Nicollet County board approves donations, ends participation in regional joint powers, OKs residential facility closure and authorizes RFP response

Nicollet County commissioners on July 22 approved a package of routine and programmatic actions including acceptance of second‑quarter donations totaling $3,934.65, adoption of a resolution terminating the county’s participation in the South Central Regional “Immtrack” joint powers arrangement for immunization activities, approval of a closure plan for Rollingwood Home operated by Prairie Community Services, authorization to respond to a UCare request for proposals to continue delegated care coordination, and adoption of findings of fact and an order for a drainage improvement project by the county Drainage Authority.

The actions matter to residents because they affect local public‑health coordination, adult residential services, county revenue for delegated health work, and an upcoming drainage improvement that carries assessments for affected landowners.

The board first approved the second‑quarter donations by resolution. Finance staff reported donors and amounts: $785 toward the county van program, a memorial park bench donation of $1,459.65 from Margaret Hesser, three donors to the community outreach event Project Community Connect (Sheriff Industries $250, Hometown Bank $100 and Blue Cross Blue Shield $1,000), and $340 in donations for the county loan closet, for a quarter total of $3,934.65.

The board then considered a resolution to end Nicollet County’s participation in the South Central Regional “Immtrack” joint powers arrangement that had coordinated certain immunization quality‑improvement activities. Health and Human Services staff said the Minnesota Department of Health notified the joint powers board that state funding for the collaborative would end with the current fiscal cycle (concluding June 20, 2025) and that the state would assume responsibility for those activities on July 1, 2025. The joint powers board had voted April 28, 2025, to begin dissolution and asked member counties to adopt resolutions confirming termination. Commissioner Kolars, who said he had served on the committee for 13 years, moved the resolution; the motion passed by roll call.

Health and Human Services presented three additional program items. First, Prairie Community Services gave the required 60‑day notice to close Rollingwood Home in North Mankato, an adult community residential setting that originally opened in 2015 as a children’s intermediate care facility and converted to adult services in 2022. Cassie (Health and Human Services staff) told the board occupancy declined after the conversion and the provider committed to remain open until a new placement was found; Nicollet County had two beds in the facility and one remaining Nicollet County resident had already been relocated. County staff said Minnesota Statutes section 245A.11, subdivision 11 requires the host county board to approve a closure plan before implementation; the board approved the closure plan by roll call.

Second, HHS staff reported on delegated care coordination work the county performs for managed‑care plans. Staff said the county provided or received reimbursement for care coordination to an average of 432 clients in 2023–24, and in the last year provided care coordination to an average of 139 UCare members each month with approximately $19,000 per month reimbursed by UCare for that delegated work. UCare asked counties to respond to an RFP outlining capacity to expand services to include Special Needs Basic Care and to potentially provide care coordination for other counties. Health and Human Services recommended submitting a response that commits to continuing Minnesota Senior CarePlus (MSC+) and Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) care coordination for Nicollet County only at this time and states any expansion would require additional staffing. The board authorized staff to respond to the RFP.

Finally, the Drainage Authority — which the board opened following adjournment of the county board portion — adopted findings of fact and an order to establish an improvement project after reviewing the final engineer’s report, the final viewers’ report and a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources advisory letter. Public services staff reported an informational meeting and the public hearing generated questions but no organized opposition; landowners raised assessment questions but staff and the engineer said the benefit and cost numbers aligned. The Drainage Authority adopted the order by roll call.

Votes at a glance: - Approve second‑quarter donations (total $3,934.65): approved by roll call (yes votes: Commissioners Kolars, Deann, Zins, Helgut, Jahnel). - Terminate participation in the South Central Regional “Immtrack” joint powers agreement: motion moved by Commissioner Kolars; approved by roll call (yes votes: Commissioners Kolars, Deann, Zins, Helgut, Jahnel). - Approve closure plan for Rollingwood Home (Prairie Community Services): motion moved by Health and Human Services staff; approved by roll call (yes votes: Commissioners Kolars, Deann, Zins, Helgut, Jahnel). - Authorize response to UCare RFP and continue delegated care coordination for Nicollet County (MSC+ and MSHO): approved by roll call (yes votes: Commissioners Kolars, Deann, Zins, Helgut, Jahnel). - Drainage Authority: adopt findings of fact and order to establish improvement project: approved by roll call (yes votes recorded by drainage authority roll call).

Commissioners and staff emphasized continuing regional collaboration on public‑health education despite the change in contract structure and noted the county will seek to preserve local care coordination services. Several commissioners described the joint powers relationship as long‑standing and expressed regret at the funding shift. Health and Human Services staff cautioned that any expansion of delegated care coordination beyond county borders would require additional staffing and a revenue/expense analysis.

The board also heard a brief County Attorney update about fraud outreach plans for the county fair and committee reports. The meeting then adjourned and the Drainage Authority convened to complete the drainage item.