BSCB receives Woodland Centers’ Spring Report

The Big Stone County Board met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 20, at the Big Stone County Courthouse in Ortonivlle. 

Board members approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from their meeting on May 6. They also authorized the payment of bills. 

During committee reports, board members discussed information from recent meetings. 

Commissioner Chad Zimmel shared notes from an Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC) meeting. Zimmel reported that the recommendation to the organization’s board of directors is for a three percent levy increase next year. He also shared that the UMVRDC’s  Revolving Loan Fund has $147,000 available in loan funds. 

Commissioner Zimmel also provided information from a Bois de Sioux Watershed District meeting. He noted a discussion between the organization and landowners regarding a large tiling project involving a couple of thousand acres of land east of Graceville. 

Commissioner Wade Athey highlighted notes from an Upper Minnesota River Watershed District meeting. He reported on a discussion about Phase II work for the Toelle Coulee project. 

Commissioner Athey also shared information from a Prairie Five Community Action Council meeting. He noted the organization is looking for Headstart classroom space for approximately 40 kids. Athey also reported Prairie Five holds over $1 million in assets. 

Commissioner Paul Radermacher delivered information from a Southwest Minnesota Mental Health Consortium meeting. He reported that the organization has 5.2 months of reserves on hand. Radermacher also detailed that the consortium decided to distribute $320,000 of unallocated funds from 2024 to the counties based on population bases, with Big Stone County set to receive $11,804. 

Commissioner Radermacher also shared notes from a Countryside Public Health meeting. He highlighted that the organization expects to be $300,000 short on funding compared to last year. Radermacher also reported that Countryside received and accepted a Substance Abuse Prevention, Education, and Recovery grant totaling $710,000 over five years to fund a position to educate incarcerated individuals. 

Board members received updates and addressed action items following committee reports. 

Dr. Ashley Kjos of Woodland Centers gave the Big Stone County Board a Spring Report. She reported that the number of total clients served in 2024 returned to average levels at 4,762 clients, noting that the 5,324 clients served in 2023 appear to be an anomaly compared to other previous years. She also highlighted that Big Stone County makes up 2.65 percent of Woodland Centers’ clients, the lowest percentage between counties. Dr. Kjos detailed that the organization served individuals between the ages of three to 87 in 2024 and broke down the percentage of those clients by their employment status: Employed (28.01 percent); Full-Time College Student (0.46 percent); Homemaker (0.86 percent); Under 18 (33.37 percent); Retired (2.27 percent); Unanswered (6.55 percent); and Unemployed (21.04 percent). She also highlighted that after removing outlier services like Adult Day Treatment, Outpatient Therapy, and Psychiatry, Woodland Centers’ modality of services equates to 91.18 percent face-to-face services, 8.24 percent telehealth services, and 0.58 percent phone services. Dr. Kjos also noted that Woodland Centers’ employee retention rates increased from 77 percent in 2023 to 95 percent in 2024 and that the turnover rate dropped from 23 percent in 2023 to 16 percent in 2024.  

Family Services Director Laura Laub notified the Big Stone County Board that Family Services received its 2024 financial report from the Department of Human Services (DHS), showing perfect performance in meeting financial reporting requirements. 

Board members approved a resolution with the City of Clinton for applying for a Safe Routes To School grant for sidewalk installation and repairs in the community. The City of Clinton agreed to pay half of the 20 percent local match required by the Safe Routes to School grant. 

     The Big Stone County Board approved Graceville Township’s Cannabis Delegation Agreement. 

The Big Stone County Board meets again for a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 3, at 8:30 a.m. at the Big Stone County Courthouse in Ortonville.