[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6586254,"mediaKeyId","5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a","parentId",5547889,"title","2025 Olmsted County resident survey: most residents rate county positively, but affordable housing and child care lag","audioSeconds",1250,"startMs",3304000,"endMs",4554000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a&start=3304&end=4554","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a/thumbnail_3304000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586254/Olmsted-County/Minnesota/2025-Olmsted-County-resident-survey-most-residents-rate-county-positively-but-affordable-housing-and-child-care-lag","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586254-34f3f658190a58bb548122e38a55eff0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775912206&Signature=Yphrd8RlsEd56Lswi2J4hEHjpAk3jj5mG2ldPifhaqqfDzJ3qjHMxhWvTvDLbXbGQCLVC8hYXd1RenBDVXvMfopV8wlo7n3VIbQDfJkOX3Aj4oiUVaPGxr-H1sN7P9XyRsPHwO7XqnqLMIjTlcHEqkik5dIuI3UVKcF2ni87iR3oG~U0-LtF6yl7nzPurVltdVWOk3c-DnI8XFWMVqwB4yW~rX0SoDE2jIC9MG-nee1xc7D4ptJ5Kif3W9ndVX~bb6DL-hg77TehuxAXis44HYiY3WjBmBWB9A6k0ra0p3v1K-GObPajTw1-wtkYsrLZJaIerivkvq6twS2TxyelVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Olmsted County","date","2025-08-06T00:00:00Z","article","Olmsted County staff on Aug. 7 presented results from the 2025 resident survey, reporting generally positive ratings for quality of life while highlighting persistent challenges around affordable housing and child care.

Management analyst Fermina Espinosa told commissioners the survey used the vendor Polco’s National Community Survey template, which added national benchmark comparisons. The county mailed 6,000 surveys (one per household sample) and received about an 18% response rate — slightly lower as a percentage than prior rounds but a larger absolute number of responses than 2022 (about 1,000 responses in 2025 versus ~800 in 2022).

Key findings Espinosa highlighted: 8 in 10 residents rated Olmsted County as a good or excellent place to live; 8 in 10 feel very or somewhat safe in their neighborhood during the day; public health services, availability of affordable quality health and mental‑health care scored above national benchmarks; and yard‑waste drop‑off, recycling and natural‑area preservation scored well compared with the template benchmark set.

Espinosa said overall ratings tied to the county’s strategic priorities varied: community safety and well‑being averaged a score of 60 (on the vendor’s converted 0–100 scale used in reporting), community trust and engagement averaged 54, environmental sustainability 54, and responsible growth and development 52. She noted a decline in the long‑running overall quality‑of‑life question (a drop to about 65 on the converted scale) compared with prior years but said the county still rates in the “good to excellent” range on most measures.

Espinosa acknowledged demographic limitations in the respondent pool: the survey continued to skew toward older, white homeowners, and the county’s open‑participation supplemental survey and outreach with community partners did not substantially increase participation from younger or nonwhite residents. She said detailed demographic breakdowns and district‑level results are available in the full vendor report.

Commissioners asked about how departments will use the data. County staff said they will review results with divisions, align findings with the strategic plan and use the data to inform program and outreach decisions. The county director named in the presentation as Deborah Eric Mill was noted as a follow‑up contact for commissioners with additional questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Olmsted County Board of Commissioners August 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The county’s management analyst presented results from the 2025 resident survey: roughly 8 in 10 residents rate Olmsted County as a good or excellent place to live, response rate was about 18%, and areas noted for improvement included availability of affordable housing and child care, as well as some measures of government trust and transparency.","taxTitle","Olmsted County, Minnesota","taxId",3597,"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},6586259,"Oronoco administrator outlines housing, wastewater and regional recreation plans as city seeks growth",685,2093000,2778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a&start=2093&end=2778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a/thumbnail_2093000.jpg","/articles/6586259/Olmsted-County/Minnesota/Oronoco-administrator-outlines-housing-wastewater-and-regional-recreation-plans-as-city-seeks-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586259-cd878bb49b23c13af0004dc1f0878afc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775912206&Signature=WUNT6mX40fhdlV4GX4ivRdGSq9IPX7vxYu6cKrlFF4ziSArJr5R36DR5BAt0tXSFuj~5oyLOj8WBuoTgRDo~og56W2u6gtFsClKtTFM3qpw5Ou7kdA5WkSpdYB09SbBYjohF9ISz9JauVODQ4k0nvDttZvlokMjC-JIh5OtvC6hQzdYImPHz6elUzf6Te~O01j1y0iWUCSu46qrZCTYLDbEE2waVYHADVwDTHf9Q9OHVANFrjzE8GJxCytlBwCdR~V5kouXvKjnsJ7TAowZ66-jFK4chY6cdi1tbuyudKTNRT2yMXDe3ZxIJ0r4nI95tero~0gYYlVJEbkLOBaQl~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jason Baker, city administrator for Oronoco, briefed the county board on Aug. 7 about housing developments, recent wastewater infrastructure, and regional partnerships intended to support growth in the small city.

Baker said Oronoco’s population is about 1,800 with roughly 600 housing units and a relatively high median household income he described as “about $150,000.” He said the city is pursuing new housing options to address an aging population and local affordability concerns.

Baker outlined a Pine Southwest project planned as a common‑interest community. He described a phased plan totaling about 54 units, with the first phase including several single‑story attached units and a community amenity area. He said the developer has experience in Rochester and has held multiple community outreach events; residents and the developer are discussing mitigations such as a berm and tree line to address neighbor concerns about headlights.

On utilities, Baker said Oronoco completed a new wastewater treatment plant (Phase 1A) that went into service in April of the prior year and that phases to connect additional properties are planned; the city supplies sewer to Oronoco Estates (about 190 units not inside city limits). He said the city is preparing for Phase 1B of sewer expansion in about five years.

Baker also described a $170,000 grant secured for the Zumbro River regional water‑trail project, which will coordinate multiple communities to identify public launch and access points along the river. He said the city is pursuing a capital improvement plan, facility assessments, and potential tax abatement tools to help attract commercial development and fund parks and infrastructure needs.

Commissioners asked several questions about project location, sewer connections and community reception; Baker said outreach has generally been positive and that developers contributed funds to a city branding effort.","Jason Baker, Oronoco city administrator, told the county board about a push to expand housing (including a 54‑unit Pine Southwest project), improvements to wastewater infrastructure, a recent wastewater plant upgrade, and a $170,000 grant for a Zumbro River regional water‑trail project.",{"_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},6586265,"Sen. Carla Nelson tells Olmsted County board counties face unfunded mandates, paid‑leave premium increases and a shifted cannabis tax",466,1551000,2017000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a&start=1551&end=2017","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a/thumbnail_1551000.jpg","/articles/6586265/Olmsted-County/Minnesota/Sen-Carla-Nelson-tells-Olmsted-County-board-counties-face-unfunded-mandates-paidleave-premium-increases-and-a-shifted-cannabis-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586265-c41b6c6d1a35950047515ca10057fc5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775912206&Signature=QrFNbQ-WvCgu87O6XqmkZHr3r7NNwUsc5IoJVPwEtqNoj5Jv-AGiCk9kpxmT1Ndpu~aurxtw5xRHwrY2e4nh1XGFqbDyiTaW6yhvu7bqlUghuLWcfWzpi400mlntpswOe4yXcUC7mTNMZhHmCOlNKa4pE2gPNkkrr2ME3O22dRppywDQVP8-VnQzDUsZHp3N40JCcFV8QwsToOP00J3hGmHWt6GWaW0rC53XETCl~BNlnbQWDc5n4hA2tHvlzNy6~lCWdpoPPl2K9Q78X3TooQgZAn~pmoF-tSFXGunMbLPPYkphERFne61KpSJIpCTGsKmVpqVO8ZBphXb6EPjAfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Carla Nelson on Aug. 7 told the Olmsted County Board that the recent legislative session left counties to absorb new costs and that some policy changes will increase local fiscal pressure.

Nelson said the biennium began with a large surplus but that a projected $6 billion hole during the session made budget choices difficult. She warned commissioners about unfunded mandates enacted in prior sessions, including Earned Safe and Sick Time and the upcoming paid family medical leave program.

Nelson said the paid family medical leave premium was increased from 0.7% of payroll to 0.88% and estimated that local governments collectively would pay about $217.1 million to fund the program; she said counties alone might see costs of approximately $11.3 million in 2026 and $11.7 million in 2027 before accounting for the premium change. She said the exact impact to Olmsted County was not calculated during the presentation.

On cannabis tax policy, Nelson said the session increased the tax on cannabis to 15% but added that, contrary to some expectations, the full 15% is now being retained by the state rather than being shared with counties and cities; she called this a “purely unfunded mandate” for counties required to implement related programs.

Nelson also noted disappointment that the recent bonding bill did not include any priorities submitted by Olmsted County, Dodge County or the City of Rochester, and she encouraged commissioners to continue outreach to lawmakers on local project priorities.

Nelson concluded by urging the board to reach out with questions and saying she would continue to track security and other issues at the Capitol.","State Sen. Carla Nelson updated the board on the recent legislative session, warning of unfunded mandates and budget pressures, noting paid family medical leave premium increases and that a newly increased cannabis tax now flows to the state rather than counties.",{"_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},6586270,"Olmsted County approves consent agenda; minutes, parks commission and planning bylaws were pulled and later approved",731,577000,1308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a&start=577&end=1308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a/thumbnail_577000.jpg","/articles/6586270/Olmsted-County/Minnesota/Olmsted-County-approves-consent-agenda-minutes-parks-commission-and-planning-bylaws-were-pulled-and-later-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586270-442c5fa2e9708341b48edd684d390c4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775912206&Signature=mswpUNlvOr5WptDn~6-EXVlfQWz-zSEeNrpfPaE6p21NuUNRQx2VfocAl9RDNZtqSEFDgZSni-N7s5G2jKG6ipDAeKb36ZFLJSW8XCMJW85V1Yycc~tsn9RVSPIbyiDpDYp2q-AxrWDm6r~~BsYcse7v4gtn-4JCmeKwmI6nUgfWGYZuTXjukD4-HqdUEufEimg2GRTbPRz3kW-Ueou-bnmmCecqaJR13~kd7Eg2SDZOBvlyY-mx17BSMecr0wJDGi6j3woxlqgPq98NK5xFvuJsMo3LuUJZ6vdaAOBM7tg9vINmtERlWmIRMf23BYwIczwCjg1EBV-HbIrX1x91KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Olmsted County Board approved its consent agenda after pulling items A (minutes), B (amended parks commission bylaws) and D (planning advisory commission and zoning board of adjustment bylaws) for discussion.

At the start of the consent‑agenda discussion, a commissioner raised concerns that minutes (item 4A) lacked attendee lists and did not record vote tallies for a previously awarded contract. The board approved the minutes with those concerns noted.

Item B, revised parks commission bylaws, prompted questions about language on ex parte communications and conflict-of-interest procedures. One commissioner said the current text discouraged off‑record contacts but was unclear and could block members from participating if they had previously stated positions; he asked that the language be clarified. County legal/staff said the ex parte language was part of a 2019 countywide effort to standardize bylaws and that courts have overturned approvals in other jurisdictions when ex parte contacts excluded the public. The board voted to approve the parks commission bylaws with an explicit caveat to revisit the ex parte/contact language at a future meeting.

Commissioners also debated provisions addressing allegations of conflict of interest and whether the bylaws spelled out a process for a defended response and commission determination. A commissioner asked for clearer procedures; staff committed to follow up. The board approved the planning advisory commission and zoning board of adjustment bylaws (item D) after a motion and second.

All pulled consent items were ultimately approved by voice vote with the chair declaring the motions carried.","The county board approved a consent agenda with items A, B and D pulled for discussion. The board approved amended minutes, parks commission bylaws (with a pledge to revisit ex parte language), and planning advisory/zoning board bylaws after debate over conflict-of-interest and amendment procedures.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586275,"Olmsted County amends Environmental Public Health Services ordinance to add cannabis licensing, tobacco variances and a two‑year revocation buffer",124,14000,138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a&start=14&end=138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547889-7a160a09eeaf1d1bf4c054e49aeea95a/thumbnail_14000.jpg","/articles/6586275/Olmsted-County/Minnesota/Olmsted-County-amends-Environmental-Public-Health-Services-ordinance-to-add-cannabis-licensing-tobacco-variances-and-a-twoyear-revocation-buffer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586275-edd5797c746bb65e6be97eb318ebf1d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775912206&Signature=g41BKpbTULO7dxgxUCtgSfWU37ZLmSV9zKY~Ter2G6BJIvvVJ3ApKuHHqYawamjcbXrUxw61mEKqEurOOzIF3zGtCXcJ4aXKRfDX0F5H8K2lOXPKwGF8fpaaQSP1o7TRlWsO2Oy284laN6eqFHgqv84t~qL3wnnFodEaNA2D3~0duJMP3c2j9UJh5zxY-KQ23OOstGu3pV-Lf-ex4tFeeBRjZ8HV6XMaGF1FxzkRXMwnGWg-zEf61cqPykJxG9Zph65fjj3gYNmf1I~Lw8MM4Qw4d5t~zs5-F6qFcivJXl97bM2dIPWEI2XT6ZTiIAENyC~yxVqKUYLe4PRFrPZg2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Olmsted County commissioners on Aug. 7 approved updates to chapter 3,100 of the county code — the Environmental Public Health Services ordinance — after a public hearing and staff presentation.

The changes, presented by an Olmsted County Public Health associate director identified in the hearing as Chowdhury, add cannabis licensing to the ordinance, allow the public health office to grant variances for tobacco and other environmental-health licenses in certain circumstances, and create a two‑year bar on reapplication following a license revocation.

Chowdhury told commissioners the ordinance “covers a plethora of the licenses that environmental health holds,” including food and beverage, lodging, pools, and the newly added cannabis license type. He said the variance authority would allow staff to “consider situational basis and grant variances from the ordinance as needed” and gave lodging spacing as an example: spacing rules in older state lodging code that required roughly three feet between beds have proven impractical when coordinated with fire and building officials and have been relaxed for facilities such as Dorothy Day through case‑by‑case variance decisions.

The revocation change prevents a person whose license was revoked for ordinance violations from immediately reapplying for a new license at the same business. Chowdhury said the two‑year buffer is intended to prevent repeated applications by the same operator in the same location, which had in the past led to repeated revocations when the same control and issues remained. He said the ordinance is intended to allow bona fide sales where the previous owner truly divests control, but to block cases in which the same individual reopens under a new name while maintaining control.

Commissioners asked several clarifying questions during the hearing. Commissioner Shager requested a concrete example of a variance; Chowdhury used lodging spacing to explain how cooperation with fire and building codes can justify a variance. Another commissioner asked whether the ordinance text references state statute definitions for cannabis products; staff responded that definitions are provided in the county cannabis ordinance and are “pulled from statute.”

After three calls for public comment with no speakers, a commissioner moved to close the hearing and then moved to approve the ordinance changes. The board voiced their approval; the chair declared the motion passed.

The county indicated the ordinance will reference the county’s existing cannabis ordinance for definitions and rely on applicable state statute language for statutory authority, but the public record at the hearing did not cite a specific state statute number.","After a public hearing, the Olmsted County Board approved changes to chapter 3,100 to add cannabis licensing, allow variances for tobacco and other license types, and bar an owner or operator from immediately reapplying for a revoked license for two years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

2025 Olmsted County resident survey: most residents rate county positively, but affordable housing and child care lag

Oronoco administrator outlines housing, wastewater and regional recreation plans as city seeks growth

Sen. Carla Nelson tells Olmsted County board counties face unfunded mandates, paid‑leave premium increases and a shifted cannabis tax

Olmsted County approves consent agenda; minutes, parks commission and planning bylaws were pulled and later approved

Olmsted County amends Environmental Public Health Services ordinance to add cannabis licensing, tobacco variances and a two‑year revocation buffer