Ray County commissioner updates Otsego council on interim administrator, budget push and festival support

Jeanne Holland, Ray County commissioner, addressed the Otsego City Council during the open forum on Aug. 12 and provided several updates affecting Otsego residents.

Holland said the county administrator recently resigned and the county has appointed an interim county administrator, Greg Kreiser, who will retain duties as the county’s civil attorney during the budget season. "We have now put in an interim county administrator, who is Greg Kreiser," she said, adding he will help carry the county through the budget process.

Holland said county budget drafting has been "very, very intense," describing an initial levy estimate of about 8 that staff are working to reduce to a target between 4 and 6. "Our goal is to get it between 4 and 6," she said, and added she is advocating for cities like Otsego that could be more affected because of population and housing characteristics.

Holland also asked city parks staff to coordinate with Public Health to arrange a lactation station for the upcoming city festival, noting the county was surprised last year by the number of young families in attendance and that Public Health wants to support festival services.

She briefly noted county work on cannabis regulation and implementation that could pose challenges beginning Jan. 1 and thanked city staff (including Adam and Sabrina) for participation in county cannabis meetings. Holland said she plans to attend the festival and invited questions from council members.

Council members thanked Holland and said staff would relay her request to parks staff.