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Nicollet County board approves additional MN Choices assessor to reduce long waitlist
Summary
The county approved an additional contracted MN Choices assessor after Health & Human Services reported 56 people on the waitlist and average non‑priority waits of about 121 days; the county’s net cost was estimated at $25,000 after reimbursements and state forensic services pledged up to $20,000 annually.
Nicollet County commissioners on Sept. 9 approved an agreement to add a contracted MN Choices assessor to address a backlog of long‑term‑services assessments. Cassie, a Health & Human Services staff member, told the board the county currently has 2.2 full‑time equivalent assessors and cannot meet statutory assessment timelines as demand and case complexity have increased.
Cassie said there were 56 people on the MN Choices waitlist as of Sept. 8, with an average wait time of about 121 days for people who do not meet priority status. She described the consequence as service gaps for residents needing long‑term services and supports and said the county’s proposal to add one assessor was included in the proposed 2026 budget.
County staff told commissioners that state‑operated forensic services has committed up to $20,000 annually to help fund the position and that the cost to Nicollet County after federal and state reimbursement was estimated at $25,000. The board moved to approve the agreement, and the motion passed by voice vote.
The action funds an additional assessor position intended to help meet statutory timelines for assessments and to assist timely discharges from forensic mental health programs, which the presenter said also helps manage the state’s overall waitlist. The board did not provide further detail on implementation timelines during the meeting.
Next steps: the agreement was approved and will be implemented through Health & Human Services and the county’s contracting processes; additional budget detail is included in the county’s proposed 2026 budget packet.
