County approves advance funding for health, human services

After careful discussion, the Lyon County board on Tuesday voted to provide advance funding for financially strapped Southwest Health and Human Services (SWHHS).

Funds will be made available as needed, up to $1.5 million. The advance will create necessary cash flow just a few weeks ahead of the regular schedule.

The money will be taken out of next year’s funds, which means SWHHS resources will be stretched even thinner over the next year in providing services to six counties in southwest Minnesota.

In requesting the advance, Lyon County Commissioner Charlie Sanow said, “We’ve made some corrections and adjustments. I fully expect that by the end of the year, we’ll be close to budget.” SWHHS Director Beth Wilms observed, “It doesn’t come as a surprise that we’re in a financial crisis.”

Addressing corrective steps, she stated, “We have 13 open positions which we haven’t filled.” Commissioner Steve Ritter questioned whether SWHHS fiscal agent E.J. Moberg is being updated regularly. “I’m not pointing fingers,” Ritter clarified.

He went on to praise the beneficial work of SWHHS, saying, “I hope we can keep going with the original intent.” Commissioner Rick Anderson commented, “The same discussion is going on in all six counties.”

Sanow noted that Lyon County is taking the lead in this crisis because it is the largest county served by SHWWS and because the offices are in Lyon County.

IN OTHER business the board:

•Proclaimed that day (April 3) as National Service Recognition Day.

•Hired Mike Dales as the 2018 Seasonal Building and Grounds Worker. •Approved additional funding for two more summer interns, making a total of 11.

•Approved Reserve America to provide an online reservation service for county campgrounds. Commissioner Rick Anderson, himself a former parks director, commented, “I have never liked reservations. I guarantee you, you will have conflicts. You will need to appoint someone to handle conflicts.”

Commissioner Steve Ritter’s motion included making current parks director Roger Schroeder the designated contact person to handle campground reservation conflicts. Schroeder reported that camping in the county generated about $25,000-26,000 in fees last year.

He said the occupancy rate at the camp sites was about 80 percent full on weekends in season. The plan is to set up five sites from each loop for reservations.

“We want to keep the best spots open for walk-ins,” Schroeder said.

He added that there are no undesirable camping spots in the county park system.

•Discussed the possibility of a county tax abatement policy.

County Administrator Loren Stomberg reported, “Most counties are looking at new construction single family homes.”

Commissioners Sanow and Anderson volunteered to participate on a committee to study the issue with the county’s administrative staff. Commissioner Ritter will be an alternate delegate.