[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6550501,"mediaKeyId","5391277-9a22de45612a9d9a23e8756498d9db92","parentId",5391277,"title","Meeker County reclassifies ditch inspector post as HC 41; public works reviews roads and ditch work","audioSeconds",742,"startMs",1053000,"endMs",1795000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391277-9a22de45612a9d9a23e8756498d9db92&start=1053&end=1795","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391277-9a22de45612a9d9a23e8756498d9db92/thumbnail_1053000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550501/Meeker-County/Minnesota/Meeker-County-reclassifies-ditch-inspector-post-as-HC-41-public-works-reviews-roads-and-ditch-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550501-248cf2e2a5ff47842250d546a0691c05/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961659&Signature=VfmEjlJVqEl365EFZQdb2UQhx~KUzXfbInSoJlYAoVyViZNj1t94CLNVsXGnxJmAt0xa~xLZ5KXXdJee5BYztF9YjaGF2-8UKcH9b6GuJm9sR8BMGhj4HCTM~PjXBVl4DESodMy4~pKfrepaWZthkVP7PkoVDlX9jbDgSUZqeHdxzhw-Zzrg9e5l9reDeyOZ9W-XxZnCcwDGamAlhMazHHm6l2gxzU6v0RUuEZ47yX59xrLzDCFhXBoPXyf1i1xJBQaU7SrzKwoXPfg7Ye4xM4mn--41Z1Sz-oei-djf7vqA~yOtV6WEBLWXuR0B9RsHp3EuS0sk0Sdpl89Dh4WxNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Meeker County","date","2025-07-15T13:13:49Z","article","Meeker County commissioners approved reclassifying the countys vacant ditch inspector position to an HC 41 pay grade Tuesday, and Public Works Director Phil Schmalls used the meeting to review the departments staffing, equipment and a multi-year program of road, bridge and ditch work.

The board voted to reclassify the position after the countys compensation and classification committee recommended the change following a review of the job description and regional comparators. Schmalls told commissioners the reclassification is intended to help attract qualified candidates; the position remains vacant and the county previously received only one nonlocal applicant.

Funding: Schmalls said the ditch inspectors hours are paid from benefiting properties on ditch systems, not from the county levy. He warned that increasing the pay rate could slightly raise costs billed to those benefiting properties.

Statutory duties and risk: Schmalls reviewed county duties for ditch systems, including a statutory expectation that ditches be inspected every five years. He said the county has fallen behind on the five-year inspection cycle and that not performing required inspections can expose the county to liability; he cited case law where failure to inspect contributed to financial liability in a separate municipality.

Public works overview: Schmalls then presented the departments annual report and highlighted road and bridge projects completed in 2024 (including micro-milling and reclaim-and-pave work), equipment and fleet counts (for example, 17 plow trucks and 13 motor graders), and the countys unusual road structure (Meeker County has county-state-aid roads and township roads but no designated \"county roads\" for state-aid purposes). He also described the county ditch inventory (about 170 miles of open ditch and roughly 55 miles of tile lines) and common repair needs such as tree removal, sediment cleanout and permitting requirements.

Options for filling work: Commissioners and Schmalls discussed recruitment and contracting options. Schmalls said contracting remains an option (requiring an RFP if used), and that contracting could be a short-term approach if recruitment fails. He also discussed shared arrangements with neighboring counties but said prior outreach had mixed results.

Board action: Commissioner Oberg moved to approve the reclassification to HC 41 (motion seconded by Commissioner Samtke). The board approved the reclassification by voice vote.

Why it matters: County officials said filling the ditch inspector position is important to bring the county back into compliance with inspection timelines, reduce liability exposure and keep routine ditch maintenance on schedule. Schmalls said ditch work also supports road safety and drainage across townships that the county helps maintain under intergovernmental maintenance agreements.

Next steps: Human resources and public works will post or recruit for the reclassified position and continue to consider contracting and regional sharing if recruitment does not produce qualified candidates. Schmalls said he expects an ongoing workload for ditch maintenance for the foreseeable future.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 15, 2025, Meeker County Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Meeker County commissioners voted to reclassify the countys vacant ditch inspector position to an HC 41 pay grade and heard a broad annual report from Public Works Director Phil Schmalls on roads, bridges, fleet and ditch maintenance.","taxTitle","Meeker County, Minnesota","taxId",73314,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550507,"Meeker County commissioners reject landfill operator bids, plan new RFP to pursue sale",817,229000,1046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391277-9a22de45612a9d9a23e8756498d9db92&start=229&end=1046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391277-9a22de45612a9d9a23e8756498d9db92/thumbnail_229000.jpg","/articles/6550507/Meeker-County/Minnesota/Meeker-County-commissioners-reject-landfill-operator-bids-plan-new-RFP-to-pursue-sale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550507-8dd03249f1fd10eeb0c1a4ba3f88c262/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961658&Signature=ODdCeKb377oiKH2nb47EGi4fNIqUBABmhJkXHYZguWfznfGO9QySofdkRpkAwPB3YwxpStNHnFcHV~Bt4ggNknTELM9KfV1dvMak8tQMH1DNR4os2jsgiii-P575T9zC73ohdqxNSnFu9RhKf7Oyf-DKsDXzr-r7ukHW9w8V-wdP3XuVKAXYcVxsOp23AEgyYyQKOgFMXdQKY~HoVrfJJhNwub0me9VljzT3QqbC0yvC7Uq39eG~re7U67mwuHeC7JTytyQgVtB5FdBtoILkEw6VsUmAykRbtjfZ5nPc6NAgYM9QS3dUnQLVAo2TiiG5o79qsQovqOOcQYocEUgnRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Meeker County commissioners voted Tuesday to reject three proposals to operate the county landfill and transfer station in Litchfield and directed staff to issue a new request for proposals focused on selling the site.

The decision came after Land Use Director Greg Schultz summarized options the board considered earlier this year, including issuing an RFP for a new operator, the county operating the site with county staff, selling the landfill, or continuing with the current contractor. Schultz told the board that three proposals arrived in June from Innovative Resource Recovery, MWS Logistics and Stockman Trucking; one bidder indicated a serious interest in purchasing the site.

Why it matters: county officials said the proposals prompted renewed consideration of selling the property because one firm appeared prepared to buy the site while others offered operational savings. Commissioners noted potential long-term costs if the county retained responsibility for demolition debris operations, including required capping and environmental controls under state rules.

Schultz said the county will not accept the three June proposals and plans to issue a new RFP in mid-August that would be open for about a month; staff expects to return to the board with results around mid-September. \"We wouldn't accept any of the proposals that were submitted at this time, and we're probably gonna explore and send out RFP sometime in August for the purchase of a site,\" Schultz said.

Board members discussed potential closure and remediation costs if the county continued to operate the demolition cell. The county estimated the cost to cap and close the demolition area could range from about $1.5 million to $3.5 million; the demolition portion of the property is roughly 13–14 acres, while the total parcel is about 43 acres. Schultz told commissioners the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) would set closure requirements, including whether liners or leachate systems are required.

Commissioners also noted local service implications if other demolition sites close: the county would retain the transfer station for mixed solid waste and recycling, but demolition debris providers may need to travel farther if regional demolition facilities reduce capacity. Commissioners said they will weigh public access, price stability and closure obligations in any sale or contract terms.

Formal action: Commissioner Samtke moved to reject the proposals received for operation of the landfill and transfer station; Commissioner Oberg seconded. The board adopted the motion by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will prepare an RFP focused on sale options (and, if that does not produce a purchase, an operator RFP), set a price discussion before issuing the solicitation, and return to the board with responses. Schultz said the planned timetable is to issue the sale RFP in mid-August, keep it open about a month, and have a mid-September discussion with the board.

Context and background: county staff previously sought buyers for the site two years ago with no resulting offers. The current RFP process began after vendors contacted the county in April and May with proposals that suggested potential savings compared with the current contract operator (Endurance). The site in question was described by staff as \"6370 120 Third Street, Litchfield, Parcel 090315001.\"","After receiving three proposals for operation of the Litchfield-area landfill and transfer station, Meeker County commissioners voted to reject all submissions and direct staff to issue a new request to solicit offers to purchase the site; commissioners cited potential savings, closure costs and regulatory requirements in their deliberations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550496,"Meeker County approves Hartford life insurance and MetLife administrators for paid leave and short-term disability",427,4713000,5140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391277-9a22de45612a9d9a23e8756498d9db92&start=4713&end=5140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391277-9a22de45612a9d9a23e8756498d9db92/thumbnail_4713000.jpg","/articles/6550496/Meeker-County/Minnesota/Meeker-County-approves-Hartford-life-insurance-and-MetLife-administrators-for-paid-leave-and-short-term-disability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550496-4815f2b6c08a94a5ff2035aba79e82d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961658&Signature=mo~Jhw4bFI1XjgA7TRZV0TiYT-zfscZZD8cnibQqkZqPbJj-dD13wH6Fo7qQtvU8HNbR2R3D6AT289KCAyjgy4lJkp~dDEz8bFq7~QP37c~Ialpd9XgXflSISgYfP1-YLNzivihrAe4em3fS2xyxRa5ibeWE8eyEM~z89MNFm-GTVHVtwRiNeysGr5AnbTqeBKkoMxWWAKpjt1aKQRofMJkfbdeyRc32kik2kXQiSGWrHvHc3J7BPtSNipeLOOrck9s66iWuK0drDeUV~Oj0S-tM0oa0GNkTvWlFNc96a8rFKaZaB49SCjo0QiD~Cl9i~TnhyC7op0tstl3eEe29TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Meeker County commissioners approved three human-resources motions Tuesday to change the countys employee benefits administration: the board selected The Hartford as the countys life-insurance carrier and chose MetLife to administer the new paid family medical leave program and the countys short-term disability offering.

Human Resources Director Michael Johnson told commissioners the moves followed a request-for-proposals process and review by the countys benefits committee. Johnson said The Hartfords proposal would allow employees eligible for county health insurance to enroll in life coverage without completing a health questionnaire in many cases, and would increase the child dependent life benefit (from $2,500 to $10,000 under the employee-paid dependent option). He also said switching the county-provided $20,000 basic life policy to The Hartford would save the county roughly $3,780 on that basic life portion.

On paid family medical leave, Johnson said federal- and state-level developments require Meeker County to provide a paid family medical leave benefit beginning January 2026. The county could use Minnesotas state-administered program or contract with a private administrator; Johnson said MetLife proposed a 0.79% payroll-rate guarantee (a two-year guarantee) compared with the states preliminary rate of 0.88%. He told the board MetLife already administers paid family leave in other states and that MetLifes platform and customer service appeared more mature than the state rollout. The county would pay a one-time $500 fee to the state to use an alternative private administrator.

Johnson also presented MetLifes short-term disability proposal, which included a two-year rate guarantee, a premium reduction compared with other bidders and a change in plan design to align with paid family leave: the short-term disability waiting period would drop from 15 days to 7 days and the benefit replacement would increase from 60% to 70% of salary under MetLifes proposal.

Board action: Commissioner Oberg moved to approve The Hartford as the countys life-insurance carrier for 20262028; the board approved the motion by voice vote. Commissioners then approved MetLife as the countys paid family medical leave claims administrator (01/01/2026 to 12/31/2027) and as the countys short-term disability carrier for 20262028 by separate voice votes.

Why it matters: staff said the selected vendors offered lower or guaranteed rates for multi-year periods, simplified administration for employees and potential faster claims handling. The board will still need to negotiate cost sharing with unions for the payroll-tax component of paid family leave.

Next steps: HR will inform union representatives, finalize contracts and implement enrollment and claims processes before the January 2026 start date for paid family medical leave. Employees who leave employment may be eligible for continuation or conversion coverage under COBRA or carrier-specific conversion rules, at employee cost.","The board approved moving the countys basic life-insurance contract to The Hartford and selected MetLife to administer paid family medical leave and short-term disability benefits; staff said changes reduce county costs and offer administrative guarantees compared with the state program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Meeker County reclassifies ditch inspector post as HC 41; public works reviews roads and ditch work

Meeker County commissioners reject landfill operator bids, plan new RFP to pursue sale

Meeker County approves Hartford life insurance and MetLife administrators for paid leave and short-term disability