Special election set for November

A student loan assistance policy for Waseca County employees and special election to select a new representative for District 3 were discussed in a regular County Commissioner meeting June 20, 2023. 

The board addressed in detail the option for a student loan assistance policy, part of Resolution #2023-19 Personnel Policies, to help ease the burden of employees who have student loans that have accumulated as a result of past education expenses, as well as to assist in the overall financial well-being of county employees. The county hopes to use this tool as an opportunity to reimburse educational expenses for qualified certificates, degrees and programs that allow county workers to better perform their existing county job functions. While Commissioner Doug Christopherson expressed concerns about the program and the fact that people might abuse it, the board was by Human Resources Director Melissa Sexton that there are many forms of verification paperwork, only certain types of loans qualify, and that there are a lot of hoops to jump through in order to be a part of the program. Sexton stated it would be used mainly to attract new graduates to work for Waseca County. Commissioner DeAnne Malterer stated her belief that a lot of people won’t bother with doing all the work to apply, but the people who do would be hardworking individuals willing to do everything to make it happen. 

After a lot of discussion, the resolution was approved.

Resolution #2023-20 to Call a Special Election for the Office of County Commissioner - District 3 was discussed. The special election has to happen on a uniform election day. With the deadline for the August election, the special election for the District 3 seat will be held in early November. The person in the new seat will serve until the end of that term in three years. The resolution was approved. 

Congressman Brad Finstad’s district outreach representative introduced himself at the meeting, explaining what the congressman is working on and how they are there to support rural towns and counties like Waseca. Commissioner Christopherson told the representative about the trials of having a large jail in a small community; Commissioner Malterer asked for support and cooperation with the continual work of informing constituents about the work being performed on their behalf. 

Public Health Director Sarah Berry was present to ask the board to approve the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) literacy grant for early readers project. This grant allows Public Health to provide books to families during home visits, introducing reading to baby in utero and continuing with regular book installments as the baby grows and learns. The grant allows for 225 children’s books, 200 in English and 25 in Spanish. The grant was approved. 

Other action taken includes the approval of Waseca County Board of Commissioner Meeting minutes from May 2 and May 16 including the work session of May 16.