Thursday, September 9, 2010
Volume 98; Number 13
2011 Todd County
Fair funding
uncertain
By Tim King
The Todd County Agricultural
Society, Todd County Social
Services, Todd County Public
Health, and the District Court
Administrator all made presen-
tations to the County Board of
Commissioners at their Tuesday
August 23 meeting.
Agriculture Society Treasurer
Deb Nelson, and Secretary Deb
Durheim, told commissioners
the Society had a balance of
$11,669.21 at the end of August.
Deb Nelson pointed out that the
Todd County Fair, which the
Agricultural Society organizes
and oversees, took in $10,579.56
this year but spent $36,813.97
for a loss of over $26,000. Thirty
thousand dollars in other
income, such as insurance reim-
bursements, building rental,
and payments from the county
helped put the fair, and the
Agricultural Society, in the
black.
Todd County's contribution to
the county fair was nearly
$20,000. According to fair offi-
cials the county is proposing a
fifty per cent reduction in next
years payment.
County Commissioner, and
Chairman of the Board, David
Kircher pointed out the Todd
County Fair does not exist to
make a profit. Kircher said one
of the primary reasons for the
fair is to improve the quality of
life for Todd County residents.
Fair Secretary Deb Durheim
said more and more people are
exhibiting animals and other
items. Durheim said the rabbit
show was particularly big this
year and will likely be larger
next year. She also said a pilot
program to have Long Prairie
summer school students exhibit
this year was successful and will
likely be expanded to other
schools next year.
There will be a demolition
derby at the fair grounds
September 25. The gate opens at
5 p.m. and everyone is invited to
attend.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Social Services Director
Frank Sandelin made a presen-
tation for his department.
Sandelin said that, with assis-
tance from County
Administrator Nathan Burkett,
his department had received an
$11,000 grant from the
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Minnesota Chamber of
Commerce. The money will be
used to help people who are
receiving benefits to find
employment and transition off
their benefits. Sandelin said in
2009 his department had assist-
ed twenty-four Todd County
families transition from receiv-
ing benefits to employment and
self-sufficiency.
Sandelin said one of the pur-
poses of the Social Services
department is to assist families
to avoid financial crisis.
Sandelin also said that in 2009
his department collected $3.2
million in child support pay-
ments at a fairly low cost.
Additionally, he said one of his
goals for 2011 is to increase the
number of licensed day care
providers.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Public Health Director Cheryl
Tiger-Kinder Camp
Schneider told commissioners The Browerville School held a Tiger-Kinder Camp for new students on Wednesday, September 1st.
her department was considering The day gave the children a chance to get a taste of what the new school year will be like for them. The
cuts in mileage reimbursements camp took place from 9am - 2pm. During the day the children were introduced to work assigments, and
and over time pay for Home given a chance to use the cafeteria, as well as learning about school bus safety.
Health Aides. Home Health
Aides are currently reimbursed
for mileage from home to their
first client of the day. They are
Five generations of Biermaiers
also paid over time when they
work on weekends even if they
haven't worked forty hours.
Schneider said she and County
Administrator Burkett are con-
sidering eliminating both of
those benefits. She said they are
also considering reducing the
pay grade of newly hired Home
Health Aides. These decreases
in Home Health Aid compensa-
tion are part of an overall dis-
cussion about whether or not
Todd County should continue
the Home Health Aide program,
according to Schneider.
Separately, Schneider said
one of her departmental goals is
to be able to provide home
health care for all Todd County
citizens.
COURT ADMINISTRATOR
Todd County Court
Administrator Tammy Chapin
said the number of court cases
going through her office is down.
There were 186 major criminal
cases in 2009. There were 221 in
2008. The number of major fam-
ily cases was also down substan-
tially in 2009 and major civil Sunday September 5, a five generation picture was taken at Long Prairie Nursing Home,
cases declined slightly in 2009. where Helen Biermaier lives. Louis, Steve, Eric and Jacob Biermaier all live in Crookston, MN.
Minor civil cases, such as con- 5 Generations, according to age: Helen Biermaier, Louis Biermaier, Steve Biermaier, Eric
Continued on page 12 Biermaier, and Jacob Biermaier
WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT
Thur. Sept. 9 Fri. Sept. 10 Sat, Sept. 11 Sun. Sept. 12 Mon. Sept. 13 Tue. Sept. 14 Wed. Sept. 15
Showers T-Showers Partly Cloudy Sunny Showers Showers Showers
61°/55° 65°/52° 66°/48° 65°/48° 69°/52° 67°/51° 61°/54°