Fillmore County holds AFSCME social workers contract negotiations; next session set for May 11

Chair Randy Dahl convened a special session of the Fillmore County Board of Commissioners at 9:00 a.m. on April 20, 2026, in the Commissioners’ Board Room at the Fillmore County Courthouse in Preston to conduct contract negotiations with AFSCME-represented social workers. Commissioners present were Randy Dahl (chair), Mitch Lentz, Larry Hindt, Duane Bakke and Marc Prestby. County staff in attendance included Administrator Bobbie Hillery, Human Resources Officer Lindsi Engle, Human Services Director Wanda Berg and Public Health Director Jessica Erickson; labor counsel Ann Goering and AFSCME representative Ryan Hanson attended along with four social workers.

On a procedural motion early in the meeting, "On motion by Lentz and seconded by Hindt, the Board unanimously approved the agenda," allowing the negotiations to proceed. Chair Dahl then opened the public portion of the AFSCME Social Workers negotiations at 9:00 a.m., and "discussion ensued between the Board and AFSCME Social Workers Union Representatives," according to the draft minutes; the minutes do not record specific proposals, wage figures or concessions.

The board paused the session at 10:22 a.m. and reconvened at 10:32 a.m. On motion by Commissioner Mitch Lentz, seconded by Commissioner Duane Bakke, the Board "went into a Closed Session option per Minn. Stat. 13D.03 Labor Negotiation for AFSCME Social Workers" at 10:32 a.m. The public meeting was later reopened on Lentz's motion, seconded by Bakke, at 12:36 p.m. The minutes state that, "due to time issues," the parties agreed to continue negotiations on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, and Chair Dahl adjourned the session at 1:31 p.m. The draft minutes do not record a final agreement or settlement; they record the scheduling of the next negotiation session and the procedural steps taken by the board during the April 20 meeting.