Sheriff, Tracy enter ‘mutual aid’ agreement

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Tracy officially entered into a law enforcement mutual aid agreement on Tuesday.
The City of Tracy approached the sheriff’s office, asking to enter into a mutual aid agreement.
The new agreement was patterned after the one currently in force between the City of Marshall and Lyon County.
The Lyon County Attorney Rick Maes has reviewed the contract. The Tracy City Council has approved the agreement at a recent city council meeting.

IN OTHER action the board:
 •Noted the Lyon County Sheriff’s offices was named as one of 67 counties with an interest in participating in the Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Enforcement Grant Program.
The county will receive $5,927 each year for 2020 and 2021 for the sheriff’s office to use for Off Vehicle education and equipment purchase.
The board approved the grant with the Department of Natural Resources. It will be effective now until June 30, 2021.
The board also accepted a jail food service proposal from Summit Food Service to provide inmate meals to the Lyon County Enforcement Center. “It’s very similar to the current contract we have,” said Sheriff Eric Wallen.
The contract will provide service through December 31, 2024.
Sheriff Wallen also asked for and received board permission to participate in an improved 911 system called, “Next Generation 911.”
The county is mandated to provide GIS date to the state for completion of the project.
Lyon County has been awarded $19,972 to complete the project.
“We are a regional receiving center for the area,” said Sheriff Wallen.
“For Lyon County, the grant would reimburse wages up to the allotted amount for the preparation of the desired data,” the sheriff indicated.
•Accepted the resignation of Sherri Kitchenmaster as Lyon County Assessor. The assessor  works with local units of government to value and classified property for tax purposes. Her final day is Oct. 15.
The board voted to open up the job internally. They do have a candidate ready to take over the position who is currently working within the office. The county will get mentor help from the City of Marshall in training the new assessor. There will be an opening in the assessors office so the board agreed to post that position.
•Approved the 2020 Preliminary Levy at 2.2 percent. That number hasn’t changed since the last meeting. The levy is due to be submitted by Sept. 30. The levy can be lowered, but not increased after it’s submitted.

•Heard Minnesota Partnership Specialist Jim Accurso of the U. S. Census Bureau. Every 10 years the U. S. Government conducts a census of the county’s population.
“We’re encouraging you to get the word out to county residents,” Accurso said. As a member of the Chicago Region, he said he’s seeking a partnership with local governments to obtain a complete and accurate census county.
“We would appreciate if you become a liaison with us as we go forward,” said Accurso. “Our goal is to count everyone once and only once. We don’t want to county anyone twice,” he added.
•Hired Larry Hanson as a part-time deputy to start around October 1 at a starting wage of $23.27 per hour.