Yes. I don't know why to be honest with you. So, I'm gonna, you know, sometimes they're called HMO, health maintenance organization, sometimes managed care organization. I'm sure there's a definition out there to differentiate between the two. And if somebody knows
it, please speak up because um they have a lot of terms. >> I think these programs are really bureaucratic and so this is actually quite helpful. >> Yes, a lot of information in there, but yes. Yes. Did you Did you like that like
the flow? Is that what you were looking for, Commissioner Ward? Okay, good. >> Yes. Thank you. It it kind of tells you Yeah. how, like you say, how you get there from here. >> Yeah. And it's something that if it it does speak to you, we can try to do something like that for it would be useful not only for you all, but
probably for other parts of the things we do. So, >> the other term that I always find confusing is waiver >> and what it means. And then you know like we had some waivers during the pandemic that were really actually waivers right we don't have to do this for the duration of the pandemic and do
you like they were actual like >> what I think of as a waiver which means that's the rule but no you don't have to cuz I wave your need to do it. So these kind of waivers they really that what that means doesn't always make sense to me. >> Okay so think about it this way. um
they wave all of some or some of the limitations from your plan in order to meet your needs better because of a disability that you might have. Do you know what I mean? Or a a special need you may have. So, for example,
even if you had a MCO, all of the folks who get a disability designation and have a specific set of needs, they're going to be put in a category where we're not going to limit them in the same way so that they can access those
specific types of things that they may need. So, for example, it could be a person with autism. And so, their needs might be really range from just needing something sensory to help calm you and regulate you to something that is very
significant such as um around the clock care that somebody comes into your house to provide it. And it really does give that more individualized, but it kind of waves you out of our typical system, so to speak. Does that help a little bit? But it's not quite,
>> I guess. >> Yeah. >> It usually seems like if you have the waiver, you get more stuff. >> Yes, you do. You get waved out of the systems parameters in order to get more stuff >> and waved into >> Yes. >> better stuff. >> Yes. >> Any other questions?
>> I was also confused with that. >> Yeah. Waiver. >> No, it's a the terminology sometimes is is not easy. seems to me that we've made this system very complex. Yeah. >> And even somebody who
>> having a husband that's cho chosen to go on, you know, Medicare and all those things. I mean, the confusion of just even that program and what you pick and choose and how it works and and all these things and then the >> the rules are always changing
>> um >> is I guess it's job justification at a higher level. If we keep changing things and messing with things, somebody at a federal or state level will have a secure job in my opinion. >> Well, yeah. I don't know if that's the case. I I say in mental health and
substance use, there's so much need. I'm not actually worried about job security because the needs are out there no matter what. >> Yeah. And and I guess I'm thankful that I use an Apple device. I can use my fingers and make the print bigger. Yeah. Because there's a lot of info in there.
And um this little chart I struggled with and then I figured out how to make that bigger. Um >> we we were discussing that while you were out of the room you were using your finger that >> that's little >> that was very tiny print >> but I don't you can you do that with >> no see that is
>> well you can zoom in >> Adobe you can zoom in. >> Yep. But I just >> we don't we don't have touchscreen computers though. >> I do at home. >> But uh so what what do you feel are the critical areas that we need to be
looking at or pay in particular attention to? >> I would highlight a few points. One being that the mandated portion is the state funded portion and that's a service we're going
to have to deliver no matter what. I think for us when you look at this weight list currently individuals who have a move in date and set for a nursing facility have priority to be assessed. So we're going to be doing that and with all the prioritization and then we've got people who maybe are on
the blues already them getting pushed in because our contract says we need to address their needs within a certain time frame. And so what I would say is there's a lot of work here uh in this population of over
65. I do not see it changing to reduce and I see the challenges of our employees on a daily basis being able to meet the needs that are all present for folks that we we get referrals for.
This the feedback that I was wanting to hear, Commissioner Ward, was much more about does this meet the need of a flowchart visual that could be helpful to you. >> It's helpful, but it's still Yeah, >> it's overwhelming. Yes. Of how to figure
it out. And so, question, um, referral, an individual that's over 65 has to be referred. Can they selfreer themselves? >> Okay. They don't have to go to a medical provider and have a certain diagnostic. >> Community member over age 65 can refer
themselves or they can be referred by another party >> because I know it's very difficult to get in to see any medical provider. >> Yeah, I would say the overwhelmed feeling that you have looking at this is very consistent with what people often feel doing the work that we do every
day. >> Well, my personal goal is to avoid this system at all costs. Yes. I don't want to have to Yeah. >> But no, this is whoever Yeah. your intern who put it together. Now, the
only thing is um I guess I'm still a little confused as to what is mandated and what's not mandated. mandated are those folks that um have Medicaid or are eligible for medical assistance and they
are not affiliated with another like we have to fund them because their income level is such that they are not able to have another form of coverage. >> So on page 11 would all those things be mandated elderly waiver community? Yes,
but only for those folks who don't have blues or don't have something else. >> Okay. And we talk about Blue Cross Blue Shield. Who's our who's who's their competitor in the Winona area? Do they have a competitor? >> Typically, I think what happened is
UKare was just taken on by Medicica. Um, so that there's a lot of transitions that sometimes happen with those different folks. I think there's a requirement by county that you have at least two options >> and I think there may be more in Winona
maybe even three or four >> and years ago we tried to join with Almstead County and a several others in southeast to Marine was part of that to create a >> what did we call it a a managed care system and there are some very successful ones in the in the state but
we were denied um doing that so that we could have been totally in charge but we couldn't They wouldn't allow it to. Right. >> Jill, two things. Do you know offh hand what is the elig eligibility threshold for MA?
>> Oh, not off the top. You It depends on your household size and your income. It's really low. Um it's I can't I just don't know it off the top of my head. I don't know if other >> salary probably >> beginning teacher salary. If it's with
that question though, is it is it your well >> there's >> asset based or is it just income based? >> Usually income well actually >> well there there's conversation around that with income maintenance before you're eligible to get medical assistance. So that all happens prior to
and there is some asset components to it. >> Okay. Because there was some off-the- cuff comment in a news thing that one of our nation's multi-millionaires because of income he could be eligible for I don't know if it was >> oh >> who who it was it was some because it
was just you know straight income and he didn't take income he had all these other uh resources in >> the flaw in the system >> that somebody let >> No there's there's also what you own is part of the calculation >> if I just did a quick online search if
this is accurate and this seems to be actually it seems higher than I thought it was it was $21,597 so 20 we'll say $21,500 per one person, but I thought it was actually even lower than that. >> What? It depends on what you're looking at to Commissioner B
>> limits. >> Okay. For Medicaid specifically. >> Okay. So, Google, >> I should probably be more precise. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. So, Google, what's the um average social social security payment people receive >> in Minnesota? That's a good question. >> I don't know if that that would come
into play, right? if you're being social security. >> Yep. >> Or any other retirement benefit >> on average not being >> Yeah. >> So yeah, it's a very complicated process and you do need to provide documentation of any of your assets and who's in poss.
There's a lot of detail to it that people in our income maintenance area look at. >> Every time you do that, Dwayne, they build another data center. So the the average social security monthly payment for in Minnesota is $1,700 per month.
>> Now we'll have Phil do 1724* 12. >> That's Yeah, that's probably read it that >> Yes. 20 >> I can't find my calculator on my new computer. >> There's also a study that shows I believe it's the Alice study that talks
about the actual cost of living. Um, and so it's it compares that to the actual cost of living, which is interesting as we've seen inflation. >> Jill Jill, can you hear me? >> What puts you at or above your M or
Medicaid cut off? >> Thank you. Well, I will start working on that so that when we have discussions around these flowcharts that um you are able to have somewhat of a visual if at all possible. >> And sorry, one other question. Um the
charts all list over 65. >> Is that probably based on like for >> Greg and I I don't know about you two. I mean our retirement age isn't 6 is it 65 regardless versus 67. >> When can you draw social security? Yeah.
>> 66 and 8 months was for me. >> Yeah. >> You couldn't do it before then, but you get less, >> right? You just get less. >> But how about Medicare though? >> No, it's 65. >> Oh, >> yeah. It's a straight line. 65. >> Yeah. And frankly, my my belief about
that is you really don't have a choice. I mean, >> the time up to that was incredibly expensive. >> Insanely expensive. >> I'm living on the edge then. >> Yeah. I haven't made >> Are you enjoying it is the question
>> made that plunge? Yes. >> Excellent. >> You know, it's a nightmare. I mean, in terms of figuring it out, honestly, I have a freaking master's degree and it's hard to figure out. Yeah, it is. >> Um, Marca has made this point before. Today's generation, and I realize this
is targeted towards an older generation, but their caregivers and their family members, their support system. I know we can't reduce everything to two-minute YouTube clips, but something that this is very visual and I like the flowchart, but it's also like Marcia said, a lot of information and I I don't know if you
can dumb it down is the wrong word. Uh put it into plain English. Um and maybe have like a case study like what like two or three different case studies of here comes Marca, here comes Greg and and go through those scenarios. >> Okay.
>> You have an intern who might be techy. Yeah, we'll see what we can do. >> Get some actors from maybe the finance department >> staff members be >> and and if you want to put any little red checks by things that maybe we should be paying more attention to in
that that'll impact um all these >> highlight key areas. >> Yeah. Okay. So last year at the HHS advisory committee meeting, each of the department heads did a presentation where they said what their
programs are, how many people they have, how long they are, what they're like, how many people they serve. >> And that information was super informative for me as a commissioner >> to know how many people in the county are getting each of those services.
>> Okay. Um and it was there are like that sort of thing comes up a lot. >> Some basic demographics around the population. >> Yeah, it's a fairly high percentage of people over 10% of the people in the county that are getting income maintenance or on SNAP and >> those are really important numbers as
that spreadsheet or that. >> Yeah, I think I got them in when I started. >> Yeah, they're in there orientation packet. Yeah, >> it was a bit of an information dump though. Oh, that was But for me, I'm like, "Wow, I've wanted this kind of information ever since I took office." >> Yeah. >> Can that be for
>> We already did, but we can bring it again. >> Yeah, I don't remember. >> Or can I put it with this somehow like a demo sheet some, you know what I mean? So, I'll I'll take a Yeah. kind of combine those two things. >> Okay. >> Yes. And share this with the human services advisory committee.
>> Okay. Yeah. >> Yep. Yeah. So, I don't know if you can answer this or not, but um uh instead of a person having to sign up for all this stuff, how can a family member take care of another family
member and yet get services and yet I know some people are, you know, they they sign up to they're paid to take care of somebody in their family. >> Um is that something that fits into this whole thing? it does in the waiver kind of world. So that's that's that term
that we talked about. So there are certain populations of people where you're able to do that if you're qualified for it. >> Something that said yeah eligibility not living in own home or apartment right not not needing >> but um >> it's based on need. Yes.
>> Yeah. But there are programs where like children can sign up to take care of parents and get compensated somehow yet provide quality. >> Yes. But it's not it's not super easy. You got to definitely have a lot of parameters around it because there's
I think those are things that are going to be looked at pretty carefully as we move forward because those are areas that have had higher spending as they've been developed. >> Yeah. And there's been uh oftentimes maybe some response to that in terms of
questioning its legitimacy. >> Sure. Well, my personal preference would be to have a family member if they're qualified and willing to take on the the >> that's why it was developed. >> Taking care of a a parent versus putting them in a nursing home or >> absolutely a system.
>> No question. That's always more cost effective. I think the challenge has been you know our costs have risen over time and so those are the kind of programs that people that get questioned and so how do we look at that and how do we evaluate and know that that's what's
occurring. >> Sure. >> Cuz they've moved to things like electronic verification when you walk in the room. You know what I mean? So like home healthcare does electronic verification where you have to electronically be at the right location
and you have to so so those are the kind of things that are coming into play that we didn't see historically >> and that is that's somewhat mentioned on the flow chart like if someone's not eligible for MA. >> Yep.
>> And that's part of what the city does with the help with the program >> senior advocacy. >> Senior advocacy. I just met with them this week. >> To do that thing, Marca, is to help find ways to keep people at home and access services.
>> Yes, they do. I Marcia knows this though, but I think they're amazing. I have constituents who were able to stay in their homes because they helped them figure out how to do the property tax refund and to find a healthcare savings
account that was apparently out there. And the individual had surgery that they have been putting off for over 5 years because of the help that the senior advocates gave him. Amazing. >> And they have a lot of contacts. So I met with them this week and it was very positive.
>> They're great. I mean I as I said when you go on Medicare it's is mindboggling and I know plenty of people my age and I went to see them when the time came because they're not trying to sell you anything. >> All right. All right. Well, thank you
for your feedback. Greatly appreciated. We'll start working on that for each of our areas. >> Are you going to talk to us about this other report? >> Oh, yes. That's coming up next. Right. >> So, let's shift gears. Uh let's move on. Uh there's two documents that I want to highlight. One of them is quite lengthy.
I did want to provide it. So, if you chose and wanted to read it, it's a good comparison and way to look at other counties and how do we compare with what other counties are doing. And then there is the um synopsis that I wrote on the children and family services out of home
placements. And so um that is it's numbered but what document does it what number does it start with because I've got page number one at the bottom >> 79. >> That could very well be does it look like this commissioner? >> Yes. >> Okay. Commissioner Meyer >> out of home placements or is this
>> Yes. It's children and family services out of home placements. >> Well it's not page 13. Well, there's this big report by report. >> That's the big report. >> Yes. >> Well, this is the one that's about us. >> Yes. This is more specific to our needs and I took information to make sure my
definitions were cross referenced and that I was speaking in alignment with the out of home care and permanency report from 2023. The data is from then, but the report is as recent as 91525. That is something that comes out pretty
regularly and I like to look at it. I know Alyssa does as well. Alyssa Pel is the person who oversees our children and family services. And so that report is something that's required at the federal level as well. I I'll give you a little
bit of context um and some historical perspective I would say around out of home care. I think there was a time when out of home care uh was seen as the answer. Um I think
over the years we've really come to understand the impact of removing children from their homes in a way that uh maybe we didn't have when I started my career in health and human services. And I think it's positive that it gets
challenged a great deal. And I know every state has worked to reduce both the volume of placements and the number of facilities that provide the service in order to reinforce the importance of
community-based services. Now the need has also changed. We have seen over the years younger folks needing out of home care as well as the intensity of the need being greater. um more
dangerousness, uh just more complexity. Uh another population that I think we we've seen a little bit more is uh youth who maybe were in another country and were adopted here and we don't know the original um kind of experiences they may
have had, the traumatic experiences they had before they were brought to the US. And so there's a lot of factors and there's not one story that's the same as the next. Uh however, it's a significant budget item because
there is some money that we can draw down, but a vast majority of the funding for these types of out ofome placements comes at the county level. And so one thing that I'm pretty conscious of and I know Alyssa is as well is um really
being thoughtful about when we need to do that and if we do is it a good match for that child and is it our only and last resort because it is a significant um kind of kind of move and it has impact on children for
the rest of their lives. And so we're really conscious of that. Um, it could be as a result of child protection, specialized treatment for mental health concerns or developmental needs, or juvenile corrections. Any one of those types of needs are ones that we encounter
as a state supervised locally administered child welfare system. Uh, we are primarily responsible for the cost of that care and it can vary from one placement for one child in a very high need setting can be half a million
dollars a year. And so being really conscious of do not only financially but more importantly the impact on the child. Is it the right placement? How do you get there? Um so
just want to pause there and respond. I don't know if you've had the opportunity to read. I tried to keep it as brief as possible but man I'm sorry about the print. I did it again. Oops. I did it again. So the print is an example of what we're seeing and we are seeing some
out ofome placement costs that uh are going to be overbudget yet in another area we're not over budget. So it's something we have to be mindful though as we choose the difference between mandated and non-mandated services. We're mandated to pay for out of home
placements and if a child needs it we're mandated to provide it. We while we may not be mandated to do some of the community-based services, those are sometimes funded by services like waiver services. A really good example might be respbit. um respbit can be fully funded
um if we are able to engage with families and give them the opportunity to have a break which is very reasonable for the types of um challenges that families often experience uh with the needs of the children that they're
caring for. And so we really want that respit to happen and that is fully funded at the lesser level of care. Um, but it comes to a point sometimes where parents can't manage it, particularly if there's other children in the home or there are other factors that need to be
considered. I want to pause. >> Well, so I wasn't totally clear what I was supposed to take away. >> This is a setting the stage. Okay. So, what I'd like for you to do is digest this and have and think about it and
recognize that as we make decisions about the services that we do or don't fund, the impact may not be seen today. It could be seen down the road or it could be seen significantly today. And so
those community-based services that sometimes there are some portion of costs that we bear, they are much lesser portion than some of the other pieces that we have to pull together. And they're much more available than the pieces of finding the right placement
for someone. And not only in that moment, the lifelong productive costs for folks. You look at the challenges of children aging out of foster care. I don't know if everybody's heard that term or had that referenced, but they're much more likely to experience
homelessness, much more likely to not have the support systems to take the next step in their life in order to be a productive citizen. And so you we just want to be cautious and be thoughtful about how do all these different pieces
fit together so that we don't unintentionally um create consequences for ourselves that are both costly in our community and in our pocket. >> So one of the things I think you might
be saying is that in quarter one we're under budget >> and one we're over in one part and under a bit in another. But then if you look at second quarter and now there's not one child that needs this expensive. >> We've already had that. >> There's there's three. Yes.
>> Then you're looking at >> Chris. What P are you? Two uh 80 80. >> I I'm reading I'm reading between the lines. That's what I'm trying to do because it was like Well, I think that's what that means, but it was not a direct line. Yep. So, >> but the >> You're telling me I wasn't direct
enough. >> Well, no. So, but what you're saying is then it's very easy for it to go over if there are three people that need that specific service. >> Yes. >> And then you're also saying in some cases if we
uh were more liberal or recommended respit care that maybe not as many people would be forced to put their child into an out of home like a special needs. >> I think we're pretty good at doing the respit care. What I would say is we even
got to think about way earlier. Okay, the more we can start focusing on how do we get upstream rather than downstream. How do we start preventing and how do we start doing things much earlier that is a lot less costly and we can deliver a
lot more service. The issue is the system does not incentivize that with reimbursement. And so we have to make pretty conscious decisions and think about, okay, and the reality is these are the kids we got to
serve. And they're they're they're in a spot right now that maybe they weren't in when they were three. And maybe if we had offered more service when they were three or long time ago, we could be looking at a different scenario today.
So back in 2009, the legislature studied this idea of the locally administered state, you know, mandated or funded system. And one of the main outcomes from that study was that this very thing is a thing that these are services that
end up being offered uh with discriminately, which is to say with a great level of variability. >> Yes. >> And the example was that it could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for a family that had a special needs child to move to a first ring
suburb county that was more likely to provide those services and had a bigger tax base than a rural county where it's a full levy point. >> Yep. >> To provide that service for one family. >> That is correct. And that that is seen
as one of the issues with the system that Minnesota has. >> Yes. >> So this all ties into our future discussions about what things are you going to provide as services that may
need to be paid with levy versus those that are mandated and you must do and we have to do. Yeah. Right. It's a delicate balance and we understand that but we felt it was important to give you a base to give consideration to and then as we move
through in future discussions to then dive in again on those while they're discretionary they may be a better investment. >> Yep. That's exactly it. So, I I apologize. Over the weekend, I just had
my phone and I wasn't going to try and read these documents on my phone. >> Oh, you would never see that happen. >> No, no. Very limiting. So, how many children do we have currently in I maybe it's in here. I just >> Oh gosh. I don't know off the top of my head, but it would be in
>> this this big report. >> Yes. >> 117. >> Yes. >> 117. >> And that was at that point in time. So, that was 2023 data. And it does shift all the time, >> right? Well, a couple years ago it was the a real loud cry about out of home.
Then it seems like it's in my opinion kind of fell off our radar. >> You know why? >> No. >> You've got some really strong You got some strong leadership in that area right now. And when you have some consistency in staff, strong leadership,
a focus on community- based care, all of those things influence what we see later on. Now, I do want to say right now the the scenario that you're talking about, Commissioner Meyer, when you noted, we already have another child in placement
in a higher cost one um than we did when this when the budget came out. Um and we have another one that we're looking at. Um but yes, we're we're always working to reduce those because we know the impact it will have and it's only in the
last resort that we're doing a placement. >> Well, and it's yet to be determined this whole the act u what that >> great point. Yes. >> What do to will it I I can see it increasing. It will
>> because yeah, they're going to look at everybody and again the numbers game. >> Yes, that's a piece of it. I would say philosophically, I think the act is wonderful. I think the financial aspects
need to be funded because every child deserves that level of look before they're put into any form of placement or any of those things. Yet, I think we need the resources to do it. And I think that's a great example of what Marine is talking about as we make decisions. Um
there is a situ right now I think it's uh something is moving forward to put some money into the act. If I'm correct it passed I don't know which level um >> I think it like all happens on the
>> 25 hours of the session. Oh gosh. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So let's be hopeful, right? Because that's where it is important we have that in order to have the enough people. We're in the people. Health and human services is people. And if we don't have the resources to get the
services, that's the critical piece. >> Yeah. And I think it was terrible that they used Henipin and Ramsay as as pilots because we're on all different level than even having providers and people in the community to do that work and and stuff like that. Yeah. they got
the numbers and everything but yeah it was that that was not well thought out in my opinion. So, if I may just make a note. Um, so this area is the same area in which we added a case aid if you
recall. And yes, it took over a year for us to see the investment outcome, but we were able to reduce the budget by over $400,000 because we changed our process and we had enough staff to help us be proactive
in finding people to take these children. So I just want to put that out there that again changes in our process or our systems need the right number of people to be effective to get the outcome. >> And this was because there was a backlog in
>> adoptions, right? >> Yes. Yes. >> And that's good for kids. We to have a backlog of adoptions is not a good thing. So the more we address those things, the more we see the returns. It's putting your investment in the right place at, you know, that's the
key. Marcia, the answer to that question is on page 24 that you asked, but how many kids are in the as of 2020? 20 2023. >> Oh, 23. That That's ancient history. >> I'm Yeah, that's But it was actually printed on >> page 23.
>> Yep. When I 24 >> when I was reading through I was just skimming to I wasn't reading all 87 counties, but finding the in each one. >> The Yeah. Go ahead. >> Go ahead. >> I think reading this report is really helpful. I actually look at it to say
which counties are like us in size >> hoping but it's always alphabetical >> and I also then say do I know folks from that area I'm going to call them and say what are you doing so that we can look
at that and say okay we're at 12% on this you're at 6% what's the difference what are we doing differently and can we have a conversation about that and people are really open to those kind of conversations. >> Excellent. That's great. I'm glad you're doing that. >> Yeah.
>> Um the year that I first ran for office, so now you know we're talking like eight, nine years ago now. There was a time where um the foster care costs had gone from or the out of home placement costs had gone from I think a quarter
million to three million. And that year I remember that the HHS focus was really on how to keep uh how to get family members or kin you know to come to become foster parents and then how to support people once they had become
foster parents. And so I think if there are things that as an example but if there are things that we can do and that committee can help with that would be terrific. >> Excellent. Well, we'll be thoughtful around that as we move forward and be looking at this report and looking at
our synopsis in order to make recommendations about things that can have impact uh like kin care is is an important piece. >> Meen when we return to this later on, can you um at some in some way add what
you just said to the discussion because sometimes you do need to spend a little bit of money to save a lot of money. You have to be careful, of course, that it actually comes to fruition. But >> yes, >> that's a great example because yeah, sometimes you have to spend a little bit of money to save a lot more money. >> Invest in the right places.
>> Yep. >> Okay, two more minutes. >> Okay. I >> And I would I'm sorry. I I would always look, you know, to the neighborhood. H how Filillmore and Houston and I've always said if we've got somebody that's really good at their job, Yes. Can we
share the person across you know the the borders and you know instead of because I know you've said in the past it takes so long to get somebody trained and up to speed on something but if they have some capacity in maybe our small I don't know if they do I'm just it's a pipe
dream. Well, we do do um regional meetings and so during those discussions, anybody can put something on the agenda and I have put different items to kind of say, "Oh, what do you all do for this? Can you share that with me?" And so, I think that is happening
pretty well now. I think everybody's got this resource problem of being able to share across different counties and some of those things. We're just not there yet. But I think that's a a good way to look at things because when you become an expert,
>> if somebody's good at something, why train take a couple years to train somebody? >> Having specialty areas of specific things. Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? Otherwise, anything else from you, Marine? Otherwise, I'll close there. >> You are good. >> Thank you very much for the discussion.
I really appreciate it. >> Thank you. All right. Well, >> it's now 5:45. So, >> commissioners. >> Okay. We'll do. Thank you. >> Uh, so I'm going to adjourn the working
session and we'll start the committee of the board. It has one agenda item. Discuss potential moratorium of development on scenic byways. >> Well, we don't discuss. We decide if we're going to discuss. >> That's right. >> You got two. Now you see if you can get three people to agree.
>> And you know this came to to light at the last um conditional use permit on Apple Blossom Drive. And the question is should with that being a state scenic byways, should it have maybe different setbacks than you know another, you
know, very rural um setting? And it caught my attention when the person who did the conditional use permit alluded that they were going to be doing more development. Now it he it wasn't indicated is that more solar panels, wind farms, you know, agricultural feed
lots, um houses, you know, it it was just alluded that there would be more more things to come. So, I think we have some sensitive areas within the county that maybe we should just look at possibly changing some of our setbacks and our conditions and and um protect
those quote scenic areas. And I know the state of Minnesota is going to review all the scenic byways in the state of Minnesota. Um there's a gentleman at the state, I have his name somewhere, and they were going to be doing something this summer, starting to do something because those plan the plans they did
were back in I think the 1999 or something. They had a plan. So that's just the concept is we look uh decide if we want to change some things before we get another application on our doorstep. And the other thing uh also not just even the um scenic byways but the bigger
discussion too is a lot of my uh colleagues across the state of Minnesota are dealing with data centers and we haven't even given any thought and again if you get an application on the table then it's too late to start setting the rules. You need to set the rules ahead of time. So, I think
>> I support a discussion about this this idea and see where it goes. Um, to discuss the possibility of additional protections for the scenic byways and I don't know if that was a request to talk about data centers because if that was I'll gladly second that one. >> Yeah, it it falls into
>> and that should be a sec that probably a separate issue. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, is that a request for a future? >> That would be a request for future too. Holty for a future committee of the board. Is it just >> that's separate from let's >> because I think they're as close as I've been well Pine Island is being
approached and I think even the little community of Harmony Minnesota said they were being approached by a smaller one. So they're they're in the neighborhood. Would your thinking be the the way that I've seen it done back when I was on the planning commission, but then since then is really that >> we would send an issue to the planning
commission and staff has a chance to um work through, >> you know, think about it and analyze it and find out what other communities are doing and then >> potentially make a recommendation. The the planning commission says yes or no.
And is that your is that the process you'd be interested in? that will work. Um, I guess the fear I have is if some application comes in between, you know, now and then. And I'm not sure if staff has any indication if there's
anything on the horizon. I'm looking at Ross. Has anybody approached? Of course, they, you know, they don't have to approach you too much ahead of time before they make a con, you know, application, but nothing that you're aware of. >> Okay. >> I would assume and hope it would go through like the normal staff and then planning commission discussion or
incumbent. It needs to Yeah, it needs to follow the process we've always used. >> Yes. >> Okay, then I support that. >> So, for clarification, are is the board asking me to have this be taken back to planning environmental
services before we bring it back to the board for discussion? >> Not necessarily. >> So, put it through the normal process to bring it back at the next meeting. >> Yeah. I just want to make sure I >> understand and then we'll the decision to ask staff but >> yeah well it come to it will come back
to actual board meeting. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Where a a decision can you have a cup coffee? I've got a cup there >> and then at a future committee of the board we'll have discussion to discuss officially discussing data centers. >> Okay.
All right. That's it for the uh committee of the board. So I'm going to go ahead and adjourn. We have 11 minutes uh before the county board meeting starts. >> Okay. Coming. >> Uh if you came hungry, there's a box of
cookies over there. Help yourself. Um we start our meetings with a public comment period. And so if there are folks in the audience or people who are online that would like to uh talk to us about something, I invite you to come up to
the microphone, tell us your name and address or if you want just your township um and uh try to limit your comments to two minutes and um tell us what you wanted to share. >> My name is Fred Molain. uh live at 29444
County Road 19. It's a Rushford mailing address. Uh I am here about the reconstruction of County Road 19. The the part that we are concerned about is the gravel hill road uh which
is gravel right now and they are wanting to straighten it all out and black top it at a cost of they say 1.8. It's going to be a lot more than that, but uh we won't go into that. Um we I do have petitions
here I gave uh to Marine uh that I want all the uh board members to look at. These are the people that live on County Road 19 that use County Road 19.
Some of them every day, some of them twice a day, sometimes only a few few times, you know, very seldom. But they all want the top part done. They do not want the
black the gravel made into black top. The top part is from Wilson to the gravel hill is blacked up now. It's practically un undrivable. That's how bad it is. And uh
why aren't we taking care of our current black top roads? Why are we trying to extend them into other roads blacked out in and then 15 20 years down the thing they'll be looking for money to try to fix that
there when they don't have the money to fix the current roads. There's a whole list of roads in Winona County that needs this money first, not later.
Um, we've been asking for years to have that road fixed on top there. For years, we've been trying. It's just terrible. Uh, you can't hardly drive it. People have lost shocks. They've lost other
parts of broken parts on this driving this road. I thought I had petitions in here from the last time we were here with the other uh owners of the land. Uh we are there's some of us that are not going to
sell, okay? Because they have to take some of our land to make this reconstruction. We are not going to sell. We will go to eminent domain if we have to, which they're talking, which is going to get kind of messy. uh
we cannot figure out why they want to fix a road that goes to nowhere, let's say, like the the old saying of the bridge to nowhere when they don't have the money to fix the other roads that need it right now
and have needed it for years. There's other people in other parts of the county with these roads that need them fixed now. the hill road that I and I've lived there just about I was born and raised there just about all my life and a lot
of these other people have asked me to come to talk to you about it. Uh some of them don't like to talk publicly. Um there is no safety problem with this road in over 50 60 years. There's been
very very minor injuries and very few accidents on this road. Matter of fact, I've talked to the Winona uh department uh what's her name? Um, I don't remember her name now, but she has
said she don't remember ever sending an ambulance out that direction. Not for an accident. You know, I I know other people have had uh medical problems and they've sent it out for them. We need this stopped
before it gets to eminent domain. I know you people don't have anything to do with eminent domain. I realize I found that out. We were finding out a lot of things. Marsha is helping us on this. She is our our uh representative on this
board and uh we want it stopped. We love this road. We can make it up in the winter. It's gravel. I get to the top part of this hill road is black top a few hundred feet. I get
up there with my two-wheel drive vehicle. I have been stopped so many times. It's too slippery. You can't get up the hill. I have had to go way over on the wrong side of the road with my car to find
some gravel with the left wheels and try to get some traction to go up. Sometimes I get a little ways, stop, go back, do it again, back and forth. And this has happened over all the years. Our our weather is changing. We're having more
ice now than snow. And uh that's the problem. You put that much ice on the black top, can I drive on it? You put that much ice on gravel and go right up it. >> Thank you, Mr. Mo. I don't want to cut
you off because I appreciate you coming. >> I realize it's we will be getting back to you with other things and we have more petitions coming. there was four other pe three other people besides myself uh getting these phys uh
petitions. It's not just myself doing this. So, >> thank you so much for coming. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there anyone else in the audience or if you are online? >> Yep. Please come on up.
>> My name is Zach Harter. I'm with Harter's Quick Cleanup. I'm the general manager as well for Green Circle Recycling. Uh Green Circle Recycling currently takes all of the recyclable materials from Winona County. Um I actually uh I went to school in at Winona State for a little bit before I
realized my heart was in the family business. So I have a special appreciation for this area and this city. Um first and foremost, I know there's a RFP on the cons um proposal for RFP on the consent agenda and just number one wanted to come up and say thank you. Um, Harters and Green Circle
have been servicing this uh this area since 2017. Uh, we have there's one driver, Matt Trout line. He does the uh city route. He's been with us for 18 years. So, he's serviced Winona the entirety of the contract. Uh, and then
also, uh, Greg Pru, he's, uh, he does a lot of the township routes. And so, uh, we have very good retention on all of our drivers. uh green circle we accept a wide range of uh acceptable materials uh wider than most murfs in the state. Uh we maintain a very low residual rate,
very high recovery rate. Um I saw I was just reading over the RFP, you know, the there's a ask for innovative uh solutions. We're we're always pursuing innovation. Just right now actually we're upgrading an older optical sorder and putting a new optical sorder back in
for uh extra capacity. So just uh don't want to take too much of your time, but thank you for your consideration. We really appreciate all the opportunity that uh and the partnership that we've had with Winona County and hope to continue that in the future. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there anyone else here in the
audience or anyone online? I'll ask two more times. Is there anyone here in the audience or online that would like to share thoughts with us during the public comment period? Yes, madam chair. Just a note that people online cannot speak. We're
still having technical difficulties. >> Okay. All right. So, sorry about that. Folks who are online, we have not quite recovered to the point where you would be able to participate in public comment. So, for the final time, is there anyone here in the audience that would like to share some thoughts with
us? Please come to the podium. Hearing no one, I'm going to move on. Next item is uh potentially to approve some past minutes from county board meetings. >> I'll move to approve items 5.1, 5.2, and
5.3. Second. >> Okay. Commissioner Vegley has moved. Commissioner Olsen has seconded approval of minutes from April 14th, the closed session on April 14th of 2026, the closed session on April 23rd of 2026. Is there any further discussion? Hearing
none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. If anyone's opposed, say nay. Motion carries. Uh um in terms of any adjustments to the agenda, uh County Attorney Son, >> are you also? >> Yes. Was it Do you have anything you
would like to change on the agenda >> other than to ask for an opportunity to give a comment at the >> comment? Uh Commissioner Bailey? >> Nothing. Thank you, >> Mr. Olsson. >> Nothing for me. >> Uh, Commissioner Ward, >> um, I would like uh I I see Brian's in
the the attending. Just maybe a a quick synopsis on 7.8 from his perspective of our feed lot situation. >> Do you want to pull it? >> Yeah, let's pull it uh to 800 I mean >> 8.0. >> Yes, please. >> 8 8.01. How's that? >> Yeah. Yes. And then uh announcement at
the end, please. >> Okay. Uh, Administrator Holty. >> No, Madam Chair, nothing. Okay. So, I have nothing. Uh, but we do have a slight modification. Uh, it would be in order to, uh, approve the agenda at this point. >> She'll move the amended agenda.
>> I'll second that. >> Commissioner Ward moves. Commissioner Sing approval of the agenda. >> I'm sorry. Commissioner Elsing isn't even here. >> Okay. Commissioner Vegley seconds approval of the uh, modified agenda. Is
there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone's opposed? Nay. Motion carries. Uh, Administrator Holty, could you read the consent business for the record? >> Absolutely. 7.1 Approved contract with
Highwa Valley Mental Health Center to support RAP plus clients. 7.2 Approve LG220 gambling application for exempt permit picket mill incorporated. 7.3 approved dra transitioning out of over
65 blues contract 7.4 award bid for cas 4 5 12 37 and 39 resurfacing to Dun blacktop company 7.5 approve cooperative agreement with city of Udica for CASA 33
project 7.6 Six, approve updated working hours policies. 5.10. 7.7 approve extension of lease agreement with Port Authority of Winona for 165 West Second Street parking lot.
7.8 was pulled. 7.9 Approve recycling program request for proposals. And 7.10 confirm payment of dispersements. >> Thank you. >> I'll move to approve the um remaining consent items. And a quick comment about uh 7.4. There's $3 million in road
repairs. $3 million. There goes $3 million. And for just four projects. >> So I'm sorry. Back to the original motion. I'll move to approve that. >> Oil based products aren't going to get any cheaper. >> No. Get worse. >> Yep. Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Hey, Mr. Vaguely has moved. Commissioner Olsson seconds approval of the consent business as it was read into the record. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> If anyone's opposed, nay. Motion carries. We now move on to general
business. First item would be what used to be 7.8 now is 8.01. Approve the 2025 year end feed lot program review and the 2025 annual and financial report. >> Yeah. Mr. Feed lot officer.
>> Good evening everybody. >> Good evening. If you could just introduce yourself for the record. Thank you. >> I'm uh Brian Berthium. I'm the Winona County feed lot officer. >> And I um I just you know you've been here what a little over a year and such. So from your perspective, how are our
feed lots doing and and how's the interaction with your work and and the state of Minnesota and the regulations and everything? >> Yeah. Um overall I think first year on the job went really well. Um we maintained our uh funded sites this
year for the most part. Um this last bienium we were funded for 460 registered feed lots. Um as of the first of the year we had 451 and of the nine that decreased a good number of those were just late registrations. Um they're
required to update that registration every four years. Um so in that regard it's going pretty well. Um, we met all the minimum program requirements for uh the delegation agreement this last year. Um,
and as far as interactions with PCA, it's going pretty well. I consult with our, uh, district representative, uh, Peter Queasley when need be. Um, I've been in touch with both the Houston and Filmore County feed lot officers. Um,
and we're setting up plans to do some uh, inner county work potentially. not inspections in itself, but some outreach work. Um, uh, beyond that, there's, uh, the feed lot rule update that's going to be going
on for the next few years. And so, I've been doing my best to, uh, make sure that people are informed about what's going on there. Um, I've sent out, I think, three newsletters now just with updates, um, regarding where they're at with the rule making process. Um, as of
now, there's not going to be a lot of opportunity for uh public comment on the feed lot rule review um for the next year or so. Um, but I will be sending out mailings periodically so people are aware of what's going on.
>> Uh, I did have one specific question here on page uh 155 and it it relates to the manure application records part of inspection file additional performance credits. We didn't get any credits, but I I guess
I'm a little and I know we handed off a um a lot of the uh manure application record and plans over to soil and water conservation. So why did we get no? It said awarded the county for performance if all applicable inspection files
contain a copy of the manure application records for sites. So what uh why didn't we have that in the files or what what what happened there? Um there was a bit of a misunderstanding as to what was necessary. Um I did not I
was unaware that I was supposed to attach those records into one of the the sites that I reviewed. I I did a desktop review. Um but I did not upload it into the the state system. Um so that was one of the things that uh I I did get knocked on for my my annual review this year.
>> We did we lose any funding because of that? >> No. Um we we did not receive the four additional performance credits for that one uh addition. Those would be four additional performance or credit credits. Should uh
that have been the case? So, so it didn't affect our our financial because we get a lot of money for doing >> the way that uh it would work out is those performance credits um are assigned a dollar value um at the the end of the bienium or at the end of the
year, excuse me. Um and then it's assigned a value based on the number of performance credits received around the state um and the amount of money remaining in the feed lot program budget. Um, so we we missed out I
suppose on the four per the value of four performance credits for the year. Um, and we are not sure yet the dollar value of those performance credits. Usually it's in the $200 range, >> but that's something. So
the plan that soil and water conservation district office is doing these manure management plans that is still that's a workable situation >> or now um so that that was a temporary agreement. Those funds have to be spent by the end of this year. We uh
essentially encumbered those funds to allow Amanda over there to um do some of that manure management planning work. Um, thus far it it's going pretty well. I've I know Amanda has done a good number of work on quite a few plans. Um, I I don't
have specific numbers um in that regard, but thus far um I I think it has garnered quite a bit of interest amongst folks, especially since they're transitioning to the new manure management planning tool right now. >> Isn't it mandatory? >> It is. um that they're still allowing
use of the old Excel spreadsheet tool for at least the next year. Um but they're strongly pushing to get people moved over to the new tool. >> All right. So, we still do have 460 registered feed lots. >> Uh just about
>> 51. >> We may have a few less than than 460. >> And and how many animal units do you have to have to register? Uh uh our county ordinance requires registration at 10 animal units. Um those sites uh are not funded until they're at 50
animal units. So sites that are 50 plus are funded or sites that are uh 10 animal units in the shoreland district need to register too. >> My my neighbor my my VBR goats for the summer are won't fall into that.
>> All right. Thank you. I appreciate the information and looks like we're doing a good report. So, thank you very much, Mr. Olsson. >> Thank you. >> Motion to approve the year end feed lot program review and annual financial report. >> Second. >> Okay, Mr. Olsson has moved. Mr. Ward
seconds approval of the feed lot program review. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. If anyone's opposed, nay. >> Motion carries. Next item uh is to receive a presentation from the primary
prevention project which works to stop sexual and domestic violence. >> You've all met Ellen before. >> Yeah. Um so hello everybody. Um I'm here to say thank you uh for funding of the $3,000 for the Winona County Primary
Prevention Project. And I just want to share with you how we use that funding in the Winona community. Uh do you want the slideshow? >> Um if you would like I um I thought it would help to if if not I'm quite happy
to talk as well >> if it's possible for the audience and those who are watching it be right because we have it on our >> Yeah, I'm looking at it but yeah. >> Yeah, I'm that's possible. I apologize. >> No, no, that's fine. So my name if you don't know me is Helen Bagshaw and I'm
the chair of the Winona County Primary Prevention Project and we call it PPP for short. Uh we started in 2008 and we became a 501c3 nonprofit in 2019.
And our mission is to provide education to change cultural norms to prevent violence before it happens by surrounding our community with information through community collaboration, organizational practice
and policies that change traditional norms to ensure our winner county is safe for everyone. Um little bit of history. Um we began in 2008 and through the efforts of many citizens um from health and human
services uh from um education, judicial services, um professionals, agencies and the best thing community volunteers all came together to prevent or to try and prevent sexual and domestic violence. Um
we have 20 21 22 coalition partners um from volunteer organizations like beyond tough guys to Winona health to the public schools in fact anybody and everybody are welcome.
Um so every year we uh put up an action plan with based on three main actions. provide uh primary prevention education in our community, educate our policy and legislative makers, and strengthen our
uh coalition um to our members and to our partnerships. So, our first part of our action plan is to um collaborate and engage with all our coalition uh members. Um, one of those things is providing darkness to
light training uh with classes online and in person. Um, a new thing that we're starting that we're working with the parks and recck department is um happy to chat benches. Um, we know and I'll tell you a little bit more about
that um in the in the next um uh few minutes. Also, we working with the police department. Um, I'm a responsible beverage server trainer. Um, but it also gives me the opportunity to talk to bar
staff and hotel staff um about resources for um domestic violence um human trafficking. You know, often bar staff, you know, they they want those resources um if people ask. So um the other thing
is um we are very passionate about community conversations um supporting and navigating response and prevention of gender-based violence. Um one of our things that I've really
embraced is social media. Um so we share that events and awareness um on our Facebook page. Um, and I had a look at the data. I'm kind of new with all this, but I looked to see how many
um uh how many um visits or views we'd had from February 1st to April 14, 1,400. I mean, I don't know if that's good or great, but I'm excited that people want
to know and are, you know, trying to find out what's going on in our community. We also do um radio, newsprint, handouts, stickers, and billboards. So, we're we're trying to encompass um every way we can to share
that education. Um again, our second part of our mission is to influence um policy and legislative makers. And that's why I'm so excited that I'm here today to talk to you. Um also um talking to the city council as
well. Um our local and state legislators again I did actually meet with um um um Ripinsky um on another matter at the capital um a couple of weeks ago and I
did tell him I was a part of the primary prevention project. So hopefully um you know he'll have heard of that before. Um we meet on the fourth Monday of the month. Um we we meet 10 times a year. Um
we're also part of the Winona Area um nonprofit association and we're also part of Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Last couple of minutes I just want to give you some highlights of what we've been doing. Um, one of our, um,
community conversations that I talked about earlier was, um, together we act, united, we change. Um, that was, um, last year we did a human traffic event, um, with, um, we known a state. Um, a human traffic survivor from Olstead
County and the advocacy center. Um we had over a hundred people there from Winona State um and community members. Uh there was a panel. It was great chance to um talk about real life um you
know survivor um stories and information. Um again um looking at the uh PowerPoint we um are tableabling with engage with owner um happy chat benches. So we know that
loneliness is a major public health issue affecting half of Minnesota. Um, and so we're trying to get a bench, working with the park and wreck department to put a sign on um a bench
so that people can chat just about the weather or hi or hello. Um, but also it has a QR code with um um different um services that are available in Winona County like the food shelf. Um
there's a few issues about putting B, you know, plaques on benches, but you know, I'm hopeful that it's going to happen. So, I'm excited about that. >> Just one bench or you going to have multiple benches? >> Um I'd like to have one around the lake, one at the levy, one at um a couple of
organizations have said they'll have one at their place like High Water. >> Okay. >> Um just for people. I saw it in the UK and it's a really popular um and I thought wouldn't it be great for we know a county and it's something that we
could uh not just for people to chat but to have a chance who hasn't got a phone and point the QR code and get some resources at the same time. Um other things that we're doing um of course the clothesline project which is
in October um and we sponsor the shirts and help to put up that clothesline project. Um every shirt represents um a person um who has been a victim that has died from domestic violence in Minnesota. It's very powerful. We do um
a radio ad and a newspaper um article for that. um tableabling block parties, take back the night. Um this month, April, is um sexual assault awareness month. Denim
day tomorrow. So if you wear denim um your again um raising awareness and you can look on our Facebook page to see why that's important. um they had take back the night which we also helped to sponsor with the advocacy center and 40
people went to that uh last week. Um our greatest thing that we really enjoy is um April is um uh is child abuse prevention month and that's when we organize the art contest. We had 250
entries this year from third and fourth graders and our title is a safe family. And if you're feeling a bit right now or you need cheering up or you want your spirits lifted, really encourage you to go to Winona uh bank where their lobby
is full of 250 pictures which will melt your heart, make you smile. Um, we had a great presentation with the mayor. Um, the teachers came, parents came, grandparents came, we had cookies, we
read the proclamation. If if we don't do anything else all year, that is just the best thing ever. And we are going to have the billboard in June again with the nine winners. And if you're a third or fourth grader and you see your picture up there on the
billboard, you will remember it for always. But we're also helping to raise awareness and we couldn't do that without your without the money that without the funding. Um >> Helen, is it just one picture that's >> nine? We have nine winners.
>> So they all get on Yeah. >> Do we have these electronic billboards that they go on? So they wrote Okay. >> We've been doing that for the last four years. Um and >> where's the location so people can look? >> Yeah, there'll be publicity about it. It's the one um near Target. um opposite
Winona House. Um >> so you can grab a coffee from Mugby, you can sit in Winona House parking lot and you can watch them all go around and round >> or just keep going around in the the roundabout. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Don't use that as an excuse. Be proud.
>> Yeah. >> In the middle of it. >> Stop. Just keep moving. And you know, it's not just the drawings, but you know, the teachers. I want to thank them because, you know, they talk to the kids about why this is important and why, you
know, we're we're doing this. Um, I'm sorry I probably took more time than I should. Um, uh, the last thing again, I just want to say thank you. Um, I did want to talk about our darkness to light again because this is a a prevention
training. Um, we had Vanessa South from Livewell who was a trainer for Darkness to Light for quite a few years. Um, now we have a new trainer, Destiny, from the advocacy center and she's restarting this program. Um, and we give uh 40 free
trainings um with the money that you you help us with. Um and she also goes out to child organizations like family and children's but we offer the free training um in the community um school
uh the you know the catalog um that one >> community ed >> yes community ed thank you and we have other um community people coming in to to do that training um so I've hope I've given you a little
flavor anyway of um primary prevention project Um have a look on our Facebook and there's pictures and more information as well. Um thanks for the opportunity to come and share and again thank you um for for the funding. It
really is appreciated. >> Thank you. >> You make a lot out of a very small amount. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Helen. >> Okay. Item 8.2 Two, approve purchase of Exagrid solution for to maintain data
backups. >> I'll move to approve item 8.2. >> I'll second it. >> Tell me what it's going to do for me. Why should I spend $60 more,000 on It's really going to do what it needs to do. >> Yes. And it actually did its job in the first two events. Um, so Exagrid is our
solution for backup. So, it backs up our entire network environment. uh we had we got a little lucky on the second one because we had to compress data to get everything in the solution. So this is needed to expand our uh to cover our entire environment. Right?
Right now we're segment segmenting our environment into a larger more secure environment and we need this solution to back everything up. So um I don't know if you >> received the justification that I sent to marine but it kind of it explains it
really well in there and I don't want to go into technical details on this solution here at this meeting but >> Commissioner Olsson first. Could you introduce yourself because it's been a long time since we've seen you. >> Well, I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. I'm Chad Lang, the IT director. Winona County,
usually behind the scenes, but uh yes. Uh no, that's a good solution. So, it's also a local solutions uh through HBS is the local support. We did um when we looked into the solution about a year and a half ago when we implemented it. We looked into other solutions. I know
Vanguard was mentioned uh um Rubric is another one very expensive almost three time the cost three times the cost so in terms of backup solutions is a very um financially uh logical decision I think >> Mr. regularly had custom.
>> Uh, thank you. Is this enough? >> Yes. >> I don't want to get cheap on this. >> It's enough with room to spare. >> Okay. >> It Yeah. >> And this will stop Anthropic's mythos, too, right? >> Yes. Well, they tried to lock that away and it still found a way out. So,
>> but you know, it's a it is a three-year contract and a lot will happen in the next three months, let alone three years. >> We did we did cushion ourselves for the next foreseeable future. So, >> and you feel this company will keep up with all the
>> company's very good. Yes, I they did a great job with our um previous incident and they were very responsive. Um we were able to back up the data and transfer it very uh easily. So, it's a it's a good solution. >> Okay. Um somewhat related but not related. Um
are you in contact and working with the I I think they want to call themselves Min Kitla group out of Association of Minnesota Counties? Yes, we are. So, we're right now we're working with Minute and all of the different counties. Um, we've been in discussions
with um John Salas, I believe his name is from Minute, um, to try to brainstorm and >> and Minute is a state organization. >> It's Minnesota State IT group basically. >> Or are you thinking something different? >> Well, that's part of it. And then AMC,
>> you're thinking of the conglomerate. Yeah. Yeah. The computer conglomerate of our IT our county IT people. >> Yeah. We have it on a road map. Right now we're just um surviving. Um but we Yes, we definitely have the conversation started. >> My ultimate goal is that we learn from
them and others can learn from us. I mean we need to work together on these types of situations and and things. >> Mr. Als Commission. >> So is this a managed system? So, it's it's a cloud-based system and we manage
the the daily backups and the the times that they're backed up. It goes through a what we it's called a VH solution. It takes our backups, pushes it out to Exagrid, which is a airgapped system. So, basically that means it takes all of our network information and takes it
puts it out into a non-etworkf facing environment. So, it's impenetrable to to hackers. Basically, >> the backup portion of it. >> Correct. Commissioner. >> Um, were you finished, Commissioner Olson? >> Yeah. >> Yes.
>> Um, so was it April 7th? >> Yes. >> So, I just want to thank you and Sam Michael and all the IT staff. I want to thank Governor Wallace again for sending the what's the correct name? Cyber Security. >> Cyber Security. Uh, forensics unit. >> Thank you. Um, and thank you again for I
know you have you've worked very long hours the last three weeks. Thank you. >> Still am, but yeah, we're getting through it. We're getting through it. I appreciate that. >> Thank Thank you. And Commissioner, >> um it it's a little maybe stretch, but I have been asked by a number of constituents with this recent attack
realizing what when you put anything out there on the internet or the web or anything, it's vulnerable. They have great concerns about the upcoming election using poll pads. >> Polls are always uh non-net network facing, locked in a secure location.
Chelsea, I believe, has the only key not on our network. So very secure. >> So they wouldn't be on our network. So it wouldn't make us vulnerable. That's correct. Yep. >> Okay. But anytime you have an iPad or an iPhone or anything, it seems like it's >> somebody can get to it. >> Yeah, we're locked down.
>> Okay. Okay. On that part. >> I don't know if that answers their concerns, but thank you. >> I can I can draft something for you if you have any more questions. >> Well, it's with the elections uh the concept of elections. >> Nobody stole our three- ring binder in New Town.
>> They'll have the file cabinets, too. Any further discussion? >> All right. What? Yeah. Thank Thank you very much. >> Thanks. >> Hearing none. >> Don't stop working. >> I going right back to my office. So, >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Chad. >> Although uh all those in favor of
approving the purchase of Exog Grid Solution to maintain data backups sign, please signify by saying I. >> I. Anyone's opposed? Nay. Okay. Motion carries. 8.3 approved recommendation to hire and resolution to appoint Lindsey
Brandt as county assessor. >> Good evening. Todd Sadler, HR director. Uh it's my pleasure to recommend the hiring of Lindseay Brandt as the county assessor. She's been with the county since March 2015 as an appraiser too. Um
she's AMA certified, licensed, and then finishing her SAMA. She has her boards um remaining. I think that's in July. recommendations to hire Lindsay. And >> I'll move to approve that we hire uh Lindsay as the count Lindsay Brandt as a new county assessor.
>> Second. >> Okay. >> Commissioner Begley moves. Commissioner Olsson seconds approval. Commissioner Ward. >> Yeah, I think Lindsay's in the audience. >> Um I I Yes, please. >> I just wanted to say thank you. Um the
interviewing was great. It was a great panel, great questions. Uh I'm excited to have the opportunity to lead this team right now. Uh it's it's very difficult time in our department as it is for the county. We've all just talked with Chad. Um but I think the team
itself is working really well to get through all of these difficulties and and helping lead them through it is is really exciting. So I just wanted to say thank you and um look forward to working with the county here. >> Thank you. >> Mr. got a question for you. So, what
software do you use? >> Right now, we use the Tyler system. Um, and that's an on cloud-based program. >> Is that a I I talked to the Houston County folks, they don't use that. Um, is that a good software in your opinion?
>> Uh, so we've are new to the software. It's been a couple years. Uh, it has some hiccups. We're still trying to figure out the best way to work through those and and if it is the best option. >> How long is our contract with them? Do
you know? >> Uh 2027. >> 2027. Commissioner Ward, >> I think echoing Commissioner Olsen's uh Yeah, I've heard I remember going to a conference and Tyler was at uh it was
obviously an AMC conference and they had a booth and and they handed out socks that said Tyler works. I have a son that's named Tyler, so I got him a sock. Uh but uh as Commissioner Olsen alluded to it, yeah, it's not the maybe it's not the best, but we need to work.
>> We do have some issues that we're trying to figure out. Um like this last time we we went offline because of the attack and now we go back online and sometimes um everything isn't necessarily >> put back to the way it was right before
and not not for our data just in the process and the way it works. Uh you know like oh I want to run this report and it might not be there. So there's a delay in getting some of that information back. Um and there's there's
the customer service side is is a little lacking when it comes to that. It's hard to get some support from them when we are having issues. >> Okay. You bring up a very important part of the job. Assessors, you deal dimensional and it's this many feet and that many feet, but but you are you are
a face to Winona County residents. Not always the most welcome face when you show up and you want to um you know, people have great concerns over the valuation of our properties. I mean, and it and you you know this, you've been in the business long enough. It it's kind of on a crazy uphill scale. Uh people
that have built homes 20 years ago and they're triple and and plus what what they built them for. >> So the people I encourage all your staff the people skills part of your job to not forget. >> Uh and I know there's a lot of
resources. Um we have uh uh the um county uh I've talked to Todd the employee uh group. >> Yeah. That that they do some training and they do some you know customer service uh areas. But I I hope that you remember that you're
>> working for the taxpayer of Winona County, not the state of Minnesota. Yes, we follow their system, right? >> But always put the taxpayer, you know, number one and work with them. Um because it is tough and I I know you have a very tough job. Um but they see
you and yeah >> over the last couple of years here because we have had some drastic inclines in values. Uh the team has been very proactive when they are quintelling for the year and and letting people know you know this is what we're seeing.
expect this because when people are forewarned, right, and have a better idea of what's happening, it's not such a shock. Um, do they like that number? No, they still don't like that number, but it's it's not like
we're trying to hide something because we're not, you know, we do want the public to know what's going on. Um, it's it's it's just better for the county as a whole. It adds a lot more trust in us. Um, so yeah, we've kind of talked about that in our our group meetings we have is how to present some not great
information to the public. Um, and and it's it's always better even when we get, you know, that that good information we do get to present, you know, it's just a little more exciting. So, as a team, we've kind of been talking about that, making sure the county knows. >> Not any it it's not easy. I I totally
understand that, but there are tools and resources. So, I would encourage to work with Todd and and yeah, get your staff. Hey, thank you. >> And stuff. Yeah, thank you. >> We had a question that came up um during our solar panel um discussion. >> Okay. >> The previous meeting about added value
to properties. >> Okay. >> Um and for tax purposes. So, and there was some discussion on whether they were included in a valuation of a property or not.
>> So, it really depends on the size of the solar panel. Right. So if you have something over one meg that will go the land that it sits on goes to commercial. The input that it gets that's a state tax and that's separate. If it's a small
personal um array those those are minimal and and don't really add any values that way. >> So the the thresholds one megawatt. >> Yes. Okay. And I know that you're already uh familiar with the department and the county that in this new role, I'm
speaking as one commissioner, it would require a majority, but if you find out that you need new software programs, new resources, please don't date to ask us um because we want to help you succeed. And thank you, you have a very difficult job and you don't control the current
real estate, residential, commercial markets. And when I look at Bob Eminick's uh reports, you know, in terms of the assessed value and the sale value, we're not overassessing. Even though it's painful for people to see those assessments go up, you're the almost the poster child for the message,
don't shoot, you know, the cliche, don't shoot the messenger, >> right? >> Thank you for your what you do, but it's not an easy job. >> No. Thank you. >> I do just want to echo what Commissioner Begley said. I think it's true for all of us that we want you to succeed >> and we wish you all the best in the new role. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Commissioner Begley has moved. Commissioner Olsen has seconded approval of this recommendation to hire in the resolution to appoint Lindsey Brandt as the county assessor. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying
I. I. And if anyone's opposed, nay. Motion carries. Our last item uh under general business is to receive a report about the opioid expenditures. And this is the report in very tiny print. >> Yeah,
>> that's the one. Uh so this is an update I believe uh the commissioners had requested uh just an accounting of the opioid funds and where we were at. So this spreadsheet goes through it. Um I think on a positive the
first row uh medication assisted treatment is continuing and will continue moving forward and it is sustainable long term through other forms of reimbursement. Uh the hub navigator that position we still are um
have funding available for that position through that we've committed to and they had some turnover so that's why it's lasted a bit longer. uh the community education. Uh we have funded that for the prevention piece and then the um
recovery core project. We're going to be looking at another person for the opioid and that has been I think well worth it in terms of the research that she has engaged in and hopefully we'll get a another high quality recovery core person. And then the RAP and re-entry
support we've committed uh $60,000 through to for 2026. >> Um some of the things that I was interested in at the time were to understand uh in terms of the hub. Can we get a counting of um how many
individuals that they have helped and just in the categories of help? And then I was curious to know about the attendance if we have any information about that on those community education sessions. >> Yep. >> Caroline,
>> thank you. Yes. >> Okay. Not a problem. I'll take care of that. What percentage of this? >> Commissioner. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry. I apologize. I was staring at something. >> Commission. Go ahead. >> So, uh, remind me again. We have how
many dollars total coming in? >> Oh gosh. Um it's I don't know off the top of my head. >> And you can you can get it. So I would like to know like like a balance sheet like we had x number of dollars and it's continuing coming and Okay. Attorney Sonamon's going to give us more money
before she leaves office. >> Yes. Um >> yeah, she actually is. >> And so so we kind of have a balance sheet. Okay. Um, Miss Chaffy, >> we used to say about 180,000 a year would be the budget to make the last
>> I don't know 13 years. 18 years 18 because not all of us >> we got some 18 years >> larger amount early just a balance sheet to go along with this. This is good and it's good information but just kind of a balance sheet of >> Not a problem. >> What we got where we're at.
>> Not a problem. What's coming in? What's going out? >> Yes. Yes, please. >> Mr. B. >> Um, two things. Uh, I want to follow up on what Commissioner Meyer said about the hub. In addition to the numbers, maybe an update on where things are at. There's been a lot of turnover, both the
number of people working there and >> not just the people who are not just staff, but the size of the program. And I'm speaking for myself only, and I'm not asking for anything specific right now, but speaking for myself only, I would love to find a way to partner with
Ripple. um they are um if you look at the biggest bang for the buck and return on investment those are very motivated individuals very working very hard in the community education uh category um
so I'm that's just a um if at all possible I would like to find a way speaking for myself only and this is maybe a discussion for later um to partner with Ripple um in terms of the prevention and education part of this overall program. Thank you. >> Yes.
>> So, in our current committee set up um to evaluate proposals, is that's still the same partners in that? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I think we're seeing more activity. I think our uh slow spot was a result of
the vacancy in the director position for a long period of time. I think we've got some real momentum happening. Um we did need to cancel a meeting this month as a result of our cyber security uh situation. Uh, but we have that rescheduled already and there's a couple
things specifically that we're looking at and we've had other good engagement from the community coming forth and saying, "Hey, we're interested in something like this." And so, um, I think, uh, that's all positives. >> Good. Thank you for being open to that.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Thanks, Jim. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, that is the last item of general business. So, um, Attorney Sonoman, County Attorney Sonoman, you had a comment. >> Yeah, it's actually an announcement um
that um the criminal justice court and council is bringing back law day. Yes. Um we started that in 2011 and COVID shut us down and um we hadn't brought it back until this year and so Thursday and Friday this week we um in the afternoon
on Thursday and two sessions on Friday in the morning and the afternoon we'll have the area sixth graders coming through to learn about the criminal justice process. And I want to thank uh Commissioner Meyer. She's one of our volunteers. And I don't know if Helen is still here now she left. Yeah, >> Helen Bagshaw is also one of our
volunteer tour leaders. Um so, um it should be a great we're excited about bringing it back and it's great education, a good lesson in civics for our kids. So, >> thank you for doing that. >> Awesome. >> And Commissioner Ward, you had an announcement. >> Um last night, uh the Winona County Fair
Board met and they're getting geared up for another great fair. But, uh one of the requests and it was from Bob Bamick is Century Farms. If anybody out in our community has a Century Farm, um please uh you know do help have Bob help you do some research uh figure out if you are
you know eligible and everything because it is a statewide honor to have Century Farm. So anybody interested contact uh any of the commissioners or Bob Binick and it that's a recognition that happens at the county fair in July. Thank you.
Okay. >> Anyone want to adjurnn? >> So moved. I'll second that. >> Okay. Commissioner Olsen has moved. Commissioner Begley has seconded. Adjournment. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I.
>> I. I. Any oppose? Say nay. We are >> ajourned. Here is the petition. >> Thank you. Uh Dwayne, you'd asked earlier.