- Commissioner-requested discussion regarding the proposed new state flag and official state seal
- Bill Liske, state senator: Lots of constituents reaching out. He’s a Republican and fiscal conservative. It will cost $2.5 million to change the flag and seal for his senate district. Possible answer to this problem: Instead of changing all the flags on May 1, it could be done as needed. We could change the flags as they get decommissioned.
- County Staff Comment
- Sara Folsted, county administrator: County does not have an obligation to fly the state flag. There is more use of the state seal. She estimates it will cost the county $400 to replace flags. Seals are on letterhead, and she plans to replace that as it runs as it runs out.
- Jesse Thomas, Sheriff: The Sheriff does not have to use a state seal on uniforms, graphics, etc. It would cost about $30,000 to change or remove state seal off badges and patches. His plan is to incorporate this over time through attrition. It’s not in his budget, so he does want to know where the money will come from.
- Question from Galen Malecha: Have any other past Sheriffs changed the patches on uniforms?
- Answer: The last sheriff created and changed patches, and a prior sheriff before him changed the patch to incorporate the county layout.
- Question from Galen Malecha: Have any other past Sheriffs changed the patches on uniforms?
- Public Comment
- 10 people gave public comments.
- Five commenters urged commissioners to send a message to the state against changing the flag.
- These commenters expressed concerns about the new flag and seal erasing Minnesota history and culture and western civilization generally, with some describing America as being under attack.
- Many described the content on the existing flag, interpreting it in different ways. Many talked about historic relationships between white settlers and Native Americans in Minnesota, characterizing that relationship in a range of ways, from neighborly to mean.
- Four commenters expressed support for the new flag and seal
- One noted an appreciation for the new flag because it is easy to recognize from afar.
- Another appreciated its emphasis on working together in the future.
- Two commenters urged the commissioners not to take up this issue and instead to focus on other things.
- One person noted that they were not concerned about the costs of adopting the new flag and seal at the county level.
- Three people mentioned that there was a public process used to design the flag, so the people have had a voice.
- Commissioner Discussion
- Purfeerst: County can’t do much about the flag. The only thing the county can oppose is spending from the budget. He’s against the county spending the money on this.
- Hoisington: Not sure where this is going to go. Doesn’t want to see it die on the vine at this meeting. Would like to bring a resolution to the full commissioner meeting next week to have a vote. Asked the county attorney to draft a resolution.
- Underdahl: There is a cost to this. That’s the piece that the county can talk about. If there were something to bring forward to the board, it’s about the cost the county will bear. Likes the idea of replacement through attrition, as things wear out, etc. He doesn’t think the flag has to go back to the legislature to be approved. It’s a done deal. He’s not in favor of taking a political position. And it takes our time and energy away from the things that are really important to the people of the county. He does regret that this money would go to flag and seal rather than the other important work of the county. Asks Hoisington what the specific resolution is that he would like to see the commissioners vote on.
- Hoisington: The resolution from the county would be on the fiscal aspects of it. If there is a consensus for or against the flag, we should let that be heard. Asked County Attorney if he could draft resolution language for the next meeting.
- Underdahl asked for the specifics of what would be in the resolution.
- Hoisington: Still learning what the county can and can’t do. But I want to see a vote. Voices should be heard.
- Malecha: When you have a commissioner’s request for the agenda, work with Sara Folsted, the county administrator, to arrange that. It’s not the county attorney who should put things on the agenda. We have more important things to do than trying to send a message to the state. This is not a local issue; it’s handled on the state level. People had the opportunity to voice opinions to house reps and senators. But he agrees that the money could be spent on better things. Notes that this is not a partisan body. Recommends that if Hoisington wants resolution for next week’s agenda, he should meet with the county administrator.
- Finance Report including report on performance of county’s investments and strategy.
- Purfeerst: Question about justice center bond interest.
- The interest earnings on jail bonds can be put into the general fund to offset general operating expenses. The county is not allowed to retain the funds. If the county earns too much interest, it has to be paid back to the IRS, which is why we use it to offset the general operating expenses.
- Purfeerst: Question about justice center bond interest.
- Quarterly financial report presented. A few notes: Community corrections had extra expenses but also extra grants. Administration costs were lower than budgeted. Sheriff office went over, but the jail was under budget, so they offset each other.
Observer had to leave at 9:30 am, missing the public health and highway presentations.
