1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,520 CHARLIE PETERS: Let's start with the Pledge of Allegiance. 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:05,880 ALL: I pledge allegiance to the flag 3 00:00:05,880 --> 00:00:09,200 of the United States of America, and to the Republic 4 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:10,640 for which it stands. 5 00:00:10,640 --> 00:00:13,860 One nation under God, indivisible, 6 00:00:13,860 --> 00:00:15,980 with liberty and justice for all. 7 00:00:15,980 --> 00:00:20,900 8 00:00:20,900 --> 00:00:23,240 CHARLIE PETERS: As the county board proceeds with today's 9 00:00:23,240 --> 00:00:27,000 agenda, we will provide an opportunity for public comment 10 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:31,240 regarding agenda items following each presentation and prior 11 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:33,160 to county board action. 12 00:00:33,160 --> 00:00:36,000 Additional comments will not be heard 13 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:37,680 for items that have already completed 14 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:39,680 a public hearing process. 15 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,280 We ask that you fill out a public comment card in advance 16 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:49,580 and submit it to Suzy so that we can address each person in turn. 17 00:00:49,580 --> 00:00:52,680 If you have a question that arises during a presentation, 18 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:55,640 please complete the card and submit it to Suzy as soon as you 19 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:56,600 are able. 20 00:00:56,600 --> 00:01:00,080 If you are participating online, indicate your desire 21 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:03,240 to provide public comment in the chat box, 22 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:07,360 along with identifying information for the record. 23 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:09,660 So with that, we'll go on to roll call. 24 00:01:09,660 --> 00:01:10,480 FEMALE SPEAKER: Malecha. 25 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:11,113 GALEN MALECHA: Yes. 26 00:01:11,113 --> 00:01:12,013 FEMALE SPEAKER: Hoisington. 27 00:01:12,013 --> 00:01:12,780 GERRY HOISINGTON: Here. 28 00:01:12,780 --> 00:01:13,640 FEMALE SPEAKER: Peters. 29 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:14,000 CHARLIE PETERS: Here. 30 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:14,880 FEMALE SPEAKER: Purfeerst. 31 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:15,480 JIM PURFEERST: Here. 32 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:16,347 FEMALE SPEAKER: Underdahl. 33 00:01:16,347 --> 00:01:18,026 STEVE UNDERDAHL: Here. 34 00:01:18,026 --> 00:01:20,020 CHARLIE PETERS: It's showing we're all here. 35 00:01:20,020 --> 00:01:22,380 We'll go to approval of the agenda. 36 00:01:22,380 --> 00:01:26,000 Any changes or additions? 37 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:29,060 GALEN MALECHA: Motion to approve the agenda. 38 00:01:29,060 --> 00:01:31,280 STEVE UNDERDAHL: Second. 39 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:34,360 CHARLIE PETERS: We have a motion by Commissioner Malecha. 40 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:36,140 Second by Commissioner Underdahl. 41 00:01:36,140 --> 00:01:37,800 Any discussion? 42 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:38,580 Seeing none. 43 00:01:38,580 --> 00:01:40,360 All those in favor, say "Aye." 44 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:41,947 ALL: Aye. 45 00:01:41,947 --> 00:01:42,880 CHARLIE PETERS: That passes. 46 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:47,640 Approval of the minutes from the August 11, 2026 meeting. 47 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:49,980 JIM PURFEERST: Motion to approve. 48 00:01:49,980 --> 00:01:51,207 GERRY HOISINGTON: Second. 49 00:01:51,207 --> 00:01:52,840 CHARLIE PETERS: Motion by Commissioner Purfeerst. 50 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:55,400 Second by Commissioner Hoisington. 51 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:59,670 For the approval of the minutes, any discussion? 52 00:01:59,670 --> 00:02:01,510 All those in favor, say "Aye." 53 00:02:01,510 --> 00:02:02,290 ALL: Aye. 54 00:02:02,290 --> 00:02:04,110 CHARLIE PETERS: Both same signed. 55 00:02:04,110 --> 00:02:05,950 Minutes passed. 56 00:02:05,950 --> 00:02:08,930 First on the list is Sheriff's Office. 57 00:02:08,930 --> 00:02:18,590 58 00:02:18,590 --> 00:02:20,750 MALE SPEAKER: Good morning, Commissioners, Mr. Chair. 59 00:02:20,750 --> 00:02:21,990 CHARLIE PETERS: Good morning. 60 00:02:21,990 --> 00:02:24,310 MALE SPEAKER: Just one order of business. 61 00:02:24,310 --> 00:02:27,710 Looking to get permission or seek your approval 62 00:02:27,710 --> 00:02:30,590 to enter into a contract to add a radio 63 00:02:30,590 --> 00:02:33,590 booster to the government services building. 64 00:02:33,590 --> 00:02:37,650 We do have a representative from Bechtel here. 65 00:02:37,650 --> 00:02:41,450 I have Alan from IT and my emergency manager and director, 66 00:02:41,450 --> 00:02:42,610 if you have any questions. 67 00:02:42,610 --> 00:02:45,710 But what we've noticed over the years 68 00:02:45,710 --> 00:02:50,390 is, especially since we started doing foot patrols when I became 69 00:02:50,390 --> 00:02:54,830 sheriff, and our radio reception inside this building thing 70 00:02:54,830 --> 00:02:58,510 is not very good, especially in the lower level. 71 00:02:58,510 --> 00:03:03,070 And given the fact there's 283 county employees who work out 72 00:03:03,070 --> 00:03:08,790 of this building, it's an area that we 73 00:03:08,790 --> 00:03:12,030 need to be able to communicate when something we have 74 00:03:12,030 --> 00:03:15,130 a critical incident that we need to operate inside this building. 75 00:03:15,130 --> 00:03:20,330 So I'm looking for your approval to enter that. 76 00:03:20,330 --> 00:03:22,430 And where's the money coming from? 77 00:03:22,430 --> 00:03:24,830 I do have some money in my budget this year. 78 00:03:24,830 --> 00:03:34,390 We did have $59,000 set aside for some other radio equipment. 79 00:03:34,390 --> 00:03:37,850 And that was purchased at the very end of last year. 80 00:03:37,850 --> 00:03:38,970 So I have that sitting there. 81 00:03:38,970 --> 00:03:40,290 And I do have extra money. 82 00:03:40,290 --> 00:03:44,110 So open for questions at this time. 83 00:03:44,110 --> 00:03:46,750 And if you'd like to ask Brian from Bechtel 84 00:03:46,750 --> 00:03:50,830 or anybody else any questions, they can come up. 85 00:03:50,830 --> 00:03:53,110 CHARLIE PETERS: I guess the one question I have is-- 86 00:03:53,110 --> 00:03:56,180 we'll call it several. 87 00:03:56,180 --> 00:04:01,200 Does the contract include the wiring costs and the roof, 88 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:02,900 if we got to go through the roof, 89 00:04:02,900 --> 00:04:05,700 or is that Facilities doing all that? 90 00:04:05,700 --> 00:04:09,780 Or is it total install with that price? 91 00:04:09,780 --> 00:04:12,260 MALE SPEAKER: My radio keeps blinking out of range because I 92 00:04:12,260 --> 00:04:14,380 don't have any service. 93 00:04:14,380 --> 00:04:15,440 Ironic, right? 94 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:18,820 JIM PURFEERST: No, I going to say, your radio's working good. 95 00:04:18,820 --> 00:04:20,380 MALE SPEAKER: My assumption is that it 96 00:04:20,380 --> 00:04:22,773 includes everything except maybe going through the roof. 97 00:04:22,773 --> 00:04:23,740 MALE SPEAKER: That's correct. 98 00:04:23,740 --> 00:04:24,673 MALE SPEAKER: Yeah, correct. 99 00:04:24,673 --> 00:04:27,320 CHARLIE PETERS: And Facilities will take care of that, 100 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:29,580 I believe, so. 101 00:04:29,580 --> 00:04:31,940 And then the other question is, IT, 102 00:04:31,940 --> 00:04:36,420 I see they had to go into the IT room, correct? 103 00:04:36,420 --> 00:04:38,060 And work? 104 00:04:38,060 --> 00:04:41,620 MALE SPEAKER: We have to have the equipment somewhere. 105 00:04:41,620 --> 00:04:45,460 It's not really tied in with our IT systems. 106 00:04:45,460 --> 00:04:48,860 So we can provide them whatever that they 107 00:04:48,860 --> 00:04:50,940 need without any concern. 108 00:04:50,940 --> 00:04:51,740 CHARLIE PETERS: Perfect. 109 00:04:51,740 --> 00:04:52,320 Perfect. 110 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:53,600 Any other questions? 111 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:56,300 112 00:04:56,300 --> 00:04:57,440 Commissioner Underdahl. 113 00:04:57,440 --> 00:04:58,380 STEVE UNDERDAHL: One. 114 00:04:58,380 --> 00:05:00,220 Do we have other county buildings 115 00:05:00,220 --> 00:05:01,867 that have the same issue? 116 00:05:01,867 --> 00:05:03,100 MALE SPEAKER: Yeah, so the courthouse 117 00:05:03,100 --> 00:05:07,000 has the same issue, which will need to be addressed. 118 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:09,980 And I've spoken with Chris in Facilities, 119 00:05:09,980 --> 00:05:14,300 and they're going to budget for that for next year. 120 00:05:14,300 --> 00:05:17,360 The issue with-- well, I don't find it-- 121 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:19,700 I don't see it as important as this building 122 00:05:19,700 --> 00:05:21,860 because we have the checkpoint and we 123 00:05:21,860 --> 00:05:25,780 have staff that are in that lower 124 00:05:25,780 --> 00:05:27,740 level of the courthouse, which is the worst 125 00:05:27,740 --> 00:05:29,000 part for radio reception. 126 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:32,220 But we have that manned with staff. 127 00:05:32,220 --> 00:05:37,620 And if something happens, everything's on camera, per se. 128 00:05:37,620 --> 00:05:40,500 And so that'll get addressed next year. 129 00:05:40,500 --> 00:05:42,900 And I don't see a huge cost savings in doing 130 00:05:42,900 --> 00:05:45,460 them both at the same time. 131 00:05:45,460 --> 00:05:47,940 But by doing one this year, it keeps 132 00:05:47,940 --> 00:05:50,090 that $80,000 off the levee. 133 00:05:50,090 --> 00:05:54,797 And then next year, it can be budgeted for. 134 00:05:54,797 --> 00:05:56,530 STEVE UNDERDAHL: And just to make a comment, because 135 00:05:56,530 --> 00:05:58,390 of my time when I was in city council, 136 00:05:58,390 --> 00:06:02,010 and particularly when 800 megahertz came into being, 137 00:06:02,010 --> 00:06:03,450 the tower's up-- 138 00:06:03,450 --> 00:06:04,810 just so a lot of people understand it-- 139 00:06:04,810 --> 00:06:08,210 a tower is up on the east side of Faribault, and with the bluff 140 00:06:08,210 --> 00:06:12,950 out there, most of downtown is shielded from the signal. 141 00:06:12,950 --> 00:06:16,510 So this is not a unique problem to our facilities. 142 00:06:16,510 --> 00:06:18,750 Actually, a lot of the downtown buildings, 143 00:06:18,750 --> 00:06:21,950 if law enforcement has to go into lower level of noise, 144 00:06:21,950 --> 00:06:24,670 they have no connectivity at all. 145 00:06:24,670 --> 00:06:26,530 MALE SPEAKER: And I know we've used 146 00:06:26,530 --> 00:06:30,410 Bechtel for our Public Safety Center when we built that. 147 00:06:30,410 --> 00:06:35,010 And I believe talking with the emergency manager director, Joe 148 00:06:35,010 --> 00:06:41,450 Johnson, that this is part of the fire code, Appendix P, 149 00:06:41,450 --> 00:06:43,610 to have this system put in. 150 00:06:43,610 --> 00:06:46,070 Now, given the fact that when this building was built, 151 00:06:46,070 --> 00:06:47,430 it probably wasn't part of it. 152 00:06:47,430 --> 00:06:49,090 But when we did the remodel, it probably 153 00:06:49,090 --> 00:06:52,860 should have been addressed. 154 00:06:52,860 --> 00:06:55,650 So it needs to get done. 155 00:06:55,650 --> 00:06:58,290 So I'm just asking for your approval. 156 00:06:58,290 --> 00:07:00,130 JIM PURFEERST: I have a question. 157 00:07:00,130 --> 00:07:03,530 After this is installed, what kind of range 158 00:07:03,530 --> 00:07:05,630 are you expecting to get with these radios? 159 00:07:05,630 --> 00:07:07,770 Are you going to be able to get on one of your portables 160 00:07:07,770 --> 00:07:10,950 and talk to a deputy up in Lonsdale, for an example, 161 00:07:10,950 --> 00:07:11,517 if you need help? 162 00:07:11,517 --> 00:07:13,250 MALE SPEAKER: We should be able to get on our radios 163 00:07:13,250 --> 00:07:14,510 and talk to anybody in the state. 164 00:07:14,510 --> 00:07:15,230 JIM PURFEERST: In the state. 165 00:07:15,230 --> 00:07:15,830 MALE SPEAKER: Yep. 166 00:07:15,830 --> 00:07:17,810 JIM PURFEERST: OK. 167 00:07:17,810 --> 00:07:19,770 GALEN MALECHA: Motion to approve. 168 00:07:19,770 --> 00:07:21,030 JIM PURFEERST: Second. 169 00:07:21,030 --> 00:07:22,930 CHARLIE PETERS: We have a motion by Commissioner Malecha, 170 00:07:22,930 --> 00:07:25,730 second by Commissioner Purfeerst for approval of the radio 171 00:07:25,730 --> 00:07:27,250 boosters. 172 00:07:27,250 --> 00:07:29,610 Any other discussion? 173 00:07:29,610 --> 00:07:31,210 All those in favor, say "Aye." 174 00:07:31,210 --> 00:07:31,870 ALL: Aye. 175 00:07:31,870 --> 00:07:32,990 CHARLIE PETERS: Both same sign. 176 00:07:32,990 --> 00:07:34,310 Motion passes. 177 00:07:34,310 --> 00:07:34,910 Thank you. 178 00:07:34,910 --> 00:07:36,210 MALE SPEAKER: Thank you. 179 00:07:36,210 --> 00:07:38,850 CHARLIE PETERS: Environmental Services, Julie. 180 00:07:38,850 --> 00:07:45,520 181 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:46,607 JULIE: Good morning. 182 00:07:46,607 --> 00:07:47,540 JIM PURFEERST: Good morning. 183 00:07:47,540 --> 00:07:47,940 GERRY HOISINGTON: Good morning. 184 00:07:47,940 --> 00:07:49,820 JULIE: To have a few items from the Planning Commission. 185 00:07:49,820 --> 00:07:53,480 The first item is from a request from the Towers, LLC, 186 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:55,380 on behalf of landowner Don Stadler, 187 00:07:55,380 --> 00:07:56,760 for a conditional use permit to allow 188 00:07:56,760 --> 00:08:00,473 for a communication tower in Section 32 of Walcott Township. 189 00:08:00,473 --> 00:08:01,840 And the Planning Commission did recommend 190 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:04,360 approval with eight conditions. 191 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:07,160 JIM PURFEERST: Motion to approve with the eight conditions. 192 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:08,353 STEVE UNDERDAHL: Second. 193 00:08:08,353 --> 00:08:10,320 CHARLIE PETERS: We have a motion by Commissioner Purfeerst, 194 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:14,840 second by Commissioner Underdahl for approval of the Towers 195 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:16,520 conditional use permit. 196 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:18,960 Any discussion? 197 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:21,440 Seeing none, all those in favor, say "Aye." 198 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:23,360 ALL: Aye. 199 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:25,240 CHARLIE PETERS: Against, same sign. 200 00:08:25,240 --> 00:08:27,560 Motion passes. 201 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:29,640 JULIE: Next request is from Robert Gadicki 202 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:31,680 for an interim use permit for aggregate mining 203 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:35,200 operations for excavation of a pond in Section 28 204 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:36,220 of Waukon Township. 205 00:08:36,220 --> 00:08:37,799 The Planning Commission did recommend 206 00:08:37,799 --> 00:08:41,600 approval with 11 conditions. 207 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:43,679 GALEN MALECHA: Motion to approve. 208 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:46,560 GERRY HOISINGTON: Second. 209 00:08:46,560 --> 00:08:48,480 CHARLIE PETERS: We have a motion by Commissioner Malecha, 210 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:50,840 second by Commissioner Hoisington 211 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:55,200 for the approval of the interim use permit for mining. 212 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:58,400 Any discussion? 213 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:00,480 All those in favor, say "Aye." 214 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:01,060 ALL: Aye. 215 00:09:01,060 --> 00:09:02,360 CHARLIE PETERS: Opposed, same sign. 216 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:04,040 Motion passes. 217 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:06,060 JULIE: And then I have a request from Tom O'Mara, 218 00:09:06,060 --> 00:09:07,860 on behalf of landowner Paula Johnson, 219 00:09:07,860 --> 00:09:10,640 for a final plat to create two residential building lots. 220 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:12,740 And this is in Section 8 of Wells Township. 221 00:09:12,740 --> 00:09:15,680 Planning staff is recommending approval with three conditions. 222 00:09:15,680 --> 00:09:17,800 STEVE UNDERDAHL: Move to approve. 223 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:19,447 GALEN MALECHA: Second. 224 00:09:19,447 --> 00:09:21,080 CHARLIE PETERS: Motion by Commissioner Underdahl, 225 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:25,700 second by Commissioner Malecha for approval of the final plat. 226 00:09:25,700 --> 00:09:28,360 Any discussion? 227 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:29,980 All those in favor, say "Aye." 228 00:09:29,980 --> 00:09:30,653 ALL: Aye. 229 00:09:30,653 --> 00:09:31,820 CHARLIE PETERS: Opposed, same sign. 230 00:09:31,820 --> 00:09:34,080 Motion passes. 231 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:36,760 JULIE: The next request is from Joe Franek for final plat 232 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:39,680 to separate a lot from an existing home in Section 15 233 00:09:39,680 --> 00:09:42,630 of Wheatland Township, and the planning staff recommended 234 00:09:42,630 --> 00:09:46,110 approval with three conditions. 235 00:09:46,110 --> 00:09:48,600 STEVE UNDERDAHL: Move to approve. 236 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:49,483 GERRY HOISINGTON: Second. 237 00:09:49,483 --> 00:09:51,250 CHARLIE PETERS: The motion by Commissioner Underdahl, 238 00:09:51,250 --> 00:09:53,470 a second by Commissioner Hoisington 239 00:09:53,470 --> 00:09:55,530 for approval of the final plat. 240 00:09:55,530 --> 00:09:57,590 Any discussion? 241 00:09:57,590 --> 00:09:58,370 Seeing none. 242 00:09:58,370 --> 00:09:59,890 All those in favor, say "Aye." 243 00:09:59,890 --> 00:10:00,723 ALL: Aye. 244 00:10:00,723 --> 00:10:01,890 CHARLIE PETERS: Opposed, same sign. 245 00:10:01,890 --> 00:10:02,823 Motion passes. 246 00:10:02,823 --> 00:10:03,690 FEMALE SPEAKER: Thank you. 247 00:10:03,690 --> 00:10:06,150 CHARLIE PETERS: Thank you. 248 00:10:06,150 --> 00:10:11,450 Next, we have Child and Family, Chris. 249 00:10:11,450 --> 00:10:16,890 250 00:10:16,890 --> 00:10:18,290 CHRIS SAMMON: Good morning, Commissioners. 251 00:10:18,290 --> 00:10:18,870 CHARLIE PETERS: Good morning. 252 00:10:18,870 --> 00:10:19,703 STEVE UNDERDAHL: Morning. 253 00:10:19,703 --> 00:10:21,770 CHRIS SAMMON: I'm here with Supervisor Tina Johnston. 254 00:10:21,770 --> 00:10:23,930 She is the supervisor of a child support unit. 255 00:10:23,930 --> 00:10:26,110 And we'll be talking with you this morning about a new grant 256 00:10:26,110 --> 00:10:27,990 that we've been awarded. 257 00:10:27,990 --> 00:10:31,230 So, Rice County, on behalf of the Next Step multi-county 258 00:10:31,230 --> 00:10:33,990 partnership has been awarded a three-year grant 259 00:10:33,990 --> 00:10:36,470 to provide employment and training 260 00:10:36,470 --> 00:10:39,110 services to non-custodial parents 261 00:10:39,110 --> 00:10:41,350 with child support orders. 262 00:10:41,350 --> 00:10:44,310 This program provides opportunities for participants 263 00:10:44,310 --> 00:10:48,590 to build work skills and establish long-term employment 264 00:10:48,590 --> 00:10:51,590 and financial stability, and ability to meet their child 265 00:10:51,590 --> 00:10:53,750 support obligations. 266 00:10:53,750 --> 00:10:57,310 Funding for the program comes from the federal new generations 267 00:10:57,310 --> 00:10:59,710 employment services grant awarded 268 00:10:59,710 --> 00:11:02,910 to Minnesota late of 2024. 269 00:11:02,910 --> 00:11:05,310 The program has been in planning and developing 270 00:11:05,310 --> 00:11:07,670 for the last two years and is now ready to roll 271 00:11:07,670 --> 00:11:10,150 out to the counties. 272 00:11:10,150 --> 00:11:14,830 So Rice County has been awarded $24,615 273 00:11:14,830 --> 00:11:21,070 annually for three years, which will total $73,845. 274 00:11:21,070 --> 00:11:23,670 And this will be contracted to Workforce Development, 275 00:11:23,670 --> 00:11:27,230 Incorporated, WDI, which is our local employment 276 00:11:27,230 --> 00:11:28,990 services partner. 277 00:11:28,990 --> 00:11:32,390 The contract has been received from the child support division 278 00:11:32,390 --> 00:11:35,270 at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, 279 00:11:35,270 --> 00:11:38,790 and has been reviewed by the Rice County attorney's office, 280 00:11:38,790 --> 00:11:41,350 and is ready for signature. 281 00:11:41,350 --> 00:11:43,910 With the board's approval, when the contract 282 00:11:43,910 --> 00:11:48,390 has been fully executed, a service agreement with Workforce 283 00:11:48,390 --> 00:11:51,950 Development, Incorporated, WDI, will be prepared, reviewed 284 00:11:51,950 --> 00:11:54,710 by the county attorney's office, and 285 00:11:54,710 --> 00:11:58,750 a service agreement will then be executed 286 00:11:58,750 --> 00:12:00,430 to implement the services. 287 00:12:00,430 --> 00:12:04,350 So no new positions will be needed for Rice County Social 288 00:12:04,350 --> 00:12:08,350 Services to administer the contract 289 00:12:08,350 --> 00:12:11,650 nor for the master service agreement with WDI. 290 00:12:11,650 --> 00:12:13,510 So with that, I'm going to pass it over to Tina, 291 00:12:13,510 --> 00:12:15,090 and she'll walk us through some slides. 292 00:12:15,090 --> 00:12:21,050 293 00:12:21,050 --> 00:12:22,650 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: Good morning, Commissioners. 294 00:12:22,650 --> 00:12:24,650 Again, that's Christina Johnston. 295 00:12:24,650 --> 00:12:27,550 And I am fortunate to have been invited 296 00:12:27,550 --> 00:12:30,070 to speak about the Next Generation Employment 297 00:12:30,070 --> 00:12:32,910 Services Demonstrative Grant. 298 00:12:32,910 --> 00:12:36,540 On this next slide, you'll see that this grant is 299 00:12:36,540 --> 00:12:38,620 a five-year federal grant awarded 300 00:12:38,620 --> 00:12:43,300 to Minnesota DCYF Child Support in late 2024, 301 00:12:43,300 --> 00:12:45,820 and it goes through 2029. 302 00:12:45,820 --> 00:12:48,580 Rice County is part of a multi-county partnership 303 00:12:48,580 --> 00:12:53,460 referred to in our region as Next Step, which 304 00:12:53,460 --> 00:12:55,940 stands for skills training and employment 305 00:12:55,940 --> 00:12:58,380 for non-custodial parents. 306 00:12:58,380 --> 00:13:00,700 Counties participating under this grant 307 00:13:00,700 --> 00:13:04,760 are Douglas, Grant, Pope, Rice, and Traverse, 308 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:08,380 who utilize the same employment services agency. 309 00:13:08,380 --> 00:13:10,980 Additional counties participating 310 00:13:10,980 --> 00:13:14,200 are Sherburne, Hennepin, and White Earth County. 311 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:17,060 312 00:13:17,060 --> 00:13:19,440 Rice County will receive an annual award, 313 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:24,800 as Chris stated, of $24,615 over a three-year period, 314 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:30,540 totaling $73,845. 315 00:13:30,540 --> 00:13:34,940 This is a pass-through contract for services. 316 00:13:34,940 --> 00:13:36,940 Rice County partners with Workforce 317 00:13:36,940 --> 00:13:41,400 Development, Incorporated for employment services. 318 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:43,700 We have a current contract for Minnesota 319 00:13:43,700 --> 00:13:47,340 Family Investment Program and a proven partnership. 320 00:13:47,340 --> 00:13:50,780 And again, there will be no new staff hired by Rice County 321 00:13:50,780 --> 00:13:54,220 to provide these grant services. 322 00:13:54,220 --> 00:13:56,980 My team will be serving an estimated 43 323 00:13:56,980 --> 00:13:59,520 noncustodial parents over three years, 324 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:02,380 focusing on cases who have contempt orders, 325 00:14:02,380 --> 00:14:06,900 have exhausted unemployment, and have made partial payments. 326 00:14:06,900 --> 00:14:12,260 Roughly 279 of our clients are eligible for this program, 327 00:14:12,260 --> 00:14:16,800 and about 40% of those residents are residing in Rice County, 328 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:17,360 rather. 329 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:20,620 330 00:14:20,620 --> 00:14:24,720 Under the Employment and Training Services Program, 331 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:27,980 the things that are required would be case management, skills 332 00:14:27,980 --> 00:14:31,540 assessments, developing and executed employment, 333 00:14:31,540 --> 00:14:35,930 and training services plan, providing work supports as 334 00:14:35,930 --> 00:14:38,670 needed, monitoring participant progress, 335 00:14:38,670 --> 00:14:41,210 communicating regularly with the child support case 336 00:14:41,210 --> 00:14:45,410 manager, our office, and then the employment service provider 337 00:14:45,410 --> 00:14:49,490 is expected to provide job search assistance, job readiness 338 00:14:49,490 --> 00:14:53,570 training, job development and job placement services, job 339 00:14:53,570 --> 00:14:56,870 retention services, and work supports, 340 00:14:56,870 --> 00:15:00,930 such as transportation assistance. 341 00:15:00,930 --> 00:15:05,250 That's a little bit about this grant and the services 342 00:15:05,250 --> 00:15:07,790 that will be provided by our agency, 343 00:15:07,790 --> 00:15:10,150 and then extending into the employment services. 344 00:15:10,150 --> 00:15:13,490 Does anybody have any questions? 345 00:15:13,490 --> 00:15:15,243 CHARLIE PETERS: Commissioner Purfeerst. 346 00:15:15,243 --> 00:15:16,410 JIM PURFEERST: I read in there that 347 00:15:16,410 --> 00:15:19,330 the prevailing wage will kick in from the state 348 00:15:19,330 --> 00:15:22,250 after a $25,000 grant. 349 00:15:22,250 --> 00:15:24,490 Is that going to be within the realm of what we're doing 350 00:15:24,490 --> 00:15:25,870 here within our county then? 351 00:15:25,870 --> 00:15:28,330 Or where does this wage go to? 352 00:15:28,330 --> 00:15:30,670 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: I'm sorry, I guess I'm not understanding. 353 00:15:30,670 --> 00:15:32,283 What do you mean, wage? 354 00:15:32,283 --> 00:15:33,450 JIM PURFEERST: There's a prevailing 355 00:15:33,450 --> 00:15:37,370 wage clause in this thing. 356 00:15:37,370 --> 00:15:42,490 And it's on over $25,000, you have to follow their guidelines. 357 00:15:42,490 --> 00:15:44,990 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: For jobs received, 358 00:15:44,990 --> 00:15:48,810 are we speaking about participants in the program 359 00:15:48,810 --> 00:15:51,050 or are we speaking about staff? 360 00:15:51,050 --> 00:15:53,930 JIM PURFEERST: I was assuming that would be staff in there. 361 00:15:53,930 --> 00:15:57,070 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: Staff, it's just a pass-through grant. 362 00:15:57,070 --> 00:16:01,650 So whatever staffing needs that the contracted services they 363 00:16:01,650 --> 00:16:04,310 would need, it would just be under that funded amount, 364 00:16:04,310 --> 00:16:07,730 the $23,000-- 365 00:16:07,730 --> 00:16:11,890 I'm going to miss that number here-- $24,615. 366 00:16:11,890 --> 00:16:13,090 JIM PURFEERST: Yeah, and I was going 367 00:16:13,090 --> 00:16:16,930 to ask if that's-- in total, the grant is $73,000-something, 368 00:16:16,930 --> 00:16:17,450 but-- 369 00:16:17,450 --> 00:16:18,730 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: Over the next three years, yeah. 370 00:16:18,730 --> 00:16:20,090 JIM PURFEERST: It didn't clarify to me 371 00:16:20,090 --> 00:16:22,010 whether that was a yearly-- 372 00:16:22,010 --> 00:16:23,770 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: Yep, it'll be an annual. 373 00:16:23,770 --> 00:16:25,690 This one, this particular-- 374 00:16:25,690 --> 00:16:27,810 JIM PURFEERST: But as far as following their guidelines 375 00:16:27,810 --> 00:16:29,760 for that prevailing wage-- 376 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:31,890 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: Right. 377 00:16:31,890 --> 00:16:32,490 JIM PURFEERST: OK. 378 00:16:32,490 --> 00:16:37,560 379 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:40,760 CHARLIE PETERS: That one figure, 40%, 380 00:16:40,760 --> 00:16:43,420 live in Rice County out of all those other counties. 381 00:16:43,420 --> 00:16:45,220 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: Not out of all the other counties. 382 00:16:45,220 --> 00:16:47,740 Out of the 279 participants. 383 00:16:47,740 --> 00:16:49,640 A unique thing about child support 384 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:51,440 is that all our participants don't 385 00:16:51,440 --> 00:16:53,460 actually reside in Rice County. 386 00:16:53,460 --> 00:16:55,640 It's because it's established by jurisdiction 387 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:57,000 through court order. 388 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,080 So somebody could obtain a court order in Dakota County 389 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:04,480 and one participant, a non-custodial parent or a payer, 390 00:17:04,480 --> 00:17:07,280 would live and reside in Dakota County, 391 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:11,440 but maybe the custodial parent has moved down to Rice County. 392 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:14,940 And we've maybe registered a court order here, 393 00:17:14,940 --> 00:17:17,700 but that participant still resides in Dakota County. 394 00:17:17,700 --> 00:17:19,800 They wouldn't be eligible for the workforce center 395 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:24,819 to serve them, but I could direct them, in partnership, 396 00:17:24,819 --> 00:17:30,380 Hennepin County would agree to provide those services in kind. 397 00:17:30,380 --> 00:17:31,380 CHARLIE PETERS: OK, thank you. 398 00:17:31,380 --> 00:17:32,547 FEMALE SPEAKER: And if I could just 399 00:17:32,547 --> 00:17:34,520 add clarification on the prevailing wage question. 400 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:34,720 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: Thank you. 401 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:36,440 FEMALE SPEAKER: 18.2 addresses prevailing 402 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:38,460 wage, and that's for projects that include construction. 403 00:17:38,460 --> 00:17:41,620 This is just a services contract and not a construction contract. 404 00:17:41,620 --> 00:17:45,407 So that does not apply to what we're engaging in with WDI. 405 00:17:45,407 --> 00:17:47,140 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: Thank you for the clarification. 406 00:17:47,140 --> 00:17:49,760 I wasn't exactly-- 407 00:17:49,760 --> 00:17:51,060 CHARLIE PETERS: Any other questions? 408 00:17:51,060 --> 00:17:51,680 Comments? 409 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:54,320 410 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:55,840 Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion 411 00:17:55,840 --> 00:18:00,760 for acceptance of the grant. 412 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:02,960 GALEN MALECHA: Motion to approve. 413 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:04,193 STEVE UNDERDAHL: Second. 414 00:18:04,193 --> 00:18:05,460 CHARLIE PETERS: Motion by Commissioner 415 00:18:05,460 --> 00:18:08,080 Malecha, second by Commissioner Underdahl for approval 416 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:10,240 of the grant. 417 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:13,520 Any discussion? 418 00:18:13,520 --> 00:18:15,680 Seeing none, all those in favor say, "aye." 419 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:16,380 ALL: Aye. 420 00:18:16,380 --> 00:18:18,360 CHARLIE PETERS: Opposed, same sign. 421 00:18:18,360 --> 00:18:19,580 Grant approved. 422 00:18:19,580 --> 00:18:20,620 Thank you. 423 00:18:20,620 --> 00:18:21,620 CHRISTINA JOHNSTON: Thank you. 424 00:18:21,620 --> 00:18:24,590 425 00:18:24,590 --> 00:18:28,590 CHARLIE PETERS: Next, we have Community Services, Rick. 426 00:18:28,590 --> 00:18:29,770 RICK: Good morning, Commissioners. 427 00:18:29,770 --> 00:18:30,737 CHARLIE PETERS: Good morning. 428 00:18:30,737 --> 00:18:32,477 JIM PURFEERST: Morning. 429 00:18:32,477 --> 00:18:33,210 RICK: Well, thank you. 430 00:18:33,210 --> 00:18:35,750 Thanks for the opportunity for Community Services 431 00:18:35,750 --> 00:18:38,590 to come up here and share some updates regarding 432 00:18:38,590 --> 00:18:42,310 the legislative changes that are going to have an impact, 433 00:18:42,310 --> 00:18:46,710 and share a little bit about our 2027 outlook. 434 00:18:46,710 --> 00:18:53,550 I have Chris Sammon, Mike Johnston, Megan Thomas, 435 00:18:53,550 --> 00:18:55,130 and Angela with me here today. 436 00:18:55,130 --> 00:19:00,310 So they'll share some updates from their divisions as well. 437 00:19:00,310 --> 00:19:02,150 But real quick, I just wanted to point 438 00:19:02,150 --> 00:19:06,690 out, in regards to our organizational structure-- 439 00:19:06,690 --> 00:19:09,030 thanks, Sarah. 440 00:19:09,030 --> 00:19:13,270 We have 186 employees over the four departments, 441 00:19:13,270 --> 00:19:14,810 and that stayed pretty intact. 442 00:19:14,810 --> 00:19:20,430 We're not making any additional requests for 2027. 443 00:19:20,430 --> 00:19:25,250 We haven't made any requests or added any for 2026. 444 00:19:25,250 --> 00:19:27,710 We do have one position here, probably 445 00:19:27,710 --> 00:19:30,230 this fall, the Compass coordinator, 446 00:19:30,230 --> 00:19:32,070 but that is grant funded. 447 00:19:32,070 --> 00:19:33,810 And I just wanted to point that out, 448 00:19:33,810 --> 00:19:39,350 because what we're seeing here, with our caseloads and our work, 449 00:19:39,350 --> 00:19:42,030 the volume of our work is increasing. 450 00:19:42,030 --> 00:19:46,190 And with the cost shifts that are coming from the state, 451 00:19:46,190 --> 00:19:49,070 it puts us in that challenging position 452 00:19:49,070 --> 00:19:52,570 where we're kind of being asked to do more with less. 453 00:19:52,570 --> 00:19:55,590 But that's not a bad thing. 454 00:19:55,590 --> 00:19:58,130 There's a lot of opportunity that comes with that, too. 455 00:19:58,130 --> 00:20:01,230 And I think that's where we as an organization 456 00:20:01,230 --> 00:20:06,070 work closely together, also with our other county departments 457 00:20:06,070 --> 00:20:08,290 and external partners. 458 00:20:08,290 --> 00:20:10,510 And one of the things I thank you 459 00:20:10,510 --> 00:20:16,310 guys for your support, and also Sandy's work, and Facilities, 460 00:20:16,310 --> 00:20:19,950 Chris, Sam, and Nicole is the telematics. 461 00:20:19,950 --> 00:20:25,140 And one thing to share is that last year alone, 462 00:20:25,140 --> 00:20:29,680 between Community Corrections and Social Services, 463 00:20:29,680 --> 00:20:35,860 what we paid out in mileage was $282,000. 464 00:20:35,860 --> 00:20:40,140 $155,000 of that was in personal mileage. 465 00:20:40,140 --> 00:20:44,460 So we really want to shift and have more use of that motor pool 466 00:20:44,460 --> 00:20:45,840 than our personal mileage. 467 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:49,820 And so this is one great way to seek an efficiency 468 00:20:49,820 --> 00:20:54,300 and help us through our budget and some of these changes. 469 00:20:54,300 --> 00:20:57,740 Another one we're looking at is into the use 470 00:20:57,740 --> 00:21:01,820 of AI, artificial intelligence. 471 00:21:01,820 --> 00:21:05,820 That technology some counties are using specifically 472 00:21:05,820 --> 00:21:08,500 in their Social Services departments 473 00:21:08,500 --> 00:21:12,500 to help field large volume of calls, 474 00:21:12,500 --> 00:21:15,860 and also take the calls for people applying 475 00:21:15,860 --> 00:21:20,420 for public assistance where then AI is reading the rights 476 00:21:20,420 --> 00:21:22,340 and responsibilities. 477 00:21:22,340 --> 00:21:25,600 And Mike Johnston and I kind of looked into that a bit, 478 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:27,860 and I think we came up with-- 479 00:21:27,860 --> 00:21:31,860 working with IT too-- that the volume of calls that 480 00:21:31,860 --> 00:21:34,740 we take in Social Services is a little 481 00:21:34,740 --> 00:21:38,260 around 35,000 for the year. 482 00:21:38,260 --> 00:21:42,500 And a lot of employee time is spent on reading the rights 483 00:21:42,500 --> 00:21:44,340 and responsibilities. 484 00:21:44,340 --> 00:21:47,420 So this is something we're looking at too. 485 00:21:47,420 --> 00:21:49,740 Reimbursements. 486 00:21:49,740 --> 00:21:51,220 I'll share real quick. 487 00:21:51,220 --> 00:21:54,860 That kind of regards our juvenile out-of-home placements. 488 00:21:54,860 --> 00:21:56,860 The per diem to place the juvenile 489 00:21:56,860 --> 00:22:01,920 has significantly increased just in the last five or six years. 490 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:07,620 There's a great cost to these line items in our budget, 491 00:22:07,620 --> 00:22:10,860 whereas in the past, we usually did a good job 492 00:22:10,860 --> 00:22:12,540 staying under budget. 493 00:22:12,540 --> 00:22:14,740 We go over budget now in these areas, 494 00:22:14,740 --> 00:22:17,100 and we're having less placements. 495 00:22:17,100 --> 00:22:20,880 That's how much the impact these rising costs are. 496 00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:26,260 So one thing that we'll try to take a deep look into is, 497 00:22:26,260 --> 00:22:32,820 are we collecting everything we can from MA or even Title 4E 498 00:22:32,820 --> 00:22:35,780 to get some reimbursement back for the cost 499 00:22:35,780 --> 00:22:37,500 of these placements. 500 00:22:37,500 --> 00:22:42,400 And then finally, continue to focus on employee retention. 501 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:47,300 There's a greater cost at continuing to hire, and onboard, 502 00:22:47,300 --> 00:22:48,520 and train new staff. 503 00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:51,400 So we're looking at that as well. 504 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:56,120 So certainly, we have some challenges ahead of us. 505 00:22:56,120 --> 00:22:58,040 But there's good news too. 506 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:01,880 So we're optimistic here. 507 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:04,620 And we'll pass it over here to Chris Sammon 508 00:23:04,620 --> 00:23:05,980 to share some things from the Child 509 00:23:05,980 --> 00:23:08,180 and Family Services Division. 510 00:23:08,180 --> 00:23:08,933 Thank you. 511 00:23:08,933 --> 00:23:09,800 CHARLIE PETERS: Thank you. 512 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:12,247 513 00:23:12,247 --> 00:23:13,480 CHRIS SAMMON: Passing it to me first, 514 00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:14,600 because I'm the good news. 515 00:23:14,600 --> 00:23:16,970 [LAUGHS] 516 00:23:16,970 --> 00:23:19,410 I'll share with you that, and we spoke about this 517 00:23:19,410 --> 00:23:21,370 before, there's some special one-time money 518 00:23:21,370 --> 00:23:23,850 that's coming in 2027. 519 00:23:23,850 --> 00:23:25,250 There's a lot of work that will be done 520 00:23:25,250 --> 00:23:30,290 in the legislative session to try and build that out to being 521 00:23:30,290 --> 00:23:31,610 ongoing, because it's certainly going 522 00:23:31,610 --> 00:23:35,070 to be some additional areas that we'll need some resources. 523 00:23:35,070 --> 00:23:37,330 But we do have that one-time funding coming 524 00:23:37,330 --> 00:23:39,530 for the implementation of the Minnesota 525 00:23:39,530 --> 00:23:42,330 African-American Family Preservation Child 526 00:23:42,330 --> 00:23:45,290 Welfare Proportionality Act. 527 00:23:45,290 --> 00:23:49,550 We will be getting some guidance within the next couple of weeks 528 00:23:49,550 --> 00:23:54,010 that's promised to know which specific areas will be focused 529 00:23:54,010 --> 00:23:56,890 on with that Act for 2027. 530 00:23:56,890 --> 00:24:01,050 And it's written in there that every two years, 531 00:24:01,050 --> 00:24:03,930 the specific group that gets those services 532 00:24:03,930 --> 00:24:06,810 is determined based on the disproportionality 533 00:24:06,810 --> 00:24:07,950 across the state. 534 00:24:07,950 --> 00:24:12,130 So much more to come with that one. 535 00:24:12,130 --> 00:24:14,930 We were also awarded, as we spoke last week, 536 00:24:14,930 --> 00:24:17,250 about the Regional Child and Adolescent 537 00:24:17,250 --> 00:24:19,110 Mental Health Initiative grant. 538 00:24:19,110 --> 00:24:21,570 This is going to be building out some services in our child 539 00:24:21,570 --> 00:24:24,050 mental health area. 540 00:24:24,050 --> 00:24:27,530 And I can report that overall, the allocations 541 00:24:27,530 --> 00:24:32,090 and grants in my division have been fairly stable. 542 00:24:32,090 --> 00:24:37,170 Across the spectrum of them, we have a change 543 00:24:37,170 --> 00:24:39,390 of an increase of about $3,000. 544 00:24:39,390 --> 00:24:42,870 So some of them dipped a little, some went up a little. 545 00:24:42,870 --> 00:24:47,510 This is separate from that one time allocation of $129,000. 546 00:24:47,510 --> 00:24:50,090 So for the most part, the allocations in my area 547 00:24:50,090 --> 00:24:51,890 have been pretty stable. 548 00:24:51,890 --> 00:24:55,530 As Rick just alluded to, there is many mandated programming 549 00:24:55,530 --> 00:24:58,770 costs in the Child and Family Services area, especially 550 00:24:58,770 --> 00:25:00,570 with those out-of-home placements. 551 00:25:00,570 --> 00:25:04,490 And as he mentioned, we are serving fewer 552 00:25:04,490 --> 00:25:06,250 in out-of-home placement, and it's 553 00:25:06,250 --> 00:25:09,970 costing much more than we've been able to 554 00:25:09,970 --> 00:25:12,300 or that we have been budgeting in the past. 555 00:25:12,300 --> 00:25:14,580 This year we are coming in under budget, 556 00:25:14,580 --> 00:25:17,200 but in our area, that's one or two 557 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:20,620 significant placements away from changing the story on that. 558 00:25:20,620 --> 00:25:22,700 So that's the good news. 559 00:25:22,700 --> 00:25:25,673 I'll hand it over now to my partners. 560 00:25:25,673 --> 00:25:26,540 CHARLIE PETERS: Thank you. 561 00:25:26,540 --> 00:25:31,640 562 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:33,820 Who's going to keep the good news coming? 563 00:25:33,820 --> 00:25:35,772 [LAUGHTER] 564 00:25:35,772 --> 00:25:39,280 565 00:25:39,280 --> 00:25:41,320 MEGAN THOMAS: I thought I was last for a reason. 566 00:25:41,320 --> 00:25:44,283 So good morning, Commissioners. 567 00:25:44,283 --> 00:25:45,250 CHARLIE PETERS: Good morning. 568 00:25:45,250 --> 00:25:46,920 MEGAN THOMAS: Adult Services. 569 00:25:46,920 --> 00:25:51,400 Many of you have heard many of these impacts coming our way 570 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:53,460 specifically to Adult Services. 571 00:25:53,460 --> 00:25:57,680 And I feel we have a pretty significant potential of things. 572 00:25:57,680 --> 00:26:00,040 We've got one legislative session ahead of us 573 00:26:00,040 --> 00:26:03,600 where MACSSA is working really diligently-- 574 00:26:03,600 --> 00:26:06,280 actually, we're leaving for MACSSA this afternoon-- 575 00:26:06,280 --> 00:26:09,120 to start grinding out our legislative priorities 576 00:26:09,120 --> 00:26:10,380 to address these things. 577 00:26:10,380 --> 00:26:12,320 So we'll start with the potential impact 578 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:18,120 of long-term services and supports and those cost shifts. 579 00:26:18,120 --> 00:26:22,720 What initially appeared to be a potential, either 2% or 5%, 580 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:25,660 hit to waivered residential services, 581 00:26:25,660 --> 00:26:28,960 is now looking to be a little bit different. 582 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:33,340 DHS has put out some preliminary reports for each county, 583 00:26:33,340 --> 00:26:35,880 and MACSSA has shared that with us. 584 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:38,320 We are still seeking some additional input 585 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:40,820 from DHS on what this is going to look like. 586 00:26:40,820 --> 00:26:44,000 And so right now, what we're hearing 587 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:47,140 is that counties are going to lie somewhere in the middle. 588 00:26:47,140 --> 00:26:53,520 And for us, that looks to be maybe at about 3.5% overarching. 589 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:57,120 And the different categories of residential services, 590 00:26:57,120 --> 00:26:59,600 I should share with you, that get looked at 591 00:26:59,600 --> 00:27:03,180 has to do with waivered residential settings. 592 00:27:03,180 --> 00:27:06,910 So group homes, foster care, customized living, 593 00:27:06,910 --> 00:27:11,090 family residential services, and integrated community support. 594 00:27:11,090 --> 00:27:17,870 So general overview, in 2024, the Developmental Disabilities 595 00:27:17,870 --> 00:27:25,110 unit put out really more than $25 million in DD Services 596 00:27:25,110 --> 00:27:26,310 here in Rice County. 597 00:27:26,310 --> 00:27:30,750 And Cat Caddy NBI, the other waiver programming, 598 00:27:30,750 --> 00:27:33,710 put out about $20 million. 599 00:27:33,710 --> 00:27:42,030 So if 2028 looks to be at that 3.5% cost shift, what they're 600 00:27:42,030 --> 00:27:45,510 saying now a little bit more, and again, we're trying to get 601 00:27:45,510 --> 00:27:48,110 more specific in the weeds, is that's going 602 00:27:48,110 --> 00:27:50,810 to change every year if we get faced with that. 603 00:27:50,810 --> 00:27:52,810 And that's going to really depend. 604 00:27:52,810 --> 00:27:53,970 Our numbers fluctuate. 605 00:27:53,970 --> 00:27:57,550 We're not always consistent with case numbers. 606 00:27:57,550 --> 00:27:59,910 So we're hoping to get more guidance 607 00:27:59,910 --> 00:28:02,010 and get real about what those numbers are. 608 00:28:02,010 --> 00:28:05,110 But like I said, going into this legislative session, 609 00:28:05,110 --> 00:28:07,270 we're really hoping. 610 00:28:07,270 --> 00:28:09,950 Last year, there was an advisory task force 611 00:28:09,950 --> 00:28:13,310 that was mandated to be put together to look at these cost 612 00:28:13,310 --> 00:28:18,310 shifts and have a group of very well-rounded, talented people 613 00:28:18,310 --> 00:28:20,790 across the state that know this work inside 614 00:28:20,790 --> 00:28:23,430 and out to come together and try to come 615 00:28:23,430 --> 00:28:28,030 up with ways that counties can offset this and divert that. 616 00:28:28,030 --> 00:28:31,790 And in the 2026 session, DHS and the state of Minnesota 617 00:28:31,790 --> 00:28:34,590 did not accept any of those recommendations. 618 00:28:34,590 --> 00:28:37,190 And that's why I say we have one last ditch 619 00:28:37,190 --> 00:28:40,390 effort to make this happen so that we're not impacted 620 00:28:40,390 --> 00:28:43,630 with those cost shifts. 621 00:28:43,630 --> 00:28:49,050 We are serving at a more higher rate of increased complexities. 622 00:28:49,050 --> 00:28:53,830 You've heard me say that over and over and over again. 623 00:28:53,830 --> 00:28:56,210 The demand is unbelievable. 624 00:28:56,210 --> 00:29:00,370 And the people we're serving are just at an all-time high. 625 00:29:00,370 --> 00:29:03,260 And this has not stopped since COVID. 626 00:29:03,260 --> 00:29:05,960 And we're trying to serve those people with less resources. 627 00:29:05,960 --> 00:29:08,500 And I know you guys are hearing this all the time, 628 00:29:08,500 --> 00:29:12,260 but it's true, our providers are serving more termination notices 629 00:29:12,260 --> 00:29:14,400 on more of our complex individuals, 630 00:29:14,400 --> 00:29:17,540 which in turn makes the demand of case management, 631 00:29:17,540 --> 00:29:21,740 guardianship, having to try to find appropriate placement 632 00:29:21,740 --> 00:29:23,960 in an appropriate time frame. 633 00:29:23,960 --> 00:29:29,620 So that has really stressed staff out more than we've 634 00:29:29,620 --> 00:29:31,940 ever seen in the past. 635 00:29:31,940 --> 00:29:35,260 We've had an increased demand of programming changes. 636 00:29:35,260 --> 00:29:37,520 MnCHOICES has been one of our biggest ones. 637 00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:42,180 So that is kind of our launch into services 638 00:29:42,180 --> 00:29:44,000 and supports with MnCHOICES. 639 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:46,740 They did a redesign, I've spoken about that 640 00:29:46,740 --> 00:29:50,720 in the past, where they rolled out with MnCHOICES 2.0. 641 00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:55,740 So they really gutted that platform and redid it. 642 00:29:55,740 --> 00:29:59,140 I wouldn't even say we're proficient in it 643 00:29:59,140 --> 00:30:02,120 because there still is always changes. 644 00:30:02,120 --> 00:30:05,900 There's still always problems with the platform. 645 00:30:05,900 --> 00:30:12,700 They ridded of PCA and now have implemented CFSS, which is 646 00:30:12,700 --> 00:30:15,360 more of a budget agency model. 647 00:30:15,360 --> 00:30:21,780 And so this in itself has created an increase in appeals, 648 00:30:21,780 --> 00:30:28,780 because well, DHS as MnCHOICES is more accurate in calculations 649 00:30:28,780 --> 00:30:31,020 and the number of hours people can 650 00:30:31,020 --> 00:30:35,380 receive for support in a day. 651 00:30:35,380 --> 00:30:38,680 It has significantly changed the outcome. 652 00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:40,240 So if somebody was receiving, let's say, 653 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:42,700 eight hours of PCA in a day, now with CFSS, 654 00:30:42,700 --> 00:30:44,200 it might have dropped to five. 655 00:30:44,200 --> 00:30:47,780 And so that brings us right into an appeal, which individuals 656 00:30:47,780 --> 00:30:50,540 have the right to appeal. 657 00:30:50,540 --> 00:30:53,380 I will say this cautiously, our appeals judge 658 00:30:53,380 --> 00:30:56,960 don't really understand MnCHOICES and the process. 659 00:30:56,960 --> 00:30:58,860 And so that takes a lot of time and effort 660 00:30:58,860 --> 00:31:02,010 from our staff to work the appeals 661 00:31:02,010 --> 00:31:06,050 and prove that we're really just following the implementation 662 00:31:06,050 --> 00:31:07,990 of MnCHOICES and CFSS. 663 00:31:07,990 --> 00:31:11,210 And that's what the state has chose to roll out. 664 00:31:11,210 --> 00:31:14,970 CFSS alone, so if somebody accesses that service 665 00:31:14,970 --> 00:31:16,690 and they don't go on a waiver, that is 666 00:31:16,690 --> 00:31:19,270 managed by my MnCHOICES unit. 667 00:31:19,270 --> 00:31:20,870 They don't have case management. 668 00:31:20,870 --> 00:31:25,170 So essentially MnCHOICES is the case management for CFSS. 669 00:31:25,170 --> 00:31:31,890 Another piece to that is that it has created a constant turnover 670 00:31:31,890 --> 00:31:35,330 of staff having to adjust service agreements, 671 00:31:35,330 --> 00:31:37,530 authorization of services. 672 00:31:37,530 --> 00:31:40,330 One of the things that the state rolled out with CFSS 673 00:31:40,330 --> 00:31:42,410 was Consultative Services. 674 00:31:42,410 --> 00:31:44,730 We have lacked the number of providers 675 00:31:44,730 --> 00:31:48,630 to be able to work with families to lift those services up. 676 00:31:48,630 --> 00:31:52,750 So all of that work is dumped back onto the MnCHOICES unit, 677 00:31:52,750 --> 00:31:56,930 and those individuals doing those. 678 00:31:56,930 --> 00:32:02,490 Ironically, that is one of the LTSS Advisory Task Force 679 00:32:02,490 --> 00:32:06,730 recommendations is just to get rid of Consultative Services 680 00:32:06,730 --> 00:32:08,410 altogether. 681 00:32:08,410 --> 00:32:10,850 Which is fine because we're doing it anyways, 682 00:32:10,850 --> 00:32:12,670 but there's no reimbursement for that. 683 00:32:12,670 --> 00:32:16,170 I mean, there is, but it's not catching up with the actual work 684 00:32:16,170 --> 00:32:17,190 that they're doing. 685 00:32:17,190 --> 00:32:19,970 It is a lot higher demand to implement 686 00:32:19,970 --> 00:32:22,610 this support for individuals and families 687 00:32:22,610 --> 00:32:26,570 than what it pays out to be. 688 00:32:26,570 --> 00:32:29,430 The last one is Individualized Home Supports. 689 00:32:29,430 --> 00:32:31,150 So that is another change coming. 690 00:32:31,150 --> 00:32:33,690 We don't have a launch date for that yet. 691 00:32:33,690 --> 00:32:37,530 Individualized Home Supports is where 692 00:32:37,530 --> 00:32:42,490 people can receive services in their own homes 693 00:32:42,490 --> 00:32:43,830 and family homes. 694 00:32:43,830 --> 00:32:46,370 It can be with training, without training. 695 00:32:46,370 --> 00:32:50,010 With training just means that you're actively teaching 696 00:32:50,010 --> 00:32:52,050 somebody to develop a skill. 697 00:32:52,050 --> 00:32:55,610 Without training is that you're trying to maintain skills 698 00:32:55,610 --> 00:32:57,770 that people already have to achieve 699 00:32:57,770 --> 00:32:59,570 that level of independence. 700 00:32:59,570 --> 00:33:03,890 It can include family support. 701 00:33:03,890 --> 00:33:08,570 A person may have been built in with 16 hours of IHS 702 00:33:08,570 --> 00:33:11,810 to support them each day, and now they've 703 00:33:11,810 --> 00:33:14,570 put in service limits or parameters 704 00:33:14,570 --> 00:33:18,210 and they can't be any more. 705 00:33:18,210 --> 00:33:23,090 So let's say you have three hours of training with a staff. 706 00:33:23,090 --> 00:33:26,430 That's the limit of all you can have for training. 707 00:33:26,430 --> 00:33:29,890 And then you have to find other services to supplement 708 00:33:29,890 --> 00:33:32,050 the other 13 hours that they once 709 00:33:32,050 --> 00:33:34,190 received support in their home. 710 00:33:34,190 --> 00:33:37,110 So there's these rule changes, I think, 711 00:33:37,110 --> 00:33:40,930 to be cost effective with a budget at the state level. 712 00:33:40,930 --> 00:33:42,570 But the impacts that we're seeing 713 00:33:42,570 --> 00:33:46,330 down here on a real client level is problematic. 714 00:33:46,330 --> 00:33:49,330 And so if somebody needed 16 hours of support 715 00:33:49,330 --> 00:33:52,090 in their home to meet their needs, 716 00:33:52,090 --> 00:33:55,580 we can't give them that because we have service limitations now. 717 00:33:55,580 --> 00:33:58,200 So now staff are having to get real creative about what 718 00:33:58,200 --> 00:34:00,080 that looks like. 719 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:01,720 Some of the suggestions from the state 720 00:34:01,720 --> 00:34:04,500 has been remote supervision or technology. 721 00:34:04,500 --> 00:34:08,120 And you and I both know, not every person with a disability 722 00:34:08,120 --> 00:34:11,880 can live in their home and be supervised by a camera. 723 00:34:11,880 --> 00:34:14,639 That's not realistic. 724 00:34:14,639 --> 00:34:16,760 The last thing that's impacted Adult 725 00:34:16,760 --> 00:34:19,520 Services potentially is our new state 726 00:34:19,520 --> 00:34:21,260 paid family and medical leave. 727 00:34:21,260 --> 00:34:25,360 We have a number of individuals that are out in and enjoying 728 00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:29,400 births and things that are beyond our life control, 729 00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:32,980 but when you have two people out of a six-person unit, 730 00:34:32,980 --> 00:34:36,460 the work just overwhelms staff. 731 00:34:36,460 --> 00:34:40,440 So I've spent the last couple of weeks in a number of unit 732 00:34:40,440 --> 00:34:43,679 meetings trying to get creative about what we can do to support 733 00:34:43,679 --> 00:34:46,560 people that are just really heightened emotionally 734 00:34:46,560 --> 00:34:49,800 with caseload coverages, and how can we 735 00:34:49,800 --> 00:34:52,560 get creative to support them and maintain 736 00:34:52,560 --> 00:34:55,780 morale and keep retention. 737 00:34:55,780 --> 00:34:58,780 We have some awesome staff downstairs. 738 00:34:58,780 --> 00:35:02,960 We have built some teams that are truly remarkable people. 739 00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:05,680 But when their caseload personally is 60 740 00:35:05,680 --> 00:35:10,120 and now they're having to cover 120 because their two coworkers 741 00:35:10,120 --> 00:35:13,300 are out on a leave, which again, is fine, 742 00:35:13,300 --> 00:35:17,800 it is what it is, it just makes that stress even more. 743 00:35:17,800 --> 00:35:21,580 So those are some of the things that we're kind of facing. 744 00:35:21,580 --> 00:35:23,860 And like I said, we're heading off to MACSSA. 745 00:35:23,860 --> 00:35:27,720 And we need your continued support at your platforms, 746 00:35:27,720 --> 00:35:31,720 and we'll continue working within MICA, MACSSA, and all 747 00:35:31,720 --> 00:35:34,720 of our legislators and positions that we have to try 748 00:35:34,720 --> 00:35:37,480 to steer some of the stuff off. 749 00:35:37,480 --> 00:35:38,640 One of the things-- 750 00:35:38,640 --> 00:35:41,320 I'll go back to MnCHOICES really quick, because I failed to say 751 00:35:41,320 --> 00:35:44,640 is, and I spoke about this in the past, but as a reminder 752 00:35:44,640 --> 00:35:48,740 that there's sunsetting the social services time study. 753 00:35:48,740 --> 00:35:51,390 So the reimbursement for MnCHOICES. 754 00:35:51,390 --> 00:35:54,110 And they have had, and I've been a pleasure 755 00:35:54,110 --> 00:35:57,190 to be a part of that task force, to look at alternative ways 756 00:35:57,190 --> 00:36:01,390 to fund counties for MnCHOICES. 757 00:36:01,390 --> 00:36:04,470 Anywhere from flat rate reimbursements 758 00:36:04,470 --> 00:36:09,850 to a varying scale of percentages. 759 00:36:09,850 --> 00:36:16,270 And there has not been a reach to what that might look like. 760 00:36:16,270 --> 00:36:18,630 There is a potential of entertainment 761 00:36:18,630 --> 00:36:22,270 that appears to be coming our way to completely move MnCHOICES 762 00:36:22,270 --> 00:36:25,610 to the state level and no longer administered at the counties. 763 00:36:25,610 --> 00:36:28,270 764 00:36:28,270 --> 00:36:30,050 I don't know that I can support that. 765 00:36:30,050 --> 00:36:34,990 I think that we hold ownership to the people that we work with, 766 00:36:34,990 --> 00:36:37,430 and we're invested in our community and the people 767 00:36:37,430 --> 00:36:38,330 that we serve. 768 00:36:38,330 --> 00:36:39,990 And some of these people we have been 769 00:36:39,990 --> 00:36:44,430 serving and seeing year after year after year after year. 770 00:36:44,430 --> 00:36:46,470 So that's a hard one to swallow. 771 00:36:46,470 --> 00:36:49,630 And hopefully we can get a little more clarification 772 00:36:49,630 --> 00:36:51,810 this week too on where that's coming from, 773 00:36:51,810 --> 00:36:54,690 but I wanted to share that with you as well. 774 00:36:54,690 --> 00:36:59,350 So do you have any questions for me? 775 00:36:59,350 --> 00:37:02,030 CHARLIE PETERS: Questions, Commissioners? 776 00:37:02,030 --> 00:37:03,210 Commissioner Underdahl. 777 00:37:03,210 --> 00:37:04,550 STEVE UNDERDAHL: Megan, just what I'm 778 00:37:04,550 --> 00:37:07,850 hearing with a lot of these is, there's program reductions, 779 00:37:07,850 --> 00:37:12,010 but I'm gathering that on the flip side, 780 00:37:12,010 --> 00:37:15,350 there's not a mandate for us to provide more than what 781 00:37:15,350 --> 00:37:18,270 the requirement is or is there? 782 00:37:18,270 --> 00:37:21,030 MEGAN THOMAS: All of these are mandated services. 783 00:37:21,030 --> 00:37:25,150 It's the work within the scope of these changes 784 00:37:25,150 --> 00:37:26,970 that is creating more work. 785 00:37:26,970 --> 00:37:29,590 So yes, the revenue is going down 786 00:37:29,590 --> 00:37:34,150 or potentially cost shifting from state to county, 787 00:37:34,150 --> 00:37:36,830 and sharing that responsibility where we're taking 788 00:37:36,830 --> 00:37:39,430 on more than the state is. 789 00:37:39,430 --> 00:37:44,390 So when they redesign MnCHOICES, that doubled the work in itself. 790 00:37:44,390 --> 00:37:47,940 When they got rid of PCA and implemented CFSS, 791 00:37:47,940 --> 00:37:50,720 that quadrupled the work in itself. 792 00:37:50,720 --> 00:37:55,800 So yeah, within these things, they're all mandated. 793 00:37:55,800 --> 00:37:58,100 They restructured things that counties 794 00:37:58,100 --> 00:38:03,180 are just bearing the brunt of all of it with no support. 795 00:38:03,180 --> 00:38:04,153 STEVE UNDERDAHL: OK. 796 00:38:04,153 --> 00:38:05,220 CHARLIE PETERS: Sarah, did you-- 797 00:38:05,220 --> 00:38:07,580 FEMALE SPEAKER: Just circle back to LTSS for a moment, 798 00:38:07,580 --> 00:38:08,340 for the budget. 799 00:38:08,340 --> 00:38:12,200 So this can be policy discussion later on if you want it to be, 800 00:38:12,200 --> 00:38:18,860 but we did budget for half a year of the LTSS cost shift. 801 00:38:18,860 --> 00:38:22,380 What we did, just under 1% levy increase to account 802 00:38:22,380 --> 00:38:23,840 for that half a year. 803 00:38:23,840 --> 00:38:26,540 So then the following year, it would be another. 804 00:38:26,540 --> 00:38:27,740 If this goes as is-- 805 00:38:27,740 --> 00:38:29,340 MEGAN THOMAS: Possibly 3 and 1/2, who knows. 806 00:38:29,340 --> 00:38:32,420 FEMALE SPEAKER: It would keep moving. 807 00:38:32,420 --> 00:38:37,420 But some counties are kind of hedging on 808 00:38:37,420 --> 00:38:39,700 that the legislature will do something next year 809 00:38:39,700 --> 00:38:41,520 and we won't have to take this on. 810 00:38:41,520 --> 00:38:44,940 So this is something that we have in our budget, 811 00:38:44,940 --> 00:38:47,700 but if we get close to December and you all 812 00:38:47,700 --> 00:38:49,700 feel through your discussions or things 813 00:38:49,700 --> 00:38:53,100 that you want to look at maybe not levying for it 814 00:38:53,100 --> 00:38:55,740 and seeing what happens, that is a policy decision. 815 00:38:55,740 --> 00:38:57,260 Right now we do have it in our budget 816 00:38:57,260 --> 00:38:59,280 because things have not indicated otherwise. 817 00:38:59,280 --> 00:39:02,620 And we won't know until legislative session next year. 818 00:39:02,620 --> 00:39:05,020 And so right now, this is in our budget. 819 00:39:05,020 --> 00:39:06,240 Some counties are not. 820 00:39:06,240 --> 00:39:08,560 So I want to make sure I was transparent about that. 821 00:39:08,560 --> 00:39:11,060 And that can be a policy decision before we set 822 00:39:11,060 --> 00:39:12,980 final in December with you all. 823 00:39:12,980 --> 00:39:14,460 CHARLIE PETERS: So am I correct? 824 00:39:14,460 --> 00:39:17,540 1% it will add to our levy? 825 00:39:17,540 --> 00:39:19,720 FEMALE SPEAKER: Almost 1% for half a year. 826 00:39:19,720 --> 00:39:21,300 Correct. 827 00:39:21,300 --> 00:39:22,180 MEGAN THOMAS: Thank you. 828 00:39:22,180 --> 00:39:24,700 CHARLIE PETERS: Any other questions or comments? 829 00:39:24,700 --> 00:39:26,420 Go with Gerry first. 830 00:39:26,420 --> 00:39:29,400 GERRY HOISINGTON: Megan, how many adults are we serving now? 831 00:39:29,400 --> 00:39:30,540 Do you have any idea? 832 00:39:30,540 --> 00:39:34,340 MEGAN THOMAS: Close to 400 on the waiver. 833 00:39:34,340 --> 00:39:35,860 GERRY HOISINGTON: OK. 834 00:39:35,860 --> 00:39:40,540 And could you touch base a little bit more on, 835 00:39:40,540 --> 00:39:42,590 you said in-home services. 836 00:39:42,590 --> 00:39:43,650 What does that look like? 837 00:39:43,650 --> 00:39:46,330 I mean, how does that work? 838 00:39:46,330 --> 00:39:49,230 MEGAN THOMAS: Are you referring to the IHS, Gerry, 839 00:39:49,230 --> 00:39:51,850 the Individualized Home Supports, or just-- 840 00:39:51,850 --> 00:39:53,850 GERRY HOISINGTON: You had mentioned that your hours 841 00:39:53,850 --> 00:39:55,490 were cut from three to-- 842 00:39:55,490 --> 00:39:57,650 you had 16, now it cut to three. 843 00:39:57,650 --> 00:40:00,410 MEGAN THOMAS: So that could look like somebody 844 00:40:00,410 --> 00:40:02,830 is living at home with their mom and dad still, 845 00:40:02,830 --> 00:40:03,990 and they're on a waiver. 846 00:40:03,990 --> 00:40:06,750 And they were receiving in-home support. 847 00:40:06,750 --> 00:40:09,970 So a provider or maybe the family members 848 00:40:09,970 --> 00:40:14,050 themselves are delegating or receiving a number of hours 849 00:40:14,050 --> 00:40:17,550 during the day where they're using those training skills. 850 00:40:17,550 --> 00:40:20,450 So maybe you have somebody in that 18 to 21 851 00:40:20,450 --> 00:40:23,410 transitional phase, and you're working 852 00:40:23,410 --> 00:40:27,130 on budgeting, and money skills, and some of 853 00:40:27,130 --> 00:40:29,170 those independent life skills. 854 00:40:29,170 --> 00:40:33,490 That could fall under family with training. 855 00:40:33,490 --> 00:40:35,090 It could also compromise of, like, 856 00:40:35,090 --> 00:40:36,790 meal preparation and cooking. 857 00:40:36,790 --> 00:40:41,170 So some of those basic ADLs, or activities of daily living, 858 00:40:41,170 --> 00:40:43,590 that you and I already know how to do, 859 00:40:43,590 --> 00:40:46,170 hopefully, but people with disabilities 860 00:40:46,170 --> 00:40:48,050 don't always know how to do that. 861 00:40:48,050 --> 00:40:52,250 And so it could also mean where somebody 862 00:40:52,250 --> 00:40:55,290 is living independently in an apartment 863 00:40:55,290 --> 00:40:57,630 and being served by a provider. 864 00:40:57,630 --> 00:40:59,530 Laura Baker, for example. 865 00:40:59,530 --> 00:41:03,490 And we have an individual that's living in her own apartment 866 00:41:03,490 --> 00:41:06,490 independently and served by Laura Baker, 867 00:41:06,490 --> 00:41:09,170 had a high number of individualized home supports 868 00:41:09,170 --> 00:41:11,570 with training to maintain her there. 869 00:41:11,570 --> 00:41:14,250 So these service limits are impacting people 870 00:41:14,250 --> 00:41:17,410 at real time and real places. 871 00:41:17,410 --> 00:41:19,970 GERRY HOISINGTON: So when you actually have staff with them 872 00:41:19,970 --> 00:41:22,090 during that time, that's how it works? 873 00:41:22,090 --> 00:41:25,490 MEGAN THOMAS: Not everybody is able to be independent 874 00:41:25,490 --> 00:41:26,750 or home alone. 875 00:41:26,750 --> 00:41:30,370 You have some people that can, some people that can't. 876 00:41:30,370 --> 00:41:32,050 But it's how, yeah, we're working 877 00:41:32,050 --> 00:41:34,530 on either improving independent skills 878 00:41:34,530 --> 00:41:37,450 or maintaining independent skills. 879 00:41:37,450 --> 00:41:38,880 GERRY HOISINGTON: OK. 880 00:41:38,880 --> 00:41:39,967 Thanks for that clarification. 881 00:41:39,967 --> 00:41:40,700 MEGAN THOMAS: You bet. 882 00:41:40,700 --> 00:41:41,580 CHARLIE PETERS: Commissioner Malecha. 883 00:41:41,580 --> 00:41:42,247 GALEN MALECHA: Sure. 884 00:41:42,247 --> 00:41:43,660 So you kind of touched on it. 885 00:41:43,660 --> 00:41:48,040 So Individual Home Support, and you have Laura Baker 886 00:41:48,040 --> 00:41:50,627 that does family navigation. 887 00:41:50,627 --> 00:41:51,360 MEGAN THOMAS: Correct. 888 00:41:51,360 --> 00:41:52,000 They do. 889 00:41:52,000 --> 00:41:52,500 Yep. 890 00:41:52,500 --> 00:41:54,280 GALEN MALECHA: So how does that work? 891 00:41:54,280 --> 00:41:58,400 Just say, for example, you have an individual 892 00:41:58,400 --> 00:42:00,620 that was living on their own. 893 00:42:00,620 --> 00:42:01,500 So who pays? 894 00:42:01,500 --> 00:42:02,760 How does that get paid? 895 00:42:02,760 --> 00:42:04,480 How does that all work? 896 00:42:04,480 --> 00:42:05,720 MEGAN THOMAS: So my understanding 897 00:42:05,720 --> 00:42:09,400 is that the family navigation is, 898 00:42:09,400 --> 00:42:14,500 Laura Baker is billing families or individuals for that service. 899 00:42:14,500 --> 00:42:18,720 GALEN MALECHA: So it's a direct pay or is there a government-- 900 00:42:18,720 --> 00:42:22,300 MEGAN THOMAS: I am not aware that it is an MA-funded service. 901 00:42:22,300 --> 00:42:25,660 I think they are charging families for that service. 902 00:42:25,660 --> 00:42:27,520 And so if they have a family, let's say, 903 00:42:27,520 --> 00:42:31,640 that relocates to Northfield from a northern county 904 00:42:31,640 --> 00:42:35,420 and they're seeking services for their loved one, 905 00:42:35,420 --> 00:42:39,280 they may seek out Laura Baker and do family navigation rather 906 00:42:39,280 --> 00:42:42,480 than coming to the county and essentially 907 00:42:42,480 --> 00:42:43,660 getting the same thing. 908 00:42:43,660 --> 00:42:45,680 We work pretty closely with the navigators, 909 00:42:45,680 --> 00:42:49,960 have had a couple meetings, and we are essentially 910 00:42:49,960 --> 00:42:52,640 doing the same stuff. 911 00:42:52,640 --> 00:42:57,740 But they are billing for that. 912 00:42:57,740 --> 00:42:59,780 I mean, we wouldn't be able to bill for it either. 913 00:42:59,780 --> 00:43:01,800 They're providing those recommendations, 914 00:43:01,800 --> 00:43:05,220 like establishing a school. 915 00:43:05,220 --> 00:43:07,240 Do they need an IEP? 916 00:43:07,240 --> 00:43:08,620 Do they need a waiver? 917 00:43:08,620 --> 00:43:09,980 We start with a MnCHOICES. 918 00:43:09,980 --> 00:43:11,680 So they help those families and people 919 00:43:11,680 --> 00:43:13,880 walk through that as well. 920 00:43:13,880 --> 00:43:17,086 GALEN MALECHA: So we don't bill for it, 921 00:43:17,086 --> 00:43:18,059 is that what you're saying? 922 00:43:18,059 --> 00:43:18,626 MEGAN THOMAS: No. 923 00:43:18,626 --> 00:43:21,720 If somebody walks into the county's front door and says, 924 00:43:21,720 --> 00:43:25,640 "I need help at home," it starts with our intake social worker 925 00:43:25,640 --> 00:43:28,080 to gather more feedback, and then we feed that 926 00:43:28,080 --> 00:43:29,700 to the appropriate department. 927 00:43:29,700 --> 00:43:33,120 And if it goes to MnCHOICES for referral, 928 00:43:33,120 --> 00:43:36,740 MnCHOICES puts them on the list and we complete the MnCHOICES. 929 00:43:36,740 --> 00:43:41,840 So yeah, those aren't billable services until we 930 00:43:41,840 --> 00:43:43,920 actually start doing the work. 931 00:43:43,920 --> 00:43:47,635 GALEN MALECHA: OK. 932 00:43:47,635 --> 00:43:50,960 CHARLIE PETERS: Any other comments? 933 00:43:50,960 --> 00:43:52,587 GERRY HOISINGTON: Charlie. 934 00:43:52,587 --> 00:43:53,920 CHARLIE PETERS: Commissioner Hoisington. 935 00:43:53,920 --> 00:43:55,480 GERRY HOISINGTON: Thank you. 936 00:43:55,480 --> 00:43:58,460 Well, this, Megan, might be more directed towards Rick. 937 00:43:58,460 --> 00:44:03,680 Rick, you gave us a number of how many yearly calls 938 00:44:03,680 --> 00:44:06,000 you get in social services. 939 00:44:06,000 --> 00:44:08,450 35,000, is that-- 940 00:44:08,450 --> 00:44:09,480 RICK: That is correct. 941 00:44:09,480 --> 00:44:12,080 942 00:44:12,080 --> 00:44:15,520 Yeah, and that, I think, goes all to the front main line 943 00:44:15,520 --> 00:44:16,760 number that we checked. 944 00:44:16,760 --> 00:44:20,000 So that's where they get into the phone tree. 945 00:44:20,000 --> 00:44:26,560 But on the addition, 35,000 calls a year to the front main 946 00:44:26,560 --> 00:44:28,920 line, in addition to that, kind of what I was 947 00:44:28,920 --> 00:44:32,870 mentioning was potential use of AI, 948 00:44:32,870 --> 00:44:34,530 it's also these other points-- 949 00:44:34,530 --> 00:44:37,070 FEMALE SPEAKER: Rick, can I have you go to the mic, please? 950 00:44:37,070 --> 00:44:37,690 Thank you. 951 00:44:37,690 --> 00:44:40,670 952 00:44:40,670 --> 00:44:43,150 GERRY HOISINGTON: So excuse me, I just got a text 953 00:44:43,150 --> 00:44:44,890 from one of my constituents. 954 00:44:44,890 --> 00:44:47,303 Sherry, they said they couldn't listen. 955 00:44:47,303 --> 00:44:48,470 FEMALE SPEAKER: They couldn't hear. 956 00:44:48,470 --> 00:44:50,190 He wasn't at a speaker. 957 00:44:50,190 --> 00:44:50,930 RICK: That's my bad. 958 00:44:50,930 --> 00:44:51,730 I'll repeat it here. 959 00:44:51,730 --> 00:44:56,350 Yes, 35,000 calls come to the direct main line per year. 960 00:44:56,350 --> 00:44:59,690 And what I was mentioning earlier, in addition, 961 00:44:59,690 --> 00:45:02,030 if there was a potential use of AI, 962 00:45:02,030 --> 00:45:04,190 there's all these when a call does go through 963 00:45:04,190 --> 00:45:06,230 and it goes through income maintenance, that's 964 00:45:06,230 --> 00:45:09,390 where they read the rights and responsibilities for those 965 00:45:09,390 --> 00:45:11,590 applying for public assistance. 966 00:45:11,590 --> 00:45:16,830 But 35,000 calls is what we're looking at. 967 00:45:16,830 --> 00:45:18,490 Those are the ones that come through. 968 00:45:18,490 --> 00:45:21,950 We also have a very confusing phone tree where I 969 00:45:21,950 --> 00:45:23,410 think a lot of people give up. 970 00:45:23,410 --> 00:45:25,470 So if you call the main line, you 971 00:45:25,470 --> 00:45:27,590 might be on it for a while where it's like, for this, 972 00:45:27,590 --> 00:45:31,190 press 1, for this, press 2, and it kind of goes up 973 00:45:31,190 --> 00:45:34,630 to 10, instead of being able to just say, 974 00:45:34,630 --> 00:45:36,310 what are you looking for? 975 00:45:36,310 --> 00:45:39,410 So I guess what I'm getting to is 35,000 976 00:45:39,410 --> 00:45:42,350 is probably what we take. 977 00:45:42,350 --> 00:45:42,950 Yeah. 978 00:45:42,950 --> 00:45:47,910 GERRY HOISINGTON: That is a big number, in my humble opinion. 979 00:45:47,910 --> 00:45:48,530 RICK: It is. 980 00:45:48,530 --> 00:45:51,070 981 00:45:51,070 --> 00:45:54,710 CHARLIE PETERS: Any other questions or comments? 982 00:45:54,710 --> 00:45:57,350 Well, thank you for the bad news. 983 00:45:57,350 --> 00:45:58,050 MEGAN THOMAS: I know. 984 00:45:58,050 --> 00:45:59,010 Thanks. 985 00:45:59,010 --> 00:45:59,610 Thank you. 986 00:45:59,610 --> 00:46:07,210 987 00:46:07,210 --> 00:46:08,610 MALE SPEAKER: Good morning, Commissioners. 988 00:46:08,610 --> 00:46:09,170 CHARLIE PETERS: Good morning. 989 00:46:09,170 --> 00:46:10,310 STEVE UNDERDAHL: Good morning. 990 00:46:10,310 --> 00:46:12,150 MALE SPEAKER: I'm going to give an overview of how 991 00:46:12,150 --> 00:46:15,070 federal and state legislation is potentially 992 00:46:15,070 --> 00:46:17,510 going to impact Rice County. 993 00:46:17,510 --> 00:46:20,610 Before I review some of the legislative impacts, 994 00:46:20,610 --> 00:46:23,750 I'm going to give a brief overview of Rice County 995 00:46:23,750 --> 00:46:27,270 administered programs, in particular, public assistance 996 00:46:27,270 --> 00:46:28,900 programs. 997 00:46:28,900 --> 00:46:31,860 Rice County determines eligibility and maintenance 998 00:46:31,860 --> 00:46:37,700 for approximately 10,000 cases, of which 7,000 999 00:46:37,700 --> 00:46:39,540 are medical assistance cases. 1000 00:46:39,540 --> 00:46:45,060 And Rice County also administers approximately 2,000 SNAP cases. 1001 00:46:45,060 --> 00:46:47,540 We also maintain and determine eligibility 1002 00:46:47,540 --> 00:46:54,200 for TANF, MFIP family cash programs, adult cash programs, 1003 00:46:54,200 --> 00:46:56,560 housing support, emergency assistance, 1004 00:46:56,560 --> 00:46:59,060 and county burial assistance. 1005 00:46:59,060 --> 00:47:02,820 The average caseload size for each financial eligibility 1006 00:47:02,820 --> 00:47:06,580 worker is 280. 1007 00:47:06,580 --> 00:47:10,780 There are several significant legislative changes that 1008 00:47:10,780 --> 00:47:13,300 directly impact Rice County. 1009 00:47:13,300 --> 00:47:16,620 HR 1, or the Reconciliation Act, or commonly 1010 00:47:16,620 --> 00:47:19,100 known as the Big Beautiful Bill, was signed 1011 00:47:19,100 --> 00:47:23,740 into law on July 4, 2025. 1012 00:47:23,740 --> 00:47:26,900 The legislation shifted funding from the federal government 1013 00:47:26,900 --> 00:47:30,660 to counties, the first of which is the increased cost 1014 00:47:30,660 --> 00:47:33,300 to administer our SNAP program. 1015 00:47:33,300 --> 00:47:38,460 In 2025, the federal government and the county administrative 1016 00:47:38,460 --> 00:47:41,460 funding was split 50/50. 1017 00:47:41,460 --> 00:47:43,760 Starting in the fourth quarter of this year, 1018 00:47:43,760 --> 00:47:48,940 it shifted to 75% funding for the county and 25% funding 1019 00:47:48,940 --> 00:47:52,460 for the federal government. 1020 00:47:52,460 --> 00:47:55,340 In 2025, the county cost to administer 1021 00:47:55,340 --> 00:47:59,420 the SNAP program was $725,000. 1022 00:47:59,420 --> 00:48:02,000 The shift, starting in the fourth quarter of this year, 1023 00:48:02,000 --> 00:48:06,680 will bring the 2026 total to $857,000, 1024 00:48:06,680 --> 00:48:09,740 so approximately $150,000 increase 1025 00:48:09,740 --> 00:48:12,260 just for this fourth quarter. 1026 00:48:12,260 --> 00:48:16,540 In 2027, the county responsibility will be $1.2 1027 00:48:16,540 --> 00:48:20,380 million, which is a $400,000 increase 1028 00:48:20,380 --> 00:48:25,710 from '26 to '27 from federal funding shifted to the county. 1029 00:48:25,710 --> 00:48:28,450 1030 00:48:28,450 --> 00:48:32,210 The second significant impact is the benefit cost 1031 00:48:32,210 --> 00:48:34,650 share determined by a state error rate. 1032 00:48:34,650 --> 00:48:38,290 Prior and including this year, the federal government 1033 00:48:38,290 --> 00:48:42,690 funded 100% of all SNAP benefits issued. 1034 00:48:42,690 --> 00:48:45,990 Starting in the fourth quarter of 2027, 1035 00:48:45,990 --> 00:48:50,050 states will share a cost of funding actual benefits based 1036 00:48:50,050 --> 00:48:53,130 on each state's error rate. 1037 00:48:53,130 --> 00:48:57,450 Minnesota has decided to shift these costs to the counties. 1038 00:48:57,450 --> 00:48:59,730 The current error rate for the state of Minnesota 1039 00:48:59,730 --> 00:49:03,370 is approximately 13%. 1040 00:49:03,370 --> 00:49:09,730 That 13% bracket puts us into a 15% county 1041 00:49:09,730 --> 00:49:12,730 cost share for SNAP benefits. 1042 00:49:12,730 --> 00:49:15,250 The projected impact for the fourth quarter 1043 00:49:15,250 --> 00:49:21,010 for 2027 is $163,000 shift from the federal 1044 00:49:21,010 --> 00:49:24,530 government to Rice County. 1045 00:49:24,530 --> 00:49:27,570 There is some discussion that the state may split that error 1046 00:49:27,570 --> 00:49:30,350 rate cost shift with the county's 50/50, 1047 00:49:30,350 --> 00:49:34,650 but nothing definitive yet, except just discussions. 1048 00:49:34,650 --> 00:49:38,930 The combined legislative impact for 2027 1049 00:49:38,930 --> 00:49:45,710 is $563 shifted from the federal government to Rice County. 1050 00:49:45,710 --> 00:49:49,890 1051 00:49:49,890 --> 00:49:52,650 Additional impact from legislative changes 1052 00:49:52,650 --> 00:49:56,470 is the increased workload for financial eligibility workers. 1053 00:49:56,470 --> 00:49:59,290 Legislation has introduced work requirements 1054 00:49:59,290 --> 00:50:03,010 for certain individuals that receive medical assistance. 1055 00:50:03,010 --> 00:50:04,810 This means that certain populations 1056 00:50:04,810 --> 00:50:06,770 must meet a minimum work requirement 1057 00:50:06,770 --> 00:50:09,730 to receive ongoing eligibility. 1058 00:50:09,730 --> 00:50:12,210 The tracking and redetermine of eligibility 1059 00:50:12,210 --> 00:50:15,650 will be a significant increase for the workers. 1060 00:50:15,650 --> 00:50:17,650 In addition, legislation has also 1061 00:50:17,650 --> 00:50:22,120 introduced six-month renewals for certain Medicaid recipients. 1062 00:50:22,120 --> 00:50:25,920 This is a change from an annual renewal, 1063 00:50:25,920 --> 00:50:29,360 and now it will be a six month, plus an annual renewal. 1064 00:50:29,360 --> 00:50:32,240 These last two changes will significantly 1065 00:50:32,240 --> 00:50:35,880 increase the volume of work at the same time 1066 00:50:35,880 --> 00:50:39,480 with having all of the decrease funding. 1067 00:50:39,480 --> 00:50:44,240 So those are the fairly significant legislative changes 1068 00:50:44,240 --> 00:50:47,880 for Rice County. 1069 00:50:47,880 --> 00:50:49,380 CHARLIE PETERS: Any questions? 1070 00:50:49,380 --> 00:50:50,760 Comments? 1071 00:50:50,760 --> 00:50:52,300 JIM PURFEERST: I have a question. 1072 00:50:52,300 --> 00:50:53,600 CHARLIE PETERS: Commissioner Purfeerst. 1073 00:50:53,600 --> 00:50:57,560 JIM PURFEERST: You were talking there's 2,000 SNAP cases. 1074 00:50:57,560 --> 00:51:00,140 What's a case consist of? 1075 00:51:00,140 --> 00:51:02,360 Is that a household or an individual? 1076 00:51:02,360 --> 00:51:04,760 MALE SPEAKER: That's just an individual case. 1077 00:51:04,760 --> 00:51:10,760 We serve approximately 4,000 total recipients, 1078 00:51:10,760 --> 00:51:12,680 but just 2,000 cases. 1079 00:51:12,680 --> 00:51:13,680 JIM PURFEERST: OK. 1080 00:51:13,680 --> 00:51:14,380 Thank you. 1081 00:51:14,380 --> 00:51:17,480 1082 00:51:17,480 --> 00:51:21,060 CHARLIE PETERS: Question for Sarah, actually. 1083 00:51:21,060 --> 00:51:23,920 What's this levy effect? 1084 00:51:23,920 --> 00:51:27,800 FEMALE SPEAKER: So for next year, 1% levy is a little 1085 00:51:27,800 --> 00:51:30,720 over $400,000, like $430,000. 1086 00:51:30,720 --> 00:51:34,240 So if you look at the cost shift, that's 1%. 1087 00:51:34,240 --> 00:51:38,960 The SNAP error rate, that's just going to be under half a percent 1088 00:51:38,960 --> 00:51:40,320 there. 1089 00:51:40,320 --> 00:51:42,860 But we'll talk total, because they've done really, 1090 00:51:42,860 --> 00:51:46,120 really good work, a lot of meetings, a lot of diving 1091 00:51:46,120 --> 00:51:49,360 into reimbursements, looking at efficiencies, 1092 00:51:49,360 --> 00:51:51,560 some of the one-time money coming in. 1093 00:51:51,560 --> 00:51:55,780 So we'll sum up the total levy impact at the end. 1094 00:51:55,780 --> 00:51:58,040 But you can see all these individual pieces 1095 00:51:58,040 --> 00:51:59,620 put a lot of pressure on it. 1096 00:51:59,620 --> 00:52:01,800 And as a department, they're coming in 1097 00:52:01,800 --> 00:52:04,600 under what the total shifts are, including salary 1098 00:52:04,600 --> 00:52:06,060 increases and things like that. 1099 00:52:06,060 --> 00:52:07,900 So we'll sum that up at the end. 1100 00:52:07,900 --> 00:52:09,560 But as part of a shift, we did have 1101 00:52:09,560 --> 00:52:13,180 to figure out how to offset this somehow or put it on the levy. 1102 00:52:13,180 --> 00:52:20,190 So again, around that $430,000, [INAUDIBLE] is 1% levy increase. 1103 00:52:20,190 --> 00:52:21,810 CHARLIE PETERS: OK, thank you. 1104 00:52:21,810 --> 00:52:22,310 Any other? 1105 00:52:22,310 --> 00:52:23,910 Commissioner Hoisington. 1106 00:52:23,910 --> 00:52:28,030 GERRY HOISINGTON: Yeah, I know you've clarified this for us 1107 00:52:28,030 --> 00:52:32,590 before, but this error rate is, like, 13%, 1108 00:52:32,590 --> 00:52:33,770 or whatever you said it was. 1109 00:52:33,770 --> 00:52:37,570 But our error rate in Rice County is much lower in that. 1110 00:52:37,570 --> 00:52:38,750 Is that correct? 1111 00:52:38,750 --> 00:52:40,310 MALE SPEAKER: Correct. 1112 00:52:40,310 --> 00:52:44,890 We receive error rates quarterly. 1113 00:52:44,890 --> 00:52:47,770 And I believe Sarah and Rick are able to review those. 1114 00:52:47,770 --> 00:52:49,990 But each time I have a discussion with Rick, 1115 00:52:49,990 --> 00:52:54,630 and I said, we need to be careful about being 1116 00:52:54,630 --> 00:52:57,550 excited about a 0% error rate. 1117 00:52:57,550 --> 00:53:00,950 So oftentimes we have 0%. 1118 00:53:00,950 --> 00:53:05,670 But with the 2,000 cases, in a year's time, they may review 1119 00:53:05,670 --> 00:53:08,630 four to seven cases total. 1120 00:53:08,630 --> 00:53:11,190 So it takes one error out of those cases 1121 00:53:11,190 --> 00:53:15,830 to bring our error rate from 0% to 25%. 1122 00:53:15,830 --> 00:53:19,830 For example, if they review four cases, what they're looking at 1123 00:53:19,830 --> 00:53:22,830 is the total of benefits issued. 1124 00:53:22,830 --> 00:53:25,990 So in this example, out of four cases, let's say 1125 00:53:25,990 --> 00:53:30,310 we issued $1,000 in benefits. 1126 00:53:30,310 --> 00:53:33,270 If they find an error in one of those cases 1127 00:53:33,270 --> 00:53:38,510 for $250, that brings our error rate up to 25%, 1128 00:53:38,510 --> 00:53:40,070 because it's the amount of benefits 1129 00:53:40,070 --> 00:53:46,990 we issued with the error amount divided by the four cases. 1130 00:53:46,990 --> 00:53:52,670 And so it could very easily jump from 0% to 25%. 1131 00:53:52,670 --> 00:53:56,350 There's an example where an individual, 1132 00:53:56,350 --> 00:53:58,890 when we determine eligibility for SNAP, 1133 00:53:58,890 --> 00:54:00,830 we start with their income. 1134 00:54:00,830 --> 00:54:02,550 And then we use certain deductions 1135 00:54:02,550 --> 00:54:04,710 to get their income down, so they might 1136 00:54:04,710 --> 00:54:07,390 be eligible for more benefits. 1137 00:54:07,390 --> 00:54:10,950 One of which is we use a portion of rent 1138 00:54:10,950 --> 00:54:14,430 as a deduction from their income. 1139 00:54:14,430 --> 00:54:19,350 An individual was displaced from their home in February, 1140 00:54:19,350 --> 00:54:23,430 and due to flood damage or it could be a fire 1141 00:54:23,430 --> 00:54:25,970 or it could be mold damage, whatever it might be, 1142 00:54:25,970 --> 00:54:27,310 they're displaced from their home 1143 00:54:27,310 --> 00:54:30,510 and had to stay with family and friends. 1144 00:54:30,510 --> 00:54:33,830 During that time, they were not required to pay rent 1145 00:54:33,830 --> 00:54:38,830 for their landlord, but during this quality control review 1146 00:54:38,830 --> 00:54:43,190 by the state, they determined that we were giving that rent 1147 00:54:43,190 --> 00:54:46,490 deduction for that one month they were out of the house, 1148 00:54:46,490 --> 00:54:48,870 but they weren't actually paying rent. 1149 00:54:48,870 --> 00:54:52,670 So there's an error rate of $250. 1150 00:54:52,670 --> 00:54:54,770 We were not aware of that. 1151 00:54:54,770 --> 00:54:57,990 But even the individual, the recipient of SNAP, 1152 00:54:57,990 --> 00:55:00,350 was required to report that to our agency, 1153 00:55:00,350 --> 00:55:02,010 but never reported it. 1154 00:55:02,010 --> 00:55:04,590 It still counts as an error for us. 1155 00:55:04,590 --> 00:55:11,070 So that $250 could equate to a 25% error rate. 1156 00:55:11,070 --> 00:55:14,020 And this has been scenarios that have occurred before. 1157 00:55:14,020 --> 00:55:17,380 1158 00:55:17,380 --> 00:55:21,500 GERRY HOISINGTON: I guess I don't understand that math. 1159 00:55:21,500 --> 00:55:25,140 I mean, how one incident would all of a sudden 1160 00:55:25,140 --> 00:55:29,080 bring you from 0% to 25% error rate. 1161 00:55:29,080 --> 00:55:30,160 I'm not clicking with that. 1162 00:55:30,160 --> 00:55:32,700 MALE SPEAKER: Yeah, if there's $250 1163 00:55:32,700 --> 00:55:37,920 of error out of $1,000, and there's four cases, 1164 00:55:37,920 --> 00:55:42,380 it equates to 25%. 1165 00:55:42,380 --> 00:55:49,440 If it were five cases in a $200 error rate over $1,000, 1166 00:55:49,440 --> 00:55:52,460 it would be a 20% error rate. 1167 00:55:52,460 --> 00:55:54,580 CHARLIE PETERS: So they just go off of the cases 1168 00:55:54,580 --> 00:55:55,740 that they pull out. 1169 00:55:55,740 --> 00:55:56,820 Yes. 1170 00:55:56,820 --> 00:56:01,380 And not our total amount of cases, just the four or five 1171 00:56:01,380 --> 00:56:02,740 that they pull. 1172 00:56:02,740 --> 00:56:03,940 MALE SPEAKER: The interesting thing 1173 00:56:03,940 --> 00:56:05,760 about Minnesota's error rate. 1174 00:56:05,760 --> 00:56:10,260 So we've traditionally had a lower error rate 1175 00:56:10,260 --> 00:56:12,100 than the rest of the country. 1176 00:56:12,100 --> 00:56:16,100 In just the last couple of years, due to several factors, 1177 00:56:16,100 --> 00:56:19,620 we're up to about a 13% error rate. 1178 00:56:19,620 --> 00:56:22,300 A lot of that has to do with the technology 1179 00:56:22,300 --> 00:56:24,700 that is in front of us. 1180 00:56:24,700 --> 00:56:28,300 It's highly complex, it's outdated, 1181 00:56:28,300 --> 00:56:32,220 and it increases error rate sometimes. 1182 00:56:32,220 --> 00:56:34,180 GERRY HOISINGTON: So this 13% error 1183 00:56:34,180 --> 00:56:38,380 rate is shared by all of our state, all of our counties? 1184 00:56:38,380 --> 00:56:39,087 Is that how it works? 1185 00:56:39,087 --> 00:56:39,820 MALE SPEAKER: Correct. 1186 00:56:39,820 --> 00:56:44,280 1187 00:56:44,280 --> 00:56:45,480 CHARLIE PETERS: Any other questions? 1188 00:56:45,480 --> 00:56:46,260 Comments? 1189 00:56:46,260 --> 00:56:48,900 1190 00:56:48,900 --> 00:56:49,840 Thank you. 1191 00:56:49,840 --> 00:56:50,640 MALE SPEAKER: Thank you. 1192 00:56:50,640 --> 00:56:53,813 1193 00:56:53,813 --> 00:56:54,580 CHARLIE PETERS: Angela. 1194 00:56:54,580 --> 00:56:58,880 1195 00:56:58,880 --> 00:57:00,080 ANGELA: Good morning, Commissioners. 1196 00:57:00,080 --> 00:57:00,920 CHARLIE PETERS: Good morning. 1197 00:57:00,920 --> 00:57:02,087 ANGELA: I don't know if it's better 1198 00:57:02,087 --> 00:57:03,800 or worse to be the last one up. 1199 00:57:03,800 --> 00:57:05,820 [LAUGHTER] 1200 00:57:05,820 --> 00:57:07,180 GERRY HOISINGTON: Let's say better. 1201 00:57:07,180 --> 00:57:08,530 JIM PURFEERST: Bring good news. 1202 00:57:08,530 --> 00:57:12,930 ANGELA: I have really a mixed bag of positive and negative 1203 00:57:12,930 --> 00:57:14,610 news to share. 1204 00:57:14,610 --> 00:57:19,130 And if you've ever done any professional development work 1205 00:57:19,130 --> 00:57:21,330 and read the book, Eat That Frog, 1206 00:57:21,330 --> 00:57:22,550 that's where I'm going to start. 1207 00:57:22,550 --> 00:57:25,937 The principle of that is, you tackle the hardest thing first. 1208 00:57:25,937 --> 00:57:27,370 GALEN MALECHA: What's the name of the book? 1209 00:57:27,370 --> 00:57:30,290 ANGELA: Eat That Frog. 1210 00:57:30,290 --> 00:57:33,330 So in the Community Corrections world, 1211 00:57:33,330 --> 00:57:36,850 we have mostly mandated services, 1212 00:57:36,850 --> 00:57:40,130 but we also have a lot of trickle down effect of things 1213 00:57:40,130 --> 00:57:44,650 that occur at the state level that impact those mandates 1214 00:57:44,650 --> 00:57:50,690 that are not always as obvious as they may be in other places 1215 00:57:50,690 --> 00:57:54,590 where you have a very obvious shift into your work. 1216 00:57:54,590 --> 00:57:58,090 So I do want to talk a little bit about that in terms 1217 00:57:58,090 --> 00:58:03,330 of the CCA subsidy and funding from the state and services 1218 00:58:03,330 --> 00:58:04,690 that we're required to do. 1219 00:58:04,690 --> 00:58:08,550 So that's the frog of this part of the presentation, 1220 00:58:08,550 --> 00:58:10,510 I'd like to tackle the negative piece first. 1221 00:58:10,510 --> 00:58:12,810 And we can talk a little bit about some 1222 00:58:12,810 --> 00:58:17,810 of the positive things happening in our arena after that. 1223 00:58:17,810 --> 00:58:21,570 The challenging part about budgeting for the 2027 calendar 1224 00:58:21,570 --> 00:58:24,850 year is that next year is a biennium 1225 00:58:24,850 --> 00:58:26,690 budget year for the state. 1226 00:58:26,690 --> 00:58:30,170 And so right now, what we're planning for the funding 1227 00:58:30,170 --> 00:58:34,170 in our CCA subsidy in the second half of 2027 1228 00:58:34,170 --> 00:58:39,610 is speculation based on the funding formula, where we expect 1229 00:58:39,610 --> 00:58:45,930 our case load numbers to be, and a variety of other policies 1230 00:58:45,930 --> 00:58:48,770 that may be a subject of discussion 1231 00:58:48,770 --> 00:58:51,010 during the legislative session. 1232 00:58:51,010 --> 00:58:53,530 Last year, when we planned our budget, 1233 00:58:53,530 --> 00:58:57,450 we had a surprise deduction from our CCA subsidy 1234 00:58:57,450 --> 00:59:00,830 that we weren't aware was going to be a shift to us. 1235 00:59:00,830 --> 00:59:06,760 And that was in terms of our county's prorated cost 1236 00:59:06,760 --> 00:59:09,400 of the interstate compact unit. 1237 00:59:09,400 --> 00:59:13,780 So when that cost shifted back to the counties last year, 1238 00:59:13,780 --> 00:59:17,080 that just became a deduction off of your calculation 1239 00:59:17,080 --> 00:59:18,620 of your CCA subsidy. 1240 00:59:18,620 --> 00:59:22,200 So our planning for the '26 budget 1241 00:59:22,200 --> 00:59:30,080 was a little bit overfunding on paper than what it looked 1242 00:59:30,080 --> 00:59:31,500 like when everything shook out. 1243 00:59:31,500 --> 00:59:36,980 And so this year, in planning the 2027 budget, 1244 00:59:36,980 --> 00:59:41,520 I took a look at the models that we would have in the upcoming 1245 00:59:41,520 --> 00:59:43,720 biennium for funding for public safety 1246 00:59:43,720 --> 00:59:48,200 and took the more conservative route for that, which would be 1247 00:59:48,200 --> 00:59:52,120 no change in the public safety funding 1248 00:59:52,120 --> 00:59:55,880 and that deduction from Interstate Compact. 1249 00:59:55,880 --> 00:59:59,240 That is a conversation you may have heard in your platforms 1250 00:59:59,240 --> 01:00:00,340 through AMC. 1251 01:00:00,340 --> 01:00:04,160 Both of those topics have been discussed, 1252 01:00:04,160 --> 01:00:06,460 primarily the public safety funding bill, 1253 01:00:06,460 --> 01:00:08,080 for a very long time. 1254 01:00:08,080 --> 01:00:11,000 As you might recall from those discussions, 1255 01:00:11,000 --> 01:00:15,400 that has been underfunded by 10 to $12,000 1256 01:00:15,400 --> 01:00:21,480 per year in the statewide look in their viewpoint. 1257 01:00:21,480 --> 01:00:25,080 The Community Corrections counties and other state 1258 01:00:25,080 --> 01:00:27,440 probation counties around the state 1259 01:00:27,440 --> 01:00:31,880 just completed a workload study that was part of the CSAC 1260 01:00:31,880 --> 01:00:36,720 recommendations, is that we do a statewide study to see what 1261 01:00:36,720 --> 01:00:40,360 is the actual need for probation and supervised release 1262 01:00:40,360 --> 01:00:42,560 services across the state. 1263 01:00:42,560 --> 01:00:47,400 And that is supposed to be used to inform the public safety 1264 01:00:47,400 --> 01:00:48,760 funding formula. 1265 01:00:48,760 --> 01:00:51,740 So I anticipate in your AMC platforms, 1266 01:00:51,740 --> 01:00:54,480 you will hear about that in discussion 1267 01:00:54,480 --> 01:00:58,480 as we move toward the legislative session in 2027. 1268 01:00:58,480 --> 01:01:00,830 And would really encourage you to be 1269 01:01:00,830 --> 01:01:04,910 a part of those conversations to really promote 1270 01:01:04,910 --> 01:01:07,410 fair and equitable funding for public safety, 1271 01:01:07,410 --> 01:01:12,090 because that is a place where cost, in a more subtle way, 1272 01:01:12,090 --> 01:01:13,550 shift back to the counties. 1273 01:01:13,550 --> 01:01:16,790 If we are underfunded, but we still have the same level 1274 01:01:16,790 --> 01:01:21,030 of mandated services to provide in our communities, 1275 01:01:21,030 --> 01:01:24,830 it's a shift out of that funding formula. 1276 01:01:24,830 --> 01:01:28,270 So really encourage you to pay attention to conversations 1277 01:01:28,270 --> 01:01:30,130 around that workload study. 1278 01:01:30,130 --> 01:01:32,410 We have not seen the results of that yet, 1279 01:01:32,410 --> 01:01:36,190 so I don't know what their recommendations are. 1280 01:01:36,190 --> 01:01:40,310 But we are still seeing the impact of implementation 1281 01:01:40,310 --> 01:01:42,870 of the 2023 legislative session that 1282 01:01:42,870 --> 01:01:47,910 has taken the last few years for the CSAC deliverable committees 1283 01:01:47,910 --> 01:01:50,750 to really get those policies underway, get 1284 01:01:50,750 --> 01:01:52,910 those practices in. 1285 01:01:52,910 --> 01:01:56,070 The state just completed a validation study 1286 01:01:56,070 --> 01:01:59,590 on the Risk Needs tool that's used statewide, which they had 1287 01:01:59,590 --> 01:02:06,030 planned also to use results of to set forward statewide contact 1288 01:02:06,030 --> 01:02:06,770 standards. 1289 01:02:06,770 --> 01:02:09,270 And if you've been following that at all 1290 01:02:09,270 --> 01:02:12,990 in your other committee platforms, 1291 01:02:12,990 --> 01:02:16,990 that validation study came back with significant challenges 1292 01:02:16,990 --> 01:02:20,510 to the validation with Minnesota's population. 1293 01:02:20,510 --> 01:02:22,750 So there are a lot of conversations happening 1294 01:02:22,750 --> 01:02:25,070 about what is the direction we will 1295 01:02:25,070 --> 01:02:30,310 take as a state in terms of seeking or revalidating 1296 01:02:30,310 --> 01:02:32,510 Risk Needs tool. 1297 01:02:32,510 --> 01:02:34,990 Again, one of the things I think is important for you 1298 01:02:34,990 --> 01:02:38,310 to listen for in those conversations 1299 01:02:38,310 --> 01:02:42,270 is really thinking about what their solutions or their 1300 01:02:42,270 --> 01:02:44,590 proposed solutions to that are. 1301 01:02:44,590 --> 01:02:46,350 One of them that's on the table right 1302 01:02:46,350 --> 01:02:51,750 now is to increase the cutoff scores of that risk assessment 1303 01:02:51,750 --> 01:02:58,020 to better match the validation of the tool, which sounds 1304 01:02:58,020 --> 01:03:02,180 great on paper, but when you think about it in practice, 1305 01:03:02,180 --> 01:03:05,060 one of the things you've heard from everyone else in Community 1306 01:03:05,060 --> 01:03:09,660 Services is that our needs of our population 1307 01:03:09,660 --> 01:03:12,060 have increased so significantly. 1308 01:03:12,060 --> 01:03:14,700 And for us in Community Corrections, a lot of that 1309 01:03:14,700 --> 01:03:16,900 centers around people's mental health. 1310 01:03:16,900 --> 01:03:18,620 We've seen a significant increase 1311 01:03:18,620 --> 01:03:21,100 in people with severe mental illness 1312 01:03:21,100 --> 01:03:23,980 coming into the corrections system. 1313 01:03:23,980 --> 01:03:27,440 That is a piece of a person's overall risk in need 1314 01:03:27,440 --> 01:03:30,260 that is not measured by that risk assessment tool. 1315 01:03:30,260 --> 01:03:33,060 So if they set the standards higher, meaning less people 1316 01:03:33,060 --> 01:03:36,420 are on supervision, that looks great on paper. 1317 01:03:36,420 --> 01:03:39,020 But in practice that does not make our communities 1318 01:03:39,020 --> 01:03:40,360 necessarily safer. 1319 01:03:40,360 --> 01:03:43,860 It does not mean we are serving the people who 1320 01:03:43,860 --> 01:03:46,620 really may need that service to avoid 1321 01:03:46,620 --> 01:03:48,740 continued criminal behavior. 1322 01:03:48,740 --> 01:03:51,980 And the other impact that it has that you don't see 1323 01:03:51,980 --> 01:03:55,780 in those recommendations is that in the Community Correction 1324 01:03:55,780 --> 01:04:00,700 subsidy formula, less supervised individuals equates 1325 01:04:00,700 --> 01:04:03,780 to less of your CCA subsidy. 1326 01:04:03,780 --> 01:04:07,300 So we are servicing people with very high needs. 1327 01:04:07,300 --> 01:04:10,760 And if that shrinks, those needs are still in our community. 1328 01:04:10,760 --> 01:04:12,080 They're being unserviced. 1329 01:04:12,080 --> 01:04:15,600 And that cost shift mostly shifts over to law enforcement 1330 01:04:15,600 --> 01:04:18,000 then if they have continued criminal behavior, 1331 01:04:18,000 --> 01:04:19,620 but they're not on supervision and we're 1332 01:04:19,620 --> 01:04:21,540 not providing interventions. 1333 01:04:21,540 --> 01:04:24,660 At the same time, the piece of the CCA 1334 01:04:24,660 --> 01:04:27,740 subsidy received by the county would be shrinking. 1335 01:04:27,740 --> 01:04:32,660 So workload may be higher, even with less actual individuals 1336 01:04:32,660 --> 01:04:33,960 on supervision. 1337 01:04:33,960 --> 01:04:38,540 And that is what we're seeing as a trend in the last 12 to 18 1338 01:04:38,540 --> 01:04:42,780 months, is that our caseload numbers have actually gone down, 1339 01:04:42,780 --> 01:04:46,940 which is why we have a negative impact in our CCA subsidy 1340 01:04:46,940 --> 01:04:49,220 in the forecast for the next biennium. 1341 01:04:49,220 --> 01:04:53,620 But our workload has gone up, much like the other divisions 1342 01:04:53,620 --> 01:04:57,300 in Community Services, primarily due to the high need of 1343 01:04:57,300 --> 01:05:00,260 the population we are serving. 1344 01:05:00,260 --> 01:05:04,860 So in terms of mandated versus non-mandated in the Community 1345 01:05:04,860 --> 01:05:08,580 Corrections world, you've heard me say in many presentations 1346 01:05:08,580 --> 01:05:12,280 before, we don't have an eligibility criteria, 1347 01:05:12,280 --> 01:05:14,280 so to speak, when people come to the door. 1348 01:05:14,280 --> 01:05:17,780 No one comes to us voluntarily asking for service. 1349 01:05:17,780 --> 01:05:20,980 We receive individuals from the court. 1350 01:05:20,980 --> 01:05:24,680 When law enforcement is busy, it translates into court busyness, 1351 01:05:24,680 --> 01:05:26,940 which somewhere down the line translates 1352 01:05:26,940 --> 01:05:29,780 into more folks for us. 1353 01:05:29,780 --> 01:05:33,340 One of the things that I also know from other conversations 1354 01:05:33,340 --> 01:05:38,880 across the CJC meeting in particular, where Mr. Mortensen, 1355 01:05:38,880 --> 01:05:40,820 our county attorney, presented numbers 1356 01:05:40,820 --> 01:05:44,140 about backlogged cases and the timeliness 1357 01:05:44,140 --> 01:05:47,380 of cases coming through the court system in Rice County. 1358 01:05:47,380 --> 01:05:51,290 There is a very large number of cases 1359 01:05:51,290 --> 01:05:53,830 pending in the Rice County courts. 1360 01:05:53,830 --> 01:05:56,530 At some point, those cases are going to resolve 1361 01:05:56,530 --> 01:05:58,970 and they will come to Community Corrections. 1362 01:05:58,970 --> 01:06:02,250 So when there is a slowdown in the court system, 1363 01:06:02,250 --> 01:06:05,310 eventually those floodgates open and they come to us. 1364 01:06:05,310 --> 01:06:07,730 And we've seen that in the past, where all of the sudden 1365 01:06:07,730 --> 01:06:10,950 our caseloads just, we get a huge wave of work. 1366 01:06:10,950 --> 01:06:14,130 And so we have to really be careful in looking 1367 01:06:14,130 --> 01:06:16,810 at forecasting what our workload looks like. 1368 01:06:16,810 --> 01:06:20,250 In Community Corrections, our caseloads really 1369 01:06:20,250 --> 01:06:24,090 are a reflection of crime rates 12 months ago, 1370 01:06:24,090 --> 01:06:27,330 because oftentimes it takes at least 12 months for a case 1371 01:06:27,330 --> 01:06:29,690 to make its way through the entire court system 1372 01:06:29,690 --> 01:06:33,810 and come to us on the tail-end of supervision. 1373 01:06:33,810 --> 01:06:36,930 There are three places where we provide service 1374 01:06:36,930 --> 01:06:38,650 and Community Corrections that are 1375 01:06:38,650 --> 01:06:42,010 not mandated by state statute. 1376 01:06:42,010 --> 01:06:46,810 One is in diversion for youth and our pre-charge adult 1377 01:06:46,810 --> 01:06:48,650 diversion program. 1378 01:06:48,650 --> 01:06:52,150 Diversion is a function of the county attorney's office. 1379 01:06:52,150 --> 01:06:54,970 We provide supervision for individuals 1380 01:06:54,970 --> 01:06:58,450 on diversion supervision. 1381 01:06:58,450 --> 01:07:03,290 In the adult world, we have a grant that funds a quarter time 1382 01:07:03,290 --> 01:07:05,070 probation officer position. 1383 01:07:05,070 --> 01:07:08,530 That is the one that provides supervision and screening 1384 01:07:08,530 --> 01:07:10,890 to the PCAD program. 1385 01:07:10,890 --> 01:07:13,490 In juvenile diversion, that is provided 1386 01:07:13,490 --> 01:07:15,930 by our juvenile probation officers. 1387 01:07:15,930 --> 01:07:18,090 A second place that we do not have 1388 01:07:18,090 --> 01:07:20,250 a state mandate to provide for services 1389 01:07:20,250 --> 01:07:22,170 is pretrial supervision. 1390 01:07:22,170 --> 01:07:24,810 We do have a fairly robust intake 1391 01:07:24,810 --> 01:07:27,330 and pretrial services unit. 1392 01:07:27,330 --> 01:07:29,810 We have brought them before you in the past 1393 01:07:29,810 --> 01:07:32,410 to talk about what pretrial services 1394 01:07:32,410 --> 01:07:35,850 look like in Rice County. 1395 01:07:35,850 --> 01:07:38,950 A challenge to just saying, "well, that's not mandated, 1396 01:07:38,950 --> 01:07:41,890 so we're not going to provide that" is, 1397 01:07:41,890 --> 01:07:46,000 there are a fair number of people that are a high risk 1398 01:07:46,000 --> 01:07:50,740 for either further criminal behavior, victim violations, 1399 01:07:50,740 --> 01:07:53,680 substance abuse, or flight risk that are 1400 01:07:53,680 --> 01:07:55,960 placed on supervision with us. 1401 01:07:55,960 --> 01:07:58,620 And by providing pretrial supervision, 1402 01:07:58,620 --> 01:08:02,480 we create an increased safety for our communities 1403 01:08:02,480 --> 01:08:05,640 and our victims pending those court cases, especially 1404 01:08:05,640 --> 01:08:07,360 when we know that some of those cases 1405 01:08:07,360 --> 01:08:09,820 may take 12 months to resolve. 1406 01:08:09,820 --> 01:08:12,200 That's a very long time for someone 1407 01:08:12,200 --> 01:08:17,720 who has risk in the community to maintain pro-social behavior 1408 01:08:17,720 --> 01:08:21,000 and avoid violations or contact with their victim 1409 01:08:21,000 --> 01:08:24,160 without any interventions. 1410 01:08:24,160 --> 01:08:27,800 The third place that we are not mandated to provide service 1411 01:08:27,800 --> 01:08:29,920 is in our specialty courts. 1412 01:08:29,920 --> 01:08:33,399 Both of our specialty courts, Drug Treatment and Mental Health 1413 01:08:33,399 --> 01:08:37,600 Court, receive outside funding from the state judicial branch. 1414 01:08:37,600 --> 01:08:41,520 Mental Health Court, which we were very excited to launch just 1415 01:08:41,520 --> 01:08:44,760 about six weeks ago, at this time, 1416 01:08:44,760 --> 01:08:48,000 will be fully funded by the amount we receive 1417 01:08:48,000 --> 01:08:52,240 through the judicial branch, because we have not filled 1418 01:08:52,240 --> 01:08:54,200 that program to capacity, and we are 1419 01:08:54,200 --> 01:08:59,520 not really knowing what the ultimate costs of that will be. 1420 01:08:59,520 --> 01:09:01,399 Having the funding for Mental Health Court 1421 01:09:01,399 --> 01:09:05,319 has helped offset our Drug Treatment Court costs. 1422 01:09:05,319 --> 01:09:07,800 In the past, we've looked at the ratio 1423 01:09:07,800 --> 01:09:10,439 of funding for Drug Treatment Court 1424 01:09:10,439 --> 01:09:12,600 through the state and the county. 1425 01:09:12,600 --> 01:09:17,160 There is a 30% minimum that we are required to meet, 1426 01:09:17,160 --> 01:09:21,100 in some form, whether that's through cash investment, staff 1427 01:09:21,100 --> 01:09:23,420 investment, in-kind from our partners, 1428 01:09:23,420 --> 01:09:28,200 it does not have to be 30% in terms of cash money 1429 01:09:28,200 --> 01:09:30,640 investment in that program. 1430 01:09:30,640 --> 01:09:34,560 But by splitting the specialty courts across the one 1431 01:09:34,560 --> 01:09:36,920 coordinator we have, because there's capacity 1432 01:09:36,920 --> 01:09:40,640 for both programs, half of the salary and benefits 1433 01:09:40,640 --> 01:09:42,630 for the coordinator from Drug Treatment Court 1434 01:09:42,630 --> 01:09:44,970 are now attributed to Mental Health Court. 1435 01:09:44,970 --> 01:09:49,510 So that has helped us increase the state's ratio of what 1436 01:09:49,510 --> 01:09:51,430 they're paying in the Drug Treatment Court 1437 01:09:51,430 --> 01:09:55,590 in our budget looking ahead to 2027. 1438 01:09:55,590 --> 01:09:58,150 So those are our non-mandated services 1439 01:09:58,150 --> 01:10:01,910 and the negative challenges to our CCA subsidy. 1440 01:10:01,910 --> 01:10:07,250 On a much more positive front, as soon as just late last week, 1441 01:10:07,250 --> 01:10:11,150 we were notified that two of our two federal grants that were 1442 01:10:11,150 --> 01:10:14,850 expiring on September 30th of this year, 1443 01:10:14,850 --> 01:10:19,310 both have been given a no cost extension to continue to provide 1444 01:10:19,310 --> 01:10:21,830 the services in those grants and utilize 1445 01:10:21,830 --> 01:10:24,470 the remaining funds for those. 1446 01:10:24,470 --> 01:10:28,630 One is our fiscal year '22 co-sub grant. 1447 01:10:28,630 --> 01:10:31,770 This is actually our fifth year with that grant. 1448 01:10:31,770 --> 01:10:33,690 It originated as a three-year grant. 1449 01:10:33,690 --> 01:10:37,710 So this is our second and final extension that we 1450 01:10:37,710 --> 01:10:40,190 will receive in that program. 1451 01:10:40,190 --> 01:10:43,670 The majority of the funding in that program 1452 01:10:43,670 --> 01:10:47,450 benefits the PCAD, the Pre-Charge Adult Diversion. 1453 01:10:47,450 --> 01:10:51,150 So it helps support staff in our department. 1454 01:10:51,150 --> 01:10:53,510 Heavily supports activities in the community 1455 01:10:53,510 --> 01:10:57,550 for pre-treatment beds and law enforcement training 1456 01:10:57,550 --> 01:10:59,530 and costs associated with that. 1457 01:10:59,530 --> 01:11:02,590 So our law enforcement partners in the community 1458 01:11:02,590 --> 01:11:05,550 benefit from that grant as well. 1459 01:11:05,550 --> 01:11:07,390 The other grant that was extended 1460 01:11:07,390 --> 01:11:11,270 is the Second Chance Smart Supervision grant. 1461 01:11:11,270 --> 01:11:14,070 That grant provides enhancements on supervision 1462 01:11:14,070 --> 01:11:17,470 to help remove barriers to individual success 1463 01:11:17,470 --> 01:11:18,610 on supervision. 1464 01:11:18,610 --> 01:11:22,590 So provisions of that help with transportation 1465 01:11:22,590 --> 01:11:25,830 to get people to court their drug testing appointments 1466 01:11:25,830 --> 01:11:27,670 with their probation officers. 1467 01:11:27,670 --> 01:11:30,430 To their cog skills programs, it helps 1468 01:11:30,430 --> 01:11:32,870 support training for our staff in 1469 01:11:32,870 --> 01:11:34,610 those cognitive interventions. 1470 01:11:34,610 --> 01:11:38,700 So it is a shift in cost from our department budget 1471 01:11:38,700 --> 01:11:41,100 into the grant budget. 1472 01:11:41,100 --> 01:11:44,740 We also have been able to offset costs 1473 01:11:44,740 --> 01:11:47,940 associated with electronic alcohol monitoring 1474 01:11:47,940 --> 01:11:49,760 on a pre-trial basis. 1475 01:11:49,760 --> 01:11:53,900 It's one of the larger expenses we have with pretrial is helping 1476 01:11:53,900 --> 01:11:57,240 fund alcohol monitoring in the community, 1477 01:11:57,240 --> 01:11:59,040 which is required by statute. 1478 01:11:59,040 --> 01:12:02,540 So in that aspect, that portion of pretrial supervision 1479 01:12:02,540 --> 01:12:06,480 is a mandate, but it's not a mandated cost for us. 1480 01:12:06,480 --> 01:12:09,700 It's a mandated cost for individuals 1481 01:12:09,700 --> 01:12:11,980 who are charged with DWI. 1482 01:12:11,980 --> 01:12:15,060 Unfortunately, because of the long time it takes to get 1483 01:12:15,060 --> 01:12:18,900 through the court system, some people have been on alcohol 1484 01:12:18,900 --> 01:12:22,540 monitors for nine months, 12 months while they're waiting 1485 01:12:22,540 --> 01:12:26,060 for their case to resolve, and many individuals cannot 1486 01:12:26,060 --> 01:12:28,780 afford to pay for that monitoring in lieu 1487 01:12:28,780 --> 01:12:31,520 of bail or incarceration. 1488 01:12:31,520 --> 01:12:35,940 And that grant has helped offset that and increase public safety 1489 01:12:35,940 --> 01:12:38,580 while minimizing continued alcohol 1490 01:12:38,580 --> 01:12:40,940 violations in that population. 1491 01:12:40,940 --> 01:12:44,760 So the final one that I would add 1492 01:12:44,760 --> 01:12:46,860 is a positive in terms of revenue 1493 01:12:46,860 --> 01:12:51,060 from the outside sources, is the Crisis Response grant, which 1494 01:12:51,060 --> 01:12:54,660 this board just accepted a couple of meetings ago, 1495 01:12:54,660 --> 01:12:57,140 that will fund the Compass coordinator 1496 01:12:57,140 --> 01:12:58,600 and the Compass program. 1497 01:12:58,600 --> 01:13:03,500 Rick spoke about that in his opening remarks 1498 01:13:03,500 --> 01:13:06,100 about this presentation. 1499 01:13:06,100 --> 01:13:08,040 Just like Social Service divisions, 1500 01:13:08,040 --> 01:13:11,340 our juvenile out-of-home placements, they ebb and flow. 1501 01:13:11,340 --> 01:13:13,820 Again, it's a place where Community 1502 01:13:13,820 --> 01:13:16,300 Corrections pays the bill for detention 1503 01:13:16,300 --> 01:13:18,120 and court-ordered placements. 1504 01:13:18,120 --> 01:13:22,520 We oftentimes have very little input on the front-end, 1505 01:13:22,520 --> 01:13:25,420 particularly with detention placements. 1506 01:13:25,420 --> 01:13:28,620 Just like Social Services, we've seen the number of placements 1507 01:13:28,620 --> 01:13:33,200 actually decrease, but our costs have ballooned and increased. 1508 01:13:33,200 --> 01:13:36,350 We are at budget for 2026. 1509 01:13:36,350 --> 01:13:40,890 But as Chris mentioned, your one placement away from suddenly 1510 01:13:40,890 --> 01:13:43,850 being over budget because you really 1511 01:13:43,850 --> 01:13:46,630 don't have a lot of control over some of those things. 1512 01:13:46,630 --> 01:13:52,130 The courts issue placements, the facilities set their per diems. 1513 01:13:52,130 --> 01:13:55,890 We saw a huge increase in daily per diem rates 1514 01:13:55,890 --> 01:13:57,190 about two years ago. 1515 01:13:57,190 --> 01:14:01,010 A lot of shelter facilities, secure facilities all 1516 01:14:01,010 --> 01:14:04,730 raised their rates in an incredible way. 1517 01:14:04,730 --> 01:14:07,910 That had a very negative impact on that budget. 1518 01:14:07,910 --> 01:14:13,090 So far this year, we have had 15 juveniles who have 1519 01:14:13,090 --> 01:14:14,950 been in some form of placement. 1520 01:14:14,950 --> 01:14:17,210 That could be one day in detention 1521 01:14:17,210 --> 01:14:19,370 after an arrest from the police, and they're 1522 01:14:19,370 --> 01:14:23,250 released the next day, to I think our longest 1523 01:14:23,250 --> 01:14:25,310 has been in placement most of the year, 1524 01:14:25,310 --> 01:14:28,490 and that is in a residential sex offender treatment program. 1525 01:14:28,490 --> 01:14:31,650 So there's a wide variance in the placements that we've had. 1526 01:14:31,650 --> 01:14:35,750 There's been a total of 30 out of home placements. 1527 01:14:35,750 --> 01:14:37,970 Just over a third of those were law 1528 01:14:37,970 --> 01:14:41,490 enforcement-initiated detention for a new arrest. 1529 01:14:41,490 --> 01:14:46,050 So just to give a little picture about how that looks. 1530 01:14:46,050 --> 01:14:50,170 Looking forward to '27, we are not looking to raise the budget 1531 01:14:50,170 --> 01:14:51,790 for our out-of-home placements. 1532 01:14:51,790 --> 01:14:56,150 We are doing very good casework in our juvenile unit, 1533 01:14:56,150 --> 01:14:59,530 working very closely with our Social Service partners 1534 01:14:59,530 --> 01:15:03,270 through both family preservation and through casework, 1535 01:15:03,270 --> 01:15:07,250 to try to provide wraparound services to youth 1536 01:15:07,250 --> 01:15:11,210 and their families in an effort to avoid placements where we can 1537 01:15:11,210 --> 01:15:14,250 and keep kids at home with their families in the community, 1538 01:15:14,250 --> 01:15:16,710 if it is safe for them to be there, 1539 01:15:16,710 --> 01:15:20,250 both for them and for their families. 1540 01:15:20,250 --> 01:15:22,950 The last piece I would share from Community Corrections. 1541 01:15:22,950 --> 01:15:26,570 Again, it mirrors what we are seeing in the other divisions. 1542 01:15:26,570 --> 01:15:30,270 We are always heavily focused on staff retention. 1543 01:15:30,270 --> 01:15:35,050 As you know, we have invested a great deal in training 1544 01:15:35,050 --> 01:15:37,050 and staff development. 1545 01:15:37,050 --> 01:15:40,930 That has enabled us to have multiple staff in our department 1546 01:15:40,930 --> 01:15:46,010 who are trainers of curriculum and training requirements 1547 01:15:46,010 --> 01:15:48,830 that we are required to have in probation, 1548 01:15:48,830 --> 01:15:50,850 but we are able to train in-house 1549 01:15:50,850 --> 01:15:55,210 because of the time and training that we've invested. 1550 01:15:55,210 --> 01:15:57,570 We have leveraged free opportunities 1551 01:15:57,570 --> 01:16:00,670 through the National Institute of Corrections in many cases, 1552 01:16:00,670 --> 01:16:04,970 where we have been able to have our staff trained, at no cost 1553 01:16:04,970 --> 01:16:07,550 to the county, trained at the federal level, 1554 01:16:07,550 --> 01:16:10,570 or trained to be trainers and bring that back and train 1555 01:16:10,570 --> 01:16:11,830 the rest of our staff. 1556 01:16:11,830 --> 01:16:15,170 And so that has been a place where we've 1557 01:16:15,170 --> 01:16:17,850 been able to be extremely efficient with training 1558 01:16:17,850 --> 01:16:20,570 dollars and staff time for travel 1559 01:16:20,570 --> 01:16:22,610 and things of that nature. 1560 01:16:22,610 --> 01:16:26,870 We do have three individuals who are on family leave. 1561 01:16:26,870 --> 01:16:31,840 So again, as Megan mentioned, when you have three people 1562 01:16:31,840 --> 01:16:35,000 out in a small unit, that does tend then 1563 01:16:35,000 --> 01:16:37,720 to bring on a lot of extra work and burden 1564 01:16:37,720 --> 01:16:41,800 to the other staff, which can be overwhelming. 1565 01:16:41,800 --> 01:16:44,640 Everyone has really banded together 1566 01:16:44,640 --> 01:16:46,300 and worked very, very hard. 1567 01:16:46,300 --> 01:16:49,120 We have incredible staff at Community Corrections. 1568 01:16:49,120 --> 01:16:52,840 They operate as a team, they support each other, 1569 01:16:52,840 --> 01:16:55,600 and they are making sure that the excellent service 1570 01:16:55,600 --> 01:16:59,120 that people expect from our department has continued, 1571 01:16:59,120 --> 01:17:04,680 and nothing has lapsed in the absence of their three partners. 1572 01:17:04,680 --> 01:17:07,820 So with that, thank you for listening and attention. 1573 01:17:07,820 --> 01:17:09,240 And I would open up to any questions 1574 01:17:09,240 --> 01:17:11,713 that you have about Community Corrections. 1575 01:17:11,713 --> 01:17:12,580 CHARLIE PETERS: Questions? 1576 01:17:12,580 --> 01:17:13,940 Comments, Commissioners? 1577 01:17:13,940 --> 01:17:17,280 1578 01:17:17,280 --> 01:17:19,205 [LAUGHTER] 1579 01:17:19,205 --> 01:17:20,980 ANGELA: I gave you all the information. 1580 01:17:20,980 --> 01:17:22,820 No questions, right? 1581 01:17:22,820 --> 01:17:25,800 1582 01:17:25,800 --> 01:17:28,660 GERRY HOISINGTON: Well, thank you for what you do. 1583 01:17:28,660 --> 01:17:32,700 You're a very important part of our county government. 1584 01:17:32,700 --> 01:17:38,920 And a couple things you said caught my attention. 1585 01:17:38,920 --> 01:17:42,320 And I think I was aware of it, but the increased 1586 01:17:42,320 --> 01:17:46,740 needs that you've seen over the last several years, 1587 01:17:46,740 --> 01:17:50,800 or is this related to the COVID thing? 1588 01:17:50,800 --> 01:17:56,120 I mean, and what kind of percentage are we talking about? 1589 01:17:56,120 --> 01:17:58,100 ANGELA: I think, yes, to all of that. 1590 01:17:58,100 --> 01:18:02,460 I mean, I think we definitely saw an impact from COVID, 1591 01:18:02,460 --> 01:18:05,540 but it was coming from multiple directions. 1592 01:18:05,540 --> 01:18:09,720 So I think COVID and isolation is never-- 1593 01:18:09,720 --> 01:18:11,220 I mean, COVID's not good for anybody, 1594 01:18:11,220 --> 01:18:14,480 but isolation in a group of humans that 1595 01:18:14,480 --> 01:18:19,080 are basically hardwired to be connected to other people 1596 01:18:19,080 --> 01:18:19,980 was very hard. 1597 01:18:19,980 --> 01:18:22,560 It was very hard, especially for people who already 1598 01:18:22,560 --> 01:18:25,190 had underlying mental health. 1599 01:18:25,190 --> 01:18:29,890 You now have telehealth, which is wonderful and convenient. 1600 01:18:29,890 --> 01:18:32,970 But in terms of somebody working through therapy, 1601 01:18:32,970 --> 01:18:36,590 it may not be the best avenue for someone 1602 01:18:36,590 --> 01:18:39,310 who needs that ongoing support. 1603 01:18:39,310 --> 01:18:42,310 I think at the same time as we saw people having 1604 01:18:42,310 --> 01:18:45,550 these ballooning needs, we saw shrinking resources, 1605 01:18:45,550 --> 01:18:49,410 we saw less availability of providers, 1606 01:18:49,410 --> 01:18:52,630 and we're still dealing with that. 1607 01:18:52,630 --> 01:18:55,810 Someone who needs a new psychiatrist, 1608 01:18:55,810 --> 01:18:59,570 for example, may have a 60 to 90-day wait period. 1609 01:18:59,570 --> 01:19:01,670 If you're in a mental health crisis, 1610 01:19:01,670 --> 01:19:05,510 two to three months down the road, that is a long time. 1611 01:19:05,510 --> 01:19:09,230 Crisis ebbs and flows, but the things that happen as collateral 1612 01:19:09,230 --> 01:19:13,270 from that crisis, people who need intervention 1613 01:19:13,270 --> 01:19:16,870 are not necessarily going to be better 90 days from now. 1614 01:19:16,870 --> 01:19:20,150 So I think that is a significant challenge. 1615 01:19:20,150 --> 01:19:23,190 The other challenge that we see that kind of compounds 1616 01:19:23,190 --> 01:19:27,590 is that individuals who have severe and persistent 1617 01:19:27,590 --> 01:19:32,990 mental health, they may not be well in maybe making choices 1618 01:19:32,990 --> 01:19:35,750 in those crisis that then lead them to be involved with law 1619 01:19:35,750 --> 01:19:37,910 enforcement, for example. 1620 01:19:37,910 --> 01:19:40,230 Then they may come to the court system 1621 01:19:40,230 --> 01:19:43,950 and we are ordering a Rule 20 competency evaluation 1622 01:19:43,950 --> 01:19:45,550 based on their mental health. 1623 01:19:45,550 --> 01:19:49,190 We've seen numbers vastly increase there as well. 1624 01:19:49,190 --> 01:19:51,130 But that is a long process as well. 1625 01:19:51,130 --> 01:19:54,110 And in the meantime, that person's criminal case 1626 01:19:54,110 --> 01:19:55,010 is suspended. 1627 01:19:55,010 --> 01:19:58,070 But if their behavior, there's no interventions there, 1628 01:19:58,070 --> 01:19:59,910 new behaviors are occurring. 1629 01:19:59,910 --> 01:20:03,110 So now you come back to court later, whether you're competent 1630 01:20:03,110 --> 01:20:06,350 or not, and you have multiple offenses before the court 1631 01:20:06,350 --> 01:20:07,990 that need to be addressed. 1632 01:20:07,990 --> 01:20:11,510 Those multiple offenses have had an impact on communities, 1633 01:20:11,510 --> 01:20:15,470 families, law enforcement, may have new victims. 1634 01:20:15,470 --> 01:20:18,130 I mean, it's a kind of a huge snowball, 1635 01:20:18,130 --> 01:20:20,090 if I could describe it that way. 1636 01:20:20,090 --> 01:20:23,260 And so I think it's very important for us 1637 01:20:23,260 --> 01:20:26,580 to be aware of the needs of the individuals 1638 01:20:26,580 --> 01:20:27,800 that we're working with. 1639 01:20:27,800 --> 01:20:30,200 We are working with people at Corrections 1640 01:20:30,200 --> 01:20:33,540 that this is not a situation where people are coming 1641 01:20:33,540 --> 01:20:36,580 and then they have a consequence and they move on. 1642 01:20:36,580 --> 01:20:40,660 We're not in a position like that at this time. 1643 01:20:40,660 --> 01:20:43,340 Some people still respond very well to that. 1644 01:20:43,340 --> 01:20:46,180 People with multiple issues and challenges 1645 01:20:46,180 --> 01:20:49,760 need multiple service interventions. 1646 01:20:49,760 --> 01:20:52,700 And that's why some of the services that we provide 1647 01:20:52,700 --> 01:20:56,200 in partnership with other agencies within the county, 1648 01:20:56,200 --> 01:20:59,820 with our community partners, becomes incredibly important, 1649 01:20:59,820 --> 01:21:03,340 because having that streamlined helps mitigate 1650 01:21:03,340 --> 01:21:06,500 those challenges for people. 1651 01:21:06,500 --> 01:21:08,240 I don't know if that answers your question, Gerry, 1652 01:21:08,240 --> 01:21:11,320 but it's the picture we're looking at. 1653 01:21:11,320 --> 01:21:14,800 GERRY HOISINGTON: Well, and you said, your caseload is down, 1654 01:21:14,800 --> 01:21:16,320 but your workload is up. 1655 01:21:16,320 --> 01:21:16,980 ANGELA: Yes. 1656 01:21:16,980 --> 01:21:19,360 GERRY HOISINGTON: Yeah. 1657 01:21:19,360 --> 01:21:22,060 It seems like a vicious circle we're in. 1658 01:21:22,060 --> 01:21:23,200 ANGELA: It is challenging. 1659 01:21:23,200 --> 01:21:29,980 I think Rice County enjoys extremely good collaboration 1660 01:21:29,980 --> 01:21:31,680 across the departments in the county, 1661 01:21:31,680 --> 01:21:34,340 but also with our community partners. 1662 01:21:34,340 --> 01:21:40,580 I think that there is a genuine collaboration that occurs 1663 01:21:40,580 --> 01:21:43,300 that benefits the individuals we serve 1664 01:21:43,300 --> 01:21:49,300 and our communities in a really positive way. 1665 01:21:49,300 --> 01:21:50,780 CHARLIE PETERS: Any other? 1666 01:21:50,780 --> 01:21:53,180 JIM PURFEERST: Yeah, I've got a question here. 1667 01:21:53,180 --> 01:21:55,860 You're the second person out of Social Services 1668 01:21:55,860 --> 01:21:59,700 that I've talked about paid and family leave, people being out. 1669 01:21:59,700 --> 01:22:02,900 Are you kind of running at that consistent number of a couple 1670 01:22:02,900 --> 01:22:05,900 employees out all the time? 1671 01:22:05,900 --> 01:22:10,380 ANGELA: We have had three probation officers out 1672 01:22:10,380 --> 01:22:16,200 consistently since December and one in our support staff 1673 01:22:16,200 --> 01:22:18,490 that is out intermittently. 1674 01:22:18,490 --> 01:22:22,930 And much like Social Services, it's for positive life events. 1675 01:22:22,930 --> 01:22:25,990 We had a small baby boom at Community Corrections. 1676 01:22:25,990 --> 01:22:29,610 And so we have people that are out on parent leave 1677 01:22:29,610 --> 01:22:32,130 enjoying the birth of their children 1678 01:22:32,130 --> 01:22:33,630 and building new families. 1679 01:22:33,630 --> 01:22:36,630 And so it's a very positive thing, 1680 01:22:36,630 --> 01:22:41,450 but it's also very challenging when you have a small division. 1681 01:22:41,450 --> 01:22:44,790 We have 20 probation officers and three of them are on leave. 1682 01:22:44,790 --> 01:22:48,690 So three caseloads, that's a lot of people on supervision 1683 01:22:48,690 --> 01:22:51,090 that then divvy up into other caseloads 1684 01:22:51,090 --> 01:22:55,570 and create extra work for others. 1685 01:22:55,570 --> 01:22:58,310 And so, yes, we're feeling that impact. 1686 01:22:58,310 --> 01:23:01,357 And we are looking very forward to having our staff come back. 1687 01:23:01,357 --> 01:23:02,190 JIM PURFEERST: Come back. 1688 01:23:02,190 --> 01:23:03,230 Yes. 1689 01:23:03,230 --> 01:23:04,050 ANGELA: Yes. 1690 01:23:04,050 --> 01:23:05,970 JIM PURFEERST: Is that kind of constant through all 1691 01:23:05,970 --> 01:23:08,343 the departments there? 1692 01:23:08,343 --> 01:23:09,010 FEMALE SPEAKER: Yes. 1693 01:23:09,010 --> 01:23:11,490 JIM PURFEERST: OK. 1694 01:23:11,490 --> 01:23:12,610 Thank you. 1695 01:23:12,610 --> 01:23:15,730 CHARLIE PETERS: Well, I thank you, and all four 1696 01:23:15,730 --> 01:23:20,410 of these departments, whether mandated or not mandated, 1697 01:23:20,410 --> 01:23:22,030 are very important. 1698 01:23:22,030 --> 01:23:27,050 And it's an opportune time right now, with the levies coming up, 1699 01:23:27,050 --> 01:23:31,130 that we know how your departments are operating 1700 01:23:31,130 --> 01:23:32,930 and what's needed. 1701 01:23:32,930 --> 01:23:34,590 So, thanks. 1702 01:23:34,590 --> 01:23:36,650 I believe that's it for departments, right? 1703 01:23:36,650 --> 01:23:37,670 Or do we got? 1704 01:23:37,670 --> 01:23:39,130 ANGELA: Thank you, Commissioners. 1705 01:23:39,130 --> 01:23:42,497 CHARLIE PETERS: Rick's going to wrap it up. 1706 01:23:42,497 --> 01:23:43,030 RICK: Thank you. 1707 01:23:43,030 --> 01:23:44,510 There's just one last slide. 1708 01:23:44,510 --> 01:23:47,190 A lot of this has been discussed earlier. 1709 01:23:47,190 --> 01:23:49,610 So it's not on here, but just wanted 1710 01:23:49,610 --> 01:23:52,050 to mention on behalf of all of us, 1711 01:23:52,050 --> 01:23:54,190 thank you again for all of your support, 1712 01:23:54,190 --> 01:23:56,450 especially, for example, with the grant funding. 1713 01:23:56,450 --> 01:23:59,650 That helps us put in so many services that 1714 01:23:59,650 --> 01:24:03,610 are preventative and proactive, and that has made a big impact 1715 01:24:03,610 --> 01:24:06,010 on public safety and improving the quality of life 1716 01:24:06,010 --> 01:24:06,870 here in the county. 1717 01:24:06,870 --> 01:24:09,363 So, thank you. 1718 01:24:09,363 --> 01:24:10,230 CHARLIE PETERS: Thank you. 1719 01:24:10,230 --> 01:24:14,040 1720 01:24:14,040 --> 01:24:17,520 With that, Administration, Sarah. 1721 01:24:17,520 --> 01:24:18,640 FEMALE SPEAKER: Yes. 1722 01:24:18,640 --> 01:24:22,360 I have the consent agenda with the extra time, overtime report. 1723 01:24:22,360 --> 01:24:24,180 Payment of bills and personnel appointments. 1724 01:24:24,180 --> 01:24:26,907 So recommending approval. 1725 01:24:26,907 --> 01:24:27,840 STEVE UNDERDAHL: To approve. 1726 01:24:27,840 --> 01:24:29,000 JIM PURFEERST: Second. 1727 01:24:29,000 --> 01:24:30,640 CHARLIE PETERS: Motion by Commissioner Underdahl, 1728 01:24:30,640 --> 01:24:34,200 second by Commissioner Purfeerst for approval 1729 01:24:34,200 --> 01:24:35,500 of the consent agenda. 1730 01:24:35,500 --> 01:24:37,800 Any discussion? 1731 01:24:37,800 --> 01:24:40,040 Seeing none, all those in favor say, "aye." 1732 01:24:40,040 --> 01:24:40,800 ALL: Aye. 1733 01:24:40,800 --> 01:24:42,720 CHARLIE PETERS: Opposed, same sign. 1734 01:24:42,720 --> 01:24:45,000 Consent agenda approved. 1735 01:24:45,000 --> 01:24:47,360 GALEN MALECHA: Motion to adjourn. 1736 01:24:47,360 --> 01:24:48,393 STEVE UNDERDAHL: Second. 1737 01:24:48,393 --> 01:24:49,660 CHARLIE PETERS: Motion by Commissioner 1738 01:24:49,660 --> 01:24:54,000 Malecha, second by Commissioner Underdahl for adjournment. 1739 01:24:54,000 --> 01:24:55,520 Any discussion? 1740 01:24:55,520 --> 01:24:59,520 Seeing none, all those in favor of adjournment, say "aye." 1741 01:24:59,520 --> 01:25:00,320 ALL: Aye. 1742 01:25:00,320 --> 01:25:02,440 CHARLIE PETERS: Meeting adjourned. 1743 01:25:02,440 --> 01:25:05,860 Do we want to take a quick five minutes? 1744 01:25:05,860 --> 01:25:07,080 GALEN MALECHA: Sure. 1745 01:25:07,080 --> 01:25:09,680 CHARLIE PETERS: Please. 1746 01:25:09,680 --> 01:25:11,870 COMPUTER: Recording stopped. 1747 01:25:11,870 --> 01:25:13,000