Called to order by Malecha. Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call—only Malecha, Purfeerst and Docken present.
- Retirement of Marilee DeGroot was recognized.
- Denise Anderson (Property Tax and Elections) presented nine applications for liquor or gambling permits, all approved unanimously.
- Representative for Matt Verdick (Parks and Facilities) asked to purchase two 2024 Chrysler Pacifica vans totaling $88,932 primarily to be used to facilitate family visitations and job applications according to court orders. Purchase was approved unanimously.
- Deb Purfeerst (Community Health Board) asked the County Board to go into Community Health Board session. She asked for authorization to accept three state grants.
- Minnesota has just created ongoing funding for community health. Rice County is awarded $220,548 this year, as a match for our billing on family and adult services.
- A Response Sustainability Grant of $119,040 annually will continue through 2027.
- The Healthy Homes Grant, $108,000 for three years, helps fund home-based health-risk assessment, and provision of mitigation support such as fire extinguishers. Rice County does about 150 a year.
Each was approved unanimously. The Board ended its Community Health Board session and returned to the County Board meeting.
- Chris Sammon (Social Services) asked to hire Ann Schultz as the department’s Qualified Individual to do individual assessments of juveniles who need placement in a qualified residential treatment program. She has experience with the local operations but no longer works for government. The goal is to identify alternatives to residential care, matching each individual child with a specific program. This proposed QI knows all the relevant programs, people and the local system. Approved unanimously.
- Angela Brewer (Community Services) presented the state-mandated FY 24-35 Community Corrections Comprehensive Plan. Approved unanimously.
- Paula O’Connell (Finance) presented agricultural contracts for rental of state-owned agricultural lands, which yielded $200/acre rents in 2023. Approved unanimously.
- Sara Folsted (Administration) presented the Consent Agenda of overtime and extra time, payment of bills, personnel appointments, and approval of a purchase. Approved unanimously.
The County Board meeting was adjourned.
