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Pipestone County approves lease increase with Southwest Health and Human Services, updates personnel policies
Summary
The board approved an amended lease with Southwest Health and Human Services that raises the rate to $9.00/sq ft (10,200 sq ft, $68,950 for April–Dec. 2026) and passed personnel policy changes including a vacation cash-out option and ESST compliance updates; a seasonal maintenance position at $20/hr was also approved.
County Administrator Steve Ewing presented an amended lease for space occupied by Southwest Health and Human Services that raises the rent from $5.69 to $9.00 per square foot for 10,200 square feet for the nine-month period April–December 2026, for a total of $68,950. Commissioners approved the amendment by unanimous motion.
Human Resources Director Charlotte Seager presented a trio of personnel actions. The board approved a Seasonal Maintenance Worker position with a 2026 wage rate of $20.00 per hour to cover April–September duties such as mowing and brush pickup. Commissioners also approved Resolution 59-14-2026, which amends the county’s personnel vacation leave policy (M.16) to allow non-union employees with at least 120 accrued hours to cash out up to 40 hours once per calendar year.
Seager followed with Resolution 59-15-2026 to update Personnel Policy M.15B (Earned Sick and Safe Time) for compliance with Minnesota law, clarifying eligibility, accrual, usage, carryover and administration; the board approved the resolution unanimously. Seager also reported recruitment for Jailer/Dispatcher (posted Jan. 29) and that tentative agreements with both AFSCME bargaining units will be presented Feb. 24; mediation with the Licensed Law Enforcement union (Deputies) is tentatively scheduled for May 5, 2026, with wages identified as the primary outstanding issue.
The board also approved a nomination recognizing EMT Heather Harstad with a Colleague Kudos for exemplary teamwork and initiative. Next steps: pending contract presentations and scheduled union mediation and the Feb. 24 meeting for AFSCME contract presentations.
