Commissioners approve public health nurse funding

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

A motion by County Commissioner Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids, on Jan. 9, and seconded by Commissioner Lee Rogness of Fergus Falls was unanimously carried to approve a full-time workforce navigator position.

The new county employee will address countywide workforce shortages. This position is funded by a Minnesota grant from the state Department of Energy and Economic Development (DEED). 

The job will sunset after three years and only continue if the county board of commissioners feels that the position has successfully resulted in addressing the county workforce shortages.

Public health nurse funding approved

A motion by County Commissioner Dan Bucholz of Perham and seconded by Commissioner Bob Lahman of Parkers Prairie was unanimously carried to approve a full-time position for a public health nurse.

This new employee will be an assessor to provide additional support to the multi-disciplinary team conducting assessments. This position is in response to the increasing aging population in Otter Tail County.

There is additional caseload for MnChoices assessors. This position is included in the 2024 county budget.

Absentee ballot board approved

The county board of commissioners, recognizing the requirement of Minnesota statute, established an absentee ballot board in advance of the start of absentee voting in 2024.

Thirteen individuals were later appointed to the board in preparation for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Nomination Primary Election in Minnesota.

Road and bridge funding transfers

The county board unanimously approved a resolution to transfer $284,523 from the county Capital Improvement Fund to the Road and Bridge Fund for reimbursement of previously approved capital expenditure.

Included are two sets of plow equipment and dump boxes for plow trucks, including plows, wings, underbody scrapers, hydraulics, sanders and controls.