40 Years Have Passed

Olmsted County had its initial meeting with the Planning Department on the updating and modernization of the Land Use ordinances and Zoning.  The county hired Clarion Consultants to assist in this update and modernization.  The last time Olmsted looked at the complete land use plan was 40 years ago.  Since that time many issues have come forward that that needs the county’s attention; among those issues are Solar Fields, data centers, expansion of the city boundaries, expansion of sewer and water, and suburban housing.  The Planning Department will be hosting public engagement sessions and meeting with townships and the smaller cities in the county to get feedback and opinions.  It will take up to a year for a final document.

 

Farm Bill and SNAP

Food Assistance is tied to the Farm Bill.  One of the key discussions regarding SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) requirements, is the state financial penalties for error rates.  Part of the issue with error rates is an outmoded and obsolete process for insuring that only qualified families receive a food benefit.  Through our county affiliates, I support a delay in implementing penalties in order to give Minnesota and other states additional time to make technology upgrades necessary to eliminate error rates.

 

Election Security

The Board received a report from Elections on the many ways that Election Security is maintained.  Election Security is absolutely essential in a democratic society.  Part of election security is assuring that only authorized people are near and in the voting polls.  The role of local law enforcement is part of maintain order at the polling sites.  Election judges can also be in contact with the Elections Office and County Attorney’s Office.

 

County Libraries

The Olmsted County Board supports all the libraries in the county.  We are mandated to provide $843,380 dollars to county libraries; however in 2026 we funded the libraries at $1,523,101.  This is $679,721 more than required.  In 2027 the libraries will be funded at the same amount as in 2026.  In 2028 library funding will increase.  The libraries in the county determined the best way to distribute the available money; I support their proposal.

 

Camping at Oxbow

The new camp ground at Oxbow will open Sept. 1.  All sites will have electricity and water.  Modern bathroom and shower facilities are also part of the new campground as well as an efficient sewer dumping process.  With more modern campsites, more Olmsted families will be able to enjoy the benefits of nature during the day and the fun of a campfire at night.

 

Innovative and Unique Financing for Affordable Homes

Olmsted is the only county in the state (as far as I know) that uses innovative funding to lower the cost of building and owning single family homes.  Olmsted set aside $5 million dollars to use for no interest loans to builders who work with county to build affordable houses.  When the houses are purchased, the loan is paid back to the county and loaned out again producing more houses.  Olmsted demonstrated the success of this innovation with a project that helped fund 8 houses in SE Rochester.  Those houses were sold for $350,000.  With the success of those houses, I supported additional loans for up to 21 houses to be built in Pine Island.

The Board approved a loan plan for Bigelow Homes to use $2.3 million of loan funds for up to 21 houses to be built in Pine Island.  The city of Pine Island will also contribute incentives for these houses.  The homes will be sold for $350,000 – $425,000.

Another proposal from Build Wealth Minnesota to build triplexes and a duplex in SE Rochester requested a grant $961,725.  (This would be the beginning of a development that would eventually fill an entire square block and include a day care center.)  I support the project but oppose using a grant.  A grant would deplete the money we have available for loans.  I favor using the available funds for a loan.  The company will return with a proposal based on a loan instead of a grant.

 

Olmsted County Paying Another County’s Property Tax?

At the August 3 Board meeting a discussion took place regarding the amount of money Olmsted County taxpayers should subsidize another county.  This discussion was about the fees for accepting inmates from other counties that do not have a jail.  Law enforcement reported that it costs about $323 per day to house an Olmsted County inmate in our jail.  In the past, law enforcement has charged counties that do not have a jail only $70 per day and proposed that this fee be increased to $100 per day.  It is a tremendous cost to Olmsted to build and maintain and staff a jail; therefore, I opposed the $100 fee on the grounds that counties with no jail should pay the same amount as the cost for an Olmsted inmate.  I opposed a fee structure that would allow counties with no jail to pay only 1/3 of the cost compared to an Olmsted inmate.

I oppose having Olmsted County tax payers providing a subsidy for another county.  If another county without a jail of their own uses our detention facility, it is only fair that they pay the same rate that it costs Olmsted county tax payers.  I supported the majority vote to set a fee which is commensurate with the cost of housing an Olmsted County inmate at $323 per day.

 

County Economic Development

The question, “How should Olmsted County contribute to economic development?” is often asked.  The answer includes many aspects of the County Board’s forward actions.  Please be aware that economic development in any part of the county helps everyone in the county.

1. The county funds, builds and provides many amenities that corporations and businesses consider when locating in Olmsted County.

• 5 county parks which maintain recreation in natural centers and allow for respite enjoyment.
• a zoo and a herd of genetically pure bison (which we loan out to other herds to maintain healthy genetics in the US bison population).
• free boat launches and fishing piers
• a swimming beach
• an amphitheater for music performances
• a Graham Park facility that will host events for the people of Olmsted County

2. Olmsted County has excellent programming to support our lowest income families. This support includes programming to help those families become self-sufficient and move up the income ladder.  The support that is provided demonstrates to businesses and corporations that the “liveability” and social environment is welcoming and secure.
3. Olmsted County extends to the small cities in the county opportunities to build affordable homes and assists with road construction that promotes commerce.
4. The Board is considering a tax abatement strategy that will help small cities attract small businesses to build and stay in communities.
5. The County provides economic development that is vital but invisible to most people this includes environmentally sound trash disposal.

• The county does not landfill which avoids toxic leaks into the groundwater and does not release methane into the atmosphere.
• the county protects the ground water by reducing nitrate and other chemicals that seep into the aquafers; this is accomplished by better and proven farming practices.
• Promotion of soil health and conservation to insure that the land remains fertile and available into the future

6. Energy Sustainability.

• the county operates 5 geothermal systems.
• recoverable fuel from the trash produces enough electricity to heat and cool county buildings and supply enough electricity to power about 6,000 homes.
• Construction of the Materials Recovery Facility will enhance environmentally sound practices reduce the cost of trash disposal
• Ash from the Waste to Energy is now being used in road construction further reducing the costs of building roads.

7. Olmsted County uses innovative financing and collaboration with private builders to increase the number of single family affordable homes in the county.

I support Olmsted’s collaboration with other Economic Development efforts in Rochester and the smaller cities to ensure that the county’s tax base continues to increase and that we have a diversity of industries that provide good jobs and “liveable”wages for our citizens.