[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6517249,"mediaKeyId","5419336-c0cba61facbd8d1c9fd84359b80a201d","parentId",5419336,"title","Stevens County finance staff reports strong investment returns, flags overtime and insurance as budget pressures","audioSeconds",733,"startMs",2119000,"endMs",2852000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419336-c0cba61facbd8d1c9fd84359b80a201d&start=2119&end=2852","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419336-c0cba61facbd8d1c9fd84359b80a201d/thumbnail_2119000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6517249/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Stevens-County-finance-staff-reports-strong-investment-returns-flags-overtime-and-insurance-as-budget-pressures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517249-b95cc3717f2e09aa2162bdaa011c5082/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742703&Signature=GkLMlbNFClfebeXbyzd9LysqH-NVyM1TnJxealiB71~zKP3GyDdsXr5db2-EcKsv6qFfcaAum7PVisK9lSLk-39y9YJkSHqA18SU1LXPbMHmykgZNMQ2LqTpJR4OBa1op7jX44CYfsKWVEo4dRe6Vfe6l9yQmc1nhw8a4n2-u0FFfHSItkE6dQm~Wf3j07PWBntfpUnaOn76YS-w9~rS0N5yirOPh31qypvEle-8iqWuGK4snW~bjaDaoG-Fl78Qe8RDpe77bJkHKBuVQ7MuxtUgbUnFXD786LFlsK-xawjLD3S~UhmFoOViQy7G6Io6z1K1H1GlOdrOzPrMduR2QQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stevens County","date","2025-07-17T18:54:38.403Z","article","County finance staff gave a midyear budget update highlighting strong investment returns that have bolstered county finances, and identified several cost pressures the board will examine during the 2026 budget process.

Becky (county financial staff) summarized second-quarter results: year‑to‑date revenue and expense percentages were within expected ranges given timing of state aids and prepaid items. Staff noted large unrealized gains from laddered longer-term investments; one longer-term instrument was described in meeting remarks as earning roughly 5.6% and locked for a seven-year call period, and the county reported the larger investment pool at ‘‘a little over $15,000,000’’ (remarks as spoken). The county also reported an attractive sweep account rate at Bremer (noted as about 4.2%). Finance staff said they maintain laddered certificates so funds mature monthly and can be redeployed to meet cash-flow needs.

Budget pressures identified included: administrative court costs driven by mental-health commitments; overtime and premium pay for deputy sheriffs (the deputies’ overtime/wages line was noted at about 58% of budget year to date); and higher property-insurance assessments and workers’-comp adjustments that increased insurance/bond costs above initial projections.

Staff noted the county will discuss some of these items, including targeted increases for 2026, at an upcoming July 28 budget work session. No formal action was requested at the meeting; the report was informational.

Why it matters: Strong investment returns can provide one-time budget flexibility, but persistent pressures on overtime and insurance may require policy or levy-level decisions during the next budget cycle.

Provenance: The midyear budget presentation and discussion ran in the county-staff report portion of the meeting; staff offered detailed line‑item observations and projected items for the July 28 budget session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stevens County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting 07/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff reported above‑average investment earnings and a multi‑year laddered portfolio, while identifying overtime for deputies and rising insurance premiums as items to watch in the 2026 budget process.","taxTitle","Stevens County, Minnesota","taxId",71450,"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},6517254,"Stevens County settles AFSCME grievance over child-protection social worker pay adjustments",118,1719000,1837000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419336-c0cba61facbd8d1c9fd84359b80a201d&start=1719&end=1837","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419336-c0cba61facbd8d1c9fd84359b80a201d/thumbnail_1719000.jpg","/articles/6517254/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Stevens-County-settles-AFSCME-grievance-over-child-protection-social-worker-pay-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517254-9f562fbdddc6276656c219a49865a502/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742703&Signature=eMs-oZKAWCDNI9-YmEaBAo0J-~Bom-Z28dx1H4jJ6GhfU1OAToTTf35cbBDZQ-xEXHWoJQArJsCZUnnRJQOtXJU1gYAvU4gI~gLIvB-dnp7MrWnLik8sFJA14Z04~y--ICF92HzQXbMbJ~jFbvscelsXCaFtE76y1i6neLo6lRuIQuEDacqS7P2eiNTcKmVWeHG97OUfSA~~fBQ6Kux5wk3IlJGbQnM8nwPB-fbGUE-0xOfdCHTIwA5BnuzzL5YRpt7q1lVahF0Lqt00lRWlH5g2vKUanqqqLIOvY8L1QmX2aBc24exokkzPzAnp~UWieYb4d64hnVG3wzFQbYztXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff reported that an AFSCME grievance filed over the hiring and pay placement of a child-protection social worker was resolved in mediation and will not proceed to arbitration.

Jan (county staff) told the board that a personnel committee meeting with the state mediator on July 7 led to a settlement. The county agreed to move two child-protection social workers, Elizabeth Peterson and Hannah Merrow, to the same step and grade effective June 4 as the employee whose hiring prompted the grievance, Becca Bernalello. Jan said the settlement was reached to resolve the grievance administratively; the settlement ‘‘does not set any precedent’’ and is not an admission of guilt. With the settlement executed, the grievance was discharged and will not be arbitrated.

Why it matters: The mediated settlement resolves a labor grievance involving AFSCME-represented child-protection staff and clarifies pay placement for affected employees. County staff described the decision as a cost and personnel adjustment that avoids arbitration.

Provenance: Jan presented the outcome to the board during personnel and staffing updates and described the timeline and effective date for the pay adjustments.","The county reported a mediated settlement that equalizes pay steps for two child-protection social workers effective June 4; the settlement discharged the grievance and avoided arbitration.",{"_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},6517259,"Humane Society asks Stevens County for larger annual allotment, cites increased veterinary costs and community services",1163,446000,1609000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419336-c0cba61facbd8d1c9fd84359b80a201d&start=446&end=1609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419336-c0cba61facbd8d1c9fd84359b80a201d/thumbnail_446000.jpg","/articles/6517259/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Humane-Society-asks-Stevens-County-for-larger-annual-allotment-cites-increased-veterinary-costs-and-community-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517259-c0c08f6fb3ae8e7e1412eb95b30b87d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742703&Signature=l3DedMAemkl0jtLTuzDUwb6oqKzAMgRUUlwF7QxnZdw-8ftuqcqCFJ~swhg7W7v7Apw0e7OQqtqub~Kr0gJ1Hv9p2IFJZXnBztuOzt6URiBc8j85C2KXjZGo5d~tmThhyWDzitlQJqPm2kNVARbj2bG82hKt0B8cRUGz3fk5oxIZOd9Y5HbXRRXaDb5pApzQZNXCVP9hG1yQ2SmPWWqYgAc05bvifvCSlaRvtdrzK6ao7G5Ldc0fNHckw4-x~w766qcTWR~-B8OhBGelBxn6~G9BAP9pCifZzSrBO3HTTjZs35hwVB-nWLtrL7Gd6cgrrTs1x0tMbQSjZoXuLa0s0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Stevens County Humane Society told the county board the nonprofit’s services and costs have grown over two decades and asked the board to increase its annual county allotment to $5,000 for 2026.

Tracy (Humane Society) summarized the organization’s evolution from a small foster-based group into a licensed kennel with on-site veterinary care after an estate gift enabled a building in 2019. The society now handles about 200 animals per year across the county, the presentation said; animals that come into care are vaccinated and, when possible, spayed or neutered before adoption. The society described operating “as best we can as a no-kill shelter” except in severe untreatable cases.

Costs have risen substantially, the presenters said. Veterinary expenses the group reported were about $8,900 in 2014 and roughly $28,000 in 2024. The society reported operating on a modest deficit in 2024: roughly $46,000 in income and about $51,000 in expenses. The society said adoption fees do not cover full costs and that the organization maintains a part-time shelter manager and relies heavily on volunteers.

The humane society also described a targeted feral cat program that provided free or subsidized spay/neuter and screening; presenters said that program has removed dozens of cats from public spaces in communities such as Alberta and Chicago (town names as stated in the presentation). The society described cooperative work with law enforcement for animal impounds and holds, referencing mandatory five-day holds under Minnesota statute for impounded animals.

Request and next steps: The humane society asked the county to increase its annual allotment from the historical $1,000 to $5,000 for 2026 to help cover rising veterinary and facility costs. County commissioners said they will review the request during an upcoming budget work session; no board action was taken during the meeting (the presentation was informational and the board stated no action would be taken that day).

Why it matters: The humane society provides countywide animal-care services, law-enforcement assistance, and public-health benefits tied to stray/feral animal control. Its request, if approved during budget deliberations, would increase county support for animal services that the society says have expanded in scale and cost.

Provenance: Presentation by the Humane Society began when staff invited Tracy and Kathleen to speak and continued through a detailed account of services, costs and the feral cat program. The request for $5,000 for the 2026 allotment was stated near the end of the presentation.","Representatives from the local humane society described expanded services — including on-site veterinary care, feral cat work and law-enforcement support — and requested an increase in county funding to $5,000 for the 2026 allotment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6517264,"Stevens County commissioners approve routine business, gambling license and human services payments",180,0,180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419336-c0cba61facbd8d1c9fd84359b80a201d&start=0&end=180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419336-c0cba61facbd8d1c9fd84359b80a201d/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6517264/Stevens-County/Minnesota/Stevens-County-commissioners-approve-routine-business-gambling-license-and-human-services-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517264-abbad86a1e12668335a0215ae4dd77c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742703&Signature=QCIdV-a00rrHIsd2E1zrBW8dXSbs4iIuM5l0HjnnkKS~joFB4UeyT3XjMC~u9~qKH9tfQNcSY1LnKzd-VSYvRjEDXbAH~8EaqKiMq1Lybk4tuqrMdym9bXLtB9zN7MyUveQwwEvgoItWH-dAKPmK~x6gC3K4fwL-Wp3DzpvEDHAcxGgirIhqsf4kxLe~CElKHi-iLnRALQ1FQDbpLLZCc9Eg6b6Sxj8plqbr3TzOLek-LfSe3UMQ7~J04WMY5J-AJh1PWciPX1xD7k0qZkfz-TxARepqCM6sHzOWltJT3EaYt~PGq3nukzdCBKtyNxYCSHKHCRafkzZ4ck2olVrcdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stevens County Board of Commissioners approved routine business and several funding and personnel items during its meeting, including a lawful gambling license for the Morris Hockey Association and human services payments totaling $169,502.50.

The board opened by adopting the agenda and approving minutes from the prior regular meeting by voice vote. Commissioners also approved auditor and commissioner warrants as presented. During the consent motions, the board granted a lawful gambling license to the Morris Hockey Association to operate seasonal pull-tab (pole tab) gambling at the Palm Beach Terrace Golf Club; the motion carried by voice vote. The board approved payment of a human services warrant for $169,502.50 and accepted the human services annual submission for 2026 as presented. The board also approved a short-term service agreement with Jennifer Rose to coordinate the county drop-in center at $500 per month through the end of the year; the agreement was paid from Region 4 South Consortium funds and not levy dollars.

The board voted to accept the resignation of Emily Murphy, victim witness coordinator, effective July 22. Several routine departmental reports and personnel items were also accepted by voice vote. No formal roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; motions were carried following the board chair’s call for the question and unanimous “Aye” responses.

Why it matters: These approvals enact routine financial and operational items that enable ongoing human services programming, nonprofit partnerships, and local charitable gaming activity. The service agreement with Jennifer Rose preserves staffing for the county drop-in center through the end of the calendar year, while the human services warrant represents a near-term operational payment.

Details of formal actions (as recorded in meeting discussion):
- Agenda adoption: motion carried by voice vote.
- Approval of prior meeting minutes: motion carried by voice vote.
- Auditor warrants: motion carried by voice vote.
- Commissioner warrants: motion carried by voice vote.
- Lawful gambling license: granted to Morris Hockey Association for Palm Beach Terrace Golf Club (motion made and seconded; voice vote; motion carries).
- Human services warrant: $169,502.50 approved for payment (motion made and seconded; voice vote; motion carries).
- Human services 2026 submission: approved as presented (motion made and seconded; voice vote; motion carries).
- Jennifer Rose service agreement: approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote; motion carries). The agreement was described in meeting remarks as $500/month through the end of the year and funded through the Region 4 South Consortium (not levy dollars).
- Acceptance of resignation of Emily Murphy, victim witness coordinator, effective July 22: motion carried by voice vote.

No contested roll-call votes or recorded no/abstain votes appeared in the meeting transcript. Several items were handled during the consent portion of the meeting; the board chair repeatedly closed discussion with the standard “All in favor signify by saying aye” and confirmed motions carried.

Provenance (transcript excerpts): first related discussion appears when the chair called the meeting to order and the agenda was approved; gambling-license discussion begins when staff described the application; the human services warrant and service agreement discussion appear in the human services segment of the packet presentation.","The Stevens County Board approved agenda items and routine warrants, granted a lawful gambling license to the Morris Hockey Association at Palm Beach Terrace Golf Club, and authorized human services payments including a $169,502.50 warrant and a short-term service agreement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Stevens County finance staff reports strong investment returns, flags overtime and insurance as budget pressures

Stevens County settles AFSCME grievance over child-protection social worker pay adjustments

Humane Society asks Stevens County for larger annual allotment, cites increased veterinary costs and community services

Stevens County commissioners approve routine business, gambling license and human services payments