FAIRMONT– The possibility of sharing IT services between Martin and Faribault counties was discussed by the Martin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.

Martin County’s IT Director, Jeramie Jones, said that they were looking at providing comprehensive IT services for Faribault County, not including the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office. Currently he said Faribault County uses Midwest IT, which is going through changes so the county is looking at moving to a unified solution.

“The partnership will represent an opportunity to reduce cost. The really important one for us is it’s money back into our department that will help with reducing the tax levy over time,” Jones said.

He added that it’s also a chance to develop a regional technology team and it will increase the opportunity to learn.

“There’s some wins on both sides,” Jones said.

He said that most of the work, troubleshooting and help desk and support tickets, will be remote, which is the preferred method.

“After the initial rollover, if we end up doing this, we’re looking at probably, maybe 10 hours a week between the three of us to do these things,” Jones said of the current IT staff.

To start, he requested the board approved rate used currently for transit and Fairmont Police Department, which is $70 per hour, which he said could be increased if the board desired, and that billing would be based on actual time worked.

In closing his pitch, Jones added that the long term goal is to see it go from a contract process to a Joint Development Agreement (JDA), like what already exists for Faribault and Martin County Health and Human Services.

“I like that model and I think that would work better after the first year,” Jones said.

Commissioner Richard Koons asked for clarification that it was a flat rate of $70, which Jones confirmed. Koons asked about the ticketing system software which Jones said Faribault County does not currently have but said it could be shared across counties.

Jones added that the ticketing software is the only software that would be shared and that Faribault County would maintain its own platforms and other costs.

Other board members expressed concerns about the rate and questioned if the software cost could be shared with Faribault County.

Commissioner Jaime Bleess asked what would happen if a ticket opens but it’s a simple 10 minute fix and whether they would still bill the full $70 rate.

“We can look at a minimum charge if you like,” Jones said.

Bleess said he would like to see some kind of minimum charge , which Koons agreed with.

“Otherwise it’s taking up time that you three guys are doing here and then all of a sudden you stop to look at a ticket for another county that takes 10 or 15 minutes or two hours, we don’t know,” Koons said.

Commissioner Joe Loughmiller added that he would be frustrated to be on the other side and know that every 30 minutes of work was costing $70.

After some more discussion, Bleess said he would like to see a written contract, rather than a proposal, before he agreed to approving anything.

“I support the idea in general, but I think it needs to be flushed out a little bit so we’re not getting burned financially,” he said.

The board approved a motion to move forward with the idea and will wait to make further decisions until more details and information come from Jones.

The board also took several steps on Monday toward relocating the Veteran Services Office and Extension/4H office into the county-owned building at 1200 N. State Street in Fairmont.

First, the board heard from Troy Nemmers with Bolton & Menk who spoke about assistance his company could provide with parking lot improvements at 1200 N. State Street.

“What we have in the proposal is doing a typographic survey of the entire parcel, locating everything that we would be touching with our replacement and then doing some minor site grading to improve the parking lot,” Nemmers said.

The estimated proposal to do the work came in at $25,000.

Commissioner Billeye Rabbe said that the building committee had recommended that Bolton & Menk do the project and work with County Engineer Kevin Peyman on it. She made a motion to approve moving forward with the parking lot improvements at the 1200 N. State Street building and to use Bolton & Menk for design services and the motion passed.

Later in the meeting, the board reviewed the proposed office floor plan at 1200 N. State Street for Veteran Service Office and Extension/4H office. The department directors had been given an opportunity to provide their input prior to the schematic design.

After review, the board came to a consensus to approve the schematic design and move forward on the next steps, which is to have an architect design and develop specifications for the remodel project.

In other business:

— Michele Schroeder, District Outreach Representative of Congressman Brad Finstad, was present to introduce herself and let the board know it can reach out with any questions or concerns.

— The commissioners approved the purchase of a 2026 Bobcat Skid Loader in the amount of $67,400 and a Cold Planer attachment in the amount of $27,585.

— The board unanimously voted to re-appoint County Engineer Kevin Peyman to his position for another four year term effective May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2030.

— The board approved of a new “on-site work requirement and restrictions” policy.