League of Women Voters of Northfield

LWV Observer - Georgiana Campbell
Commissioner Gillen was absent.

This week three departments were on the agenda: Social Services, Solid Waste, and Administration. All departments were much concerned with finances. Also, Southeast Minnesota Water Resources Board presented their 2008 Work Plan, and their goal is to “reduce fecal coliform levels in impaired waters of the region by reducing the amount of feedlot runoff and the number of failing septic systems”. Some other goals: assess long- term trends in drinking water; provide educational opportunities for officials and staff. And a final goal: maintain the financial integrity and accountability of the SE MN Water Resources Board.
No surprise — Finances again a concern.

Solid Waste - Michael Cook: The commissioners’ solid waste committee has been meeting to study possible changes in processing recyclables from the Rice County recycling facility. They presented three possible choices: (1) Dual sorting of recyclables (Paper in one container and other recyclables in another with both recyclables “streams” sent out for processing.) (2) Dual sorting of recyclables (Paper processed by Rice County; remainder sent out for processing.) (3) Single sort (All recycling is mingled into one recycling stream and sent out for processing,) All proposals save the county money but #2 is most cost effective. However the committee’s consensus was that the county would eventually move to single stream (#3). A hauler who was present spoke in favor of not having all recycling go elsewhere since paper and glass are profitable. The conclusion was to go to #2 now, but representatives of those concerned will meet again . There was also discussion about plans to expand the hazardous waste building. Announcement was made of the county’s failure to receive a government grant which would have helped finance a wind generator at the Rice County landfill. Data collected to substantiate the county’s request will be kept for possible future grant requests.

Social Services - Mark Shaw: The report began with a review of out of home placements made in 2007. Last year more children (928) were served than in years past, with a total cost for the year of $105,362. In 2002, 51 children required out of home placement with a cost of $85,051.  No one seems sure why there is this increase except that the county’s population has increased. This year more cases of multiple children from the same family needed out of home placement. No one suggests that the children should not be cared for, but the cost must be planned for. Shaw also reported on another funding issue with which the Social Services Dept. must deal: the Center for Medicaid Services is ending revenue for Child Welfare Targeted Case Management Funding.
Revenue loss this year will be off-set by a one-time grant from the Minnesota Legislature.

Administration - Gary Weiers: Adopting a new logo for Rice County was discussed last month and Weiers brought some examples to this meeting. The discussion of video broadcasting of the meetings had been raised earlier, and Weiers had information on that possibility also. No decisions were reached, but in response to the questions and comments of the commissioners, Weiers will bring more information to a later meeting.