County allocates $50,000 to district

Introduction of new staff and discussion of the Riparian fund dominated the August 1 regular meeting of Waseca County Commissioners. 

The meeting started off with the introduction of new staff by Sheriff Jay Dulas, Public Health Director Sarah Berry, and Court Services Director John Schiro. Dulas introduced deputies Mary Ulrich and Brandon Herman and welcomed them to the Waseca department. He also introduced Sarah Sundve as the new dispatcher and Erin Heitkamp, the Sheriff office’s summer intern from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. 

Berry introduced the public health department’s three new hires: Taylor Merges, Kirston Janike, and Andrea Kronbach; Schiro introduced Carrie Deml and John Frid, who recently joined the court services office. 

The Land and Water Resource staff presented three separate contracts regarding cover crop cost share projects within Waseca County. All three were eventually approved, but only after lengthy discussion regarding whether growers should be able to decide for themselves whether to harvest and sell the crop, or would be required to leave all plantings as cover crop only, receiving a flat rate reimbursement of $40 per acre. 

As discussed at the July 18 commissioner meeting, the board members approved the finance of the Youth Mental Health Navigator Program, which is meant to help students and families gain access to mental health resources and services. The board allocated $50,000 over five years; funds will be drawn from opioid settlement dollars.. 

Board members approved installing a new bathroom, septic system and dump station at Courthouse Park using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The worn-out bathrooms will be replaced with a facility that meets the expectations of the Americans with Disabilities Act; the dump station will be added for current or future campers or RVs. The goal is to make the park more user-friendly and inviting to prospective campers. 

The Fiscal Year 2024 cooperative agreement for the Steele - Waseca Treatment Court with the Third Judicial District was presented for approval by Court Services Director John Schiro. Cost for the agreement is $10,000 lower than last year, which Schiro believed could be due to decreased activity and other factors. The total cost of reimbursement to Waseca County should not exceed $153,275. 

The commissioners approved a residential tax abatement for Gary and Linda Seifert for their application for residential development.

Other items approved during the meeting include the approval of previous county board minutes, approval of bills, June transfers and transfer request, transfer of funds from fund 25 to fund 41, the extension of a zoning permit for Lucas Boelter and the approval of solid waste collection and transportation licenses.