Board approves law enforcement rates

To help cities better budget for the upcoming years, the Lyon County Board of Commissioners approved the law enforcement contract rates for the years 2022-2024 at its meeting on June 1. Sheriff Eric Wallen explained to the board that the fees are typically given to the communities in Lyon County that contract for services in December, but he wanted to get the information to cities so they could more accurately plan for 2022.
“I would like to give them some rates so they can plan their budgets accordingly, instead of the board giving the set rates in December,” Wallen said. “I just thought it would make it easier for each of those cities.”
The contract increases are 1.5% for 2022, 1.5% for 2023 and 2% for 2024, resulting in a 5% increase over three years. The last three-year contracts had a 9% increase for that time period. Each contract is based on population and includes a minimum number of hours per week. Cities can choose to add hours at a two-hour minimum.
“With the situation we had with COVID and other things, I don’t want to overburden these communities with extra costs, but we do need to keep our budget sound,” Wallen said.
The board also approved the grant contract with DNR for the Sheriff’s Office to participate in the boat and water safety program. The DNR will provide $1,192 to conduct boat safety patrol and other safety related activities. The majority of the grant will be used for deputy wages, but equipment can be purchased with the grant as well.

In other news …
• The board approved the 2022-2024 Memorandum of Agreement and addendum with the University of Minnesota Extension. The agreement with the Extension is to provide local programs and extension staff. The addendum will allow the Extension to hire the staff for the summer intern while the county will pay the wages.
• The board approved a joint powers agreement with neighboring counties and Red Rock Rural Water.
• The board awarded two bids. The CSAH 2 bituminous overlay project SP 42-602-032 was awarded to Duininck, Inc. in the amount of $2,886,161. This will be for County Road 2 from Lincoln County to Redwood County. The state aid and local bituminous overlay contract was awarded to Central Specialties, Inc in the amount of $1,495,407.08. This is for County Road 9, 2 miles south of 19, County Road 16 from Lincoln County to Hwy. 23, 1 mile of County Road 59 into the landfill and up to the scale, as well as patch work on County Road 74.
• The board authorized staff to move forward with establishing a local committee to recommend options for a local economic development service provider. The county will notify all local government units that the county intends to adopt a resolution establishing the local committee. When the letter is sent to local government units, there will be space for them to bring forth names of local officials they would like for consideration on the committee.