some nextgen firewall upgrades. Um that's one of those things that's our first layer of defense and that's probably our fastest changing medium of what comes to knock on our door. Um so we have multiple [snorts]

141
00:42:00.160 --> 00:42:18.640
levels and multiple access points and things like that that come in. Uh and like I said, we were talking about disaster recovery, backup modernization, putting those in multiple places and then uh incident response planning. As always, we're working on our networks

142
00:42:18.640 --> 00:42:37.319
refresh. We've got equipment on order for access points, network switching, uh just ring up current speeds, promote things that make things more efficient for the county. Uh there's also a life cycle to some of that. So, we're we're spread through there. Um

143
00:42:37.680 --> 00:42:53.680
the next one is our evaluating server and storage virtualization. Uh you you may may be aware that Broadcom bought a product called VMware a few years ago and thankfully we signed a long-term contract. So we're paying what we the

144
00:42:53.680 --> 00:43:11.119
pre Broadcom price. We'll probably see our contract double or triple um as we go to the next cycle. So we're looking at do we stay there? Do we go to something else? And I most IT departments, you know, whether it's public or private are having this

145
00:43:11.119 --> 00:43:27.760
conversation if, you know, it's a great product, but can we afford to drive it? I think is where we're at. Uh, and then as we talked about, one of the things with our Office 365, we are looking to, you know, have our staff use new collaboration tools. U, we've been

146
00:43:27.760 --> 00:43:45.760
using Zoom for quite a while. We we're going to try to drive our staff to use Teams more effectively. uh not only for our face to you know our uh you know face-toface meetings virtually but even our messaging back and forth and sharing data within departments having a common

147
00:43:45.760 --> 00:44:02.800
realm that you know if I need to talk to one of our employees in the building I don't have to wait for them to go off the phone we're sending messages back and forth and we track that good or bad that means we also have some policies that have to go into place that how long does that live versus an email

148
00:44:02.800 --> 00:44:20.160
and all these things. So, we're loving that part of it, right? [snorts] [clears throat] So, why are we doing this? Um, our on-prem systems are aging. They're hard to maintain. We spend several hours each month. Just we have four mail servers

149
00:44:20.160 --> 00:44:36.400
for different roles, things like that. They all need updates. We can't update those during the day because, you know, we can have a lot of systems go down during the day. you know, um if email goes down, we hear about it within seconds. Uh you know, that's as you you all know, it's like I can't work without

150
00:44:36.400 --> 00:44:53.599
my email. Um so that will be a benefit of moving to Office 365, letting Microsoft do the updates and controlling some of those those things. Um, same with cyber security. We're relying on some of those vendors,

151
00:44:53.599 --> 00:45:11.200
including Microsoft, to to maintain our data integrity and what data we're putting out there. And that's where we're being very cautious of what stays here, what goes there, and needing policies that, you know, we're not throwing everything out to the to the cloud. You know, you know, I don't want

152
00:45:11.200 --> 00:45:28.720
you to get that concept of of what we're doing. We still have quite a few servers here that our primary data is going to live on. Um, so I think I've I've hit on a few of these. We talked about multiffactor authentication, the efficiencies of M

153
00:45:28.720 --> 00:45:45.040
Microsoft 365 and Teams, but we've also put in a new SharePoint site that our admin office has been working to put our newsletters and policies and things like that. And so it's a a newer consistent um platform that that delivers to all

154
00:45:45.040 --> 00:46:00.800
the employees whether they're here, whether they're at other sites. So that's been good. Uh with Microsoft, we're looking at hopefully a 99.9% uptime. you know, I don't I wouldn't say we're that far off

155
00:46:00.800 --> 00:46:18.000
from that now, but um for my staff, it'll be nice to not say, "Okay, how many hours in the evenings are we doing updates and things like that?" And and when it goes bad, it's not usually a five minute fix. It's, you know, a weekend, things like that. So, uh, so

156
00:46:18.000 --> 00:46:33.040
we're looking forward to some of these things, too. Um, with these online pieces, [snorts] the email data that that is so important that all of our data is going back and

157
00:46:33.040 --> 00:46:50.640
forth over um has a lot of lot more policies, data loss prevention that we're looking at is how do I identify little bits of data that go out and how does it flag that? So, you know, we're not inadvertently letting something go that we shouldn't. Um, you know, I get

158
00:46:50.640 --> 00:47:07.040
emails every day of, you know, somebody's sending something and it's in, right? You know, it says that it was encrypted and things like that. So, that's great. And and that's we've had some pieces in place in the past that are doing our encryption. That's something that we will no longer pay for

159
00:47:07.040 --> 00:47:24.240
in in the next year. So there's some cost savings even though we're paying more for our office license. You know, our our encryption server for instance is going to go away. So in the in the half year, we're going to play pay both ends of it, right?

160
00:47:24.240 --> 00:47:46.640
Um I think I hit some of these. Um, one of the big things that we're running into here is, uh, cyber security is has been big. You know, I've got one staff who is monitoring a a SIM to a that's

161
00:47:46.640 --> 00:48:00.960
looking at all kinds of traffic that's coming and going and whether that's, you know, from a from a high level just saying, hey, did so and so's computer try to talk to this thing that there's no reason for and that, you know, that

162
00:48:00.960 --> 00:48:16.640
that didn't exist a few years ago. Um, so that's a big time consumer for us. um the cyber security that we're seeing, you know, everywhere. We're turning rules on now. I was just on a meeting this morning that we wanted to use a

163
00:48:16.640 --> 00:48:32.640
company that's wellnown, but we put parameters that say everything's got to be in the United States. Well, this well-known company was out of Israel. Okay. Do we do we allow that? Do we not allow it? What's our use case? Things like that that we're trying to evaluate.

164
00:48:32.640 --> 00:48:47.119
Um so, that's taken some time. The other thing that's taken a challenge for us is this migration. We've got 400 and some users right now. We're looking at roughly 30 to 60 minutes per user as we on, you know, move their data, onboard

165
00:48:47.119 --> 00:49:04.000
them to a new platform. So, so we're not, you know, we're not looking for work, but we're getting getting done what we can. And like I said before, that confusion with multiffactor, um, it's different. It's not hard, but it's different.

166
00:49:04.000 --> 00:49:19.839
So, um, like I said, data loss prevention is a big thing for us. We'll have some more meetings between department heads, I think, and and probably county attorney and administrator in the future as far

167
00:49:19.839 --> 00:49:34.559
as what this looks like for how do we lock down different pieces and what should we do and u how do we audit that and and build retention policies on things that we haven't considered in the past. Um, now we've got this new tool.

168
00:49:34.559 --> 00:49:51.359
How do we rein it in? You know, we we have this shiny new object. I just was talking to to users here beforehand and how do I do this in teams? And it's like we'll get there, right? Um, but some of the things we haven't even seen in our our office and we're trying as hard as

169
00:49:51.359 --> 00:50:07.280
we can, but u go ahead. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, excellent presentation. But also interested with all these changes and you're talking about doing teams and so forth. Don't forget the

170
00:50:07.280 --> 00:50:22.960
board and training us too as we go forward on this. >> No. And we're it's a difficult thing because there's very different aspects of how do we train everybody? How do how do we give them what we want and very different use cases. Your use case is very different than our social workers.

171
00:50:22.960 --> 00:50:41.040
>> Um just as we've looked at licensing is it's a nightmare. you know, the Microsoft matrix of all the, you know, they don't have just two products or things like that. It's all these different pieces. And as we talk about how do we license, you know, our public

172
00:50:41.040 --> 00:50:57.760
works maintenance worker versus a social worker versus an attorney and and those things that they need to do their jobs and um pieces that go with it. And you know, as we've learned, Microsoft, every little thing, well, can we do this? Yes. but you have to have this license for

173
00:50:57.760 --> 00:51:15.280
it. And so our our cost has gone up, you know, higher than we thought it would be. So that's where we're coming back with budget time. And um um we found some some ways to alleviate that. Caroline and I have been meeting so what's coming out of levy versus

174
00:51:15.280 --> 00:51:30.640
non-levy dollars. And so we're trying real hard that way. >> Well, that's a fantastic segue into my my line of questioning for you. Uh so I'm getting the sense that and and and the correlary here really is with what

175
00:51:30.640 --> 00:51:46.720
public works does on the uh uh uh on on their end of things. You know, they can certainly patch holes. They can do some crack sealing. They can do some striping, but every once in a while you got to take and do a mill and overlay over that highway. And sometimes you got

176
00:51:46.720 --> 00:52:04.079
to rip the highway up. In much the same way, your work within this information highway is uh is is kind of similar. And I remember here a few years ago when we were talking about using ARPA funding for uh up updating computers at that

177
00:52:04.079 --> 00:52:20.880
time and we were talking in the neighborhood of 220 $250,000 something like that. And that was just a >> a god-awful number to think of, but that we saw that as an investment. I don't get the sense that with all of the

178
00:52:20.880 --> 00:52:37.760
attacks and uh the blessing and the curse that AI can be, I don't think we're getting off that cheap anytime soon, >> right? >> Uh so can you kind of speak to the uh increased uh costs that we probably

179
00:52:37.760 --> 00:52:53.359
should be preparing ourselves for as uh uh as commissioners and policy makers, >> right? Um I think we're still trying to to gather some of this. you know, I was hoping to get a few more numbers with um before today. Um >> and that's and that's fine. It's a figures process.

180
00:52:53.359 --> 00:53:10.079
>> Yeah, but you know, I think thankfully we were just talking with that there are some other ways that we can pay for a few things that that help us out. Um but we were thinking probably $100,000 a year for Microsoft. We're probably going to be in the closer to the 130 140. Um

181
00:53:10.079 --> 00:53:26.319
and that's not a one-time thing. No, >> that's now every year now that we've decided to go that route and everybody wanted us to go there. Well, now we we don't buy it and drive the wheels off of it. >> We rent it. >> Mhm. >> Right.

182
00:53:26.319 --> 00:53:43.119
So, yeah, it's it's it's, you know, a service based subscription mode that you're uh that you're working within now. uh and uh less to do with physical hardware although you are going to be keeping some servers

183
00:53:43.119 --> 00:53:57.760
>> right >> uh for I I assume critical infrastructure here >> yeah yeah definitely you know um I'm not sure what that volume of servers will go away um and how we we have some different silos of information to keep

184
00:53:57.760 --> 00:54:14.079
our law enforcement separate from our human services and then we've got some hosting things that we do that keep separate from that um they may get scaled down the next time that we um procure a replacement. Um, but the pieces that run inside those will go

185
00:54:14.079 --> 00:54:29.280
down >> because we are doing some hosting you just brought up for other counties and there's some revenue coming in for doing that. Correct. But, uh, >> isn't doing anything more than offsetting costs, I assume. >> Pretty pretty much right. And that's where we're trying to revisit right now,

186
00:54:29.280 --> 00:54:45.839
too, is okay, we got to make sure that it's worth our while to do that. Mhm. >> Um which I think you you know Roger had mentioned that to make sure it's worth our while years ago as we we got into those agreements >> and uh we need to revisit what those prices are and and make it um

187
00:54:45.839 --> 00:55:00.559
>> Commissioner Anderson. >> Yeah. Now that now that we're Thanks, Mr. Chair. Now that we're um going on onto this type of system, does that take pressure off of you guys as far as cyber security or is it >> not? I mean, >> you know, I wouldn't say it takes it off

188
00:55:00.559 --> 00:55:16.480
of us. It just changes the platform and give us some different tools. Um, it does put it into another environment that probably does lower our our blood pressure a little bit because it's in the, you know, it's in a common environment um for some of these things.

189
00:55:16.480 --> 00:55:33.119
And we're seeing we're seeing account takeovers with other counties in the Microsoft arena. Um, but with this multifactor being a requirement that lowers the threshold a bit. Um, we've got our crowd strike that runs against it. So

190
00:55:33.119 --> 00:55:49.520
multi-layer, I think it will help us hopefully. Um, now no now like will that uh when I when I've heard of PE or counties getting hacked, they've had to find like some old, you know, computer system they had stored down in some

191
00:55:49.520 --> 00:56:06.000
basement somewhere to to be able to get up and running again. Is that something we're still going to have to do is to have some sort of system like that? >> Right. As long as we're hosting something, we're going to have some have to have some way to stand it up. Okay. >> Um, you know, as we move, we have not done a lot of this where we're moving

192
00:56:06.000 --> 00:56:21.359
infrastructure to the cloud, whe be it Azure, AWS or or those kind of things. Um, you know, that's their business. And and again, that's back to the own it or rent it kind of and prices go up with

193
00:56:21.359 --> 00:56:39.200
some of that stuff, too. Um, but you're right. We have infrastructure here and we don't get rid of our last generation in case we have to spin something up in a or loan out. You know, I've been I've been on meetings with other IT directors and who's got what if we need it. So,

194
00:56:39.200 --> 00:56:54.240
>> thank you. >> Yep. Uh, any other questions for Scott? >> Commissioner. So Scott, this is a little bit maybe out in left field, but I got to ask it because it happened with another organization I'm with. So it got

195
00:56:54.240 --> 00:57:10.079
brought up that either our phone or our iPads are constantly listening to what we're saying. And what effect does that have on something getting leaked out through whatever conversations we're having or through whatever situation? So

196
00:57:10.079 --> 00:57:26.640
that other organization is actually looking at whether we need to start looking for a different way of either getting rid of our iPads and get locking our phones in something outside the door or when we're in a meeting. I mean they're really going to dive into it and

197
00:57:26.640 --> 00:57:41.839
I don't know if you guys have looked at that or >> we haven't a lot. You know that's a concern and you know we talk about you know we'll pick on Facebook right when you're at home and you're talking about something and something comes on the TV and you know hey there's a grill. Well, funny enough, I got an ad for a new

198
00:57:41.839 --> 00:57:55.280
grill, right? >> Um, we have not gotten into that part. I think that's where this data loss prevention through Microsoft is going to be a part of that, not necessarily the whole listening piece. At what point do we put policy? You know, we don't want

199
00:57:55.280 --> 00:58:12.000
to put policies in that inhibit work, >> but at the same time, how do we use those same things to not allow, you know, an accident? >> Yeah. >> Right. So, uh, Commissioner Anderson had

200
00:58:12.000 --> 00:58:27.119
mentioned, uh, [clears throat] that topic, uh, prior to the meeting, and so I made the comment that, so if one of us says something about spontaneous human combustion, you can just about bet that one of us is going to have something on

201
00:58:27.119 --> 00:58:43.440
one of our devices uh, within the next two days about spontaneous human combustion. >> So, I'll be waiting for the results of that little experiment. And uh hopefully nobody has their phone on uh uh as they're listening to this uh

202
00:58:43.440 --> 00:58:58.559
on YouTube. And uh if you get something about that topic, I apologize. [laughter] Um Commissioner Burke, oh just one last comment about Scott, you know a little bit about computers and we've been really fortunate to have you uh with

203
00:58:58.559 --> 00:59:14.559
Candyway County working in it like this for all these years. You go way back to the DOS time when they had the computers set up here. So, you've known our system so long and the changes they've gone through and just think what they're going through now. But it's really comforting too as a board member knowing

204
00:59:14.559 --> 00:59:31.040
that we do have that expertise and that you're trying to stay on top of it. I uh it is going to be quite a money pit. There's no doubt about that. But that's the reality of this whole thing. So, but uh you're doing a good job. Thank you. >> Thank you. And from our standpoint, from

205
00:59:31.040 --> 00:59:47.520
our department, and what the the county board has done over the years to support us has been great. Um, you know, there it's more of the question of how much do we need to fix this, not let's see how little we can get by with. Um, and we appreciate that. You know, I I'm very

206
00:59:47.520 --> 01:00:04.079
cautious of spending money that we don't need to. And so this has been really hard when we're taking big leaps here. We're still spending this over here. and how do we phase that out to pay for this one? Um, you know, because it's still my money too that that's going into all

207
01:00:04.079 --> 01:00:20.480
this and your money that as a taxpayer and I understand that. So, >> Commissioner Anderson, >> I got more of a comment, but thanks, Mr. Chair. Um, it seems expensive, but some of the horror stories I've heard about get really expensive really quick if you

208
01:00:20.480 --> 01:00:37.280
don't do enough. And and so and one one other thing uh one recent one I heard it was a school district I think got hacked and and they got through like a printer I think it was and and so I mean that all the things they can get into it. It's weird, but that's supposed to be a

209
01:00:37.280 --> 01:00:53.040
common way they try and I I don't know how it works, but >> um but it's kind of scary when you think that just about anything can kind of be an little back door into a system. >> That that had to be a pretty old printer to be able to do that. >> Well, and that's just that's that's how

210
01:00:53.040 --> 01:01:08.720
we're trying to onboard things. It's like, you know, you look back to the years of Target who got attacked through their HVAC system. you know, which systems can talk to our proprietary systems and and you know, it's not just everybody's on one big thing. And you know, to that degree, we try really hard

211
01:01:08.720 --> 01:01:24.417
to compartmentalize some things and if there's an issue over here, it stays over here or right. >> So, Commissioner Berg and Commissioner uh Gardner, you should make sure you turn your hearing aids off at night. [laughter]

212
01:01:24.417 --> 01:01:40.000
[snorts] >> Take the batteries out of them. Yeah, >> they're they're in they're in the charger, trust me. >> I will say I don't know if you want to just talk briefly. Um when Ace Bonimo was here, our emergency manager, we want to do a table talk exercise with the board.

213
01:01:40.000 --> 01:01:56.480
>> Um but we did a cyber security table talk exercise at a recent department head meeting. And I'm not kidding, we were all like school kids talking about what we would do and do we have the three deep list and do we have this and oh what if I did open that email you

214
01:01:56.480 --> 01:02:12.160
know and um I don't know if you just want to explain that but it was really eyeopening for all of us sitting around the table >> because it would be the majority of our emails things coming into or do you know what I mean the information that we all receive at different levels of you know

215
01:02:12.160 --> 01:02:28.960
from our public works engineer to myself to Scott to Shane. So, it was just really interesting to go through that and I think that's our goal when we do table talk um a tabletop exercise, >> right? And that one the very first question was was good for me um because

216
01:02:28.960 --> 01:02:44.720
I I carry a lot of the weight of what if something happens but if we have an incident um is it an IT issue? >> Well, it is but no it's not just mine it's Kelsey's. It's you know our human service director. It's it's everybody

217
01:02:44.720 --> 01:02:59.920
working together and it's like well wasn't my employee that maybe clicked on that email right and and even if it was innocent how do we get back up and get working so we as a county have worked really hard to say we're a team to get

218
01:02:59.920 --> 01:03:16.559
this done right >> I appreciate everything that uh you and your team do to keep us cyber safe and Scott thank you so much and uh we'll look forward to hearing more about progress uh hopefully maybe later this fall.

219
01:03:16.559 --> 01:03:32.559
>> Sure. Thank you so much. At this time, we'll have uh Trish Appalorne, our veteran affairs officer, uh present in regards to a uh VSO operation grant. Trish, good evening. >> Good afternoon, evening. I'm here to

220
01:03:32.559 --> 01:03:50.720
present once again our annual um $10,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. We get this grant annually depending on how many veterans we have living in the county. Uh again, this year is around 2,200 veterans, so we should get our $10,000 operational

221
01:03:50.720 --> 01:04:06.559
grant. The grant is used for mostly radio advertising. Uh believe it or not, nine out of 10 people that come in our office say, "I heard your ad on the radio." So, it it does work. We do other events like the Stingers game is coming

222
01:04:06.559 --> 01:04:22.079
up July 2nd. Uh we were going to do a veterans workshop that we do every other year. So there's lots of events that we use with that $10,000. So I'm what I'm requesting is to pass the resolution to accept the $10,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Veterans

223
01:04:22.079 --> 01:04:38.480
Affairs. >> All right. We have the uh request from uh from staff and uh uh you mentioned a uh [clears throat] you mentioned a resolution. Do we uh and maybe it's if I was on the correct page.

224
01:04:38.480 --> 01:04:54.880
>> There is not a resolution number on here. Maybe I misspoke. I just need the approval from the board and then the state of Minnesota gives a um >> this is just a formality for approval of the grant. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make that motion to

225
01:04:54.880 --> 01:05:12.559
approve uh the grant for $10,000. I'll second that. Commissioner Bergens. Thank you. Any discussion? And this is the same grant we get each and every year. >> Same one. And if any of you want tickets to the July 2nd game, we do have some in our office. So,

226
01:05:12.559 --> 01:05:29.839
>> very good. All right. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. >> All opposed. >> That motion passes. >> And I will just send you the document on an e signature. >> Okay. Thanks. Have a great evening. >> I'll look for it. >> All right. [snorts]

227
01:05:29.839 --> 01:05:48.960
>> All right. Um, next item, uh, Administrator Baker, uh, presenting on resolution 2026-27, performance measurement report. You can do that, uh, either up there or here. >> If you choose, it's there.

228
01:05:48.960 --> 01:06:06.000
>> Well, I was already standing. [laughter] Uh Kelsey Baker, Candy County Administrator, before you today in your board packet is uh the reoccurring performance measurement report that we submit to the state. Uh we are one of um an assortment of counties that submit

229
01:06:06.000 --> 01:06:22.720
this report. We went into this in 2011. Uh we picked the top 10 areas to uh do our report. Um, you know, and just a brief update, the sheriff's response times, you know, we we're a regional hub, so we have high service demands in

230
01:06:22.720 --> 01:06:38.799
a larger geographical area. Um, our in infrastructure investments, we've done work on our community well-being. Um, within our child support, human services outcome is we look at service efficiency and then public trust and communication.

231
01:06:38.799 --> 01:06:55.440
And so within um that information or if there's any other information within the resolution or background, if you have any questions, please let me know. If not, I would be asking for approval on the resolution to submit to the state by the end of this month.

232
01:06:55.440 --> 01:07:12.079
>> Thank you. Any questions for the administrator? >> So move, Mr. Chair, on the resolution 20 26 27. >> Thank you. And is there a second? >> I'll second that. We have a motion and a second to move on [clears throat] resolution 2026-27.

233
01:07:12.079 --> 01:07:27.920
Discussion. Commissioner. >> Um, it seems like there was a financial incentive for us to turn in this report and >> can you expound on that just a little bit? >> We don't >> because I understand not did I understand you to say not everybody not every county does it?

234
01:07:27.920 --> 01:07:44.960
>> No, not every county does this. you have to opt in and I believe you get 14 cents per capita up to $25,000. Um I ironically I just got an email from an AMC employee today encouraging counties to do so to do this report and

235
01:07:44.960 --> 01:08:00.880
I was like oh check we're already doing that. So kudos to previous administration to starting to do this in 2011. It's not a huge amount of money um but it does help in areas. And the other benefit to that is uh uh that I remember

236
01:08:00.880 --> 01:08:17.600
from when we first did this was that uh uh uh counties participating in this are exempt from levy limits if levy limits are in uh are in effect. Although a future legislature could change that with the stroke of a pen, but for now,

237
01:08:17.600 --> 01:08:32.799
you know, there's there's that potential benefit for that. >> A potential >> Yeah. There we go. All right. Uh uh we have a motion second. Any other questions? >> Commissioner Bur. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Also, I think one

238
01:08:32.799 --> 01:08:46.960
of the benefit is for for the board, I find it very helpful to just kind of see some of the things that's happened. It gives us a better uh feeling and and handle on what's happening in Candy County [clears throat] and what the direction certain things are going and other things aren't. So, it's there's

239
01:08:46.960 --> 01:09:04.319
value that way, too. >> All right. Anyone else? Right, we have a motion and second to move on the resolution. All in favor say I. I. I. All opposed. That motion passes. Uh and administrator Baker is also going to

240
01:09:04.319 --> 01:09:19.440
present on resolution 2026-28, American Rescue Plan Act. >> Yes. Uh again, Kelsey Baker, Candyway County Administrator. Before you today, I would ask approval. Um, as the board chair recommended on or said on that

241
01:09:19.440 --> 01:09:36.319
resolution, um, this is a resolution to correct a terminology error that I used in 23 and 24 that I used allocated versus obligated. This was brought to the board in November of 23 and December of 24. The board reviewed and approved

242
01:09:36.319 --> 01:09:51.440
the use of the remaining ARPA funds for county projects and governmental uh, purposes and services. Um the board's intent was to commit those funds to the approved projects and purposes and the documentation memorializes that with the

243
01:09:51.440 --> 01:10:06.719
board's intent and sole focus. Um while the board approved uh those funds for um these types of services um they would like when we went with the standard allowance um option which is the revenue

244
01:10:06.719 --> 01:10:22.080
replacement we elected for eligible government services and therefore the board just needs to correct the terminology from allocate to obligate. Therefore we amended that county obligation and we added revenue replacement per um our auditor's

245
01:10:22.080 --> 01:10:38.480
recommendation. Um, like I said, during the review of all of the documentation, we're getting we're preparing ourselves for the closeout for 2026. And so, reviewing all of that treasury guidance, we would need to correct this terminology.

246
01:10:38.480 --> 01:10:54.880
>> And we aren't the only county that has uh uh run into this uh is my understanding. Correct. Uh, isn't there >> correct? There have been counties that have had to amend how the funds have been spent >> and so they've had to do a resolution or

247
01:10:54.880 --> 01:11:12.080
some sort of form to amend that and how the funds were used. >> Commissioner Ber. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I'd like to move resolution 2026 uh-28 for approval. >> And I'll second it. >> Thank [snorts] you. We have a motion, a

248
01:11:12.080 --> 01:11:27.840
second to move on the resolution. Discussion. Commissioner Mdeck. Yeah. What is the logging? I've done some logging in my days, but I'm thinking it's probably different logging than what you're talking about here, right? >> Yep. And so, uh, Scott, I don't you didn't really touch on that a whole lot,

249
01:11:27.840 --> 01:11:45.920
but the logging project is, um, we have software that tracks emails and addresses and websites and you name it, that hits our our website and our servers. And so we have staff that monitor that and flag that um for cyber

250
01:11:45.920 --> 01:12:03.360
security purposes. >> And so for clarification and and a reminder of what we did that that 300,000 and the logging and the firewall that all adds up to the 500,000 behind technology. >> We all we obl you obligated the 500,000

251
01:12:03.360 --> 01:12:18.480
towards technology. um these being ongoing expenses >> and then I'm wondering if I may, Mr. Chair, >> you may >> I Oh, there it is. The comprehensive land use plan because I it hasn't come

252
01:12:18.480 --> 01:12:34.400
up yet as a action that >> No, and I left that on there. Um I'm planning to discuss that with staff. I don't believe we can do that. However, where those funds would go would be the revenue replacement for general governmental services. So if those if

253
01:12:34.400 --> 01:12:50.080
that's not done and spent, we can use that for the revenue replacement which we have been reporting to the treasury using revenue replacement. >> Mr. Yes. >> Um I would recommend that we don't do that because I've been getting comments

254
01:12:50.080 --> 01:13:05.440
from people that saying, "Hey, we really should be taking a new look at our comprehensive land use plan because it's been what 25 years since that that one was things change." And so maybe some of our zoning, some of our uh

255
01:13:05.440 --> 01:13:21.120
>> what do you call? Yeah. If it's called egg versus commercial versus residential, some of them might need some tweaking. So, I I'd recommend that we do a land use update. >> Was there a question uh Kelsey as to whether or not that was something that

256
01:13:21.120 --> 01:13:39.040
was allowable uh or >> that would be a government or could we still use that? >> Okay. >> That would be a governmental service. >> Okay. Okay. Um yeah, I've uh I've I've heard a couple of those same comments as

257
01:13:39.040 --> 01:13:53.520
as well. So >> probably nobody looks forward to it, but [laughter] it's one of those things to be a pile of work. >> Yeah. >> Uh the city of Wilmer is going has just completed their comp plan and uh uh

258
01:13:53.520 --> 01:14:08.719
they're working on a rewrite of their uh zoning uh rules now. And uh in fact they've got a meeting on on Thursday uh to have their advisory committee uh put

259
01:14:08.719 --> 01:14:26.560
some put some hands and feet to that. So um it'll be a it'll be a process for certain but uh but you're right if it's 20 25 years it's time. >> So go ahead. >> And is this is this verbatim from what

260
01:14:26.560 --> 01:14:43.120
we did in 20 whatever that was in 20 three. >> No, this is the amended version. >> This is the amended version. >> So, it seemed to from seems to me that there was something in there for um uh broadband, wasn't it? Was there Mr. Anderson at that time?

261
01:14:43.120 --> 01:15:00.159
>> Yep, there was. And so, we could have used it for broadband services, but like this recent surveya project um that is a contracted service. Therefore, um and I spoke with Mark Bashon this morning. We'll be emailing out to the broadband committee. Um, we could have done

262
01:15:00.159 --> 01:15:15.600
ancillary costs for broadband, but because that contract wasn't in place prior to December 31st, 2024, we couldn't per the Treasury guidelines, and we couldn't approve that contract for to use ARPA dollars for that. So, I

263
01:15:15.600 --> 01:15:30.880
spoke with Mark this morning. I got the exact dollar amount. We're going to be talking with the the EDC broadband committee on what our options are. And he's also going to be working with V Vibrant um on their um contribution as

264
01:15:30.880 --> 01:15:46.640
well. So, we'll stay tuned to that. I might be back to the board um with more of an update on that as well. >> So, KCED is going to have to get the band back together. >> Yes. Basically, that is what we talked about. That's >> kind of my argument at the time. >> Yep. So, we'll we will we [snorts] will

265
01:15:46.640 --> 01:16:02.400
have to call another. might as well. >> So, >> uh, Commissioner B, >> kind of tongue and cheek. So, all the money beans being no going forward with my my comment too with it money, will that affect their budget lower? We're going to come in really low now because

266
01:16:02.400 --> 01:16:18.640
of these dollars. That's a joke. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> But so, but we do have non levy dollars here to help it quite a bit. >> Yep. A lot of the licensing, software, and consulting. Yep. And and and some of this has already been spent anyway. So I

267
01:16:18.640 --> 01:16:34.960
mean the improvements in this room, our iPads, that that sort of thing. >> Yeah, that hydro multure that was bought a couple years ago. >> We'll continue to spend that down. >> Mhm. >> What do we have here? I think we have a motion. >> We do have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?

268
01:16:34.960 --> 01:16:51.679
>> All right, hearing none. All in favor of resolution 2026-28 say I. >> I. All opposed? Motion passes. Uh Kelsey, any administrative updates? >> Uh >> I do. Um we have on there the public works road and bridge work session

269
01:16:51.679 --> 01:17:08.480
scheduled for July 14th at 8:30 um from 8:30 to 11. We were going to originally have this at the public works office here in Wilmer, but we decided um to change that after um the Glacial Lake Sewer Water District did the the remodel. So we're going to have that out

270
01:17:08.480 --> 01:17:26.000
on that site on the 14th. Just a reminder, um we are now full speed ahead with the budget process. Um we have the first review on my desk right now that I'm reviewing. Uh we'll have our first budget work session at the July following the July 21st board meeting.

271
01:17:26.000 --> 01:17:40.560
Depending on time of the agenda, I maybe can do it during the meeting or we'll decide um I'll work with Melissa on if it'll be a work session and the board chair on if we want more discussion and feedback from uh the board. And then I had sent an email. I would like to

272
01:17:40.560 --> 01:17:58.640
schedule a Prime West uh work session. And so I'd sent out the dates and those were pretty pointed dates because those are the dates that worked for Prime West as well. And so I think we we had on there um I'm sorry I thought I'd have

273
01:17:58.640 --> 01:18:13.840
that. >> July 9th was the was one of them. And that's the one I can't do because I'll be at a shack meeting and say all that 15th and the 20th. But if that works for everybody else, >> go ahead and meet. >> No, >> it don't. [laughter]

274
01:18:13.840 --> 01:18:30.239
>> Does the 15th or the 20th work? >> The 15th works for me. That's the only date that works. >> That's I got several things that day. Great lakes and maybe one watershed thing. Have to check on that possibly

275
01:18:30.239 --> 01:18:46.640
work. >> The 20th I'm open. >> Yeah, I get my teeth cleaned at 3:00 though. Um, >> enjoy it. >> Who could all make it on the You can't make it on the 9th. >> I I can make I think all dates are look

276
01:18:46.640 --> 01:19:03.600
good to me. >> What time of the day would that be? >> My computer. >> Well, you just kept it open all day. Because you're not 20th day session, is it? >> It says all day on the 15th and all day on the 20th. >> No, it would. It could be in the morning or the afternoon, but I would expect a

277
01:19:03.600 --> 01:19:21.199
>> full two hour three-hour work session. maybe two hour. >> I'm still trying to get >> I'm still trying to get >> clear in my head what day the highway 23 coalition meeting is. And I think it might be on the 15th. So, it would work, but late late morning instead of early

278
01:19:21.199 --> 01:19:37.679
morning. >> On the 15th. >> Yeah. Or the afternoon >> or the 20th. I can make the 20th. >> I will I'll go back to them with the 15th or the 20th. Um in the meantime, I'll be sending out some more information background information to the five of you. uh just informational

279
01:19:37.679 --> 01:19:54.320
um more so like I said background information of why we got here with the recent recent legislation. Caroline Caroline and I are working with some Prime West uh staff right now to get out a one-page document for the five of you um to review prior to that work session.

280
01:19:54.320 --> 01:20:11.120
In the meantime, um, we can provide more public information at a a board meeting at the 7th at July 7th, um, prior to the 15th or the 20th for the work session. >> 15th would have be way better. >> Okay. I know that's kind of two work sessions

281
01:20:11.120 --> 01:20:26.480
back toback, the 14th and the 15th, but I'll see what they come back with as well. Well, 14th, 15, uh, 15th, and then the 21st because you have a budget work session. >> Yeah. >> Scheduled for then as well. >> Just hammer away.

282
01:20:26.480 --> 01:20:42.960
>> That's That's fine. We can get it done before the fair. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> On the 15th. I'm kind of tied up with Prairie Lakes here program >> in the morning. In the morning or all day? >> Yeah. No, in the morning. >> Okay. >> What, Commissioner Berg? When does that end? >> Around 8:30.

283
01:20:42.960 --> 01:20:58.159
>> Uh, 8:30. >> No. When? That's when it starts. What time does the How long does the meeting go? >> Uh 10:30 to 11. >> So we could do an afternoon. >> I know it's a full day for you guys, but >> cuz I I'm going to be going to that meeting, too.

284
01:20:58.159 --> 01:21:13.120
>> So if you could do it on the heels of that. >> Yep. >> You could even bring in do a working lunch or something if it's more than that. >> I was I was going I was going to say if you start over the lunch, I think that'd be your >> or even 11 o'clock. >> 11 o'clock would be Yeah.

285
01:21:13.120 --> 01:21:28.880
>> Yeah. Okay. >> We got to take a nap someplace between the two meetings. >> That actually that'd be nice. That we >> go from one to the other. >> One or the other. And I like to chuck off. >> It would be nice to get it done ahead of

286
01:21:28.880 --> 01:21:46.159
time based off the information. And so I the sooner the better. >> Um but this was the soonest date we could get um some primo staff here. But like I said, I will provide more information now between now and then. Um, like I said, I have the first review of the budget. Um, just a little update,

287
01:21:46.159 --> 01:22:02.719
we held our labor management committee meeting with the union members. That went very well. Um, we'll be having an insurance committee meeting here in July um to receive our insurance rates and to talk through that with employees. Um,

288
01:22:02.719 --> 01:22:20.320
and outside of starting the budget, that will be my main focus from now until September. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. Can we go back to that date of uh 15th is it? >> Yeah. And actually get a calendar invite sent to us because if we don't tomorrow

289
01:22:20.320 --> 01:22:35.440
something will come up and being it's not on the calendar we'll say yeah I'm available that day. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> So I live by those. >> So I don't put question marks behind it at all then. Okay. >> Yep. I'll do that as when my outlook

290
01:22:35.440 --> 01:22:51.440
starts working. >> All right. And uh uh when you uh come back here, I don't know if you want to say anything, but uh uh we have the u uh >> employee >> employee picnic >> tomorrow

291
01:22:51.440 --> 01:23:09.199
>> tomorrow as well. So that uh we'll be l uh we'll be lending a hand at >> Y. Yeah. Work there for a while. >> Yep. And I think you you've got that with coordinate that with Melissa. Don't coordinate that with me or I'll I'll just give you a job that I think is appropriate. Um,

292
01:23:09.199 --> 01:23:25.280
but while I >> if she if she if she we don't want to she thinks you're appropriate, you might want to not want to know what that is. >> No teasing. But, um, while I do to wrap up my report, I I do, if staff are watching this, I do want to give a good

293
01:23:25.280 --> 01:23:40.800
shout out to all of our county employees. Um it's not easy work that we do and we've been going through some changes with um accountability and um you know self-reflection and how we do

294
01:23:40.800 --> 01:23:56.080
our work and how we provide governmental services in the world that we live in right now and from our sheriff's office to public works to administration. Um, I've just seen it throughout the county down to our auditor treasures office and we're really reooking at how we provide

295
01:23:56.080 --> 01:24:12.480
these services to our public and where our employees are challenging themselves which I think I should share with the board because you don't see that um in all counties and so I think at the end of the day we have we you all can be very proud of the work that we're we're doing and that we're trying to move this

296
01:24:12.480 --> 01:24:29.760
county forward and how we do our work. >> Outstanding. Uh does >> uh anyone have any uh questions or comments uh before we adjourn? >> Can I can I just say one thing? >> Yes. >> So I I it's kind of like a report out,

297
01:24:29.760 --> 01:24:44.800
but it's just real quick. I just wanted to give uh a little kudos to UKAP because they they every year they have volunteers that do uh prepare taxes for people and uh in in our region I can't remember it's like 12 counties or 17

298
01:24:44.800 --> 01:25:01.520
counties or whatever but they they brought in or with with the returns they got refunds for people that was over like $7.8 8 million and that comes back to the community and people that are making a little lower wages when they get that kind of money, they spend it

299
01:25:01.520 --> 01:25:17.600
and it gets spent back in the community. So, I just wanted to give them a shout out because there I could volunteer for a lot of things, but I don't think I'd ever volunteer for doing somebody's taxes because I hate book work. But anyway, so I just wanted to say that. [clears throat]

300
01:25:17.600 --> 01:25:32.800
>> Outstanding. Does anyone else have anything that >> I I would add? Um, so it's lake uh uh well, first of all, let me do uh I serve on the local road improvement program state uh advisory committee and

301
01:25:32.800 --> 01:25:47.120
fortunately the the bonding bill allowed for $50 million of uh we you might hear referred to as LRIP dollars. >> Yeah. >> Third of that goes to counties, a third of it goes to roughly third of it goes to townships. And so that was sort of

302
01:25:47.120 --> 01:26:04.239
unexpected. So last the last um application New London Township uh we do the work for them but you know for the application but they they were awarded $800,000 I think for an improvement of 85th Street which it takes from the lake

303
01:26:04.239 --> 01:26:22.159
up to County Road 40. And then um I was at it's that time of the year for the um lake lake owners annual meetings. And as I was um preparing for the u uh green lake one last Saturday or yeah

304
01:26:22.159 --> 01:26:39.520
last Saturday morning, wow, it really surprised me how many different things and some of these things are not just county related but we have a hand in it for for example in Green Lake. So, the $15 million project for the Glacial Lake Sanitary Sewer and Water District uh is

305
01:26:39.520 --> 01:26:57.120
wrapped up. Um the earmarks that we are in a good place to to get for replacing the towers, the trail uh stuff. I mean, it's just it's amazing how much stuff uh the ordinance on on uh no wake uh what

306
01:26:57.120 --> 01:27:15.120
we do in a year that affects it's not just Green Lake obviously, but that's the meeting I was at that day as prepared for. There's a lot of stuff that we uh we do to make things better for for example the earmarks that we hope to get will will not will make it

307
01:27:15.120 --> 01:27:29.440
so that we do not have to raise the rates for the rate payers by probably about 3%. Uh without it we'd have to raise the rates 3% is in other words. So, it's uh it's a lot of things we do and that you forget about it as the year

308
01:27:29.440 --> 01:27:46.480
goes on, but um improvements at the parks, all of that. All right. Anybody else? All right. Then, uh we've concluded our business. Want to thank everybody for their time here today and for those who

309
01:27:46.480 --> 01:27:52.280
are watching us on the air. And we are a journ.