BLUE EARTH– Concern over funding for Faribault County’s aging population was the topic of discussion during the public comment portion of the Faribault County Board of Commissioner’s meeting on Tuesday.

Dan Woodring, the executive director of Interfaith Caregivers in Faribault County, spoke to the board about new proposals being considered by the Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA) which would direct more funds to the seven-county metro area and reduce funds for outstate Minnesota.

“We have been serving the elderly population of Faribault County for 25 years so that they may stay in their homes,” Woodring said. “The changes being proposed would seriously hamper our ability to do what we do.”

Woodring provided the commissioners with a handout which explained the funding formula and the workings of the MBA in greater detail.

“The current formula weighs heavily on population, which shifts dollars to the seven-county metro area,” Woodring explained. “Because of the sparse population and the distance to services in our rural areas, we face challenges the metro does not have to deal with. Our limited infrastructure also is a disadvantage for our rural areas.”

Woodring said he wanted to make the commissioners aware of the situation and encouraged them to consider going online and submitting their thoughts on the MBA website, which is open for public comment. He mentioned the time for submitting public comment will be closing soon.

The commissioners also:

— Approved the request of Veteran Services Officer Jenna Schmidtke to attend the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers Conference.

— Voted to grant the request of Jessica Blair of the Faribault County Auditors/Treasurers Office to attend the Minnesota Association of County Auditors, Treasurers and Finance Officers Summer Conference.

— Approved the request of Erin Beske of the Sheriff’s Department to attend the 2023 Civil Process Legislative update and Critical Issues Workshop.