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Commissioners agree to revisit student resource officer contract rates at full board
Summary
After staff presented 'actual cost' calculations for student resource officer (SRO) contracts, the board voted to reconsider SRO contract rates at the next full meeting on April 15 to allow further review and input.
Goodhue County commissioners voted to reconsider student resource officer (SRO) contract rates and to revisit the issue at the board's April 15 meeting when a full board is expected to be present.
County staff and the sheriff's office presented an "actual cost" calculation for the SRO positions that differs from earlier proposals the board considered. Staff said the recalculation incorporated known 2025 health‑insurance figures, a flat 10% overhead rate for 2025–2027, the addition of a 0.44% payroll tax for paid family medical leave starting January 2026, and position‑specific vehicle and liability costs. Staff presented a 2025 calculated rate of $68,599 for year one (with a potential $72,674 year two figure under one option); the board had previously approved a $73,030 rate for 2025–26.
Commissioners expressed differing views. One commissioner said the previously approved $73,030 "reflects the going rate" and favored a single‑year approach given uncertainties in school and county budgets. Another commissioner said the newly calculated actual costs were useful and that the board needed to understand what is included in the 60/40 split other jurisdictions sometimes use.
The board moved and seconded a motion to reconsider the SRO contract rates at the April 15 meeting when a full board would be present. The chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried. Commissioners directed staff to bring the updated calculations and to be prepared to discuss contract term length (one year vs. two years) and the components being included in comparisons to city contracts.
Staff warned that several elements remain uncertain, including health insurance costs beyond 2025, results of an upcoming county insurance RFP and outcomes of union negotiations. The board did not adopt new contract rates at the April 1 meeting.
