Sep 09, 2025 Board of Commissioners

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SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2025. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING.

[Call Board of Commissioners Meeting to Order]

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU.

NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS THE SILENCING OF THE CELL PHONES.

NUMBER THREE, APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.

[Approval of Agenda]

THANK YOU. SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[Approval of Consent Agenda]

AND SEEING NO PUBLIC. WE WILL ROLL RIGHT ON TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

[Health and Human Services]

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. OKAY.

MY TOPIC THIS MORNING IS OUR DISABILITY SERVICES.

MIN CHOICES. ASSESSOR POSITION AND CONTRACT.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CURRENTLY HAS 2.2 FTE ASSESSOR POSITIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLETING MIN CHOICES.

ASSESSMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED LONG TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS.

THESE ASSESSORS DETERMINE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND DEVELOP SUPPORT PLANS TAILORED TO EACH PERSON'S GOALS, NEEDS AND PREFERENCES.

IN RECENT YEARS, THE DEMAND FOR ASSESSMENTS HAS GROWN DUE TO INCREASE IN CASE VOLUME, GREATER CASE COMPLEXITY, MORE COUNTY OF RESIDENCE ASSESSMENTS, CASE MANAGER TURNOVER, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO COMPLETE ASSESSMENTS FOR A LARGE STATE FACILITY WITHIN OUR COUNTY.

AS A RESULT, OUR TEAM IS UNABLE TO CONSISTENTLY MEET STATUTORY ASSESSMENT TIMELINES. WE NOW FACE A SIGNIFICANT WAIT LIST, CREATING SERVICE GAPS FOR RESIDENTS THAT CANNOT BE RESOLVED THROUGH INTERNAL PROCESS FOR ADJUSTMENTS. IN ORDER TO MEET STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND COMMUNITY NEEDS, NICOLLET COUNTY WILL NEED TO INCREASE ITS NUMBER OF ASSESSOR POSITIONS.

FOR SOME ADDED CONTEXT, AS OF NINE EIGHT, WE HAVE 56 PEOPLE ON OUR WAIT LIST WITH AN AVERAGE WAIT TIME OF 121 DAYS FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T MEET PRIORITY STATUS. SO FOR JUST THE THINKING THAT THROUGH, THAT MEANS THAT THE NEXT PERSON THAT WE WILL BE TAKING OFF OF OUR WAITLIST WILL HAVE BEEN ON THERE SINCE MARCH 27TH.

THE NICOLLET COUNTY HAS ALSO WORKED DILIGENTLY TO BALANCE COMMUNITY BASED ASSESSMENTS WITH THOSE LOCATED AT THE FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM.

RECOGNIZING THAT TIMELY DISCHARGES ARE BEST FOR PATIENTS AND ALSO HELP MANAGE THE STATE'S OVERALL WAITLIST TO SUPPORT THAT ONGOING EFFORT.

EFFORTS, STATE OPERATED FORENSIC SERVICES HAS COMMITTED UP TO $20,000 ANNUALLY TOWARD THE HIRING OF THIS ADDITIONAL ASSESSOR POSITION.

RECOGNIZE THE VALUE. RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF PRIORITIZING THESE ASSESSMENTS, THE COST NICOLLET COUNTY WOULD BE $25,000 AFTER FEDERAL AND STATE REIMBURSEMENT, AS WELL AS THE CONTRACT WITH STATE OPERATED FORENSIC SERVICES.

SO THIS MORNING, I AM REQUESTING APPROVAL TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN NICOLLET COUNTY AND STATE OPERATED FORENSIC SERVICES, AS WELL AS APPROVAL TO HIRE ONE FTE DISABILITY SERVICES MIN CHOICES ASSESSOR.

AND AS A SIDE NOTE, I WOULD JUST OFFER THE REMINDER THAT THE.

THAT REQUEST WAS ALSO PART OF OUR 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET.

THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT? SO MOVED. SECONDED. FURTHER DISCUSSION.

AS CASSIE MENTIONED, SHE BROUGHT THIS FORWARD IN OUR BUDGET.

AND PRIOR TO THAT WE'VE HAD THESE DISCUSSIONS.

ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS ADMINISTRATION.

[Administration]

THE FIRST RESOLUTION IS DESIGNATING A RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY FOR DATA REQUESTS.

THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION IS TO APPOINT MISS BRIDGET FLEER, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, AS A RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY.

THE APPOINTMENT WILL CONSIST OF DUTIES RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE, USE, DISSEMINATION OF DATA ON INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF MINNESOTA STATUTES. SECTIONS 13.02 THROUGH 13.99, AS AMENDED, AND WITH MINNESOTA RULES. CHAPTER 1205.

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IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED? SO MOVED. SECOND. FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING AND SEEING NONE.

WHITNEY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? COMMISSIONER. HELGET. YES.

COMMISSIONER. DEHEN. YES. COMMISSIONER. ZINS. YES.

COMMISSIONER. KOLARS. YES. COMMISSIONER. DRANTTEL. YES.

THANK YOU. RESOLUTION PASSES.

THE NEXT RESOLUTION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS APPOINTING A HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTING ACT, OR HIPAA COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR.

THIS RESOLUTION IS TO APPOINT MISS BRIDGETTE FOR THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR AS THE HIPAA COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR.

THE APPOINTMENT WILL CONSIST OF DUTIES SUCH AS DEVELOPING POLICIES, CONDUCTING RISK ASSESSMENTS, COORDINATING EMPLOYEE TRAINING, AND MANAGING ANY POTENTIAL SECURITY OR PRIVACY BREACHES.

MADAM CHAIR, I'M REQUESTING THE BOARD CONSIDER THE RESOLUTION APPOINTING BRIDGETTE FLEAR AS THE HIPAA COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR.

THANK YOU. THE RESOLUTION IS ON PAGE 33 OF OUR PACKET.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? SO MOVED. SECOND. THANK YOU.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING AND SEEING NONE.

WHITNEY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? COMMISSIONER.

HELGET. YES. MR.. KOLARS.

YES. COMMISSIONER. DEHEN. YES.

COMMISSIONER. ZINS. YES. COMMISSIONER. GRANER. YES.

THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA.

YOU'RE DONE WITH US. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE FOR US? ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY UPDATE.

[County Attorney Update]

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY SINCE OUR LAST WE LAST MET TIME HAS BEEN CONSUMED WITH THE NORMAL DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH SOME SPECIAL DEDICATION OF TIME AND EFFORT FOR DRAINAGE MATTERS.

AS WELL AS WE COMPLETED THE BACKPACK PROGRAM FILLING EVENT, WE FILLED SIX 680 SOME BACKPACKS, WHICH IS THE LARGEST NUMBER THAT WE HAVE EVER FILLED. ABOUT 70 VOLUNTEERS SHOW UP OVER THE COURSE OF THE TWO DAYS, AND THEN FAMILIES ARRIVE TO PICK THOSE UP IN THE POURING RAIN.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS EVENT.

IT'S A PROGRAM THAT FILLS A GAP IN NEED FOR FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE OTHER RISING COSTS THAT FAMILIES FACE.

THIS TAKES THAT BURDEN OFF OF THE FAMILIES THAT ARE IN NEED.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. NEXT IS COMMISSIONER COMMITTEE REPORTS.

[Commissioner Committee Reports, Meetings & Conferences]

ATTENDED THE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING WITH THE MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD.

COUNTY HOUSING WITH COMMISSIONER ZINS, THE BUDGET, THE SPECIAL MEETING, TODAY'S COUNTY BOARD AND A BUDGET WORKSHOP COMING UP.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MENTION IF I COULD.

DURING OUR MOST RECENT MANKATO AREA PLANNING ORGANIZATION, MAPLE MEETING. THAT'S THE GROUP OF LOCAL LEADERS AND MEMBERS CHARGED WITH TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND THE MANKATO NORTH MANKATO AREA.

IT WAS REVEALED THAT CUTBACKS IN THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, WITH A MAIN FOCUS ON ENDING ANY DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES WOULD BE CUT. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION IS THAT THERE WILL BE FEWER EMPLOYEES TRYING TO DO MORE WORK.

OH, BY THE WAY, TRUMP IS NOW ORDERING THAT HIS NAME BE PLACED ON ALL THE FINISHED HIGHWAY PROJECTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, EVEN THOUGH THOSE PROJECTS WERE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT'S INFRASTRUCTURE ACT.

BACK TO THE ELIMINATION OF JOBS BY TRUMP APPOINTED ELON MUSK'S EFFORTS THROUGH DOORS IN VIRTUALLY EVERY FEDERAL AGENCY IN AMERICA.

IT HAS RESULTED IN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EITHER FIGHTING THE CUTS IN COURT OR FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. AND THE TRUMP GROUP WONDERS WHY THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS INCREASING AND WHY THE NUMBER OF JOBS BEING CREATED IS TAKING A NOSEDIVE IN AMERICA.

THIS SHORT REPORT HAS NOTHING TO DO ABOUT TRUMP USING ICE AGENTS AND THE NATIONAL GUARD CHASING PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THOSE WHO SPEAK SPANISH OFF OF OUR AMERICAN STREETS.

MAYBE OTHERS COULD ADDRESS THAT.

IT APPEARS WE ARE EITHER LIVING IN A DICTATORSHIP MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

AND MY GOODNESS, WITH BLESSINGS FROM A CORRUPT SUPREME COURT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

THANK YOU. JACK. COMMISSIONER ZINS.

[00:10:02]

MEETING WITH COMMISSIONER KOLARS AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING THIS MORNING WITH THE CHAIR THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

HELGET. WE PARTICIPATED IN A NUMBER OF BUDGET MEETINGS.

I ATTENDED THE MINNESOTA FARM BUREAU'S WEBINAR ON QUIET STORMS, WHICH WAS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AMONG FARMERS AND FARM FAMILIES AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE OPEN AND HONEST AND SOMETIMES VULNERABLE ABOUT THOSE STRESSES IN OUR FARMERS LIVES AND TO REACH OUT FOR HELP.

I VISITED WITH THE JAIL ADMINISTRATOR TO DISCUSS MODELED JAIL PRACTICES AND SOME.

FOLLOW UPS TO THE PARENTING INSIDE OUT PROGRAM THAT WAS STARTED IN THE JAIL.

AND JUST AN EXCELLENT PROGRAM AND LOOKING FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO KEEP PARENTS WHO ARE INCARCERATED CONNECTED WITH THEIR KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I HAD A MEETING WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS TO DISCUSS THE THIRD OF INDIVIDUALS WHO DON'T VOTE AT ALL.

AND LASTLY, I HAD A STAKEHOLDERS IN EDUCATION MEETING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND OTHERS THIS MORNING TO DISCUSS TRUANCY ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. DEHEN. I HAD THE TWO BUDGET WORKSHOPS, SPECIAL DRAINAGE MEETING, AND THEN I ALSO HAD THE MRC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING YESTERDAY. AND DURING THAT MEETING, THEY REVEALED THAT MRC.

I RECEIVED A CARE FORCE INCENTIVE PAYMENT FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THAT GAVE EACH OF OUR DPS WORKERS OUR DIRECT PATIENT SERVICE EMPLOYEES, OF WHICH THERE ARE $4,385 INCENTIVE PAYMENT, WHICH WAS NICE AND UNEXPECTED.

THANK YOU. I ALSO ATTENDED BUDGET MEETINGS, DRAINAGE MEETINGS, PERSONNEL THIS MORNING AND WORKED WITH THE BACKPACK PROGRAM.

TWO BLUE, TWO BLACK, ONE RED PEN PER ZIPLOC BAGGIE TILL I RAN OUT OF BLUE.

OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S BEEN PRETTY UNEVENTFUL.

OH, YESTERDAY ONE WATER, ONE PLAN MET.

WE HAVE A DRAFT VERSION OF OUR ONE WATER ONE PLAN MANKATO PLAN TO GO LIVE ON THE WEBSITE PROBABLY TODAY OR TOMORROW FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE DECEMBER 15TH.

IT'S 121 PAGES OF GOODNESS.

TAKE TIME TO READ IT. ANY MEETINGS OR CONFERENCES THAT WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF? OF COURSE WE HAVE THE BUDGET WORKSHOP FOLLOWING THE DRAINAGE THIS MORNING.

TOMORROW THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK IS THE EMC FILE POLICY CONFERENCE AND JUST KIND OF PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK. WE HAVE THE BOARD WORKSHOP AND INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT HEAD AND THEN AMC HAS COME OUT WITH THE FALL DISTRICT MEETING, AND THAT IS OCTOBER 22ND IN BLUE EARTH COUNTY.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. YES.

WHERE WILL THAT BE? WHERE WILL THAT BE HELD IN BLUE EARTH COUNTY.

DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF THAT YET? I HAVEN'T HEARD. NOT AT THIS TIME.

OKAY. THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS TO APPROVE PER DIEMS AND EXPENSES.

[Approve Per Diems and Expenses]

THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? I WILL NOW ADJOURN THE REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING AND OPEN UP THE

[Adjourn Board of Commissioners Meeting]

[Call Drainage Authority Meeting to Order: Chair]

SO MOVED. SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. NEXT IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.

MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND.

THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AGAIN, THE ALWAYS POPULAR PUBLIC APPEARANCES WITH NO PUBLIC.

WE CAN NOW ADJOURN THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MEETING.

THANK YOU. WE HAVE BUDGET THAT STARTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.