Faribault County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Scott Adams talks with the County Board about purchasing a new pickup for the department.

With county auditor/treasurer Jessica Blair’s last day on the job, Aug. 10, fast approaching, the Faribault County Board of Commissioners took steps at their meeting on Tuesday, July 11, to ensure the county’s financial recording needs are met.

One of the actions taken by the board was to allow county coordinator Mark Daly to obtain quotes from at least two accounting firms to provide temporary accounting services until all three positions (county auditor/treasurer, deputy auditor, and deputy treasurer) are filled.

Another idea being considered, but not acted on, is to temporarily assign the accountant from the Highway Department to help in both the auditor and treasurer’s offices.

“Different unions represent the Highway Department and the county auditor’s office so there are some things which would have to be worked out,” Central Services administrator Pam Krill informed the commissioners. “So, I would advise no action at this time.”

Blair reminded the commissioners the 2022 audit is underway and that the OSA (Office of the State Auditor) would like to know how to proceed for scheduling purposes.

“Because the county spent over $750,000 in federal grants in 2022, the audit report should be submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse by Sept. 30 of this year,” Blair explained. “The county can try and meet that deadline, or the county can choose to delay the audit until fall. This would result in a finding, but that could be supported by the change in personnel.”

Blair encouraged the board to vote for the delay.

“Delaying the audit would give the county time to find personnel or hire an outside source to work on the audit,” Blair added.

The commissioners agreed with Blair and decided to delay the audit.

With all of the changes which have been taking place in the auditor/treasurer’s office, the County Board also voted to delay the conversion to a new computer tax system update which was approved in October of 2022. The delay will be in effect until the auditor/treasurer’s office is fully staffed.

Krill also presented the board with a proposal from DDA Human Resources, Inc. to conduct an analysis of the compensation and pay system structure in Faribault County.

“This study has not been done since 1998 in our county,” Krill said. “The information I handed out is for you to study. No action needs to be taken at this time.”

Daly told the board that several of the subcontractors had completed all of the work required for the Courthouse HVAC Project.

“I would like the board to consider acceptance of Certificates of Substantial Completion from the following contractors: Donald Frantz, Ramsey Companies, Sonus Interiors, Laketown Electric, Custom Drywall and Steinbrecher Painting,” Daly said.

The board unanimously voted to grant Daly’s request.

Daly presented what is anticipated to be the final payment to Kraus-Anderson for the construction management costs on the Courthouse HVAC Project.

“After a credit of $32,627 due to the decrease in the project scope/timeline because of a reduction in the number of phases required, the remaining amount to be paid to Kraus-Anderson is $1,680,” Daly said. “I also have an HVAC/carpentry change order for the Courthouse Project at a net reduction of $15,715.”

The board approved both items.

Daly then switched hats to his job as the Public Works director to update the board on the progress of road construction.

“The soft spots on County Road (CR) 13 from the bridge going over Interstate 90 south to CR 16 have been repaired,” he commented. “The paving will be done as fill-in work in the next few weeks.”

Daly mentioned that work has also resumed on CR 21.

“Shaping of the full-depth reclamation (FDR) is being done this week,” Daly said. “Paving on CR 21 is set to begin next week.”

Daly shared with the board that the design is complete for the FDR and paving on CR 11 between CR 16 and 150th Street.

“We will do the FDR this fall and then pave the road in 2024,” he explained. “That is the same plan we will use on CR 17 from Frost to I-90.”

Faribault County Economic Development Specialist Annie Nichols was at the meeting to tell the commissioners the construction has been completed on the fiber build out in Bricelyn, Delavan, Elmore and Frost.

“The homes are being connected and a final draw request has been submitted by Bevcomm,” Nichols said. “The project has come in under budget and Bevcomm will not use all of the grant funding.”

Asked what happens to the unused funds, Nichols told the commissioners the money is returned to the state.

The board approved the final draw request in the amount of $78,287.

Sheriff’s Department chief deputy Scott Adams brought a request to allow the Sheriff’s Department to purchase a 2023 Dodge Ram 2500 from Forest City Chrysler for the bid price of $23,950 after the trade of a 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500. Two of the three budgeted purchases have already been made this year.

“We received two bids for this squad,” Adams told the board. “Obtaining bids and purchasing heavy duty trucks is currently a tough task due to supply and demand issues.”

Adams also noted the Sheriff’s Department will be selling two used squads in 2023 which have an estimated value of $25,000.

“That will help offset the new squad purchases,” he noted.

The board approved the purchase of the new truck.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the hiring of Alyson Waller as a part-time dispatch jailer.

• Voted to approve the request of Drainage Department manager Merissa Lore, for a credit card for use in the Drainage Department with a credit limit of $2,500.

• Approved the training request of Todd Hanevik of the Sheriff’s Department to attend the Jail Administrator’s Conference.

• Lori Mehrhof, of the county assessor’s office, was given approval to attend a course on the Introduction To Basic Income Approach presented by the Minnesota Association of Assessing Officers.