Truancy

The county has the responsibility of keeping children in school.  Truant behavior is reported to the county by the schools.  The county works with the family, the truant child, and the school to prevent excessive absences.  If the intervention fails, the school can request the County Attorney’s Office to file a truancy petition in juvenile court.  The county applies diligent efforts and early intervention strategies to prevent court involvement.  The goal is to keep students in school by working with the family and school and only using court action as a last resort.

The number of petitions filed per year are:

• 36 in 2023 – 2024
• 75 in 2024 – 2025
• 18 in 2025 – 2026 (to date)

The county has several programs that address children and family issues to ensure students have the support they need to stay engaged in school and thrive academically and socially.

 

Community Health Needs Assessment (CHAP)

You can view the CHAP at https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/government/county-departments/public-health-services/health-assessment-and-planning-partnership

The CHAP provides the information for the county to improve public health services and helps to create a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) which is done every three years.  (CHNA can be accesses on the CHAP website).  The county works with Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical to develop the plan.  Indicators of the health of Olmsted County are identified in the report.  The top five most viewed indicators on the website are:  Drug use, Mental health, Tobacco use, Access to care, Education level.

7,000 Cars and 2 ½ Ton of Food 

This was the first year of the E.L.F. Employers of Olmsted Light Festival at Chesterwoods Park.  This event was started by employees at the park who volunteered their time and Friends of Chesterwood.  The ELF event created a drive through light show sponsored by businesses and organization.  Donations of food and money was accepted.  7,000 cars came through and 4,480 pounds of food was donated.

ZooDazzle at Oxbow was also another success.  About 4,500 people visited Santa and enjoyed the crafts, cookies, and hot cocoa.

Families, groups, and businesses can be ELF’s and volunteer to create a scene next year.  Contact the Chesterwoods staff to complete an Interest Form.  https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/government/county-news-events/county-news/Sponsor-a-campsite-at-Chester-Woods-Park-holiday-light-festival

 

Intersection Improvements

• The Design plans for the interchange at County Road 44 and Highway 14 are almost complete.  The bidding process for the project will start in February.
• Funding has been awarded to conduct a study of the Intersection on Highway 63 and County Road 21.  Improving the safety of this intersection includes preparing an Intersection Control Evaluation.
• Olmsted will seek bonding to improve the intersections at County 3 and 5 and Highway 14.

 

Ground Water Protection

Olmsted County’s efforts to protect our ground water continue to see results.  About 6,000 acres were enrolled in the Groundwater Protection and Soil Health Initiative in 2023; about 11,000 acres in 2024, and about 13,000 acres in 2025.  The savings of nitrates not being applied (measured in semi-loads) was 13 in 2023, 26.5 in 2024 and 39.9 in 2025.  It is worth noting that farmers and producers more the doubled the acres in groundwater protection by volunteering acres beyond the amount required in the program.

Olmsted County also participates in watershed management.  Olmsted participates in three watersheds:  the Zumbro, Root, and Whitewater.  In the past work was done by each county but this process was changed several years ago when One Watershed One Plan was formed for each watershed district.  Now counties in each of the One Watershed One Plan districts get together, pool their available money, and determine which project within the watershed can do the most good.

 

Artificial Intelligence

Olmsted County is using artificial intelligence in the Family Support and Assistance department.  The software called “EVA” is used to allow clients to access the system on weekends and after hours.  Early uses include handling address change requests and which allow changes to be made to the electronic document management system for the staff to process.  The use of AI helps free up staff time, create efficiencies and save county money.  The county continues to check on the accuracy and reliability of the AI applications

 

Olmsted County Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan update is now available at:  https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/government/county-news-events/county-news/olmsted-county-strategic-plan-2025-progress-report-now-available?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

The County is focusing its efforts on 5 priority areas:

• Community trust and Engagement
• Community Safety and Well-being
• Responsible Growth and Development
• Environmental Sustainability
• Effective an Engaged Workforce

 

Coldest Day of the Winter

My digital thermometer measures -25.2 on the morning of January 23, 2026.