A vote to accept a generous donation to the sheriff’s office started off the November 18 meeting of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. Bob and Katie Winter donated $10,000 to be used in equal amounts for the sheriff’s office Search and Rescue Dive Team and the sheriff’s office fitness room. Sheriff Troy Wolbersen said this donation is very much appreciated. He also said a $200 donation from a person who chose to stay anonymous is also appreciated.
The board also approved Sheriff Wolbersen’s request to hire a new assistant jail administrator while the current assistant administrator is still employed. Wolbersen said this will allow for training and a smooth transition. Lt. Dan Jahnke is retiring February 14 after 29 years and ten months with the sheriff’s office, the last five of those as assistant jail administrator. Thank you to Lt. Jahnke for his remarkable service.
On a separate note, Commissioner Jeff Way thanked the sheriff for the work his designated deputy is doing to patrol area schools on a regular basis. Way said, “I’ve seen it, and it’s working. Thank you.”
Public Works
Douglas County Drainage Inspector Shane Finck presented board members with completed projects for their approval and payment. The projects were for repairs and cleaning of County Ditch #3 Branch #5 and Branch #6 in Evansville Township.
Commissioner Tim Kalina also asked whether the culvert replacement project on Voyager Drive in Alexandria was completed. County Engineer Tim Erickson assured him the project went well and is done.
Land and Resource Management
Commissioners approved Director Dave Rush’s requests for two land plats. The first one divides a single parcel into two parcels. The new parcel will be required to connect to central sewer which is provided by the Alexandria Lakes Area Sanitary District. This prompted Board Chair Jerry Rapp to ask about a requirement for a salt free water softener at the new parcel. Rapp says not requiring this on new sewer connections keeps allowing impaired water to enter our lakes.
Rush said there are two paths the county can proceed on. One, change the county zoning ordinance and make a requirement that any newly platted piece of land must use salt free softeners or have a discharge system on site to keep salt out of the sewer system, or ask the sewer district to change its bylaws on how it regulates what stays out of their system. Commissioners then discussed attending a sanitary district meeting or a meeting of the Chloride Advisory Committee.
Social Services
Community Human Services Director Tabitha Kremmin requested approval of three grants that allow the county to provide much needed services.
The first was for children’s mental health screening. Kremmin explained this is for youngsters involved in the child protection program. Commissioner Rapp asked if this includes screening for the parents as well. Kremmin said the grant dollars are for a full family-based assessment. The second request was for approval of an extension of grant funding the state made available for children who receive a positive screen for mental health services. Commissioner Way questioned the language of the contract that states “no religious based counseling shall take place under the auspices of this contract.” Kremmin responded by saying if a family prefers faith-based counseling the county will certainly work with them, it just can’t use the grant funding from this contract.
Next, Kremmin asked for permission to move ahead with a grant to provide outreach and support to individuals who may be at risk of civil commitment due to their mental health. Commissioners approved the grant which is for $71,374. They also approved a contract with Someplace Safe which provides supervised parent/child visitation and parent education services.
County Coordinator / Human Resource Director
County Coordinator and Human Resource Director Lee Katzmarek asked the board to approve the county’s policy on the new Minnesota Paid Family Leave. That program, which is paid for by employees and employers, goes into effect January 1, 2026. It allows employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a serious health condition for themselves or up to 12 weeks for family leave for certain situations. No employee is allowed to take a combination of more than 20 weeks in a single year. Katzmarek explained the county needs to distribute the policy to employees and display a poster explaining the benefit on or before December 1.
Commissioners approved his request to stay in compliance with state law on a 4 to 1 vote with Commissioner Way voting no. A few board members also had some comments. Commissioner Rapp said, “I think this is absolutely ridiculous. Doesn’t the employer have any rights? We are forced to do something when it makes no sense. This has gone too far. That’s my statement and that should be said.”
Commissioner Charlie Meyer said, “I’ve heard rumblings, the state will they try to blend them all together,” meaning the state’s various leave programs. Commissioner Kalina asked if an employee can opt out of paying for it. Katzmarek said no. Employees will pay .44 percent of their salary and the county will match that. There is more information on this state law at pl.mn.gov.
The next board meeting is Tuesday, December 2 at 5 p.m. Note the later than usual time. There will be a budget hearing that same night beginning at 6 p.m.