The Faribault County Board voted to purchase a used shouldering machine that would be similar to the one shown in the photo.

It had been the original plan, according to the County Board agenda for Tuesday, Feb. 18, to approve two union contracts during their meeting – one with the Law Enforcement and Labor Services (LELS) union and the other with the Minnesota Public Employees Association (MNPEA).

“A mistake was found in the MNPEA contract so we will wait until the next meeting to approve that one,” Human Resources director, Amanda Shoff explained. “The LELS contract is ready for approval.”

Asked by the board what the main differences were between the new contract and the old contract, Shoff replied it was mostly minor changes.

“We had to change some things with earned safe and sick time as required by State statute. The union also requested that Columbus Day be removed as a paid holiday and that the Friday after Thanksgiving be added in its place. This would make it the same as our other unions. The contract also includes a three percent cost of living increase per year for each of the next three years.”

A motion was made by commissioner Bruce Anderson and seconded by commissioner Bill Groskreutz to approve the contract and open up the topic for discussion.

“I am not comfortable with voting for this contract without seeing it,” commissioner Tom Loveall remarked. “In the past I believe all of the commissioners had time to review the contract before we voted on it. I know the personnel committee has worked on it but I would like the chance to review it before I voted.”

It was pointed out that county attorney Cameron Davis had reviewed the contract and did not see a problem with it.

“My review is not for policy,” Davis pointed out. “I did not see any legal impediments in the legal language.”

When it came time to vote on approving the contract, commissioners Loveall, Gertrude Paschke and Groskreutz voted against its approval while Anderson and chairman Greg Young voted for its approval. Young then directed Shoff to make sure each commissioner had a copy of the proposed contract so that it could be voted on at the first meeting in March.

Shoff also asked the board to approve a couple of minor personnel policy updates, which the board did.

Years ago, the option of paying bills by a credit card at the Faribault County treasurer’s office became available when a credit card processing terminal was placed in the office.

Now, the County Board has learned that original machine has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced.

In a report to the board, senior treasurer clerk Nadia Lane stated the card processing company, Forte, said the machine was obsolete and soon would no longer be serviced.

The board was presented with an option to purchase a new machine through Forte at a cost of $450 plus shipping and approved the purchase.

Public Works director/county engineer April Wellman was at the meeting asking for approval of the final payment for the 2024 bridges project.

“The final contract amount was $1,287,607 which was $16,500 less than the original contract bid,” Wellman explained. “The work has been satisfactorily completed and all of the necessary forms have been completed and received by the Highway Department. I am asking the board to approve paying the remaining balance of $174,550.”

The board approved the request.

Wellman also had some information regarding the Highway Department’s search for a used shouldering machine.

“There are only about 12 used machines available in the United States because companies tend to keep them once they have them,” Wellman explained. “We have found a 2004 Blaw-Knox model RE-195 with 4,000 hours on it for $79,000 plus $3,000 shipping costs to get it to Blue Earth. A new machine costs between $350,000 and $400,000. We have budgeted $100,000 for a used machine.”

Wellman proposed that one of the Public Works employees who is familiar with the hydraulics on the machine be allowed to travel to inspect the machine before the county agrees to purchase it.

The board approved her request.

Anderson raised a concern about dips in the road on County Road 16 between the Frost corner and the county line.

“These are occurring where culverts were previously installed and truckers are reporting damage to their trucks when they hit these dips,” Anderson said.

Wellman told Anderson that the problem would be looked at to figure out how best to correct the situation.

The board also approved allowing the assessor’s office to purchase a 2013 police interceptor with 180,000 miles from the Buildings and Grounds Department to replace a 2008 Trailblazer.

“Our mechanic told us the Trailblazer is on its last leg and to keep it close to home,” county assessor/recorder Brady Rauenhorst said. “The assessor’s office would give the Trailblazer to the recorder’s office for their daily mail run.”

Amber Patten and Kendra Reineking of the Faribault County Economic Development Authority attended the meeting to present the 2024 EDA Annual Report to the board.

A portion of the report was on the population characteristics of the county.

“I see the largest group of people (15.4 percent) in the county are in the 55-64 age range,” chairman Greg Young observed.

“Add in the people who are between 65-74 years old (12.5 percent) and that is over a quarter of the county’s population,” commissioner Bill Groskreutz added.

The report also showed that almost 29 percent of the county’s population is less than 24 years old.

Also highlighted in the report were many of the projects the EDA was able to accomplish in the county.

“We provided $28,335 in support to childcare providers in Faribault County,” EDA specialist Amber Patten said. “These forgivable loans aim to strengthen local childcare services and ensure safe, high-quality care for children in the community.”

EDA specialist Kendra Reineking shared that the funds have been used in a variety of ways.

“They have been used to complete required training and to make many essential improvements,” Reineking commented. “These improvements include upgrading flooring, improving home accessibility and safety measures and expanding facilities with additional bathrooms or classrooms.”

Those eligible for the grants were licensed childcare providers who operate in Faribault County and provide full-time childcare services.

“I believe this program demonstrates the EDA’s commitment to supporting early childhood development and enhancing resources for families in Faribault County,” Patten concluded.

The commissioners also:

• Approved the training requests of Jordan Paukert and Jacob Pettit of the Sheriff’s Department to attend drone training classes.

• Approved Kim Poole of the auditor/treasurer’s office to attend training classes on election security.

• Voted to allow Northstar Mortgage to repurchase a parcel of tax-forfeited land in Kiester.

• Approved liquor licenses for 2025 for Riverside Town and Country Club, American Legion Sanford Post #192-Elmore, the Golden Bubble and the Derby Inn.