REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Room in the Government Center, Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Present for all or portions of the meeting were Commissioners Al Kokesch, Lon Walling, Priscilla Klabunde, John Schueller, and Sharon Hollatz. Also present were Administrator Vicki Knobloch; Sheriff Randy Hanson; Director of Environmental Services Jon Mitchell; Technology Coordinator Paul Parsons; County Attorney Steve Collins; HR Coordinator Pete Brown; Highwater Ethanol CFO Luke Schneider; U-Reka Broadband Rep. Joanne Johnson; RADC Rep. Julie Rath, John Boerboom; Redwood Gazette Reporter Josh Dixon; Veteran s Services Officer Marty Caraway; Office Manager, Attorney s Office Jennifer Manthei Chair Klabunde called the Meeting to order asking for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. On motion by Walling, second by Kokesch, the Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda. Chair Klabunde asked the Board members to identify any areas for which they had a Conflict of Interest. There were none. CONSENT AGENDA On motion by Hollatz, second by Schueller, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following: o December 3, 2013 Board minutes o Payment of bills as follows: Revenue Fund $ 86,860.27 Building Fund $ 469,606.80 Ditch Maintenance Fund $ 7,930.10 Solid Waste Fund $ 6,229.88 Approved Per diem totaling $80.65 for meetings and miscellaneous expenses not listed on the committee list. BOARD RECOGNITION The Board recognized Linda Roehrl, Property Appraiser in the Assessor s Office for 25 years and Michael Gaffney, Custody Officer in the Sheriff s Office for 10 years of service to Redwood County. TECHNOLOGY On motion by Hollatz, second by Walling the Board voted unanimously to approve the Technology Risk Management Plan.
Page 2 of 11 REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 SHERIFF On motion by Walling, second by Schueller, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Emergency Management Performance Grant 2013 in the amount of $20,129.00. On motion by Schueller, second by Hollatz, the Board voted unanimously to approve the contract with the City of Wabasso to provide Law Enforcement services from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014. On motion by Kokesch, second by Hollatz, the Board voted unanimously to approve the 60 month copy machine lease with Marco for a Konica Minolta copier. Hanson updated the Board on the Redwood County Jail Population for November, 2013. ADMINISTRATOR On motion by Kokesch, second by Schueller, and in a roll-call vote with Hollatz, Schueller, Klabunde, Walling and Kokesch all voting aye, the Board adopted the following Resolution: BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners for Redwood County, that the 2014 property tax levies for Redwood County Funds be set as follows: REVENUE FUND... $5,744,629 HUMAN SERVICES FUND.. 2,195,941 PUBLIC HEALTH FUND. 321,180 ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND 1,556,000 BUILDING FUND. 400,000 DEBT SERVICE FUND 666,322 REGIONAL LIBRARY. 94,438 SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT.. 25,000 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2014 Redwood County property tax levy be certified to the Redwood County Auditor-Treasurer at $10,978,510. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2014 Redwood County adjusted property tax levy be set at $10,655,680, a 0.7% change from the 2013 adjusted tax levy of $10,584,934. On motion by Walling and second by Hollatz and in a roll-call vote with Hollatz, Schueller, Klabunde, Walling and Kokesch all voting aye, the Board adopted the following Resolution:
Page 3 of 11 REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 2014 Revenue and Expenditure Budget WHEREAS, the Redwood County Board of Commissioners has individually met with the Redwood County Department Heads to discuss budgets proposed for the staffing, supplies, and general operation of their departments during Calendar year 2013 &; WHEREAS, the Redwood County Board of Commissioners has subsequently reviewed each of the departmental budgets in relationship to the amounts needed from the 2014 Property Tax Levy, and; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Redwood County Board of Commissioners does hereby set the 2014 Redwood County Budgeted Revenues and Expenditures as follows: Revenue Revenue Budget Budget Revenue Fund Solid Waste Fund Taxes-property-current $5,597,184 Special assessments $364,400 Other Taxes $9,325 Licenses and permits $850 Special assessments-current [septic/ists] $54,615 State Grant and Contribution $55,950 Licenses and permits $49,915 Earnings on investments $2,000 Total Intergovernmental Revenue (IGR) $511,095 Miscellaneous Revenue $284,664 Local Grants and Contributions $30,000 Total Revenues $707,864 State Grants and Contributions $205,791 Federal Grants and Contributions $65,000 Debt Service Fund Charges for services $765,215 Taxes-property $649,561 Earnings on investments $38,246 Intergovernmental Revenues $16,761 Gifts and contributions $12,000 Total Revenues $666,322 Miscellaneous $432,477 Other Sources: Loans Issued $30,000 Road and Bridge Fund Total Revenues & Other Financing Sources $7,800,863 Taxes-property-current $1,510,725 Intergovernmental $4,620,275 Charges for Services $2,000 Building Fund Earnings on Investments $2,000 Taxes-property $90,862 Miscellaneous Revenue $45,000 Intergovernmental Revenues $299,888 Total Revenues $6,180,000 Earnings on Investments $3,000 Miscellaneous Revenue $6,250 Public Health Services Fund Total Revenues $400,000 Taxes-property $308,024 Intergovernmental Revenues $13,156 Ditch Fund Total Revenues $321,180 Special assessments $497,936 Ditch Bond Interest $5,000 Human Services Fund Taxes-property $2,134,700 Total Revenues $502,936 Intergovernmental Revenues $61,241 Total Revenues $2,195,941
Page 4 of 11 REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 Total Budgeted Revenues $18,775,106 Expenditures Expenditures Budget Budget Revenue Fund Revenue Fund cont. General Government Debt Service Commissioners $245,493 Principal $43,819 Law library $9,000 Interest $3,244 County administration $391,064 Administrative Charges County Administrator $288,298 $47,063 Auditor-Treasurer $355,817 Total Revenue Fund Expenditure Budget $7,742,616 License center $183,047 Assessor $338,254 Road and Bridge Fund Elections $67,419 Highways and Streets Computer $280,198 Administration $491,000 Attorney $454,614 Maintenance $1,647,000 Recorder $279,563 Construction $3,015,000 Buildings and plant $434,725 Equipment and maintenance shops $682,000 Veterans service officer $193,836 Intergovernmental Highway Maintenance $375,000 $3,521,328 $6,210,000 Human Services Fund Intergovernmental $2,195,941 Public Safety Human Services Fund $300,000 Restorative Justice $73,469 $2,495,941 Sheriff $2,647,271 Public Health Services Fund Coroner $15,000 Intergovernmental E-911 system $45,000 Public Health Services Fund $321,180 Sentence to Service $57,223 Probation and parole $262,688 $321,180 Emergency management $73,547 Solid Waste Fund Other public safety $25,600 Sanitation $3,199,798 Solid Waste $325,001 Recycling $281,500 Culture and Recreation Hazardous waste $10,000 Museum $3,200 Waste to energy Parks $109,830 $616,501 Minnesota trails $87,331 Building Fund Other $48,500 General Government $248,861 Buildings and plant $2,453,915 $2,453,915 Conservation of Natural Resources Ditch Fund Extension $102,022 Conservation of Natural Resources Agricultural inspection $237,043 Other $463,447 Water quality loan program $30,000 $463,447
Page 5 of 11 REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 Other $171,660 Debt Service Fund $540,725 Debt Service Economic Development Principal $550,000 Other $90,403 Interest $166,936 $90,403 Administrative Charges $1,275 Intergovernmental $718,211 Library $94,438 $94,438 Total Budgeted Expenditures $21,021,811 *Breakdown of the Excess of Revenues & Other Sources Over/(Under) by Fund Revenue Fund: Solid Waste Fund: Revenue Budget $7,800,863 Revenue Budget $707,864 Expenditure Budget $7,742,616 Expenditure Budget $616,501 Excess of Revenues & Other Sources Over (Under) $58,247 Excess of Revenues & Other Sources Over (Under) $91,363 Road and Bridge Fund: Building Fund: Revenue Budget $6,180,000 Revenue Budget $400,000 Expenditure Budget $6,210,000 Expenditure Budget $2,453,915 Excess of Revenues & Other Sources Over (Under) ($30,000) Excess of Revenues & Other Sources Over (Under) ($2,053,915) Human Services Fund: Ditch Fund: Revenue Budget $2,195,941 Revenue Budget $502,936 Expenditure Budget $2,495,941 Expenditure Budget $463,447 Excess of Revenues & Other Sources Over (Under) ($300,000) Excess of Revenues & Other Sources Over (Under) $39,489 Public Health Services Fund: Debt Service Fund: Revenue Budget $321,180 Revenue Budget $666,322 Expenditure Budget $321,180 Expenditure Budget $718,211 Excess of Revenues & Other Sources Over (Under) $0 Excess of Revenues & Other Sources Over (Under) ($51,889) On motion by Schueller, second by Kokesch and in a roll-call vote with Hollatz, Schueller, Klabunde, Walling and Kokesch all voting aye, the Board adopted the following Resolution: RESOLVED, THAT THE Redwood Gazette, a legal newspaper printed and published in the City of Redwood Falls, Redwood County, Minnesota, be and the same is hereby designated by the Board of County Commissioners of said Redwood County, Minnesota as the newspaper in which the notice and list of
Page 6 of 11 REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 real estate remaining delinquent on the first working day of January, 2014 shall be published. RESOLVED FURTHER, THAT THE said Redwood County, Minnesota enter into a contract with the Redwood Gazette to print and publish as provided by law that said list of delinquent taxes at a compensation rate allowed by Section 331.08 of the Statutes of the State of Minnesota. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE Redwood Gazette be named the official newspaper of the County for the insertion of the annual financial statement and all printing of Commissioners proceedings for 2014 for legal printing rates as prescribed by State Law. On motion by Walling, second by Hollatz, the Board voted unanimously to set the 2014 Board Meeting dates. REDWOOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 2014 REGULAR MEETING DATES January 7 (Env/Hwy) Organizational Mtg February 4 (Env/Hwy) 21 (Sheriff) 18 (Sheriff) March 4 (Env/Hwy) April 1 (Env/Hwy) 18 (Sheriff) 15 (Sheriff) May 6 (Env/Hwy) June 3 (Env/Hwy) 20 (Sheriff) 17 *4:00 p.m. (Sheriff) 6:30 p.m. Board of Equalization July 1 (Env/Hwy) August 5 *8:00 a.m. (Env/Hwy) 15 (Sheriff) 19 (Sheriff) September 2 (Env/Hwy) October 7 (Env/Hwy) 16 (Sheriff) 21 (Sheriff) November 4 (Env/Hwy) December 2 *4:00 p.m (Env/Hwy) Regular Meeting 18 (Sheriff) 6:00 p.m. Truth in Taxation Meeting 16 (Sheriff) 26 Last Yearly Meeting
Page 7 of 11 REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 (Note: Bills Due Daily after the 15 th ) Board meetings will be held the first and third Tuesday of the month. Bills will be paid at both meetings. Generally the first Tuesday of the month is designated for Environmental/Solid Waste and Highway. The third Tuesday of the month is designated for Sheriff. Work Sessions will be held as necessary, and will take place in the afternoon of a regular meeting date. On motion by Schueller, second by Kokesch, the Board voted unanimously to renew the following 2014 Liquor and Tobacco Licenses: 2014 Liquor License Renewals Staples Enterprises, Inc. Dacotah Ridge Golf Club Tracy County Club 2014 Tobacco License Renewals Farmers Coop Oil Co, Belview BJ s Backroads Bar & Grill, Clements Erickson s Amoco Handi-marts, DBA Lamberton Amoco, Lamberton Meadowland Farmers Coop Farmers Coop Assn of Milroy, Milroy Wayne s, Inc., Morgan Staples Enterprises, Inc. DBA Expressway Sanborn, Sanborn Lower Sioux Community DBA Dacotah Ridge Golf Club On motion by Walling, second by Hollatz, the Board voted unanimously to send a letter to the Office of the State Auditor requesting to be released as audit clients and to utilize private auditors for the annual audit. On motion by Hollatz, second by Klabunde, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Plum Creek Outreach Services Contract. On motion by Kokesch, second by Schueller, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Western Community Action Transportation Agreement. On motion by Hollatz, second by Walling, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Sentencing to Service Amended Contract. On motion by Hollatz, second by Kokesch, the Board voted unanimously to approve the 2014 EDA Contract for Services. On motion by Schueller, second by Hollatz, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Extension Copy Machine Lease Agreement.
Page 8 of 11 REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 Personnel Action Items: On motion by Schueller, second by Hollatz, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Sarah Groebner and Lisa Guggisberg as License Center Technicians starting at the AFSCME Union Scale Grade 8, Step l of $13.53/hour effective December 30, 2013. On motion by Hollatz, second by Schueller, the Board voted unanimously to appoint John Ebner as License Center Supervisor and Deputy Registrar of the Redwood County License Center starting at the Non-Union Scale Grade ll Step 1 at the salary of $36,164.16 effective January 6, 2014. On motion by Walling, second by Kokesch, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Sara Hogy as Payroll/Safety Technician starting at the Non-Union Scale Grade 9 Step 1 at $14.67/hour effective December 18, 2013. On motion by Kokesch, second by Schueller, the Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Matt Seifkes from his position as Deputy Sheriff at the Sheriff s Office effective January 10,2014 On motion by Hollatz, second by Walling, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Authorization to Post for the Deputy Sheriff I position in the Sheriff s Department. On motion by Hollatz, second by Kokesch, the Board voted unanimously to accept the end of employment of Lynelle Groebner. On motion by Hollatz, second by Walling, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Authorization to Post for the Administrative Assistant position in the County Administrator Department. AUDITOR-TREASURER On motion by Walling, second by Schueller, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following consent agenda: Cash Balance Report; Investment Summary; Budget Report: Revenue Fund; Building Fund; Ditch Maintenance; Solid Waste; and November Disbursements. HIGHWATER ETHANOL On motion by Schueller, second by Hollatz and in a roll-call vote with Hollatz, Schueller, Klabunde, Walling and Kokesch all voting aye, the Board adopted the following Resolution: Resolution Opposing Revised Renewable Fuel Standards by the Environmental Protection Agency We, the County Commissioners of Redwood County, Minnesota stand in strong support of the single most effective energy policy the United States has known - the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
Page 9 of 11 REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 WHEREAS, the RFS is a proven success nationally and here in Redwood County. We resolve to express our concern regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule for the 2014 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program; and WHEREAS, the proposed reduction in the amount of renewable fuel blended into gasoline at levels lower than in 2013 could hurt rural economies, jeopardize American jobs, raise prices at the pump and deter investment in biofuels and biofuel infrastructure; and WHEREAS, we are further concerned that the rationale used by the EPA is inconsistent with the current statute and could jeopardize the future of the renewable fuel industry; and WHEREAS, Congress first approved the Renewable Fuel Standard in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and then significantly expanded it is 2007 through the Energy Independence and Security Act. From 2005 through 2012, as ethanol increased from 1% to 10% of gasoline supply, our dependence on imported petroleum products has declined from 60% to 41%; and WHEREAS, reducing our dependence on foreign oil is in the best interest of our country's national security, and WHEREAS, in addition to national security, the RFS strengthens the economic security of this nation by supporting almost 400,000 American jobs and has encouraged billions of dollars of investment in research and development in biofuel-related technologies; and WHEREAS, the significant reduction in renewable volume obligations under this proposed role could destabilize the renewable fuel industry and send the wrong message to investors, thus risking jobs and threatening the development of advanced and cellulosic biofuels that bring higher-level ethanol and biodiesel blends to consumers; and WHEREAS, in creating the RFS, the U.S. Congress provided the flexibility to the EPA to adjust required volumes based on anticipated production for advanced biofuels and this year is one of the biggest corn harvests on record, it is counter intuitive for the EPA to reduce the RVOs significantly; and WHEREAS, instead of using a higher volume of available corn to produce renewable ethanol for blending, gasoline would need to be refined from more foreign oil, sending more of our dollars oversees and driving up gas prices for all consumers; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Commissioners or Redwood County, Minnesota, respectfully request that the EPA revise their proposal, ensuring that it is consistent
Page 10 of 11 REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 with the law and its requirements to set volumes based on anticipated production. Without a revised proposal, we are concerned that the EPA's proposed rule would impose significant burdens on rural economies while increasing gas prices and our reliance on foreign oil. This resolution shall become effective upon its passage and without further publication. BROADBAND DISCUSSION Joanne Johnson of U-Reka Broadband Ventures and Julie Rath of the RADC made a presentation to the Board to update the contracted services the county approved with U- Reka to take the broadband feasibility study to the next level countywide. VSO Martin Caraway presented the Board with the Upper Midwest Board of Governors Emmy, which was awarded to the MN Department of Veterans Affairs and the MN National Guard. The Redwood County VSO was named a key contributor to the programming and collaboration of outreach services to veterans statewide. LETG Collins and Manthei made a presentation about MCAPS and LETG, an electronic system of eticketing. ENVIRONMENTAL On motion by Kokesch, second by Schueller, the Board voted unanimously to approve the State of Minnesota General Obligation Bond Financed Property Declaration subject to County Attorney Steve Collins and Jon Mitchell s further review. COMMISSIONER REPORTS The Board Chair/Vice Chair History was reviewed. Chair Klabunde appointed Dean Toft to the Redwood County EDA, effective January 1, 2014. The Commissioners reported on meetings they attended: Kokesch: o Legislative Breakfast o MIC (New Avenue)\ o AMC Annual Meeting o SCI Hollatz: o Technology Committee o SW Regional Development o EDA o AMC Annual Meeting o MN River Board o Redwood/Renville Regional Solid Waste Board
Page 11 of 11 REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA December 17, 2013 Walling: o Chief Elected Officer Board o Ditch 15 o Vesta Property Forfeiture Klabunde: o Western Mutual Health o Southern Prairie Community Health o AMC Annual Meeting o SWHHS Schueller: o RCRCA/Area II o AMC Annual Conference (Transportation Chair) o Soil and Water o Minnesota River Board o Legislative Breakfast (Area II & RCRCA) o Ditch Viewers Training o Redwood/Renville Regional Solid Waste Board ADJOURN There being no further business, Chair Klabunde declared the meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m. Attest: Vicki Knobloch County Administrator Priscilla Klabunde, Chair Board of County Commissioners