-Southern MN Tourism Association funding request-Lisa Havelka, Tourism Director: typical support for the SMTA organization from the county has been $500, suggested investment is based on a population model that would put the cost at $1,600 to the county. Will wait on a decision in June after the management committee meeting.
-Prescription Drug Disposal, Dan McIntosh, Steele Co. Attorney: Develop a program to promote the proper disposal of medication to prevent the abuse and misuse of them. Other surrounding counties are currently conducting this type of program and are finding a large use for both the disposal of legal and illegal drugs. Costs are around $5,000 for disposal of the drugs. No decision on funding was made at this meeting.
-County Attorney Dan McIntosh gave a brief update on the attorney’s office. Christine Long was just moved to county bench so they will be filling that position soon. 1700 cases annually through their department. Goal for staff to cross train into different area of the department.
-Sheriff’s Cars, Steele co. sheriff & deputy: 3 new car dealerships in Steele Co. received the request for proposal; 2 of3 submitted bids. $21k average cost; compared cost with the state purchasing process. Costs similar. 2nd bid for another vehicle-sheriff proposes to wait until later this summer when there is a new state bid on the all wheel drive vehicles.
- Kelly Harder resignation: authorizing the process to hire a replacement discussed. Kelly is on the job until the beginning of July.
-DNR requested purchase of some land from the county. They need approval of the county board to make the purchase.
-Utilize courthouse location for tower for the 800MHz system.
Submitted by:
Brad Meier
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
May 2010 Talk of the Town
Chamber President Brad Meier discusses new laws on business contribution to elections, our Grow MN! program, hanging flower baskets, the upcoming Harry Wenger Marching Band Festival, the Ringhofer Scholarship and three U of M studies for economic development efforts in Owatonna.
Special Member Guest: Jo Huntsman, Redbird Acupuncture.
Appx. 15 min
MP3 File
Special Member Guest: Jo Huntsman, Redbird Acupuncture.
Appx. 15 min
MP3 File
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Steele County Board Notes-April 27, 2010
A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2010 is to become more active and involved on the County level. Volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.
Steele County Commissioners Committee MeetingApril 27, 2010 - 3:00pmThe meeting started with an update from Brad Carlson and staff of the U of M Extension with an update on what services they provide and how their county funds are being spent. Emphasis on investment in youth with 4-H programs and master gardener program.Interesting demographics for Steele County:$161 million from farming in 200757 Dairy FarmsAverage age of farmer 55.5Discussion on the SE MN Emergency Joint Powers Board. Delegate and Alternate are needed. Mike Johnson is the delegate while a County Commissioner is appointed as Alternate. Suggestion that might be explored to flip/flop and have County Commissioner as main delegate so an elected official can make the call on grant money instead of a government employee.Piper Hills Campground discussed. Girls Scouts want to sell, still waiting on appraisal of property but County keeping this on their radar.South Country Health Alliance - Last three years have been very poor financially but with the hire of a new CFO and the help of the Finance Committee with Steve Rohlik they have turned this into a first quarter profit of $1.9 million and outlook is positive. That being said this Friday will be a telling day as two counties, including one with a large subscriber base, are considering withdrawing from the program for 2011. They have until noon on Friday to decide. If they do not re-up that will be another hurdle to overcome. The general discussion remained positive with emphasis that County Based Purchasing is an excellent model and that Federal Health Reform aligns with many of things they are already doing.
Steele County Commissioners Committee MeetingApril 27, 2010 - 3:00pmThe meeting started with an update from Brad Carlson and staff of the U of M Extension with an update on what services they provide and how their county funds are being spent. Emphasis on investment in youth with 4-H programs and master gardener program.Interesting demographics for Steele County:$161 million from farming in 200757 Dairy FarmsAverage age of farmer 55.5Discussion on the SE MN Emergency Joint Powers Board. Delegate and Alternate are needed. Mike Johnson is the delegate while a County Commissioner is appointed as Alternate. Suggestion that might be explored to flip/flop and have County Commissioner as main delegate so an elected official can make the call on grant money instead of a government employee.Piper Hills Campground discussed. Girls Scouts want to sell, still waiting on appraisal of property but County keeping this on their radar.South Country Health Alliance - Last three years have been very poor financially but with the hire of a new CFO and the help of the Finance Committee with Steve Rohlik they have turned this into a first quarter profit of $1.9 million and outlook is positive. That being said this Friday will be a telling day as two counties, including one with a large subscriber base, are considering withdrawing from the program for 2011. They have until noon on Friday to decide. If they do not re-up that will be another hurdle to overcome. The general discussion remained positive with emphasis that County Based Purchasing is an excellent model and that Federal Health Reform aligns with many of things they are already doing.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
U.S. Chamber's Doctors' Exodus: Fact and Fact
Check out the U.S. Chamber's post on a recent presentation made in Owatonna:
http://www.chamberpost.com/2010/04/doctors-exodus-fact-and-fact.html
http://www.chamberpost.com/2010/04/doctors-exodus-fact-and-fact.html
Friday, April 09, 2010
Legislative Update
At today's legislative update given by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, a couple key points were given:
a) State legislators will decide if they will reapply for the federal 'Race to the Top' grant by April 15th.
b) Expect work to start on a tax omnibus bill the week of April 19th. They don't anticipate major tax increases.
The deficit breaks down like this:
$994 M shortfall
-$312 M in cuts
-$147 M savings from new GMAC agreement
-$408M from Federal Government (possible, but not a sure deal)
This leaves $127M to be cut by the end of the session. If the federal dollars don't come through, the gap is $535M. These numbers aren't as bad as they could've been and should be solved without increasing the tax burden.
a) State legislators will decide if they will reapply for the federal 'Race to the Top' grant by April 15th.
b) Expect work to start on a tax omnibus bill the week of April 19th. They don't anticipate major tax increases.
The deficit breaks down like this:
$994 M shortfall
-$312 M in cuts
-$147 M savings from new GMAC agreement
-$408M from Federal Government (possible, but not a sure deal)
This leaves $127M to be cut by the end of the session. If the federal dollars don't come through, the gap is $535M. These numbers aren't as bad as they could've been and should be solved without increasing the tax burden.
Monday, March 29, 2010
How Will State Balance Budget?
The state legislature is working to balance $700M in deficit, so how will they do it?
The good news is that they don't seem to have plans on tax increases. Here's an educated guess by people who work at the capitol on how this might end:
$400M-Federal Dollars
$150M-Savings from new GMAC Bill
$150M-Cut from Health & Human Services
You can keep score from home. We'll see how this ends up!
The good news is that they don't seem to have plans on tax increases. Here's an educated guess by people who work at the capitol on how this might end:
$400M-Federal Dollars
$150M-Savings from new GMAC Bill
$150M-Cut from Health & Human Services
You can keep score from home. We'll see how this ends up!
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Steele County Board Notes-Feb. 23, 2010
A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2010 is to become more active and involved on the County level. Volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.
County Commissioner Meeting
Tuesday, February 23rd
3:00pm
The commission reviewed the Agricultural Vulnerability assessment. They discussed the responsibility of FEMA and the county when it comes to the compost of dead animals during a disaster and the responsibility of pets. All groups were in agreement it is best to review who is in charge before a manmade or natural disaster to ensure there are not six people thinking they are in charge when they show up during a disaster.
County Appraiser reviewed the plan for an updated ariel surveying photos of the county. The estimate if done the same as ten years ago it would cost $209,000. If they do 25 square miles it would be $8,400. The department had a 10 year and 5year plan for the photos. They would use compliance money for the photography and not general fund. They can get the same photos for $49,000.
The county needed to decide between black and white and color and they would be asking for a contribution from the city of $15,000 or 20% whichever is less. They received 11 bids and they recommended Aerometrics.
They reviewed the auditors petty cash and added it to the annual procedure checklist to ensure resolutions are on the record. They would be auditing a couple areas each year. Primaries will be held in August. They have been unselected as an ELS agent and will no longer sell licenses at the auditors office. They make 160 sales a year and half of them are special licenses. People will have to get them at the other locations throughout town.
SHIP is on the block by the governor. They would like to hire someone to work 15 hours a week from her home to help with the MRC grant. They would like to file for a PHER competitive grant to help with N1H1. It would have to be used or obligated to spend the money by June 30th. The grant is $38,000. She needed approval from the board to go ahead with the application and to let her know what they should spend the money on. They discussed a badging system and the purchase of a van to assist with travel and carrying items to and from the N1H1 clinics. They have had problems with the badging system they currently have and were waiting for the regional center to decide if they would be using a new badging system. They chose the badging system.
ELC alliance plans for the district center approved by the end of March. The existing radio wil be off on December 31. Need to move to an 800 megahertz system. It will involve the city park and rec and utilities departments.
The county redesign is proceeding they were going to go over it at the 7:00pm session. They have developed a 10 point redesign plan. They claim it will cut One Billion dollars.
Meeting was adjourned.
County Commissioner Meeting
Tuesday, February 23rd
3:00pm
The commission reviewed the Agricultural Vulnerability assessment. They discussed the responsibility of FEMA and the county when it comes to the compost of dead animals during a disaster and the responsibility of pets. All groups were in agreement it is best to review who is in charge before a manmade or natural disaster to ensure there are not six people thinking they are in charge when they show up during a disaster.
County Appraiser reviewed the plan for an updated ariel surveying photos of the county. The estimate if done the same as ten years ago it would cost $209,000. If they do 25 square miles it would be $8,400. The department had a 10 year and 5year plan for the photos. They would use compliance money for the photography and not general fund. They can get the same photos for $49,000.
The county needed to decide between black and white and color and they would be asking for a contribution from the city of $15,000 or 20% whichever is less. They received 11 bids and they recommended Aerometrics.
They reviewed the auditors petty cash and added it to the annual procedure checklist to ensure resolutions are on the record. They would be auditing a couple areas each year. Primaries will be held in August. They have been unselected as an ELS agent and will no longer sell licenses at the auditors office. They make 160 sales a year and half of them are special licenses. People will have to get them at the other locations throughout town.
SHIP is on the block by the governor. They would like to hire someone to work 15 hours a week from her home to help with the MRC grant. They would like to file for a PHER competitive grant to help with N1H1. It would have to be used or obligated to spend the money by June 30th. The grant is $38,000. She needed approval from the board to go ahead with the application and to let her know what they should spend the money on. They discussed a badging system and the purchase of a van to assist with travel and carrying items to and from the N1H1 clinics. They have had problems with the badging system they currently have and were waiting for the regional center to decide if they would be using a new badging system. They chose the badging system.
ELC alliance plans for the district center approved by the end of March. The existing radio wil be off on December 31. Need to move to an 800 megahertz system. It will involve the city park and rec and utilities departments.
The county redesign is proceeding they were going to go over it at the 7:00pm session. They have developed a 10 point redesign plan. They claim it will cut One Billion dollars.
Meeting was adjourned.
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