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Commissioners approve routine appointments, contracts, audits and set truth‑in‑taxation public hearing
Summary
At their regular meeting, commissioners confirmed an EDC board appointment, approved multiple health‑department contracts and software purchases, accepted an audit, authorized a FEMA hazard‑mitigation grant application and set a June truth‑in‑taxation hearing; the board also adopted two recognition resolutions.
The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners approved a series of routine appointments, contracts, expenditures and procedural items during its meeting.
Appointments and personnel: The board appointed Tim Ellis to the Chippewa County EDC board to a term expiring March 31, 2026 by roll call vote. A building‑code appeals appointment was made by unanimous consent (appointee referred to as Surik/Surak in the packet). The board also accepted a slate of applicants to the opioid settlement steering committee and tabled final selection for one month as part of the committee process.
Audits and finance: Commissioners accepted a health department audit presented by Anderson Tackman and Company showing a clean (unmodified) opinion and a reported health‑department operating loss of $871,600 and an unrestricted fund balance of $348,981. The board recommended a truth‑in‑taxation public hearing be held at the county board meeting on June 12, 2025; that action followed committee recommendation and a motion recorded at the meeting.
Grants and major contracts: The board authorized staff to pursue a Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Plan grant for an estimated project cost of about $80,538, with FEMA funding requested up to $50,000 and a 25% local match, and approved the chairman's signature on the SF‑424B grant paperwork. The board also approved a one‑year renewal of Absolute NetMotion software for first‑responder remote connections ($7,200) and authorized county staff to seek proposals or quotes for central‑dispatch electrical upgrades and a central server RFP after prior solicitations yielded no comparable bids.
Health department and service contracts: Commissioners approved several grant‑funded advertising contracts (examples read into the record: Lamar billboards for family planning $20,000; Sovereign communications radio advertising $15,000; LSSU dasher board $4,400; medical‑marijuana billboard $3,200). They approved an independent‑contractor agreement for Maternal Infant Health Program services at $75 per visit (effective through June 30 or until a permanent social worker is hired) and authorized an agreement with Brightree for home‑health records ($2,250 first year with subsequent annual costs referenced).
County operations and equipment: The board approved moving health‑department bank accounts under the county EIN, reduced food‑license fees to $71 for Sioux Area public schools where closures prompted prorated licensing, authorized purchase of a high‑security crosscut shredder (cost recorded in packet), approved PetPoint animal‑shelter records software ($3,000 plus $2,075 for a vehicle add‑on and approximately $515/year mobile internet), and approved a Stone Garden‑funded purchase of a 2024 Chevy Silverado patrol vehicle (total ~$70,000) and up‑fitting. The county approved a cyber‑incident response plan and directed role‑based training once the plan is in place.
Procurements and IT: The board accepted low bids for 23 desktop computers (total $24,954.63 to Dell), two Rally bars ($5,237 to Tech Advanced Computer) and an IBM Power S1014 server ($50,331.79 to Innovative Technology). The board nullified and reissued or sought quotes for some other solicitations after addenda or nonresponsive bids.
Claims and payroll: Commissioners recommended payment of March claims and payroll: general claims $361,203.92; other fund claims $813,737.65; payroll $609,979.53; health department claims $221,697.59 and payroll $60,662.04, for total claims of $2,067,280.73. The board approved payment as presented on a voice vote.
Recognition resolutions: The board adopted resolutions declaring May 11–17, 2025, as Police Week and a separate resolution recognizing National Public‑Safety Telecommunicators Week; roll‑call votes recorded board approval for both items.
Votes at a glance: - Tim Ellis appointed to Chippewa County EDC board (outcome: approved by roll call). - Building Code Appeals appointment (Surik/Surak) (outcome: approved by unanimous consent). - Health department audit accepted (outcome: approved, voice vote). - FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan grant application authorized (SF‑424B) (outcome: approved, voice vote). - Independent contractor for MIHP at $75/visit (outcome: approved, voice vote). - Brightree home‑health records agreement (first year $2,250) (outcome: approved, voice vote). - Stone Garden purchase of patrol vehicle (~$70,000) (outcome: approved, voice vote). - PetPoint software purchase ($3,000 + vehicle add‑on) (outcome: approved, voice vote). - Cyber incident response plan (outcome: approved, voice vote). - Claims and payroll totaling $2,067,280.73 (outcome: approved, voice vote). - Resolutions: Police Week and Public‑Safety Telecommunicators Week (outcomes: approved by roll call).
The board’s actions largely implemented committee recommendations and routine county administration requests; several items will require follow‑up by county staff for contracts, budget amendments and grant applications.
