County Board approves auditor/treasurer training
Learns about new Minnesota Patriots 4 America group in Winnebago

County auditor/treasurer Amy Sathoff came to the County Board meeting on Feb. 20 to discuss cross-county tax rates between Faribault County and their neighbors.
The Faribault County Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 20 began on a somber note. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, chairman Bill Groskreutz addressed those in attendance.
“I would like to open the meeting by asking for a moment of silence in honor of the three public servants killed in Burnsville,” Groskreutz said, referring to the two police officers and firefighter/paramedic who were killed during a domestic standoff in Burnsville on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Once the meeting resumed, the commissioners needed only 42 minutes to tackle the items on the agenda.
One problem which came to the attention of the board was the need to provide some training for county auditor/treasurer Amy Sathoff in regards to completing cross-county tax rates.
“Freeborn County brought to our attention that cross-county tax rates for the school districts have not been completed in our county,” Sathoff explained. “That means the adjacent counties cannot complete their work.”
Sathoff told the board she has no written instructions on how to complete the process within the county’s accounting system.
“However, Pat Martinson, who retired as the auditor/treasurer in Freeborn County, knows our system and is willing to help us complete the work,” Sathoff said. “I have a proposal for a contract with Martinson at an hourly rate of $60. It is estimated it will take 10-15 hours of time to get the work done.”
Sathoff pointed out that Faribault County shares school districts with the neighboring counties of Martin, Blue Earth, Waseca and Freeborn which is why there is a need for cross-county tax rates.
The County Board approved the contract with Martinson by a unanimous vote.
Sathoff also presented for approval the renewal of a liquor license for the American Legion Post 192 in Elmore. The board approved the request.
Commissioner Young asked if Sathoff had heard from the Derby Inn about a request for a liquor license.
“No, I have not,” Sathoff replied. “But I am expecting applications for renewal from the Golden Bubble and Riverside Town and Country Club soon.”
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Brenda Baldwin of Winnebago told the board about Minnesota Patriots 4 America, a group which meets at the Veteran’s Resource Center which is located in the former Winnebago School building.
“We meet on the first Saturday of the month beginning at 10 a.m. until noon,” she said. “Our goal is to inform, educate, and act, as we, a collective group, see fit.”
Baldwin stressed the group is open to people of all political parties and will not support any particular candidate.
“We always encourage participants to research candidates and to make their own decision,” she concluded.
In other business, the board also:
• Passed a resolution authorizing Sathoff and Nadia Lane of the auditor/treasurer’s office to make electronic funds transfers and to sign on behalf of Faribault County at the county’s financial institutions.
• Approved the hiring of Isabella Nelson as a property appraiser.
• Approved a 36-month rental agreement for a Ricoh IMC4500 copier/printer/scanner for a monthly charge of $185.73. The unit currently being used is reaching the end of its life and is no longer supported.
• Voted to approve the training requests of Brittney Gehrking of the Sheriff’s Department to attend a Dogs for Law Enforcement K9 seminar and the U.S. Police Canine Association Narcotics Detection Certification course.
• Passed a motion approving Merissa Lore and Luke Schonborn of the Drainage Department to attend a Confined Spaces in Construction seminar.
• Approved the training request of Vincent Do of the Sheriff’s Department to attend the Taser Instructor course in Marshall.