FAIRMONT– At the Martin County Board Commissioner meeting on Tuesday, Martin County Economic Development Authority (EDA) constants, Joshua Schuetz and Amber Patten, provided a 2023 annual report. Schuetz noted that this was his and Patten’s first full year with the county. He rattled off some things they have accomplished in the last year.

“We launched a new EDA website that’s more modern and easier to use. We’ve done several major community events including a festival/event training course, breakfast on the farm on the Gerhardt from which has about 500 attendees. We also did a celebrating cultures event which highlighted our diverse cultures in Martin County,” Schuetz said.

He said that each event featured some different partners and that they were all put on with the help of grant funds, too.

Schuetz also talked about the success they’ve had with businesses in the county and noted that they’ve also branched out to assist some non-profits like Imagine Martin.

“We’ve also worked on the broadband partnership program. That’s been a huge initiative with developing a program for that,” Schuetz said.

Commissioner Elliot Belgard expressed satisfaction with how the partnership with Schuetz and Patten have gone.

“I think you’re very active and out in the community and I’ve only heard good things and am very happy with the arrangement,” Belgard said.

The board also heard from Chief Deputy Corey Klanderud, who presented an update to the public safety aid program.

In 2023 the Minnesota legislature granted some one-time funds for public safety aid and Martin County was allotted $352,000. After that a Public Safety Aid committee was formed which identified three areas to focus on: radios, cameras and mental health checks.

At the March 19 meeting, the commissioners approved for funds to be spent on radios and cameras but asked that Klanderud come back with a contract in place with a company to provide the mental health checks.

On Tuesday Klanderud brought forth a contract with Least Services/Counseling LLC that will go into place in 2024 and ensure that all employees (currently 49) get a half-hour wellness check.

“Our intention if this goes well is to budget for this in future years,” Klanderud said.

He said he would like to get the checks scheduled for late fall or early fall.

Belgard asked whether there would be any follow ups. Klanderud said the contract includes a max of $15,000 and that the wellness checks will come up to about $11,000 so that there will be additional funds for needed follow ups.

The board approved of the contract.

In other business, the board approved the distribution of of funds from the Local Homeless Prevention Aid and Statewide Affordable Housing Aid Committee in order to immediately address some needs of individuals and families who qualify in the area. The county has received its allotment of $184,6999 in 2023 and will receive an additional $211,417 in 2024.

In other action, the board:

— Approved the purchase of a budgeted 2024 distributor truck for Truck Center Companies in Fairmont in the amount of $107,227 for the Martin County Highway Department.

— Approved the recruitment of a part-time communications officer.

–Approved the hire of Kim Wubbena as a part-time branch floater in the Martin County Library.

— Approved the hire of Marie Barrick as a full-time planning and zoning technician in the Martin County Planning and Zoning Office.

— Approved and authorized the board chair to sign a proposal from Bolton & Menk in the amount of $9,000 for professional land survey services for the proposed Justice Center site.