Olmsted’s Waste to Energy Facility Destroys PFAS

The Minnesota Resource and Recovery Association has confirmed through independent studies commissioned by MRRA, “that modern resource recovery facilities destroy nearly all per-and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) through the waste to energy process.  Additionally, the results show that air emissions from these facilities contain levels of PFAS well below Minnesota Department of Health guidance.”  What this means is that the high temperature in the combustion chambers of waste to energy facilities destroys the chemical bonds of PFAS.  Burning the trash in the waste to energy facilities is the safest and most effective way of destroying PFAS.

 

Cyber Security

Olmsted is fortunate that it has not had serious breaches in our county’s computer system.  We have invested a lot of money in security, back-up systems, and training to keep our systems safe.  As part of keeping our data safe, Olmsted County has become a part of the Minnesota Cyber Response Team.  This is a county led volunteer group that helps counties prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents.

 

Federal Fund Freezes

SNAP Data Privacy Lawsuit

• The Federal Government ordered all people receiving Supplement Nutrition Aid Program / SNAP (food) benefits must be recertified.  This would be an enormous task for Olmsted and other counties and would mean a delay in eligible adults and children in receiving SNAP benefits.
• The Court ordered a preliminary injunction on the recertification order.
• The injunction remains in effect preserving SNAP benefits for about 440,000 Minnesotans.
• The court case remains in process.

 

Medicare Funds

• The Federal Government has ordered audits on Medicare programs that were deemed open to fraud.
• Minnesota provided information but it was ruled insufficient.
• Minnesota previously paused payments for up to 90 days and hired Optum, a third party auditor.
• The Department of Human Services formally appealed the government’s decision; administrative hearing is pending.
• Some providers have sued the state over delayed payments.
• Payments remain deferred (not permanently withheld).
• The resumption of payments depends on an audit completion and a compliance plan approval.

 

Child Care and Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF)

• In December 2025,, the Federal Government froze all CCDF payments to Minnesota and is requiring detailed documentation.
• In early January 2026 the freeze expanded and included TANF and SSBG (about $2.4 Billion for Minnesota)
• January 8, Minnesota joined multi-state lawsuits to block the funding freeze
• January 9 a temporary Restraining Order preventing payments from being withheld; funding was restored temporarily.
• The court case is proceeding.

 

USDA SNAP Funding Freeze

• January the USDA announced suspension of $129,000,000 in awards to Minnesota
• Minnesota is required to provide payment justifications for all federal spending within 30 days
• Mid-January, Minnesota filed a suit challenging USDA’s freeze and documentation demands
• January 15 the court issued a preliminary injunction block USDA suspension of funds

 

Changes to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

Legal non-citizens such as refugees, asylees, parolees and trafficking survivors are no longer eligible for SNAP. The Department of Children Youth and Families projects approximately 224 residents of Olmsted will be impacted (5,500 people statewide).  Olmsted is in the process of administering  reapplications for SNAP benefits.

(This information can change depending on outcomes of cases currently in court.)

 

SNAP Grant for Olmsted

• On September 29, Olmsted County received a Federal SNAP PTIG grant of $663,829 to be used to support improvements in processing SNAP applications and reduce the likelihood of errors.
• Olmsted is proceeding with the work

 

Federal Funding Freeze on February 1

• On January 13th, President Trump announced that all federal payments to sanctuary cities and states like Minnesota will cease starting February 1^st
• The specifics of this announcement have not been defined and legal challenges are expected.

 

Provider Enrollment & Licensing Freezes

• The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has implemented enrollment and licensing freezes to address fraud risk in Medicaid programs. Exceptions may be allowed to prevent service gaps with CMS (Center for Medicaid Services) approval.
• Existing providers may continue services but must undergo revalidation which will need to occur by the end of May for all 5,800 providers in the state.
• New Licensing Freeze started in January for home and Community Based Services and Adult Day Programs and services in homes and communities for people with disabilities.

 

Dangerous Dog Ordinance

Olmsted County has been working on a Dangerous Dog ordinance.  The ordinance only applies to the area outside of the City of Rochester.  The ordinance is now more in line with State law and it provides for victim rights.

 

Afraid to Leave Home

The ICE surge in Minnesota also affects the people of Olmsted County.  Some of our residents are afraid to leave their homes.  This not only causes a disruption for our businesses and who depend on workers but it also creates a dire situation for families who cannot feed their families.  In response to this need created by ICE, I supported providing about $14,000 to Channel One for food packages.  Channel One works with several organizations that will assist in packaging and delivering food to the homes.

 

County Zoning

It was 50 years ago when the current zoning ordinances were written.  The zoning codes have been amended many times which has resulted in confusing and sometimes contradictory readings. The county board took the initiative to modernize the zoning codes and make them applicable to a rapidly growing county.  This is a large undertaking and will be done in consultation with the city and townships.  It will also include input from the citizens of the county.  Olmsted will hire a knowledgeable consultant to help with this task.

 

Housing Innovation

Creating affordable housing has been difficult in today’s economy.  Knowing this, I supported our Housing Department in entering into a pilot that would demonstrate that affordable homes can be built and sold.  The HRA projects are leading the way to show builders and others that there is a market for modest size homes.

I supported investing in ways to make housing more affordable with two projects.  You can learn more about these projects here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLO2HtTuamI

 

Fraud Prevention

Assertive Community Treatment

Programs that are deemed high risk for fraud are in the process of revalidation.  One of those programs is Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).  Olmsted has begun the process of revalidation with forms due February 25.  The revalidation may include unannounced site visits.