County Board Meeting January 3 2023

Commissioner Charlie Meyer will serve as the chair of Douglas County Board of Commissioners in 2023. Commissioner Keith Englund will serve as vice chair.

These were two of the decisions made during the Douglas County Board of Commissioners organizational meeting held January 3. The three board members present also determined the low bid for county vehicle maintenance is Shutters Tire and Auto and so it was awarded the service contract for the year. The Echo Press was the only applicant for the legal publication.

Commissioners Meyer, Tim Kalina, and Jerry Rapp were the board members present. They approved the 2023 regular board meeting schedule and committee assignments but tabled the assignments to Association of Minnesota Counties committees. Committee assignments and board meeting agendas and minutes can be found at https://www.douglascountymn.gov/board-of-commissioners

The board approved the following men to serve on the Douglas County Board of Adjustment and Planning Advisory Commission: Dan New, Tom Hills, Brian Niehoff, Jerry Johnson, and Les Zimmerman. County Commissioner Tim Kalina will also serve on the Planning Advisory Commission.

The organizational meeting, led by 2022 chair Tim Kalina then adjourned and Board Chair Meyer convened the scheduled meeting. Sheriff Troy Wolbersen appeared first before the board.

He asked commissioners to approve a contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare to serve the health needs of inmates at the Douglas County jail. The current provider is ending its contract with the county, so a new provider needed to be found.  Advanced Correctional Healthcare will charge $306,000 and begin work February 1. Sheriff Wolbersen says he’s talked with other counties which are very satisfied with Advanced. The nurse that has been providing healthcare in the jail for ten years will be hired by Advanced and a physician will be on call 24/7 for telehealth and phone calls.

Social Services

Director Laurie Bonds asked the board to accept a donation of $150 from the Christina Lake Lutheran Church Women of the North American Lutheran Church to be used for social services clients of Douglas County.

Auditor/Treasurer

Vicki Doehling asked commissioners to accept two resolutions for lawful gambling. One is for Douglas County Pheasants Forever to have a raffle at Carlos Creek Winery on February 25. The other is for Ducks Unlimited State Committee Chapter MN 001 for a raffle and bingo event at Arrowwood Resort and conference Center on February 10-11.

The next Douglas County board meeting will be held January 17 at 9 a.m. at the Douglas County Administration Building 821 Cedar Street Alexandria.