County buys squad cars, prepares for construction

During their April 7 meeting, commissioners approved the purchase of two new squad cars for the Waseca County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Jay Dulas informed commissioners the needed $90,000 is in his budget for this year. The new vehicles will be Ford Explorers, the same model as those being retired; the rationale is that having similar vehicles will facilitate transferring equipment, including radios and specialized tools. 

 

Commissioners also acknowledged the receipt of about $735,000 from the Minnesota Department of Transportation toward the county’s “local road improvement program.” County engineer Jim Kollar mentioned that the safety improvement work of paving the shoulders along County Road 14 will begin April 20.

 

Board members heard from administrators of the South Country Health Alliance (SCHA) that the organization is in sound financial condition and is closely monitoring decisions being made on the legislative level which may affect the agency’s practices. SCHA is a county-based non-profit health plan that provides healthcare coverage for residents enrolled in state health programs, including medical assistance, MinnesotaCare and Medicare Advantage plans. The agency operates in Waseca, Brown, Dodge, Goodhue, Kanabec, Sibley, Steele and Wabasha counties.

 

During the April 7 meeting, board members also approved two proclamations.

 

One named April as “County Government Month.” Mentioning that there are more than 3,000 counties across the United States, board chair De Malterer stated that county governments are frequently referred to as an “invisible” layer of public leadership which makes decisions about the welfare of its own citizens while also being asked to carry out initiatives imposed on it by state or federal leaders. 

 

Referring to county employees, Malterer continued,“We greatly appreciate everyone who contributes to the work we accomplish, from day-to-day tasks to coping with emergencies.”

 

County leaders also supported proclaiming April as “Child Abuse Prevention Month,” following an initiative of the National Exchange Club. Board members were wearing blue ribbons, and made it part of the county’s proclamation to illuminate the county courthouse in blue throughout the month.

 

Local Exchange Club president Mikhail Rostislavovich was joined by Timeout Teddy, a mascot of the Exchange Club’s prevention program. Rostislavovich stated the lighting and ribbons “publicly affirm the beliefs we hold as a county that we should give a voice to those who may not have the words, yet, to ask for help.” He shared a number of unsettling statistics, including that 80% of children who enter the foster care system with a history of abuse will attempt suicide. Fewer than 1.5 percent of children remanded to foster care go on to build thriving lifestyles.