The regular meeting of the Rice County Board of Commissioners was called to order at 8:30 AM on December 26, 2023 by Steve Underdahl. All commissioners were present, and wore festive red shirts or blazers. There followed the routine roll call, pledge of allegiance, and approval of the agenda and past minutes.
- Julie Runkel presented Environmental Services requests for action on a conditional use permit, an interim use permit, and a final plat.
- Denise Anderson asked for Hoisington and Malecha to be appointed to the county canvassing board and for approval of the mandated ballot board for examining absentee ballots in the March 5 presidential primary. An informational discussion of the absentee ballot board as a trained and bipartisan group followed.
- Deb Purfeerst asked for renewal of the agreement with Healthy Community Initiative to provide services for pregnant women and children.
- The Social Services Department asked for renewal of contracts for various family services.
- Angela Brewer asked for approval to dismiss legally uncollectable debt for probation services after seven years Commissioners asked Brewer to explain her plan to deal with debt in a more timely manner. She explained that most probation clients have other mandated debt payments (like fines and restitution) that supersede probation service payments. She does have a plan to encourage repayment as possible, including turning unpaid debts over to collections agencies after one year. Probation services are mandated, so they have to continue regardless of payment status.
- Brewer asked for approval to accept donations of gift cards and other gifts to children and families in need from institutions and one anonymous individual.
- Brewer also asked the Board to approve filling three vacancies on the community corrections advisory board with Jake Marinenko, law enforcement representative,
Zach Pruitt, education representative, and Sherry Johnston, general public representative.
- Matt Verdick asked for approval of an increase in expenditures to the safety services center data services contract to maintain adequate connectivity. Alan Klug helped explain that new construction is interfering with services. A commissioner pointed out that cell tower locations may also be a problem.
- Legal Services asked for approval of a change to the contract with Lonsdale increasing fees and adding any litigation following dangerous-dog citations.
- The department also asked for approval of the mandated annual adjustment to data practices policy to conform to the revised state data practices act.
- Dennis Luebbe asked the Board to set a hearing on the annual update of the ten-year transportation improvement plan for January 23 at 9 am.
- He also asked for approval of his travel to the annual conference of the National Association of County Engineers in Palm Springs in April.
- Sara Folsted presented Finance requests for approval of a change in fees for outsourced drainage ditch legal services
- She also asked for approval of the county’s overall fee schedule for 2024.
- Then Folsted presented the Administration report, starting with the consent agenda
All these requests were unanimously approved.
- The next item of business was approving 2024 salaries for Sheriff Jesse Thomas, County Attorney Brian Mortenson, and the Commissioners themselves. There was discussion of the fact that Mortenson and Thomas had both asked for a greater increase than was being approved. No disagreement was expressed. An increase of total of 7% was approved for both Thomas and Mortenson, comprising a 4% merit raise and a 3% cost of living raise for each, resulting in $166,920 for sheriff and $155,150 for county attorney. The commissioners approved only a cost of living adjustment for themselves, resulting in a salary of $42,735 plus a per diem of $115.
- Folsted’s request for a change to sick leave policy was also approved.
The meeting was adjourned.
